****************************************************

Mrs. Christine’s List of Expectations

• Please refer to this list periodically throughout the year.  My position will NOT change
•  Make dance your PRIORITY, not your OPTION.  Optional dance is commonly referred to as “Recreational Dance”.  This is NOT a recreational group OR team.
•  Communicate with Mrs. Christine in regards to your bill and rehearsal availability.
•  Excessive missed rehearsals will not be tolerated!  If you don’t come to class, you affect our team, and you will not be your best!
•  Practice at home, so that time spent in class is IMPROVEMENT time,  not MAINTANANCE time.  Parents,  are also responsible for watching  your children practice, holding them accountable for their performance.  Our team is only as strong as our weakest link.  You don’t want your child to be that link!
•  Attend all rehearsals and competitions on our schedule.  Have your child dressed and ready to dance at the time requested by Mrs. Christine
•  Support your team and director with your time as well as your positive attitude.
•  Participate and assist in all fundraising opportunities (these are for you, guys!)
•  Represent the studio by dancing at local festivals, parades and events which includes the end of the year Revue!!!!.
•  Be a leader by example in your weekly class, setting the standard of excellence higher with every class you take.
•  Parents, READ ALL YOUR NEWSLETTERS, be responsible and accountable for YOUR child's participation in her team. 
•  Once you have made a commitment to an activity or competition, I EXPECT you to do whatever is within your power to meet that obligation and uphold your word.
• Be on time to all events, having all required costumes, accessories, props and shoes.  Your child cannot be her best, if she is not prepared or on time.
With each returning year of participation, I expect your level of commitment to dance, as well as your team, to increase.  Each additional routine you participate in will mean additional practice as well as rehearsal time, and will also increase the number of days you will be spending at each competition and at the studio.
•  Make sure we have a working email addie, and check it daily.  In an effort to cut back on printing expenses, I have converted to email messaging.  Sometimes, I can seen 2 or 3 in a day.  Please make sure to check this regularly, as well as the Showstoppers page on our website, for the most  up to date information.
•  NEVER SETTLE FOR LESS THAN YOUR BEST!!!!!

•  Once you have been placed on our team, please get with me in regards to your families summer vacation schedule, so alterations can be made to best accommodate all plans.

   Next years rehearsal date will be announced during the month of August.  That new practice day and time will take effect when the new  fall class session begins.

Make Up Application

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS FOR

the application of our competition make up for this season.

you recommend, but do not require you to use this particular brand of makeup, however

similar colors in another brand IS required.  Please take the time to practice

these procedures and be able to execute them without assistance before our first

competition. 

False eyelashes must be worn by all members, NO EXCEPTIONS!!

Video instructions  can be found in the video section of our website

for further assistance.

http://www.jamcosmetics.net/v/vspfiles/files/pdf/JAMFC_primadivab.pdf

 **********************************************************************************************************

Below you will find Links to the competitions  we will be attending this season: 

Please keep in mind that our performance day and time  could be on any of the below dates. 

 It would be great if they were all saturdays, but we have had Sunday performances as well as Friday night performances.

 Prepare yourselves for ALL

Dixie Dance Masters Chapter #37 Spring Convention

this is a convention/competition. 

Please be prepared for an entire weekend of classes and competition 

Starpower Dance Competition

Baton Rouge River Center Theatre

Kids Artistic Revue

Dance Makers Inc.

Baton Rouge Crown Plaza Hotel

This is a convention/competition. 

 Please prepare for the entire weekend of classes and competition 

#################################################################################

Other Competitions coming to our area:   For Solo participants

http://www.dancemakersinc.com/ - 

http://jumptour.com/  

http://tremainedance.com/  

http://www.showbiztalent.com/

http://masqueradedance.com/

http://www.talentonparade.com/

http://www.ladancemagic.com/

http://www.creationdancechamps.com/

http://www.sophisticatedproductions.com/

http://www.halloffamedance.com/

http://www.hoctordance.com/dancecaravan.htm

http://www.vipdanceonline.com/pages/regionals.htm

http://www.applausetalent.com/new/main/index.shtml

http://www.starpowertalent.com/

http://www.intldancechallenge.com/ 

*********************************************************************************************************

Essentials of Dance Competitions

 

• Enjoy Yourself: It is amazing how many people forget the most important aspect of being at a competition. There is a good chance that, no matter how attached you get to dancing, you will not be making a living off of it in the future. You're there to have fun, so don't get too wrapped up in how many dances you placed at, or how many medals/ribbons you won. You may or may not take back ribbons and medals, but with the right outlook, you'll definitely take back memories you'll enjoy for many years to come.

