Thursday, October 29, 2009
ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET AUDITIONS
Well done to all students who attended the RWB auditions this month and a particular congratulations to Frances Carroll and Sarah Lacey who have been accepted to the RWB summer program!
A Vancouver Sun photographer attended the audition and captured some lovely images of our Deas Island dancers:
http://www.vancouversun.com/Gallery+Ballet+auditions/2092500/story.html?tab=PHOTDISNEYLAND PERFORMING GROUP AND FESTIVAL REHERASALS
Rehearsal times for the month of November and December are now confirmed. You will have received an email with your rehearsal times and the schedule is also posted on the lobby bulletin board. Disneyland performance dates are now set for the Easter weekend. Travel arrangemenats and LA masterclass information will also be available shortly.
NEW FOOD POLICY
A friendly reminder that food is only permitted in the kitchen area. Food is no longer permitted upstairs or in either of the lobbies. Students please use the kitchen area on your breaks and clean up after you have finished. We thank you in advance.
NOVEMBER 11TH
Afternoon and evening classes are on as regularly scheduled on Wednesday November 11th.
VOCABULARY LISTS
Some classes will be receiving vocabulary lists which will itemize steps for students to practice. Teachers are moving on to new steps with each year of dance and it is extremely helpful to the students if they review both their previous work and their new steps at home. Thank you!
LOST AND FOUND
The lost and found is already overflowing. At the end of the term we will be donating any unclaimed items to charity.
Please have a quick look in the lost and found for any items that may belong to you.
Lost and found clothes are stored in two places:
-upstairs in the white deacon’s bench in the change room upstairs
-downstairs lobby in a box behind the shelving.
Lost dance shoes are kept in a box upstairs just outside the blue studio.
There is a booster seat that has been left and there are lots of forgotten water bottles that are feeling a bit neglected.
NAMES IN DANCE SHOES
Please check all dance shoes to make sure the students’ name is clearly written on the inside. This will allow us to return them to the student proper owner.
posted by L. Benham 11:24 AM
Thursday, August 13, 2009
UPCOMING REGISTRATIONS FOR SUMMER AND FALL PROGRAMS:
Thursday August 20th 2:00-6:00pm
Tuesday September 1st 2:00-6:00pm
Wednesday September 9th 4:00-8:00pm
The current studio handbook will be published shortly and will include calendar, dance wear info and more!
UPCOMING SUMMER INTENSIVES
Two weeks of programs available for ages 6 and up, beginner to advanced.
Please see the homepage to download the summer information or call the office.
Week one: August 20th to August 24th
Week two: August 31st to September 4th
WEDDING BELLS
All the best to the beautiful bride Miss Jamie and her husband Matt on their recent wedding.
Congratulations to you both!
posted by L. Benham 10:17 PM
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Dear Students and Parents,
Hello everyone! Thank you to all for a fantastic show and a terrific year. We are proud of all the dancers performances this week. A special thank you to the leads and their parents who put in much extra time and energy to make the show a success – you were all outstanding!
Thank you once again to the many volunteers who contributed in the various aspects of the show. A special thank you to the parents who took great care of the students (from wee to tall) backstage – helping with everything from the practical side of the show (changing costumes, hair, lining up…) to the caring side (making all those students feel happy, safe, excited and calm before going on stage).
The staff wishes to thank the students for the lovely flowers and the kind words presented to us at Sunday’s matinee. There are very special families at Deas Island and we are fortunate to teach your children and be a part of your lives over the years. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Warm regards,
Lesley Benham
Director
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SUMMER REGISTRATION – EARLY BIRD DEADLINE JUNE 26TH
If you have any questions please email us.
We have 3 sets of summer programs
1)June Ballet Technique Classes (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
Royal Academy of Dance Grade 3 to Advanced One - Please email us for a brochure
2)Mini Dance Camps for ages 3-6 years (July 13-17)
Please see homepage for brochure
3)Summer Dance Intensives for ages 6 to Advanced (August 24-September 4)
Please see homepage for brochure
_______________________________________________________________
LAST CHANCE DVD ORDERS – DEADLINE JUNE 26th
If you have not yet ordered a dvd of the show, and would like to do so, please make sure we have received your cheques and forms by the June 26th deadline.
If you handed in a form without a cheque, we will need to receive the cheque by the deadline in order to process your order. CHEQUES FOR DVDs SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO JESSE GITTENS.
MAIL IN OR DROP OFF SUMMER REGISTRATION AND VIDEO ORDERS TO:
DEAS ISLAND DANCE
270-6165 HWY 17
DELTA BC
V4K 5B8
_______________________________________________________________ADVANCE REGISTRATION AND PROLINE PHOTOGRAPH PICK UP DAYS
Registration for 2009-2010
Thursday June 25 3-8pm Current Clients
Friday June 26 3-8pm New and Current Clients
Registration packages to be mailed to you before registration.
