1. Tr i i
nik
s
is
the
best, af t
r e
sc
ho
ol a
nd for t
he rest!

4. 1995
11th of January saw the first aerobics class for high school and a little further down the line, on the 3rd of October the first ever dance class took
place. It was held in the primary school gym and although it was cold and the hall echoed eerily everybody was full of enthusiasm and ready to
give their best. One of the first dances was „Triinud“. Triiniks was named after this dance.
1996
Tartu county’s dance festival in Elva – Triiniks represented gymnasts with 2 dances: „Triinud“ and „Nukuke“. Triiniks was allocted their very own
training hall with mirrored wall.
1997
Everything was going rather well and in the end of the season Triiniks performed at Mothers Day concert at Nõo basic school.
e s f o r e v e r y b o d y.
1998
Triiniks was invited to perform in National Basketball Championships for Teachers. It was a great opportunity. We gained an invaluable
experience whilst performing in the opening ceremony and intervals.
1999
Triiniks performed on the 313. anniversary of Nõo school. It was an all male act with 4 guys dancing routine called „Hit the road Jack“ which
earned them a very warm welcome.
e and ey
2000
Triiniks performed for the first time in a national dance competition „Koolitants“. Once again the guys took the stage. Having heard that they
have a chance of making it all the way to the final Tanel tried to perform a summersault but failed. Luckily, nothing bad happened apart from a
e tim
little bump on the head. Unfortunatelly they didn’t get to the finals. In the summer the first summercamp took place in Ranna in Jõgeva county.
There were 8 participants.
h av
2001
ou
We set up the aerobics group for community.
ey
us
2002
ca
be
Triiniks was the winner of 2 age groups in Puhja Dance Contest.
s s,
cla
ou
li ny
sp e cia
feel
2 Ever y b ody can

5. 2003
Ingrid received a scholarship to study in Ollerup Sports Academy in Denmark. As a result a close relationship was formed which meant the
dancers and coaches from Triiniks have had a chance to go and study there. Ingrid´s sister Piret led the club while Ingrid was away.
2004
For the first time Triiniks performed at the 17th Estonian General Dance Festival in Tallinn. Our youngest group performed a dance called
„Sipelgad“. Triiniks embarked on it’s first trip to Ollerup as a group. A new coach joined Triiniks-Marilin. Triiniks Dance School was founded. As a
result kids could get involved in a wide variety of dance styles from ballet to show-dance.
2005
Triiniks celebrated its 10th anniversary. The autumn saw the first acrobatics lesson take place. First time in history Triiniks made it into semifinals
of national festival „Koolitants “ with the dance „Anarhia“. Author of the „Anarhia“ is Tanel Pirk.
2006
For the first time Triiniks performed on Gymfestival of Kalev, there were 42 participants from Triiniks. Triiniks took part in SELL Student Games
award ceremonies working with The President of The Republic of Estonia, Arnold Rüütel.
2007
We got ourselves a new modern dance hall. With the help of Carmen, Tuuli and Kertu we started a preschool group. Marius began his work with
boys and Keiu helped in acrobatics.
2008
Helaine was the first international coach to come to Triiniks and she was here for 3 months.
2009
Triiniks took part in Eco-dance festival and won 2 prizes. We won „The public favourite“ and „The most attractive dance“ award. Marika Aidla, the
dancer and choreographer from theater Vanemuine began to teach classical dance in Triiniks.
2010
Fernanda, who was the second foreign teacher from Brazil taught our children for two months. There was a training and concert trip to Australia
and New-Zealand. For the first time Triiniks got to the finals of „Koolitants“ with dance „Mull-mull“ choreographed by Marilin.
l
d.
T r i i n i k s i s 15 e a r s o
y 3

6. ing is the p assion
Danc whic
h ne
ver e
nds.
Another trip to Denmark with Triiniks
For many years now Triiniks has gone to Denmark and this year wasn’t any different. Triiniks was the only group who represented Estonia.
There were 16 of us and we were there early in February. Many of us hadn’t flown before so we were really excited. When we got to Denmark
the friendly faces were already waiting for us. We were even greeted with little presents. There were 2 estonians Kadri and Maarja waiting for
us when we got to Ollerup. Maarja is a former dancer from Triiniks and Kadri a gymnast from Saaremaa. They showed us around the school. We
were all staying in one big room with a sign „Estonian girls“ on the door. Kadri and Maarja had decorated our room. We were training for a whole
week on big trampolines and learned how to master handsprings and summersaults. After our training sessions we relaxed in a pool. As one
of us had a plaster cast she couldn’t jump into water but that didn’t stop her from jumping with us on a trampoline. Dining hall was huge and
looked exactly like the one in our parliament. We ate three times a day and there was a special rule in Ollerup. You could only clean your dishes
after the headmaster had performed his speech. Without a doubt most favourite food there was a bread with jam and cheese. When someone
had a birthday everybody sang to them. Occasionally two people had their birthday on the same day - as it happened everybody sang twice.
Finally came the festival day - the main reason for our trip. Our routine was 15 minutes long. Ingrid and Keiu entwined our hair in special French
style which worked really well on stage. Our routine was greeted with a warm welcome and those who had been in Denmark before said that
this was the best audience ever. Week in Ollerup went by really fast and everybody has got something to remember from it. We are glad that we
went to Ollerup.
(Anu Korela, Karmen Lokk)
4

