39th Annual Summer School, 30th July-6th August 2006
All Saints Pastoral Centre, London Colney, Hertfordshire
This year we returned to the eighteenth century at our new venue, All Saints Pastoral Centre, near St. Albans. The week's study was of la belle danse, the French style of dance which was enjoyed by social and theatrical dancers in all the countries of Europe. With precise steps and intense musicality, the dances are famous for their emergence in the baroque suite: minuet, bourée, rigaudon and gigue. In England, the native rhythms of hornpipe and slip jig continued in stage, ballroom and country dances. Three expert tutors will lead the course, and we are pleased to welcome three specialists to enrich the week's learning.
The teaching programmed encouraged individual skill and confidence through daily classes in ability groups with an expert tutor. Afternoon optional workshops allowed dancers to learn further dances with a tutor of choice, pursue further studies such as Feuillet notation or take the opportunity to relax in the house and grounds.