June Wrap Up

The last few weeks of a very successful season of dance are upon us and the staff at Absolute Dance could not be more happy with how well the year went.  It seems like so long ago we were preparing for our production of The Wizard of Oz and learning choreography for competition.  Even ballet exams, despite being in April, seem like they were ages ago.  Time flies when you are having fun!  Now here we are two weeks from our year-end recital where, once again, students will come together as a team and finish the year off with a bang.  We can't wait to see all the little ones in their costumes, performing on stage for the first time.  For our graduating students, sending them off after having them in our classes for many years is bittersweet.

It was truly a great year for Absolute Dance.  Our full-length production of The Wizard of Oz kicked off a long list of performances for many of our students on December 1st.  The show featured our largest cast yet.  75 students ranging from age 4 to 17.  The cast performed 3 shows to a packed house and also worked together to gather items for a silent auction which raised funds to support the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation.  The cast was featured on City TV's Breakfast Television and did a fantastic job of making the classic story of Dorothy come alive as a ballet.

The Fall at Absolute Dance also kept dancers busy preparing for vocational RAD ballet exams.  In fact, many of the students who had character roles in our Holiday Production also had to prepare and enter for these challenging examinations within a couple of weeks of each other.  As if that wasn't enough, choreographers Mindy Conto and Sabrina Philips were also in town during October to set pieces for competition.  What a crazy time of year!

Following the Christmas break our ballet dancers started to prepare for the annual performance of Plies to Performance.  This in-studio show was a great success and was an opportunity for some of our dancers to learn more about Enrico Cecchetti's style.  The winter months also meant continuous preparations for spring competitions and for graded RAD examinations.  Some Intermediate and Advanced students did have an opportunity for a night out on the town.  In January a group went to see a show in the Alberta Ballet's Up Close series which featured three original works performed to a small house at the Alberta Ballet's Calgary studio.  It was a great opportunity for our dancers to see what kinds of work could be created with very limited set and costume pieces and few dancers.

The arrival of March meant competitive dress rehearsal and mock exams.  Even after these two important events teachers and students could see that there was still so much more work to be done in order to enter competition season at our best.  Many students came into the studio for extra lessons, worked on their own, and continued to train hard in their technique classes.  What was also really nice to see was the team moral that was in full force by the time April came around.  Once we finally graced the competitive stage it was so great to see dancers coming out early or staying later just to cheer on their team mates.  Teachers saw great sportsmanship amongst the team over our three week run of competition.  As we see every year there were some moments of weakness, where we knew we could have done better, and there were also moments of triumph.  All in all Absolute Dance walked away from each competition with numerous special awards, choreography awards and overall awards in each age category and division.  We hope that dancers can look back on the past few months feeling proud and accomplished but also hope that there was some learning involved and that this years experience can be applied to make next year even better.

Now here we are ready to tackle two days of recital on June 14th and 15th.  Competitive pieces will be included in the line up but now it is time to really give our full attention to our many recreational dancers and give them the recognition they deserve for all their hard work over the course of the year.  For many of these students getting up on stage is a big deal.  It takes courage, confidence and proves that hard work is always worth it in the end.  Plus the costume, make-up, bright lights and large crowd creates an energy like none other.  We are so looking forward to seeing what these dancers bring to the stage.  Each year there are always a few students that really come out of their shell once the spotlight is on them.  It is so much fun to see.

The summer months at Absolute will allow for a bit of rest and change of schedule.  Competitive students will continue to take technique classes until the end of June.  As of July 8th - 31st classes will be suspended however the office will be open 4 - 8 Tuesdays - Thursdays.  Online registration will continue to be available for Summer camps and sessional classes.  Once August hits, Absolute Dance will be back in full swing with two weeks of Summer Camps (starting August 11th) and competitive bootcamp and choreography at the end of the month.  On September 6th we kick off our 17th season of dance.  Another season which promises all the wonderful things that comes with being a dancer; fun, friendship, sweat, hard work, determination and success!  Whether it is in the audience or in the studio, we hope that you will join us.

Have a safe and restful summer,

Madame Jete

Give It All You've Got

So here we are three quarters of the way through the dance season and, for many, at the pinnacle of the many hours of training and preparations that have gone on since August.  The competitive dance season is officially underway and this week Absolute Dance is in the thick of it.  Every year we are so pleased with how hard our dancers work and there are always different students who really step out and excel beyond our expectations.  This year has been no different, if not even better in terms of the determination and focus that these dancers have demonstrated.  What has been particularly impressive has been the team spirit and positive moral that can be felt in the studio and backstage.  This year not only have our team members done a wonderful job of welcoming newcomers but of working together in groups that blend various ages and levels.  It seems that each one of these dancers has recognized the importance of their effort and how each individual is imperative if you want to deliver a strong large group of dancers.  Cheering in the audience, wishing one another good luck, saying "good job" to dancers from other studios; these are all actions that contribute to the positive relationships that develop through dance.  This feeling of togetherness can be felt when on stage for both the dancers and audience and is so great to see.

Absolute Dance kicked off the competitive season with a bang.  Everyone danced really well.  When you hear your name being called and feel great about your performance, suddenly all those extra hours in the studio make sense.  But in the midst of all the positive feedback it was also really nice to see dancers come off stage and say things like, "oh that one part should have gone better" or "I'm going to make sure I nail that turn next time".  It is so important never to get comfortable as a performer and to always look for ways to delve deeper  into the movement and keep it fresh.  Continue to find the "guts" of your pieces and let the meaning behind the choreography drop even deeper.  For our more advanced dancers, strive for "whole body dancing".  You don't perform with only your face but with your back, arms, fingers, eyes, etc.  Allow yourself to be vulnerable as a dancer.  This does not mean that you are weak.  In fact, it takes more courage to open yourself up to vulnerability than it does to keep the walls up.  Be courageous and live in the moment.  Remember, you get out what you give in, so give it all you've got.

Things are also amping up for our non-competitive dancers with our upcoming 16th annual recital.  Many pieces have been completed and are in the process of being cleaned so they are ready for the stage.  Soon enough it will be their turn to dance their hearts out.  We are doing 7 different shows on June 14th and 15th and detailed recital packages have been sent home with each child.  It is important that the information be read carefully and any questions be brought to our studio office.  Tickets go on sale through the Mount Royal University theatre box office on May 1st.  There is a limit of four tickets per family until June 2nd when the limit will be lifted.

Our schedule and registration package is also going out this week.  Registration for our 2014/2015 season began May 5th.  If you have young ones between age 3 and 11 don't forget to check out our Summer Camps which run the weeks of August 11th to 15th, and August 18th to 22nd.  Registration for all sessional classes will also be made available online at www.absolutedanceinc.com within the next few weeks.

Once again, I wish the best of luck to all of our competitive team members.  Enjoy the rest of this exciting time!