   

• Arrival: Be early. Give yourself plenty of time to register and get your number , find the changing area, stretch, warm up, calm down, and find your partner(s) before your first dance begins. Look over the dance program and mark down the dances that you are participating in.

   

• Goodies: Bring your clothes, shoes, and other stuff in a bag that would fit under a chair or table. You would want to keep this bag close so you can access it easily. Here's a useful list of things to bring:
  • Dance outfit(s) and shoes. Gents: bring extra shirt.
  • Safety pins, to attach number, also quick fix for torn seams, straps, etc.
  • Thread and needle, again to fix a torn seam etc. if there is a little more time.
  • Towel, to blot perspiration between dances
  • Comb, hair brush or other grooming device
  • (For ladies) Makeup, hair spray, etc.
  • Food and water (see item below)
  • Contact lenses, rewetting drops, saline solution (if applicable)
  • Aspirin or equivalent, for headaches or muscle aches and pains as well as Asthma medication or any other medication or treatments needed
  • Pen or pencil, to mark down dances on the program.

   

• Food/water: Water or other liquids may not be easy to get to at the comp: bring your own water bottle. Competitions are usually full-day affairs, and you *will* get hungry. Food may not be (and to my experience is usually not) conveniently available. Bring high-carbo food items with you. Some good choices include: breakfast bars, power bars, bagels, peanut butter sandwiches, and bananas. They all provide instant energy, and don't take much room in your carry-on bag.

   

• Warmup: Go on the floor and warm up before the dances begin. If you are participating in multiple dances or with multiple partners, try to warm up with each of them, even if just for a few minutes. For smooth dances, cover all of the floor in your warmup. Get a feel for the floor: is it too fast, too slow? If it is too fast (slippery), go back to your chair and spray hairspray or use rosin on  the bottom of your shoes.

  Sometimes the competition is held on a floor that is neither designed nor maintained for dancing. The floor could be unevenly waxed and slippery on some spots, or there may be electrical outlets, seams, or other uneven spots on the floor. Go over the floor a couple of times during your warmup, look for all such hazards and, as much as possible, avoid them during the competition.

   

• In any well-organized dance, the sequences of dances are known in advance. Before the group enters the stage, find your position and be ready to go on the floor. The emcee will say something like: ``... and our next dance will be.... Peggy's Dance Studio" . You will know this is you. The caller will give a 5,6,7,8 , and you will move  together on the floor. Don't forget to smile.  
• Once you are in position, you do not move a muscle!  If the music is started early or is delayed remain in or recover to your opening pose and wait for music to be fixed and rerun.  How you handle this very unnerving situation tells the judges alot about your team.

• Once you have started dancing  take your time to make sure you are on the correct count. It is important not to rush. Judges may forgive you many things, but they will never forgive wrong tempo, or being on the wrong count.

•  

• At the end of the dance, the caller gives a 5,6,7,8 and everyone gets up in a predetermined fashion.  They then come off stage together,  Don't forget to smile!

   

• Attitude: Remember, you are being judged from the minute you walk out onto the dance floor. Attitude is key! Even if you haven't a clue as to what you are doing, pretend you are Shirley Johnson or Mario Robau: walk erect, smile at the audience and at the judges, and look up as you take your stance. Do the same as you walk off, even though you might have screwed up. The judges will get to know you as the day goes on; do your best early on, and it will help you out later. In my experience, if the judges like you early on, you could get a break later if you make a little mistake. Making a good first impression is important. When you dance by a judge, you can acknowledge him/her with a little smile. But don't go overboard on this.

   

•  Especially for Ladies:

 

• Clothes: Make sure the night before that all costume pieces, are present as well as any props, accessories (such as earrings and chokers as well as hair peices or hair dots).  Place all in a garmet bag and make sure to pack your make - up and EYELASHES, HAIR NETS and hair pins in your caboodle.  Stage make up must be much darker than what you would wear normally.  This is because the harsh lights on stage drown out everyones features.  Darker blush, redder lips, brown eye shadows and false lashes all help to bring out your daughters features on stage.  I expect EVERYONES cooperation in this matter and if anyone needs help before our first competition with how to apply  stage make-up, see Mrs. Christine.  Always bring extra safety pins, needle and thread, and scissors in case of emergencies. 
•   Eyelashes and hair nets are NOT AN OPTION!!

