YDA Handbook

A Centre for Advanced Training Professional dance training for young people

STUDENT HANDBOOK SWINDON CONTEMPORARY PROGRAMME EXETER CONTEMPORARY PROGRAMME

SWINDON URBAN PROGRAMME

Picture: Ben Brackall

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction Page 3 Philosophy and educational aims Page 4

Individual Training Plans (ITPs) Page 5 Training and financial entitlement Page 6 Level of commitment Page 9 Course etiquette Page 10 Dress code Page 12 YDA team Page 13 Pictures by Mark Pepperall - Hot Pepper Design, Irven lewis—Irven Lewis Photography(accept portrait of Thomasin Gulgec, page 2)

A centre for advanced training

THOMASIN GULGEC - YDA patron Thomasin started dancing at Swindon Dance, as a young dancer on the Youth Talent Programme (the forerunner to the YDA) and the Swindon Youth Dance Company. At 16 he started full-time training on the foundation course (now Liberatus) pri-or to training at the Ram-bert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. In 2001 he won the Cec-chetti Fewster award for ‘Most Promising Male Dancer’. Thomasin joined the Ram-bert Company in 2003 and, during his time with the company, has created roles in Fin Walker’s ‘Reflection’, Javier de Frutos’ ‘Elsa Canasta’, Kim Brandstrup’s ‘Songs of a Wayfarer’ and Aletta Collins’ ‘Bloom’. Thom created a main role in Darsham Singh Bhuller’s ‘Stand and Stare’. In 2010 Thom received the Critic’s Circle Award for ‘Outstanding Male Dancer (Modern)’ for his role in Christopher Bruce’s ‘Hush’.

THOMASIN GULGEC - DANCER RAMBERT COMPANY & YDA PATRON YDA patron - Thom Gulgec “To be supporting the YDA as its patron is really wonderful as this is what started my training as a dancer - it will be an honour”

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INTRODUCTION

Centres for Advanced Training (CATs) are for children and young people with the exceptional poten-tial, ambition and determination to become professional dance artists. The Youth Dance Academy (YDA) is a Centre for Advanced Training and as such it is part of a national network of organisations delivering non-residential, intensive dance training programmes for young peo-ple from 10-18 years. Each centre delivers a regular pro-gramme of classes and workshops, individually tailored to the needs of the student. The scheme nurtures and supports young dancers, help-ing them to develop their potential and access the world’s leading dance institutions and conserva-toires. Previous students have successful-ly auditioned for places at the fol-lowing:

Arts Educations

Bird College

Bodyworks Performing Arts College

Central School of Ballet

Laban

Liberatus School of Performing Arts

London School of Contemprary Dance

Millennium Dance 2000

Northern Ballet

Northern Contemporary Dance School

Rambert School of Ballet & Contemporary Dance

Royal Ballet upper school

The YDA runs in accordance with the mission statement of Swindon Dance: ‘to place dance and dance artists at its heart – offering access to quality experiences and opportu-nities in dance for everyone, through a creative interaction between dance artists and mem-bers of the community’ The YDA runs 3 programmes: 1. Swindon Contemporary

Programme at Swindon Dance.

2. Swindon Urban Pro-

gramme at Swindon Dance.

3. Exeter Contemporary Programme based at Exeter University.

The YDAplus

Extra week-day training for students in school years 12 and above.

This programme offers a Level 3 BTEC (Dance) and is registered through SGS College, Bristol

YDA parent:

“YDA has been with our

son every step of the

way, and indeed it is

hard to see where he

would be now without

YDA”.

