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Presenting:
"2001:
A Dance Odyssey"
This year we will be presenting
our 21st Annual Recital, "2001: A Dance Odyssey."
Our recital is an integral part of our comprehensive dance
education program here at Heidi and Joe Melchiona's Dance Center.
It is our biggest event of the school year, a memorable event
that both the students and family members look forward to all year
long. It is also the
chance for our students to show you, their family and friends, what
they've learned throughout the year and what they can do.
But
there's a lot to do beforehand and this Newsletter is full of
useful information and dates.
Of course if you have any questions ask at the front desk.
Also check with your child's teacher regularly just to make
sure you stay up to date.
This year we are having
three separate recitals: Friday, June 22 at 8:00 p.m., Saturday June
23 1:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 23 at 8:00 P.M. Most students will perform in ONE show only.
There is a list posted in the hallway indicating which class
will perform in which show. This is NOT a lineup, just a list of numbers.
Check it out or you can check with you child's teacher.
Each performance will be
at Dade County Auditorium, 2901 W. Flagler Street, Miami. Our
recitals feature ballet, jazz, tap, classical Spanish dance, lyrical
and modern dance by our youngest and newest students to our most
experienced dancers. There will also be solo, duet and specialty
performances. “2001:
A Dance Odyssey” promises to be an entertaining show both for
those who love to see their own children perform as well as anyone
who enjoys an evening of music and dance.
In preparation for this extravaganza, please make sure you
know what costume(s) you child requires. Also be sure you know
what shoes and/or socks or stockings your child will need, how the
hair should be fixed or any other special preparations that may be
necessary.
BACK STAGE
PASSES
Once the performance has begun, the children will remain
backstage with their class mothers until after the finale.
NO ONE will be allowed back stage during the performance
except class mothers and changing mothers.
Children will not be released early.
This is for their safety and the safety of their classmates. Once the finale is over, only parents with BACKSTAGE
PASSES will be allowed in to pick up their child.
Parents must get their back stage passes before the day of
the show (passes are now available at the front desk and at the
rehearsals). Small
children (3-6) will be picked up at the rear (north) stage door. Children
7-11 will be picked up at the side (east) stage door. Your
cooperation is greatly appreciated. We can only maintain a
safe and orderly environment for your children with your help so
thank you in advance.
Ballet
Tea
On
Sunday, June 3rd, we will host our 6th annual "Ballet Tea"
from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for all students enrolled in full hour
ballet classes. This is
an "open house" affair during which parents have an
opportunity to meet with our ballet teachers individually and discuss
students' progress as well as our plans for the summer and the
following year. I always welcome the chance to speak at length with so
many of you. This gives
me so much more insight into my students.
I
am convinced it make me a more effective teacher.
Summer
Classes
Summer Classes begin
Tuesday, July 3. Once
again we will be accepting new and former students of all ages and
levels for a new term. Summer
is a great time to study because the classes are usually a little
smaller and greater attention can be given to specific technique areas
such as turns, leaps, and limbering.
Also, since the recital will be over, teachers will be starting
new material, short combinations and experimenting with a variety of
styles. Summer
registration will open June 15. (Special payment arrangements can be
made in advance if you are going to be out of town on vacation for one
or two weeks.)
It's a great way of get a
head start on the year or improving over the summer enough to begin
the fall at a higher level. Check
with your child's teacher to see what classes he or she recommends for
summer.
COMPETITIONS,
& MORE COMPETITIONS
This marks the first year in a very long time that
we have decided to compete in multiple regional competitions.
Every year as a school we have entered a select group of dances
in Dance Educators of America's regional competitions.
Every other year we attend DEA's national competition finals.
We have always been pleased with the way DEA runs these events.
DEA brings in nationally recognized guest faculty who are
professionals working in the dance field to be judges and teachers.
They always tie education and training to the competition by
mandating that competitors take classes as well as compete.
In short DEA maintains a healthy balance between competitions
as a goal to strive for and a means to motivate students to study even
harder.
However, as our school has grown the number of students we have
who are able and willing to do competition level work has also grown,
so much so that we needed to add other competition venues to
accommodate them.
Many of our students performed at the Dade County Youth Fair
Competition on March 17, 24 and 25.
