AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DANCE - MARCH 2009 NEWSLETTER
Dear Parents:
This month’s newsletter is long and jam packed with details about the recital and rehearsal schedule, dance pictures, program book ads; recital fees; 5/10/15 year student awards; and our summer dance programs. We apologize that we have had to put so much information in one newsletter. However, it is all extremely important, and we ask that you take the time to read the entire newsletter noting important dates, times and details. This is our primary means of communicating all of this information. If you don’t read the newsletter you may miss out on something important!!
RECITAL SCHEDULE: Please make sure that you have marked May 30th/31st on your calendar as our recital dates. The recital shows will be held in the Jackson Hall at TPAC. TENTATIVELY the ballet, “Alice In Wonderland” will be presented at 5:00 PM on Saturday, May 30th. The jazz and tap show will follow the ballet at approximately 6:30 PM on Saturday night. All students taking INDIVIDUAL classes in jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical and all of the TUESDAY hip hop classes will perform in Saturday’s recital as well as Paula’s Thursday 5:45 kinderdance class and her Tuesday 5:15 three/four year old class. Competition dancers will perform in BOTH shows.
The Sunday show will begin at 2:00 PM. This show will include all 3 year and 4 year old combo classes (except Paula’s Tuesday 5:15 class); all kinderdance classes (except Thursday’s 5:45 kinderdance) ; all primary combination classes; and the Wednesday 6:00 and Thursday 6:45 elementary hip hop classes. Again, competition dancers will appear in BOTH shows. Please be certain that you know which show your dancer is in!! If in doubt, check with Marikay in the office.
The dress rehearsals for the recital will also be held in the Jackson Hall at TPAC. Tentatively the Saturday shows will rehearse on Friday, May 29th beginning at approximately 12:30. The Sunday show will rehearse on Friday, May 29th beginning at approximately 5:30 PM. Watch next month’s newsletter for confirmation on these times.
STUDIO DANCE PHOTOGRAPHS – FRIDAY, MARCH 27TH THROUGH SATURDAY, APRIL 4TH: Mark Griffith of Nationwide Studios will photograph the students in their recital costumes. ALL PARENTS WERE EMAILED WITH THEIR CHILD’S PICTURE TIMES. The dates for our picture week have been publicized in the last 3 newsletters. We were happy that we were able to accommodate all of the parents who made us aware of possible scheduling conflicts well in advance. Once the detailed schedule is made up it becomes very difficult to make changes. We ask that you make every effort to meet the schedule as it has been published. In addition to the picture times that were emailed, a schedule with your child’s picture day & time is now posted on the bulletin board & the website. It is imperative that you note your child’s picture time as it will most likely be different from his or her regular class time. Regular classes will NOT be held on the days that pictures are being taken with the exception of Friday, March 27th and Saturday, April 4th. All classes will have group pictures taken in each of their costumes, and individual photos of students will be taken in each costume as well. A group shot of each class will be printed in the recital program book, so we strongly encourage parents to make sure that children are present to be part of the class picture. A charge of 3.00 will be posted to your account for EACH group shot in which your child appears (For example, you will be charged 6.00 if your child has two costumes). This is used toward the cost of printing the class pictures in the program. Please understand that this fee is separate from the fee that you will pay the photographer should you choose to purchase the group picture. You will be under NO obligation to purchase any photos from the photographer. Pictures will be sold by the sheet after they are printed. You will receive a package of prints along with a price list from which you may make your selections. Unwanted photos will be turned back in along with payment for any photos you choose to buy. Please note that for our preschool and elementary combination classes, students will be photographed in their tap costumes first. Unless your teacher states otherwise, please plan on your child wearing tan tights with tap costumes and pink tights with ballet costumes. Tights are available for purchase at the studio, and due to the need for uniformity we ask that all tights for the recital be purchased here. On picture day we do suggest that children wear some color on their lips and cheeks due to the fact that the bright lighting and light backdrop tend to wash them out. It is extremely important that you make every effort to arrive promptly at your child’s designated picture time & be dressed & ready to go! If a class member arrives late it delays the class photograph, so PLEASE let us know in advance if you do not plan to be part of the photo session. The week prior to pictures your child’s teacher will make announcements during the last 5 minutes of class regarding picture week details (i.e. costumes, hairstyles etc.). Please plan to be present for those announcements! Following is a checklist of important items to remember regarding pictures:
· Check schedule for your picture day and time
· Make sure you have all your costume pieces; straps secured; hairbows & hats fixed & proper shoes and tights to go with each costume. (Girls do not wear panties with costumes if you are wearing tights.)
· All combination ballet/tap classes will have the tap picture made first. (Unless teacher says otherwise)
· Please be dressed and ready to go at the designated time.
· We try to keep the picture backdrop as clean as possible. Before entering the studio please wipe off the bottom of your child’s dance shoes. They should wear street shoes into the building and change into their dance shoes after they arrive.
· Bring extra pins and bobby pins.