That's all for now,
Madame Jete

A Night Out At The Ballet

Living in Calgary we really are so fortunate to have a number of pre and professional dance groups that perform regularly over the course of the year.  Whether it is the Alberta Ballet, Decidedly Jazz or En Corps Dance Collective, I am always trying to encourage my dance students to get out and watch live dance performances.  These experiences educate them on everything from music to history to current events and will give them a much stronger complimentary education to their studio training than any episode of Dance Moms.  That being said, going to these performances are not always affordable and often conflict with dance classes, competitions and the like.  It is hard to get those who should be the biggest supporters out and into the seats.

Absolute Dance has recently made the effort to organize outings to see one live dance performance a year and it has always been a very positive experience.  I am always surprised at what children and teens find interesting during a performance.  In January we attended The Alberta Ballet's Up Close series which featured company members performing shorter, locally choreographed pieces to an in-studio audience of only 100 people.  It was such an opportunity for the dancers to see how much could be done with minimal costumes and set pieces.  It was also great for them to realize how long and hard these dancers had to work to deliver a strong performance for the length of each piece.  Every single person in the audience could see every little detail.  Hopefully our dancers gained some perspective on where they stood with their own training and returned to the studio with renewed inspiration.  This performance was also great for young dancers because it was contemporary ballet and a wonderful demonstration of how classical shapes and movement can be reworked to become something entirely new.  Following the performance some of the company members took part in a Q and A with the audience.  The students were able to gain some insight on what the concepts for the pieces were and how it feels to be dancing a contemporary piece as a dancer who is more accustomed to dancing classical repertoire.  I had to laugh (to myself) at when one of the dancers strongly emphasized the importance of barre work and repetition.  It was so nice to hear and coming from a professional who just gave his everything for 60 minutes I think those words had much more meaning coming from him rather than myself.

In March, the Alberta Ballet went on to perform Giselle.  A stark contrast to the previous production, the company members returned to the classical "box" and did a great job.  With the Calgary Philharmonic playing that famous music it made for a great night out.  What was also nice about this performance is that it was the perfect length for the average theatre goer who maybe didn't have too much interest or knowledge when it comes to dance.  As it usually is with most ballets, the storey line took a backseat to the dancing.  The Peasant Pas de Deux was performed to a tee.  The gentleman, in particular, did a stellar job with some very difficult jumps and turns.  In the second act the patterning of the corps was stunning.  The dancers floated effortlessly around the stage and moved as one.  It was beautiful and thank goodness the lighting did a great job at making the 27 year-old costumes look great on stage.  All in all it was a great night out.

Since the Alberta Ballet is nearing the end of its season they have very recently announced their upcoming season.  It features a great line up of ballets I always seem to make reference to in class but haven't been performed in Alberta in recent years.  I really hope that many of my students will be able to make it out.  Some of the ballets I am most looking forward to are Don Quixote, La Bayadere and Carmen.  Seeing at least one of these classics is a must and as hard as it can be to get organized enough to make it out, once you are in that seat you will be glad you made the effort.

Snack to Success

Well competition season is upon us but, wouldn't you know it, before our first competition comes March Break!  Of course a change from the usual routine and, for some, a chance to get away, is always welcome.  It is still funny that we get a holiday right before the most challenging time of year.  We should embrace the holiday knowing that the rest will hopefully leave us in tip top shape once things start up again.  We do have to be careful, however, that in resting we we still maintain our fitness and nutritional habits that we have kept since September.

Take care of your body and make sure that any physical activities you do do not come with too much risk of injury.  Downhill skiing, for instance, is a wonderful sport but I always advise dancers not to do it right before any important performance simply because the chances of getting injured are fairly high.  It is great to stay active by trying different things like swimming, running, or participating in a yoga or cross training class at a gym.  Swimming in particular is considered great complimentary training for dancers because it works the entire body, has no impact on joints and does not leave a build up of toxins in the body the same way that higher impact activities will do.  It is a fantastic way to ensure that your cardiovascular fitness is maintained.

If you are staying in the city, I would also encourage you to get into the kitchen and experiment with some healthy, fuel-providing recipes that you'll be able to throw in with your competition gear when the time comes.  Days at competition can be very long and quite often the cafeteria food on hand is not a great option.  To get you started, here are some of my favorite lunch/snack recipes.  They have become go-to options for me and I encourage you to try them out.  If you have special dietary requirements online sources like Pinterest will leave you with many fun options.

Sweet and Salty Granola-Nut Clusters (from Grazing A Healthier Approach to Snacks and finger Foods.  By Julie Van Rosendaal)

Ingredients:                                                         1. Preheat oven to 350
1 cup mixed nuts and seeds
1/2 sesame seeds                                                  2. Spread nuts and seeds on a baking sheet and
1/4 cup ground flax seeds                                    toast for 8-10 minutes until pale golden.  Set aside.
1/4 cup honey
2 Tbsp water                                                       3.  In a medium saucepan, combine the honey,
1 tsp canola or flax oil                                         water and oil.  Bring to a boil over medium heat.
1 cup low-fat granola                                          Stir in the nut mixture.  Reduce heat to medium-
2 Tbsp sugar                                                       low and cook, stirring, for another 2 minutes.  Stir
1 tsp coarse sea salt                                             in the granola, sugar, and salt and cook for
                                                                            another minute.

                                                                             4. Spread the mixture in a thick layer on a baking
                                                                             sheet and allow to cool.  Once cooled, break into
                                                                             clusters, or shape it into balls while it is still warm.
                                                                             Store in a tightly sealed container.

                                                                             Makes about a dozen clusters.

Crunchy Kale Salad (Posted on Pinterest and found on www.userealbutter.com)
(This salad takes a bit of extra work but is well worth it.  If you are not a huge fan of kale, chop it in fine pieces to make it incorporate with the other ingredients a bit better)

Ingredients:
4 cups kale, washed, trimmed, and shredded
2 cups red cabbage, shredded
2 cups green cabbage, shredded
1 Granny Smith apple, diced
1 avocado, diced
1 cup almonds (or walnuts)
1 cup dried black currants

Maple Orange Tahini Dressing:
1/2 cup orange juice
1 Tbsp maple syrup (I have used table syrup as well)
3 Tbsp tahini
pinch of salt
1/3 cup olive oil
lemon juice to taste

Make the Dressing: Place the orange juice, maple syrup, tahini and salt in a medium bowl and whisk together until blended.  Slowly drizzle the olive oil into the bowl in a steady stream while constantly whisking.  Add lemon juice to taste.
In a large bowl, combine the kale, cabbage, apple, avocado, almonds and dried black currants.  Pour the dressing over and toss to coat.  Enjoy!

Of course I have several other recipes that I make week after week.  In addition to Grazing - A Healthier Approach to Snacking, I would highly recommend 5 Easy Steps to Healthy Cooking - 500 Recipes for Lifelong Wellness by Camilla V. Saulsbury.  I have likely tried 30 recipes from this book and have had success with every single one.  None of the recipes are overly complicated.  The author has a way of coming up with great ingredient combinations that are unique and delicious.

Good luck in the kitchen this month.