7. Memories from Australia and New-Zealand
It took us 23 hours to get to the other side of the globe. One could even say, rather long distance. We landed in New-Zealand on the evening.
It was really nice to step out into the night and feel the warm breeze. In the morning we began to explore Auckland, New-Zealand’s biggest city.
To be sure of it we took a lift up to the TV tower. The population of Auckland is the same as whole of Estonia. At the height of 186 meters we had
a chance to walk on a 38 mm glass-floor. It was rather eerie to walk there because under us was 200 meters of emptiness. New Zealand’s North
Island is rather large because it took us 6.5 hours to get to Wanganui and we had travelled only 2/3 of it . Nature around us was wonderful. - ri-
vers, mountains and of course sheep. Wanganui gave us a warm welcome. Training was hard because it was really hot but we managed well. We
got a huge applause but we weren’t too happy about our performance because the turns didn’t go as planned and the special floor for gymnasts
wasn’t really our cup of tea. There were 2 things we remember that were odd. Firstly, there was only black sand at the beach and secondly there
was a Santa on top of the building.
When we had done our training and performances we started to explore New-Zealand. Our first stop was in Rotorua. It’s almost impossible
to find similiar place on earth. Bubbling mud and geysers made such a smell that on occasions it was hard to breathe. Then we went to the Hob-
biton village from the movie „The Lord of the Rings“. At the moment they are rebuilding and restoring the scenery because it has to look exactly
as it did in the movie because they want to film a new movie there. Moreover they showed us how to shear a sheep (by the way, world record is
32 seconds) and we were able to feed the lambs. Our last stop was in Tauranga. From there it takes only 15 minutes by car to get to the mountain
of Maunganui. It’s like in the middle of water and is covered with sheep. We made to a half-way point and were able to get a spectacular view
on the city. It was time to say goodbye to the land of white cloud.
Australia greeted us with very warm weather which was like summer for us. For the next five days we lived in Gladesville gymclub. Trainings
were even tougher than the ones we had in New-Zealand. We could learn some new tricks in acrobatics as well as in rock’n roll. We taught local
children and performed with our own routine. This time we were ready for the special floor and our performance went better. There are 3 things
in my mind when I think about Australia – sandy beaches, Opera House in Sydney and „Home and Away“. We had chance to have a glance at
them all. The Opera House looked small from the outside but it took us some time to go all the way around it. We visited Manly, Bondi and Palm
Beach and they were all in their own unique way really beautiful. We had a special reason for visiting Palm Beach. We really wanted to see the
making of „Home and Away“ and we were lucky. For example we saw Alf Stewart stepping out of his car and it brought a smile to our faces. Now
all we have to do is to wait the episode 5124 to be aired in Estonia.
We didn’t really want to go back to Estonia and our first attempt failed because the airplane’s engine decided to stop working and we had to
turn back to Sidney. There was an ovation for the pilot when the plane’s wheels touched the ground. On the bright side we were able to spend a
little bit time in Singapore and we took anything we could from the time spent there. We landed 24 hours later in Tartu however it seemed that
our luggage had gone to travel all by itself.
(Ingrid Hamer)
5

