In 1996 Doris Saisch took the decision to organise a series of courses taught by Hennie Konings for the intensive study of Russian folk dance. A growing number of regular participants in Hennie’s courses had felt the need to improve their technical dance skills and to explore various aspects of Russian folk dance in more depth. Out of this first intensive course there emerged a ’study group’ and the majority of this group are still enthusiastic dancers in today’s group. From the very beginning back in 1996, participants have travelled from all over Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. Participants are required to commit themselves for four weekends throughout the year and the courses build on the knowledge and skills acquired from the previous session. After many years intensive training, this study group has now reached a very high standard. From time to time people ask to join the group, however it is accepted that this is not possible – any newcomer would quickly become frustrated at the higher standard of dancing and with the fast pace of the teaching. This would be similar to someone wishing to join an advanced conversational Russian class with only a basic knowledge of Russian acquired through just a year’s study. There would be little point in doing this. The study group is also already oversubscribed, with over thirty participants. For this reason, these intensive courses are not shown on Hennie Konings’ website under the calendar of events.
A new series of courses has also been taking place in England and Austria in 2004, 2005 and 2006. The purpose of these foundation courses, as they are known, is to bring the participants up to the same level as the German study group. These courses are also not mentioned on the website. It is still however possible to particpate in these courses as they have been running only a relatively short time. Please note however that it is beneficial for participants to have at least a basic foundation in dance and preferably also experience in Russian dance
For more information about the Austrian courses,
please use the contact details below:
Bildungshaus Schloss Großrußbach, Schlossbergstraße 8, A
- 2114 Großrußbach bildungshaus@bildungshaus.cc
For more information about the courses in England
please contact:
Janet Wilks, Creative Energy Circles, 138B Portobello Road,
London W11 2DZ janetwilks@tiscali.co.uk