La Maestra
Scottish Country Dance Instruction
LA MAESTRA (S4x32) 4C set Elizabeth Lee Barnes, May 20111-12 1s dance Figs of 8 on own sides (between 2s to start) and end in own places
13-16 1s+2s also 3s+ 4s dance ½ Poussette and turn to 1s+2s facing up, 3s+4s facing down. 21(3)(4)
17-24 1s+2s dance Allemande (up) as 3s+4s dance Allemande (down) ending with all dancers curving right to original places. 1234
25-32 1s+2s dance RH across ½ way then 1s+3s dance LH across ½ way, 1s+4s dance RH across ½ way and all cross RH. 2341
(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)
Dance Information
This strathspey, La Maestra, was commissioned as a tribute to Sonja Horn (by Dale Horn) to recognise her leadership of the "Thistle Orchestra".The deviser, Elizabeth Lee Barnes, is the founder of the annual Thistle School (USA), which offered classes and evening dances over a week to numerous Scottish country dancers over 39 years.
Thistle School of Scottish Country Dance was affiliated with the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.
The dance's representation of windmills at the end is a nod to The Netherlands, Sonja's native country.
"La Maestra" is a Spanish term that translates to "The Teacher" in English, specifically referring to a female teacher.
It can also be used more broadly to refer to a woman who is an expert or master in a particular field, similar to the way "maestra" is used in Italian.
The exact meaning depends on the context, but it generally denotes respect and acknowledgment of a woman's skill or authority, especially in educational or artistic settings, in this case - Scottish country dancing.
Windmills At Kinderdijk, Netherlands
Image copyright Therealfacts2000, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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