For a handful of dancers, the year 2020 ended on a note positive. In groups or in solos, two schools of Bastian dances shone when they managed to snatch three gold medals and three silver medals to the international meetings.
An unprecedented track record for Ballerina and Dance Factory. After having obtained the first place in their respective categories and disciplines at the regional competition, they should normally have competed as every year at the national level. This last stage having been canceled because of the health crisis, they were selected, among the various regional first prizes according to scores awarded by the jury during their first performance, to face ten other European countries.
The dancers of Ballerina finally obtained the title of European champion in contemporary category 3 with the group “Les Procès de Salem”. They were also awarded three silver medals in group and contemporary solo category 2 and in contemporary solo category 1.
The Dance Factory school won two first places. One for Léa Mariani, in contemporary solo category 4, and another for Victoria Schiappa in preparatory jazz solo.
READ ALSO. INTERVIEW. “Pole dancing has brought me a lot”
“The preparation was hell”
Covid requires, the European competition took place at a distance. From their usual rehearsal rooms, the dancers were able to present their choreography live to the jury. “You could imagine that it was easier for us to have it happen like that. But in the end it’s just the opposite. In addition to the usual stress, we had to manage the technique, with the fear of a cut during our representation. And then it’s not the same thing, on stage we are highlighted, if only thanks to the lights “, explains Marion, member of the group “The Trials of Salem”.
Then comes the question of repetitions. With the ban on opening dance halls until December 15, the dancers had only a few days to rehearse together. “We continued to work on video but it was really complicated. For my part, I couldn’t believe it, I even tried to prepare Victoria for defeat to prevent her from being too disappointed. And then, finally, the last days in face-to-face paid off, and she got it “ admits Marine, the dance factory school teacher.
On Ballerina’s side, the teacher finally chose to present only four choreographies, out of the seven passages initially selected, for lack of time to rehearse. “I discussed this with my students, and we concluded that it was not possible to present all of our passages. I felt sorry for those who did not compete but I am sure they will manage to come back next year “, explains Hélène, the founder of the school.
“For our group, we almost gave up the day before our convocation. Then, finally, we decided to go to the end”, adds Lara, one of the dancers.
Bet won, they were finally crowned European champions.
READ ALSO. Biguglia: 20 years of Flamenco passion!
–
