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NEWSLETTER
- TERM 3 2008
(.pdf file)
Term 3 Starts Mon July 21
-- miss D, 17 July 2008 --
Yes, July already! - I for one can not
believe how fast this year is going. Maybe its because of all the
exciting events and activities we are having. In the newsletter
(download above) we have some information regarding the exams,
assessments and other activities that will be held in term 3 as well as
reporting on events from term 2 such as the Annual Recital for Musical
Theatre, Drama and Singing.
Have a lovely holiday and I’ll see you
all next term - classes start again Mon July 21.
-- Student Achievements --
Neil: 18 year old Neil has received his first professional Dance
contract. Based in the USA he will be touring from Florida to Mexico on
a cruise-line. A great way to see the world and kick-start his
professional career in dance. Bon Voyage Neil!
Nick: Nick who is also 18 years old will
also be taking up his first professional Dance Contract on a cruise-line
based in the USA in July. An amazing feat considering Nick only started
to take his dance seriously this year! Previously having studied
Ballroom and Hip-hop he has now mastered pirouettes and grand Jetes. His
intense training this year has included Ballet, Jazz, Modern and Hip-Hop
at The Academy. What an astounding achievement!
Samara: Received a scholarship in dance
to study at ACPE (Australian College of Physical Education). She began
her studies in January– Congratulations Samara!
-- Guest Teacher Lachlan McCarthy --
We have been very excited to have Lachlan McCarthy back at The
Academy in 2008 to teach a series of Open Classes. Lachlan who is on his
annual break from his professional commercial dance career based in L.A.
taught a range of classes including 12-14 Hip-Hop, 15-17 Hip-Hop, 18+
Hip-Hop, Open Modern, and Open Jazz classes.
Lachlan began his career performing on
Cruise ships touring the world. After this he took up the opportunity to
study at ‘The Edge’, a prestigious training facility in L.A for
pre-professional and professional commercial performers. Graduating from
‘The Edge’ he began his now successful career as a commercial dancer
and is contracted throughout the USA and Europe on various commercial
dance projects.
I took a moment to ‘peek’ at some of
the classes and they looked like so much fun I wish I had a chance to do
them! It is wonderful to see the students have the opportunity to take
classes in the most up-to-date styles coming out of the US and Europe
without even leaving the Macarthur area! A big thank you to Lachlan for
your inspiring and challenging classes!
-- Annual Recital 2008! --
Once again the recital was fantastic and it was great to see all the
students giving their best up on stage. The intimate setting at the Arts
Centre allows the audience to be close to the action and really see and
hear the expression in the performances.
A surprise performance by Miss Brooke (to support one of the vocal
performers in her item) was definitely a highlight for many! A special
thank you to all the teachers who were there on the day and made the
recital possible: Miss Brooke, Miss Courteney, Miss Eloise and Miss
Pauline.
Also a huge thank you to some of the senior students who gave up their
Sunday to help out; Danielle (our beautiful MC), Alexandra, Anabella
Lauren Sophie and Renata.
-- Performance Groups--
The performance groups have all been working very hard this year and
in Tem 2 got their first taste of the stage for 2008. We are very proud
of the excellent work they are doing as individuals and most importantly
as a team! They have gotten excellent results in their performances so
far (see the results listed below) —Great work Guys!
Top Hat:
• 10/under Ballet-1st place
• 14/under Jazz-Highly Commended
MACPAS:
• 10/under Ballet-Highly Commended
• 10/Under Jazz-Highly Commended
• 14/under Jazz-2nd place
• 14/under Modern-1st place
NEWSLETTER
- TERM 2 2008
(.pdf file)
-- miss D, 7 May 2008 --
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-- 2008 Annual Recital! --
Just a quick reminder about our Annual Recital for our Singing,
Drama and Musical Theatre students. We will be having two shows
(3pm and 6pm) on Sunday June 29 at Campbelltown Arts Centre with
tickets going on sale Monday from May 26. Tickets will be available
for purchase at the office or calling the studio (Tel: 4647 0255).
