Happy September everyone! It is so exciting to see so many familiar faces after summer holidays and a special welcome to all those newcomers who are joining Absolute Dance for our 15th Season! We hope that this post finds everyone in good spirits and that summer holidays have been relaxing and rejuvenating. We have a busy couple of months ahead so buckle up, it's going to be a wild ride!
Things didn't come to a complete halt over the summer months. Here's a quick run down on what's been happening:
During the month of July we finished up with our short summer session. We had a lot of fun with Mini Hip Hop, Adult Zumba and a very full Kinderdance class. It's always great to see interest in dance and fitness extend into the summer months. For some, the six week session is a great test run for what our full year classes are like. Many of our little ones will be returning this month and we are thrilled that we were able to spark a love for dance during their time with us.
At the end of July, Ms. Erika, Ms. Meaghan, and Ms. Watson had the opportunity to attend the 3 day Dance Teacher's Summit in New York City. The conference featured dance teachers and choreographers from around the world and was informative and inspiring. In addition to many business seminars, the conference also offered several teaching classes that discussed age appropriate skill building, dance progressions, technique basics and conditioning, and storytelling in choreography. Ms. Meaghan had an opportunity to tap her heart out, while Ms. Watson participated in David Howard's ballet class, learned some contemporary ballet from Benoit-Swan Pouffer and took class from people like Desiree Robbins, Sheila Barker, and Mia Michaels. Ms. Erika talked body alignment and conditioning with Paula Morgan and Denise Wall. The experience was rejuvenating and exactly what was needed to motivate us for another great season of dance.
July was also a month where one of our competitive dancers, Dylan MacPahil, went off to Toronto to attend the second stage audition for the Professional Ballet Program at Canada's National Ballet School. Dylan stayed in the residence there and attended classes for four weeks. He had a great time, learned a lot, and was accepted! We are so proud of Dylan not just because of his acceptance but because he had the courage to attend all by himself and had the self discipline to push his abilities and act as a great representative of himself and Absolute Dance! Although Dylan will not be attending this year, his experience is no doubt a testament to where hard work and passion can get you. We hope that Dylan's time at the school continues to motivate him this year and is inspirational to all of our dancers. We are happy to know that we will still have Dylan with us this year!
Our Summer Camps offered dance experiences for children ages 3 - 12. This year we had a lot of newcomers and many return students, eager to learn some new moves that they could show off to friends and family. Not only did these dancers participate in a variety of classes like Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre and Tap, they also did arts and crafts, theatre games and story time. Our dancers learned a number of routines that they shared with a large audience on the last day. We kept them very busy during their visit doing everything from tile painting to treasure hunts to puppet theatre. Full Day campers were also treated to a visit from Iviva who conducted them in some dance inspired contests with Iviva prizes! Thanks again to all our camp participants for making it two weeks of fun!
Following the two weeks of Summer Camp, our competitive dancers surfaced and attended a four day Technique Bootcamp. This was a great opportunity to review foundational elements and get back into shape. It now feels like our Team will be ready to tackle the new material that will be covered over the next few months. Great work and enthusiasm everyone. What a nice way to start the year!
During the month of July we finished up with our short summer session. We had a lot of fun with Mini Hip Hop, Adult Zumba and a very full Kinderdance class. It's always great to see interest in dance and fitness extend into the summer months. For some, the six week session is a great test run for what our full year classes are like. Many of our little ones will be returning this month and we are thrilled that we were able to spark a love for dance during their time with us.
At the end of July, Ms. Erika, Ms. Meaghan, and Ms. Watson had the opportunity to attend the 3 day Dance Teacher's Summit in New York City. The conference featured dance teachers and choreographers from around the world and was informative and inspiring. In addition to many business seminars, the conference also offered several teaching classes that discussed age appropriate skill building, dance progressions, technique basics and conditioning, and storytelling in choreography. Ms. Meaghan had an opportunity to tap her heart out, while Ms. Watson participated in David Howard's ballet class, learned some contemporary ballet from Benoit-Swan Pouffer and took class from people like Desiree Robbins, Sheila Barker, and Mia Michaels. Ms. Erika talked body alignment and conditioning with Paula Morgan and Denise Wall. The experience was rejuvenating and exactly what was needed to motivate us for another great season of dance.
