The Spanish Dance Society awards bursaries and special awards to outstanding students and teachers worldwide. This year’s Teacher’s Bursary has been awarded to a Maltese national once again. Last year’s bursary was awarded to Spain, however, the recipient was a Maltese Flamenco Teacher and Dancer, presently studying and teaching at the Centro de Baile in Jerez on a Malta Arts Scholarship.
Bettina Von Brockdorff, last year’s Spanish Dance Society Teacher’s Bursary recipient has just been awarded her Instructor de Baile 2 of the Spanish Dance Society. She was examined by Sherrill Wexler and Theo Dante in Spain and coached by SDS examiner Victoria Ramos.
Bettina has to date passed all graded and vocational graded examinations of the SDS with Distinction. She commenced her training with SDS examiner Deborah McNamara and in 2010 was awarded her Instructor de Baile 1 of the Spanish Dance Society before going on to win a Malta Arts Scholarship to enable her to embark on a two year course in Spain, where she studied with some of Spain’s most outstanding dancers and tutors.
Bettina will be resuming her academic studies at the University of Malta, as well as working as a classical Spanish and Flamenco freelance teacher. On her return, she will also be appearing as guest dancer for several Spanish Dance performances. Bettina now intends to be the first Maltese dancer to sit for her Certificado Artistico. This is a special dancer’s award, open to candidates who have passed their Advanced 2 (TAE) with Distinction. Candidates are required to perform 4 dances on stage Classical, Regional, Estilizada and Flamenco and adjudicated by one examiner and one professional dancer from Spain. The concept is similar to that of the RAD solo seal and only a select few are granted this prestigious award. She will be coached by Deborah McNamara.
Robert Scicluna IdB 1 is the recipient of this year’s Spanish Dance Society’s Teachers Bursary. Robert will attend the International Teacher’s Course at Arts Ed in Tring, U.K. where he will have the opportunity of studying with International examiners Victoria Ramos, Luisa Cortes, Marina Lorca, Conchita del Campo and Sherrill Wexler. Robert was granted this award last December after performing an outstanding Advanced 1 examination (SAE Flamenco), passing with Distinction. Students under his tutelage also received excellent results.
Like Bettina Von Brockdorff, Robert commenced his Spanish Dance Society training with Deborah McNamara, passing all examinations with Distinction. In 2010, he was the first Maltese Male candidate to be awarded his IdB 1 teaching qualification of the SDS. Robert continues to be coached by Deborah McNamara and is working towards his Advanced 2 (TAE Flamenco) and Higher Teacher’s Qualification Instructor de Baile 2 of the SDS. Robert teaches Spanish Dance at the Academy of Dance Arts and is highly sort after as a Spanish guest dancer performing for several local companies. Robert regularly attends workshops with some of Spain’s top artists. In 2010, together with Anne Marie Bisazza, Robert was appointed as the local Representative of the Spanish Dance Society.
The Society continues to hold International workshops locally with distinguished artists such as Miguel Angel Espino, Angel Munoz, Virginia Dominguez, Inma Ortega, Alicia Marquez and Cristian Lozano and will once again be organising an International seminar for next December.
There are presently several schools on the Island that follow the Spanish Dance Society curriculum.
Local Practicing qualified teachers of the society are: Deborah McNamara PdB dip/Examiner, Anne-Marie Bisazza PdB dip, Svetlana Silina IdB 2, Fiona Anastasi IdB 2, Lara Lanfranco IdB 2, Bettina Von Brockdorff IdB 2, Marisha Bonnici IdB 1, Robert Scicluna IdB 1, Sarah Vella IdB 1 and Tamara Micallef IdB 1. Contact details for any of the above teachers may be sort through the SDS representatives in Malta through the SDS website: www.spanishdancesociety.org
The Spanish Dance Society is an international non-profit organisation promoting interest in all aspects of Spanish dance including Flamenco, Regional, Escuela Bolero and Estilizada, perusing excellence in presentation, execution and instruction. It is validated by Trinity College, London. Patrons of the Society include Luisillo, Mercedes y Albana, Jose Antonio and Tamara Rojo.