A Tribute to Teachers

I have celebrated each year the invaluable opportunity of having a wonderful group of people  sharing the same goals.   They are the leaders of their craft and the masters that set the tone for each program to succeed.  They are the teachers who are responsible for your child's success.

This anniversary is an important milestone for certain members of our faculty who have shared my unwavering pursuit of excellence.  They have been tested and proven.

They are:

Amy Beltrami - Amy joined WSPA in 1995.  She has kept the tap program growing steadily and has inspired countless students.  Her choreography has evolved, nailing the right formula for success at competitions while keeping them age appropriate and classy.

Tina Fargas-Newell, who's passion and patience in teaching the youngest of our students paid off by an unprecedented win of the "Hope Award" at the Youth America Grand Prix.  She has been with WSPA since 1996.

Patrick Rivera-Cruz, The Company director and my son.  I mention the latter with unimaginable pride.  Turning 25 at the end of this month, his remarkable work ethics and discipline is validated by the hundreds of followers who come to audition in his program.

Jessica Manalo, my protégé.  Her impeccable attention to detail for whatever task I give her contributes to the over-all success of WSPA.  She was a pioneering student from our humble beginnings in 1991.

Anthony Manaois - His soul thrives on Tahitian culture, bringing authenticity and pride to our Polynesian Program.  He joined WSPA in 2006.

In this Anniversary Gala, you will see greatness as you have never seen before on our WSPA stage.  Thanks to the professionalism and excellent training of the following teachers.

Lauren Main de Lucia joined us in 2008,  She has the most daunting task of training the upper levels of our ballet program.  Her calm and even-tempered leadership paved way to individual success of all our students.

Viktor Kabaniaev joined WSPA last year to begin the Professional Division, consequently raising the bar to world-class level, and securing the right direction for the elite group of students in ballet.

Anniversaries remind us to look back at the good times, but more importantly,  to look ahead and realize dreams and wishes in the future.

I thank the following teachers for their continuing contribution and assuring WSPA dreams come true:

Nene Nemenzo - joined WSPA in 2006.  She has succeeded in providing and securing the proper technique for our Polynesian students; assisting and yielding to Kumu Anthony for the success of the program.

Katie Kerwin - joined WSPA last year and has saved the Musical Theater Program from its undulating history.  Her passion precedes her and leads every student to inevitable success in the program.

Megan Glynn - joined WSPA last year.  She brings alive the concept and value of the importance of improvisation and movement discovery in our jazz dancers.

I thank our teachers who have the biggest challenge of inspiring and nurturing further the raw spirit of all our beginning students. 

Taylor Ullery and Anna Carnes - joined WSPA in 2008

Proud of the WSPA Allumni that now serves in the faculty:

Reina Victoria - started training in 1993 and started teaching in 2001
Camille Edralin - started training in 1999 and started teaching in 2006
Brigitte Guldbech - started training in 1998 and started teaching in 2003
Michelle Abuyagi - started training in 1996 and started dancing in 2010
Matthew Montenegro - started training in 1998 and started teaching in 2008
Aggie Loyola - started training in 2003 and started teaching 2010

Last but not the least, I pay tribute to two beautiful people who are not teachers but have taught every person that knows them what passion, love, support, loyalty, commitment, and going that extra mile for the benefit of the greater good, are all about.

Dan and Debbie Knutson - They joined WSPA in 1991 enrolling their eldest daughter Angela, in a Ballet n' Tap Class and followed by Melissa, their youngest.  Since then, Debbie has shown admirable volunteer work which eventually lead to a full employment as the Office Manager of WSPA.    Dan is a devoted husband and father to his family and their endeavors.  WSPA is lucky to recieve the extension of that love.  The whole family continues to share their relentless love for dance and theater selflessly.  They are WSPA's Biggest Blessing!

Auditions will be held in WSPA on Monday, June 13 (Except Modern/Contemporary and Professional Ballet Division as noted below). 

There is an audition fee of $5.00 for each audition class (waived if audition time is during regular class time).  Please register at least 30 minutes prior to your audition time.  You will be notified by email within a week of the audition.  .  

 

 
Ballet Performance Program                                                                         
 4:00-5:00pm     5-7 years old    
 5:15-6:15pm     7-9 years old                            
Dress code:   girls - black leotard and pink tights with hair in a bun.
boys - white fitted shirt, black tights, black ballet shoes

Tap Performance Program
4:00-5:00pm    7-9 years old                                 
 5:15-6:15pm   5-6 years old                                 
Dress code:   girls - black leotard and  pink tights or black  jazz pants with hair in a bun;
boys - white fitted shirt, black sweat pants; tap shoes
 
Jazz Performance Program
 Auditions for jazz is moved to July.  This is the latest update.  If you received a recommendation to audition, please note that the audition date has changed to July and will not be held in June.  You will all be notified via email and mail.
 
Hip Hop Performance Program
 5:30-7:00pm                 Ages 10 - 13

 7:00-8:00pm                 Ages 7-10                               
Dress code:  Comfortable clothing..
 
Musical Theater -
 12:00-1:00pm       5-7 years old                   
 1:15-2:15pm          8-12 years old
  2:30-3:30pm         13+ years old 

* See "Preparations for Musical Theater Audition" below.                                                                   
 
Hula/Tahitian -
12:00-1:00pm       11-14 years old
 1:15-2:15pm          15+ years old
 2:30-3:30pm          7-10 years old
 
Professional Program Ballet - Saturday, July 23
 12:00-1:30pm                  Ages 9+                  

*See Professional Ballet Division's Mission below.

 "Preparations for Musical Theater Audition"
 
1.  Prepare 32 bars of your best/favorite musical theatre song either acapella or with a CD accompaniment that does not have voices on it.  

2.  Bring all dance shoes (jazz/tap), everyone will be taught a short movement combo.  You may also be asked to stay for a more advanced theatre jazz combination and a tap combination.  

3.  Dress professionally for your singing audition and have dance clothes ready for the dance call.  No street shoes please, tennis shoes are ok if you do not have dance shoes.  

"Professional Ballet Division's 2nd Year Mission

 

     

Tickets will go on sale during regular class hours on May 25 for
Volunteers only, and May 31 for the General Public.

Each student will be given a student pass to the show so they can sit with their family.

Backstage moms and front of house volunteers must sign
up with Debbie Knutson before May 23. (We are assuming all our
room moms will be backstage moms. If you are unable to be a
backstage mom, let Debbie know before May 20.)

Volunteers will be given a Staff I.D. badge for the recital show, allowing them access to the backstage area and into the audience during the show.
Students will not be allowed to bring guests backstage.

Important note to Parents of First-Year Students:  Please read the Recital and Stage Rehearsals Handbook that explains the policies and procedures in preparation for the recital.  This will be handed out to all our new students.  For the continuing students, you may just click on the above to review.

See you at the theater!!!