Stages Performing Arts School

November 2011 Newsletter

2011-11-18T16:42:00.000-08:00

December Demonstration at the University of Victoria Auditorium
Our annual December Demonstration will take place on
Sunday, December 11th, 2011 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm

This is a wonderful chance for all of our students to show what they have been working on this fall, as well as give them a chance to perform on stage. If for any reason a student cannot participate in the Demo please let the respective teacher AND the office know as soon as possible.

Tickets

Tickets will go on sale Tuesday, November 15th
STAGES Demonstration tickets will be assigned seating.
Tickets can be purchased through the University Auditorium Box Office
Box office hours are Mon-Fri 9:30am to 4:30pm
Purchase tickets by calling 250-721-8480 or online at auditorium.uvic.ca
Early Bird Tickets cost $14.50 each (Nov 14th – Nov 28th)
Tickets purchased on or after Nov 29th and at the door will be $18.50
Children 5 and under are free but must have a ticket to enter the building

Lest We Forget
There will be no classes on Friday November 11th, 2011 Stages will be closed for Remembrance Day.

Jazz and Hip Hop Classes
Now that the weather is getting wet and muddy, please do not wear your street shoes in the studio. Thank you.

Thank You
A big Thank You to Sue and Jordan Kerr, and Naomi and Grace Graham for helping out Kool FM with their Bras on Broad event. Way to go Ladies!!

STAGES Performing Arts School
#301 - 1551 Cedar Hill X Road Victoria, BC V8P 2P3
Phone 250-384-3267-Fax 250-384-6888
Email: stagesdance@shaw.ca Website www.stagesdance.com

October 2011 Newsletter

2011-11-18T16:37:00.000-08:00

FREE DROP IN FOR ADULT CLASSES
No experience necessary for these dynamic classes geared towards the joy of dance Try the Jazz and Hip Hop, Ballet or both!

                         Free sessions will be:
                        Adult Jazz and Hip Hop Thursday, Oct. 6th
                        Adult Ballet Friday, Oct. 7th

Monday, Oct. 10 – Thanksgiving Holiday
Classes do not take place on Monday Oct. 10th.

Bring a Friend Week Open House
OCT 17th – 22nd
Bring a Friend Incentive
Bring a friend (or two) to come and try a dance class for free. If one of your friends joins the class for the year, you get two free tickets to the December Dance Demonstration on Dec. 11th 2011.

Stages Families Fundraising for Tour de Rock
Thanks you so much for the Stages students and parent volunteers who gave their time selling 50/50 tickets on Friday, September 16 at the Victoria Royals game. Over $2,500.00 was donated to Cops for Cancer!! Let’s support Kim’s son Boh (age 12) who has decided to get his head shaved to raise funds for Cancer research. Please donate at the office in support of Boh. All funds will go to Cops for Cancer. For any donation over $25.00, we can be provide a tax receipt. Please ask at the office.

Monday, OCTOBER 31ST – HALLOWEEN
Classes will be combined this year so that everyone can enjoy this fun filled family night!
                          Classes will be as follows:
                           Studio 1         Studio 2
          4:00 – 4:45 HH2           Grade 3&4
         4:45 – 5:30 Jazz 4&5      PreEl Ballet
         5:30- 6:30   Jazz 6&7     Intermediate
Please dress up for tricks and treats!

ACCOUNT REMINDER
As stated in the registration manual, any student with an account, which is overdue by more than fourteen days for any reason and without communication with the office, will not be permitted to take classes. To avoid this please drop off all post dated cheques for monthly fees and costume deposits. If you pay by cash, please see the office.

September 2011 Newsletter

2011-10-17T09:50:00.000-07:00

Presidents Message

WELCOME BACK AND LET ME BE THE FIRST TO WISH YOU another fantastic season at STAGES for 2011-12. I cannot express enough gratitude to all the students, parents, staff and our STAGES community that work so hard to create each successful year. This coming year will be filled with some incredible guest teachers, including Craig Hempsted, Jack Horne, and some members of So You Think You Can Dance Canada.

