January/February 2010

A master class with Shannon Parker

A belated Happy New Year

A belated Happy New Year to you all.  I cannot believe it is February already.  So this Newsletter is more of a “what has happened” kind of thing.

Welcome

To all our new starters. There have been tons of new pupils starting in Alwoodley Pre-School; East Ardsley Saturday morning classes, and Drighlington, Morley and East Ardsley Street Level classes.  I hope you are all enjoying your classes and have settled in well. 

Class Observations

I am doing my best to get around all the classes that we offer – particularly the Street Level Street Dance Classes.  So far I have visited East Ardsley and Morley.  I am trying to arrange a date when I can visit Drighlington.  Coming to see the Saturday classes may well prove a little more of a challenge, but I will figure something out.  I desperately want to get out and see everyone, and if I am there please ask me anything you want.  I know that my communication to a lot of parents and students is usually an email or phone call, and very rarely do we meet in the flesh.  So when the opportunity arises please use it to get all your questions answered (where possible!).

I loved coming to East Ardsley and Morley – Sophie nearly killed me in Adult Street…..but that’s another story.  The routines were really tough at all Centres and of a really professional standard.   What also struck me is how very different the classes are at each Centre – you could go to a different one each night and still learn something new.

It is very clear to me now that although these classes started as a means to get young people involved with dance on a more accessible level, they have become so much more.  There is some real talent in these classes, and fabulous enthusiasm.  I did take some video clips and it is hoped that we can attach these to the website somehow.

Exams

I have got a prebooked date for the RAD exams, and am also looking at the next set of IDTA exams.  I will keep you posted as to who is doing what as soon as I have this information.

Cheerleading - East Ardsley

Cheerleading is going well at East Ardsley, and everybody seems to be having a ball.  We are looking at getting you specific t-shirts and pompoms, bear with us.

Northern Ballet – Christmas Carol

Everybody should now have been paid and have received their disc with the photos on it.  If you haven’t please let me know asap.

Snow Disruption

Thank you everybody for their cooperation during the bad weather.  At the time of writing this, it has snowed again, but nothing like January…….We are looking at a text service, but these have been too expensive in the past, so if everybody could check the website before setting off in times of bad weather, we would be grateful.  We will ALWAYS put any notices on the front page of the website.  There is further snow forecast (depending on who you listen to) for Tuesday night, so please keep checking the website if any more white stuff appears.

SMS Advice

We have been asked by some parents to look at sending out information via SMS. We are looking into doing this as we are aware that not everyone spends every minute of the day glued to their laptops.  Clearly if we do use SMS as a communication tool you need to ensure that we have your up to date number.

East Ardsley Community Centre Redecorating

I am now advised that the decorating has been done and we can now use the Centre again.  I am aware that we still need to replace a few classes which should have happened on the Wednesday and Thursday of Half Term.  I will come up with a plan for this very soon.

Branded Goods

We are putting the order together this week, so if you want anything and haven’t got your order in, get in touch asap. All orders must be accompanied with payment as unfortunately we cannot offer refunds when items have names on.

Competitions/Festivals

The entries are in for the March competition.  I have been asked if we want to participate in The Ruby Dance Festival at Batley Business and Enterprise College on 17th and 18th July.  Can you please get in touch if you want to participate in this one.

Fees

Fees are now due, please can you make sure these are paid this week.

Payment can be made by cash, cheque or online. Cheques can be sent to 15 Woodland Park Road, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 2AZ. Please put the name of the pupil on the back of the cheque. Do not send cash through the post. If you want to pay online, please get in contact and we can let you have the details.

Romeo & Juliet Workshop

Due to take place on February 28th, if any latecomers want to attend please get in touch immediately.  Don’t just turn up as I will need to make sure we have enough props.

Valentine's Disco

This was held at East Ardsley Community Centre on 13th February and despite the short notice, was a huge success.  It was lovely to see children there from other Centres, please come again, this is one big School and not several little ones.  We like an excuse for a party and there will be more coming up – the next ones will be Easter Parties – watch this space.

Challengenee

What?  Yes it probably won’t mean much to you, but let me explain.  The RAD holds an annual competition called “The Genee”.  Students who are between 15 and 19 and who have passed their Advanced 2 Ballet with Distinction are encouraged to compete.  This is clearly the crème de la crème of the student dance world.  Students from all over the world meet to compete.  Again, you may be asking what that has to do with you, well tons, one year you may well be eligible to compete – why not make it a goal?  In the meantime, check out the competition.

Now there will be tons of things happening to help raise awareness of the competition and to help support it by way of fundraising.  Everything will fun and accessible to all, and I will keep you posted along the way.

Check out Genee International Ballet Competition 2010 for more information.

As this is a competition, clearly there is a final.  This takes place on Sunday 21st November at Sadlers Wells Theatre in London.  Now if sufficient of us want to go, then I can look at organising a coach to get us there and back.  Get in touch immediately if you would like more information on this. Further details can be found on the events page

My RAD activities

As reported in the last Newsletter, I am now on the Board of Trustees of the Royal Academy of Dance.  This will obviously mean that more of my time will be spent in London at various meetings, and may therefore cause a little disruption to my teaching duties.  I will, wherever possible, try to get replacement teachers on a guest basis to bring something different to the classes, and therefore my absence may well become a bit of a treat.  Clearly it is early days and we will see how things progress.

I have already been involved in looking at the various levels of RAD membership, and the one area where we need some guidance is the affiliate or student membership.  At the moment this is open to any student who has passed RAD Grade 6 Ballet and costs £40.  We know that the current benefits do not really incentivise people to join.  So I am asking for your help as an RAD pilot project.  What benefits would encourage you to become an RAD member.  Be honest and I can then take these ideas to London and you never know your idea may well be the one that is used and taken around the world!

and finally……………

We are looking to make our Newsletter a little different.  We will stop doing it the way we have been and start preparing it from our website.  In short the content will be similar, but it should look much nicer, and you will be in control of whether you receive it or not.  Very soon I will send out an email asking you to subscribe to the Newsletter.  If you don’t subscribe you won’t get it so please make sure you do.

Deborah