Club Hiatus 2015-2016

It's with a heavy heart that we need to inform you that the DRBC will not be running this year.  We have tried for several months to find at least one dance teacher to replace Ms. Steer and Miss Lindsey, but it's fair to say qualified dance teachers are rare birds up in our neck of the woods.  Will be taking a hiatus for 2015-2016 and will try again next spring to find teachers for 2016-2017.

That said, we don't want to leave you high and dry without options.  There are four dance studios between Petawawa and Pembroke: Starz In Motion, Michelle's School of Performing Arts, Atyeo's Dance Studio and CDE Dance Academy.  Starz is located in Petawawa and Michelle's has a satellite location there, as well.  Her main studio is in Pembroke and that is also the location of Atyeo's and CDE.  Contact information for these studios is at the bottom of this post.

Ms. Steer is continuing to teach at Starz in Motion and I have consulted with her for her recommendations for placements of our ballet students who wish to continue on.  I have also called their office, let them know our situation and been given some information regarding their jazz and younger ballet classes.

For students who wish to continue at Starz in Motion:

Beginners, Pre-Primary and Primary Students:  Classes are held Wednesdays 5:00-7:15 with Miss Brittany.  Class time depends on your level.  Speak with Miss Brittany at registration to determine your current level.

Grade I students: Wednesdays 5:00-6:00 with Ms. Steer.

Grade III students: Tuesdays 6:45 - 7:45 with Ms. Steer

Grade IV students: Thursdays 6:00-7:30 with Ms. Steer

Pointe/Demipointe Wednesdays 7:30 - 8:30 with Ms. Steer

Jazz Students:Jazz classes run every evening.  

Junior 1 is for students aged 6-10  Class is held Monday nights, but I do not have the time.

All other jazz students should discuss placement at registration.  

Registration is this Friday, August 7, 5:00 - 9:00 at the studio.  You are encouraged to email the studio to "pre-register" and save your spot as classes can fill up quickly.  Ms. Steer will do her best to accommodate our students, but the situation will be different for the younger ballet and the jazz students.

We have enjoyed watching so many students enjoy dance with our club over the years and we sincerely hope that the spark that has been lit is fanned into flames even it is at other studios this year.  We hope to be back! 

~Cheryl, Julie & Yvonne

Contact information for Petawawa/Pembroke Studios:

Starz in Motion 

www.starzinmotion.ca

1946 Petawawa Blvd.

starzinmotion@hotmail.com

613-735-2800

CDE Dance Academy

http://www.cdedanceacademy.com/

425 Pembroke St. East (behind/under Moncion's Grocery mid-town)

cdedanceacademy@hotmail.com

Michelle's School of Performing Arts

http://www.michelles-performing-arts.ca/

185 Pembroke St. West (main studio downtown)

info@michelles-performing-arts.ca

613-635-7500

Atyeo's Dance Studio

http://www.atyeosdancestudio.com/

145 Pembroke St. West (downtown)

tracyatyeo@yahoo.ca

613-401-3342

Updates and Rehearsal Schedule

Some updates and new information.

• Photos will not be done in the auditorium.  Instead, they will held in the classroom.

• Regular dancewear should be worn during rehearsals.  Costumes, hair & make-up are only needed for photos, the dress rehearsal (April 26) and the recital.

• All rehearsals are closed, unless there are special circumstances.

• Please note in the schedule that the classes are one right after the other and sometimes are quite short.  We have limited time in the   auditorium and must make every minute count and be out so groups booked after us can have access.  Thank you for being sensitive to this by having your child arrive on time and prepared to rehearse.

• An adult will accompany the younger children out of the auditorium for pick up and will only be released to a parent unless other instructions have been received.

• Dress rehearsal is from 6:00 - 8:00, not 4:00 as previously reported.

• Arrival time on Recital Night: 5:00 pm.  Doors for the auditorium will open at 5:30.  Showtime is at 6:00!

