May Update

Wow, is it ever busy around the studio these days--so busy that the April update got away from me!!! It's almost recital time; the students are excited and so am I. Each child should make every effort to be in class every week and attend all rehearsals. We only have a few weeks left!

Let's move on to a topic that's important to everyone. Yes, I mean ticket sales. We have two performances scheduled for Saturday, June 7. One is at 3:00 PM and the other is at 7:00 PM. Students are expected to perform for both shows, but the audience must choose one.

In the past we have had problems accommodating everyone who wants to attend the show. There are many reasons for this--both shows selling out, people saving seats, vacant seats left between families, etc. That's why we're reserving tickets with a seating chart. We just want to lessen the stress for everyone.

Tickets are $6 each. They will go on sale on Friday, May 23, at the Mtn. Grove High School Cafeteria from 3:00PM-7:00PM. We do this to alleviate lines and parking issues. On that day, your family will be guaranteed the chance to purchase six tickets for the concert and choose where you will be seated. If your family has more than one student involved in dance or that student has more than one set of parents, you are guaranteed that nine tickets will be available for you to purchase on May 23.

When you arrive at the high school, please know how many tickets to need for the 3:00 show and/or the 7:00 show. Nothing will shorten wait time or help us serve you quickly more than this.

Tickets will be reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you want the best possible choice in seating, please purchase your tickets on that day. If you know that you will not be available May 23, you may let me know how many tickets you need and for what times, and pay for them in advance. We will choose the best seats that are available after sale day and give them to you at your child's next dance class. You will only be able to choose two seats in the front section of the cafeteria (140 seats). This will allow everyone a chance to have seats up front.

After that crazy day, you may purchase more tickets at the dance studio, choosing from whatever are still available. You can look at the seating chart below. A chart will also be posted on the bulletin board at the studio.

You should have already received a notice concerning your last tuition payment. All payments must be made before you purchase recital tickets on May 23.

Now, on to the rest of this whirlwind.

• Classes will be held on Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day). That's concert week and we don't want to miss a class.
• Dress rehearsal will be Friday, June 6 from 5:00PM-8:00PM. All students are expected to attend the rehearsal. The finale will be rehearsed between 6:00-7:00PM. The rehearsal schedule is as follows:

5:00-7:00PM (first half of show)
Dangerous
Move
Dance of Love
All for One
The Way You Are
The Nutcracker
Give My Regards to Broadway
Rhythm Nation

6:00-8:00PM (second half of show)
Canned Heat
Everything Old is New Again
Spirit of the Dance
Vogue
If They Could See Me Now
Thriller
Footloose

The dress rehearsal is for students and backstage volunteers only. This is to insure that the performance will run smoothly. Please drop off and pick up your child at the assigned area on time. There will be no audience, please! I can assure you that we are well prepared to look after your child. This is also the time for other students to watch the concert and see what their fellow dancers have been working on.

A volunteer list will be at the dance studio. If you wish to volunteer your time for dress rehearsal and/or the performance, please ask me what is available. All volunteers will receive two free tickets for one of the performances and will work the other backstage. Volunteers are expected to arrive 30 minutes prior to the performance. Lineup coordinators, announcer, curtain, and backstage crew definitely need to attend the dress rehearsal to learn their job list for the concert.

Please write your child's name in all articles of clothing and shoes, especially if they will be changing backstage. Things can be misplaced at such a busy time. If your child is in more than one dance, they should arrive wearing the costume of their first dance. There is a program list posted on the bulletin board at the dance studio.

Thanks for all your help and attention,

Ms. Janelle

March News

Are you ready for winter to be over? It's been crazy, but the warm weather is on the way. Please remember that if the Mtn. Grove schools close for bad weather, the studio will also close that evening. Since so many days have been missed due to bad weather, I'd like to review the tuition policy.

Please pay the scheduled tuition for March and April. I have kept a record of all days missed due to weather. I will use that information to pro-rate your May tuition. This is a much easier system than trying to keep a running total of who missed what and when on a month-by-month basis.

Also, visit our blog. It's at http://danceunltd.blogspot.com. All the newsletters and announcements are archived and there are pictures of some of our events. It's a great way to keep track of what's going on at Dance Unlimited without keeping every last scrap of paper.

