Newsletter – September 2013
WOW! What a busy year we’ve had! I hope you are all enjoying the summer break and are taking
the time to relax and recharge your batteries. The new term will soon be upon us and I am
looking forward to welcoming you all back again in September for another fun packed year! We
have had to adjust a couple of the class times on Tuesdays so please take a minute to look at
the enclosed timetable to ensure you arrive at class on time!
“Don’t Stop Us Now”
“Amazing performances”
“Stunning dancing”
“Fantastic show”
“Feel proud to be a part of such a wonderful school”
Our show at the Wycombe Swan Theatre to celebrate our 40th Anniversary was a great success
and I was overwhelmed by the number of kind messages I received after the performance.
Several of the performers have been at the school for over 30 years and I am truly
appreciative of their loyalty and confidence in the school and hope that they and many more of
you will still be around for our 50th anniversary!
I now have 18 months until the next one and already have a few ideas floating around in my head!
Needless to say the success of everything we do at The Chiltern Academy is only made possible
by the exceptional team of people I have to help me and the wonderful students who work so
hard and rise to any challenge brought to them. THANK YOU to you all.
New Classes
Due to the tremendous success of our Musical Theatre class we have added a junior class for 58 year olds to our ever expanding timetable. This class will be held on TUESDAY evenings from
3.45-4.30pm. We already have 8 students signed up for this exciting class so if you are
interested please email chilternacademy@live.com to reserve a place.
We are also starting a Contemporary Dance Company under the expert guidance of Miss Helen
Charalambous. This class will focus mainly on performance and students will be taught innovative
dance pieces choreographed by Helen to represent the Academy in festivals and any other
performance opportunities throughout the year. Due to the nature of this class places will be
limited and is only open to students from Grade 5 and above. The class will start on Monday 9 th
September from 4.30 – 6pm and is £5 per class payable weekly. Please contact Miss Jane if you
are interested in joining this company.
Staff News
We are delighted to welcome Suzanne Taylor and Helen Charalambous to our team, both
former students of Chiltern Academy and a great addition to our superb teaching faculty.
Suzanne has been teaching the adult ballet class for the past year and choreographed a
beautiful piece for our recent show and Helen has been cover teaching for Miss Jane and will be
leading the new contemporary dance company as previously mentioned.
Performance News
Congratulations and thank you to all the students who represented the Academy at the Chesham
Festival in February and the Mid-Bucks Festival in July, winning numerous trophies, medals and
certificates. The senior modern group were awarded an astonishing 89 marks, a wonderful
achievement and a score we hope to better at the next competition in October.
Saturday 16th March saw a few members of our adult tap class “The Chiltern Academy Tappers”
travel to the BBC’s iconic television centre in West London to take part in the One Show’s recreation of the record breaking mass tap dance that took place in 1977. The choreographer was
Arlene Phillips and they appeared alongside Matt Baker, a tiring but very exciting day!
Several of our students appeared at “The Big Lunch” at Prestwood Common on June 2nd and also
at Missenden Abbey’s Summer Craft Fair on 30th June. As always they represented the
Academy admirably and I was complimented on the very high standard of dance and
professionalism shown by the students. We have already been asked to perform at the “Spirit
of Christmas” held in Prestwood later this year.
Well done to Jasmine Atufe and Katrina Hawes who successfully auditioned for “Oliver!”- this
year’s Wycombe Swan Youth project.
Finally I hope you enjoy the rest of the summer break and I look forward to welcoming you all
back for another action packed year which commences on Thursday 5th September.
With love,
Jane Anderson
Principal