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NOREEN BUSH
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Probably with Edouard's influence, Noreen was invited to take over the teaching of the Scholarship Classes at the Association: she was the second teacher to have been offered the post. This caused some older teaching heads to turn. But Adeline Genée would hear nothing of it and in her forward-looking way relished and encouraged the emerging talents. This was an important appointment for Noreen; she was now in the vanguard of the new British teaching method. For the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of Bush Davies School in 1974, Pamela May, who had been a ballerina with the Royal Ballet Company and created works for both Frederick Ashton and Ninette de Valois wrote, "My sincere admiration for all the work Noreen has done for ballet, and all the help, kindness and encouragement to me especially in the early days when she taught me as a Scholar of the RAD".

Noreen portraitThroughout her life Noreen retained an important and influential link with The Royal Academy of Dancing, serving on its Executive Committee and Technical Committee from 1943 as well as being a member of the Grand Council. She was also invited to become a major examiner in the early 1930s. Noreen's connection with the Association proved a turning point in her development to becoming one of the most respected ballet teachers in the country.

On 8 July, 1930, we find in The Times Court Circular, Buckingham Palace: "The tenth annual "Sunshine Matinée," in aid of "Sunshine" Homes for Blind Babies, was held at the New Scala Theatre yesterday afternoon. Among those who took part were:- Anton Dolin, Thamara Karsavina, Harold Turner, Hertha Feist, Miss Noreen Bush, and Mr.Paul Haakon."

The Sunshine Matinées, as they were called, were established in 1919, 'as an annual occasion to review the English situation of stage dancing'. The above quote from The Times was the last of ten such matinées, but in the meantime, in 1924, the 'All England Sunshine Dancing Competitions' began, which were open to young dancers up to the age of 22'. The Noreen Bush School, later The Noreen Bush and Marjorie Davies Schools (Bush Davies), played a very competitive role in the development of the competition; Noreen was also one of the senior adjudicators. However, their success proved a little overwhelming. Mary Pike, a Felden student, writes, "We often entered competitions in London and I have never forgotten winning the Pavlova Casket (Ed. not for the first nor last time) which was in pride of place in the reception hall." And, from Charters, Julia Cutbush recalls, "I took part in an All-England Competition in 1949, I think it was the last time we entered ." The school withdrew from national competitions.

 

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