Photographs will be available for purchase on both the above registration days.
You may now preview photos from photo day on the proline photography site:
Photos will be available for during preregistration in June.
Reprints may be ordered on line after June 26th – please do not attempt to order online before then.
_______________________________________________________________
VANCOUVER BALLET SOCIETY MASTER CLASS
The Vancouver Ballet Society is pleased to welcome Celine Gittens of the Birmingham Royal Ballet to Vancouver for a very special Master Class in July. Celine is our own Miss Janet's beautiful daughter and this will be a wonderful treat to have her teaching in July. Times and dates to be announced. For those of you that are members of the VBS you can let them know you are interested by emailing the VBS with your name, last ballet exam completed, phone number and email address! vbs@telus.net
_______________________________________________________________
FESTIVAL INVOICES
Festival invoices will be handed out this month. Break a leg to all the students who are continuing on to the Grand Championships in Kelowna at the beginning of July.
posted by L. Benham 12:54 PM
Friday, April 17, 2009
DEAS ISLAND DANCE CONCERT AND RAFFLE IN SUPPORT OF HANNAH’S HEROES.
100% of the proceeds from the April 18th concert and the raffle will go directly to Hannah's Heroes.
Deas Island Dance will be holding an afternoon concert on Saturday, April 18 at 1 p.m. at Genesis Theatre in Ladner. The concert will include a variety of performances from dance students performing ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern and more! Tickets cost $8.00 and are available at the box office prior to the show.
Deas Island Dance will also be running a raffle with the following prizes:
Raffle tickets costs are one for $5.00 or three for $10.00 CASH or CHEQUE payable to Hannah’s Heroes.
The following early bird prizes will be drawn on April 18th at the coffee concert:
1. First in line at Mary Poppins Ticket Sales Day*
2. Second in line at Mary Poppins Ticket Sales Day*
3. Third in line at Mary Poppins Ticket Sales Day*
*Winners of these prizes may only buy their own family’s allotment and must arrive 15 minutes before ticket sales begin. *Winners of the early bird prizes will also be eligible to win the prizes drawn on June 7th.
The following prizes to be drawn on June 7th at the closing show of Mary Poppins:
1. One week accommodation in Mexico – March 7 to March 14, 2010
One Weeks Accommodation at Playa del Sol Grand, a five star beach front hotel resort in Nuevo Vallarta Mexico for the week of March 7 to March 14, 2010 (at Spring Break ) in a One Bedroom Suite (maximum occupancy: 4 persons) Value of C$2150.00. Full details including pictures of the resort can be accessed via the website link below. http://www.playadelsolpv.com/nuevo_vallarta_hotel/playa_del_sol_grand/
2. Vancouver Canuck, Alex Burrows, Autographed Jersey
3. Ipod Touch 16gig
4. Mary Poppins – Deas Island Dance 2009 Poster
If you have other prizes which you wish to contribute please email us at deasislanddance@telus.net
For more information about Hannah's Heroes please read on:Charity realizes a dream Foundation donates $35,000 to B.C. Children's Hospital
A local charity started after the death of a Tsawwassen youngster recently realized one of its dreams.
Last month, the Hannah's Heroes Foundation donated $35,000 to B.C. Children's Hospital. The money will be used to establish a research fellowship that will focus on finding the causes of, and ways to treat, pediatric brain tumours.
The foundation was established in 2006 in honour of Hannah Hatlen, a five-year-old Tsawwassen girl. In the fall of 2005, Hannah, who was just four years old at the time, was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a tumour that grows in the brain stem. DIPG only strikes young children and survival is non-existent. Most die within a year. Because of the location and the nature of DIPG tumours, surgery is not an option; the disease is mostly resistant to traditional chemotherapy and other treatments. Hannah had three rounds of different chemotherapies during her fight, which also included alternative methods of treatment.The Hatlens had a year and two weeks with Hannah before the disease claimed her life on Oct. 31, 2006. Hannah's parents, Tore and Kathie Hatlen, established the Hannah's Heroes Foundation shortly before their daughter's death with the goal of raising money to fund research to find a more effective treatment and a cure. The foundation made its first large donation in fulfilling that goal, however Kathie was not there to see the results of the foundation's efforts. She died last fall after her own battle with cancer.
Tore has continued on with the efforts of the foundation in his wife's honour, and the foundation holds several fundraisers throughout the year. Next month, the Hannah's Heroes Foundation will hold its first-ever charity golf tournament at the Tsawwassen Golf and Country Club. The event is scheduled for May 2. Registration starts at 12:30 p.m. with golfers setting off with a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m. Dinner and entertainment will follow. Registration costs $120 per player. For more information, or to download a registration form, visit http://www.hannahsheroes.com/.Jessica Kerr The Delta Optimist Wednesday, April 08, 2009
posted by L. Benham 12:47 AM
Monday, March 02, 2009
MARCH 2009 NEWSLETTER
-Studio Calendar
-Auditions
-RAD Presentations and Exams
-Spring Coffee Concert
-Kitchen
-Lockers
-WHO INSPIRES U?
