Happy Holidays!!!

The studio will be closed from December 24 until January 2. Everybody have a great holiday break. Here are some snowy pictures to get you in that wintry mood.

Fall Festival

We are proud of all of our students. Here are a few pictures of some of our classes that performed during the October 2007 Fall Festival on the Mtn. Grove square.

November Update

It seems like we've only started classes, but it's already time to think about our 2008 concert. We will be holding two concerts on Saturday, June 8th, 2008. Our students will perform in both shows. As usual, audience members will choose one concert to attend. Dress rehearsal will be Friday, June 6th. If your child chooses to participate in class but does not wish to perform, please let me know as soon as possible.

I have tried to keep the cost of costumes as low as possible. This has been very difficult this year, as the price to everything has gone up. All costume payments are due no later than December 13. I have to place the order over Christmas break to allow plenty of time for delivery in April. You may pay for your costume anytime between now and December 13. This will allow you to make payments if have more than one child or if your children are in more than one class. Any costumes that have not been paid for by December 13 will be ordered at a later date. They will have a separate shipping and handling charge and are not guaranteed to be here in time for our pictures in May.

With winter approaching, I would like to review the studio's cancellation policy. If the Mtn. Grove R-3 school district is closed due to bad weather, then Dance Unlimited will be closed as well. You may call the studio directly if you are unsure.

How do days missed affect your tuition payments? I have found that the easiest way to handle this is for you to make your monthly tuition payment in full until April 2008. I will keep an account of any days missed due to weather. Your tuition for May will be adjusted accordingly.

Another winter issue is daylight. It's getting dark earlier, so I want to remind you to come into the studio to pick up your student.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at the studio (926-4036) between 3:00 and 9:30 PM, or at home between 8:00 and 12:00 AM.

I would like to thank all the students who have worked so hard to make our studio what it is today. We will be working on their new dances after Christmas. All their hard work will pay off then. Keep up the good work!

Fall Festival

Some of our classes have been chosen to perform on the square at the Mtn. Grove Fall Festival. You will be notified if your child's class has been chosen. The performance will be on October 13 between 4:00 and 4:30.

October News

We are in the seventh week of classes! Hard to believe, but it's true. This is the first issue of our monthly newsletter. Hang on, we have lots of material to cover.

First, welcome to the Dance Unlimited blog. If it's your first visit, check out the archive. We'll be posting news, announcements, and pictures here. Stop by as often as you can.

The first week of each month is visitation week. Parents may bring in a chair and observe what we've been learning in class. The first week of the month is also when tuition payments are due. I love to teach, but Dance Unlimited is a business. Please remember to pay your fees on time. Also, it will help with our bookkeeping if you can write your child's name in the memo line of your check. If there's room, please note what the check is for--tuition, shoes, tights, etc. I may know all of your kids and who they are related to, but Nancy Tuel, our new bookkeeper, does not... yet.

When you are dropping off or picking up your child, please come into the studio with them. We need to see who they are with, and now that it's fall the days are getting shorter. The parking lot is a very dark area. Let's do all we can to keep our children safe.

It's only October, but it's already time to start thinking about the spring concert. I'm in the middle of selecting songs for each class. I should be done with this by the first part of November. After that, costumes will be chosen. You will be notified about the costume and how much it will cost. Costume prices are going up, but I will do my very best to keep costs as low as possible. You should expect to pay $45.00-50.00 per costume. If you have several costumes to purchase, you may start paying a little each month with your tuition payment and we will keep track of your balance.

Ballroom classes have begun for older teens and adults, but we are still taking students for the beginner class. It meets Thursday evenings at 7:45. If you are interested, please let me know ASAP. You may have noticed signs in the last few weeks for special master classes. I am trying to introduce some new teachers, new ideas, and new styles to the students. These opportunities will be presented throughout the year and everyone is welcome. If you are interested in one of these styles, please give it a try. These are not weekly classes, but one-time events, so I am asking that students sign up and pay in advance so that we know about how many to expect.

Finally, yes, the rumors are true. Steve and I were married this past weekend in Eureka Springs. My new name is Janelle Sanders. No, this will not change anything at the dance studio. No, Steve will not be dancing.

Thank you

Thank you to everyone who attended Hattie Brewer's master class in hip-hop last Friday night (September 21). These special master classes have been a lot of fun and I think they are adding a lot to our classes.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for last night's special Master Class. We all had a great time as we worked up a sweat with Brock Ashton. It was so much fun!

Special Master Class

We hope you're ready for classes to begin!!! We are starting the year off with a bang--a special Master Class featuring Brock Ashton.

Mr. Ashton is based in Colorado and has traveled the country teaching hip-hop and urban dance styles. He has worked with Chris Judd, Wade Robson, Dave Scott, Shane Sparks, and Marty Kudelka among others. The urban dance field is one of the most exciting and fast-growing styles around. Any good dancer in today's world will want to possess a knowledge of this exhilarating approach to the art of dance.

This exclusive Master Class will be Wednesday, August 22, from 7:30-9:00 PM. Do not miss this excellent opportunity!!!

Time to register for 2007-08

It's that time of year again. Registration for 2007-08 will be August 6-9. We will be at the studio from 4-7 pm. See you there!!!

Have a great summer!!!

It's hard to believe that another year of dance has come and gone. We had such a good concert. I hope that all of you have a fantastic summer. See you in August!!!