8. 6

9. to h ave a ch
like ee
o uld se
w ba .
r. . o ne
....
I
. .that K ar u m s´
Ingrid Hamer
I have loved dancing since I can remember. I have videos from the time I couldn’t walk but already made my toes spin. I started dancing a
little bit later with my brother who didn’t really share my enthusiasm but who was kind enough to stand in the middle of the dance floor and
let me dance. When our relatives gathered around New Years Eve I had prepared grandiose dance and music programs. I taught even my smaller
relatives to dance.
I began doing gymnastic in Tiina Miido`s group. I can still remember our first dance, which was „Kevade marss“. Our own Triiniks dancers did
a similar dance 8 years ago with beach balls and you can say that it was as memorable as the one we did with Tiina. I remember that before our
first performance with Tiina I was really excited but 2 new girls came and I was left out from the group. I was really disappointed. Afterwards
I practiced more hardly and finally made on to the stage although to be honest I wasn’t that good at the beginning. I started to do ballroom
dances when Tiina’s gymnastic group ended but I didn’t like it because I felt I was able to do the steps but there was no soul behind it, there was
no Dancing. For the time being I left dancing until I was 15, then I felt I needed to dance again. If i am watching children I teach I often think
that maybe in 5 or 10 years it could be their time to shine.
During university I was in Nõo and started with aerobic classes. I liked a lot when girls came to dance hall with big smiles on their faces.
When I graduated from University of Tartu Anne Jürimäe (still my favourite teacher) proposed me to come to Nõo school and soon after I started
to teach there. At the beginning it was really hard to put together routines and teach them to girls. We managed to prepare only 3 dances per
season. There were many girls at first but many left. However with the remaining 8 girls we began to perform at school performances and even
outside of the school. I think they taught me as much as I taught them. Soon more girls and even boys joined the training again and after 9 years
I felt I needed some help. I was lucky to find Marilin. When I met her for the first time and told her about my plans I saw it in her eyes that she
loves dancing as much as I do and that was what I needed. So from the 2004 we have taught children together. Now we have even more helpers
and it’s nice to see that former dancers have began to teach and create themselves. Seeing this makes me think that I`m out for the right thing.
When some performances don’t go very well or my classes are almost empty from dancers then I think about the reasons why I still do what I
do. On the other hand there comes a little girl and hugs me while saying how much she enjoyed today’s class and within seconds I smile again.
When you see your dance is passing on the message it was meant to and dancers become one with it and after performances people come and
thank you for the show then you know you’re doing the right thing. I also like that parents like to talk to me after our performances.
For the last 15 years Triiniks has evolved a lot. I often think how many performances we have and how good our training conditions have
become and how proud I can be of Triiniks. I love my work especially when a girl is coming to say how long she has waited to come to Triiniks.
When I was small I was exactly like her. I could never wait for the next class.
.
up
in
g
y th
Yo u v er
h ave h ts e
that spark le wh at lig
7

10. e cial jus
wo rd sp t
Some people make
be
Marilin Sillaste
ein
gh
Marilin Sillaste, season without Ingrid
ere.
Ingrid was away in New-Zealand during the season of 2006/07. I remember talking about her plans of going away and whether I would or
wouldn’t lead Triiniks during that time. At first I hesitated because it was my second season in Triiniks and I was afraid that I haven’t got enough
experience to lead a club. When Ingrid told me that she’ll find me some to help I agreed.
I got Tuuli Reisberg as my assistant and I couldn’t wait for the beginning of the season. Before September I started to realize that running a
club is doing so much more than just preparing classes. It was hard to make a time-table, to match it to other activities our dancers wanted to do
like music school and not to mention the school. When this was more or less solved a new problem arised. Our sweatshirts with Triiniks logo on it
came out totally wrong and we had to organise new ones. Of course in the meantime we had to explain to parents why they had paid for things
they haven’t got. It was also difficult to manage with the deadlines, accounting, costumes, music, transport and so on. At one point I thought
that teaching is almost nothing compared to other things one must do when leading a club.
The 3 most important performances during that season were the festival in Puhja, going to Ollerup and auditions for Youth Dance Festival.
I was a bit nervous about Puhja because Triiniks had done so great there before and I didn’t want to dissapoint myself or the dancers. I was
worrying without reason because we took 2 first places . Since the trip to Denmark was the biggest event I had ever organized I had to think
everything twice or even more over. Luckily everything went fine in Denmark. It didn’t go so well with the auditions for the Youth Dance Festival
because only one of our groups was good enough to perform there.
Every difficulty I described was meant to overcome and the hardest was to cope with the fact that Ingrid was so far away. I thought quite
often how much fun it would be with Ingrid to make jokes about long and exhausting days and I know that with her it would have been so much
easier. Children too wanted to know how she was doing, when would she return and does she miss them too. Thanks to internet all of these
questions got answers and when she finally arrived it seemed like instead of one she had been away for at least 2 or 3 seasons.
Season without Ingrid was different, a bit hard, exhausting then again really educative. I was able to get a lot of experience during her time
away and I’m always grateful to her for this trust and opportunity.
Marius Aave,
teaching the boys and acrobatics
I have trained boys in Triiniks and assisted in acrobatics for 2 years. Usually we have classes that last for
2 hours and though participation is more or less good there is still room for improvement. As I have 4 or 5 boys
in each group, there is definitely room for more. Nevertheless I’m happy that I can train them and do this
with my good colleagues. (This year Our trainings are versatile. We play, and do exercises to improve
brawn, endurance and coordination and of cource dancing. It’s no surprise that boys like to play and they’re
really good in it. The hardest for them is without a doubt dancing because here the huge difference between their abilities come out. So I have
to make compromises. While doing easier steps I have to make sure that the experienced ones don’t get bored. It makes workouts really difficult
to prepare and sometimes I feel hopeless but fortunately we have made it so far and even performed with few dances. It would help if each and
every boy would be regularly in my class but that is not the case and every year I have to start from the beginning. However when they come
they’re full of enthusiasm because they can learn something new and exciting.
8

