Rescheduled Classes

The following classes have been rescheduled....

Tuesday December 15 and Tuesday December 22 classes are cancelled.
Make-up classes are set for Monday January 25 and Monday February 1.

Thursday December 17 is cancelled. A make up date will be set for the end of January or beginning of February. We will let you know.

Halloween....Halloween

Hey everyone!!!

We will be having our annual Halloween party this week in class (with the exception of the 5:00 class on Thurs). Please send your child(ren) to class in costume (preferably one they can dance in). They are welcome to bring a treat to class if they want to but it is OPTIONAL and they will not feel silly if they don't bring one.

For those who are new to Boogie Shoes here is a little background on our parties...We have three parties a year Halloween, Christmas and Valentines. While it looks like we are playing and having a grand time it is actually my way of sneaking in theory - the dreaded, boring part of dance. So our parties are the time of year that I am, in a way, testing my teaching making sure the kids know the names of the steps they are learning and are understanding the cerebral side of dance.

So Party on Garth!!! Happy Halloween!!!!

No Dance Oct. 1

Due to the UEA School Break no dance classes will be held on Thurday, October first. Enjoy the long weekend!!! See everyone back next week.

2009-2010 Classes

Tuesday Classes - Taught by Kamille Thayne

Technical Ballet Class 4:30-5:25 (Need good quality Ballet Shoes)

• Emri Sanderson
• Emily Checketts
• Carley Sanovich
• Megan Farnworth
• Maya Thayne
• Chandlor Hansen
• Emma White
• Embor Hansen
• Hannah Gleason

Tuesday Tap/Ballet Combo Class 5:30-6:20 - Tuition $30 (Pink Ballet Shoes and Black Tap Shoes)

• Sage Harris
• Grace Dansie
• McKayla Mattei
• Kate Thayne
• Lucy Lesueur
• Jadyn Casorla
• Julia Checketts
• Kenzie Tait
• Savannah Birch
• Gracie Pollick

Thursday Classes - Taught by Courtney Thomas

Tap/Ballet Combo Class 4:30-4:55 - Tuition $20 (Pink Ballet Shoes and Black Tap Shoes)

• Sydney Archer
• Kenley Sanovich
• Kenadee Fullwood
• Kadence Dansie
• Madeline White
• Hailee Dalton
• McKelle Harris
• Rachel McKea

Invitation Competition Class 5:00-6:30 (If you are in this class you will receive an email with details.)

Looking forward to a great season and our Island Party recital.

Recital

Hey everyone!!! It is finally here. The recital is this Saturday. Here are a few things to know....

Rehearsal is this Saturday from 9:30 - Noon at Fort Herriman Middle School -14058 South Mirabella Drive (6200 West). Every child must have a parent or adult that is responsible for them for the ENTIRE rehearsal. Be there at 9:30 ready to go in the following costumes, if you feel confident you will be able to pull their hair off for the recital you do not need to have it done for rehearsal.

Costumes

4:00 class The Blue one

4:30 class The Pink one

5:00 class The Pink one

6:30 Class The Pink one

Bring your other costume ready to go and bring a towel or small blanket that your child knows and will recognize as theirs. It is to lay their costume out on backstage. Make sure your child's name is on EVERYTHING. In most classes we have 10 of things that are all the same size.

Call time for recital that night is at 5:30. This means your child is there ready to go in their appropriate costume with light makeup dropped off backstage at 5:30. The show starts at 6:00 sharp!!! Because our studio is small the recital is very short so don't be late. IF YOU ARE LATE YOU WILL MISS SOMETHING!!! Okay - let's review.....

• Rehearsal 9:30 Fort Herriman
• Bring a towel
• Put your child's name on EVERYTHING
• Call time for the recital is 5:30
• Recital STARTS at 6:00
• When you show up for rehearsal go to the auditorium and await further instructions

Umm...Did I mention that rehearsal is NOT OPTIONAL. Your child must be there. It is the only time they will be able to see the stage and be on the stage before they perform. It is also the only time the class has to feel the space of the stage as a group.

A word about hair....

