Dancing Through Winter

Some exciting things are happening this month! Of course, we are already anticipating our May 28th performance. February means beginning to learn dances, planning scenery, and awaiting the arrival of our costumes. February also brings some exciting updates to the studio space. Try the left faucet in our restroom — we now have hot water! We also have a new sound system. But of course, our most exciting update is our…

New Dance Floor!

Thanks to many generous donors we were able to purchase and install a sprung dance floor and new vinyl surface. A sprung floor means it can absorb shock, which reduces the chance of leg, ankle, and spinal injuries and fatigue in all our dancers. Peek in the studio to see it (just be sure to watch your step). We are excited to dance on it and show it off!
Sincere thanks to all who made this possible:

• The Carew Family
• Jennifer David
• Nancy Eubank
• Jill Godfrey
• Johansson & Associates, LLC
• Brad Miser
• Grace Miser
• Shirley Miser
• Traffic Engineering, Inc.
• and our anonymous donors

It Happened One Night

Our performance this year is It Happened One Night. This is the story of a family of woodland fairies who are looking to marry off their brother. Two of the sisters just manage to cause mischief, while the oldest sister tries a magic potion to make the brother fall in love. Young ladies are invited to a ball to meet the brother, and the story hops to a surprising end!

We are looking forward to presenting this original ballet by Deni Jacks on Saturday, May 28 at the Danville High School Auditorium.

Performance Week Schedule

Our schedule (subject to change slightly) for tech week is as follows:

• Tuesday, May 24 5-8pm Rehearsal
• Wednesday, May 25 5-8pm Rehearsal
• Thursday, May 26 5-8pm Rehearsal
• Saturday, May 28 10AM Dress Rehearsal
• Saturday, May 28 3:30pm It Happened One Night 2016

All rehearsals and performance are at Danville Community High School.

Upcoming Performances

Beat the winter blues with a range of arts events in February!

Midwinter Dance Festival

Butler Ballet will be putting on a concert with both classical ballet and modern dance at the beautiful Schrott Center for the Arts February 10-14. Get more info and tickets here.

Dance Theatre of Harlem

This professional ballet company is based in Harlem, NY and known for thrilling performances that bring new life to classical ballet. DTH will be at Clowes Memorial Hall February 20. Get more info and tickets here.

Hendricks Symphony Orchestra

Our community symphony will be performing their “Northern
Exposure” concert February 26 & 28 at Avon Middle School North. Come out and support our local arts scene! Find out more info and purchase tickets here.

Dance Kaleidoscope

Indy’s resident professional dance company (our own Miss Mandy is a member) will be performing “Voices of a Generation: The Folk/Rock Generation” at the Indiana Repertory Theatre February 25-March 6th. Find out more info and get tickets here. Look for discounted student vouchers at the studio later in the month!

Studio Spotlight: Vanessa Schuldt, Assistant, Student Teacher, and Senior

Miss Vanessa is a high school senior. She has been assisting for three years and just this year began teaching her own class at The Children’s Ballet. You will see her perform the role of a woodland sister in our spring performance. She is involved in academics and is also a lifeguard. Vanessa recently found out that she will be recognized as one of the top 15 in her senior class.

Here is a little Q&A so we can learn a little more about Miss Vanessa!

Q: What is your dance background? I have been dancing for 9 years and assisting for 3 years. I danced for one year when I lived in Greenwood, I did ballet and tap. I started again at age 10 with The Children’s Ballet, where I have stayed since, dancing ballet and a little bit of modern and character. During the summers of 2014 and 2015, I danced ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary at Indiana University’s Summer Intensive.

Q: What is your favorite thing about dancing? Getting to be different characters. I’ve had fun with every role I’ve danced. I love how they all move differently and act differently even though we don’t get to speak.

Q: Pointe shoe brand? I wear Bloch B-Morphs!

Q: What is your favorite ballet step? Pirouettes. I absolutely love turning — it’s my favorite part of class!

Q: What is your dream ballet role? Swanhilda from Coppelia! She’s very eccentric, and it’s more of a funny ballet, which I enjoy.

Q: What are your post-high school plans? I will either be at Anderson University majoring in Dance Business or at IUPUI majoring in business and minoring in dance.

Q: What is something that you think is important in becoming a better dancer? You really have to pay attention to corrections. When you’re young and you get corrections, you don’t always understand that the teacher is trying to help you, but really they are! I used to not be good at remembering corrections, but now I write them down after class in a little notebook I have.

Q: What is your favorite thing about teaching/assisting? Working with the kids. Seeing them understand a step after being taught is so rewarding! They are always smiling, and I love that!

Thank you Miss Vanessa — we are proud of you and wish you all the best!

In Class

Last month in Miss Emily’s classes we did ballet exercises for listening, following, and coordination. We also used our imaginations by dancing like icicles and princesses. However, most exciting was learning our parts and seeing our costumes for our spring performance of It Happened One Night.

Terms

Balletomane: A ballet fan or enthusiast. The word was invented in Russia in the early 19th century.

Glissade: Glide. A travelling step executed by gliding the working foot from the fifth position in the required direction, the other foot closing to it.

Did You Know?

The amount of energy needed to perform a ballet is about the same as playing two full football matches or running 18 miles!

Upcoming Events

Tuition Due

First class of February

Costume Balance Due (if more than one costume)

February 15

Spring Break

March 28 – April 2

Swan Lake trip

April 17

Tech Week at DCHS

May 23 – 26

It Happened One Night

May 28 at 3:30 pm. Tickets go on sale April 4.