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AIMS: to seek out, nurture and develop exceptional talent for dance; to provide access, supporting par-ticipants both geographically and financially through the DFE bursa-ry scheme; to develop tomorrow’s outstanding professional dancers and unique dance artists; to target participants from exclud-ed and/or under-represented groups. UNDERPINNING PRINCIPLES AND ETHOS: a holistic approach to the training and development of tomorrow’s outstanding dancers; fostering of artistry and creativity in the developmental process; creating a safe environment where learners can grow and take risks; programmes of study tailored to individual needs through learner-centred processes of goal setting; working on learners co-operating rather than competing with peers; encouraging learners to appreci-ate each other’s work and to rec-ognise the benefit of working with peers who are also talented and dedicated; staff are mentors actively involved in the whole development of the dancer, rather than simply teach-ing a dance discipline; staff will be professional role mod-els for the learners, setting an ex-ample to which they can aspire;

PHILOSOPHY & EDUCATIONAL AIMS

potential will be fully developed and not limited by preconceived goals or targets externally im-posed; learners will be aware of the op-portunities available to enable them to achieve excellence, set standards of behaviour and eti-quette. INTENDED OUTCOMES: the development of autonomous learners, i.e. young dancers who can take responsibility for their own learning and engage confi-dently in creative work with origi-nality and imagination; the development of artistically and physically dynamic dancers; gifted and talented young people from under-represented groups and from more remote geograph-ical locations will have been given the opportunity to undertake an advanced dance training pro-gramme.

YDA PARENT ”I would like to say how important the Music and Dance Scheme grant has been for our son, who would probably have been unable to enrol at a Centre for Advanced Training without it, and who is… ...finally beginning to see himself as a professional dancer as a result of the high quality training he is receiving”.

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INDIVIDUAL TRAINING PLANS Each learner will have their own individual training plan related to their aims, achievements and training requirements. In order to ensure that individual needs are met the following strat-egies will be adopted: Each learner will have an Individu-al Training Plan where s/he will, in collaboration with their tutor and supported by their parents/carers, set learning targets in a variety of areas of learning which will in-clude physical, artistic and cogni-tive development; the targets will be monitored through individual sessions with their mentor; the ITP will provide a detailed rec-ord of achievement; the Programme will include work-shops and taught sessions where a variety of generic skills will be developed which are important to every developing artist. These include creativity, imaginative and interpretive skills, appreciation and evaluative thinking; all ITP interviews will take place with the Programme Manager, tutor, student and parent/carer. While there will be a programme of dance training essential to the safe development of technical skills required for all dance per-formers, individual specialisms will be fostered where a dancer exhib-its a very particular gift in a specif-ic genre.

INDIVIDUAL TRAINING PLANS (ITP)

COURSE PROVIDER’S RE-SPONSIBILITIES The provider will be responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the learning agreement are met in terms of provision. They will offer expert advice on the learning needs of the individual student and support the student’s en-hancement programme. They will keep a written record of the ITP and ensure that parents/carers receive copies as neces-sary. PARENTS/CARERS RESPONSI-BILITIES Parents/carers are invited to at-tend the interviews and to be ac-tively involved in helping students to set and achieve learning tar-gets. They are also involved in the set-ting up and implementation of the student’s individual enhancement programme. STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES Students agree to undertake all the learning activities agreed in the ITP and to monitor their own progress through these activities so that they are able to make a constructive contribution to the setting of learning targets during the ITP interview.

ITP INTERVIEW SCHEDULE There will be a maximum of 3 ITP interviews during the aca-demic year.

YDA STUDENT (YDA 2006-09, currently at Liberatus Performing Arts) “I have had the most amazing three years on the YDA. I have learnt so much from all the advise and will be taking so much away from the course as it has taught me so much about dance”.

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TRAINING The Swindon contemporary pro-gramme works Saturdays 12:00-5:30 p.m. during school terms over 6 5-week terms. And inten-sively during school breaks; Octo-ber, February, April and May / June. Auditioning students attend an extra intensive in January. The intensives are an integral part of the YDA training and are com-pulsory FINANCIAL SUPPORT Each student is entitled to finan-cial support to help cover the costs of travel, clothing, theatre visits and additional coaching. The amount is not prescribed by the DFE and is at the discretion of the Programme Manager. This allocation for additional trav-el, clothing and classes will form part of each student’s ITP and must be agreed in advance with the Programme Manager. CLOTHING For dancewear requirements please see page 12. The YDA will provide each stu-dent with the following items: Contemporary progammes: • 1 YDA sweatshirt (new students only) • 1 leotard • 2 pairs black dance tights • 2 pairs ballet tights • 1 pair ballet shoes • 2 dance belts (boys) • 1 pair pointe shoes (ONLY where Applicable) • 1 pair jazz shoes (ONLY where Applicable) Please do not wear your YDA uni-form to any classes other than those organised by the YDA.