As artistic director I have no other motivation than to provide a facility that is safe, creative, surrounded by top notch talent and teachers to make you a better dancer, a thinking dancer, and a dancer who has a vast vocabulary. Dance is about discovering and surpassing your personal best. To hone your skills and expand your craft. To learn how to be a strong link in an ensemble number. The only person you’re competing against is yourself. Be better and be unapologetic about your interpretation of your work. Do take risks. Do push the envelope. Do celebrate the art form and your uniqueness. Do be generous. Whatever you decide to be, the lessons that you learn in an artistic environment are lessons that you can take with you anywhere. I am so lucky to be doing what I love to do, and so lucky to be working with such talented & inspiring young students. I thank you.

Kim Breiland
Artistic Director

Welcoming to our STAGES family
We are excited to have new and returning teachers joining us this year. Dyana Sonik Henderson returns to us after studying and performing all over the world. Dyana will be teaching Jazz and Hip Hop classes this year.

Bio of Dyana Sonik Henderson
Dyana is excited to be back teaching at Stages Performing Arts School. Dyana had been away in recent years studying and performing all over the world. She has just finished her second year at Decidedly Jazz Dance Works where she toured in the show Live and Insync and choreographed in the year-end show. She performed in the yearly show Footprints as well as performed in the events around Calgary. This summer Dyana attended the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance for their summer program in Greenwich, England. Dyana has also enjoyed touring with Carnival Cruise Lines, OIP dance where she worked with Luther Brown from SYTYCD in Toronto, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. She has used her love of dance to travel to Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Las Vegas, Texas, London, England, and all over Italy to perform and learn new Techniques.

We also welcome Leticia Pang who will be teaching Pre-Elementary, Elementary, and Intermediate Ballet. Leticia will also be offering a ballet exam class for students who are interested.

Bio of Leticia Pang
A Victoria native, Leticia’s training took place at Pacific Dance Centre where she completed her Intermediate examination through the R.A.D. She was also fortunate enough to receive training from the National Ballet School of Canada, the Banff Centre for Performing Arts and Pacific Northwest Ballet School.

Her professional dance career included numerous summers at the Banff Festival Ballet studying with Brian Macdonald, Annette av Paul, Susan Toumine, Victoria Simon and other Canadian choreographers. She also danced with Ballet Jorgen Canada for 10 years where she trained with Nadia Potts, Kevin Pugh, Kimberly Glasgow, Che Chun and other wonderful teachers. While dancing with Ballet Jorgen Canada she also worked Arnold Spohr, Linda Stearns and Evelyn Hart. She performed ballets such as The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet and Coppelia and has also had the privilege to work with and to perform the new works of great choreographers such as Bengt Jorgen, Crystal Pite, Wen Wei Wang, Mark Godden, Roberto Campanella and many more talented Canadian choreographers.

Leticia began her teaching career here in Victoria upon retiring from her professional dance career in 2002 working with Maureen Eastick and Florence Skinner and has taught at many schools here on the island and on the mainland. She has also attained the Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Certificate. We are excited to welcome Leticia Pang as she guides our students into a ballet exam year.

Tara Crouse has stepped away from teaching this year to spend more time with her family.

Welcomes continued
Talia Harmuth who has previously taught Lyrical at Stages will be back this year to teach Hip Hop on Fridays, and Stages trained Jordyn Kirby will be teaching Hip Hop and Acro. We also welcome Erin Cruisak who will be teaching Tap, and offering Tap exams for students. Erin joins us from Halifax, and is working on a degree from the University of Victoria.

To learn a little bit more about all of our teachers, please check out their bios that are posted in the studio 1 waiting room.

Company Placements
Placements for STAGES Dance Company will be held this year on Tuesday Sept 13 @ 5:30-7:30 Company members must have a strong background in ballet and jazz, be able to commit to weekly rehearsals, as well as numerous performances and touring engagements. Please show up a half an hour early to give yourself time to warm up and relax.

Good-byes
We are sad this year to say goodbye to some friends and colleagues of STAGES. Alyssa Butt and Nathalie Watson are both going forth to further their education in university. We wish them both the very best as they embark on this adventure. The following is a letter written by Alyssa, to her students.

