Welcome February! Some exciting things are happening this month.
Of course, we are already anticipating our May performance. February means learning dances, planning props, and waiting on our ordered costumes!
Thank you!
A big thank you to:
- Lauren Heller and Our SpecialTEA for a brand new essential oil diffuser in the waiting room.
- Joan Miller at the Locker Room Sporting Goods for 12 brand new pairs of ballet slippers at the studio if you need to trade sizes or borrow them for class!
We are so grateful for your gifts to our school!
We are also teaming up with What’s Cooking Tonight, a local catering company that is offering families of The Children’s Ballet and 10% discount on dinner orders. Just use the code BALLET10 when you check out!
Performance
ATTENDANCE
As we learn our dances for the performance, attendance is very important! Learning a dance is a team activity. Please email emily@thechildrensballet.com if you will be absent from class.
PERFORMANCE WEEK SCHEDULE
Our tentative schedule for tech week is as follows:
- Monday, May 22th from 5:00-8:00pm: Rehearsal
- Tuesday, May 23rd from 5:00-8:00pm: Rehearsal
- Wednesday, May 24th from 5:00-8:00pm: Full Cast Rehearsal
- Thursday, May 25 from 5:00-8:00pm: Dress Rehearsal
- Friday, May 26 7:00pm: A Magical Lesson 2017
- Saturday, May 27: AM photos and 2:00pm: A Magical Lesson 2017
Schedule subject to change. Specific rehearsal times for each class will be announced. All rehearsals and performances are at Danville Community High School.
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 princesses! However, most exciting was learning our parts, seeing our costumes, and starting our dances for our spring performance, A Magical Lesson!
Studio Spotlight: Sarah Weddle, Assistant and Senior Student
Miss Sarah is a high school senior and has been assisting for one year. We are very proud and thankful for Miss Sarah, who bring so much to us all.
She has been homeschooled throughout grade and high school. She has played the cello for 14 years and performed with junior orchestra for six years. She has also been an assistant teacher in a summer dance class for middle schoolers. This year, she will be featured as the ringmistress in our spring performance.
Here is a little Q&A so we can learn a little more about Miss Sarah!
Q: What is your dance background? I have been dancing for 14 years and assisting for one year. I started dancing with Miss Donna in The Master’s Study homeschool group for three years. Then, I have danced at The Children’s Ballet for 11 years.
Q: What is your favorite thing about dancing? My favorite thing about dancing is the rush – that feeling you get when you finally conquer a difficult combination, or when you walk off stage after a performance you have been working on for months.
Q: Pointe shoe brand? I wear Russian Pointe Rubin.
Q: What is your favorite ballet step? I love pirouettes. I may not be great at turning, but I still love it.
Q: What is your dream ballet role? My dream role would probably be the Sugar Plum Fairy from the Nutcracker. It has always been my favorite ballet.
Q: What are your post-high school plans? Next year I plan on taking a gap year to solidify my plans for the years after. I would love to continue teaching as well as exploring more dance for myself to further my teaching abilities.
Q: What is something that you think is important in becoming a better dancer? To become a better dancer, I believe confidence, determination, and dedication are key components.
Thank you, Miss Sarah! We wish you all the best.
Terms
Balletomane: A ballet fan or enthusiast. The word was invented in Russia in the early 19th century.
Glissade: Glide: A traveling 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
February 1:
Tuition Due
February 15:
Costume fee balance due (for those with two or more costumes)
February 20:
Open for classes on Presidents’ Day
March 26-April 2:
Spring Break
April 23:
Studio trip to see Giselle (details to come!)
May 1:
Ticket sales begin for A Magical Lesson
May 22-25:
Tech week at Danville High School
May 26 (7pm) and 27 (2pm):
A Magical Lesson at DCHS
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 8-12. Get more info and tickets here.
Hendricks Symphony Orchestra: Our community symphony will be performing Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf” and other classic cartoon music February 24 & 26 at Avon Middle School North. Come out and support your local arts! Find out more info and tickets here.
Dance Kaleidoscope: Indy’s resident professional dance company (our own Miss Mandy is a member) will be performing “Divas” at the Indiana Repertory Theatre February 9-February 12. Find out more info and get tickets here. Pick up discounted student ticket vouchers at the studio!
