Welcome to the August edition of The Coaster, South Coast Dancesport’s monthly newsletter keeping you informed about all things dance-related at your favorite studio in Orange County! This month we try to highlight those activities that will give you something to do when you come in from the heat. From studio Team Matches (August 15th), Practice Parties (August 7th), new Group Classes (nightly at 7:00 or 7:45), choreography for our Winter Showcase (August 17-18th), coaching and more, every activity at the studio will provide an opportunity to use and improve on your dancing. So, let’s get started!
| While the last few weeks have seen more than a few days of scorching temperatures outside, we have responded with blazing hot coaches inside sharing their knowledge with the staff and students at South Coast Dancesport. From US Champions Heather Smith and Kasia Kozac to So You Think You Can Dance choreographer Tony Meredith, we’ve kept the quality of instruction you receive on your lessons at a world-class level. August will be no exception, as World Finalist and Dancing with the Stars professional Charlotte Jorgensen joins us for what promises to be a great day of ballroom instruction. Charlotte will also be conducting a ballroom technique and floor presentation seminar in the evening that will be available for anyone to join. Look for more details coming soon! |
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Check your calendars: do you have the next studio Practice Party marked down? It’s the first Friday of the month, and that means party time!! This Friday, August 7th, South Coast Dancesport will be hosting a night of dancing that you will remember. Our Practice Parties are a great opportunity to introduce your friends to dancing as each party starts with a 15-minute lesson that teaches the basics of ballroom dancing and gets everyone up on the floor. The night will be filled with exciting presentations, a few surprises and plenty of general dancing. Don’t worry: if you are new or just need a little help, our instructors are here to help and, as each song begins, we will let you know what dance to do. Don’t miss it: August 7th, from 8-9:30 p.m. (although we usually go till 10). |
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Brand new this month are South Coast Dancesport’s nightly Group Classes. Each night one of our top instructors will take you through a different dance. Classes are beginning to intermediate in level and you can find the schedule of classes posted on our website. These classes are included in any of our lesson packages and thus are free to our students. Remember, the more you are on the floor practicing, the faster you will learn. Try one out today!
On Saturday, August 15th, from noon to 4 p.m., South Coast Dancesport will be joining Century Ballroom and Cheryl Burke Dance for the very first Tri-Studio Team Match. This exciting Saturday afternoon event will feature students from each studio competing in a very friendly atmosphere designed to encourage, outside of just our studio environment, a community of dancers who are taking their dancing to the next level. Seen as a stepping stone to prepare for larger competitions, a way to meet other dancers locally, provide a goal for one’s dancing, or just offer a fantastic way to spend a Saturday afternoon, the Tri-Studio Team Match will be judged by professional choreographer and former World Champion Wendy Johnson. Top student and team awards will be given out. Learn more about the Team Match and the studios involved here. |
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Finally, the week after our Team Match, we invite you to book your time early for a day of choreography by Wendy Johnson for our first showcase, A Winter Fantasy. This exciting event will be held in conjunction with local teachers and studios on Saturday, January 23rd, 2010 in an auditorium complete with lighting, a professional stage crew, a full audience and some of the best dancing to be found in Southern California! Ask your teacher for more information and to book a time (on either Monday, August 17th or Tuesday, August 18th) with our choreographer.
Periodically, The Coaster will highlight a student at South Coast Dancesport to help you get to know those dancers you may notice out of the corner of your eye as you’re focusing on what your teacher is telling you. This month, we would like to introduce to you Ms. Kathy Lynch. Raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Kathy moved to Orange County 19 years ago for her job and fell in love with Southern California. A pathologist for the Nichols Institute at Quest Diagnostics, Kathy has found that the challenge of learning a new skill is a great stress reducer. For her, dancing combines exercise, music and fun in a way that is nearly impossible to find anywhere else. Kathy told The Coaster, “Throughout my life, I have never been much of an athlete, but I am discovering that I can really do this. And I enjoy it!” Though she never dreamed she’d be doing a competition, Kathy has (so far) participated in 7 dancesport events and is currently ranked in the Top 100 female students in the nation for 2009! 'For Kathy, the main benefits she has gained from dancing have been great exercise, learning a new skill, meeting new people, and having an opportunity to listen to beautiful music. Look for Kathy on the dance floor this month and introduce yourself (if she doesn’t come up to you first!). |
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Coming in September: the Embassy Dancesport Championships, our September Practice Party (complete with live music!), our new Workshop Series, and so much more!
Our desire is that The Coaster will help you stay on top of all things dance related in your life. If you’d rather not receive this monthly newsletter or were mistakenly added to the list, please click the ‘unsubscribe’ link on the bottom of the page. But we hope you’ll stay subscribed and join us at any of the events listed above. See you on your next lesson! Have a great month dancing!