11. Acrobatics has changed a lot and become much harder. During the first year we had student from the end of basic school and some from
the secondary school. This year we have children from elementary school. I must admit working with near adults is so much easier. First of all
children like to play a lot and it takes time and energy to get them where you want them to. Secondly they are afraid to the tricks we teach and
last but not least they tend to forget most of the things they learn. Thats why it is harder to work with them.
Nevertheless I still try to develop good posture and balance because when they grow up it is so much more easier for them to learn new and
more demanding tricks. It doesn’t happen overnight and we have a saying: „Practice makes pefect!“
Keiu Kiisler
„show how to dance and the dance shall show you who you are!“
Dance is like unpredictable river that stops for nothing when it’s on the way to ocean. Rhythms, body, emotions and flow – all those rep-
resent inner energy that wants to come out of you. Every dance has its own character, own face, something like inner force that binds invisible
impulses to movements. Dance is a body language, that speaks more than just words ... dance is passion.
As a little child I couldn’t have possibly guessed what will be waiting for me when I came to the world of dancing. As a dancer I can give my-
self to the rhythms and cross borders that would otherwise stop me. I have learned to adapt with different dance characteristics while staying in
the borders that choreographer has put around me. Step by step I have found confidence and found out that dancing is only activity that allows
to forget everyday problems. When I’m on stage I `m not only dancing with my feet but my hands, fingers, face, eyes, thoughts and emotions
become one with the dance.
Artur Alliksaar has once written „There are no better or worse times. There’s only a moment that we are experiencing now.“ In time I have
grown from student and become a teacher.
Dancer has ability to bind emotions into movements to feel the force that bursts with rhythms out of ones body. Dancer is like a pawn that
moves chaotically from creation to creation and graves for new mental and physical challenges.
As a creator you’re one step higher coming out of strict borders entering to the artistic world with creations that has your own face. Every
little nuance in dance embodys natural talent and commitment and of course professionalism. What’s great about it is that being step higher
gives you a chance to see how your creation becomes a link between dancer and audience.
As a trainer I try not to prepare my lessons and teach according to my feelings from inside. Following different aims I try to take my stu-
dents to absolute freedom and turn them into butterflies who are able to spread their wings one day towards the sun. I think I have ability to
understand what my students really are capable of and most of all I enjoy discovering new sides in them what I can open with dance.
9

12. Carmen Lilium
„Training with younglings“
Last week a 6 year old girl said that she asked a boy did he love her. The answer was yes. I asked her about him and she enthusiastically said
that the feeling is mutual. All these sincere conversations and spontaneous kisses and hugs make your day really special. Of course everyday isn’t
like a walk in the beach. Sometimes you must deal with: I can’t or I don’t want to. Once in a while they also miss their home and mommies. The
interesting part of the job is to make yourself so attractive to them that they’ll forget the reasons why they don’t want to do exercises. You also
have to be really imaginative. For example you can’t just say that make a really long jump because when you say also that this jump goes over a
steep ditch to where you must not fall in to then kids work twice as hard. Hardest part of my job is to teach dances because you have to do simple
thing all over again and you might get bored and they tend to forget a lot too. It helps if you talk to children that when you do your part really
good for example three times then you can do what you like most and again they try harder.
Working with them is necessary because you can see on girls who came three years ago and were shy and didn’t want to talk to others and
whose parents even considered taking them from training that they have turned into talkative and cheerful little kids who like what they’re
doing.
While being with us can children talk to each other while performing to them and trainers. Eventually they have a lot of confidence to do
other things, too. Parents should also wait and not worry all the time because building confidence and skill comes with practice.
The most important reason for driving to Nõo after my fulltime job is that when the first kid runs to my class then every negative thought I
had in my mind just goes away.
Tuuli Tohu
„Day at the beach“
Dancing „Day at the beach“ was a whole new experience for me. I have never learned anything like this. As a soloist I feel every time as if
I’m walking along the beachline with dolphins and sunset. When I first heard about it I didn’t know what to expect but when I began to learn
first moves I felt like I knew why Ingrid had created it. When my family and friends saw me dancing it they said they instantly remembered sun,
beach, summer, sand and sea. To be honest it’s the same for me...
The interesting part for me and other dancers was that we could make our own costumes and though everybody wore different outfits we
still worked as one on stage.
Some day I want to do this dance at beach. I think it would be awesome if Triiniks had a concert at beach and I believe that lots of people
would come and watch us. I love this dance because even if I mess something up no one notices because I have to improvise a lot and doing it
differently here and there is inevitable.
I like the dance and music and I feel great every time I do it.
10

