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Regina Hungarian Cultural and Social Club |  |
Since the Club's inception in 1922, Hungarian folk dancing has always been the focal point of culture in the Regina Hungarian Club. In order to preserve and nurture the Hungarian culture, the Club has offered various programs to their members and families. Through the years, these programs have included language school, choir, theatrical performances and, of course, dancing. The Regina Balaton Hungarian Dancers were officially formed in 1974. The Hungarian community is entertained throughout the year by the Balaton Dancers at such events as the Grape Harvest Dance, Regina's Festival of Cultures called Mosaic, as well as commemorative celebrations such as March 15 and October 23.
With the many unique, rich and entertaining styles of dancing that is part of the Hungarian heritage, audiences were sure to be delighted with performances given. The dancers first participated in the precursor to Mosaic in 1973. This success led to the Balaton dancers forming in 1974. They have worked hard toward improving their knowledge and skills, including trips to Hungary in 1977 and 1988. The dance group has seen many changes over the years with over 200 different dancers having been part of the group at one time or another. Today, the dance group has 30 memebers, but as no one is turned away and anyone may join and enjoy at any time, the numbers are constantly changing.
Major highlights for the Balaton Dancers include such events as:
The Regina Balaton Hungarian Dancers provide an opportunity for the Hungarians of Regina to share their culture with the community as well as to preserve the culture in their family. The Balaton Dancers currently have 3 groups, which offers a dance program suited to the age and skill level of the participants. It provides an avenue for families who have always been involved with Regina Hungarian Club to introduce their children to the Hungarian culture through dance. As well, it also allows those who have not been active in the Club in the past to reintroduce their culture to their children and families.
Joining the Balaton Hungarian Dancers is simple. All that is required is that the prospective dancer, or their parent(s), be a member of the Hungarian Club. A minimum age of 5 yrs old is set as children younger than that have not yet had a chance to work on their focusing abilities and some of their motor skills. While there is no maximum age for the dancers, most currently in our senior group are aged 14 and up.
| Juniors: Ages: 5-7 | Intermediates: Ages: 7-14 | Seniors: Ages: 14+ |
Our group is divided into three sections: Juniors, Intermediates and Seniors. The juniors are kids aged 5-7 years old. They learn the fundamentals of Hungarian dancing (csardas and ti-ti-ta) and the basics of dancing with others, trying to learn to dance together and stay in time with the music.
At approximately 7 or 8 years old, kids make the move to intermediates. There is no set age as the group dynamics must be considered at all times. As the number of kids at any level changes, consideration is given to the following: child's age; child's abilities; child's focus skills; numbers of kids in the levels. As this can keep kids from moving up completly, many times we will have kids dance with two groups, so that they can continue to be challenged with more difficult steps and choreography and at the same time, they can continue to lead and assist younger dancers coming up behind them.
In intermediates, the kids begin to learn more difficult steps and choreography. They are continually challenged to improve, work hard and become more focused. At this age, they work to take on traditional dancing roles, understanding the culture that formed Hungarian Dancing, learning bits and pieces of music and Hungarian language. Their costumes become more varied and they learn dances and dancing styles from more different regions. Their progress is only limited by their focus and desire.
At the age of 12-14 years old, consideration is given to moving kids up to the senior dance group. The senior dancers work on difficult steps and choreography from all the varied regions and sub-regions of Hungary. The varying amount of styles is quite high for such a small country, which challenges the dancers more than many may realize. The amount of performances increases quite dramatically for the seniors, as they perform more dances at performances, participate in more performances throughout the city and Saskatchewan, and they participate in more training camps, special performances like the Western Canadian Hungarian Folk Dance Festival and go on special trips, such as ones taken to Hungary. The amount of costumes used, music performed to and Hungarian regional styles used increases greatly.
The Balaton Dancers administrator is Ibolya Baulin. The assistant instructors for the Balaton Dancers are: Sandy Engel, and Debbie McPherson.
Ibolya BaulinIbolya first became involved with the Balaton Dancers back in 1973, as one of the original dancers in the group. The instructor at that time was Maria Trebus. Ibolya truly enjoyed the dancing, and in 1978, when the original dancers took their leave, she took up the role of group instructor to the new senior dancers, which were previously the junior dancers. Under her guidance the group grew to become strong dancers, forming a core that would not change for many years.
Since then, though the dancers faces have changed, the look of the Balaton Dancers has not. The dancers have always enjoyed a reputation for strong performances, with challenging steps and choreography. She has guided them through many dance festivals, a trip to Hungary, various performances throughout the province and through many Mosaics.
Ibolya has also researched dance styles from many regions in Hungary, including music, choreography, the many style nuances of each region and the many colorful and intricate costumes native to these regions. Her eye toward a balanced and enjoyable performance have led to many audiences enjoying incredible dancing, in a display that leaves everyone happy and satisfied.
Sandy first joined the Balaton Dancers in 1984, taking up the challenge of joining the senior dancers at the age of 15. She worked hard to become a strong dancer and performer and stayed a member of the senior group until 2000. She began assisting with instruction in 2000, helping Ibolya with dance steps, choreography and performances for the senior dancers. Sandy assists with the seniors and is leading the juniors in their new dance steps and choreography.
Debbie joined the Balaton Dancers as an instructor in 2002, helping Ibolya with the junior and intermediate dancers. Her daughter was a dancer and she wanted to help contribute to the dance group and give back some of the knowledge that she had gained as a dancer herself. Debbie first began dancing with the Lethbridge Delibab Folk Dancers. After moving to Regina, she became involved with the Hungarian Club by enrolling her daughter in the Balaton Dance Group. Today, she assists with the juniors, intermediates and seniors.
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