WEDNESDAY, FEB. 9

NO DANCE TODAY/ToNIGHT - WATERTOWN CITY SCHOOLS are doing EARLY DISMISSAL!!

yes...another WEdnesday!! This happened to us a few years ago too. We're all disappointed however, safety first! We WiLL do make-ups for today's classes once Winter has gone for good! Look for information on make-up classes in March.

TUESDAY, FEB. 1!!

Be sure to continue to check here, our blog, our answering machine, emails, WWNY, WWTI, and the major FM radio stations for any closings or cancellations. I am at this time anticipating that we will be closing tomorrow so make sure you are prepared for this and for staying safe with your families! I am watching the weather for tonight and hoping that we will be able to get classes in. Stay safe!

End of January Updates

- billing statements have been distributed in everyone's file folders! These may not necessarily include costume balances, January, or competition fees (unless you had any previous balances...in which case these items will be listed too). If you do not have a statement in your folder then you are up to date!

- February is almost upon us! Continue to be aware of our procedures for cancellations due to inclement weather: WWNY, WWTI, radio, blog, Facebook, emails, and our answering machine.

- The Costume Blog will be update over the next 3 days for your convenience. Here we will try to post as many of the pictures as we can, list the shipping dates, arrivals when they come in, and any other necessities (shoes, tights, etc)

- Needing another Nutcracker video... we will sell copies for just 2 more weeks... please leave something IN WRITING in the office! You will need a form filled out!

- We are doing a small order - 12 - of Nutcracker Cast shirts - if you still wanted/needed one, be sure to get in touch with Shereen to let her know: Short sleeve/Long sleeve

- Company Stars - stage rehearsal on 2/12!! don't forget!

- February Break begins on 2/20 and ends 2/27. The studio will be CLOSED during those dates while we install a brand new sprung sub floor system and a new vinyl floor. We will be moving our black vinyl floor from the back room into the front studio to enable us to have tap and pointe safely in both rooms! This is very exciting!

- Company Stars and NNY All Starz Hip Hop dancers will be competing at Dance Xplosion during the weekend of 3/4!! Check back here for details! Free admission... we encourage you all to come and support our dancers!

- Tentative date for dancing at Ives Hill Retirement Community... Sunday, April 10?? - recreational students (smaller groups), solos, duos, pre-school... We'll keep you posted

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Class Schedule

11:30 - SOLO - Meagan Sloan - w/Shereen
12:00-1:15 - Sr. Company - w/Shereen
1:20-2:15 - Jr/Sr. Tap Co. - w/Shereen
2:20-2:50 - "Imagine" - w/Shereen
2:55-3:30 - "Tres Deseos" - w/Shereen
3:00- 4:00 - Int I/II Ballet - w/JESSICA RENZI!!! :) Yay!
THIS IS THE NORMAL 6:15 class!!!
3:30 -4 - "Blame it on the Boogie" - w/Shereen
4:00 - SOLO - McKenna with Savannah
4:00 - Pre-School Combo - w/Shereen
4:45 - Beginning Tap 2 - W/Shereen
5:00 - Pre-Ballet - w/Savannah
5:30 - Hip-Hop 1 - w/Kayla
5:30 - SOLO - Izzy - w/Shereen
6:15 - Hip Hop 1 (older girls) - w/Kayla
CLOSED at 7

Welcome 2011!!

2011 is upon us! Back to dance time! Regular classes begin this evening at the studio.

Substitute teachers will be in Ballet 2/3 - Tuesday this week, Jazz 2/Ballet 2 - Wednesday 2 weeks, Thursday classes with Allison for 2 weeks. Ballet at 5:30 will be combine class for 2 weeks with Kayla. Jazz 3 will combine with the Teens if a sub is not available.

Costumes have been ordered. Please continue to check information on those by going to "view my profile" and choosing the "Costume Blog" option.

Hope 2011 treats you well!

Love, peace, and happy dancing to you all!
-Shereen

Snow!!

no class tonight, 12/7. Make-up class will be Tuesday, 12/21

Travel safe out there! Some areas are getting it worse then others.

Nutcracker T-shirts

We are taking orders for short and long sleeved Nutcracker tees. The artwork above is what you will find on the front of your shirt. Cast members have the option of ordering shirts with the cast list on the back. Be sure you have checked your file folder for order information/forms. Your order needs to be placed no later then 11/20!!

Common Characteristics of 5 Year Olds

At my children's first parent teacher conference of the year we received a wonderful leaflet outlining common developmental characteristics of children. As an educator (of any kind) it is important to have a grasp of these stepping stones and stages as you work with children. As a parent it is important to have an understanding as well. It helps us measure typical behaviors and abilities and can allow us to recognize red flags when needed.