13. y c an s top m
od
If I fee
e.
b
no
e,
l li
e nc
dan da
k
cing, then I give up hop e
r
ve .
ne
u
Yo
Kertu Tikkop
Days to Come
I got the idea for making a dance few years ago but then I didn’t really know what will be the music or how the movements will be going to
look like. I just knew that I wanted to create a dance that would be contemporary and unique. After the „Koolitants“ festival in 2008 Ingrid gave
ma an opportunity to start teaching my creation from next season.
I remember listening the music again and again and imagining the movement when I was creating my dance. When something concrete
popped into my head I tried to put it on paper. Ideas came in all sorts of situations and I tried to write them all down. Finally I gathered all the
things I had written down and started to put everything in order. Soon I started to realize where everything goes in the music. My intuition
helped me a lot.
It was hard to put theory into practice because when I started to do some steps I had few problems getting smoothly from one combination
to next. Teacher must be confident in what he or she does so first I had to teach it to myself.
At the beginning of 2009 I began to teach my dance to the other girls. I began from small parts of which I was totally sure of to those move-
ments I just wanted to see if they work or not. It was good for me that I knew dancers so it helped me to give out solos and put together group
work.
As the time went by the teaching got harder because when everybody knew the order of movements we had to polish it to perfection. I
also had to teach some things all over again because some girls were sick during my class or just couldn’t make it. Teaching was totally new
experience for me because it’s one thing to understand the movements but it’s a another to make others understand them as well.
I was satisfied when the dance was ready because I really liked some parts but I also was critical about things I could make better next time.
First it was hard to name the dance but I decided to go with „Days to come“. The song that inspired me to do the dance is named exactly the same.
Although it’s hard to follow the words from the song I understood that it talks about creativity and independence which have been important for
me in life.
At first I didn’t have a chance to see the dance on stage because I was performing as well but i must say it was interesting to see how the
audience reacts to my own creation. To sum up I am happy and satisfied that I was given a chance to work with wonderful dancers. I want to thank
all the trainers from Triiniks for kind words and constructive criticism because teaching others taught me more than you could ever think of.
11

16. Triiniks and the world
Thanks to good luck I got to study in Ollerup Sport Academy in Denamrk in 2003. I was amazed how much I learned about dancing, acroba-
tics, different cultures and myself while being there. Since then each year I send trainers and students from Triiniks to study there.
Up to date we have had 13 students there and they have brought a lot of new experiences and amazing skills back home. Now they can share
their experience with others here in Estonia.
I remember how good it was being there. Every day I couldn’t wait for the lectures and classes to begin. It was really intresting to prepare
all the performances because students had to make most of the work. So concerts were like exams for us. I’m really glad that Ollerup offers us
scholarships for Triiniks’ students. Again 2 of our girls have made plans to go to study in Ollerup. I hope that some of our younger dancers have
already set themselves a goal – when I grow up I want to go to Ollerup and study dancing.
Thanks to Ollerup we have connections all over the world. When Wanganui gymclub looked for a teacher, teachers in Ollerup recommended
me. While being there I made a promise to myself that I learn as much as I can for Triiniks during my time down under. Time in New-Zealand flew
by and I enjoyed every moment there. I learned, taught, travelled and met very nice people there. What`s great is that 4 Triiniks girls were able
to go there for a training camp for a short period of time and give concerts as well. I think it was a great opportunity. And who knows maybe
some day one of them wants to go and work out there. We have the invitation all we need is someone willing to go.
We visited Gladesville gymclub in Australia in March. They gave us a warm welcome. We trained there with locals and they showed us New
South Wales. We hope that some day someone from Sydney will come and teach children in Triiniks. We have managed to lure 2 instructors from
Brazil to give lessons here. One trainer from Brazil and another one from New-Zealand is already waiting to come here because while teaching
you can learn so much yourself when being away in totally different country. You start to notice things you would never think of. Trust me I know.
I hope we still get scholarships to Ollerup and that our programme for exchange coaches starts to work because these are the opportunities that
are worth reaching for. These are the opportunities that change your life.
(Ingrid Hamer)
14

17. t th i n gs i n my li f e.
mp or tan
o st i
h em
e of t
n
I love dan cing. T hat is o
Our brazilian coach – Nany
At the beginning on January a wrapped up though really cheerful brazilian girl stepped out of the plane. Helaine Lima spent the next
months in Nõo to teach in Triiniks. Helaine who we all called Nany taught both children and adults. Nany has specialised in acrobatics in Brazil
and quite often one can find her judgeing big competitions and directing other groups. She came here straight from Denmark. She studied in
Ollerup.
Helaine also gave lessons to other trainers at Estonian dance teachers course. Her specialities were brazilian rhythms, acrobatic gymnastics.
Many trainers were amazed how easy it was for her to put together pyramids or to teach a lot of balance demanding tricks. She also took lessons
there herself. Helaine danced in Triiniks teachers group and helped to prepare routines for younger groups.
Nany liked to use accessories in her dances like umbrellas and hoops. She also used a lot of gymnastics in her dances and she even made a
dance where the eyes were closed. She taught handsprings, games and handstands to our youngest group.
Nany travelled across Estonia when she wasn’t teaching but of course not alone. Triiniks members took her with them whenever they went
away for the weekend with their families. She saw Palamuse, most of the South-Estonia and even touring our capital´s Old Town. Nany lived in
an apartment that Nõo school had provided for her. She liked to have visitors and talked gladly about studying in Ollerup or life in Brazil.
The most characteristic words for Nany are positve, energetic, good sense of humor. She made the toughest classes intresting and funny
for us. Nany fitted in really quickly and after few weeks it felt like she had trained us for months. She was very talkative but we had to speak
in english with her but no one complained because it was great opportunity for us to practice it. Nany was demanding as a trainer but always
took different abilities into consideration while teaching. Diversity of movements characterised her classes. She taught us how important it is to
stretch after classes and introduced us Brazilian rhythms.
About a week before she left I remember asking her does she want to go home. She said that she would like to spend more time here in
Estonia but her family and friend were waiting so she had to go. Time flied when she was here, so during last weeks we had work really hard to
learn all the dances. We organized a surprise party for Nany at the end of March. We were dancing, talking and made a picture to remember this
moment. After that she went home.
Everybody missed her and we hope that when she has a chance she’ll be coming back to Estonia to visit us. We thank Nõo Basic School and
Secondary school for making her trip here possible.
(Kertu Tikkop)
15

