Lyon Branch go to Summer School

Members ofLyon Branchentertaineda Summer Schoolceilidhwitha song about Madame La Marquise(centre).

Over a year ’ s planning came to fruition when 27 people travelled to St. Andrews from Lyon and neighbouring areas for Week Two of Summer School 2009. During the twenty five years that Scottish Chanterelle (now RSCDS Lyon Branch) had been in existence there had not been any major expenditure, so at the AGM in March 2008 the members voted unanimously to use the funds to help pay for a week at Summer School the following year for any of the regular dancers who chose to go. Such was the enthusiasm that even dancers who joined the group since the meeting were included, and 22 of the 27 branch members attending Week 2 were recipients of the grant. I spoke to some of them at St. Andrews. Melissa believes that Lyon Branch engenders a family feeling because it consists of men and women of all ages, and this is one of its strengths. Of those who came to St. Andrews this year, there were three mothers with their offspring, and ten dancers aged 25 or under, which bodes well for the future of Scottish country dancing in Europe. In fact one of these youngsters, Raphaelle, took her teacher ’ s certificate at Summer School last year and is now the main teacher of the class at home. She is one of Branch President Christiane Orgeret’ s three children to attend Summer School regularly.Axel, who has been coming since he was 16, does not even attend class at home (it’ s on a Friday night, when most 20-year-olds have other plans!) but still loves Scottish dancing and thoroughly enjoys himself at weekend schools and in St. Andrews. The youngest member to travel, Ronan, is just 16. His mother, Florence, was also in the party. I thought perhaps it was her love of Scottish dancing that had persuaded Ronan to take it up, but no – they started together two years ago on the recommendation of a friend of his. The dancers I spoke to, both first timers and St. Andrews regulars, were all having a wonderful time and would love to come back. Two even said they wanted to stay! They all struggled to determine what was the best aspect of Summer School because they found everything was so good (except perhaps the food, one said). There was unanimous praise for the teachers and musicians, and great appreciation of the friendliness and helpfulness of fellow dancers. After much racking of brains, two of the younger dancers (independently of each other) decided that the dances in the Younger Hall were perhaps the best part, but the general consensus was that these would be even better if no dances were walked through on the night. Two of the group had only been dancing since January of this year, and as Melissa had been promoted to the Intermediate class, Sabrina found herself on her own in the Beginners. Despite struggling with the language she was having a brilliant time, learning mainly from watching, which in any case she does at home as the latter part of the Friday classes is for advanced dancers only. She was full of praise for the very kind, encouraging teacher (Rachel Wilton) taking the beginners for the first half of the week. When I danced with her on the final Saturday night she had had a great time all week and hopes to return next year, to see Scotland with her family as well as dancing at Summer School. I asked if there were ways in which Summer School could be improved, but all the Lyon Branch members were having such a good time that they struggled to come up with any ideas. However, Lilah suggested a Highland dance course similar in structure to the musicians ’ course. She is a professional dancer who has been doing Scottish country dancing for ten years, having started because she loves Celtic music and all forms of dance. She says Highland dancing is much harder to find in France than Scottish country dancing, and if there were such a class at Summer School she could still join in with the latter in the evenings. My thanks go to Christiane for her introductions and her translations. She and some other Branch members did a lot of work in advance to help make the visit such a success: arranging applications, passports, transport, even kilts and English lessons. I enjoyed talking to the dancers from Lyon and I hope to meet you all again on a dance floor somewhere. Until then, au revoir.