Dear Students,
As most of you know, I’ve always had a love for science and dance. For the past 3 years, I have been trying to get into medicine, and I was fortunate enough to have been accepted this summer by and American medical school called St. George’s. I love teaching dance, and I would like to continue doing so for numerous years; however, I have a dream of being a doctor, teacher, and a dancer. In order to do so, I have to put in the time to do all the schooling. I loved teaching all of you and it was very sad to leave the studio. I appreciate being a part of all your lives. You have become a part of my dance family, and I was so proud to see your improvements and achievements over the years. Thank you for making the past few years of my life such a joy with your hard work, enthusiasm, and drive.

I have to create a unique future for myself, as a dancing doctor, but my career will be full of rewards. My advice to you is to continue dancing for as long as you can. It will provide the framework to learn how to work hard, to pick yourself up when you fall, and never give up of your dreams. Please create the life you want to live and keep striving to get exactly what you want out of your journey. I will see you guys soon, as I will be back over Christmas and for recitals. I can’t wait to see how much you’ve improved with all your new teachers.
Love you all,
Alyssa

To all, Welcome to STAGES, we are looking forward to an exciting season.

Discount for Stages Students to Dralion, Cirque de Soleil

2011-05-22T15:21:00.000-07:00

Special Student pricing starting at just $25!

Enjoy the magic of Cirque du Soleil`s Dralion when it comes to Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre June 22-26^th!

Student ticket prices are $25 and $45 (Reg. $40 and $80).

Click here to purchase tickets and enter PROMO CODE: STUDENT.

Parents can also purchase seats with their students through this link.

*Disclaimer: Available on line with promo code: STUDENT. Valid on the following select performances: 6/22, 6/23, 6/24 – 3:30 pm, 6/26 – 1pm & 5 pm. Not valid on previously purchased tickets. Not valid on premium priced seating. No double discounts. No refunds or exchanges. Offer expires: 6/26/11.

Show Run for Celebration of Dance 2011

2011-05-21T12:03:00.000-07:00

Celebration of Dance June 11, 2011
University of Victoria Farquhar Auditorium

11:00 AM Performance

1.   Company Firework
2.   Company – Time to Start
3.   Little Dancers
4.   Primary Ballet
5.   A Little Hip Hop Fri. Afternoon w/Alyssa
6.   Preschool Ballet Thurs. PM – When Somebody Loves Me
7.   Acro
8.   Preschool – A Little Hip Hop Mon. Morning w/Kim
9.   Xander – Tap Solo
10. Hip Hop 4
11. Tap 3 & 4
12. Grade 1& 2 Ballet
13. Jazz 2
14. Hip Hop 2 Friday (Nathalie)
15. Preschool Tap – Thurs. PM – You’ve Got a Friend in Me
16. Musical Theatre 2
17. Company
18. Hallelujah
19. Junior Lyrical
20. Hip Hop 2 Monday (Alyssa)
21. Elementary Ballet
22. Jazz 5
23. Hip Hop 7
24. Preschool Jazz – Tues. PM – Do Your Thing
25. Adult Ballet
26. Jazz 9
27. Jazz 10 – Closer to the Edge
28. Jazz 3 – Evolution of Dance

3:00 PM Performance

1.   Company – Firework
2.   Company – Your Attention Please
3.   Musical Theatre 1
4.   Beginner Ballet Sat. w/Megan
5.   Hip Hop 1
6.   Jazz 4
7.   Hip Hop Fri. w/Matt
8.   Sr. Lyrical
9.   Jazz 1
10. Pre-Elementary Ballet
11. Teen Jazz
12. Tues. Preschool Jazz AM – Chipmunks
13. Jazz 8
14. Wed. Preschool Ballet – Beauty and the Beast
15. Adult Jazz
16. Intermediate Ballet
17. Hip Hop 6
18. Tap 1 & 2
19. Jazz Ten – Red Foot Ball
20. Mon. Preschool Ballet – Sugar Plums
21. Live and Let Die (Sophia’s Piece)
22. Hip Hop 3 Wed. w/Alyssa
23. Musical Theatre 3 & 4
24. Jazz 6 & 7
25. Preschool Tap Wed. AM – Bare Necessities
26. Teen Ballet
27. Closer to the Edge
28. Hip Hop 5
29. Company Jai Ho

June 11, 2011 Recital - accounts, photo week, in-theatre rehearsal, drop-off and pick-up info

2011-05-19T12:18:00.001-07:00

Accounts
We will be checking all of our costume and class fee accounts prior to each rehearsal. If any student has an overdue account past May 31st, they will not be permitted to take part in the recital until the account is up to date.