18. Fernanda Piazza
Culture, history, art and people came straight to my head when I started to think about Estonia. Everything is so different. I imagined what
it feels like to walk in a cold and deep snow. I wanted to learn as much as I could in Estonia and of course improve myself on my own field. Isn’t
it interesting to work in a totally different place and learn about their way of life.
I must say I was not disappointed. I learned a lot about Estonians. They are friendly, open minded and interested in other places and cultures.
I spent 2 months in Estonia and during that time I was surrounded by people who were really kind towards me. I was able to taste delicious apple
pie, watch European finest figure skaters, take part in folkdance trainings, ski, skate and literally hunt dears in a deep snow. Is it even possible to
hope for more ?
My first class in Triiniks was on the 11th of January. I was surrounded by children and nothing was happening as the plan I had on the paper.
What a surprise? Since Triiniks is a dance club then it was really intresting to teach them new and different acrobatic elements. I was able to work
with wide variety of students: children and teenagers, flexible and strong, lazy and energetic. It was really exciting.
It’s obvious that leaving Nõo made me a little bit sad and I’ll always miss Triiniks.
Marika Aidla
Teaching in Triiniks
I entered in a room called „Dance and Fun“ and from that moment I knew that there is nothing to worry about. As I entered I saw many
curious eyes watching me and what can I say, I was exited too. Meeting new persons – that’s what I like.
You can’t achieve nothing without effort in the dance world and you also must remember the fun side of it. Triiniks dancers know this and
most probably it’s because their trainers themselves are hardworking and cheerful people. I’m glad that I can take part in their trainings in Nõo
school.
16

19. Maarja Pärn
It’s great to work with students who are motivated and really want to dance. I was really surprised that even when I told somebody to make
some odd moves or steps no one complained.
Teaching younger dancers how to improvise was nice and I think they liked it too. They were creative and tried to find different ways how to
complete the tasks I gave them. Their commitment is unbelievable.
I noticed working with older girls that although they didn’t felt so comfortable doing new moves for them they never gave up and kept
pushing themselves. Since then a thought has haunted me. If you do not work with maximum effort you’ll never get to the top. And I must say
these girls like to be on top.
Arthur Gáspari – Arturo
When I arrived in Nõo I felt like being in a cold country where people still welcome you warmly. It was a chance for me to be a student once
again in a new environment. It was challenging to teach students from different age groups because there were huge differences in abilities and
not to mention understanding English. Estonian children responded differently from the ones I train in Brazil so I had to be open minded and
really creative.
Week in Estonia was wonderful experience. It was full on challenges, mistakes and lessons. I was able to ski, skate and play ice-hockey, dance
estonian folkdance and find new friends. I was impressed by Estonia, cold weather, Triiniks and warm and welcoming Estonians.
Piret Vaughan - Triiniks
I think it would be appropriate to start from the very first steps my sister Ingrid tried teach to me despite the fact I had barely learned to
stand. By the way we have videos of that. After many “gala-concerts” at home, once old enough I signed up for a folkdance group. But somehow
that seemed more of an obligation. Time passed and in gymnasium it was a conscious move to join another folkdance group. For me it meant
taking part of the grand folkdance festival in Estonia.
When Inks began with Triiniks in 1995 I was constantly watching their progress. I can still remember how their first dance (Triinud) music
echoed in the old training hall. Every time I think about it I smile.
I helped out with Triiniks as much as I could and when Inks decided to study in Denmark in 2003 we both faced an important decision.
Should we close down for that time or should I take over and lead the club. I had learnt much working next to Ingrid but leading a club with
70 members is not to be taken easily. Fortunately everything went well and we even won some prizes. I think some of the children didn’t even
realise that Ingrid was away since we look alike and even our training methods are similar.
Last 5 years I have lived in Wales. Quite often I find myself thinking about Triiniks and dancing and I wish they were still in my life. I haven’t
forgotten dancers from 2003 and I still like to keep myself up to date about their progress.
Good luck Triiniks!
17

