 |
Robert
Coddington & Annette Ashenden |
Hinterland Dancing Academy was established in 1978 at Nerang by Annette Ashenden with a small group of students which grew rapidly to encompass one hundred students, all of whom were taught classical ballet, contemporary dance and jazz. It was during this first year that Annette took over from (our patron) Patricia Macdonald at St Hilda's teaching ballet and jazz within the school curriculum, which she has continued to do for 35 years. The school grew rapidly as word spread throughout the local community of its reputation, that of personalised attention, disciplined but fun classes and the retention of family atmosphere.
Robert Coddington joined HDA in 1988 as a principal dancer in the end of year production of Nutcracker at the Arts Centre. Enjoying working with the students
he accepted work as a teacher assisting Annette the following year, during which HDA spread its wings to a second studio at Pindara Sports Clinic. The opportunity to
use such a wonderfully equipped studio encouraged numbers to grow and necessitated more staff, developing the schools further within the four years that HDA
was in residence. Unfortunately as the hospital area grew the sports clinic was taken over so HDA had to find another home (except for the original Nerang
Studio which was working very well). Arrangements were then negotiated with St Hilda s School to refurbish an area for teaching ballet in school but also to house HDA after school hours. All things became final only weeks before Pindara closed with all requirements being realised from sprung floor to ceiling fans etc etc.
AAt the announcement of the brand new studio Robert added the news of his intention to marry Miss Annette! This started off a wonderful 1994, followed by
the opening of the Ipswich studio in 1996 developing the studio even further. During these successful years many students have gone on to a professional life as
dancers, teachers and actors, but even those who have chosen a different path have been affected by becoming focused,
disciplined, obtaining goals and working with professional people in a professional setting. The motive for HDA starting
is what keeps it successful today... to share the love of dance with its students.
2005 saw a new beginning for HDA with teaching commencing in the brand new studio at Trinity Lutheran College. HDA also took over Gold Coast School of Performing Arts in 2005 to establish a permanent base in Nerang to provide singing lessons and encourage drama. 2006 saw the birth of Gold Coast & Ikeda Cultural Exchange Inc. that has given many students the opportunity to visit and perform with the Yuki Irie Modern Ballet Arts in Osaka, Japan. In 2008 a group of 30 students and parents visited Osaka where the students united in a highly successful Friendship Concert during which it was decided that in 2009 Japanese students would homestay and be a part of HDA’s annual concert. This was achieved with 3 senior students perfoming Penguin’s Melancholy, opening the concert Dance Across The Boards and forging even greater cultural exchange and bond between schools. Now plans will be made this year for a return to Japan for the students of HDA.
2011 will see a welcome return to St Hilda’s studio, not only to teach students of the school but also for the exclusive use of all HDA students. This represents a wonderful opportunity for boarders at the school to learn on campus and increases the exposure of more students to the Ikeda Cultural Exchange. Following
the success of HDA’s visit to Japan that included homestay for the seven senior students, we now plan to offer sponsorship for a student to train with Yuki Irie in Osaka for a week in the July holidays.
2012 is not only our 35th anniversary but St Hilda s centennial year during which our students have been asked to perform at many of their celebrations.In
December the Irie Yuki Modern Ballet Arts will be bringing their school who will be celebrating their 25th anniversary , to perform with HDA at the Arts Centre.
This is the highlight of the seven year relationship with our friends in Osaka!
|