That's all for now,
Madame Jete

How to Train Like an Olympian

With the upcoming competitive dance season and the Winter Olympics just around the corner, what better way to tackle a dancer's physical and mental preparation than looking to the practices that the country's most elite athletes use?  From March through to June dancers really need to meet their maximum in terms of fitness and technical ability.  They have, after all, been training intensively since August.  When it comes to perfect execution of a group or solo performance on competition days, the mental component of things comes into play.  When dancers are going to one competition after the next, it becomes a bit of a marathon where they need to be absolutely on top of sleep and nutrition in order to perform at their best for the duration of the competitive season.

Here's a list of tips and tricks that are used by Canada's olympic athletes that dancer's can apply to their own routine as they prepare for the exciting season ahead:

1) Diet and Hydration: High performance athletes must eat every 3-4 hours and within 90 minutes of working out.  Start each day with a nutritious breakfast of complex carbohydrates (like steel cut oatmeal) and lean protein (cottage cheese, egg whites, nuts, fish or chicken).  Drink plenty of water throughout the day and hydrate during your classes with either water or sports drinks.

2) Sleep: Try to get to bed before 11pm and sleep for 8 - 10 hours in a very dark environment.  Avoid watching TV or being on the computer 30 minutes before bed.  This will give you optimal hormonal release while you sleep.

3) Warm-up and Recovery: Be sure to warm-up prior to class with at least 10 minutes of light jogging or skipping rope.  You can even try reverse lunges to improve body awareness and co-ordination.  After your class, cool down with gentle stretching, foam rolling or massage to avoid soreness and injury.  You want your body to feel good the next time you take class.

4) Mental Preparation: Dancers and athletes have a range of techniques to ensure that they are mentally present on the big day and during their performance.  Do some research and find out what might work best for you.  Some things include finding inspirational quotes or mantras, watching videos of other professionals for motivation, finding a "pre-game day" and "game day" ritual.  In the moment when you are attempting challenging steps, find out which visualizations work best for you.  Of course, there is the power of repetition.  Do challenging sequences over and over again in rehearsal until your body can do it without even thinking.  Finally, don't forget to breath!

5) Your Team: Teachers should be there to push you to meet your maximum potential.  Hopefully they are able to assess whether a "tough-love" approach or more gentle encouragement works best for each individual.  Competitive team members also need to be there for one another in class and at competition.  Telling each other that they are capable of achieving a difficult step and pushing one another when things get tough is very important.  A positive team atmosphere is essential.
Olympic athletes are known to train together even though they may compete against one another.  Training with a friend increases your accountability and your commitment to your dancing will go up.  

6) Complimentary Training: Any additional exercise you do outside of class should be varied.  This means that you shouldn't always go for a jog at the same pace for the same amount of time on the same path.  An athletes body will grow accustomed to that kind of repetition quickly and improvement will cease.  Instead, vary your cardio with things like jogging, jumping rope, biking, or going on an eliptical trainer.  Find different ways to strengthen abdominal muscles and switch it up from one work out to the next.  Lastly, don't forget to strengthen your back!  Dancers get pre-occupied with abdominals and legs often forgetting that leg lines and turns will become so much stronger with increased strength across the back.  Do push ups, use a swiss ball or thera-band to get your back in tip-top form.

Best of luck to our competitive team as we gear up for the exciting season ahead.  Hopefully these tips will help everyone surpass their expectations and goals for the year.

Sincerely,
Madame Jete

The Domino Effect

Well 2014 has arrived and I have decided to kick it off with one of my favourite topics.  It is one that is a huge part of a dancer's training from start to finish and grows in complexity as a dancer develops their technique.

Understanding turn out IS the key to strong technique.  I often wonder how much stronger I would have been as a young dancer had I known more than just the basics of turning out the leg and had a bit more knowledge in anatomy.  As an adult putting what I learned on the subject to use, not only did it improve the successful demonstration of classical steps and movements but it also changed the tone and shape of my instrument for the better.

Now the trick is, for you the dancer to come to the same level of understanding.  I have no doubt that you will be met with success.  I often talk to students about the domino effect in Ballet.  When one thing is misaligned, then it usually leads to other things being misaligned and, consequently, steps not being executed the way they should be.  When properly aligned, all of a sudden it becomes easier to hold correct placement further down the line and before you know it, you are achieving the desired movement and placement we are after!

Turn out - what IS IT??  Proper use of turn out varies in every body and unfortunately comes much more easily to some than to others.  That being said, I've known many dancers to have spectacular range of turn out in the hip socket but lack the muscular strength and body awareness to put it to good use.  I am a firm believer that we should not use the physical limitations we were born with as an excuse but rather work to build the strength and understanding so that every person is using their turn out to its absolute maximum at all times.  In its simplest form, turn out means turning the entire leg outwards starting in the hip socket and holding an equivalent range of turn out in the knee, lower leg and foot.  Both legs must use equal amounts, otherwise forced turn out is happening in one leg while the other leg is actually turning in on the pelvis.  Unequal placement of turn out creates an imbalance in the placement of positions and also effects a square alignment of the whole body.  See what I mean by domino effect?  And we've only just begun!

For the very novice dancer it is really important that healthy use of turn out is understood right from the start.  We must understand that it is easier to turn out the leg when the knees are bent so when finding our range of turn out it must be done with the legs stretched and thighs pulled up.  Some people think that good turn out is when the feet in 1st position have the widest angle (sometimes more than 180 degrees).  Yikes!  This is a complete myth!  Proper understanding of a turned out position starts on top of the legs with proper placement of the pelvis.  By engaging the abdominals, hamstrings (backs of legs) and gluts we need to find a neutral (level) placement of the pelvis.  Imagine if you had a platter tutu on - it would have to be parallel with the floor throughout all movements where the torso is held in an upright position.  The abdominals help to hold the hips high in the front and the hamstrings help to anchor the pelvis in the back.  Gluts and hamstrings help rotate the thighs but what will make it even easier is if there is also a sense of lift of the pelvis up and away from the legs.  If the weight is placed properly with 2/3 on the ball of the foot, then the hamstrings and calves are more easily activated.  There are numerous visualizations that one can use to find the correct placement of the pelvis and use of turn out.  What is important to understand is that whether in motion or holding a stationary position the use of turn out is always active.  Irene Dowd uses the word "spin" to refer to the "visceral spheres" that exist in the head and torso and also to describe the use of turn out in the legs.  I think it is the perfect word since it implies a never ending motion that remains in one spot.  

Turn out is quite involved but if you are new to dance please don't get ahead of yourself!  What I typically expect a novice dancer to understand is level placement of the pelvis and then appropriate and consistent use of turn out in the thighs, calves and feet.  Remember how there is more turn out when the knees are bent?  The idea in classical training is that we maintain the same level of turn out when the legs are extended or bent.  Take a plie for instance, with the legs turned out to the front corners and the pelvis held level, bend the knees and make sure that they stay aligned over the feet.  The feet must also remain flat to the floor with the toes long.  Do not go into a more turned out position or allow the toes to go further outwards.  The domino effect here: if the pelvis is tilted forward, then the knees are more likely to fall inwards and then the feet would pronate or "roll in".  This is the obvious way to do a plie incorrectly.  However, be aware that it is also common (especially in 2nd position) to have just the foot turned slightly inwards and to have a slight lift on the inner border of the foot.  This is a sickled foot without having any stretch to the foot and is a less obvious example of how turn out must extend all the way down to the toes.  