As always, the Youth Fair was a great deal of fun.
Our students once again made us proud, not only by dancing so
well, but also by conducting themselves in a mature and professional
manner. This year in addition to our usual participation in Youth Fair
and DEA we also have competed in N.Y.C. Dance Alliance convention and
competition, the "On Stage America" competition and the
Starquest Competition. We
have found all of them to be well run, high quality competitions and
our students did a great job at each.
Dance is, among other things, a performing art.
Performance skill are key to a good dancer and an integral part
of the dancer's education. The
dancer must learn who to get up in from of a large crowd of strangers
and perform. And that
doesn't just mean go through the prescribed motions, but to connect
and communicate with an audience.
This is a skill which takes years to perfect.
Students must learn to be nervous and turn those emotions into
something positive. In
the process, they learn the value of hard work, and take pride in
their own hard dedication and determination.
Sometimes they even learn the difficult lessons, to be
disappointed and disheartened but not defeated.
These are the real values and skill learned through the
competition process and this is why, as a school, we participate in
these.
When the competition experience ceases to be positive,
educational and nurturing, when and if it does not serve our goals as
dance educators, we will not/do not recommend it.
As this was our first year
attending multiple competitions, there
has been some confusion about policy.
As a general rule, competition students should expect to attend
no more then two regional competitions a year.
Otherwise expenses become burdensome and we once again have the
problem of too many numbers from our school in one competition.
This year‘s formula seems to have worked well. It gave all
our students an opportunity to perform.
STAGE
MOMS MEETING
Our Stage Moms meeting will be held on Thursday, June 7 at 7:30
p.m. All Stage Moms are asked to attend.
At that time we will be going over important procedures and
helpful hints. It is important that you attend so that you will get to meet
the other people you will be working with. You will also have a better
understanding of what is and what is not expected of you.
(You will also get your much-sought-after back-stage
Tee-Shirt!)
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DRESS
REHEARSAL
This year all Dress
Rehearsals will be HERE at the Dance Center
| Show |
Rehearsal |
Act |
Adv. |
| Fri 8 pm |
Sun-6/10 |
I - 5:00 pm |
No |
| |
|
II - 6:30 pm |
|
| Sat 1 pm |
Sun-6/10 |
I - 1:00 pm |
Yes |
| |
|
II - 2:30 pm |
|
| Sat 8 pm |
Sat-6/9 |
I - 5:00 pm |
Yes |
| |
|
II - 6:30 pm |
|
This is our first year holding dress rehearsals here at the
Studio, so space is especially limited. The interior of the Center
will be for performers and stage moms ONLY! PLEASE do
not invite friends or relatives to these, and you may leave as
soon as you have performed. If you are only in the 2nd act, you may
arrive 1 hour later than above listed times.
Also CAR POOL as much as possible. As always we ask that you be respectful and courteous to help
these
rehearsals be timely, efficient and fun.
STAGE/TECH
REHEARSAL
There will also be a
stage/technical rehearsal at the Dade County Auditorium on the day of
the performance to give the students an opportunity to get used to the
actual stage.
Your recital fee covers the cost of all rehearsals as well as the cost
of producing the show. Costumes
are not necessary for this rehearsal, but you should consider whether
you have enough time to return home in between the stage rehearsal and
the performance. If there
is any doubt, bring the costume with you.
| Show |
Rehearsal |
Adv. |
| Fri 8 pm |
Fri June 22 - 3 pm |
Yes |
| Sat 1 pm |
Sat June 23 - 9:30 am |
No |
| Sat 8 pm |
Sat June 23 - 4:30 pm |
No |
Tickets
are on sale now. You may
purchase tickets at the front desk.
The recitals are general admission.
Tickets are $10.00. After June 20th tickets can only be
purchased through the Dade County Auditorium Box Office and will be
$12.00.
PICTURES
Pictures will be taken during
"Picture Week." During
the week of May 29-June 2, students WILL HAVE class, but students
should come to class dressed in their recital costumes to have their
individual portraits taken. The picture portraits are much the same as
grade school portrait. The
students have them taken during class free of charge and parents make
appointments to view proofs and orders pictures several weeks later.
