Profiles
Sharon Ellis - Principal / Treasurer / Adjudicator
Background
I first joined the Holmfirth Golden Girl Majorettes in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire in 1976 at the age of 8 and after being the Leader and Drum Major until the age of 16, I took over the troupe as Trainer in 1983. The troupe were members of the YCA and also BMBTA (now BBTSA) for whom I trained the Yorkshire Region for solo twirl and grades. In 1987 I then joined the YCA as an adjudicator and have been judging for 18 years.
John Dixon - Chairman / Adjudicator
Background
I got involved with Majorettes when my niece joined her local troupe – Great Houghton Marching Band. Later I began to train the band. After that I was involved with the training of Ryecroft Angels until they sadly disbanded. At this time I was asked to judge for the YCA, and to date have been judging for 14 years and currently are Chairman of the Association.
Denise Koncewiz - Secretary / Scrutineer
Background
My interest in Majorettes started when my Daughter joined Crosland Moor Majorettes in 1983, which later changed their name to Dusky Pinks, we were members of the YCA. I took over the running and training of the troupe in 1986 until they disbanded at the end of the 1998 season. I then joined the YCA Committee in 2000 as a Scrutineer.
Nicola Barraclough - Adjudicator
Background
I started majorettes at the age of 8 in 1989, when I joined the BCM Stars Tinies. After 8 years in the troupe I became Junior Military Trainer and in my first year of training my Leader, Mascot and Troupe won first place at the Universals. I was senior leader between 17-19 years of age and then I left majorettes. After a short break to have my daughter I started to train BCM babies and left again to have my son. I started judging for the YCA during the 2004 season.
Kathryn Wharton - Adjudicator / Child Protection Officer / First Aider
Background
From the age of 7 I have been involved in Majorettes. My first troupe was the Blue Gems for whom I remained a member for several years entering competitions around the country. Until the age of 18 I was a member of other Majorette teams, including Carlinghow, BSJ Twirlettes and BCM Stars. Once I had gained competency and vast knowledge of all aspects of Majoretting I joined the YCA and have been judging for the past 8 years.
Roy & Maureen Hind - Vice Chairman / Co-Treasurer
Background
In 1982 we joined Thornhill Militaires Drum Majorettes with our daughter and later in 1986 we went to King Henry's Majorettes to start a band. In 1989 we then started our own troupe Northern Lights Show Majorettes and after two years we brought in military freestyle which was known as Gladstone Royals. We later closed the troupe in 1994 and joined the YCA committee.
Rachel Brown - Adjudicator
Background
I started majorettes at the age of 5 when i joined the Meltham Marching band in 1979. The band gave up but I carried on in the majorette dancing troupe until it disbanded in 1987. I found another troupe near home and joined the Dusky Pinks where I became Junior Leader and later went on to Senior Leader and helped to train the members until it disbanded in 1998. My Daughter Rebecca then started to dance with the Silver Stars and later the Yorkshire Supremes until 2004. We then both decided to take a break, but the love of majorettes was still there so I decided to take the offer of becoming a judge and joined the YCA for the 2005 season.
Sheila Brown - Committee Member
Background
It all started when my children joined Meltham Marching Band in 1978/9. The band disbanded, but the majorettes carried on in competition and galas until 1987. Two of the girls joined Dusky Pinks of Crosland Moor, Rachel carried on until it disbanded in 1998. Watching your own children and then your grandchildren dance, its just a part of my life, therefore at the end of 2004 when I was asked if I would like to join the YCA as a Scrutineer I was delighted to take up the new challenge.
Michelle Taylor - Adjudicator
Background
I became a majorette at the age of 10 in 1989 joining the BCM Stars. I was Senior Military Leader for 6 years where my most memorable moment being Universal 1995 Senior Military Troupe & Leader Winners. I became Dinky Trainer at 15 and at 16 became Trainer for the whole of the BCM Stars with my colleague Emma Crossley. In 1998 we resigned from the BCM Stars and set up our own troupe Yorkshire Supremes. I was troupe Leader with Emma between 1998 & 2005. We have many proud moments including Dance Troupe of the Year for two years running. After 7 years of hard work and dedication, I decided to resign from the troupe and take up a new challenge as a YCA Adjudicator and YCA Twirl Academy Trainer/Examiner.
Emma Crossley - Adjudicator
Background
I became a majorette at the age of 11 in 1992 joining BSJ Twirlettes as their Junior Show Leader. In 1994 I joined BCM Stars and became the Senior Show Leader for 4 years, winning two 1st Place Leader awards at the Universals. I became a Trainer of the whole team with Michelle Nightingale and was extremely proud when the Junior Dance Twirl Section won first place in my first year of training them. I then left to form my own troupe with Michelle in 1998, being Troupe Leader and Trainer. We won Senior Show Rose Bowl in our first year and after I encouraged the Senior team to attempt 2 batons the following year, we won the Universals. After 7 years of hard work and dedication, I decided to resign from the troupe and take up a new challenge as a YCA Adjudicator and YCA Twirl Academy Trainer.
Carolyn Martin - Adjudicator
Background
I became a baton twirler at the age of 5 when I joined a team called the Liphook Bluebelles (based in Hampshire) in 1980. Our team joined the International Baton Twirling Association (IBTA) in 1984 and I remained within this association until 1999 when I decided to stop competing.
Within the Liphook Bluebelles and later the Phoenix Twirlstars, I was one of the corps trainers for all solo and team evens and examinations for twirlers of all ages and abilities. I also completed myself in all 8 types of solo events and 6 types of team events. My proudest moment at competition was when my team, the Phoenix Twirlstars achieved most progressive corps in the Irish International Open in 1996.
When I finally decided to stop my involvement in baton twirling due to properly settling "Up North" I had advanced status in all solo disciplines, was pre gold standard on the IBTA examination syllabus and was grade III in theory and practice.
I became involved in the YCA in 2006 after my next door neighbour, Michelle Nightingale, who also shared my love of baton twirling, introduced me to the association.
Jean Gaughan - Time Keeper
Background
I first became interested in majorettes in 1978 when my youngest daughter was asked to join Oakes Majorette Troupe, I was treasurer and fund raiser for them.
In January 1984 I was invited to a YCA meeting and asked to be treasurer, which I accepted, and when the season began I became scrutineer, both positions which I held for 17 years. Nowadays I am time keeper and note the baton drops, it's a job that I really enjoy doing.
John Preen - Associate Member
Background
I first became involved with majorettes over 21 years ago with a troupe called Manor Militaires, who disbanded due to decline in members brought on by hardship and severe job losses. I assisted with organising competitions, finding sponsorship and provclassing awards for their events. My involvement with the YCA started 19 years ago when I was asked to attend some summer competitions with a display of awards and trophies culminating in an invite to attend the Universal Championships in Brclasslington. My first year at the Universal Championships opened my eyes with regards to what a wonderful organisation the YCA were. The championships was buzzing with many contestants from all over the country, the day packed with competition followed by evening entertainment into the night. Currently I am involved in attaining sponsorship from various governing bodies in order to make the Universal Championships the best ever. See you there!