   

• Hose/underwear: Pink Tights for Ballet, Tan Tights for Tap & Jazz.  NO UNDERWEAR OR THONGS EVER!  Please make bra straps the same color as your skin (either w/ makeup or purchased that way).

   

• Shoes: Make sure you have your Competition Shoes in your costume bag as well as having your class shoes in the trunk of the car.

   

Hair/makeup: Essential! Hair must be put up in a bun at the base of the skull (to enhance your line).

• The saying for hair is: ``Not one loose hair!'' Bring tons of bobby pins and Aqua Net spray to keep your hair in control. Loose hair flailing about and hitting the man's face looks very unprofessional. Wear lots of makeup! Especially eyes and lips. You may think it looks gaudy and overblown, but that's OK. This is a competition, and the point is to look good to the judges and the audience, not to your partner. The judges are standing at least some yards away, and overdoing the makeup compensates for the distance.  Bring a towel to blot perspiration during the competition.

   

• MOMS:  THESE LADIES NEED YOUR HELP INBETWEEN EACH NUMBER TO CHANGE COSTUMES.  IT IS MY JOB TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS CORRECT, NOT DRESSED.  MAKE SURE THAT EACH GIRL HAS A DRESSER FOR EACH COMPETITION!!!  THIS IS NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY!!!!!

 **********************************************************************************************************************************************

1. Anger is a condition in which the tongue works faster than the mind.
2. You can't change the past, but you can ruin the present by worrying over the future.
3. Love ......and you shall be loved.
4. God always gives His best to those who leave  the choice with Him.
5.  All people smile in the same language.
6.  A hug is a great gift...one size fits all.  It can be given for any occasion and it's easy to exchange.
7.  Everyone needs to be loved...especially when they do not deserve it.
8.  The real measure of a man's wealth is what he has invested in  eternity.
9.  Laughter is God's sunshine.
10. Everything has beauty but not everyone sees it.
11. It's important for parents to live the same things they teach.
12. Thank God for what you have, TRUST GOD for what you need.
13. If you fill your heart with regrets of yesterday and the worries of tomorrow, you have no today to be thankful for.
14. Happy memories never wear out.... relive them as often as you want.
15. Home is the place where we grumble the most, but are often treated the best.
16. Man looks at outward appearance but the Lord looks within.
17. The choice you make today will usually affect tomorrow.
18. Take time to laugh for it is the music of the soul.
19. If anyone speaks badly of you, live so none will believe it.
20. Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears.
21. Love is strengthened by working through conflicts together.
22. The best thing parents can do for their children is to love each other.
23. Harsh words break no bones but they do break hearts.
24. To get out of a difficulty, one usually must go through it.
25. We take for granted the things that we should be giving thanks for.
26. Love is the only thing that can be divided without being diminished.
27. Happiness is enhanced by others but does not depend upon others.
28. You are richer today if you have laughed, given or forgiven.
29. For every minute you are angry with someone, you lose 60 seconds of happiness that you can never get back.
30. Do what you can, for who you can, with what you have, and where you are.
31. The best gifts to give:
      To your friend - loyalty;
      To your enemy - forgiveness;
      To your boss - service;
      To a child - a good example;
      To your parents - gratitude and devotion;
      To your mate - love and faithfulness;
      To all men and women - charity; and
      To your God - your life.

Lets keep up the hard work and continue to improve our technique as well as stage prescence.  Remember, You only have to have one blue light, but it takes other good sales to keep the crowd !!!

 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sometimes we just need a thought for the day, so here is my thought.

Remember when you are having a bad day, someone else, who looks cheery and bright and is trying to cheer you up, might be having a worse day than you. They might be at the worst time of their life, but in order to cheer you up, they are willing NOT to share their bad fortune with you.... and you know what? When you are feeling bad, the best way to cheer yourself up is NOT to share your misfortune but to give joy instead.

So when you are ready to walk up to someone, and complain one more time, stop and think, who will this make feel better? Will it make them feel better? If the answer is "No" then let it go. Instead say a prayer to your higher power and say, "Please give me the strength to get through this. I need your help in this matter." Give your problems to God (or whom you believe in) instead, because no one has more power to help you.

