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January, February and March at a Glance
Jan 3. Classes Resume
Jan 3-10 .Tuition & Costume Bal. Due
Jan. 30 - The Co. in Vibes Competition
Feb 1-10-February Tuition Due
Feb 7-12 -Observation Week
Feb 7-12 - Student Headshots photographed in the Office
Feb 14 Showstopper Competition Fee Due
Feb 20 Pre Comp for
NYC and Showstoppers
Feb 25-27 - YAGP Regionals, San Mateo
March 1-10 - March Tuition Due
March 4-6 - NYC Convention
March 7-12 - Observation Week
March 17-22- YAGP Finals
March 19 Urban Paradise - Hip Hop Showcase
March 25-27 - Showstopper Competition
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**New Year, New You Boot Camp**
Want a fun and exciting way to lose weight and get in shape? Join O2 BodyFit's morning Boot Camp at WSPA! Classes are at 6am - 7am on Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri. (Free Trial Available) back to the top |
Our Sponsors
 | | Celebrating 20 years of Partnership |
Visit Our Sponsor |
 | | Celebrating 20 years of Sponsorship |
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 | | YPI Sponsor |
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 Greetings!
I write to you today on a very personal level and speak to you from the heart.
WSPA opened its doors in 1991 with one goal in mind, to give my absolute best in dance. With two other teachers, we began a summer program for 35 students. To date, we have close to a thousand students and 22 teachers, 3 professional youth companies, and 139 ongoing classes throughout the week.
This may not be as important and relevant to you as it is to me, but do bear with me as I share my sentiments with you.
Along the way, I have been offered several times to franchise, use the name to build more branches, multiply my earnings, and build an empire. I probably should have, I'd be a millionaire by now.
But what I enjoy is knowing my students by their first name (which is getting harder as I add on the years), having a relationship with my teachers on a personal and artistic level, making lifetime friendships with parents, working together as a family, and celebrating the fruits of our labor together. All of which would be physically impossible had I opted to branch out.
As I look forward to celebrating our 20th anniversary in June with a Gala showcasing the company and apprentice levels of our performance programs, I do not fail to celebrate everyday in the glory of what you see around you - an outstanding school. But more importantly, I celebrate what the school stands for, what it has survived, what it has created and who it has produced. Along the way, it has strengthened those it served with life long lessons and affiliations of good memories. Why am I telling you all this? You are a part of WSPA's history. Your child is not just another name in our computer, it is a student we want to guide and we honestly care about. I invite you to take ownership of the piece of history your child has with us. Be involved, get in the action, help support, not just with your child's training but with others as well. Celebrate with me WSPA's 20th anniversary, but more importantly, celebrate yours! Sharing our love for dance always, Malu Rivera-Peoples, School Director
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 Holiday Show - "North Pole Live" Recap
North Pole Live was an exciting revue, stirring up the holiday spirit not only stage, but successfully in the audience. A great job was done by all the musical theater students. Their voices had harmony and were professionally rendered. Their over-all performance was convincing and entertaining. A big thank you to Katie Kerwin, our musical theater director who could make a 3-year old belt out "Frosty, the Snow Man" without inhibitions and prepare a touching number of "Believe" that made the audience cry.
The debut performance of our beginning students was just as endearing. Though some showed hesitance at first, each one successfully performed while being aided on stage. If there were tears shed backstage because of stage fright, it fooled the audience as they were all so adorable on stage. It's exciting to see the beginning of a promising future for these performers. Congratulations to every single one of you, and thank you to teachers: Katie Kerwin, Reina Victoria, Brigette Guldbech and Camille Edralin for preparing the students in this fun holiday revue.
A Big Thank you again to the many volunteers backstage who helped create the whimsical winter wonderland and also whisked off every trace of it as quickly as possible after the show. Many thanks to Jessica Manalo and Melissa Knutson for assuring our vocalists were amplified well; to Debbie Knutson, who costumed every performer for each show and assured each child felt special and prepared to take on the stage; to Dan Knutson for playing Santa; to Jake and Zach Parker, Angela Jacobs, and Paul Peoples for being the backstage crew; and again for all the moms who kept our musical theater students fed and happy before each show.