Everybody welcome! |

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-- miss D, 28 April 2008 --
-- The NEW studios! --
I hope you have all settled into your classes and have had a fun
first term. The new studios have all come together over Term 1 with only
a few more decorative touches to be added in term 2. I would love to
hear any suggestions from parents regarding the new studios and The
Academy in general so if you have any ideas please ‘post’ them in
the ‘drop box’ located on the hall corner of the reception desk.
-- Mid-year Recital --
This term we are looking forward to preparing for the Mid year recital
for musical theatre, drama and singing students, which will be held at
the Campbelltown Arts Centre on June 29 at 3pm & 6pm. I would like
to invite all parents and students to attend.
-- RAD Ballet Exams --
Exam notes will be handed out in Term 2 in class to students who are
ready to sit their Royal Academy of Dance Ballet exam (the Syllabus
taught at the Academy). Pre-Primary and Primary students who participate
in one Ballet lesson per week and students in Grade 1 and above who
participate in two Ballet lessons per week are eligible to undertake an
examination. The two lessons in grade 1 and above are necessary to
accommodate the volume of work required and to help students prepare
adequately for the exam setting. If you have any questions regarding RAD
Ballet exams or your child’s progress please speak to you child’s
teacher or Miss Danielle.
-- Congratulations Miss Brooke! --
A huge congratulations to Miss Brooke and her fiancé Gerard who
were married on 19th of April! We will be seeing her back at the studio
a couple of weeks into term 2, after her honeymoon.
-- New studio tracksuits --
With the weather cooling down we can all look forward to getting
into our cosy tracksuits. This year we are introducing a studio
tracksuit which children can wear to and from class and during warm-ups
(form fitting dance wear still needs to be worn for dance classes except
Hip-Hop). Orders will be taken in the first 4 weeks of term 2
-- Pyjama dress-up week!
Week 5: May 26-31 For junior students Mummy & Me,
Wigglebugs, Beginners, Pre-Primary, Primary, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3,
Grade 4, Grade 5, 6-8yrs & 9-11yrs.
-- WA Ballet Company - Excursion to
'THE RED SHOES' --
In November the West Australian Ballet Company will be performing The
Red Shoes (made famous by Margot Fonteyn) at the IPAC Theatre in
Wollongong. The Academy will be taking an excursion of students Primary
or above to the IPAC to see the show on Thursday, November 20 at 11am.
The cost of the Performance will be $48 including travel by bus to and
from the venue. The excursion will be fully supervised by Academy
Teachers. If you would like to purchase a ticket for an Academy student
please fill out the form included with this newsletter and return it to
the office the first week of term. There are 25 excursion positions
which will be offered on a first come first serve basis. So be quick to
get your ticket form in! If you did not get a form with this newsletter
please see the office to pick up one.
NEWSLETTER
- JANUARY 2008
(.pdf file)
-- miss D, 16 Jan 2008 --
-- Hi everyone! --
Hope you are all having a super holiday! Miss Brooke and I have been
very busy organising our move to the NEW STUDIOS!! Just to let you
know where it's up to; the ceilings and walls are up and the rooms have
taken shape - I can't believe it has only taken them two days to
do so much! Unbelievable!
Just to let you know, we have made plans to resume classes at the NEW
STUDIOS on Monday 11th February.
Before this, we are planning to hold an OPEN DAY on SATURDAY 9th
FEBRUARY where everyone is invited to come and take a look at the
new studios. Everybody welcome! Keep an eye out in the newspapers and on
the website for any changes to these dates.
Oh - and I hope you like the new website too! Everything is so new and
fresh for the start of the year!
In addition to organising the new studios, Miss Pauline, Miss Allison
and I also attended a sharing seminar with the Australian Ballet School
for their Interstate Junior Program. It was a very informative and
worthwhile day for all of us and I'm sure it will help us with all of
our classical students this year.
It's also great to know that Brett Morgan - Dance Director of Sydney
Dance Company - has signalled his intention to continue working with our
senior classical and contemporary students this year. It is such a
privelege for dance students from the Macarthur region to be given this
opportunity to work with one of the best classical/contemporary dance
teachers in Australia. Thanks Brett!