4:00 & 4:30 class - buns - on the back of their head, not high, not low, straight back. Hair can be curly or smooth, but must be off the neck and not seen from the front. Talk to me at class if you need hair tips on how to get your child's hair up, back. If you are nervous try it for class on Tuesday. I would prefer bangs pulled back, but it is not mandatory.

5:00 class - I have talked to the girls and they know what they need. BOBBY PINS ARE A MUST!!!!

6:30 class - Part down the middle - two low side buns, smooth or curly.

And if you are still reading here is a final work about the recital....Use this time to build up your girls and make them feel special. They have all worked so hard to learn technique, build their bodies and memorize routines. Take them out after to dinner or ice cream. Make em' feel like a million bucks. They will remember it.

And last but not least...Our last class for the year is Tuesday the 19th. It is our party/bring a friend day so find a friend or family member - they can wear their costumes to class and bring them prepared to have a great time!!!

Picture questions and extra practices

Hey everyone!!! Just a word or two to adress questions I have been getting about pictures.

• Your child may wear their hair however you choose. These pictures are for you, they will be hanging in you house, I figure it is for you to decide.


• Bring you child in their Jazz or Tap costume for the group photo. Once the group photo is taken, you can decide if you want your child's individual picture taken in ballet or tap/jazz. (The reason prices are so reasonable is because we get pictures taken efficiently as a group.) - some may be able to have their individuals pictures taken in both costumes if their group shows up on time if they change quickly etc. We will do our best to keep things running smoothly and efficiently. If you want more pictures than time permits as a group you may schedule a private session with the photograher for $50.00. Please see me for details.


• If you have other questions feel free to email or call me. Things will be crazy here on Tuesday getting ready for pictures so please go through your stuff and call with any questions you have by Monday.

I do not require you purchase any pictures but I do need your child(ren) to come for the group photo and to use the pictures in the recital.

Also....I scheduled pictures on Tuesday in attempt not to conflict with all the spring sports going on. But I am a little nervous about getting some of the classes ready for recital. So... there will be extra practice for the 5:00 and 6:30 class as follows.

the 6:30 class will come Thurs the 23rd from 4:00 - 5:00

the 5:00 class will come Thurs the 23rd from 5:00 - 6:00

I know extra practices are inconvenient and I will try to schedule them as little as possible, but they are really needed. Please do you VERY best to get your girls here if it is at all possible.

Thank you.

COSTUMES AND PICTURES

Costumes will be coming home Tuesday, April 14. All accounts must be current (including April tuition) for your child(ren) to take their costumes home. I will look at all accounts after the 7th and send you an email if there is a deficit. I would like to thank everyone who has kept there accounts current this year. I know it has been an extra effort this year, but I truly appreciate it.

Pictures are scheduled for Tuesday, April 21. The times are as follows...

Tues 4:00 class - Pictures are from 3:15-4:30

Tues 4:30 class - Pictures are from 4:30 -5:30

Tues 5:00 Class - Pictures are from 5:30 - 6:30

Tues 6:30 Class - Pictures are from 6:30 - 7:30

As always purchasing pictures is optional, but coming to picture day is required. We want EVERY child there for the group photo. The group photo will be taken in the tap/jazz costume. You have the option to have your individual photo taken in your ballet costume if you wish. We are using the same photographer as last year. She does an amazing job and everyone was really happy with how the photos turned out. She is reasonably priced as well. I will send home a pricing sheet with costumes on the 14th.

Classes are going well, I know it is hard to get your kids there sometimes when spring fever starts to sink in, but please, please, please do whatever you can to get them there. We are working hard to try and get everyone dancing the same and it is hard when your missing one kid this week and two kids another week. Please do your best.

Thanks again for all of the time and effort you as parents put into bringing your child to dance. I know it is a lot of work. I can't wait for your children to perform for you.

p.s. As a side note...those of you who have not performed with me yet, I get kind of cranky about costumes and making sure they are taken care of and worn properly. It is difficult to coordinate so many little people and have a good production. Please do your best to work with me and I will do my best to remain calm. I don't anticipate any problems because everyone has been so great to work with, just a heads up.

Recital Fee Due March 3

Hey everyone. The last fee for the year is due not the first week of March with March tuition. It is $30.00 per student. This fee goes towards renting the auditorium for the recital. There will be no charge for tickets at the door and you can bring, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandparents etc. and they will all get in at NO CHARGE.