So the first step in using turn out is holding the outward spin and level pelvis with the legs extended and bent.  Parents of young dancers: you can watch for proper use of turn out by taking note of an upright pelvis and knees and toes always going towards the front corners.  When the leg is extended to the front (devant) the heel must point to the ceiling, when in second or to the side the heel must go forwards towards the audience.  It is good to think of the heel because it is at the end of the leg.  If the heel is free and pointing in the right direction then it means that the rest of the leg must be in the right position (make sure the pelvis is held too and not twisting!) and the weight is forward on the foot.

The next step from there would be to practice the same plie but to actually engage the backs of the legs as the knees bend so that the hamstrings gain strength and actively take the thighs to a more turned out position.  Be careful not to lift that inner border of the foot or to change the initial position of the foot.  Because we know that it is easier to turn out when the knees are bent, as we stretch up from a plie increase the amount of spin so that when the legs reach their extension, they are turned out to the same or more degree.  Suddenly, a plie has become much more than just bending and stretching the legs and is now a tool to strengthen rotators and improve range when the leg is extended.  Now think of battement fondu.  Here we are doing the same movement only on one leg and training proper use of turn out for take off and landings on one leg.  Of course in ronds de jambe a terre the primary focus is turn out and as the dancer gets more familiar with how it is done, the increased hold of turn out becomes more active and challenging as we experiment with changes in weight placement, speed and variations on the standing leg.  

At the more advanced level the challenge becomes using turn out to initiate absolutely everything.  I am not kidding.  You take a step forward and it is led by the stepping heel while the second leg works into that nice fondu position that was rehearsed at the barre.  The pelvis remains lifted and square.  Seriously.  All in one step.  And that step becomes proper placement into a 5th position en pointe, a proper preparation into a temps leve or a turn.  And the domino effect continues.  Turn out is held in the preparation and the steps that follow is more successful thanks to a good preparation and, hopefully, turn out is maintained in the following step and it goes on and on.  Turn out is used to initiate changes in alignment, promenades on one leg, it leads the way in pirouettes in both directions, it contributes to cleaner jumps, in particular any beaten allegro movements.  It effects everything!

As we venture into the season of resolutions, I really encourage everyone to take a few moments to consider the use of turn out at whichever level they may be and then to take those thoughts (or questions) to class and put them to practice.  Continue to consider this concept in all sections of your class and continue to focus on it in every class.  Turn out will never go away, will never be fully conquered and will always remain to be something that must be maintained.  Though it may seem daunting I promise that the more you work at it the better dancer you will become.  

Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Madame Jete

Sleigh Bells Ring...

It's official!  Winter is here to stay.  The first Tuesday of December turned Calgary into a winter wonderland keeping everyone housebound and off the messy roads.  Lucky for the dancers at Absolute Dance the storm was late and left us with pleasant weather to make it through our holiday production of The Wizard of Oz on December 1st.  

Throughout the month of November 72 dancers along with the staff of Absolute Dance worked hard to prepare for the annual event.  Costumes arrived from the US while others were custom made.  Of course there were many finishing touches to be done to make everyone look their best.  Accessories were added and costumes bedazzled from top to bottom.  With the help of Muge Performance Wear our leads resembled the characters from the movie but had a modern and unique design that enabled them to dance.  Set pieces were built and painted and as usual everyone pulled together to make the show come together in time.  Show day went off without a hitch.  Our dancers put on three wonderful performances.  By the end of the day everyone was exhausted but excited that all their hard work had paid off.  Most impressive was the fact that our 4-6 year olds were able to hold it together till the end of the third performance.  Congratulations to all of our dancers! 

There is no doubt that what makes an event of this scale possible is teamwork.  Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped with our load in and out, supervised dancers backstage, or took care of the pre-show events in the lobby.  Our silent auction was held prior to the 12 and 4 pm shows with 100% of the proceeds going to support the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation.  We had many great items donated and are happy to have raised $2500.  Way to go everyone!

Overall, the day was a hit, a positive and memorable experience for everyone.  Stay tuned for photos of the show to be posted on our website.  We were also happy to have Open Call Films shoot the 4pm performance.  We will contact those who ordered a video when they are ready for pick up.   

As if our dancers didn't have enough on their plates with preparation for The Wizard of Oz some of our more senior dancers also took a vocational level ballet exam in November.  Congratulations our Intermediate and Intermediate Foundation dancers who put their best foot forward and went through with the examination process.  Vocational level exams are not easy and require many hours of preparation in addition to strong technique and a broad vocabulary in classical ballet.  Our candidates had been studying the work since last winter/spring so finally having completed the exam really is an accomplishment to be proud of.  Now onwards and upwards into the next level!  

December promises to be a busy month of year-end wind ups, concerts and will continue with exciting studio events. Our fall preschool tour with Early Discoveries Nursery Schools is wrapping up and will resume full force in the New Year.  

We are also in deep preparation for our upcoming viewing week here at Absolute Dance!  Monday December 16^th through to Saturday December 21^st, parents and family are invited to come and watch the last 15 minutes of their dancer’s class. This applies to all classes at the studio.  Photography and video are allowed at this time, however please take footage of your dancer only.  We hope that parents will enjoy seeing what we have been up to over the last few months!

Registration for our Winter session is on-going and available in online or in person during office hours.  Monday to Thursday 4:00-8:30pm or Saturday from 9:00am-2:00pm.  As usual there are many different options for children and adults to choose from and our Adult class pass makes for an affordable opportunity to participate in dance and fitness classes and even take advantage of free childcare during our daytime classes.

The beginning of another month also means a new Student of the Month.  Congratulations to Malia Kerr for being nominated!  Malia is a hard-working and dedicated dancer.  Her attention to detail and effort has contributed to her success in her classes.  We hope that her work ethic can act as inspiration to her fellow dancers and help them build their skill and enthusiasm for dance.  

           

We have just launched out new website and encourage you to take a peek www.absolutedanceinc.com

You may even see some familiar faces in the promotional pictures of dancers you see around the halls here at the studio! 

Our last day of classes before our holiday break is Saturday December 21^st.  We will resume in the New Year on Monday January 6^th 2014. 

Absolute Dance staff would like to wish everyone a happy, safe and restful holiday season.  We are so looking forward to what lies ahead in 2014.

Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,

Madame Jete

Dance Dance Dance

Now well into our regular season of classes, I would like to start this months post by giving a "kudos" to all of our participants in our adult dance and fitness classes.  There has been a real eagerness for learning and positivity when it comes to staying fit amongst our participants.  It is so nice to see that attending the adult classes at Absolute Dance have become a regular part of a weekly schedule for many.  When it comes to getting our sweat on, getting out the door and off to class can be a huge challenge.  It takes real commitment to attend a class regularly as an adult when A) Nobody is making you go B) You have likely spent the entire day at work and/or caring for your family and C) There are probably many other things that you could be checking off your to-do list during that hour you are at class.  What has been so great to see this year is that two months in, attendance in our adult programs is holding strong and it really feels like the content in these classes can gain some momentum.
Most people have tried some sort of gym-related regimen whether it be getting their cardio in on a machine or attending a group class.  Attending an adult dance class, however, is not something that many adults have tried.  People without dance experience as a child have many reservations about starting up and it really does take some serious courage (and maybe a friend to join you) to try your hand at dance in adulthood.  So, if you have found yourself at the ballet barre or working on your "swag" in a hip hop class - congratulations, it takes guts to put yourself out there and be open to learning something new.
As a teacher, instructing adults is a whole different ball game but it is always refreshing and fun.  You have to keep in mind that often people are attending your class for a variety of reasons whether it be fitness, to get out of the house, to learn something new, or because they want to relive the experience they had as a youngster.  Whatever the motivation might be it is a welcome challenge to find the balance where you can offer a bit of each to your class.  It is also a reminder of the benefits of dance in adulthood.  When I was a teenager I remember leaving to go to dance after having an argument with my parents (oh the joys of hormones!) and starting off the class in a full-tilt mood swing but then feeling like whatever was bothering me wasn't really that big of a deal by the time the class ended.  There is no doubt that dance is a great stress-buster.  Dance builds body awareness which can extend into our daily routine.  Learning about posture, placement, and gaining awareness of correct alignment teaches non-dancers to rethink how they are using their bodies throughout the day and can often help out work out the kinks, improve flexibility and ease mobility.  Now that I spend much more of my time conducting class rather than taking one when I do take a dance class I am reminded of the intellectual aspect of dance.  The musicality, the co-ordination, the patterning and sequences take a lot of brain work.  It is most definitely a learned skill that needs to be maintained.  I'm sure most people have heard of the benefits of dance in combating serious illness like Alzheimer's.  Dance exercises the mind and body.

We're Off To See The Wizard!

It is officially Fall here in Calgary and our classes are in full swing.  Last week Absolute Dance hosted "Bring a Friend to Class" week and it was a lot of fun to see the dancers show off their skills in the studio and invite their friends in to see how they spend their time after school.  Hopefully our special guests left having had a little exercise and a lot of fun.

Preparations for Wizard of Oz are also well under way.  All classes have learned most, if not all, of their first scene in the production.  Even though it is a ballet, it is fun to see how surprised kids become when they see how we figure out ways to tell the story through movement.  It is not uncommon to hear at least 1 person ask, "this is ballet?"  We are using a blend of music from the movie and musical which makes for a really catchy soundtrack.  Our Holiday Productions aim not only to show technical skills, but also to entertain even the youngest of audience members.  The most senior classes in the production have now had four years experience in doing productions of this kind and last week they slipped into their character/acting roles like it was old hat.  It was impressive to see how far they have come not only in their dancing but in their ability to very quickly figure out how their character was going to move, how they should fill "down time" in scenes where they are not given specific choreography, and contribute ideas to find signature movements to suit each character.  It was also fun to talk to the littlest group of Munchkins and attempt to explain the story of Dorothy to them.  They may have not gotten all the details but as things start to come together it will start to make sense.  It is always such a fun process!

Parents and dancers please keep in mind that we will be hosting a silent auction during our December 1st show day with all proceeds going to support a local charity.  Auctions will take place before each show and will open one hour prior.  We will hold three performances at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm.   It is not too early to start gathering items for this event.  Last year we raised a record $4350.00, all of which went to support the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation.  Let's work together to top that amount!

Way back when, it was very common for parents to put their child in dance not only to learn the art form but also to learn discipline and etiquette.  Although times have changed and dance may be part of the routine more for fun and fitness, Absolute Dance is still adamant about teaching dancers behavioral skills that will extend beyond the studio.  Our teachers are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and are encouraged to remind students of the little things that show respect for their instructors, peers and art form.

Here a few things for dancers to keep in mind when participating in class:
- Be a clever dancer.  Upon entering the studio be quick about getting your shoes on.  If the class has not yet started, warm up by reviewing elements or combinations from the previous class.
- Be properly attired for class!  Not only will you look and feel the part, teachers will be better able to assist you when they can see what you are doing.
- If you are late for class wait until the music has paused before entering the room.  When you do go in be mindful to make as few interruptions as possible.  A quick apology for being late after the class has finished is always appreciated by the teacher.
- If you are in a dance class, you are there to dance!  Get into the habit of repeating a movement after you or the class has been given a correction.  It is one thing for you to understand a correction in your mind, but another to understand it in your body.  If the instructor is giving time for individual practice and has not given specific corrections to you, listen to what she/he is saying to other students and make those corrections on yourself.
- There are always times in a class where something is being discussed and it is not appropriate to dance but rather stop to listen.  Don't allow yourself to hang off the barres - practice your stationary posture!  Stand with weight equal on both feet and be sure not to hold your arms in a way that could interpreted as a poor attitude.
- Yawning, looking at the clock or asking how much time is left in class are considered bad manners.
- Always raise your hand before asking or answering a question.  Be mindful of the time of the teacher and students in the class and remember to keep questions focused only on what is being discussed in class.
- Watch your fellow dancers and learn from their successes or challenges.
- Do not comment on your peers technique.  That is the job of the teacher.  Do not be afraid to tell one of your peers if you thought they did something well.
- Always finish each class with a bow or curtsey and a thank you to the teacher.  The teacher will also thank the dancers.

As we venture into October we'd like to take a moment to acknowledge Stephanie Rha, our Student of the Month!  Stephanie started the year off with a great attitude and a lot of determination.  She has had great focus in all of her classes.  With her great work skills she is sure to make some wonderful improvements in her dancing this year.  Keep it up Stephanie!

Absolute Dance would also like to wish all parents and dancers a Happy Thanksgiving.  The studio will be closed from Friday, October 11th to Monday, October 14th.  All classes will resume on Tuesday, October 15th.  Enjoy an extra long weekend and a few days of relaxation.

Until next time!

Sincerely,
Madame Jete

Our Best Feet Forward

After a very busy summer Absolute Dance is pleased to welcome all returning and new students through its doors.  We couldn't be more excited about entering into our sixteenth season!

Summertime offered a change of schedule with some rest but also many opportunities for our students to participate in camps, dance intensives and a chance to learn from visiting teachers from Ontario.  Many of our ballet students started pointe work for the first time and trained for RAD exams, while some of our competitive students got an early start into learning their choreography for competition.  There's nothing like having a leg up on the busy year that lies ahead.  Our dance camps were bursting at the seams with over 110 participants over the course of two weeks.  It was truly great to see enthusiasm for dance continue through the summer months.

What makes September so exciting is to see not only the physical changes in our students (they always come back taller!) but also the excitement and anticipation they have when they return ready to embrace the challenges of the year ahead.  Even with our returning 4 year olds there is an air of confidence they feel when they come back to the familiar walls of the studio.  There's definitely something about getting back into the swing of things that fills everyone with a renewed energy.  Look out everyone!  Starting now its full steam ahead!