Options on proof viewing will be provided during picture week.
If your child has class on Monday, she will not have her
picture taken during her regular class, but you can schedule a time
that is convenient to you any time during that week.
(The early hours (3-4p.m.) and the late hours (7-8p.m.) usually
have very good availability.
STUDENT
SPOTLIGHTS
Each year we set aside a limited amount of space in our recital
program for the purpose of student spotlights. These spaces provide an
opportunity to express a special message and draw attention to a
student's individual accomplishments.
Each "Spotlight" of 1\8 page or more includes a
professional photograph and room for a special message. The spotlight
will appear in the 2500 programs printed for this year's recital.
Our recital program has become our "Studio Class Yearbook.
" It becomes a
keepsake for the year gone by. Student
"Spotlights" are most generally sponsored by parents,
relatives, or neighborhood and family businesses.
They make wonderful gifts commemorating this special event
which families can keep for years to come.
"Spotlights" are available in limited number so
reserve your space early!
GROUP
SPOTLIGHTS
Often parents of a class will arrange a group/ class portrait
to appear in the program. Time
will be provided during regular class time for the portrait to be
taken, however, if no portrait is requested none will be taken.
The cost of a group program spotlight will depend on the size of the
spotlight requested divided by the number of participating students.
All such photos MUST BE ARRANGED IN ADVANCE.
Check to see if a group portrait has been arranged for your
child's class. Class pages must be 1/2 page or larger to accommodate
the photo. Student Spotlights Rates: 1/8 page: $70.00; 1/4 page:
$125.00; 1/2 page: $200.00; Full page: $300.00.
For additional information ask at the front desk or call (305)
552-5774. We are proud that all our past recitals have been a
tremendous success for both the school and most important, our
students involved. Together
we can work to make this year's show the best one ever.
CAMP
SHOWTIME
Each year we offer children’s Musical Theater Summer Camp. During our four week day camp children receive daily
instruction in Drama, Voice, Dance and Theater Arts and Crafts. Twice a week, campers are chaperoned to Tamiami Pool (weather
permitting). We
also go
on field trips to professional theaters. At the end of the four weeks
all campers participate in the production of a Musical Theater
production at a local theater, complete with costumes, sets, props and
"theater magic."
Past productions have included, "Grease,"
"Oliver," The Wizard of Oz," and "Broadway
Kids."
This year’s production will be “Annie.” Space is limited
so reserve your spot early. Dates: Monday-Friday 9:00-3:30 July 2-27.
Pick up a
brochure at the desk!
HIP
HOP HURRAY!
Grace Hichez offered a guest Hip Hop class on Saturday, May
12th. The class was such a success that Grace has agreed to continue
teaching with us on a weekly basis.
Classes will be offered soon. Check with the desk if you are
interested.
MASTER
CLASSES
Kevin Aubin, a former Heidi and Joe Melchiona’s Dance Center
student and currently a professional dancer living and working in New
York City, gave two master classes here at the dance center on
Saturday, April 14. Many
years ago Kevin and his sister Nicole studied here (actually it was
when the studio was still located next to Public's in the West Bird
Shopping Center). Kevin's
mother moved to Broward County and subsequently opened "Encore
Dance," a very successful dance school offering training in
Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Acrobatics among other forms. Kevin continued his training there and abroad, studying with
such dance greats as Edward Vallela, and Jazz great Frank Hatchett and
at The School of American Ballet.
In fact Kevin recently was Frank's demonstrator at the Broadway
Dance Center and the International Jazz Dace Conference.
We have seen Kevin and his
family every year at D.E.A. competitions and marked his steady
progress from gifted young dancer to consummate professional.
When Mr. Aubin informed us that he was now guest teaching and
would be able to offer some classes here we couldn't have been more
pleased. Mr. Aubin blends
the timeless technique of his classical training with the most
up-to-the-minute dance trends from N.Y. professional dance world. All our students had a great and educational time.
Once again, Thank you, Kevin.
Welcome
Talia Marino
Talia Marino has joined our
teaching staff. A graduate of Coral Gables High, she brings many years
of dance training that enables her to perform, as well as teach &
choreograph. She is currently attending FIU as a dance major.
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