When you chose In Motion for your child's dance education, it is important to know that you chose a dance school that has a staff committed to teaching dance properly, teaches terminology, makes dance fun, provides structure, and is always educating themselves to be better teachers. In a continued effort to be well equipped to teach your children, understanding the social, cognitive, and of course physical stages of children is key.

Today I will share the characteristics of a 5 Year old. This information is "Adapted from Yardsticks - Children in the Classroom Ages 4-14" All text below is taken straight from the material...

"Five, overall, is a time of great happiness. Life is "good," says the five-year-old. Five is also a time of great change. During this one year, children may go from being cautious and compliant to uncertain and oppositional.

SOCIAL
- Early in the year, like to help, follow the rules, and be "good"
- Later, may test or oppose adult authority or show uncertainty (not sure whether to be "good" or naughty")
- Need consistent rules and enforcement; respond well to clear and simple expectations
- Need empathetic discipline as they test limits and make mistakes

PHYSICAL
- Better control of running, jumping, and other large movements
- Need lots of physical activity, including free play
- still awkward with writing, handcrafts, and other small movements
- early in the year, pace themselves well; later, tire quickly
- pencil grip changes from three-fingered to other grips
- able to see close objects best; not yet able to sweep focus smoothly from left to right
- read one word at a time
- copying from blackboard is hard

COGNITIVE
- see only one way to do things; rarely see other viewpoints
- imaginative and believe toys and other objects are alive
- think very literally ("raining cats and dogs" means cats and dogs are falling from the sky)
- often reverse letters and numbers
- early in the year, like to copy and repeat activities; later, like to try more new activities
- often think out loud before acting ("I'm going to move the truck")
- learn best by exploring materials such as blocks, clay, finger paints, rocks, and shells"
Provided by Responsive Classroom - A practical approach to creating safe, challenging, and joyful elementary classrooms and schools

Veteran's Day!

There IS class on Veteran's Day!! Be sure you are there! :)

Nutcracker

Please check the link above "Nutcracker Cast List" for information on the Nutcracker!

Enrollment information

It's not too late to register for classes with In Motion! We will accept new students until the end of October. We still have spaces available!! At this time we are excited to announce that our current enrollment is:
94 Families
122 students
245 class spaces filled **updated 10/7

As we continue to grow and offer quality dance education to students in the North Country, we hope you consider our dance school, In Motion School of Dance! 11 years and still getting better!

Classes still available:
**Monday -5-5:30 - Pre-Ballet - 2 spaces available
Monday - 4:45-5:30 - Beg. Tap 2 - 5 spaces available
Monday - 5:30-6:15 - Hip Hop ages 5-9 - 9 spaces available
Monday - 7:15-8:15 - Hip Hop ages 10 and up - 11 spaces available
**Tuesday - 5:30-6:15 - Beg. Ballet 3 (beg) - 4 spaces available
Wednesday - 11-11:30a - Creative Movement - 3 spaces available
**Wednesday - 12:30-1 - Pre-Ballet - 3 spaces available
Wednesday - 4-4:45 - Beg. Jazz 2 - 9 spaces available
Wednesday - 4:45-5:30 - Beg. Ballet 2 (adv) - 9 spaces available
Wednesday - 5:30-6:15 - Beg. Ballet 3 (adv) - 9 spaces available
Wednesday - 5:30-6:30 - Int 2/Adv Ballet - 8 spaces available
Wednesday - 6:45-7:15 - Beg. Jazz 3 - 11 spaces available
**Wednesday - 7-8 - Teen Combo - 8 spaces available
Wednesday - 7:15-8 - Teen Tap - 13 spaces available
Thursday - 4-4:45 - Beg. Ballet 1a - 2 spaces available
Thursday - 4:45-5:30 - Beg. Lyrical 1 - 8 spaces available
**Thursday - 5:30-6:15 - Beg. Tap 1 - 1 spaces available
Thursday - 6:15-7 - Beg. Lyrical 2 - 13 spaces available
**Saturday - 10:45-11:30 - Beg. Ballet 1b - 7 spaces available
** - updated 10/7
Classes awaiting enrollment to open:
Beg. Jazz 1 - Mondays 4:15-5
Beg. Lyrical for pre-teens - not on schedule yet
Pre-Ballet - 12:30 Saturdays
Pre-Jazz - 1:00 Saturdays

Enrollment Update for classes

At this time we are closing the following classes due to full enrollment:
-Beg. Ballet 2 on Tuesdays at 4:15
-Pre-school combo on Wednesdays at 11:45**

At this time we are closing the following classes due to LOW enrollment and generating a wait list for the following classes:
-Beginning Lyrical 2 Thursdays 6:15-7 (starting Oct. 1) - only 2 enrolled
-Beginning Tap 1 Saturdays 10-10:45 (starting Oct. 1) - only 1 enrolled
-Beginning Lyrical 1 Saturdays 10:45 (current) - 0 enrolled