Deas Island Dance Spring Calendar
Daylight Savings Begins
Sunday March 8 – first day of exams
(reminder we spring forward one hour!)
RAD Ballet Presentations and Exams
March 8- March 12
Mary Poppins Auditions –
Wednesday March 11th 7:30pm -8:30pm
Miss Bronny’s 7:30 Musical Theatre class cancelled – to be
made up after spring break. (More audition details below)
Spring Break
Classes are on as regularly schedule Sat. March 14th
DID Closes Sunday March 15th for Spring Break
DID Reopens on Monday March 30th
Easter Break
DID Closed Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon - April 10-13
Costume Balance Due
Mid April
Spring Coffee Concert
Saturday April 18th (date and time to be confirmed)
International Dance Day
April 29
Photo Day/Ticket Sales
May 2nd and 3rd
Dress Rehearsal Date
May 30th 9:00-5:00 at Genesis Theatre
“Mary Poppins” at Genesis Theatre
June 5, 6, and 7th
Advanced Registration
Mid-Late June
Summer Dance Intensives
Late August/Early September details to follow
AUDITIONS FOR LEAD ROLES FOR MARY POPPINS
WHEN: WEDNESDAY MARCH 11TH 7:30-8:30
WHERE: Downstairs studio.
WHO: Any Deas Island Dance student aged AGED 10 (AS OF THIS YEAR) AND UP who are currently taking 3 or more dance classes.
COMMITMENT: If a student is picked for a lead role it is a commitment for the family in terms of time and energy. Students will have extra rehearsals on the weekends as well as during the week.
You do not need to prepare anything in particular for the audition, but please be familiar with the characters and their personalities. Students will be chosen according to the following criteria:
- Acting: ability to tell a story or portray a character through mime and facial expression
– Work ethic, technique, commitment and attendance record
- Professionalism – please come to the audition dressed neatly, hair done in ballet bun. Ballet attire.
STUDIO KITCHEN AND STUDY AREA
Students are welcome to use the kitchen area downstairs including the fridge and microwave.
As this is the study area for students, please keep noise to a minimum.
Food is only permitted in the kitchen area and the tiled area upstairs.
A friendly reminder that food is not permitted in either of the lobbies.
LOCKER RENTALS
Lockers are now available for students to keep their belongings at the studio. Students who are at the studio several times per week may like to have a locker to store belongings (shoes, hair supplies, non perishable food items).
ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
Consistent attendance and participation is mandatory if students are going to be in choreography for the year end show. If you have an emergency/illness please notify the office by phoning 604-946-5867.
KUDOS!
Congratulations to the following students on their dance accomplishments:
Sarah Marie K – accepted in to American Ballet Theatre Summer Program
Emily K – accepted in to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Summer Program
Lexie D– chosen to be Stage/Jazz representitve for the BC Festival of the Arts
Alex C – Highlighted at the recent Young Peoples concert at the Delta Arts Council
Coffee Concert – Genesis Theatre
We will be hosting a spring concert in April to showcase festival and exam dancers. The tentative date is April 18th (we are waiting on festival dates). More info to follow shortly.
.
And last but not least….Who Inspires U?
I am hoping that you can help one of my former students pursue a dream - simply with a click of the mouse.
After high school, Jennifer Kuhl traveled to Zambia where she volunteered at a community school and women's program. She is planning to return to Zambia this summer, with two other young women, to improve the phonics program she used while in Zambia the first time. This would be a valuable teaching tool for community school teachers.
In order to fund this project she has entered a video essay contest. The prize is $10 000 and she would use the money to further develop the phonics program to suit the needs of Zambian students. You can vote once a day until March 31st - I know she would appreciate every vote possible. The video with the most votes by March 31st will win the grand prize.
.
Jennifer's video is terrific and she has really inspired me - she is a real gem. (Her video number is #14 and she is currently top five so she has a great shot at it!) http://www.whoinspiresu.ca/whoinspiresu/whoinspiresu.html
Many of the students at this year’s summer program will remember ‘Miss Jennifer’ who worked with the students on their breaks doing crafts and imagination station. Jen has the potential to do real good in the world...and we need to encourage young people like her! She does not know that I am sending this out to all the studio families but I know she would appreciate the support.
Please feel free to spread the email to get her the votes she needs. Thanks for your time.