Our new dance year means that rehearsals start for our latest and greatest Holiday Production.  This has become a tradition at Absolute Dance and will be the fifth year that dancers have performed a full-scale ballet production in December.  This year we are so excited to be doing The Wizard of Oz.  Originally a novel and then a musical, The Wizard of Oz has never been done as a ballet on a professional scale.  The staff and dancers at Absolute Dance are eager to go where no one has gone before and see how they can make the story of Dorothy and Toto come to life in a classical form.  You can bet that you will see all your favorite characters and hear the familiar (and catchy) tunes, but we will be finding ways to develop characters and move through the plot using only the language of dance.  Participating in the Holiday Productions are a great way not only for students to learn choreography in a short period of time, but also see what it takes to use movement as a means to tell a story.  It's a great opportunity to get involved in the studio and for dancers of different ages and levels to dance together on stage.  Registration for the Holiday Production classes will stay open until rehearsals begin.  Don't miss your chance to be a part of a fantastic new production!

As a teacher, I always like to approach the new dance year with a few resolutions in mind.  I also like to ask my students what their goals are for the season.  Well this year I will still encourage everyone to come up with one or two personal goals as far as technique and class work goes but I would also like to invite dancers to find ways to expose themselves to as much art and culture as possible.  This year, I want to find ways to foster creativity in my students in the hopes that they will become more aware and expressive in their performance.  What does this mean?  Well we can start by watching as much dance as possible.  Nowadays this could not be any easier thanks to Youtube and televised dance series.  The city of Calgary also happens to have a lot going on in dance for the 2013/14 season.  Check out the line up for The Alberta Ballet and Decidedly Jazz.  There are also smaller dance companies in the city like En Corps Dance Collective that are continuously taking new works to the stage.  Absolute Dance will always post dance workshop opportunities which are also great opportunities to learn from new teachers.

Building a creative dancer does not stop at attending and participating in dance opportunities.  Listen to music, go to art galleries and theatre productions.  Attend the symphony or make a painting.  Learn how to play an instrument.  Write a poem or write or perform in a play.  Take voice or acting lessons.  Watch musicals.  These are all ways that our dancers can start to connect the dots between various art forms, develop a wider appreciation and take what they gain from this exposure and apply it to their skills in the studio and on stage.  In the studio, the teachers at Absolute Dance will continue to deliver classes that not only cover steps but also educate our students in the music and history that make the study of dance so much more than just fancy footwork.

Once again we wish all new and returning students a warm welcome and are so excited about the learning and achievements that the coming year holds.  Here's to another season of artistry, expression, and fun!

Sincerely,
Madame Jete

Hold on Tight! Here Comes April!

Welcome back students and staff to what promises to be an action packed April after a well deserved March/Easter break.  Hopefully families that left Calgary over the past two weeks had a restful time away and travelled safely.  If you stuck around the city, hopefully there was time to reconnect with friends and family and treat yourselves to some of the events and activities that Calgary has to offer at this time of year.

Things were not totally shut down at Absolute Dance over the past few weeks.  On March 25th, we welcomed a group of dancers ages 3 - 6 to our March Break half day camps.  We had a great time doing creative movement, jazz, ballet, hip hop, musical theatre, arts and crafts, and story time.  It was great to see many familiar faces return to our camps and to welcome new ones into our studio.  We finished up with a small demonstration of dances on the 29th and were so pleased to have such a large turn out from our audiences.  The dancers did a great job with their crafts as well.  One of the more exciting projects we did was some ceramic painting made possible by the folks at Fire Escape, a local pottery painting studio.  Special thanks goes out to our camp assistants who kept the little ones engaged and busy throughout the week.

Over the holiday we were also happy to see some of our competitive dancers continue their training on their own here at the studio.  It was great to see dancers take the initiative to come in, run their numbers and stay on top of their fitness level and keep choreography and corrections fresh in their minds.  Practice and rehearsal will only make things better.  You will only get out what you give in so you might as well give it all you got!  Your hard work does not go unnoticed.

An exciting announcement went out just before we went on holidays.  We unveiled our Holiday Production for 2013!  On December 1st Absolute Danee will be presenting The Wizard of Oz.  This full-scale production will feature dancers ages 4 - 18 from both our recreational and competitive streams.  Not only do these productions give dancers another opportunity to perform on stage, but it adds a storytelling element to dancing which may or may not be present in the material a dancer would focus on in a recital numbers.  A project of this size also gives the younger dancers a chance to see older dancers at work.  It is great for generating a sense of teamwork and community.  There is a lot of work involved but dancers are left with lasting memories and a sense of accomplishment.

Although it is a story that most people are familiar with, you'd be surprised to know that The Wizard of Oz has never been done on a large scale by a professional ballet company.  This means that we have a huge task ahead of us as we work to put together music, develop which parts of the story line and characters we want to highlight and what concepts we want to experiment with in order to make the production unique to Absolute Dance.  This opportunity is open to anyone enrolled in a full-year ballet class and is available on a sessional (10 week)  basis, or for the full year as part of a special performance based class.  We encourage you to chat with the office if you are interested.  Last year's production of Alice in Wonderland was a huge success and we are very excited with where we can go with this upcoming production.  If you don't join us onstage, then we hope to see you in the audience!

As we venture into April get ready for an on slot of information!  Between our new schedule, registration, pictures, competitions, recital and summer session/camps, there are many important dates you'll want to highlight on your calenders.

April 12th - Graded Royal Academy of Dance Exams held at Absolute Dance.  Best of luck to all our candidates entering for their Grade 2, 3, or 5 exam!
April 15th - Our schedule of classes for 2013/2014 will be available
April 20th - Our competitive season gets underway with "Dance Stars" held at The Edge School.
                  -  Recital packages will be sent home.
April 23rd - 27th - Our competitive team will attend "Champions" held at the University of Calgary campus.
May 1st - Registration for Fall programs open to the general public.

Tickets for our Year-End Recitals go on sale through the Wright Theatre box office.  We've got 4 shows scheduled for June 9th.  Our Junior shows entitled, Get Up and Go! will take place at 10am and 1pm.  Our Senior shows, Dancing on Air, are scheduled for 4pm and 7pm.  Tickets can be purchased by calling 403-440-7770 or by visiting www.tickets.mtroyal.ca.  Parents be sure to get your tickets quickly as these shows will sell out!

Come May, we will be sending dancers home with their recital costumes which need to remain in their garment bag and are not to be worn until our recital is over.  Dancers will have to be in full costume for pictures which are scheduled for the week of May 27th at Absolute Dance.

Please stay tuned for more important dates for the month of May which will be listed in the blog posting next month.  As we get closer to summer and you start to think about how you want to keep your dancer busy, Absolute Dance is excited to be welcoming some fabulous teachers to our June Bootcamp, August Intensive and Summer Camps.  Adults, we are also excited to announce that our 6 week summer session (June 10 - July 18) will essentially give you an all-access pass to attend any dance or fitness class throughout the week for only $94.50.  Don't miss out!

Hold on to your tights!  April is the month where we finally get to see the results of all our hard work that has taken place throughout the year.  Dancers stay well rested, healthy, and eat nutritious meals and snacks.  We look forward to a very exciting month!

Sincerely,

Madame Jete

March Madness

It may not feel like it outside but believe it or not Spring is upon us!  Looking at our studio schedule for the upcoming weeks Spring will have come and gone in no time.