Classes with very few openings left:
-Intermediate 1/2 Ballet Mondays 6:15 – 1 space left
-Beg. Ballet 3 Tue. 5:00 – 3/4 spaces **
-Creative Movement Wed. 11-11:30 – 3 spaces left
-Pre-Ballet Wed. 12:30-1 – 2/3 spaces left **
-Beg. Ballet 1a Thurs 4-4:45 – 2/3 spaces left**
-Beg. Tap 1 Thurs. 5:30-6:15 – 3 spaces left

** students are trialing classes. Once these are firmed up we can better determine the class size and openings available.

-- Shereen Daly
In Motion School of Dance
Celebrating 11 Years of educating young dancers!

The Nutcracker Details!

CASTING INFORMATION - please see the post below for Audition date and times. Know that casting will be determined by the information below AND costume sizes and sign-ups/audition turn out. We'll be choosing some roles based on what is seen in group auditions. Also, work in classes is considered as well when selecting dancers. Each family participating will be responsible for a $20 fee to participate this year and will also be given comp. tickets (# TBD later) for each show.
ACT I - roles and breakdowns
The Party Scene is a big portion of ACT I. It includes:
* the guests arriving to the party (dancers and non-dancers as stage fillers)
*The Nutcracker March - Older Girls and Boys/Little Girls and Boys (see below)
*Dance of Friends - 4 Advanced Beginner or Intermediate ballet students and 4 Ballet 2/3 students
*Clara's solo - must be Ballet 3 or Int. ballet dancer - approx 10-12 years of age, must be animated and have good stage presence
*The Adult dance - we will need 5/6 "couples" of adult volunteers to learn simple dance
** I would add a Father Daughter Dance OR Grandparent dance if I had volunteers!
LITTLE GIRLS/BOYS - 16-20 students to play the parts of Little Girls and Little Boys in the Nutcracker March. We will be needing people that are strong leaders (have done it before or a bit older then others) as well as new faces that can learn quickly. General ages for the LITTLE parts are 5-8/9 years old. You do NOT have to be a student in a ballet class!
OLDWE GIRLS/BOYS - 6 Older Girls and 6 Older "Boys" to perform the March as well. These students are generally around 10 and up. The Older Girls should be ballet students. The Older Boys do NOT need to be ballet student - they can come from any of our In Motion classes. The choreography for the "boys" is based mainly on walking patterns.
DANCING TOYS - The Director will invite select students based on auditions of group pieces for the toys: 2 Dolls, 1 Puppet, 1 Toy Soldier
*Fritz - we'd be looking for a boy to play the part of Clara's brother - 9-12 years of age approx. (This person should be willing but won't necessarily would be in...the Nutcracker March dance) - please sign up with the Director

The next big scene in Act I is the Battle Scene. It includes:
* Clara
* The Nutcracker - need another volunteer to play this - boy around 9-12 years of age - "dances" with soldiers
*Mice - 6-9 students ages 5-7 (would allow an older 4 who can follow directions and has good spacial awareness) No ballet required
*Soldiers - must have the same amount of soldiers as Mice (for partnering section). Approx. 7-10 years old. Ballet is not a requirement
*Mouse King - approx 10-12 years of age - must be willing to be animated and dramatic! Make the most of that big death scene! :)

The next dance scene in Act I is the change into the Snowflakes scene. The Christmas Trees perform during this scene change.
*The Christmas Trees - 6 students (ballet is helpful but not a must necessarily) - 6-9 years old approx.

*Snowflakes - around 12 Beg. Ballet 3, Int, Adv. students (must have an even #)
*Snow Queen - POINTE/ADV. student!

ACT II Roles and Breakdowns
ACT I is a welcome to Clara and The Nutcracker to the Land of Sweets. Each dance occurs one after the next and the show ends with a big curtain call and send off for Nutcracker and Clara in their magical Sleigh.
*Spanish - 3 Int/Adv Ballet students
*Chinese - Beg. Ballet 3 students
*Marzipan - 9 Beg. Ballet 2 or 3 students
*Russian - approx. 5 dancers (ballet a plus but not a must)... COULD consider changing this to a younger or mixed group this year?? Must be able to do lots of jumps, must have good technique, clean lines, stamina, TURNS - looking for dancers level 3 and up GYMNASTS NEEDED!!
*Mother Ginger - 8 dancers - Beg. Ballet 2 and 3
* Arabian - 1 advanced student - we have 2 options for the direction of this: flexible, strong technique, bare foot OR POINTE
*Waltz of the Flowers - 8 Int/Adv. dancers
*??Lead Flower - 1 Adv. or POINTE dancer

NUTCRACKER AUDITIONS

You must be a student with In Motion to participate - this is a dance school production with all the work done by dance studio staff, dancers and families.