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

Tuesday, April 14

5:00 - 5:20  Pre-Primary

5:20 - 5:40  Tiny Toes

5:40 - 6:20  Jazz 9

6:20 - 7:00  Jazz 15

Wednesday, April 15

4:00 - 5:00  Grade 2

5:00 - 6:00  Grade 3

6:00 - 6:30  Primary

6:30 - 7:00  Pointe/Demi

7:00 - 8:00  Senior

Thursday, April 16

5:00 - 5:40  Jazz 6

5:40 - 6:10  Beginner

6:10 - 7:00  Jazz 12

Monday, April 20

4:00 - 5:00  Grade 3

5:00 - 5:30  Primary

5:30 - 6:00  Pointe/Demi

6:00 - 6:30  Senior

6:30 - 7:00  Grade 2

Tuesday, April 21

5:00 - 5:20  Pre-Primary

5:20 - 5:40  Tiny Toes

5:40 - 6:20  Jazz 9

6:20 - 7:00  Jazz 15

Wednesday, April 22

4:00 - 4:30  Grade 2

4:30 - 5:15  Grade 3

5:15 - 5:45  Primary

5:45 - 6:15  Pointe

6:15 - 7:00  Senior

Thursday, April 23

5:00 - 5:15  Pre-Primary

5:15 - 5:30  Tiny Toes

5:30 - 5:45  Beginner

5:45 - 6:00  Jazz 6

6:00 - 6:15  Jazz 9

6:15 - 6:30  Jazz 12

6:30 - 7:00  Jazz 15

Sunday, April 26

6:00 - 8:00 pm  Dress rehearsal -- All students

Photo Schedule

Monday, April 13, 2015

4:45 pm - 5:15 pm   TINY TOES

5:15 pm - 5:30 pm   BEGINNER

5:30 pm - 5:45 pm   PRE-PRIMARY

5:45 pm - 6:00 pm   JAZZ 6

6:00 pm - 6:15 pm   GRADE 2

6:15 pm - 6:30 pm   PRIMARY

6:30 pm - 6:45 pm   JAZZ 15

6:45 pm - 7:00 pm   JAZZ 12

7:00 pm - 7:30 pm   SENIORS, POINTE/DEMI, GRADE 3

7:30 pm - 8:00 pm   JAZZ 9

Recital Information

April 6 (Easter Monday):  Monday classes are *not* cancelled and will be held as scheduled.

April 6, 5:00-8:00 pm  (Easter Monday): Costume pick up in the room next to the classroom.  Any credits on your account have been applied toward the costume costs.  Payment is expected at pick up.  If you are not able to pick up during this time, please contact us to make other arrangements.

April 13: Photos in the auditorium.  Even if you do not plan to purchase photos, please have your child participate as class photos are taken. A price list will be sent out soon.

April 14 – 23: Individual class rehearsals in the auditorium.  Schedules to be sent out soon.

April 26, 4:00 pm - onward: Dress rehearsal in the auditorium.

April 27, 6:00 pm: Recital  Arrival time TBD.

Hair and Make-up:  For photos, dress rehearsal and recital, all students, unless otherwise instructed by their teacher, should wear light make-up.  We’re not talking over-the-top garish here, but just enough to keep the students from being washed out by the stage lights.  Blush and mascara is often enough for the little ones. 

·         Ballet students should have their hair in a bun and pulled off the face.  Bangs that can’t pull back in the bun are okay as long as they are not in the eyes.  Beginner  students should wear their hair in two buns at the top of the head to imitate mouse ears.

·         Tiny Toes: Pony tail

·         Jazz 6: Pull the hair from the front and side back into a barrette or elastic.  Hair in the back should be down. 

·         Jazz 9:  “Nerds” should put their hair in pig tail braids on either side of the head.  Scrunchies will be provided with the costume.  “Popular girls” should wear their hair in a pony tail in the back.

·         Jazz 12: Two French braids

·         Jazz 15: 80’sTastic!  Girls will receive more instruction from Miss Lindsey.

For photos, the dress rehearsal and recital, all students will be expected to have appropriate tights as part of their costume.  Tiny Toes and Ballet students are to be in pink and Jazz students in beige.  The club has a limited number of tights available for purchase.  Please let us know as soon as possible if you will need to purchase some (including size) so we can reserve them and have them available for you at pick up. 

Tickets can be purchased at costume pick up for $6.00 each.  They will also be available at The Olive Tree approximately two weeks before the recital.  Ticket purchases help offset the costs associated with the recital and $1.00 from each ticket sale is contributed to the Auditorium Maintenance Fund per an agreement with the Trillium Foundation which provided our community with a sizable grant to repair our chairs and lighting.

March Break

All classes are suspended during March Break and will resume as scheduled next week.  The exception will be the Grade 2 classes on Monday and Wednesday.  Ms. Steer will still be away and Miss Lindsey is not able to cover those classes.  A credit will be issued for the Grade 2 classes.

Have a safe and happy break!

Wanted: Passionate instructor(s)!

The Deep River Ballet Club is looking for one or two part-time dance instructors for the 2015-2016 season.  We are specifically hoping for experience in ballet and/or jazz, but all disciplines are welcome to apply.  Training and/or accreditation in RAD or ADAPT is considered an asset, but not necessary for application.

More information can be found under "Now Hiring!" under "Pages."  The application is available in Word or PDF formats and is located under "Important Info."