Video clips of the performance were posted by Antoinette Oliveras.
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Solo Vocal Recital at Henry's - February 13, 2011
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Top: Christopher Edralin, Isabelle Rabelas, Janifer Cruz
Bottom: Katie Edralin, Reggie deGuzman, Anastasia Stout |
WSPA presents
"A Solo Voice Recital"
Where: Henry's Restaurant, Westborough Blvd, South San Francisco, When: Sunday, February 13.
Henry's Restaurant and Bar has a stage and is perfect for an intimate gathering of friends and supporters of the up and rising solo artists. There are about 40 musical theater students, ages ranging from 5 and up, who are promising to dazzle the audience with their rendition of broadway and contemporary songs. Each performer has been taking private voice lessons with Katie Kerwin, the program's director. There will be two seatings to accommodate all the guests. There is a cover charge of $10.00 per adult and $5.00 for seniors and students. Henry's kitchen will be open to serve lunch for those guests who would like to dine on a sumptuous meal while watching. A line-up of the performing solo artists for each seating will be displayed on the marquee in the back entrance. Tickets will be available at the office on Monday, January 24.
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Nutcracker Recap
"The movement becomes a 'Dance' when it moves you . . . "
I was truly excited and nervous for the production as I always am each year. The movement becomes a 'dance' when it moves you and a dancer becomes a "artist" when it has successfully reached out to the audience's hearts. As the director, I can only do so much in preparing, rehearsing, and putting dance together. You can only help performers visualize how they can transform themselves into the character that essentially would make the dance a success. What eventually transpires or fails to, lay heavily on the dancers and their innate artistry. This Nutcracker was an artistic success, validated by the audience (old and young)'s , reaction to the production. You could hear them giggle and sigh during the show. There were the predictable and surprising bursts of applause everywhere and the audience confessed to endearingly choking up on a scene, a dance, or on a dancer. Others openly cried. My congratulations to the outstanding performance of the entire cast, they successfully brought to life the beautiful ballet.
I am very grateful to teachers Lauren Main deLucia, Tina Fargas-Newell, Amy Beltrami, Viktor Kabaniaev, and assistant rehearsal masters Jessica Manalo and Reina Victoria, for their hard work and extra care into making sure the students were prepared.
Congratulations to the principals lead by Allyson Viray and Jonalyn Montero as Clara, Miko Fogarty and Nikiya Peoples as the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Erin Fong and Hannah Hapin as the Snow Queen, with the cavalier guest artists Anton Pankovich and Leif Peterson. Memorable and unique are the performances of Matthew Montenegro and Jessica Manalo as the Nutcracker and the Mouse Queen. Most endearing is the character of Drosselmeyer, performed for the 13th year by Chuck Rinaldi. Last but not the least, the participation of our adult performers as parents in the party scene made it all believable and close to home.
"The goal beyond dance is to make each child feel beautiful, unique and special."
Double or triple pirouettes and fouetes, high and controlled extensions in a la seconde and arabesque positions, quick and precise grand jetes, pointed feet and turn out, are all accomplished through countless hours of technique classes and rehearsals. I sit on the edge of my seat awaiting for our students to execute them with grace and confidence. Sometimes they nail it and other times, they don't. The need to perfect them is what pushes our students to work hard. It is an opportunity for our students to aspire for greatness. This positivity not only stays in dance but in life itself. This is the reason why I love dance and my work so much. I have the opportunity to see beyond what dance does to students. But dance not only strengthens the student's skills and physical agility, it strengthens the mind and sharpens the process of thinking.
