IMPORTANT!

Hello, Parents. Big happenings around here that need your attention right off the bat!

Beginning tomorrow -- Thursday, October 24 -- lessons will be moving from the Shaw's home to MY home. I can't thank them enough for their warmth and kindness hosting us for September and October! Lessons will go on as normal, just in a different location. To confirm, Musical Theater and Dance TOMORROW will be at MY home, 8402 NE 107th ST. It is about five minutes from the Shaw's neighborhood, so not much of a difference at all.
I am sorry if this causes any inconvenience for tomorrow and so appreciate your patience! You are all awesome! Please, please, please, if you know anyone else in classes with your child, make sure they are aware of the change. I am not 100% sure I have everyone's email address.

Just a reminder that there is no class next week. Enjoy your Halloween holiday! I will be so anxious to see my little friends again on November 6th! I truly love teaching them. They brighten my day and I feel so lucky to be doing something I love so much.

Also, if you have a 3-4 year old dancer at 5:15, my 4:30 class has a few openings if you would like to move to an earlier time.

So appreciate you all! Love your kids. Really.
Thanks,
Marie.

Please always feel free to contact me with questions. Email, Facebook, call or text. 435-862-4675.

Musical Theater

MUSICAL THEATER Parents:
Both classes are currently learning a number from one of my favorite musicals, 'You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown'.
To help them learn the lyrics, here is the link to the music:

HAPPINESS

There is also a chance your child has been driving you crazy singing Do-Re-Mi. I get some very interesting reports on where and when they practice. :)
It's such a classic and we use it a lot in class. Here is the link to the music:

DO RE MI

Thanks!

October

Hello, Parents! Happy October! So glad to start a new month with all of you. I love each one of those wonderful kids. They are so fun! Just to give you a heads up on the calendar for this month. I have noticed there are a couple of Thursdays where school gets out early. That will not affect classes -- they will go on as usual at their regular times. Also, we will NOT be having classes the 30th and... 31st so that we can all have a fun and stress-free Halloween. This works out perfectly, since October is the only month of classes that has five weeks -- so we'll still get four in. Yay! Just a reminder that tuition is due the first class of the month.

Starting this month I will be sending out information of things we work on in class so that your child can practice at home if they would like (I know sometimes it is hard to remember!).
For Wednesday DANCE:
Today we learned a fun new move -- Sautee! (soh-TAY) Sautee means to jump! We start in second (feet apart), plié, and sautee -- legs straight and toes pointed. 5-6 yr olds should practice this through the five positions. It's a fun one! We also learned the word for the three step turns we've been working on -- Tournant (toor-NAHN).
3-4 yr olds can practice first and second position, plié, grande plié, releve (ruhl-VAY), walking like a prince or princess on their tippy toes, kicks to front, side, and back with straight legs and pointed toes, leaps with straight legs and pointed toes, and slowing down their super awesome turns! Work with them on always stretching, this is when their bodies are most flexible and pliable!
5-6 yr olds can practice all the of the above, adding all five positions, their ballet arms (like they are wrapped around a big beach ball), big step/kicks, Ront de jambe (rawn duh zhahnb) -- which is like drawing a big half circle with your big toe, turning in a step-step-step, and the grapevine (step-behind-step-front).
I would also recommend having them lift up and down on their toes several times a day to strengthen their legs and feet. Also standing on one leg as still as they can to increase balance. Of course, none of this is required at all! I've just had parents ask for a little coaching and this should help jog little memories.
Thank you so much for letting me spend a little time with your little ones. I love them and love what I do!

First Day of Class

Hurray! It's finally here! I honestly am so excited for tomorrow and Thursday -- can't wait to get started with all my little friends!
Here are some notes for the first day of class:
* Many of you will probably want to come into class with your child to make sure they are settled -- that is fine. In fact, I have an information paper for you to fill out if you weren't able to make it to Meet Your T...eacher Night. But as soon as they are feeling comfy, I would invite you to go ahead and run your quick errand or wait upstairs for class to be over. I like to make class a Kid Zone -- knowing Mom or Dad is there can be a little distracting for little performers!
* Many of you know John and Carrie Shaw, who are, let's face it -- totally awesome -- and are lending their basement to us for classes. Carrie has expressed to me that anyone who would like to is welcome to wait in her living room while their little one attends class (I know, right!?). Also, rather then ringing the doorbell, those students coming to class are welcome to just come inside and head for the basement. Thanks, John and Carrie!
* As a reminder, in a desire to make class as affordable as possible, I am not requiring a specific dress code. If your child has a leotard, tights, and ballet shoes, wonderful. Otherwise, comfortable clothing that is tight enough for me to see their body movement is perfectly fine.
See you soon!

Meet Your Teacher Night

We will be having an open house tomorrow night from 6:30-8:00 for those of you who would like the chance for your child to meet me before classes start next week, or become familiar with where we will be having lessons! At the home of the amazing and gracious Carrie Shaw:
10001 N Marsh Ave
6:30-8:00
All are welcome!

Class Lists For Thursdays!

* A note on Musical Theater: You may notice class lists are slightly larger for M.T. That is actually helpful! For this particular discipline, it is easier to work and accomplish within a slightly larger group.
 

4:30 Musical Theater
Isaac
Ella
Lainey
Lilly
Dane
Elyssa
Carter ...
Jocelyn
Olivia
 

5:15 Musical Theater
Laycie
Eden
Elliot
Julia
Brilee
Hannah
Cole
Lauryn
Amaura
Faith
K.J.
 

6:15 Dance
Alyssa
Julia
Amaura
Faith
McKinley
Addy
K.J.
 

Thanks, Everybody! Counting the days!