Warm regards and the best of wishes,
Lesley Benham
Director
Deas Island Dance
posted by L. Benham 10:36 PM
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Royal Academy of Dance Vocational Examinations
Best wishes to all the candidates. Break a leg!
Royal Academy of Dance Grades Pre Primary to Grade 8
Many of the ballet classes are learning RAD Ballet syllabus and we will be evaluating students over the next month to see who will be ready for exams and presentations. Please remember that even if students have done exams or presentations in the past, each year is a new year and we continually assess everyone for readiness.
RAD exams and presentations will take place during the first two weeks of March – we will notify you late November if your son or daughter is ready to participate. If students are keen to enter exams or presentations it is important that students now begin practicing at home.
Important Dates
Please mark on your calendar our year end show dates.
May 2nd and 3rd Costume/Class Photos
May 30th 2009 Dress Rehearsal
June 5th, 6th and 7th Performance Weekend
If there is any reason that you will be absent for the show, please let the office know now so that we can plan costumes and choreography accordingly.
We will announce the theme of our year end show in January.
Student Teachers
Thank you to all our student teachers for the time and dedication – you all are terrific mentors to our junior students. We still have a few spots for student teachers. If you are 11 years or older and are interested in student teaching please email us.Remembrance Day
Afternoon and Evening Classes are on as regularly scheduled.
posted by L. Benham 10:16 PM
Saturday, September 06, 2008
REGISTRATION IS ON GOING:
TO REGISTER CALL THE OFFICE 604-946-5867 OR EMAIL US AT deasislanddance@telus.net
ALL DANCE CLASSES START THIS WEEK
All classes will begin Monday September 8th. We will most likely have to modify the schedule at the end of the month for renovation purposes....but unless you are notified all classes are on as scheduled. Please bear with us as we will not yet have our expanded lobby and waiting room - so the first month will be tight for space.
Miss Lisa Metz is currently training in L.A.and will be returning October 1st. Until then we will have guest teachers filling in for her classes.
Please note "Let’s Dance" classes will begin Sept. 23rd/24th.
OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS
Payments for this years dance classes are now due. If you have not yet brought your postdated cheques to the studio, please see us at the office when you come in for your classes this week. You will be issued a copy of your receipt in November.
ADULT DANCE CLASSES - REGISTER NOW!
Adult Tap - Mondays 8:15-9:15
Begins Monday October 6th
10 weeks Cost $126.00 includes GST
Adult Ballet - Wednesdays 8:00-9:00pm
Begins Monday October 1st
10 weeks Cost $126.00 includes GST
DANCE WEAR ON ORDER
Smarty’s has ordered more of the black bike length unitard for jazz, musical theatre, modern and tap. Limbers Dance Discount will have Mulberry and Royal Bloch bodysuits available next week as well as the black bike length unitards.
Please phone the store ahead to confirm that stock has arrived. See the studio handbook for address and phone contacts of these stores
Smarty’s in Tsawwassen (604-943-1033)
Limbers Dance Discount Kerrisdale (604-264-0009) or Hwy 10 (1-800-665-7709)
OFFICE HOURS FOR WEEK OF SEPT 8TH
Caroline Birch will be in to the office during most classes this week.. If you need your invoice payment plan changed to a different billing method please leave a message for her on the studio phone so that she can have the invoice ready for you.
Lesley Benham will be in to the office on Monday September 8th between 3:00-6:30pm. If you have questions regarding dance programs, festival, exam questions please come by and see her during these hours.
Invoices - Costume Deposit
Please remember to enclose your signed invoice with your cheques and to include a separate cheque for the costume deposit for November 1st.
CLASS PLACEMENTS
Students are carefully observed to make sure they are placed in the correct level of class. Please be patient as we work to find the best possible placement for the students. This assessment is usually complete in the first month of classes but we do keep an ongoing eye all students.
SHOE EXCHANGE
All used ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop shoes are now at Smarty’s in Tsawwassen. Please go by and see the staff at Smarty’s by September 22nd to price your shoes with the help from their staff. After this date any unclaimed shoes will go to charity.
We have kept the character shoes at the studio as these have a high turnover and stay in relatively good condition. If you need used character shoes please see us during office hours the first week.
CHARACTER SKIRT EXCHANGE
Lesley and Helen Benham will be in to the studio over the next two weeks to fit ballet students for their character skirts. If we have a used character skirt for you they will cost $25.00.
PINK ORGANZA SKIRTS FOR JR. BALLET:
STORYBOOK, PREPRIMARY AND PRIMARY
If you have not yet purchased your pink skirt for ballet classes - we will have them available at the office. Please arrive a few minutes early to class so that we can fit you for a pink skirt. Skirts cost $18.00 or $20.00 with a pink scrunchie and is cheques or cash are payable to Helen Benham.
WELCOME BACK EVERYONE!!
posted by L. Benham 1:34 PM
