Greetings!

I cannot begin to say how proud I am of all of our dancers AND parents for your incredible work at Nationals this weekend! I have never seen our dancers perform with such heart and excitement, and their scores certainly reflected that.

Congratulations to "Walking on Air" and "Booming" for qualifying for Grand Nationals. What a huge achievement! Also, congratulations to our many Platinum and High Point winners. We have come a long way since our last trip to Nationals two years ago. Way to go!

I really enjoyed having an opportunity to talk to most parents this weekend regarding the changes going on in our program. If you and I did not have an opportunity to connect in person, please give me a call if you have any questions or concerns.

We are thrilled for all of the opportunities that Carol has recently been presented with. She has a great gift for Musical Theater choreography, and it is a joy to see her follow her passion.  

Carol's decision to pursue her musical theater opportunities has opened the door for me to run the DanceXchange on my own. This is also the fulfillment of a dream for me, and I am beyond thrilled that it has come to fruition.  

For those of you whom I do not know well, I have managed the office and staff full time this year. However, I have taught in all ages, levels and a wide variety of styles (ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, kick line & pom) since 1995 through last spring. This fall, I will be creating some choreography for our students, but most likely not taking classes for the full year in order to focus on being available to support all of our studio's students, parents and staff. 

Carol and I have run the DanceXchange together for the past 8 years. During that time, we both became well-versed in all aspects of the business. Prior to that, both of us ran our own programs, so we have been involved in this industry from an artistic, directorial and managerial position for many years.

This change will not affect our staffing. When you return to the studio, you will see all the same familiar faces excited to make this the best year ever. There will be a few minor changes that we are very happy to announce:

• Kevin Iverson and Lori Ledeux will join our ballet staff. We will have a variety of teachers in our various ballet classes to fit the different goals and needs of our dancers.

• A day in the life of... Kevin Iverson

   

• Deane Tasler joined us last summer for camps, and will be our tap choreographer and, schedule-willing, tap instructor for our company dancers starting this summer. 

  more slappy tap-ness

• We are working on bringing Jaimie Goodwin and JP back in the fall to create some choreography and work technique with our company dancers.

• Jaimie Goodwin & Hok Konishi - Contemporary Routine

• JP - Rollacoasta

• Nikki Knudsen will be taking on the role of Artistic Director and joining me in the office on a regular basis.

• And, since PJ has graduated (how could that be possible?), Kelly will continue her amazing part-time administrative support from her "home office" in Eagan.

Again, please call us if you have any questions. Nikki and I are both able and happy to answer your questions throughout this week. We want you to be assured that this a positive change for Carol and for the studio, and we are very excited about our brand-new season starting next week.

Thanks again for a great season. It is a privilege and a joy to teach your children!

Karla Palmersheim

(952) 996-9686

info@dancexchange.org