Class Lists For Wednesdays!

4:30 Class A
Adiline
Elise
Charlotte
Kailey
Khyah
Allie
 

5:15 Class B
Ben
Leah
Addison
Maybelle
Hayden
Katelyn
 

6:00 Class A
Trinity
Lyla
Sariah
Sadie
Emma
Caitlin
Rosie
 

6:45 Class B
Morgan
Alexa
Lainey
Brooklyn
Sarah
Ivy
Olivia
 

Thanks for your patience and let me know if you have any questions! Can't wait!!!

ATTENTION: SCHEDULE CHANGES!!!

Hi, Parents! We are getting more and more excited at my house as classes get closer and closer!
Because I have a desire to keep classes small enough to work with your cutie pies as individuals, and because of the number of little dancers who want to dance (so fun!), the class schedule needs to be adjusted.
It will now look like this:
WEDNESDAYS:
Dance, ages 3-4 Class... A, 4:30-5:15
Dance, ages 3-4 Class B, 5:15-6:00
Dance, ages 5-6 Class A, 6:00-6:45
Dance, ages 5-6 Class B, 6:45-7:30
THURSDAYS:
Musical Theater, ages 4-6, 4:30-5:15
Musical Theater, ages 7+, 5:15-6:15
Dance, ages 7+, 6:15-7:15
* Please Note: If you have a 7 or 8 year old in dance, this schedule changes their dance day to Thursday.
* I currently plan to put those sibling groups with a child in both 3-4 and 5-6 in 3-4 Class B and 5-6 Class A, hoping to lessen your trips.
* I have rolls created for each class; however, if for some reason you prefer your child be at a particular class time, please go ahead and comment so that I can make any necessary adjustments. I will post class lists Friday.
* I so appreciate your patience as I try to give every child who has a desire to dance the opportunity to dance!!!

SO HAPPY IT'S FINALLY HERE!

Yay! The day has finally arrived!
Time to finalize enrollment for classes! You can confirm your child will be participating through this page, email, Facebook, or phone/text.

This blog and the Facebook page will both be frequently updated, including monthly calendars, pictures, and reports! Absolutely can't wait to get started...



Feel free to share this information with friends and family who might be interested!
Thanks for all of your support! So appreciated!

SCHEDULE

Wednesdays:

Dance, ages 3-4, 4:30-5:15
Dance, ages 5-6, 5:15-6:00
Dance, ages 7-8, 6:00-7:00

Thursdays:

Musical Theater, ages 4-6, 4:30-5:15
Musical Theater, ages 7+, 5:15-6:15
Dance, ages 9+, 6:15-7:15


Please Note: Because enrollment is not yet finalized, times may be slightly adjusted to accommodate class size. You will, of course, be notified of any changes!

Classes will be held at the home of the very wonderful and very gracious Carrie Shaw.
Address: 10001 N Marsh Ave.

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

DANCE: Ballet-centered. Ballet is the greatest building block for technique, and is so much fun! However; since all forms of dance are fun, we will be spending plenty of time exploring other areas of dance, as well.


MUSICAL THEATER: This class is where we focus on three disciplines -- dance, acting, and singing! Time will be spent in each class on all three as we work to combine them, working on scenes from musicals.

Of course, both girls and boys are welcome in each class!

FOR REFERENCE

I have been wanting to do this for a long time. When we moved to Kansas City, I wondered if my days of teaching were done... I am very thankful to those kind souls who encouraged me and got me thinking about how to make this a reality!
I had two things that were most important to me as I moved forward in this:
1) It had to be fun for the kids. I have taught for long enough that I have seen what it means when there is too much strain and pressure on little people to perform. It is very, very important to me that I teach children to the absolute top of my abilities, but still make it happy and enjoyable -- and very stress-free -- for them!
2) I wanted lessons to be affordable. I feel like lessons can be so expensive that it prevents many kids who would love to have the chance to take them from having that opportunity. So, that meant cutting expenses, hoping to bless both our family and yours. It also asks you as the parents to understand that there will be no rainbows and butterflies when it is time for recitals -- no sparkling costumes, no brilliant lights, no fancy venue -- just kids who have had a wonderful time and are happy to show their loved ones all they had learned.
When I felt confident those things were able to be accomplished, and when I felt the go-ahead from "Upstairs" -- we moved forward. And here we are. So happy you are on board!!!

Please know that I am ALWAYS available to you for questions, concerns, trips to Sonic, or deep philosophical discussions (just in case). You have my number! Thanks for helping make my dream a reality!

Here is a review of basic policy... it will always be on the sideboard, as you can see, but here is your one stop shop for first reference!

CLASS SCHEDULES

Classes will follow the school calendar. For instance, if there is a school holiday, there will be no class! Festive holidays may also be observed with no classes (i.e., Halloween). You will be notified in advance on those occasions.

PAYMENT

Payment will be due the first class of the month, unless otherwise arranged with the instructor.
$20 a month, $15 for siblings/additional classes

PICK UP/DROP OFF

Classes will begin and end on time. Please be prompt in dropping off and collecting your child so that other classes will not be interrupted. Thank you!

DRESS CODE

Dance attire and shoes are encouraged but not required. Please come in well fitted, comfortable clothing appropriate for movement.

 

RECITAL

There will be a fun recital at the end of the year. This will be our opportunity to show our families what we have accomplished!

COMMITMENT

There will never be extra fees in our tiny studio. No fees for registration, no fees for recitals, no fees for costumes... with this comes an understanding that we look cute because we created it from home!
If a child wants to dance, they should dance. Finances should never get in the way of that! If it is hard to stretch your budget, please talk to me. We can happily work something out!