FINANCIAL ENTITLEMENT Swindon contemporary programmes

ENHANCEMENT CLASSES The YDA will only cover cost over evening classes that have been agreed with the course co-ordinator and which form part of a dancers Individual Training Plan All students are encouraged to attend the YDA enhancement classes on Wednesdays at Swin-don Dance. These classes are only open to YDA dancers and cover ballet (general), ballet for auditioning students, contempo-rary. Travel to evening classes will NOT be covered ONLY class fee. Reimbursement of evening class can only be made on receipt of proof or payment to YDA Finan-cial Administrator. TRAVEL COSTS Swindon programme Travel costs for student’s living outside of Swindon will be reimbursed after each 5 week term, including travel to an in-tensive where an intensive falls within that term . Train fares are reimbursed on re-ceipt or ticket. Car travel is paid on mileage at .40pence per mile. TRAVEL IS ONLY REIMBURSED FOR THOSE LIVING OUTSIDE SWINDON OR VENUE ATTEND-ING. Cost of costumes ANDtravel to shows etc. will all be covered by YDA. REIMBURSEMENTS WILL NOT BE PAID IF COURSE FEES ARE OOUTSTANDING

YDA PARENT

“The YDA has moulded

a Btec certificate pro-

gramme around all of

the training, tailored to

those who struggle with

the academic side of

things”.

YDA PARENT “Thank you so much for helping to make our son’s dream come true. I know he wants to go far in this profession and fingers crossed, with your help he will”.

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TRAINING The Exeter contemporary pro-gramme works Sundays 11:00-5:00 p.m. twice a month during school terms over 6 5-week terms. And intensively during school breaks; October, February, April and May / June. Auditioning stu-dents attend extra graduate days and an intensive in January. The intensives are an integral part of the YDA training and are com-pulsory FINANCIAL SUPPORT Each student is entitled to finan-cial support to help cover the costs of travel, clothing, theatre visits and additional coaching. The amount is not prescribed by the DFE and is at the discretion of the Programme Manager. This allocation for additional trav-el, clothing and classes will form part of each student’s ITP and must be agreed in advance with the Programme Manager. CLOTHING For dancewear requirements please see page 12. The YDA will provide each stu-dent with the following items: Contemporary progammes: • 1 YDA sweatshirt (new students only) • 1 leotard • 2 pairs black dance tights • 2 pairs ballet tights • 1 pair ballet shoes • 2 dance belts (boys) • 1 pair pointe shoes (ONLY where Applicable) • 1 pair jazz shoes (ONLY where Applicable) Please do not wear your YDA uni-form to any classes other than those organised by the YDA.

FINANCIAL ENTITLEMENT Exeter contemporary programme

ENHANCEMENT CLASSES All students are encouraged to attend the YDA ballet class with Maryam on Thursdays in Plym-outh. This classes is only open to YDA dancers. YDa will cover cost of 1 ballet class per week. Travel to evening classes will NOT be covered ONLY class fee. Reimbursement of evening class can only be made on receipt of proof or payment to YDA Finan-cial Administrator. TRAVEL COSTS Travel costs for student’s living outside of Exeter will be reim-bursed after attendance at each Sunday training day, graduate day or completion of YDA intensive course. Train fares are reimbursed on re-ceipt or ticket. Car travel is paid on mileage at .40pence per mile. Journeys are paid for the students travel i.e.

Sunday training days 1 re-turn journey ONLY regard-less if par-ents travel home during day;

Intensives for dancers who travel by car + accommoda-tion. YDA will cover cost of 1 SINGLE journey to the intensive and 1 SINGLE journey home at the end of the intensive regardless if parents travel home in be-tween;

Intensives for dancers who travel daily by car. YDA will cover cost of 1 return jour-ney to and from the inten-sive per day regard-less if parents travel home in be-tween.