20. Campers at the school Training! Camp in Kõrveküla
in Kõrveküla
Campers are at the school in there Warm up is the first goal There was laugh the day 1st
Sticks are hidden everywhere Teacher is way too slow We were digging loads of dirt
Kids found those pretty fast Then we make some funny games Finally we happy found
And went to bed as they were asked To put the body in the right place The stick was on the ground
Day at the beach is super, Routines we have are nice and cool We were hicking
Games on the sand – hyper And they´re also pretty smooth We were swinging
So cool and nice the sculptures were We like dancing We were shopping
Those were made so fast in there Not just hanging But no for chips
Everybody likes those camps At the end we were sad
Having friends like a lot of stamps Inger Reti Ivanov Didn´t wanna home so fast
Hoping more camps to come 5th grade, 2009 Packing all the things together
Having there a lot of fun Said goodbyes to each other
Team: Daisi Team: Team 7
Summer 2005 Summer 2005
18

21. There was Inks in the woods Cute girl I like to dance and train
Thinking over what to do There´s a lot of laugh in game
Dancing – instantly she knew You are little and you´re cute We have coaches best in made
There was Keiu in the woods You have freckles in your mood Marilin & Inx
Thinking over what to do You are short with some moves We have to say them thanks
Then came Inks and said to her But you have your own muse After school we meet with friends
Lets go and dance somewhere there You can teach and train In the Triiniks at the end
They met Marilin on the way Everybody with the name
Asking her to join that day There is always beat in room Riinu-Liis
And she said: Yes! And you happy with dance boom.
Solveid Paju Tuuli ja Meeli Tohu
2nd grade
Kaisa replacing Kaisa
We were starting to learn a new routine called Raindance. Ingrid asked Kaisa Hagel to make a solo. Kaisa said yes. Then we start learning it piece
by piece, Kaisa couldn´t remember when she had to shake her boots. Ingrid decided to replace Kaisa to Kaisa. Then Kaisa Hanko was dancing
solo. At first she was really good but then she started to make mistakes. And then was the performance. I think we did pretty well.
Anna-Maria Lepisk, 2nd grade, 21st of October
19

22. Laugh
It is a busy day. Costumes for Father´s Day concert are given out. 1st greaders have yellow skirts. Kaisa-Maris: Does my father need a yellow
skirt, too?
Toddler´s class. Mihkel comes to the teacher and asks: Can you call me Kristjan now, I will ask from my mom can she change my name?
Toddler´s class. Repeating what they have learned. Making balance (in Estonian called Swallow) teacher asks what we are doing. Susanna says
loud and clear: titmouse.
When coach Marilin was expecting her first son Tristan, the older girls asked: Does your mother know?
Performance in Puhja. The routine called „Carpets...“. One of the carpets just flew to the audiance.
Dance Festival in Tallinn. There´s a lot pf people, busses are totally full. One day Kristi Keedus fits into the bus, but not her plait.
Christmas party in 2009. Concert just ended. Elisabeth comes to the teacher and asks: was it the real concert?
Summer camp in Kõrveküla in 2008. Kids come back from shopping and they look really serious, beacuse one man watching them there said:
you did a history of life here.
Summer camp in Kõrveküla 2008. Quiz. Why the Chinese emperor was wearing read braces made of snake´s skin?. Somebody says loud. Is that
a tricky question? Anu: it has to be tricky one, nobaby knows a fact like that. (Correct asnwer is: other wise he could lose his pants.)
20