-- ENROLLING for 2008 --
Just a reminder - If you are a current student wanting to re-enrol
or are a new student wishing to enrol for 2008, please call us 02 4647
0255 or Mob 0405 140 561 - remember class sizes are limited and we would
encourage you to call as soon as possible to ensure you are able to get
into the classes you want.
--NEW CLASS! MUMMY & ME! --
In response to many enquiries, we have decided to trial a new class
which I have called MUMMY & ME. This is a class especially for the
young child aged from 18 months through to about 2-3 years and precedes
our ever-popular Wigglebugs classes for 3-4 year olds. The class will be
taken by myself and is a wonderful way to introduce your young child to
dance and music in a caring, social environment. I hope you can join me!
For more information please call our office on 4647 0255 or Mob 0405 140
561.
-- miss D - 15 Oct 2007 --
-- TERM 4 - PURE DANCE - CONCERT TIME! --
I can’t believe it is already Term 4! Christmas is fast
approaching as are the end of year dance concerts... needless to
say it's a very exciting term for the dance students! We
have posted out a separate package with your special Concert Guide which
explains all the concert details. Please take the time to read through
it as a lot of important information is included (and some things are
slightly different to last year).
HAIR AND MAKE-UP NOTE
-- HAIRSPRAY!! --
Thanks to Miss Brooke for taking the Senior Drama and Musical Theatre
students to see Hairspray recently at Greater Union. Everyone keeps
telling me what a great film it is and I can't wait to get a chance to
see it myself!
-- EXAMS / ASSESSMENTS --
I am very excited with the RAD ballet results! There were so many exceptionally
high marks and I am very proud of you all - all your hard work and focus
in class has definitely
paid off! Thanks also to our team of fantastic teachers - I feel very
lucky to have such a great team of teachers who always have the
children's best interests at heart.
At the moment we are
just waiting for Tap results to come back (should be by the first week
of term 4), and the students will receive their results at the end of
class. All of those students
who participated in their assessment had a thorough knowledge of their
work and are achieving all of their outcomes at a high standard.
Remember if you have any questions regarding your child’s
progress, where they are heading with their dancing or their
exam/assessment I am more than happy to have a chat with you. If you
leave a message at the office for me I will give you a call when I am
not teaching, or organize a time to meet up with you.
-- 2008 timetable --
I have already had
queries in regards to next year’s timetable and I am happy to let you
know that timetables for 2008 will be posted mid Term 4. Again if you
have any queries regarding your times/classes just ask your teacher or
give me a call. There will be a lot of information going out this term
so please do take the time to come in to the studio and check the notice
board for any newsletters missed. Anything that is given out in class
or posted is always put on the notice board as well.
-- Fantastic Achievements --
Wow!!! What a term we have had, many of our students have achieved
amazing results. Its great to see everyone doing so well in their chosen
fields! Here are just a few of their highlights for this term…
- Our performance groups performed at the OohLaLa Dance Competition and did the
studio proud:
14/u Jazz - 1st Place
10/u Jazz - Highly Commended
14/u Modern - 2nd Place
10/u Ballet - Highly Commended
Alexandra - A fantastic performance as “Annie” in Annie
Get Your Gun. Alex also performed her first full length ballet with the
Premier State Ballet Company in the “Nutcracker”.
Natasha - Dance Blitz Eisteddfod 1st, Wollongong Song & Dance
Fesitval HC.
Georgia - Was accepted into the Australian Ballet School Junior
Associate program. Ooh La La Eisteddfod 2nd in Demi Character and HC for
Ballet.
Danielle - Wollongong Song & Dance Fesitval HC for
Ballet.
Emily - Appeared on Home and Away doing Extra work.
Vivian - Ooh La la Eisteddfod HC in Jazz and 3rd in Modern,
Wollongong Song and Dance Festival HC for Jazz, Dance Blitz Eisteddfod
1st in Jazz.
Sheridan - Ooh La La Eisteddfod HC for Jazz. Her first solo
eisteddfod. Well done!
Anabella - Received the Joan & Monica Halliday Award for
Grade 6 Ballet from the RAD.