TRAVEL IS ONLY REIM-BURSED FOR THOSE LIV-ING OUTSIDE SWINDON OR VENUE ATTENDING. Cost of costumes ANDtrav-el to shows etc. will all be covered by YDA. REIMBURSEMENTS WILL NOT BE PAID IF COURSE FEES ARE OOUTSTAND-ING

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TRAINING The Swindon urban programme works Sundays 11:00-4:30 p.m. during school terms over 6 5-week terms. And intensively during school breaks; October, February, April and May / June. Auditioning students attend an extra intensive in January. The intensives are an integral part of the YDA training and are com-pulsory FINANCIAL SUPPORT Each student is entitled to finan-cial support to help cover the costs of travel, clothing, theatre visits and additional coaching. The amount is not prescribed by the DFE and is at the discretion of the Programme Manager. This allocation for additional trav-el, clothing and classes will form part of each student’s ITP and must be agreed in advance with the Programme Manager. CLOTHING The YDA will provide each stu-dent with the following items: • 1 YDA sweatshirt (new students only) • 1 leotard • 1 fitted training top • 1 pair training bottoms • 1 pair training shoes Please do not wear your YDA uni-form to any classes other than those organised by the YDA. ENHANCEMENT CLASSES The YDA will only cover cost over evening classes that have been agreed with the course co-

FINANCIAL ENTITLEMENT Swindon urban programme

ordinator and which form part of a dancers Individual Training Plan Reimbursement of evening class can only be made on receipt of proof or payment to YDA Finan-cial Administrator. TRAVEL COSTS Travel costs for student’s living outside of Swindon will be reim-bursed in cash on each training day attended. A receipt or ticket will be required to show proof of cost. The procedure for reimbursement is as follows: 1.) A receipt or proof of travel is required; 2.) Students should hand their receipt with their name clearly written on the back each week to the Programme Coordinator; 3.) If travelling by car, the YDA requires written confirmation of dates from students parents/carers. If travel outside of the home area is required to attend extra activi-ties as part of the academy train-ing or enhancement costs, these will be reimbursed only if ap-proved in advance with the Pro-gramme Manager. TRAVEL IS ONLY REIMBURSED FOR THOSE LIVING OUTSIDE SWINDON OR VENUE ATTEND-ING. Cost of costumes ANDtravel to shows etc. will all be covered by YDA. REIMBURSEMENTS WILL NOT BE PAID IF COURSE FEES ARE OOUTSTANDING

YDA PARENT

“Over four years a ‘family’

of patient, dedicated and

professional teachers and

support staff have changed

our son from an energetic

boy into a professional

dancer. In addition to the

requisite dancing skills

they have showed him how

to protect those skills, with

guidance on health, fitness

and training; they have

rescued him from injuries

and taught him to under-

stand his limits. They have

put him in the hands of

first-class guest choreogra-

phers, giving him permis-

sion to think creatively and

transforming his confi-

dence, and they have en-

couraged him to push his

boundaries and seize op-

portunities . They have

given him a preview of the

professional world he is

entering”

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ATTENDANCE In-order to take full advantage of the scheme and make maximum progress it is so important that every effort is made to attend ALL sessions including intensives. Maximum attendance - 90% plus - is required to remain on the academy.

All absences should be:

Agreed in advance with the Programme Manager.

In the event of a sudden unavoidable absence the YDA should be notified prior to the session. In the case of a prolonged ab-sence, deferral of studies may be necessary and this should be ne-gotiated with the Programme Man-ager. In the case of continued absence without explanation, initial notifica-tion will be sent to the student’s parent/carer, if further absences occur it will be assumed that the student has left the course and under these circumstances no de-ferral will be offered nor refund given. CONTACT DETAILS To report an absence on day of training call:

Swindon Contemporary Pro-gramme: 01793 601702

Swindon Urban Programme: 01793 601702 OR 07807369991

Exeter Contemporary Pro-gramme: 07751271302

LEVEL OF COMMITMENT

FOR ALL OTHER ENQUIRIES Swindon Contemporary Pro-gramme: 01793 601702 opt 1 [email protected] Swindon Urban Programme: 01793 601702 opt 2 [email protected]

