Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Jessica C. M. Angeles, editor/teacher
Westlake School for the Performing Arts 

 

The parent-based non-profit organization, Artists in Motion Bay Area (AIMBA), kicks off their fundraising events with a Halloween Carnival for the entire community to enjoy.  We will have entertainment, costume and dog parades, a haunted house, game booths, plus lots of food and merriment.

The carnival will be in the courtyard throughout the day, while the Saturday classes are going on.  Please make sure to bring your child's costume, so he/she can change after class and join in the Halloween fun.

Invite your friends and family to watch the musical theater students perform some haunting melodies at 2:30pm and scare everyone in the haunted house from 12-5pm.

It will be a super fun day for ALL! 

DISCOUNT game tickets are on sale in the WSPA office until Friday, October 24.

If you have never brought your child to see the Nutcracker, this is the production to start with. 

Be greeted in the lobby with Christmas carols by our Musical Theater students.  Be a guest at the Sugar Plum Fairy party and meet the characters.

After this experience before, during, and after the show, WSPA's production of The Nutcracker will be sure to be your family's favorite year-after-year! 

Buy your tickets early to enjoy advanced sale discounts!

Directed by Malu Rivera-Peoples

at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre (3301 Lyon Street, San Francisco)

6:00 PM Evening Show

Sugar Plum Fairy Party 8:00PM - 9:00PM

2:00 PM Matinee Show

Sugar Plum Fairy Party 4:00PM - 5:00PM

11:15 AM - Student/School Matinee

(Tickets available through participating schools)

Tickets will go on sale in late October; available in the WSPA office, by phone, or online.

Call (650)757-1244 or visit  www.artistsinmotion.tix.com

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Many thanks to those who took time out of their weekend to grace the stage at the International Dragonboat Festival on Treasure Island.  The smiles and applause of the audience was a natural reaction to the wonderful talent and energy presented to them by our tappers and Musical Theatre Company.   You represented your art form and WSPA with great pride while filling the hearts of those watching.  That truly is a gift for all!

WSPA students "Give Back" as a way to share our gifts with our community.  As a performance program member, dancers are encouraged and given the opportunity to share their passion by dancing for the good of others.  Our volunteer group performs free of charge at various events and opportunities throughout the Bay Area to help entertain audiences and inspire future performers.  All community service requests will be handled through the school office, with Miss Morgan heading these efforts.

A big thank you to those who attended our parent orientation.  As Woody Allen said, "Eighty percent of success is showing up."  Your presence guarantees a great year ahead of us as we were able to share with you the expectations, plans, and ways of how we can work together in helping the children fulfill their dreams.  For those who were unable to join, please see the brief summary below. 

1.  WSPA has 3 programs of training - General School, Performance Program, and the Professional Division.  Each program is designed to provide the appropriate training suited to the student's needs and preference.

2.  Regular attendance is crucial to the success of every student, as well as parental support and guidance.

3.  Artists in Motion, the parent non-profit organization, plays an important role in their partnership with WSPA to provide the invaluable opportunities to the students.

4.  The annual full-length ballet production of "The Nutcracker" will be December 6-8.

5.  Our younger stars and Musical Theater students will be presenting the annual Holiday Show at Skyline Theater on December 20-21.  

Please do not hesitate to sit down with me, Ms. Malu or any of our office staff to discuss further the areas covered above.  Let's work together to make sure the money and time spent on your child's training is worth your while.

WSPA thanks you in advance for your continued support and participation in all the performing opportunities and fund-raising efforts.

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   This past September, I had the opportunity to go to the Philippines for the Ballet Philippines Homecoming Gala with my two close friends, Jonalyn Montero and Alyssa Viray. We were accompanied by Ms. Malu, Ms. Tina, and my mom. There, we spent two weeks taking classes with different teachers, rehearsing the Odalisque Pas de Trois from Le Corsaire, and going around the city. During the same time we made new friends and created new memories.

    The first week there consisted of adjusting to the 15 hour time difference, catching up on school work, and taking classes and doing rehearsals at the Steps Dance Studio in Makati. Even "Super Mario" did not keep us from dancing. With the entire Metro Manila paralyzed by the typhoon and floods, we did our own class in the gym thankfully available in Ms. Malu's condominium, moving equipment around to create space to dance. We were also fortunate enough to watch Ballet Philippines' Giselle. It was amazing, the way they danced with such grace and elegance, while being so synchronized while they danced. The following week, however, was busier and full of master classes and rehearsals. We drove to the Cultural Center of the Philippines everyday spending 1-2 hours in the car to get to our classes. We were privileged to be able to take classes alongside the scholars of the CCP Dance School taught by teachers of Hong Kong Ballet, Portland Ballet Festival and Ballet Philippines alumni.   My most favorite class was taught by Teacher Carlos Pacis because he explained everything with detail and also made the class fun and engaging, but at the same time challenging. Classes were followed by studio and stage (technical) rehearsals. In addition, we made sure that we did not forget to do our school lessons every night before we went to bed. That was basically our schedule for the rest of the week until the day of the gala.