Juanita - Received the Joan & Monica Halliday Award for Grade
2 Ballet from the RAD.
Mitchell - Danced for Tyra Banks’ Americas Next Top
Model.
Jess & Tom - appeared on the front cover of Australian Dance
Teacher Magazine.
Natasha & Jayden - WON every duet that they were entered in.
-- miss D - 3 Sep 2007 --
-- RAD Classical Ballet grade exams
and assessments --
Thank you kids, mums and dads for such a wonderful week - the
children looked beautiful and all of them (well, nearly all!) came out with great
big smiles! Thank you also to our examiner and pianist who helped make
the week run so smoothly. The reports take a little bit of time to come
back, and we will let you know as soon as we receive them. :)
-- Australian Ballet School auditions
--
Congratulations to those who auditioned - I think its a good
learning experience and I'm sure you all gained something from the
process. An extra big congratulations to Georgia who has been accepted
on the junior interstate associate program - a fantastic achievement!
-- Concert time is just around the
corner! --
Many of you will soon begin or have already started learning and
rehearsing items for the end-of-year concerts held at the Camden Civic
Centre (junior concerts) and the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (Gala
concert). This is an extra-fun time of year, so be sure to keep an eye
out on the noticeboards at the studio to stay up-to-date with all the
latest info.
-- miss D - 7 Aug 2007 --
-- Guest Teachers --
Its been fantastic to have a number of ex-students and guest
teachers back in Sydney during their holidays, sharing their
knowledge and experiences with the students. An extra big thank-you to
those teaching some classes at the academy whilst they are here:
Karina Bujnowicz - Commercial Pro
Contract in France - teaching Open Jazz
Mitchell Turnball - Commercial Pro Contract USA/Europe - teaching Open
Modern
Skye-Ashley Harrison - Hamburg Ballet Company - teaching Open Ballet
& Modern
** Brett Morgan will be continuing to teach the Open Ballet and Open Modern
classes on Saturday mornings whenever
he is not touring with Sydney Dance Company **
-- RAD Classical Ballet exams --
Congratulations to all those who recently received their results
from their Royal Academy of Dance vocational exams. Some really
fantastic results - well done! And wow - there's so many of you now
doing Advanced ballet!!
And best of luck to all the younger students preparing for their
upcoming RAD Classical ballet grade exams. Don't forget to keep working
in class and practising at home to get the results you want to achieve!
-- Individual Achievements --
Natasha D- 3rd Singing at Wollongong Eisteddfod.
Vivian H - 2nd Jazz at Macpas Eisteddfod, HC Jazz at Wollongong Eisteddfod.
Neil M - For your successful audition with the Paris
Opera Ballet’s production of Swan Lake at the Capitol Theatre.
Juanita - 1st Ballet and Jazz Impro at Macpas Eisteddfod, 1st
Demi-Character, HC Ballet, 3rd Jazz at Wollongong Eisteddfod.
Anabella - 1st Ballet and 1st Demi Character at Wollongong Eisteddfod
-- McDonalds Challenge --
And congratulations to those who performed recently in the McDonald's Performing
Arts Challenge. Special congrats to:
Anabella - HC 13yr Classical Ballet Champ'ship and HC 13yr
Demi-Character
Jayden - 2nd place 13-14yrs Classical Singing
(Pictured below: Anabella and Jayden performing at the McDonalds
Challenge.
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-- miss D - 18 June 2007 --
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-- Annual Recital 2007 --
Our singing, drama and musical theatre students will be performing in
two fantastic shows on Sunday 24 June at the Campbelltown Arts Centre.
3pm and 6pm.
Come along, be entertained, and support our up-and-coming young
performers!
Tickets: Adults $16
Students $12
Tel: 4647 0255 |
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-- Paris Opera Ballet --
I was lucky enough to be given tickets to the opening night last
Saturday of the Paris Opera Ballet's performance of Swan Lake at the
Capitol Theatre in Sydney. What an AMAZING company. It was also wonderful
to see one of our senior male students Neil, onstage as a 'supernumerary'
obtaining some valuable and inspirational experience with one of the best
Ballet companies in the world. If you have managed to get tickets you will
not be disappointed!