· If you do not plan to participate in the picture session, please notify us in advance. If something comes up at the last minute that prevents you from coming, please call the studio. “No shows” cause the group picture to be delayed unnecessarily.
· The children’s faces will show up better in the picture if they have on some makeup (mascara, blush & lipstick).
· Make sure that bras do not show under costumes
· Make sure that young children are rested and fed before picture time so they can enjoy the experience. The young ones are always excited on picture day. Even though it may seem stressful, try to relax and enjoy the process. Also make sure they go to the bathroom prior to the photo session.
· No eating or drinking in costume.
· Pictures will be taken in the upstairs studio. Our staff members will be present to supervise the children and to assist the photographer in posing the dancers. We respectfully ask that parents remain in the lobby. This helps us keep distraction and confusion to a minimum. Downstairs classrooms will be used for dressing areas.
RECITAL PROGRAM/MEMORY BOOK: Each year we have a program book containing all the class pictures as well as individual pictures of those who elect to be included. If you elect to have an individual shot of your child included in the program book you MUST turn in a program ad form to Marikay by Saturday, April 4th. The ad forms will be available in the office next week. We will also email a copy to everyone if you prefer to print it out at home., 1/6 page, 1/4 page, 1/2 page and whole page ads are available for purchase. Family members or businesses may sponsor these ads. 1/6 and 1/4 page ads can accommodate one photo. 1/2 page ads can take up to 3 photos, and full page ads will accommodate up to 6 photos. Please see the lobby tables for program books from previous years to view ad examples. Siblings, cousins or friends may have their pictures taken together if you want to share one ad space. 1/6 page ad spots are available for $32.00 each; 1/4 page are $50.00; 1/2 page are $90.00, and whole page are $175.00. Payment will need to accompany your ad form at the time it is turned in. At the recital each dancer will receive a complimentary copy of the program book. Additional copies will be available for purchase.
COSTUMES: In regard to costume sizing – each student’s measurements were carefully compared to a sizing chart provided by each costume company. Sometimes a student’s measurements fall in between two sizes, and in most cases the larger size is ordered. The body length measurement (girth) is the most important measurement we consider when sizing. Some costumes may need to be taken in on the sides or may require other minor alterations. Paula will be happy to look at the costume on your child and offer suggestions on how to make the costume fit better. Each parent is responsible for these small alterations as well as attaching straps, connecting fringe, hemming pants etc. Costumes are made to order for an “average” sized person. If a child is very thin the costumes may seem loose around the middle. The costumes may be tight on fuller figured students. We do have the name and number of an excellent seamstress in the event that more extensive alterations are needed. Costumes are being distributed in class as they arrive providing that the child’s costume fee is paid and the account is current.
We thank you for your prompt payments on the recital costumes. If you have not paid your costume balance, we ask that you please do so immediately. If your child started dance after Christmas, please bear in mind that we are working on a tight schedule trying to get our late costume orders here in time for recital. If your child started late, your teacher will advise you on what to do if your costume is not here in time for pictures.
SUMMER PROGRAMS: (registration forms will be available by May)
- Performing arts camp June 29th – July 3rd 10:00 – 4:00 daily (Friday will dismiss early) $195.00 with $10.00 discount if paid by May 31st.
- Summer dance intensive July 6th – 10th with team auditions on the 11th 10:00 – 4:00 daily $195.00 with $10.00 discount if paid by May 31st.
- Summer Session Classes will be taught on Tues. from June 16th – July 21st $75.00
5-10-15 Year Awards: As is our custom, all students reaching these milestone years will be recognized at the end of each recital. All 5/10/15 year students please sign the appropriate list on the bulletin board. We must have your name on the list by April 30th, or we will not be able to order your trophy. A group picture of all 5 year award recipients will be taken on Friday, March 27th from 7:15 – 7:45 PM ( If you have taken dance at another facility, those years will count toward your 5, 10 or 15 year award.) Please wear your favorite costume for this picture. This picture will appear in the program book and will also be available for purchase. Each 10 year student will be featured in a ¼ pg ad at a cost of 30.00 each. Fifteen year students will have the opportunity to be featured in a full page ad at a cost of 87.50. We will need a pose selection and a short biography for the 10 and 15 year student ads. Please call the office for further details if you are a 10 or 15 Year student.
Recital Fee: A $55.00 charge will be posted to each student’s account this month for the recital fee ($27.50 for each additional performer in the same family). With your recital fee you will receive one ticket for the performing student; 2 guest tickets; a commemorative recital tee shirt and one complimentary program book. Additional tickets will be available for purchase at a cost of $10.00 each prior to the recital and at the door on the days of the shows. Please pay your recital fee by April 1st.
Attendance: At this time of year regular attendance is very important. All classes have begun work on their recital dances, and it is very difficult for the teachers to choreograph the dances if all students are not present. We want the children to feel very comfortable with their dances by the recital, and this can only be accomplished if students regularly attend class! Please make every effort to have your child here each week!
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DO NOT OBSERVE ANY DAYS OFF FOR SPRING BREAK.