February was a month jam packed with all things dance.  In the majority of our full year classes teachers started setting their recital choreography.  These pieces are now in full swing and students are able to get a copy of their music from the office so they can practice at home.  We always encourage students to spend a bit of extra time on their choreography.  Not only is it a great habit to get into but there is always a noticeable difference in a child's confidence, accuracy and sense of achievement when they know they have put in the extra time to learn the material to the best of their ability.  Parents and teachers play a big role in encouraging these good habits.  Having a great work ethic is a quality that can be developed in the studio and extend into the other aspects of a child's life.  There is no doubt that at-home practice is a must.

Also in the month of February the studio held its 3rd annual presentation of Plies to Performance.  This was an in-studio performance that involved all the students enrolled in our full-year Holiday Production class.  The evening went off without a hitch and was hosted by Sydney Miltimore, Keana O'Grady and Shantel Grasdal.  Three different groups of dancers presented various exercises that focused heavily on patterns, transitions, and choreography that was more suited to the stage.  The goal when setting the material was to design exercises that fell somewhere between what dancers do in their everyday technique class and what they did on stage in Alice in Wonderland.  With the older groups, classes became more of a collaborative effort and students were encouraged to voice any ideas they had regarding choreography or patterning.  It was fun to hear the different highlights dancers catch in the music and the variety of interpretations that come out when creating an exercise together.  There was also a research portion of Plies to Performance where each student was asked to put together a short project that focused on some aspect of dance history.  Everyone did a fantastic job and came up with some projects that were not only informative but fun to look at.

The end of February also meant crunch time for our competitive team.  On March 1st and 2nd, Absolute Dance held its competitive dress rehearsal showcasing all of our solos, duets, trios and groups that will attend competition this Spring.  The dress rehearsal is a great way to see how dancers perform in front of an audience, how costumes move with the choreography and to get past any major nerves that dancers may be feeling.  From the point of view of the directors, it is also a day where they get to see the scope and variety of what will be representing Absolute Dance beyond the studio walls.  Our dress rehearsal featured several out-of-the-box numbers that really highlighted the abilities of our dancers and the expertise of our choreographers.  We are so pleased to be venturing out with a fantastic team of talented kids ages seven to eighteen.  While we still have a few more weeks to clean and perfect, this years competitive team is well on its way to a successful season.  We encourage dancers to stay healthy, rested and focused as we move into one of the most important times in our dance season.  We will be attending three local competitions starting with the first on April 20th.  Some of our more experienced dancers will also be traveling to Phoenix, Arizona in May.  Good luck to all of our competitors!

As if dancers didn't already have enough on their plates, the Royal Academy of Dance will be visiting our studio once again for our Spring set of ballet examinations.  On April 12th we wish all the best to our 21 candidates in Grades 2, 3, and 5.  Ballet exams can be nerve racking but, for the most part, dancers are proud of themselves and there is often a noticeable improvement in their skill level when all is said and done.

The end of the month means suspended classes at Absolute Dance as we break for Easter and March Break.  All regular classes will be suspended from March 25 to April 8 with the exception of our Adult classes which will run on April 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.  This does not mean you cannot dance over the holidays!  We are still taking registration for our March Break camps which run March 25th to 29th.  These camps are for kids ages 3 - 5 and run from 9am - 12pm or 1pm - 4pm.  Registration is available online!

Congratulations to Natalia Slaba, our Student of the Month for the month of March!  Natalia got into dance only recently and we are so pleased to have such an enthusiastic and eager person join our classes.  Way to go Natalia!  Keep working hard!

We would like to wish everyone a safe and restful holiday as we move into Spring.  We look forward to the last leg of our 2012/2013 season when we return.  Hold onto your hats, April and May promise to be action packed as we tackle competition and recital season.

That's all for now,

Madame Jete

Dancing in a Winter Wonderland

Well it is safe to say that it is officially the Holiday Season!  Children's concerts, presentations and wind ups are in full swing as everyone gets ready to go on a well deserved break and then ring in the New Year.  Things at Absolute Dance have been extremely busy and it is amazing to look back over the past twelve weeks and see how much we've accomplished.

As many people know, on November 25th, Absolute Dance held its 4th annual Holiday Production.  This year, students and staff were pleased to share a full scale production of Alice in Wonderland.  The show featured a cast of 45 and included all levels and ages from four to seventeen.  The story of Alice is so open to creativity that we could have gone on and on with different ideas and the grandeur of the production.  Taking on the task of Alice in Wonderland demanded the combined efforts of many staff, friends, and parent volunteers.  We were amazed at the enthusiasm and energy that the cast brought to the production.  The show was so much fun to put together and a great learning experience for everyone involved.  For our youngest dancers, it offered a chance to perform on a real stage.  For our more intermediate dancers, it offered a glimpse into what their dancing will soon become.  With this production, we tried our best to make it an ensemble piece for our more senior students and not only expected them to know their own choreography but also made them responsible for set changes and prop placement.  Hopefully it gave them some insight what it takes to put a show together and made them think beyond their individual parts.

Show day went off without a hitch and we were extremely lucky to have some fantastic technicians work with us at the Wright Theatre on the Mount Royal Campus.  During both show we held a silent auction that was put together thanks to the extra effort of parents and members of the Absolute community.  Many thanks go out to everyone who donated an item.  We were so excited to have such a large amount of donations come in and were touched by the effort and kindness of those that went out of their way to make the silent auction such a success.  This years silent auction was our most successful to date.  All proceeds have gone to support The Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation.  On Wednesday, December 5, Erika and Meaghan will present a cheque in the amount of $4300.00 to the foundation.  Way to go dancers and parents!

If you missed out on the show, please check our facebook page.  We had professional photographer Joel Yana snapping pictures throughout the day and he's got some fantastic shots posted online.  With the exception of the Holiday Production Sessional class, all Holiday Production classes will now turn their focus to their next presentation, Plies to Performance, which will take place at the studio on Friday, February 22nd.

December also meant Fall Vocational Ballet Examinations for our Intermediate Foundation students.  Yes, you guessed it, these dancers finished up with Alice and then had to turn around and do a ballet exam!  Congratulations to Sydney Moncrieff, Milaina Robinson, Nevada Piraux, Hannah McCarthy and Dylan MacPahil.  Now on to Intermediate!

A new month also means a new Student of the Month.  For December, Absolute staff selected Danica Berg thanks to her focus and effort in class.  She has improved by leaps and bounds since September and her enthusiasm and work ethic are a great addition to the Absolute Team.  You can learn more about our December Student of the Month by checking out the display our front entrance.

The upcoming end to the Fall Session means parent viewing in all of our classes.  From December 15th to 21st parents will be invited into the studio for the last 15 minutes of each class.  Photography and video will be permitted.  We encourage parents to come see what your dancer has been working on since September.  Viewing for competitive choreography classes will take place on Thursday and Friday only.