Exeter Contemporary Programme: 07751271302 Catherine Lee [email protected] General enquires & finances: 01793 601702 opt 3 [email protected]

YDA STUDENT (YDA2005-08, training at the Rambert School of Ballet & Contemporary Dance) “The YDA opened my eyes to new levels of perfor-mance and technique. This raised my aspirations, motivating me to higher levels of discipline and performance technique. I have been privileged enough to work with in-spirational teachers such as Kenneth Tharpe, Jo Turnbull and Leesa Phil-lips. Their passion for dance has fuelled my own passion and my desire to dance is now greater than ever”.

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CODE OF CONDUCT Please be aware that other people may be using the building facili-ties/reception, therefore: When changing please use the changing rooms provided not pub-lic areas. When using public areas students should wear suitable clothing over leotard and tights. Public areas, changing rooms and dance studios should be left tidy after use. Valuables should be kept safe by their owners. For safety reasons the front doors may be closed during the after-noon. HEALTH AND SAFETY It is the policy of the YDA to keep the premises and environment safe and secure for both students and members of staff. Students are requested, therefore to follow any procedures laid down at the venue and to conduct themselves in an adult manner. Health and safety procedures will be covered at the induction. EMERGENCY PROCEDURE Emergency procedures in case of fire or other emergency will be covered during the induction. ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS In the case of an accident or inci-dent occurring, a member of staff should be notified immediately. All accidents and incidents are dealt with by the Programme Co-ordinator and recorded in the ap-propriate record book. TIME KEEPING Students should be ready for class 15 minutes prior to start. This means being changed and in the dance studio warming up the body and focusing the mind.

COURSE ETIQUETTE

Arrival after the class has begun may result in a student being una-ble to participate because the warm-up has been missed. In this case the student will be required to watch the class. REFRESHMENTS Students should bring drinking water to all training sessions and light, healthy snacks to eat be-tween classes. Chocolate bars, sweets, crisps, salty snacks and fizzy drinks should be avoided. N.B Although there will be short breaks between activities these will not allow time for students to go into town to purchase snacks. CLASS ETIQUETTE Students are expected to treat each other and the YDA team with the utmost respect. Everyone on the academy; student, teacher, accompanist and admin staff have been selected for their skills and expertise in a particular area and is a valued member of the team. Inappropriate behaviour is not acceptable and will be dealt with accordingly. SICKNESS AND INJURY If a student is unable to attend due to illness and/or injury they must notify the Programme Coor-dinator. See page 7 for contact details. In the case of feeling unwell dur-ing a session, a member of staff should be informed immediately so that they can take appropriate action. In the case of injury or recent ill-ness the teacher should be noti-fied before the start of the class. In the case of prolonged illness or injury, a doctor’s note should be provided and, if necessary, a de-ferral of studies arranged.

The YDA aims to provide : ‘a holistic approach to the training and devel-opment of tomorrow’s outstanding dancers’.

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WITHDRAWRAL If a student wishes to leave the Course the parents/carers should provide written notice to the acade-my Programme Manager giving rea-sons for leaving. REFUNDS The DFE guidelines for parental refunds for all withdrawals from the academy follows a 3-term block per year; Autumn, Spring and Summer. When a student withdraws a refund will be based upon the number of terms remaining of the programme and the amount of fee paid, calcu-lated to the nearest full term. LOST PROPERTY Lost property may be retrieved by contacting your course co-ordinator, (see page 7). PERSONAL PROPERTY Students are advised to mark their personal property to enable easy recognition and are advised not to leave bags unattended. PERSONAL DETAILS The academy Administrator should be informed if there is a change of address, a new telephone number, or a change in the family name. PROBLEMS OR COMPLAINTS Problems or complaints should be brought to the attention of a mem-ber of staff as soon as possible (Formal complaints should follow the procedures set down by Swin-don Dance).