July was also a month where one of our competitive dancers, Dylan MacPahil, went off to Toronto to attend the second stage audition for the Professional Ballet Program at Canada's National Ballet School. Dylan stayed in the residence there and attended classes for four weeks. He had a great time, learned a lot, and was accepted! We are so proud of Dylan not just because of his acceptance but because he had the courage to attend all by himself and had the self discipline to push his abilities and act as a great representative of himself and Absolute Dance! Although Dylan will not be attending this year, his experience is no doubt a testament to where hard work and passion can get you. We hope that Dylan's time at the school continues to motivate him this year and is inspirational to all of our dancers. We are happy to know that we will still have Dylan with us this year!
Our Summer Camps offered dance experiences for children ages 3 - 12. This year we had a lot of newcomers and many return students, eager to learn some new moves that they could show off to friends and family. Not only did these dancers participate in a variety of classes like Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre and Tap, they also did arts and crafts, theatre games and story time. Our dancers learned a number of routines that they shared with a large audience on the last day. We kept them very busy during their visit doing everything from tile painting to treasure hunts to puppet theatre. Full Day campers were also treated to a visit from Iviva who conducted them in some dance inspired contests with Iviva prizes! Thanks again to all our camp participants for making it two weeks of fun!
Following the two weeks of Summer Camp, our competitive dancers surfaced and attended a four day Technique Bootcamp. This was a great opportunity to review foundational elements and get back into shape. It now feels like our Team will be ready to tackle the new material that will be covered over the next few months. Great work and enthusiasm everyone. What a nice way to start the year!
What's on deck for September? On September 8th we will begin our Fall classes as well as our Used Shoe Sale which will run until the end of the month. Dancers are encouraged to bring their used shoes to the studio in a zip loc bag with the name, size, and price written on the bag. Anyone is welcome to participate.
Also in our first week back rehearsals for our production of Alice in Wonderland will begin. With a performance set for November 25th, the cast has a very short rehearsal period to pull off another spectacular Holiday Production. This is Absolute Dance's 4th Annual Holiday Production. The experience for the participants encourages creativity, theatricality and allows the dancers to really step outside of themselves. Alice is the perfect ballet to get the creative juices flowing. The possibilities are endless and students, staff, and audience members are bound to have a lot of fun. With this production, we also hold a Silent Auction during our performance day with proceeds going to the Alberta Children's Hospital. If you have items to donate please let our office know. We are also still taking last minute registrations for the Sessional Alice in Wonderland dancers if you have a dancer wanting to participate. If you are interested, please sign up within the first two weeks of classes as costumes need to be ordered very soon.
Bring a Friend to Dance Week will run from September 24 - 29. Friends are invited to come for FREE but must come with their invite/waiver signed by their guardian. Only children are permitted to attend Children's classes and only Adults are permitted to attend Adult classes.
Our Annual Competitive Meeting will be held at the studio on Friday, September 28 from 6:3 0 - 7:30. It is mandatory for all competitive parents to attend.
Also new this year is our Class Pass for all Adult Dance and Fitness Classes. If you register for two Adult classes, you are welcome to attend any number of our Adult classes throughout the week. This applies to everything whether it be dance or fitness. This year, we have some new classes like Ballet Booty Fitness and Bootcamp. Let this be the year you become your most fit and have fun doing it!
We hope that everyone has been enjoying the great summer weather and is starting to feel ready to get back into what promises to be a busy Fall. To those students who have been participating in dance intensives, we can't wait to hear about your experiences and hope that you have benefitted from the additional dance training. To those students who have taken the summer to travel or pursue other things, we hope that you have had fun and are looking forward to getting back to dance.
I remember I came to absolute dance and it was Cinderella, I wanted to be in it so badly, but for the adult dancers we had no opportunities, this year is alice in wonderland, and I want to do that so badly, but I'm an adult dancer and I don't think I'm aloud to be. Maybe I'll ask anyways..
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