I know that works for me.

 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

What will matter 20 years from now:

10. You gave 100% on stage AND in class.
9. You enjoyed the friendship of dancers from all over the country.
8. You had the dedication and focus to train your body and your mind.
7. You learned that teamwork means working hard as an individual to make the whole group stronger.
6. You developed a lifelong appreciation for the art of dance.
5. You experienced an amazing feeling when you stepped out of your comfort zone & really “went for it.”
4. You felt the joy of sharing your talents with the audience.
3. You dance because it’s who you are, it makes you happy, and you couldn’t imagine life without it.
2. You dance from your heart.

#1 Things that will matter
You had fun and learned something in the process


What won’t matter 20 years from now:

10. You received a gold, platinum or tin award.
9. You forgot your entire dance & started doing the Macarena instead (I’d like a videotape though :))
8. You were in the front, back or middle line.
7. You were named Jr. Mini Miss Ultimate Superstar of the Universe.
6. Your costume came from Target.
5. Your costume was a one-of-a-kind custom design with real diamonds.
4. You fell on stage.
3. Your first solo/duet/trio was at age 8 or 18.
#2 - If your best friend did beautiful fouettés turns and you couldn't do a good single pirouette.
#1 - (This one I have to think long and hard about, because is should be REALLY important OR not important - LOL)

Pink Fuzzy Karma!

Mrs. Christine

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In order for you to continue to grow, it is vital that you be what I call "Dance Smart".  For you to control a thing, you must understand a thing.  Dance Technique is a very complicated area.  Be prepared to answer on the spot questions in regards to definition, demonstration or discussion, in an audition atmosphere, on the following terms each week.  You can find these terms on our Ballet Dictionary page or within most dance books sold. 

Below is a list of recommended reading on Ballet these are excellent books and I do reference them in class:

The Ballet Book by the National Ballet School

First Steps in Ballet  by Thalia Mara

Second Steps in Balletby Thalia Mara

Third Steps in Ballet by Thalia Mara

Basic Ballet by Joyce Mackie

Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet

Inside Ballet Technique - seperating anatomical fact from fiction in the ballet class   by Valerie Grieg

The Dancer Prepares: Modern Dance for Beginners (Paperback)
by James W Penrod (Author), Janice Gudde Plastino (Author)

DEFINE THESE TERMS:

 Lesson 1:

Epaulment

Posture

Placement

Positions of the feet (5)

Positions of the arms (french)

Demi Plie

Grand Plie

Lesson 2

Battement Tendu

Degage

Fondu

Frappe

Petite Battement Sur le cou de pied

Pas de cheval

Flic Flac (basic)

Develope

Demi Fouette

Grand Battment

Demi Detourne

Lesson 3

Adagio

Allegro

Reverance

Temp Lie

Pas de bourre

Pas de basque

Retire

Passe

Releve

Eleve

Chasse

Lesson 4

Glissade

Jete

Assemble

Temp Leve

Sissone

Pas de chat

Soubrasaut

Fouette Arabesque

Lesson 5

Changement

Pas de chat

Echappe

Croise Devant

Ala quatreime Devant

Ala Second

Ala quatrieme Derriere

Lesson 6

Ecarte

Efface

Epaule

First Arabesque

Second Arabesque

Third Arabesque

Envelope

Grand Rond de Jambe

Lesson 7

Fourth Arabesque

Fifth Arabesque

Pirouette En dehors

Attitude Devant

Attitude Derriere

Promenade

Pique

Grand Jete

Rond de jambe en l'air

Penchee

Lesson 8

De sous

De sus

En Avant

En Arriere

Derriere

Devant

Entournant

En dehors

En dedans

Avec

Sans

Battu

Croise

Efface

En fac

Detourne

Lesson 9

Tour Jete en tournant

Royal

Entre Chat quatre

Temp de Cuisse

Brise

Saute de Basque

Pirouette en dedans

Lame duck (pique turn en dedans)

Grand Jete Decote

Ballone'

Ballote'

Fouette Raccourcci

Lesson 10

Cabriolle

Temp de Fleche

Temp de Poisson

Tour en lair

Fouette rond de jambe en tournant (female)

Male Pas de Chat

*************************************************************************************************