Sunday, September 19th:
1:00 p.m. - Mice, Angels, Christmas Trees
1:30 – Party Scene dancers, Dance of Friends, Soldiers
2:00 – Marzipan, Mother Ginger
2:20 – Chinese, Russian
2:45 – Waltz of the Flowers, Snowflakes, Clara, Arabian, Soldier, Snow Queen, Lead Flower

Staying on schedule will be determined partly by how many students we need to get through. Be patient and understand we may not run exactly on time... have your dancer ready however by the times listed above.

Please use both sides of the building for parking and try to limit the amount of people you need to bring with you as it sometimes can get very crowded in the waiting area on audition day. We are using a Sunday to avoid congestion with Saturday classes this year and hope this helps people.

We recommend trying out for more then one part. You may be selected for a part that you didn't "try out" for. We will try to place as many students as possible. There are roles for younger students and older. We need lots of girls to be boys too! Keep watching for a breakdown on recommendations for ages for these roles, descriptions, and pre-requisites (for example: Waltz of Flowers must be students in certain levels of ballet classes).

Nutcracker auditions

We will be holding 2 dates for different roles in the Nutcracker this year. Our first audition date will be be NEXT Sunday, 9/19!! Details will follow soon. Hand-outs and postings will be available in classes this week. A 2nd date will be in the beginning of October with rehearsals beginning soon after. Rehearsals will be Fri-Sunday. This does not mean you will need to be there Fri-Sun...this simply means these are the days of the week we'll be using this year to hold practices. It will depend on the given weekend and the role you have which day over a weekend you will have. Rehearsals for approximately 6-8 weeks at a time are scheduled so that you can adjust your schedule accordingly. Participants are expected to have good attendance so that we can get choreography taught to the dancers and have time for polishing and overall rehearsals. Plan to be available for a full company rehearsal on the Wed. before Thanksgiving - this is an annual tradition...you must be available! We look forward to our 5th Nutcracker season and hope to see lots of faces there!

In Motion goes Italian!

On Saturday, September 11, the In Motion Company Stars will be performing at the Bravo Italiano Festival at 2:30 p.m. on the main stage in the Fairgrounds Ice Arena. Come down and watch the kids perform their dances from last season and stick around and enjoy some great Italian food made fresh! We will have Registration Forms and other literature with us for any interested families/students.

Tentative Bravo Line-up
If We Hold On Together
100 Years
ABC
Disco Inferno
Grace
Puttin' On The Ritz
Hair
Power of the Dream
Watch Over You
After Tonight
Spoonful of Sugar
Angels
When She Loves Me
Imagine
Love Lockdown
Tres Deseos

Full enrollment for Pre-k combo

First class closing announcement!! Monday - Pre-K Combo - now closed to enrollment - full roster. We will be taking names and numbers for a waiting list for this class beginning today.

Classes begin soon!

Classes begin Monday, 9/13!! We are not open this week as we are all busy preparing for the start of new classes. If you are interested in signing up for classes please contact us via email: inmotion@twcny.rr.com or by phone 785-5513 and someone will return your call as soon as we can. Keep in mind we have busy schedules and little people in school as well and will do our very best to contact you and get new and old families ready for dance! :)

Monday, Aug. 30

Open House continues tonight 5-7 p.m.!!
We will be holding a can and bottle drive to benefit the In Motion Company Stars so please bring out anything you have. :)
Rehearsal for the Bravo Italiano Fest begins at 5:30 with the following schedule:

5:30 - Disco Inferno
5:45 - Imagine
6:10 - Puttin' On The Ritz
6:30 - 100 Years
6:45 - Love Lockdown

Bravo practice next week

8/29 - Open House 11-3!!
Bottle and Can Drive and Rummage sale to raise $ for the In Motion Company Stars!!
rehearsal for Bravo Italiano (company groups):

Allison and Shereen will split into the 2 rooms and rehearse the girls at the same time. :)
12:00 – Power of the Dream & If We Hold On Together
12:30 – Tres Deseos & Hair
1:00 - ABC & Spoonful of Sugar

8/30- Open House 5-7 !!
Bottle and Can Drive and Rummage Sale to raise $ for the In Motion Company Stars!!
5:30 – Disco Inferno
5:45 – Imagine
6:10 – Puttin’ On The Ritz
6:30 – 100 Years
6:45 – Love Lockdown

2nd date for practice – Tentative – Wed. 9/8 afterschool and/or morning of the performance? 9/11 – at the studio... Pencil it in and feedback please. (JUST rec'd word the stage might be available Thursday, 9/9 for a practice - more details to follow)