Sasha Creque, Artistic Director-Adagio Dance School. Photo: VINO/File

Once I saw that we had a 100% success pass I knew right then that I didn’t fail them.” Ms. Creque said with excitement. Photo: VINO/File

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - As defined by Acrobatics Art; Acrobatic Dance, or ‘Acro’ as it is commonly referred to by dancers and dance professionals, is the beautiful fusion of classic dance technique and the precision and athleticism of acrobatic elements. Often defined by unique choreography, acro dancers seamlessly blend musicality, emotional expression, line and extension with acrobatic movements in a dance context.

On June 1 and 2, 2018, twenty students from the ‘Adagio Dance School’ were provided with the opportunity to take the first Acrobatic Exams held not just in the Virgin Islands (VI) but in the Caribbean.

International

The exams are viewed on an international scale, where students who have been graded can continue with their 'Acro' studies in any of 22 twenty other countries worldwide.

“This is such a great accomplishment not just for me or the students but for the entire British Virgin Islands. I have worked hard and even more so the students worked really hard to ensure that they were prepared for exam day” said Sasha S. Creque, Artistic Director/Certified Acrobatic Instructor.

Students as young as age five to 16, took their respective levels which stemmed from Primary Level to Level 3.

Exams will be held annually at the Adagio Dance Studio located in Fish Bay, Skelton Bay Lot.

“The students were allowed to take the exams solely based on recommendations from myself. I knew based on their strengths and weaknesses that they would have been prepped in time.” relayed Ms Creque.

“We were so lucky to have such a great examiner, Ms Heather Thomas, who travelled from Canada to evaluate the students.

Ms Thomas made the students felt welcomed, and assured them  that there wasn’t anything to worry about,” Ms Creque continued.

Superior vs Retry  

Examiners evaluate dancers against a set universal standard, allowing dancers and teachers to see where they stand globally.  During the exam, students can expect a class setting with the examiner directing the class and making notes throughout.

The exam was graded ‘Superior’, ‘Excellent’, ‘Highly Commended”, ‘Commended’, ‘Pass’ or ‘Retry’ based on the scores achieved for each element as well as grooming and attitude.

Students who complete the level being tested for, will receive a certificate to commemorate their achievement.

Students who receive a grade of ‘Superior’ will also receive a custom Acrobatic Arts medal. All students will receive a report card complimenting areas of excellence and suggesting areas for improvement.

“It was rather nerve wrecking to wait for the results, two days after the exams. This is because it’s not just the students who were being evaluated but my job as a Certified Instructor. Once I saw that we had a 100% success pass I knew right then that I didn’t fail them.” Ms Creque said with excitement.