2014 Santa Claus Parade

Many, many thanks to Cal Doucette, Julie Gosselin, Jamie, Yvonne, Paige and Sierra Hardy,  Mindy Benvie, Hayley Goddard, Kylie Smith and Katrina Doucette, Hannah Williams and her grandmother and all the kids and parents who participated in our Santa Claus Parade entry, "The Nutcracker Sweets."  Also thank you to the Blimke family for use of their trailer and Josh Erling for pulling the float and allowing us to put garland all over his truck.

Our entry won "Most Original."  Congratulations to everyone!!

Registration Will Open Early!

Winter registration was set to go live December 18, but so many of you have been asking about it, I can tell you're anxious to "get 'er done." 
That being the case, Winter registration will go live tomorrow, December 4, at 12:01 am.  
Returning students in the following classes will need to register.  This will give our teachers a good idea what to expect in the new year and for the recital.
TINY TOES
ALL JAZZ
BALLET:

• Adult
• Beginner
• Advanced Beginner
• Pre-Primary

Although we do not expect over-registration, returning students will be given first priority if a maximum registration should occur.

Returning students will not have to pay the $5.00 registration again.

We would like all registration to take place through our online site, if possible.  You are not required to make payment online.  If you prefer to pay by check or cash, be sure to choose the "pay offline" option.  If you are not comfortable with online registration, a downloadable form is available under "Important Info."

Payments will be due at the first class in 2014.

We hope to see everyone back in the new year!

Make up Classes

Classes that were cancelled Wednesday, November 5 will be made up Saturday morning, November 22.  The schedule is as follows:

9:30 - 10:15     Grade II

10:15 - 11: 15  Grade III

11:15 - 12:30   Seniors

12:30 - 1:30     Adults

Ballet Exams and Presentations

Ms. Steer handed out a permission form for Exams and Presentations last week.  Here are some general answers to some general questions.  If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us and we'll get an answer back to you as quickly as possible.

Q:  What is the difference between an Exam and a Presentation?

A:  In both cases the students present material from the curriculum before an Royal Academy of Dance Examiner.  Primary students do a Presentation as a group.  They are not graded, but if memory serves correctly, they are given constructive criticism.  It is an excellent opportunity to experience dancing before a real RAD Examiner without the pressures of being graded.  Certificates are given to each participant.

Grade I students and higher may do either a Presentation or an Exam.  It is up to the discretion of the instructor as to which one is a better fit for each individual student.  Both are done as a group.  My daughter has done an exam and tells me that although there are routines that the Examiner asks for the group to do together, sometimes the individual students are asked to perform a specific routine or step. Exams are graded.  Certificates with their grades are mailed to the instructor by the end of the year and given to the student.  If they arrive later, we will do our best to deliver them to you.

Q: When are Exams and Presentations being held?

A:  The last information I have is that they will be held in February.

Q:  Where will they be held?

A:  At the Starz in Motion studio at the far east end of Petawawa.

Q: Are Exams and Presentations mandatory?

A:  Nope!  We do encourage students to participate because it is an excellent opportunity to get feedback and instruction from another set of skilled and trained RAD eyes.  However, we know not every student is comfortable with this, so participation is not demanded.

Classes Cancelled - November 5

Classes are cancelled for this afternoon/evening.  We hope to be able to reschedule these classes soon.  We will keep affected students up-to-date.  Thank you for your understanding.

Santa Claus Parade

The annual Deep River Santa Claus parade is coming up soon on December 6.  I've heard whispers that parents and students are hoping to participate this year.  To do this I would appreciate the following:

1. A committee of volunteers who would be willing to coordinate this and

2. A truck or a vehicle with a trailer that would be suitable for the smaller children to ride on.

If you can help with either of these, please let us know.  Our executive is down to three members and we need all the help we can get to be able to add the extra thrills for the kids.

Bags, Hoodies and Tees! Oh, my!

For many years we've been trying to get something off the ground and this year it looks like we'll actually do it.  The DRBC is offering club hoodies, bags and t-shirts.  Perfect as Christmas gifts.

This is not a fundraiser, this is simply something we've wanted to do to boost club spirit and give the kids a sense of belonging.  We will be ordering through Fitton Enterprises and Will has asked that we have orders to him by mid-October to ensure delivery for Christmas.

If you are interested, please read on and let us know if you'd like to place an order or get more information.  A size chart is below and I do have some hoodies that can be tried on for sizing.

Large Tote Bag: Limited quantities in light blue or gray (blue is shown). Several pouches, zippers shut.  Club already has these available.  $17 each.  First come, first served.   

