:DanceStation

DanceStation News: August ‘10

Welcome back dancers! Whether you joined us for our summer sessions, or took the summer off, we hope you had a wonderful summer vacation. Just some friendly reminders to get the year going:

1. Registration/Open House. Everyone needs to register for classes again this year! A $10 Registration Fee per family is due upon registration ($25 for new families). For your convenience, you may wish to include the $10 recital fee as well, although it is not due until November. You can register by mail or in person at the Open House. Open House is Friday, August 20th from 4-6:30 pm. Even if you register by mail you may want to come to Open House to pick up your recital pictures and DVD’s. Plus it’s a chance to visit with friends and get some punch and cookies too! If you are unable to attend the Open House or would like to register early, you may register by mail anytime between now and August 20th. The schedule, as always, is subject to change due to class sizes. Please send your check and the registration form/class list to:
   DanceStation
   220 West State St
   O’Fallon, IL 62269

2. Desk/Phone help. This year Stephanie Spradling, Ragan Faulkner, Erica Cain, and Katherine Feist will answer phones and help out at the front desk. Thanks girls!!! The girls will hold office hours Monday through Thursday 3:30-5:30 or 6pm in the fall. I will do my best to answer the phone whenever possible. If there is no answer, I am probably teaching. However, the machine is always on, and I will check the messages nightly. Phone calls for student absences are greatly appreciated, and I will try to return all questions and messages promptly. You can also email me at edancestation@yahoo.com.

3. Recital fee. There is a recital fee of $10 per family due in November. You can include the recital fee with the registration fee at the beginning of the year if you so choose. The recital fee is just to help cover the cost of the hall. I make no money on this whatsoever.

4. Teachers. We are so blessed to have back the expertise of former director Lisbeth Brown. Her knowledge and kindness are immeasurable. Lis will continue teaching pointe and Cecchetti (ballet). This year we welcome Jenny Battenberg as our new modern teacher. Jenny taught modern at our summer intensive and was very well received by all of the students. She also choreographed a piece for our January SSDC show. She holds a BFA in Dance from Lindenwood and is also an excellent jazz and hip hop instructor. Our returning tap teacher is Sonya Deorr. She brings a wealth of knowledge and lots of enthusiasm to the studio. An Adult Tap class will also be offered this fall on Thursday evenings, call for more information. Jennifer Fischer is also returning to teach preschool and ballet. Jenny is an alumni of DanceStation and also has taken her teachers Cecchetti exams through Grade 6. Welcome back Jenny!!! I will continue to teach all levels of ballet, pointe, jazz, broadway, Pre/K classes, etc.

5. Classes begin this year on Tuesday, September 7th. We will have a regular two -week winter break as well. No maternity leave needed this year.

6. In addition to Adult Tap, we are also offering Adult Ballet on Wednesday evenings from 7:30-8:30pm, and Adult Zumba Tuesday nights from 7-8pm. Beginners and experienced dancers welcome!!! We are shooting for at least 8 adults in each class this year - so if you have friends that want to take, feel free to pass on the info. Sonya has also offered to do a 6-week ballroom lesson sometime this fall.

7. Monthy newsletters: You can opt to receive the studio newsletters through email. Just print it clearly on your child’s registration form. I think I only sent out one or two last year. Yikes! After Cole was born, things were a little hectic for a bit. I will try my hardest to stay on top of emails and updating the website this year. But if you think I may have the wrong email address – please include it again. I will still send home the newsletters with the students, but many times the papers have a way of disappearing before they make it back to you.
   The newsletters should always be posted on the website. So if you lose one or forget a date you can always check the website. www.dancestation.biz

Contact Info: If need to talk to me personally - my home phone is 288 –7082. I screen all of my calls at home through the answering machine, so just leave me a message and I will call you back as soon as I can. Even better, you can email me at: edancestation@yahoo.com
Also, I have some exciting news about two of our DanceStation dancers. Ragan Faulkner was the recipient of Ben Mielke’s $100 dance talent scholarship. He wanted to give it in person at the recital last year, but he was performing with the St. Louis Opera Theatre. The scholarship is for outstanding stage performance and musicality. And Erica Cain, who showcased a Broadway routine choreographed by our own Heidi Jorgensen, was awarded Miss O’Fallon 2010 over the summer. Congrats to both girls on their outstanding achievements and dance performances!!!

That’s it! Tuition costs have remained the same, as well as State Street company dues. Class descriptions, dance attire, weather policies, etc. are included in the pamphlet and on the website. New pictures, including many from last year’s recital, will be posted on our updated website. Recital pictures and DVD’s will be available at Open House.

A calendar will be sent home with the students the first week of classes.
Reminder classes begin Tuesday, September 7. Can’t wait to see you all! Remember to call with any questions!!!

Thanks, Elizabeth Conway