D: What's this?
S: The new IBTA Website that is now up
and running.
D: Blimey, I see it's a Website. What
did you think I thought it was a microwave? What's it
called?
S: Well, I guess the IBTA Website!
D: Sheeeeez!
S: Thank you!
D: What's it all about and am I in
it?
S: It's all about the International
Baton Twirling Association with a little history, our
codes of ethics, judging information, teaching information,
how to get in touch with us and hopefully some photos.
You are in it in part.
D: What part?
S: Since you are the IBTA Technical
Advisor and have been for a LONG time now, I thought you
should be introduced and maybe, just maybe you would send
in mini articles for us to keep us up-to-date. You have
paved the way for a lot us here in this baton association.
Your knowledge has provided us with many things such as:
technical rules, new events, revised baton information,
judging courses, teacher's courses, shopping, eating and
yes, laughing!
D: OK! What's with the LONG? However,
I do appreciate all of your comments but you really
should think of doing something more hip!
S: Right now, we just need to get more
on the Website. Hippy hippy shake shake will just have
to come later. So, tell us something about yourself? And
can you put it in real English that we can understand!
D: Ego reinforcement?
S: That works. Go for it…
D: Having started baton twirling and
dance at age 3, competitions and performance became
a major part of my life in Canada. At age 17 began professional
show twirling with a 15 minute baton and dance act.
Yes, I was lucky enough to travel world-wide with this
and start the shopping. During this time, took teaching,
coaching and judging courses to further my education
in baton and continue to pursue baton twirling and dance
as a career.
S: Let me interrupt-did you ever win
any awards?
D: Yes, I did because I was passionate
about what I was doing-won World, North American, Canadian
and Ontario championships in solo, strut, 2-baton and
flag. But enough of that…while I did compete Joy
Townsley was a baton acquaintance. A long time ago,
in a country far, far away while I was performing, I
ended up doing a group of shows for the Canadian Armed
Forces. One of them was in an unbelievably isolated
place called Goose Bay, Labrador. At the show, was one
of Joy's daughters, April. We spoke briefly and from
what I gather, she let her mom know that she had seen
me. As a result, Joy invited me over to England to adjudicate
in Wales. I was introduced to all of the members and
to Tina Townsley. (Tina continues to be one of my very
best friends!) There was so much fun and interest that
I continued to travel back again and again to judge
and teach for IBTA. When Mike and Sylvia Talbot took
over the reins from Joy, they invited me into their
home, shared just about everything with me and certainly
received their challenges in having me in their lives!
We all worked diligently to create what IBTA is today-a
well organised baton twirling organisation that welcomes
twirlers from Ireland and England to participate, no
matter what their skill level is.
S: So, any favourite moments?
D: Oh, just too many-missing trains,
teaching lots of children, social outings, staying at
some interesting B&B's, lots of judging fun events,
camaraderie of all of the teachers and judges, maintaining
friendships and yes, shopping!
S: The future?
D: More shopping…just kidding…certainly
I will be biased in my predictions as there are lots
of dedicated volunteers, corps directors, teachers,
judges and performers-like you, Tabby, Helen, Gill,
Steve, Rose, Elaine, Karen, Maria, Dawn, Jo, Joanne,
Carla, to name just a few… As the organisation
has awesome values and professionalism, IBTA will continue
to grow. Anything else that I can tell you?
S: Yes, so when will you be back? We
have got to do this again-I mean the eating and drinking
of course-just kidding-for your next seminar?
Learn
more about Deadra and Studio D by visiting the Studio
D Website: http://www.studioddancebaton.com/
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