Mesh shoe bags: Perfect for letting sweaty shoes air out but not get lost.  Draw string closure.  Available in pink, black, blue and teal.  Cost is approximately $15.  I need to order these from our uniform supply company first, so the sooner I know what you prefer, the sooner I can get them in and to Will.

T-Shirts: Available in Youth Sizes XS-L and Adult Sizes S-2XL.  Offered in Maroon or Royal Blue.  Cost: $12.  Name or "Jazz" can be added for a small fee.

Hoodies: Available in Youth Sizes S-XL and Adult Sizes S-2XL. Offered in Maroon.  Cost is $35 and includes student's name or "Jazz" if desired. Photo is of a Youth XL.  Please note that the size chart is general sizing for tees and fleece.  If you'd like room for a t-shirt under the hoodie or for a baggier fit, please consider ordering up a size.  Youth hoodies may be shorter than the tees.

AGM

Our AGM is scheduled for Thursday, October 9th at 6:00 pm.

All parents and students over the age of 16 are invited and encouraged to come.  In addition, we hope you will consider volunteering with our executive.  All positions are always available, although sometimes the person holding the position is willing to let their name stand again.  The following is a list of positions along with the names of those who are willing to continue in that role:

President:  Cheryl Smith

Registrar:   Julie Gosselin

Recital Co-ordinator:  Yvonne Hardy

Treasurer:  Open

Secretary:  Open

Uniform Co-ordinator: Open

Job descriptions are listed in our Constitution, with the exception of Uniform Co-ordinator.  This will be an item on the AGM agenda.  The Constitution is available for viewing and download under "Important Info" to the right.

We hope to see you on the 9th.  

Class Updates

We are already at full capacity for our Beginner/Advance Beginner Class.  If you are still interested in this class, please send us an email with your contact information and child's name and we will maintain a waiting list.

Due to low enrollment, the Grade 1 ballet class has been cancelled.





Registration for other classes is still being accepted, although we are trying to nail our final schedule in place.  If you have not yet registered, now is the time!  Registration can be done online through the bright blue Register button on the right or by downloading and printing the forms under "Important Info."

Tiny Toes (formerly Jamie's Play with Ballet)

On Monday Jamie An and the DRCB joined forces to offer Tiny Toes (formerly Jamie's Play with Ballet).  This is an introductory class to dance for toddlers/pre-schoolers (ages 2.5 - 3) that incorporates dance movement with play.

Enrollment is capped at 8 students plus 1 parent per student.  Priority registration is being given to students who were enrolled with Jamie last spring as this change occurred so close to registration day.  A waiting list is being kept.  If you are interested in Tiny Toes, please email the club at drballet@yahoo.ca with your contact information and we'll add you to the list.

The club and Jamie are excited to be working together.  The DRBC now offers something for all ages of movers and shakers!

Schedule Changes

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we've already had to make a couple of tweaks to our class schedule.  

Our Beginner and Advanced Beginner classes will again be combined this year.  At this time they are scheduled for Thursdays from 6:15-7:00 pm.

Our age 9-11 Jazz class has been moved from 5:15-6:15 pm on Tuesdays to 5:00-6:00 pm on the same day.

A revised *preliminary* schedule is in the links under Important Info.  Although we hope to be able to keep to this schedule, please be advised that the club reserves the right to combine or cancel classes due to enrollment numbers and other extenuating circumstances.

Coming Soon: Registration!

It's time for back to school and back to after-school activities!  
Information regarding class times, levels and fees can be downloaded from the links to the right.  These documents will help you be prepared for the upcoming year.  Please download or bookmark them for easy access.

Registration will be offered by way of two methods this year:  

• ONLINE REGISTRATION

We are thrilled to offer online registration and payment to help streamline your job as a busy parent. Online registration will be open Thursday, September 4 and can be accessed by clicking that bright blue button on the right. 

• PAPER REGISTRATION

For those who like the traditional approach, we will be at the Community Registration Event at the Deep River Arena Thursday, September 4, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm.  The registration form can be downloaded under Important Info on the right.

IN WHICH CLASS SHOULD I ENROLL MY CHILD?

All ages are based on the student's birthday being before or on December 31, 2014.

• Jazz students register for their age group.
• Ballet students should register as follows:

New students age 4	Beginner
New students age 5 or in Beginner last year	Advanced Beginner
New students age 6 or in Advanced Beginner last year	Pre-Primary
New students age 7	Primary

All returning Primary - Senior students should register for the level they were in last Spring.

It is important to note for returning students that Primary - Senior Ballet students must register in the Fall and for the entire year.  We will not be accepting Winter Session registration for these classes as we have found that doing so is disruptive to them.

Uniform requirements are listed in our 2014-2015 Brochure.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.  Cheryl, Julie, Claire or Lindsey will have an answer for you.