October / Volume 3, Number 10
In This Issue
· Annual Parent Meeting
· Competition Dancers
· Halloween @ the WMDC
· DVD
Special Interest Dates
Sept. 26th – 30th: Love Your Body Week
Oct. 24th – 28th: Halloween @ the WMDC
Oct. 31st: WMDC Closed
Nov. 7th: Spring Performance Costumes Emailed Out
Nov. 11th: Rehearsals Cancelled (24/Seven Dance Convention)
Nov. 21st – 25th: Thanksgiving Break
Nov. 28th – Dec. 2nd: Musicality in Dance
Dec. 9th: 50% SP Costume Invoice Due
Dec. 26th – Jan. 6th: WMDC Closed for Winter Break
Jan. 20th: Spring Performance Final Costume Payment Due
Jan. 30th – Feb. 2nd: Characterization in Dance
Mar. 3rd – 5th: Spotlight Dance Competition
Apr. 3rd – 7th: Spring Break
May: WMDC SPIRIT MONTH
Contact Us
Warner Mountain Dance Center
209 S Main street
Alturas, CA 96101
Studio Phone
(530)-233-5658
Fax
(530)-233-5659
Facebook.com/
warnermountaindance
Website
www.warnermountain
dance.com
Company Website
www.warnermountaindance
company.weebly.com /
Annual Parent Meeting
With another year under our belts, we move forward (much like a phoenix) and power on. As for the Parent Meeting, it is a pleasure to offer this opportunity to parents as a way to give back to the families of the WMDC. I’m glad to see it is an event families are still enjoying and participating in. First, families gathered to join in on a family class, it was great to see so many young ones and beautiful families. The pot luck was as large as ever with many tasty treats to take part in. Everything from quinoa with vegetables to bacon wrapped dates and the ultimate brownie the food was delicious. The third annual parent meeting proved to have a lot to discuss. Some of the topics that came up during the meeting included; the spring performance, other performance opportunities, photography, DVD, and the competition team. If any questions arise from the following topics please bring them to my attention.The spring performance theme has been named, “Zones.” The inspiration is a video game. The costumes and music information have been posted to the website. If you have trouble reviewing the information on electronically, please review the white binder on the table in the dance room. As it has a print out of the costume and music information. (Please note: This is subject to change, so please wait to purchase costume items until after the invoice is released in November.)
In addition to having the theme presented, there was some discussion surrounding the date of the performance. I understand June is complicated for certain families; however, I must make clear that this timing ensures the event is completed to the BEST quality I can offer. I have thought very carefully and looked intensely at both sides of the argument, and I agree it is important to have family members present for performances. However, I must insist that moving the performance into the month of May, would ultimately require the use of Memorial Day weekend for either the Dress Rehearsal/Photo Day and/or Performance. I feel this would not be a conducive for the majority of families. I would have to select this weekend based on allowing the amount of time necessary to create the full performance experience. Lastly, I would like to make sure students are as far out of school testing as possible before I ask them to perform to their highest ability. To move the performance to May would present an obstacle that would likely result in students underachieving and a lack luster performance. I am happy to have parents who must leave the area due to their job attend a dress rehearsal class or the dress rehearsal itself, as I feel that is a fair compromise. I understand it is not the same as the performance, but at least they will have the opportunity to view the dance, which I understood to be the most impactful reasoning for the students.
As for other performance opportunities, I understand there is a desire to have more chances. However, on average, less than a quarter of the studio wishes to engage in those events. We are in a remote area and it seems that the performance opportunities come at a time when families already have prior engagements to participate in the same event, another event, or are going to be out of town for a vacation. If a parent would like to head up the creation of a float for parades, I would be happy to help. The WMDC would need to borrow someone’s trailer – I don’t have one. If the children’s fair returns this year, I would like to take some groups to attend that. I think the performance at the June Jamboree was successful for the competition team and I would like to take more routines (from the spring performance) and have different groups perform at different times of the day, if possible. If there are individuals looking for performers, please direct them to me. I need at least a month in advanced, but 2-3 would be better because I have to think about how family calendars are planned, and they are generally planned months in advance. If you have additional ideas for performances, please share them with me.
I would like to take the time to apologize again for the photography and the DVD. I did find out recently that last year’s DVD wasn’t playing in devices either, but that doesn’t make an excuse to allow this year’s set to go through the same problem. As for the pictures, I have notified the photographer, and asked for something to be done. At a certain point, one can only learn from a mistake, pick up, and move forward. I am extremely disappointed with the way certain things tuned out and I am going to utilizing those lessons to the best of my ability. I am sorry for the conflict this has caused the parents for both the DVD and the pictures. I thank you for your understanding and patience during the learning process.
Lastly, the competition team is rocking and rolling. Two fundraisers are already under their belts and many of the routines are well on their way. Based on what I have seen, it would seem to me that the team members have their eyesight set pretty high… These girls (and their parents) are working very hard to make the absolute most of this season, and everyone is off to a great start. Please keep your eyes open for these girls, and please share in the excitement for this season. There are certainly some things to look forward to.
Competition Dancers
The WMDC would like to welcome it’s 2016/17 Competition Dancers. This year we have 10 students whom will be attending dance competitions under the title of Warner Mountain Dance Company. We will actually have 2 teams competing, and we are planning to attend 3 competitions. Please join me in welcoming our competitions dancers;Tectonic Company (Ages 4 – 7)
Allhiser, Liberty
Erquiaga, Kara
Pratt, Addison
Elevation Company (Ages 8 +)
Albright, Kaylea
Blankenship, Margaret
Lalancette, Aliyah
Mitchell, Samantha
Viehdorfer, Elly
Yagi, Arminda
Between the two teams we will be taking 8 pieces to competition. Tectonic Company piece, “Rose Queens,” Elevation Company piece, “Osmosis,” trio piece (Samantha M., Elly V., and Arminda Y.), “Have You Seen the Rain,” duet (Margaret B. and Aubree K.), “Devil or Angel,” Kaylea A. solo, “The Story of Harley Quinn,” Liberty A. solo, “Bring Me To Life,” Aubree K. solo, “Final Boss,” and Samantha M. solo, “The Choice.” We are very excited for this coming year.
Halloween @ the WMDC
The WMDC loves to participate in the holidays, especially holidays where you get to dress up! The week of Oct. 24th – 28th students will be allowed to dress up for class. The only thing I request is that dancers are still given the full use of their bodies. Please avoid full length dresses, costumes that are too constricting (can’t bend), headpieces that fall out, and props – eyes are important and flying wands are slightly terrifying in 2-5 classes. After all, we still want to get use of the week, what’s the point of dressing up and attending dance class if you can move and learn the material?Additionally, Monday October 31st classes are cancelled. I hope that dancers use this as an opportunity to spend some quality time with their families or to help other families spend quality time.