-- Performance Groups --
Well done to all the performance groups who performed recently at the
Macarthur District Eistedfod (MACPAS). For many of the younger ones it was
their first time performing in a competition and they did so well... all
the teachers are very proud of you! Keep practising hard - you are all
performing beautifully! Good luck to you all at Wollongong!
-- Vocational Classical Ballet --
Best of luck to all our senior students currently undertaking their 'Majors'
exams in Classical Ballet. You are all looking beautiful!! CHOOKAS!
-- miss D - 30 April 2007 --
-- It has been a lovely start to the
year, with everybody relaxing into their classes and new timetables.
We are all very pleased with the students’ progress so far this year
and with Term 1 as an indicator, we are really looking forward to the
rest of the year! It has been great to notice that grooming has been
exemplary this term (especially in ballet class) with neat hair and
outfits, thank you to all the Mum’s, Dad’s and anyone else who helps
with the children in this department, we really appreciate your time and
effort.
It has been great to see the new jazz and modern classes really take
off, the students enthusiasm, energy and standard of work have assured
us that these classes are taking the students in the right direction.
UPCOMING DATES - Term 2
Term 2: Monday 23 April 2007 through to Saturday June 30
Week 4 (14th to 20th May)
• “Bring A Friend Week”
• Sat 19th May—Drama Production Class Performance
Week 6 (28th May to 3rd June)
• Dress Up Week - Pajama’s
Week 9 (18th to 24 June)
• 24th June - Annual Recital for Drama, Singing and Musical Theatre
students at Campbelltown Arts Centre
Week 10 (25th June to 1st July)
• 30th June/1st July - Troupes Dance at Wollongong City Eisteddfod at
the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre
-- Term 1 saw the Jazz performance
groups perform their first show of the year. They performed at the
Camden Show to much applause - you all did a great job and I am very
proud of you! We look forward to the Ballet, Modern and Jazz
performances next term. Keep an eye on the whiteboard for dates and
places, we love to have a big audience!
-- BALLET & TAP EXAMS
Ballet and Tap exam information will go out in Term 2, so make sure you
keep an eye out! To be eligible to do the ballet exams you need to be
doing the two ballet classes per week to ensure that you are able to
cope with the demands of an examination environment.
-- DRAMA PRODUCTION CLASS
Performance - Saturday 19th May @ the studios
The students from the Drama Production class will be putting on their
first performance of the year on Saturday 19th May at the studios. You
will probably have noticed all the posters around the studios which the
students designed themselves, with the acts themselves also written and
devised by the students to give them an insight into the various aspects
of staging a performance. Entry to the performance is by a gold coin
donation.
-- CONGRATULATIONS!
Natasha D - Was chosen out of thousands of applications to audition
for Billy Elliot the Musical for the role of 'Debbie', and made it to
the final call back! We are so proud of your achievement!!!!
Alexandra C - Who was asked to audition for the Premier State Ballet
Co. Auditions are by invitation only and we are so proud to hear that
she was asked to join!! What a great opportunity!
Anabella S - 1st place - Grade 6 Royal Academy of Dance Easter
School Scholarship; Top Hat Eisteddfod – 1st place Classical and
Highly Commended Demi Character
Juanita S - 1st place - Grade 2 Royal Academy of Dance Easter
School Scholarship
Georgia E - Highly Commended - Grade 3 Royal Academy of Dance
Easter School Scholarship
Vivian H – Highly Commended Top Hat Eisteddfod
-- VOCATIONAL GRADE EXAMS
Good luck to all students who are undertaking their vocational grade
exams next term. Students who participate in these exams need to travel
to Sydney to do them. The vocational grade exams are for the elite
ballet students and are a great stepping stone towards their careers in
dance.
-- AUSTRALIAN BALLET SCHOOL AUDITIONS
Good luck to students participating in upcoming auditions - hope you
kept up with your stretching over the holidays!
