Newsletters

Dear Parents

It is now getting close to the Christmas break and so I wanted to let you know about next term.  We have IDTA examinations on 20th January 2007 and all children age 3 and over will be taking at least one examination on that day.  If you do not wish your child to take part, please let me know as soon as possible so that I can organise the timetable for the day.

Saturday 9.00am and 9.45am classes will be taking 2 rosettes (if they are age 3 by 20th January)
10.30am and 11.00am Primary classes will be taking Juvenile tap and juvenile modern
11.30am Musical Theatre class will be taking Introductory level
12.30pm tap class will be taking Preliminary tap
1.45pm class will be taking 2nd gold bar modern jazz award

Wednesday 4.45pm class will be taking bronze modern jazz award
5.15pm Junior streetdance will be taking one dance team
6.00pm Senior streetdance class will be taking bronze dance team
6.45pm tap class will be 1st Gold Bar tap
7.30pm adult tap class will be taking Bronze tap team
8.15pm adult dancercise class will be taking 1st gold bar dance team.

The exam prices range from £8.00 to £15.00 each, and once I have the timetable confirmed, I will send you all an examination slip with all the details on it.  Payment for the examinations is due on the day of the exam, failure to provide payment will mean your child will not be able to take part.

I also put in for an ISTD examination session, but unfortunatly as I mixed professional examinations with graded ones, the ISTD did not accept this and as I don’t have enough hours to put a session together then the only alternative available at the moment would be to join a session in London.  If you would like your child to do this rather than wait until I can put a session of my own together, please let me know.  The classes affected are Primary modern, Grade 2 modern, Grade 4 modern and Grade 1 tap.  I do apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

As most of you are aware, I am currently pregnant with my 3rd child and therefore as of January will not be teaching any classes.  I will be available for any admin issues or if you wish to purchase uniform etc.  I therefore thought this would be a good opportunity to introduce the teachers for next term.

Teachers

Saturdays 
Kerry Steele
Kerry Steele trained at the Poole Academy of Dance, in Dorset, from the age of 4 studying tap, modern, ballet and acrobatics. She performed in the school's shows at the Lighthouse in Poole, local festivals and also took part in a concert held by the Dorset Dance Forum.

After a break to go to university to study for a degree in Leisure Management and also start a career in Human Resources where she has recently gained a diploma in Human Resources Management, Kerry has returned to dancing. She is keen to impart her love of this art to others and studied for her ISTD teaching exams with the Linda Sweetzer Teacher Training College.

The helpers are Millie and Hattie Gadd and they should be able to answer any queries you may have if Kerry or myself are not available.

Mondays
Robina Jones 
Robina studied ballet and modern at Elmhurst Ballet School from age 8 to 18.  Whilst at university studying to be a doctor, she appeared in several productions including Sweet Charity and West Side Story at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London.  Robina joined Encore Theatre Arts as a pupil in 2006 and is also a Guide Company Leader, teaches at Sunday School and helps run a Church Youth Group.

Wednesdays
Phillipa Woods
Phillipa has studied ballet, tap and modern at Pond-Grainger Performing Arts with Amanda and took her majors at Riipley Dance Academy.  She has been teaching for various schools for the last 8 years. Whilst at Pond-Grainger she danced at the London Palladium, Royal Albert Hall, Her Majestys Theatre, New Victoria Theatre, Woking and 3 times at Disneyland Paris
Phillipa is currently teaching Streetdance at TASIS School, Thorpe, on behalf of Encore Theatre Arts

Term Dates 2008

Saturday 5th January to Saturday 5th April 2008 inclusive. 
Half Term Monday 18th February to Sunday 24th February 2008
There are no classes on Saturday 22nd and Monday 24th March for Easter
Therefore there are 11 weeks of Mini Musics and 12 weeks of all other classes next term.

Please find the timetable and class prices for next term, please note the slight change of times for Saturday classes.  I know January is often a difficult month financially, but I do ask that fees be paid promptly as I am finding a few people are not paying at the beginning of term and I am having to chase them.  If you wish to discuss special payment terms with me, please call me at home or on my mobile. 

Lastly I am planning a new show for next year around June time and once it is all booked, I will let you know the dates.  It would be lovely to have all pupils involved (including Mini Music) and to see just how much the school has grown in the last year.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Many thanks

Amanda