I know the due date on this one is kind of close to the costume money and I apologize, but I have already rented the auditorium and paid for it out of pocket so I do need to get the money in as quickly as possible.

ALSO!!!! CD's will be coming home the first week of March as well. Hopefully your girls will be excited to practice at home and show you some of the stuff they have been working on.

Recital Date Set!!!

Mark your calendar! The recital date is set for May 16th.

We will be performing at Ft. Herriman Middle School. Please don't be scared I know everyone hears Herriman and they think they will be driving all day, but the location is only 8.6 miles from the studio so it is not a bad drive. The facility is beautiful and will fit our needs perfectly.

The theme of this years recital is ...

Girl Power!!!

The rest of this blog is for Gee Whiz appeal, so feel free to stop reading or read on from this point forward.

If you are still reading I'd like tell you a little bit about the inspiration for this years recital.

After dancing for 25+ years I realize the impact that dance has had on my life. Sometimes when I watch things like High School competitions or Half time shows at sporting events I am sad to be a part of the world of dance and the skanky, thoughtless side it can bring out in some, as opposed to the artistic talent and quiet strength it should bring out. But if I am being honest I would not be who I am today without the experience I have had dancing and the coaches who have taught me a lot about myself and life.

I know from the experiences that I have had with my coaches that I am going to rub off on your girls whether you or I like it. As I really thought about it this year I want to make sure that I am rubbing off in a way that will make them better people. If there is anything I could give your daughters it would be the self confidence of seeing the power that they hold within themselves.

Girls and women have incredible power in so many areas of life. Part of this power comes from the inside having confidence and assurance in who they are. Part of this power comes from the outside as they become proud of their bodies and the strength and beauty they possess.

While I assure you I am NOT a feminist MAN HATER I do believe that girls/women should be strong and capable and yet still appreciate the beauty and grace they have that ONLY comes from being a woman.

If I could have my way I would ensure that every one of your girls is the girl that will go to the kick boxing class wearing a skirt, kick the snot out of the punching bag, and still be the nicest girl in the class.

So this is what we've been working on.

Some of the numbers are fun and crazy like the 4 year olds dancing to I Will Survive and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. It has been so rewarding for me to watch them really strut their stuff with the confidence that only a 4 year old has.

My middle age class I have really been encouraging friendship and teamwork. I have found this to be a pivotal time in people deciding what is really important to them in friendships. I am trying to teach them to search for the beauty that all people possess. I've put together a number that will hopefully reflect some team spirit once we get it mastered.

My oldest girls....well see they are tough sometimes. They are 10-13. Their bodies and hormones are changing so much. Sometimes they don't even know which way is up by the time they go through the day in the brutal place we call middle school. Then to put them in front of mirrors and teach them to move and fine tune this "new" body they are now wearing can be a challenge. Walking after a growth spurt is tough and dancing is a whole different story. I have seen a lot of progress from them this year. I am so proud of how they are conquering the beginnings of the journey into adulthood. They will be dancing to American Woman. We have been chatting a little in this class too about the differences of real beauty and "skanky" beauty. Hopefully there will be one less fight to fight at home as they make good choices on their own.

Anyhow, that's what we're up to. Thank you again for letting me work with your children. Hopefully I am earning my keep and it is a good experience for everyone not just me.

Costumes!!!!

Yeah!!! It's time to order costumes. I'm so excited about the recital this year. As soon as I have a date I will announce the theme. As promised aka threatened costume money is due in January. I have listed the prices below for all classes followed by pictures. I try to order things that are tasteful, affordable, non-skanky and exciting all at the same time. It is difficult to decide sometimes, but hopefully everyone is happy or at least not completely unhappy.

All costume money is due January 27 - Last class of the month.

Tues 4:00 Class

The pink one

The blue one
Total Price $83.00

Tues 4:30 Class

The yellow one
Total Price $87.00

Tues 5:00 Class

The pink one

The ivory one, we are getting the shoes too.
Total Price $98.00 (Welcome to Adult Sizes -I did my best to get it under $100)

Tues 6:30 Class

The orange one
Total Price $84.00

As soon as I know the date and location for the recital I will send another update. I hope your girls are as excited as I am.