Spring is coming, but the studio can still be a chilly place. Students should dress according to the weather. Since spring is so unpredictable, layers make a lot of sense. A sweatshirt or light jacket can be worn over a T-shirt until the student is warm, then be removed. This is much more practical than wearing a heavy coat over a T-shirt, which will restrict movement and result in an overheated student.

We only have fourteen (14!) weeks until this year's concert. We have a lot of work to do. If a student brings a cassette or blank CD with their name on it, I will copy their song for them so they can practice at home.

Be sure and check the announcement below about our Ballroom Dance Master Class. I'll leave you with a little reminder of the winter just past.

Love,

Ms. Janelle

What Fun!!!

Well, the weather tried to keep us down, but we still had our Master Class on Belly Dancing and Hoofin' Style Tap. We had a blast and here are a few of the pictures to prove it.

Well, the weather has certainly made it hard to keep our schedule at the studio, but even that has an upside. Here are some visitors that I saw outside my house during the last storm.

March update and more happenings later.

Janelle

Ballroom Dance Master Class

Just wanted to remind you that we will be holding a Ballroom Dance Master Class on March 21. The class is for ages 8-adult. The cost is $10 per person, and you must sign up and pay in advance, as class size is limited. We will study styles such as Foxtrot, Chacha, Country, and Swing. These are all partner dances, but the good news is that your partner does not have to be a student at the dance studio.

The class will last from 5:00-7:00 PM.

February News

I hope that 2008 is off to a great start! Things are going very well at the studio. The students and I have been working on our end-of-the-year dances. It often helps the students if they can practice at home. If you will bring me a blank cassette or CD with the student's name on it, I will copy the music for them.

Each week I hear the question, "When are we going to get our costumes?" The answer is "April." I will be receiving bits and pieces of the costumes, but I will not hand them out until they are all complete.

In March and April, the Mountain Grove R-3 Schools have scheduled four-day weekends. We will be dancing on Monday, February 18, Monday, March 24, and on Monday, April 21. We will only be closed if the school is closed due to severe weather.

It's a little drafty at the studio this time of year, so please see that your student dresses appropriately. Long sleeves and long pants or tights are recommended. Layers are also a good idea. The studio warms up quickly once class starts, but whenever someone opens the door the cold comes back in.

Class visitation days are the first class of each month. I encourage you to see what your child has been working on, but please try and keep distractions to a minimum. Our younger students find it difficult to concentrate as it is; an audience makes it even harder. Please keep talking to a minimum and other siblings under control. This will help all of us to work better.

We will be holding a hip-hop master class on February 11. Brock Ashton will be with us again. The class will be from 7:00-9:00 PM for students ages 8 through adult. The two classes regularly scheduled for that time will be cancelled. You must sign up and pay in advance. The cost is $10 and class size will be limited.

On February 23, Pam Burnside will be giving a master class in Belly Dancing and Hoofin' style tap. Pam is the director of her own studio at the West Plains Center for the Arts. Belly Dancing will be from 12:00-1:30 PM for ages 10 through adult. No experience is necessary; just be ready to move freely and have a good time. The Hoofin' class is from 2:00-3:30 PM for ages 8 through adult, with a minimum three years of tap dance experience. The cost is $10 for one class or $15 for both.

Finally, I would like to invite students to audition for this year's big production number. We will be recreating Michael Jackson's "Thriller." It will include full costume, makeup, and wigs. The audition will be held Friday, February 8, from 5:00-6:30 PM at the studio. If your child is interested, these are the rules:

1. Must be at least 10 years old.
2. Only involved in two or fewer numbers in the concert already.
3. Must be ready to act out the character of the dance.
4. The dance will be choreographed in the jazz curriculum.
5. You will be responsible for your own costume. I have the wigs and makeup already.
6. You must be available for rehearsals on Thursday evenings from 7:30-8:45 PM beginning February 14. Attendance is very important since the students will have just a few weeks to create costumes, design wigs, practice with makeup, and rehearse.

There is no extra cost for this class and it would be a great way to work on their theatrical skills as well as dance skills. Please sign up for the audition at the desk ASAP.

Thanks for listening,

Janelle

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.