Photo Week - May 30th - June 2nd
For the May 30th – June 2nd in-studio rehearsals / photos we need to see complete costumes, hair and make-up. Class photos are taken this week by VIP Studios. This is our last chance to check over everyone’s costumes. Please note that regular classes are canceled Monday, May 30th – Thursday, June 2nd to allow for photo week. Students arrive for 15 minute call times to run their piece and have their photos taken. Please see the post about call times.

In -Theatre Rehearsal - Sunday, June 5th, 9:30 am - 2:00 pm
The in-theatre rehearsal held at the University Farquhar Auditorium will be Sunday, June 5th. Please leave this day available from 9:30am – 2:00pm. Not all classes will be required at this rehearsal. Please ask your teacher if you are unsure.

Day of the Recital - Celebration of Dance, June 11, 2011
Please note that all performers are to be dropped off at the side STAGE DOOR of the University Farquhar Auditorium one hour before the performance begins.

Students will be escorted to the balcony upon the completion of their dance number(s) where they are welcome to watch the remainder of the show. This is where you will find your son or daughter at the end of the show. NOT BACKSTAGE.

Theatre doors for the audience will open 1/2 hour prior to the show. Please note the start time of 11:00am and 3:00pm. Latecomers will be seated by the auditorium staff at an appropriate break in the program.

Thank you to all performers, parents, teachers, and others who support the dancers.

Stages Dance

Tech Rehearsal for Recital 2011 Sunday, June 5th

2011-05-19T12:18:00.000-07:00

University of Victoria Farquhar Auditorium Sunday, June 5th
Only classes listed below are required at this rehearsal.

Listed below are the classes that will be involved in the rehearsal at the Farquhar Auditorium.   Please enter by the STAGE DOOR. The stage door entrance is to the right side of the building – down the fire lane.

NOTE: Not all classes are involved in this rehearsal; only those that make use of entrances and exits and/or have difficult spacing and /or technical requirements. The main doors of the theatre will be locked.

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled rehearsal time just in case by some divine miracle we get ahead of schedule. The students DO NOT HAVE TO BE IN COSTUME, but should be in clothing usually worn to class and the shoes that they will be working in so that they have an opportunity to get a feel for the floor. Do not show up prior to 9am, as the theatre will be locked.

Due to fire regulations, lack of theatre staff, and the impending chaos of having everyone’s parents, family and friends in the theatre and/or backstage during the rehearsals, NO ONE other than students are allowed in the theatre during the rehearsal. Students will be done in approx 20 minutes and are free to go. (If your child's class is not on this list, he or she does not need to come to the rehearsal. If you are uncertain, please don't hesitate to ask us.)

Thank you,
Stages Dance

SCHEDULE

9:00        LOAD IN
9:30        Pre-Elementary Ballet
9:38        Jazz 2
9:46        Elementary Ballet
9:54        Jazz 3
10:02    Intermediate Ballet
10:10    Hip Hop 3 – Wed w/Alyssa
10:18    Musical Theatre 2
10:26    Jazz 6/7
10:34    Musical Theatre 3/4
10:42    Jazz 5
10:50    Jr. Lyrical
10:58    Jazz 8
11:06    Jazz 10 Hallelujah
11:14    Grade 1/2 Ballet
11:22    Jazz 10 Red Football
11:30    Teen Ballet
11:38    Company - Firework
11:46    Teen Jazz
11:54      Company – Your Attention Please
12:02    Adult Jazz
12:10    Company - Mercy
12:18    Closer To The Edge

*Behind the scenes Clean-Up and Clear Out of Theatre
12:55        All Clear – Nothing left in Theatre

Attention All Pre-School Classes
There will be a theatre tour for all Pre-School Classes on Sunday, June 5th to familiarize students and parents with the back stage area, routes to and from stage and up to the balcony and student pick up area (the balcony).

