Summer School
I love summer school because I get to spend a week with some of my favourite people doing something that I love.
Each day we have class in the morning from 9:30 to 12:30. We have two teachers and two musicians, one for the first half of the week and one for the second half of the week. In class we learn new and old dances, improving our steps and skills. At summer school the dances taught have a theme. This year we were taught many dances devised by Derek Haynes as it coincides with the publication of the Carnforth Collection. There is a tea break in the middle of class and if you are dancing in the Town Hall, you have enough time to go to Jannetta’s to get an ice cream or sorbet and make it back in time for class! A few of us discovered this and made the trip on the final day to get in one last Jannetta’s trip in before heading home.
In the afternoon there are many activities for you to do. You can attended afternoon classes such as Step, improvement classes, talks by the summer school staff, a trip to the beach (which I recommend if your feet hurt), a trip to Jannetta’s, have a nap (highly encouraged). I spent a few of my afternoons filming content for the RSCDS Youth page. I enjoyed it because I got to hang out with my friends and we all laughed and had fun whilst filming. On Friday there is a garden party where everyone can have a drink, a chat with friends and sometimes Jeremy Hill will organise a 32some reel which is very fun to take part in and to watch.
The evenings involve social dancing which allows you to dance with people you’ve met for the first time or those who aren’t in your class, but you like to dance with. Thursday night is my favourite night for dancing as many people dress up women in long dresses and the men wear their kilt jackets and everyone looks very smart.
On the Friday night there is a Ceilidh where people perform different acts. We have a choir that gets together every year, the junior summer school class perform some dances they’ve learnt in class, Antonia and Oliva perform a piano duet which is always very impressive. The Ceilidh is a nice break for our feet, getting to sit down and watch our friends perform.
Summer school is one of my favourite RSCDS events because I get to dance for a week straight and hang out with my friends and listen to amazing music.
Freya Russell