CREDITITAION If a student is performing in a re-gional event or press interview they are required to credit the CAT as part of their training pro-gramme. If a student is applying for outside funding they should inform the YDA. The YDA will be able to support their application with a statement. Official credit by-line: ‘The Swindon Dance - Youth Dance Academy is a Centre for Advanced Training, supported by the Department for Education (DFE)’.

CONTACT DETAILS YDA Office: Tel: 01793 601702 opt 3 Email: [email protected] Address: YDA, Swindon Dance Town Hall Studios Regent Circus Swindon Wiltshire SN1 1QF

The YDA ONLINE:

National Dance CATs: www.nationaldancecats.co.uk For ALL CAT dancers across the UK past and present. Join the community page and keep in-touch with other CAT dancers and the CATs national scene

The YDA on Facebook: www.facebook.com For past and present YDA danc-ers only. The YDA Facebook site has been created so that past and present students can remain in contact with each other and as a source of information between the YDA team and dancers.

The YDA central infor-mation site: For current YDA students, par-ents/careers and team. The YDA has a central online information centre for easy ac-cess and storage of information such as timetables, biographies and papers. Login details will be given out at induction. Go to parents/students link on the YDA page of the Swindon Dance website

http://

www.swindondance.org.uk/

youth-dance-academy/

http://www.swindondance.org.uk/youth-dance-academy/



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In order for teachers to give maximum help to students in terms of their physical execution of dance movements, it is important that the correct dancewear is worn at all sessions. This will allow muscle and joint movement to be observed by the teacher. The appropriate dress code is as follows:

DRESS CODE

FEMALES Ballet:

Black leotard

Pink ballet tights

Pink ballet shoes with elastics/ribbons

Hair tied back off the face and in a bun

Pointe shoes (students studying pointe on YDA) Contemporary, Jazz and Choreography:

Leotard

Black footless tights

Hair tied back off the face

Jazz shoes (jazz sessions only)

MALES Ballet:

White fitted t-shirt (no bag-gy tops)

Black tights

Ballet shoes with elastics

Black unitard (optional)

Long hair tied back off the Face Contemporary, Jazz and Choreography:

White fitted t-shirt (no Bag-gy tops)

Dance trousers

Long hair tied back off the face

Jazz shoes (jazz sessions only)

EVERYONE Good, correct ‘supportive underwear’ should be worn during

practical sessions A track suit and sweatshirt to be worn between classes to keep

warm No socks to be worn in class No jewellery to be worn in class Mobiles must be turned off during class N.B. males who have never worn ballet tights before may (for the first term only) wear black football shorts or tight fitting black dance trousers.

The YDA aims to: ‘Create an environment which enables freedom of expression of ideas and artistic risk taking.’

URBAN Camey urban dancewear will be supplied by YDA

Top

Bottoms

1 pair performance trainers

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PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT - all programmes VIV SLAYFORD YDA Programme Manager ADMINISTRATION - all programmes LUCY COOGAN Administrator FINANCIAL ADMINIDTRATION - all programmes CLAIRE KENT Financial Administrator CO-ORDINATION - SARAH FERRIS Co-ordinator Swindon Contemporary Programme VICKI BAILEY Co-ordinator Swindon Urban Programme CATHERINE LEE Co-ordinator Exeter Contemporary programme HAYLEY ADAMS Co-ordinator YDAplus Student assistant Co-ordinator Swindon Contemporary Programme Student assistant Co-ordinator Swindon Urban Programme CORE TEACHERS AND TUTORS - BALLET Sarah Josh, Maryam Pourian and Jo Turnbull CONTEMPORARY and CHOREOGRAPHY Merville Jones CHOREOGRAPHY Helen Ganberg POPPING, BREAKING, BBOY Banxy, Joey-D and Robert Hylton JAZZ Sarah Josh, Maryam Pourian MUSICANS - Emma Holbrook, David Kenna and Bevan Pont PHYSIOTHERAPY - Shirley Hancock, Sally Geater and Russell Jenkins

YDA CORE TEAM

The YDA works with top professionals: ‘Everyone on the Acade-my; student, teacher, ac-companist and admin staff has been selected for their skills and expertise

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YDA Handbook

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