February 2009
Fees
These are due again week commencing February 9th. These must be paid within two weeks of issue, so must be paid when you return after half term at the very latest.
Discounts
Just to clarify the discounts.
Sibling and Tell a Friend discounts apply to your total bill. If this figure is still over £150 you will automatically apply for the capped fee. You will not receive additional discounts on top of a capped fee. If the discounts bring you under £150 then they will apply.
Examples
1. If your total bill is £250 and you have discounts of £30 you will pay £150.
2. If your total bill is £160 and you have discounts of £20 you will pay £140.
I hope this makes sense now. We want you to benefit from the discounts but we still have to be commercially sensible.
Show – 20th & 21st March
Preparations for the Show are going well. Most of the choreography is done now, just one number to do completely and a few to finish. If anyone wants a copy of the music please bring me a blank CD. Please please please do as much practise as possible. We have FIVE WEEKS left and that includes a Half Term holiday. Can everyone now please make sure they attend as many rehearsals as possible. Everybody MUST attend the Dress Rehearsal on Saturday 14th March at St Chads on Otley Road from 9am to 12pm. See map Other rehearsals will be communicated to you via email.
Costume Contributions
A
separate email has been sent, but to clarify the contributions are :-
Examples
:-£15 First Character £7 Second Character £5 Third Character
£15 Bird £7 Sea £5 Fire £27 Total
We
need to get the costumes done over half term, so please can we have these in
this week. £15 Star £7 Fire £22 Total
Show Tickets
We are taking reservations for ticket sales, so please email me if you want any, or see your teacher. Tickets are being allocated on a first come first served basis. Prices are £7 adults and £5 children.
Snow and other disruptions
We have had a bit of an unsettled fortnight with the weather and some other issues. Our bad weather policy is as follows :-
If a lesson has to be cancelled due to bad weather, you are free to attend another lesson of a similar or higher standard during that week at any Centre, or the lesson cancelled will be rearranged at the teacher’s discretion. No refunds will be issued except in exceptional circumstances.
Monday’s Alwoodley classes will be on Monday 16th February from 4.30pm as usual, including rehearsals, so if you are involved in the show please come up as soon as possible and stay as long as possible.
Jenny’s missed Street Classes will run through half term at Morley and Drighlington.
I just need to sort out Sophie’s Monday classes now, but this is a little more complicated, I will get back to you on this one, please make sure I have all your email addresses or mobile phone numbers so I can contact you.
Registration Forms
The snow situation highlighted the fact we do not hold up to date details for everyone. I am therefore sending out new registration forms to everyone. These will be emailed, and also available at your Centres. Please can everyone fill in a new one. All fields are crucial, especially mobile phone numbers, emails and dates of birth. In an emergency it is crucial to get in touch with everyone quickly, and emails and texts are the quickest way.
RAD Days of Dance
RAD Intensive courses in Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced Foundation
These are on 22nd February, if you are on them, please make sure you get to a syllabus class to ensure you know what you are doing.
Competition Success
We participated in our second dance competition over the last two weekends in January. I am delighted to report that everybody who participated received commendations of one sort or another – well done everyone. The main comments that came through were that our technique was fantastic, but we lack presentation……….come on everyone get that right and the sky is the limit.
Jemma Appleson & Becky Bonthron Duet (Open) 5th Kiaya Roberts Song & Dance (Novice) 4th Emily Bailey Song & Dance (Novice) 3rd Bronze Heather Irving Ballet (Open) 2nd Silver Becky Bonthron Tap (Novice) 1st Gold Heather Irving Modern (Open) 2nd Silver Becky Bonthron Modern (Open) 2nd Silver
Special
congratulations to Becky who also received the Cup for best overall novice of
the competitions, fantastic.
The Competition World is a strange one, and really takes students out of their comfort zone. We are all learning from this experience so, again, massive congratulations to everyone who participated.
A further special mention for Sandra Irving who did all the hair and makeup, thanks a million Sandra, we couldn’t have done it without you.
Yorkshire Assembly
I have just received notification of the Horsforth ballet assembly this year. It is due to run from 18th to 21st August and costs £320 for the whole week (full board) or £56 per day. Entry forms should follow shortly.
Check out their website Yorkshire Assembly for more information.
I cannot stress enough how valuable external classes and course are. If you only ever work with your own classmates how do you know how good you are????? Your classmates are all well and good but after a while you all start looking the same, you need to get out there to push your barriers and get out of your comfort zones. If you don’t fancy Horsforth then get to another summer seminar. I will keep you updated of any I come across.
For the uninitiated, Horsforth is a local ballet seminar which lasts for four days. Students can visit on a daily basis or board, whichever is their preference. The students dance all day, usually having a syllabus class, a master or rep class, and a modern class every day. In short it is like going to ballet school for a week. The classes are taught by reputable RAD teachers/examiners and ex-professional dancers. The students come from all over the region, so a great opportunity to make new friends and check out where you stand in the competition……
External Classes in general
I have always made a point of ensuring that my students are fully aware of all external classes and courses applicable to them. I cannot stress how much importance I place on these classes and courses. Most schools prohibit their students from taking classes anywhere else. I feel that in order to give you the best dance education possible you need to work with other students of a similar standard – remember only the good kids tend to go to external seminars…….. So, if you are being given this fantastic opportunity – GO FOR IT!
Photo Shoot Day
We are receiving lots of interest in this, which is fab, but we still have room for more if you are interested. This is an opportunity for the students to have fun in front of a camera – not necessarily dance related. They can wear what they want and take as many photos as they want. One print is included in the price, but more can be ordered directly from the photographer.
Monday 16th February
East Ardsley Methodist Church Hall
£15 per student
and finally…………….. if you enjoy your classes TELL YOUR FRIENDS, you may qualify for discounts on your bill
Deborah