In Act I, during the Battle Scene, a ribbon ripped off of the mouse queen's tutu. It settled on the floor in harm's way of the dancers; tappers and mice, not to mention the Nutcracker and Mouse Queen who barely could see through their masks, became candidates for an accident-about-to-happen. I worried for a second but was completely relieved when a little mouse quickly as if choreographed, picked up and carried the ribbon off as she exited. I was so proud of this 5-year old mouse who had the stage presence, quick reflexes, and ability to process what needed to be done; but most of all, to have the confidence to act on it. This little mouse is Allyson Chin. Never underestimate what children can do.
"The goal beyond dance is to make each child feel beautiful, unique, and special."
"Young Performers Inc. comes through"
When all was tallied and accounted for, YPI, came out ahead of its budget with a profit and not a loss. I want to thank the creative force behind the production who assured the financial success of Nutcracker. It was the presence of an energetic group of parents who helped promote and support YPI's Nutcracker project that made the difference. They circulated flyers in parking lots, spearheaded creative ways of raising every dime and cent, stirred up interest and goodwill among the WSPA families, and physically labored to get the lunch sales going.
Thank you :
Regina DeGuzman
Elsa & Edmund Lai Lenny & Richard Ponciano
Jane Maniego
Cylyn Montero
Alaina Hom & Rick Viray
All of the class moms & ushers and last but not the least,
Gina Dahlen Bubut Rivera Lily & Joey Edralin Chris Newell Click here for the expense account of Nutcracker.
Noteworthy of acknowledgement is the help from Leonara Pineda, who may have given some of you a courtesy call in the past to let you know of the wonderful production and events of WSPA. Extra earnings came from unexpected monetary donations from friends and families touched by the ballet. In addition, we have a steady monthly earning from Melaleucca. You can sign up with Sonia David on how you can enjoy personal earnings as well.
Click here, to check out the upcoming fundraising events of YPI.
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Urban Paradise 2011
Look out for two exciting and powerful events presented by our Hip Hop and Polynesian Programs in the Spring.
The Hip Hop and Polynesian revue promises its followers two separate programs in two different venues.
The Company, headed by Pat Cruz, will be co-directing it's Hip Hop Showcase with Shaun Evaristo at the San Mateo Performing Arts on March 19 along with a line-up of top hip hop crews in the Northern and Southern California.
Te Orama, headed by Anthony Manaois, will have an island feel festival, with food concessions and performances by Te Orama, Hula Halau O Nalua, Otea Api, Nemenzo, WSPA Musical Theater, and The Company, on Sunday, April 16th, in a venue still to be confirmed.
If you are a member of Te Orama, please click here for more details and an upcoming meeting regarding the festival and San Jose Fete.
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Islannd Feel Festival Te Orama will host the island-style festival that will be similar to our Halloween Festival with performances throughout the day for the main purpose of raising funds for its participation in the San Jose fete. Unlike the concert performance we do at the Palace, the setting is more laid back with performances by guests Otea Api, Hula Halau O Nalua, Nemenzo, WSPA Musical Theater, and The Company, scheduled through out the afternoon. YPI will assist Te Orama parents in their efforts to raise funds and WSPA will continue to provide assistance in these efforts.
To better plan and organize the event, we will need Te Orama parents to step up to the plate and spearhead this exciting event. A meeting to start the ball rolling is scheduled on January 22, 2011, Saturday. at 12N-1PM, in Studio E. Please be prompt as we only have an hour in Studio E.
The Agenda of the meeting will be:
1. Establish what we need to raise money for.
2. Set the budget.
3. Brainstorm on what the event should provide to its attendees.
4. Delegate work accordingly.
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prepared by Debbie Knutson NUTCRACKER 2010 Accounting Report As of 12-31-2010 Income Nutcracker Tickets $41,497.00 Food Order (PFA) 556.00 Halloween 3,065.00 Silent Auction 2,652.00 Cookie Dough 10,660.00 Total Income $58,430.00 Expenses Cookie Dough $ 7,695.00 Halloween 653.30 Costume/Accessories 3,107.31 Rehearsal Fees (teachers) 5,636.25 Guest Artists 3,650.00 Lighting 1,972.99 Advertising 1,311.25 Props/Backdrops/Backstage Supplies 2,381.74 Staff (Backstage/Food) 1,617.60 Theater Rental 21,267.36 Program 4,350.00 Truck Rental 336.90 Tickets 218.89 Total Expense $54,198.59 Total Profit $ 4,231.41
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UPCOMING FUNDRAISING EFFORTS -
thank you once again for your support!