Our last day of classes before we break for Christmas is Friday, December 21st.  Classes will resume on Monday, January 7.  Please be advised that the studio will be closed for two weeks but the Directors will still be available over e-mail.  Please be sure to check the lost and found before December 21st as all remaining items will be donated to Goodwill.  As we look forward to the New Year and the new Winter Session, don't forget to re-register for any sessional classes.  Our sessional schedule will remain the same but will have a second Kinderdance class added on Fridays from 4:30 - 5:15.  Our Moving Forward class will also be running again but in shorter session lengths: Winter, Spring and Summer.  Please see the office for more details.  Already planning activities for March Break?  Check out our March Break Camps for children ages 3 - 12.  We've got an excellent Early Bird rate until February 15th and registration is available online.  Please chat with the office or visit our website for more details.

Absolute Dance would like to wish all students and their families a happy, safe a restful Holiday.  We look forward to seeing what 2013 has in store for us!

Happy Holidays,

Madame Jete

October Update

Here we are six weeks in and it feels like we've been at it for ages!  Things have really taken off around Absolute Dance.  Classes are well underway, competitive choreography is getting started, and students are in the thick of participation in workshop classes, exam preparation and our November production of Alice in Wonderland.  The snow last week makes it feel like Christmas is just around the corner.  What a relief to find that we still have a few more months to take care of the many things that need to be covered before we break in December!

Some exciting news that Absolute Dance is very pleased to announce is that we've been chosen as The Calgary Herald's Reader's Choice Award for Best Dance Studio and were also given an honorable mention for our Summer Camps.  You can can look forward to a small write up about the studio in The Calgary Herald on October 26th.  The story will remain online at www.calgaryherald.com.  A big thanks goes out to our wonderful clients who put in the good word for us and everyone who helps make this studio a great place to come and dance!

Since October is our first full month of classes, we are happy to bring back our Student of the Month program.  Congratulations to Madi Hannaford!  Madi is new to our studio this year and has already impressed her teachers with her organization, focus, effort and participation in all her classes.  Thanks for all your hard work Madi.  Keep it up!

A few exciting things went on this past weekend: Absolute dancers attended Groove Street Productions on Saturday and Sunday.  GSP is a dance convention that comes out of Vancouver.  The fantastic husband and wife duo, Joanne and Alex Pesusich, always bring out the best faculty and out of the many conventions that come to Calgary, this is one we highly encourage our dancers to attend every year.  It is always great practice for dancers to take classes from as many different people as they can.  Not only does it build their technique and experience, but adjusting to different teaching styles of choreographers is a learned skill that takes practice.

Also this past weekend, some of our Intermediate Foundation candidates attended an exam preparation class taught by Anuschka Roes.  Ms. Roes has been the director of the Teacher Training Program at Canada's National Ballet School for over a decade and is also a long time Graded and Vocational Examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance.  The class was a great way to see how the dancers worked under pressure and revealed the areas that need more attention before the big exam day.

Saturday, October 13th was also the first day of an exciting new dance program here at Absolute Dance called Moving Forward.  This class is for children who are considered "slow bloomers" with regard to their coordination, also a great class for children with special needs!  Registration is still open for this unique opportunity.

Competitive choreography for our groups heading to competition in the spring is also getting underway this month. Mindy Conto and Sabrina Phillips are two talented choreographers that are flying in from Toronto and LA to set pieces on some of our Intermediate and Advanced soloists.  Bringing in people from outside Alberta is not something many studios do and we consider our dancers very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with some of the best.  Mindy will also be teaching workshop classes that are open to the public on Saturday, October 20th.  There will be a Junior class from 2 - 3, a Youth/Teen class from 3 - 4 and an Advanced class from 4 - 5:15.  The cost of the class is $20.00.  Classes are filling up fast!

On Tuesday, October 23 Intermediate and Advanced dancers are also invited to come take a Hip Hop workshop from Jungle Boogie who is currently touring with Sean Desman.  The class runs from 8:15 - 9:30 and the cost is $15.00.  This class is open to the public so tell your friends!

Last week Absolute Dance finished this years first four week session of Creative Dance and Movement Classes at the Hawkwood location of Early Discoveries Nursery Schools.  We taught nearly 150 boys and girls between the ages of 3 and 4 and had a great time teaching them dance steps through imaginative storytelling and songs.  We always enjoy visiting EDNS since the children have such enthusiasm and the teaching staff are so much fun to work with.  Many thanks for having us!  We look forward to another session at the Parkdale location starting at the end of November.

Choreography, costumes and set pieces are slowly coming together for our November 25th presentation of Alice in Wonderland.  Generally, each group has two big numbers that they learn for the show.  At this point in time each class has just gotten their second piece off the ground.  Putting a full length show together in only 12 weeks is no small feat and requires team work and 100% attendance from everyone.  At-home practice is a must since there is no time to review in classes.  We can only move forward and learn new choreography from week to week to get the show done!   We've also got some really fun props and set pieces that we have started to work into our rehearsals.  What's so great about this show is the room for creativity that it leaves and the many opportunities for comedy within the storytelling.  It has been really fun to give the dancers a starting idea and then see where their imaginations will go with their characters.

During the evening presentation of our Holiday Production, Absolute Dance holds a silent auction with all proceeds going towards a charity of choice.  This year, we will be giving to the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation.  We have been very successful with our silent auction in the past and over the years have raised a cumulative amount close to $10,000.  We encourage everyone to bring an item in for the auction.  They can be handed in at the front desk.  Let's work hard to raise even more than we have in the past!  We also encourage our current students to bring a friend and come see the show.  At just over an hour long, it is the perfect way to introduce ballet and theatre to little ones.  Tickets go on sale November 1st through the Wright Theatre box office on the Mount Royal University Campus or online at www.mtroyal.ca/tickets.

The month of October will finish off with a bang.  Halloween is on a Wednesday this year and we will still run classes as usual.  Dancers are welcome to wear a costume to class on the 31st as long as they are still able to dance full out with it on.  Sometimes wearing an accessory from their costume works just as well!

Hope you all have a spooktacular month!

A Ballerina Walks Into a Barre...

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!

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.

Summer Fun!

Happy August everyone and a special welcome to all those newcomers who are joining Absolute Dance for our Summer Camps!  We hope that this post finds everyone in good spirits and that summer holidays have been relaxing and rejuvenating!

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 in the Fall 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 offer dance experiences for children ages 3 - 12.  This year we have a lot of newcomers and many return students, eager to learn some new moves that they can show off to friends and family.  Not only will dancers participate in a variety of classes like Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre and Tap, they will also be doing arts and crafts, theatre games and story time.  Our dancers will also learn a few routines that they will share with an audience on the last day.  We've got lots in store for our campers including tile painting, treasure hunts, and a puppet theatre.  Full Day campers will also be treated to a visit by Iviva who will lead them in some dance inspired contests with Iviva prizes! We are looking forward to welcoming all of our campers to Absolute Dance and hope that they have a great experience.

Following the two weeks of Summer Camp, our competitive dancers will be getting back into the swing of things with a four day Technique Bootcamp.  This will be a great opportunity to review foundational elements so that dancers are ready to tackle new movements that will be introduced to them come September.

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.

Sincerely,
The Team at Absolute Dance