DanceStation newsletter - August Newsletter
DanceStation News: August 2011
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:
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) as well as a $10 recital fee (if you are moving or cannot participate in the recital, there is no fee). You can register by mail or in person at the Open House. Open House is Friday, August 26th 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 26th. Please send your check and the registration form/class list to: DanceStation 220 West State St O’Fallon, IL 62269
Desk/Phone help. This year Stephanie Spradling, Ragan Faulkner, Katherine Feist, and Molly Schwarz 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.
Recital fee. There is a recital fee of $10 per family due now with the registration fee. The recital fee is just to help cover the cost of the hall. The studio makes no money on this whatsoever.
Teachers. We are so blessed to have back the expertise of former director Lisbeth Brown. Lis will continue teaching pointe and Cecchetti (ballet). Our returning tap teacher is Sonya Doerr. She brings a wealth of knowledge and lots of enthusiasm to the studio. We also welcome back Jenny Battenberg as our modern teacher, and this year she will teach jazz and preschool as well. Jennifer Fischer is also returning to teach preschool, ballet, and a teen pom/dance class. Jenny is an alumni of DanceStation and also has taken her teachers Cecchetti exams through Grade 6. I will continue to teach all levels of ballet, Cecchetti, pointe, jazz, broadway, Pre/K classes, etc.
Classes begin this year on Tuesday, September 6th. Because the June recital is a week later this year (June 9th), we will be taking a 3 week winter/Christmas break. This is so that each semester has the same amount of weeks for equal tuition.
Adult classes: We are offering two adult classes this year. Each class needs at least five adults enrolled. So if you have friends that want to take, feel free to pass on the info. Adult Ballet is on Tuesday evenings from 7-8pm, and taught by Jennifer Fischer. She filled in for Lis a few times last year, and is happy to teach it full time this year. Adult Jazz/Cardio Fusion will be Wednesday nights from 7:30-8:30pm. Jenny Battenberg is an excellent jazz and hip hop teacher, and she will incorporate fun dance combinations as well as cardio work. If you like Zumba or Jazzercize, this class will be lots of fun! Beginners and experienced dancers welcome!!! **(Class times are set this year, and will not start and stop like they did last year. I think that pretty much doomed both classes last year)
Monthy newsletters: Please keep and read your newsletters. I know they seem long sometimes, but I spend a good deal of time on them to make sure that everyone gets dates and information well in advance. The September newsletter will contain a calendar for the entire year, it will be also available online at www.dancestation.biz.
Tuition reminders: Tuition is due with the first class of every month. I have yet to impose late fees because I just don’t want to go there. If you are unable to make your payment that first class, please speak to me (or email me) and we will work something out. Parents, please include a valid, updated email address on the registration form this year. I will send out missed tuition reminders by email this year – so I don’t waste money on stamps.
Lastly, the dress rehearsal and recital dates for next year are June 8 and 9th. Mark your calendars now! And please try and take your vacations after the recital. Missing the extra rehearsals the week before the recital is hard on your child and the children that dance around her. Also, I am looking at ways to split the shows so that we don’t have to worry about a sell-out again. It was great and exciting for the studio, and all the girls should be soooo proud, but it’s not fun to fight for seats to see your child. So I’ll be working on how to divide the afternoon show - which will also make it shorter.
Contact Info: If you need to talk to me personally - my home phone is 288 –7082.
I let all of my calls at home go 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
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.
Can’t wait to see you all!
Thanks, Elizabeth Conway
