the danceXchange
Company News
In This Issue
Ballet Class Attire
Chicago!
Competition Schedule Updates
Nationals Update
Team Moms
Company Lock-in
Assistant Teachers Needed
Greetings! 

 
We have a had a wonderful first month of company classes. We are already seeing great improvements with our dancers and are excited to start this seasons' choreography!

Class changes are still possible at this time. Please call or email us if we can make changes for you. If your dancer is considering adding or dropping a performing/competing class please let us know right away since many teachers are starting choreography.

Remember that the studio is closed for Labor Day. We will be open on Saturday, Sept. 4 and all regular classes will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 7.

Have a safe and happy Labor Day!


Karla & Carol 
 Ballet Class Attire

 

Ballerinas in training must wear a black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers and have their hair in a clean bun. This is the case for all ballet classes. Proper attire is a big piece of learning the grace and discipline of ballet. If your dancer sees herself as a well put-together ballerina in the mirror when she dances, her dancing will reflect that. Dancers not properly dressed for ballet class will not be allowed to participate.
 Chicago Trip

 

Giordano logo

 We are going back to Chicago!
October 20-24

This is an awesome opportunity for our teen intermediate/advanced dancers. We will leave Wednesday, October 20, after school and return on Sunday, October 24.

*Take classes at Giordano on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
*Attend the Giordano Company fall show. See your Giordano teachers perform.

$600 (approximate cost) covers transportation, hotel and Giordano show.

Sign up at the front desk by Sept. 11. $300 deposit due upon registration. Balance due by October 15.        
Competition Schedule Updates
Thank you for your patience as we and the competition schedulers work around a late Easter and spread out spring break schedules. We have solidified our schedule for Spring 2011. C Company dancers should keep the back-up weekend open since VIP is new to the Minneapolis area this season.

March 4-6: VIP Competition, Kennedy High School (C Companies only)

March 11-13: NexStar Competition, St. Paul River Center (B & C Companies)

March 18-20: Legacy Competition, Farmington (C Companies only)

April 15-17: Back up competition weekend for C Companies. VIP Competition is new to Minneapolis. In the case that they do not have enough registrations to hold this competition, we will reschedule for this weekend. While this is unlikely, please leave this weekend open for now.

April 29-May 1: Midwest Starz Dance Competition, Monticello High School (All company dancers).

May 6-7: MN Talent Search Competition, Eden Prairie High School, Friday and Saturday only (All company dancers)

May 13-15: Triple S Competition (All company dancers)

May 20-22: No competition this weekend.

June 4: Spring Recital Day, The Arts Center on 7 (Minnetonka High School Theater). We generally have three shows on one day. Company dancers are in all three shows. Dancers must check in at least 30 minutes prior to each showtime.

June 6-15: Company Nationals rehearsals. Exact schedule will be announced in May.

June 16-19: Midwest Starz Nationals at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisc. Required for all company dancers. It is not necessary to stay at the Kalahari.
 Kalahari/Nationals Update

  Midwest Starz has run into a snag with their contract with the Kalahari. While the Kalahari's normal cancellation fee allows for changes to your reservation up to four days prior to your stay, their contract with Midwest Starz for 2011 Nationals does not allow for changes after one month prior. The competition will still be held at the Kalahari, but Midwest Starz recommends that participants book rooms at other nearby hotels.

We apologize that the cancellation policy that we confirmed with the Kalahari and detailed in our company handbook is no longer current. Remember that we will not know our schedule for the competition until one week prior. We recommend looking for a hotel that allows cancellations/reservation adjustments within a week of your stay.

 Team Moms!

  We want you to be a team mom!

We are looking for a few great moms to help enhance the experience for our wonderful dancers. Team moms will work together to create fun get-togethers and activities for the dancers, make small items for your team to motivate them throughout the season and at competitions, and help the other moms get to know each other so that our competition weekends are even more fun. Team moms will also be a go-to person to help with team communication and team organization on competition/recital days.

If you think you can help us add to your dancer's experience, please sign up in the lobby. We will have a team mom meeting in late September to help plan our lock-in and to plan other social events for this season. This is not a huge time commitment, but will make a big impact for our dancers. We hope you can help!

Company Lock-in
 
Saturday, October 9
5:00-10:00 p.m.
at the DanceXchange 
 
Our annual Company Lock-in is just around the corner. This is a time for our company dancers to get to know each other and do some team bonding. A pot-luck sign up sheet will be posted on the company wall in mid-Sept.

The first hour of our lock-in will be a parent/dancer meeting. We will discuss make-up and warm-up ordering and general information about this season.

Each team will make a team poster. Please have your dancer bring a picture that can be used on her/his team's poster. Also, we will add hand prints to our wall. Even though we try to be very clean and careful while adding hand prints, sometimes clothes get stained. Please dress accordingly.

This event, like all other company events, is mandatory. Younger dancers are allowed to leave early to get to bed. We will be locking the doors all evening for your child's safety. Make sure to sign up on the company wall for early pick up time so we know when to expect you.
Assistant Teachers Needed
 
Our kid's classes are filling up. We need your talented dancers to lend their time, energy and talent to our younger dancers' classes. If your dancer has an extra 45 minutes during the week to be a role model and mentor to aspiring ballerinas, jazz/tappers and hip-hoppers, we would love her/his help.
 
Assistant teachers attend class each week and help with picture day and the spring recital rehearsal and performance for that class. This is a great way to help out, make a difference for younger kids and get experience teaching dance.
 
If your dancer is interested in helping, let us know which class works best and when she/he is able to start.

Reminders...

  • October tuition and fees are due by Sept. 20. If you need help with billing please call or email us anytime.
  • If your dancer is considering adding or dropping a class, please complete the change as soon as possible. Class fees (costume, competition, accessory and recital fees) are non-refundable after October 31.
  • Schedule conflicts must be submitted to our office by December 1.
  • Please inform us at least one week in advance if your dancer will be absent for any reason. Extra absence forms are available at the front desk.
  • Sick dancers should not come to the studio unless you are certain that they are not contagious. If your dancer is not contagious and can watch class, we highly recommend sending her/him to class. Absences due to sickness are not counted.

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