Event: Chevy's @ Hickey Blvd.
Date: Tuesday, February 22nd 11:00 AM - close (includes to go orders)
YPI will receive 25% of the food purchased.
Event: Used Book Sale Date: February 1 - 5, WSPA Courtyard
Please drop off your used books in the office on Jan. 24-28th. We need volunteers to sort the books on Jan.30.
Event: BINGO Night Date: Saturday, March 5th
Join the Bingo Social! $5 per card and sell food/snacks. Time to be announced.
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What the School stands for? WSPA stands for true love and respect for dance. A place that nurtures positivity, embraces discipline, promotes the arts, aspires for professionalism, and educates for the pure joy of dancing and performing.
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What it has survived and celebrates. Here is some history to share. 1. WSPA has been ahead of its rival schools in size, number of studios, and quality of training. This is validated by the outstanding results at competitions and the outstanding reputation in the community.
2. WSPA averaged close to a thousand students in 2001 inspite of two recessions: in 1991, when it first opened, and lately, in 2007.
3. Surviving the evil terrorist act of 9/11, families bonded even more and focused on what's important, family and children. WSPA moved forward undeterred by the uncertainty of life with better programs and bigger productions. WSPA experienced its highest enrollment in the years to follow with 1,200 students.
4. WSPA prides itself of having a roster of great teachers who have provided excellent programs.
5. WSPA prides itself of having wonderful and supportive parents who have helped the teachers and students be successful in their endeavors to achieve excellence.
6. WSPA celebrates a 20 year collaboration with the City of Daly City's Parks and Recreation Department.
7. WSPA celebrates a 20 year sponsorship from Carl's Jr. restaurant, whose owners Mr. and Mrs. Tom Thompson were once WSPA parents when daughter Michelle was a pioneering student in 1991.
8. WSPA, like any other business, has not been spared from unethical and uncharacteristic behavioral acts against them. WSPA chooses to focus on the sole goal of educating children in dance and hopes to instill love for the art among its students, where loyalty, gratitude, and good character are by-products of their education. |
what it has created and produced: WSPA has produced students:
1. who have chosen dance as their profession.
2. who have graduated with degrees in dance.
3. who are now choreographers, teachers, and directors.
Note: WSPA is in the process of compiling its alumni for the 20th celebration.
WSPA has created:
1. a safe and nurturing environment to train in dance.
2. an avenue for aspiring artists.
3. a source of inspiration for thousands of students.
4. a second home
5. a non-profit parent based organization that supports the higher aspirations of students
6. a training ground for the dedicated
7. a breeding ground for dancers, choreographers, and teachers
8. a family where life-long friendships begin
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20th Anniversary Gala and Recital - San Mateo Performing ArtsJune 12, Sunday, 7:00 PM - 20th Anniversary Gala - featuring Classical and Contemporary works by the WSPA Dance Company, award winning pieces by The Company-The Camp, Te Orama, Musical Theater Company, and the Tap and Jazz production numbers. Five Recital Showcase - featuring Performance and General School Students in a mixed program of classical ballet, modern, tap, jazz, hip hop and polynesian dances. Also presenting a full length premiere adaptation of the musical broadway hit "Little Mermaid" as a musical dance production.
June 17, Friday, 6:00 PM - Friday Evening Showcase I
June 18, Saturday, 1:00 PM - Saturday Matinee Showcase II
June 18, Saturday, 5:30 PM - Saturday Evening Showcase III
June 19, Sunday, 1:00 PM - Sunday Matinee, Showcase IV
June 20, Sunday, 5:30 PM - Sunday Evening, Showcase V
Line-up for each recital showcase will be announced in May.
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