Strathkinness School of Dance

Another of the young women who is using her talents for the advantage

of the village is Jenny King, who is a member of the British Ballet Organisation.

The productions she and her children put on are a pleasure to all who go to

see them. Jenny has written about her School of Dance:

‘The Strathkinness School of Dance first started in 1972 in the Church

Hall with approximately eight to ten children, and ran for two years. After

a break of five years classes resumed in the Spring of 1980 with ten to twelve

children learning Ballet, Tap and Highland dancing. Over the years the School

has grown considerably, and now runs two days a week using both the Church

Hall and the Village Hall, with children coming from Strathkinness, St.

Andrews, Cupar, Dairsie and Kingsbarns.

‘In addition to the children’s classes the School began an Adult Tap and

Ballet class in 1985. These classes are also well attended.

‘As well as doing examinations the children take part in concerts, the

proceeds of which are kept in the village, helping to maintain halls or boosting

funds of the various other active groups in the village.

‘Many thanks go to my friend, Mrs. Kate Law. Without her support,

friendship and tolerance of my children there would be no School of Dance

in Strathkinness’.

A more recent development in form and movement is a class run by

Rosalind Garton who explains thus her —

Medau Rhythmic Movement

‘Medau is a form of movement to music especially designed for women

which exercises the whole body without straining it. It Also helps improve

one’s sense of rhythm, co-ordination and self-confidence. It was developed

in Germany in the 193Os and was part of the move towards the freeing of

women from their traditional bonds, enabling them to enjoy more freedom of

expression than they had been allowed previously.

‘There are only five qualified Medau teachers in Scotland. The training

is long as it involves not only movement training but also the learning of the

piano accompaniment, rhythm and the anatomy of movement. Rosalind

Garton has a class in the village and is the most northerly Medau teacher in

Britain!’

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