23. Triiniks at the 10th Youth Song and Dance Festival
From the 25th of June to the 1st of July Triiniks was in Tallinn to perform at the 10th Youth Song and Dance Festival. We participated with
gymnastic routine choreographed by Kersti Kull and Riina Voolpriit. Triiniks was the only group from the Tartu county who could participate.
Triiniks headed to Tallinn on Monday morning. First rehearsal was on the same day and dancers learned where they must be on stadium
during the final concerts. Dancers had to get along with rain, wind and even burning sun. We can say that nothing was ruined because of the
unpredictable weather. Rehearsals began early in the morning and on occasions lasted till evening. It was exhausting but nobody complained
because Triiniks was able to spend nights at Ristiku Basic School where by the way was also Anne Jürimäe folkdance group.
There were 4 important performances which included one big rehearsal and 3 concerts. Rehearsal and 1st concert were on Friday and it was
rainy and windy on that day but last two concerts were held on sunny Saturday. There was a special dance „The tree is the height of other trees“
at final concert directed by Maido Saar because the main theme of the dance festival was „Tree of world“ 8000 performers danced together this
special routine. Triiniks joined other groups from Nõo on Sunday to walk at the Song Festivals parade.
After the song concert tired dancers started to head back their belongings and began heading back to Nõo. Although everything wasn’t
perfect the 10th festival still made an unforgettable impression. Dancers would like to thank their instructors Marilin Sillaste and Ingrid Hamer
and hope that they can perform at many dance festivals henceforward.
(Kertu Tikkop)
Triiniks performed at 18th Dance and Song festival „Üheshingamine“
Tulge lähme tantsupeole ! Võtkem sõbrad ka ja tuju läheb heaks.“
Everybody should go to the festival and take their friends with them. C-groups had dance after a song from where these first words originate
and all who were at the festival agreed with them. During this beautiful summer was already 18th Song and Dance festival. The main theme of
the festival was „Üheshingamine – breathing together“ but for the dance festival it was „Sea“ and Triiniks had a chance to perform there.
This festival will always stay in your heart. There were rehearsals with burning sun and rainy breaks but foremost they were exhausting. On
occasions tremendous heat took away enthusiasm from some dancers and rain made some boys sneeze. Rehearsals went from the morning to
the evening. A lot of work had to be done and there was little time for that. Sometimes we were wondering if this all was worth it.
During first days different age groups rehearsed alone and as the days went by more and more groups got together on one stadium to make
final adjustments for the final concerts. Dance festivals creative director was Ülo Luht who always managed to bring a smile on your face. Of
course we can’t forget that on the same time he was really demanding.
Although the rehearsals were difficult and tiring the result was worth it. Dancing together with thousands of dancers was exhilarating.
We were able to take part in Song festival on Saturday and I guess everybody will remember after-party. As I think back to the festival one
moment brings tears to my eyes – making Estonian map on the stadium.
During the last concert on Sunday I found myself thinking how fast the preparations for the festival and everything from strolling to the
stadium and evenings at school where we slept went by. In a way I think everyone will miss this and hopes for the next and even better festival.
I would like to thank all the teachers, participants and audience who are still reminding me that Estonia is a nation where everybody likes to
dance.
(Kaisa Kattai)
21

24. Intresting facts to know:
There has been 172 performances
ut music .
Tuuli has been in 92 performances out of 172.
There has been almost 400 dancers in Triiniks during 15 years
witho
There are 80 dancers in studio.
There are 141 dances in our arsenal
ce
First dance was ”Triinud”
an d
We have performed „Y“ – 18 times and „Tuultemeri“ – 14 times
n´t
Danc
We began to work with toddlers in 2007
a
uc
Most experienced dancers:
o
i
.Y
ng w
n ce is imp o r t ant
12 years - Meeli
ith
11 years – Keiu, Triin, Kertu
you
10 years - Karmen, Tuuli
9 years - Kaisa, Kristi
7 years - Anu, Anette, Katrin r fe
e
6 years - Kerlin, Veronika
t is
Ingrid has given almost 5000 lessons
da
ne o
lse.
Marilin has given about 1530 lessons n
t,
r ta
thing, da
Music is imp o
ing e
Frequent guest trainers:
Helaine Lima – gymnastics (Brazil)
eth
nc
Fernanda Piazza – gymnastics (Brazil) ng
om
s
i
wi
th y t is
Marika Aidla – ballet (Theather Vanemuine) our h ear
22

25. 23

26. 15 birthday concert
Part I Part II
1. Triinud (Ingrid Hamer) 1. Troopilisel saarel (Marilin Sillaste)
2. Jalgratas (Marilin Sillaste) 2. Kahepaiksed (Ingrid Hamer)
3. Minu mänguasi (Ingrid Hamer) 3. Pipi tants (6.-7. klassi rühm)
4. Päev rannas (Ingrid Hamer) 4. Здесь былй мы (Ingrid Hamer)
5. Pesupäev (Ingrid Hamer) 5. Jaaniussid (Urve Keskküla)
6. Tuultemeri (Ingrid Hamer) 6. Energia käekiri (Marilin Sillaste)
7. Vaikselt (Ingrid Hamer) 7. Poksitrenn (Ingrid Hamer)
8. Jaht (Marius Aave) 8. Hold On (Ingrid Hamer)
9. Mull mull (Marilin Sillaste) 9. Karm kantri (Marilin Sillaste)
10. Anarhia (Tanel Pirk) 10. Lady Marmelade (Marilin Sillaste)
11. Rahutus (Marilin Sillaste) 11. Ladies Choice (Ingrid Hamer)
12. Minu lugu (Keiu Kiisler) 12. Kõik koos (Ingrid Hamer)
13. Vaibakad (Ingrid Hamer)
14. Ümmargune maailm (Ingrid Hamer)
15. Kandleke (Ingrid Hamer)
16. Sosinad (Ingrid Hamer)
17. Hullutaja (Ingrid Hamer)
24

27. Thank you for your support:
Viljandi Linnavalitsus
Thank you for your help:
Advertising Agency Feiss
Gymnastikhųjskolen i Ollerup (Denmark)
Wanganui Boys and Girls Gymclub (New Zealand)
Gladesville Gymclub (Australia)
Nõo Culture Home
Merike Olesk, Kadi Lehesaar, Lilian Vuks-Ivanov, Kaia Tohu, Raili Ilves, Marina Leino
3

28. g!
ncin
da
is
t
np
eople - t ha
ee
w
et
sb
Building bridge