Books And Films
Leap of Faith
My Dance through Life
Leap Of Faith
My Dance Through Life
By Shona Dunlop MacTavish
In 1935, at the age of fifteen, Shona Dunlop left Dunedin and sailed to Europe with her family to see the ‘cultural capitals of the world’. Their captivating adventures are a vignette of a Europe that would soon be lost forever. After two years studying expressive dance in Vienna, Shona’s new life ended with the invasion of Hitler’s troops. A dance tour of South America offered many of the predominantly Jewish company escape from certain death, and further adventures for the ‘English’ girl in their number. A return home, the establishment of a modern dance company in Australia and a coming of age for the dancer followed, before Shona met and married missionary Donald MacTavish within the space of five weeks. A new phase in her life had begun, taking the young couple to China amidst the ructions of the Communist revolution, and on to South Africa, where they fought the pernicious advance of apartheid.
Shona’s life story is an extraordinary mix of drama, upheaval and the overcoming of great personal tragedy. Caught up in some of the most tumultuous times of the century, she remains hopeful and philosophic, entranced by the different peoples she encounters, and open to new ideas in art, religion and life. This attitude is first captured in the youthful voice of her diaries which add to this engaging and uplifting tale of a truly heroic life.
An Ecstasy of Purpose.
(The Life and Art of Gertrud Bodenwieser)
An Ecstasy of Purpose.
(The Life and Art of Gertrud Bodenwieser)
by Shona Dunlop MacTavish Dunedin, 1987
The doomed brilliance of artistic Vienna which flourished before the rose of Nazism, and brought forth such eminent names as Freud, Schiller, Kokoschka, Schoenberg, and Reinhardt, also produced a spate of remarkable dance personalities. None ranked higher than Gertrud Bodenwieser.
She was the first Dance Professor at the Vienna State Academy For Music And Dramatic Art, becomming a solo artist and developing the most travelled modren dance ensemble in all Europe.
“MacTavish’s work is profoundly important…It is a pioneer work whose publication should stimulate others in Australia to follow her example in the exploration of the growing modern dance heritage of Australia and New Zealand.”
Shona also wrote two workbooks on using dance in worship, "The Lord of the Dance" published by the National Council of Churches and "Be Jubilant my Feet" published by the Joint Board of Christian Education of Australia and New Zealand, 1975.
Wind Dancer
The Story of Shona Dunlop MacTavish
Shona’s life touched many of the major social upheavals of the 20th Century, including the rise of Naziism, Communism and apartheid. In many ways, dance for Shona became an instrument to rally against the wrongdoing she experienced in the world. Her personal life was characterized by a marvellous family, a beautiful romance and the tragedy of her husband’s untimely death.
Through all this, Shona has exuded a positive outlook. She still jumps with joy at 89 years young. Hers is an inspirational story
Read a review of Wind Dancer here