--Brett's back! -- Just to let the senior students know
that Brett Morgan is back from the Sydney Dance Company tour of the USA
and will be taking most of the Open Ballet and Contemporary classes on
Saturday mornings this term. Great to see you back Brett!
-- miss D - 12 Feb 2007 --
-- Hope everyone's settling into their new classes... and
having lots and lots of fun! A great big welcome to all the new faces at
the studio - it's great to have a fresh injection of such energetic and
enthusiastic students! We still have vacancies in a number of classes so
if you are wishing to find a more suitable day or time just check with
the office staff. Also, just a reminder to keep your eyes on the
noticeboards at the studio for various events and opportunities
throughout the year... we like to keep everyone as informed as possible
and the noticeboard is really good for that.
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-- SUMMERdance07 -->
A big thanks to Lachlan McCarthy and Laura Panella for a
fantastic day... and a really fun way to start the year!
Not only did the students learn lots of hot new moves and offload
a ton of energy, but they also got a chance at the end of the day
to have a talk with both of the teachers about the dance scene and
life in LA.
Thanks guys! |
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-- Bye Jess -- Bye Tom (again!) --
The teachers and senior students had a wonderful farewell party for
one of our senior students Jess, who recently left to take up a
full-time position at the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts
in Perth (WAAPA). And then there's Tom... off again on a contract
to Tokyo and his adoring fans. Big hugs and best of luck from me and
everyone!!! We'll miss you both lots!!
-- miss D - 9 Jan 2007 --
-- Happy New Year everybody! -- and welcome back to what is going to
be another wonderful year at the Academy! I hope you have had a relaxing
holiday season and every one is refreshed for the new year. Normal
classes for 2007 resume on Monday January 29th, and I know all the
teachers can't wait to get back into it!
-- Enrolling for 2007 --
New students
We have our open days on Wednesday January 24 (2-7pm) and Saturday
January 27 (10am-5pm). Or you can call us on 02 4647 0255 or Mob 0405
140 561 for more information.
Current students
A reminder to current students that class sizes are limited and are
now considered open to new students, so if you would like to keep a
place in class for 2007, be sure to call us (Tel 647 0255 or Mob 0405
140 561) to let us know you are returning this year.
-- Our new office manager! Yay! First up this year I would like
to introduce Brooke Warren as our new office manager. Most of you will
already know Brooke as our drama teacher, but this year she will be
working along side myself to organize all things ‘Academy’. Please
feel free to contact either of us with any queries you may have.
-- Congratulations all concert performers! -- You
were all fantastique! We have had so many positive comments about your
shows and how wonderful and beautiful you all are, and I really do
agree...you all did a great job and all of your teachers are so proud of
you! Thank you for making the end of 2006 so great! Concert videos will
be ready for pick-up from the office when you return.
--SUMMERDANCE07 -- A reminder about the awesome workshop
Lachlan McCarthy and Laura Panella will be holding at the Academy
on Saturday January 27th. Lachlan is an Australian pro-dancer based in
LA whilst Laura is a manager at the Edge studios, the studio that was
behind behind LA Danceforce. It promises to be a great day of
everything dance, and is open to dancers from all studios. Class numbers
are limited so to book a place call 0405 140 561 ASAP.
--Brett's back! -- We were so privileged to have Brett
Morgan, acting Artistic Director of Sydney Dance Company teach,
choreograph and rehearse our senior ballet and senior contemporary
classes in 2006, and he has already contacted me with the dates he is
going to be available to come out again this year - squeezing us in
whenever he can in-between the Sydney Dance Company touring schedule.
Great to have him back!
--Exciting new JAZZ program! --
In 2007 the Academy is introducing an exciting new jazz program. After
the popularity of extension jazz, Open Jazz and hip-Hop classes in 2006,
we know the new jazz program will be very popular with the students. It
will give them the opportunity to work on their technique and also a
chance to incorporate all the most up-to-date and cutting edge dance
moves. This will not only make classes more fun but will also enable the
students to spend more time extending their jazz work, gaining
flexibility and excelling at the moves that look great. Students will be
assessed at the end of the year, ensuring they have reached the outcomes
in that grade before progressing on the next level.
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