Arrive at the back stage door at     10:00 am
Tour will begin at                           10:10 am
The Tour will finish at                     10:40 am

Photo/Tech Week Mon., May 30th – Thurs., June 2nd, 2011

2011-05-19T11:19:00.001-07:00

CLASS PHOTOS
$12.00 for Class Photos
$18.00 for individuals/duos

Class photos will be taken through the week of in-studio rehearsals, May 30th to June 2nd. These photos will be on sale (for order) at the theatre 1/2 hour before and after the performance, and at intermission.

Photos will be available for pick up at the studio during Summer School (Aug 22 - September 2) and next fall. Photos ARE NOT RE-ORDERED after June 30th. In order to avoid disappointment, be sure to place your photo orders early.

SCHEDULE
These rehearsals and photos will all be done at STAGES.

Monday, May 30. At STAGES
4:00    Hip Hop 2 MONDAY
4:15    Intermediate Ballet
4:30    Jazz 5
4:45    Elementary Ballet
5:00    Jazz 8
5:15    Pre-Elementary Ballet
5:30    A Little Hip Hop
5:45    Hip Hop 1
6:00    Jazz 6/7
6:15    Hip Hop 2 FRIDAY
6:30     Acrobatics
6:45    Hip Hop 3 WEDNESDAY
7:00    Adult Ballet

Tuesday, May 31. At STAGES
4:00    Jazz 9
4:15    Teen Ballet
4:30    Hip Hop 3 FRIDAY
4:45    Musical Theatre 1
5:00    Live & Let Die
5:15    Musical Theatre 2
5:30    Hip Hop 4
5:45    Musical Theatre 3/4
6:00    Hip Hop 5
6:15    Teen Jazz
6:30     Hip Hop 6
6:45    Jr. Lyrical
7:00    Hip Hop 7

Wednesday June 1 At STAGES
4:15    Tap 3/4
4:30    Tap 1/2
4:45    Xander
5:00    Company – Your Attention Please
5:15    Jazz 10 – Red Football
5:30    Company - Mercy
5:45    Jazz 10 - Hallelujah
6:00    Company – Jai Ho
6:15    Adult Jazz
6:30     Jazz 10 & Company – Closer to the Edge

Thursday, June 2 At STAGES
4:00    Jazz 1
4:15    Primary Ballet
4:30    Company – Time to Start
4:45    Beginner Ballet
5:00    Jazz 2
5:15    Grade 1/2 Ballet
5:30    Jazz 3
5:45    Company - Firework
6:00    Senior Lyrical
6:15    Jazz 4

* Pre-School Class Photos will be taken throughout the week during regular class times.

RECITAL VIDEO/DVD                     Order forms will be available at the studio, and at the theatre during recital. DVDs will be available for pick up at the studio during (August 22 - September 2), and next September. They WILL NOT BE RE-ORDERED after June 30th 2011. In order to avoid disappointment, be sure to place your order early.

June 11, 2011 Recital Ticket Information

2011-05-19T10:41:00.001-07:00

RECITAL 2011
UVIC Farquhar Auditorium Saturday, June 11th, 11:00am & 3:00pm Shows

GENERAL INFO
There will be TWO SHOWS on SATURDAY, JUNE 11th at 11:00am & 3:00 pm held at the University Farquhar Auditorium. These two shows will include all the classes held at STAGES.

Each show will be approximately 1.75 hours in length with no intermission. There will be a number of students who will find themselves performing in both shows. We have tried to coordinate and minimize this wherever possible. However, in some cases, where a student is in a number of different classes per week or in the case where there are siblings with a large age difference we found this unavoidable.

TICKETS
Tickets sales begin May 17th, 2011 assigned seating only.
Tickets can be purchased at the UVIC Ticket Center three different ways:

*Online at auditorium.uvic.ca (Event 11 is for the 11:00 AM show. Event 12 is for the 3:00 PM show)

*By Phone at #250-721-8480

*In Person Monday – Friday 9:30am – 4:00pm

Early Bird Tickets are available from May 17th up to May 31st.
Early Bird Tickets purchased BEFORE or on May 31st will be:
Adults $17.00 Children (12 and under) $15.00
Please take advantage of the Early Bird prices!

Tickets purchased AFTER May 31st will be:
Adults $19.00 Children (12 and under) $17.00

All ticket prices include taxes, user fees, and SOCAN fees. Children 2 and under are free - but they need a ticket to enter the theatre.

Questions? Please contact us at STAGES.