Dance Act Sing - Academy of Performing Arts Macarthur - School in Narellan Sydney Australia

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 --

-- 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.

-- miss D - 18 June 2007 --

-- 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.

-- 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.