Note From Jen at The Dance Centre:

Dear Dancers,

Thank you so much for your interest in the technique class that I will be teaching on Mondays from 2:30- 4 pm, beginning September 12. Unfortunately our numbers from confirmed registration are not high enough for us to hold this class the way that it is currently set up. I feel so passionate about working with those of you who have the desire and willingness to progress and improve as dancers, so I have decided to allow you to pay per class rather than requiring an upfront monthly tuition for the class. I understand and respect that many of you are on your own to pay for extra classes, and I feel for you! It wasn't long ago that I was there myself.

Here's what I would like to try. I will allow students to take this class as a "drop in" class where you can simply pay for each class when you come. Instead of our $50 monthly tuition for the 1.5 hour class/week, the rate per class will be $10 per class and will be payable to me directly. For those who plan on attending each week, you can purchase a punch card for (4) classes at a time ($40) so that you don't have to bring payment with you every week. Kathie (the studio owner) has been so generous to offer this in the past and has lost a lot of money because of it. I don't want her to suffer for it again, and am willing to take on the risk myself. I really feel passionate about helping the dancers in our community to see past their high school dance goals, and allow them to grow to a place that they may pursue further avenues at a collegiate level if that's what they desire.

I will give this a trial period of 4 weeks. If we don't have consistent enough numbers each week, I will have to drop this class and can integrate any consistent students who would like to continue training into our other technique classes that are offered (likely on Thurs evenings from 4-6 pm).

If you plan on joining us, please fill out the attached release form and have an adult sign it (if the dancer is under 18). Our studio is located at 7087 N Lake Point Road and is a detached building to Kathie's home. It looks like a large garage from the outside. If you need directions or have any questions, please feel free to call me: 801.541.6901.

I really hope that we can make this work. I look forward to working with you beautiful girls!

Jen

The Dance Centre

From Jen at the Dance Centre,

Hi Beautiful Stallionettes!

Thank you for expressing interest in the jazz technique class that I will be teaching at The Dance Centre this fall. I look forward to hopefully working with each of you on improving technique this year. You are so talented and I can't wait to see what you can do!

Here is our studio's schedule for the fall. Please note that the class that will be catered to your team will be held on Mondays from 2:30-4:00. We will focus on jazz technique, particularly on turns and leaps. If there are any particular moves that you would like to work on that are in your routines, please let me know and I will do my best to incorporate them in our class. Monthly tuition will be $50 for the 1.5 hour weekly class.

Please email me asap if you plan on attending this class so that we can register you and confirm a space in the class. Please note that we require a 6 student minimum to keep this class. Please feel free to email or call me with any questions. You can also contact the studio's owner Kathie Steinagel for more information on the classes, studio, tuition, etc.

Pirouettes

Here is another great video by Just for Kix demonstrating on how to do pirouettes. Everything she says in this video are all things we've talked about in practice. Look at her prep; her back foot isn't too far out, she is even/centered on both feet, and is in a deep plie. Her arms help propel her around and help her stay controlled. Abs are tight and she is drilling that foot into the floor, her passe is pulled up, connected and she is spotting.

Please be practicing these and your al la secondes at home! You will get these in doubles and triples- it just takes time, dedication, and effort. We have a lot of talent on our team, and every one of you have what it takes! We are AWESOME! Keep practicing and stretching at home, working hard at practice, and I know we will be fantastic this year! Go Stallionettes!

al la secondes

Hey cute girlies-

Today I felt was a little rushed going through our a la secondes, and since they are so important (because they will be in our camp routine and dance routine), I decided to make a post talking about the technique of it so that you can practice at home. (I know you won't have room to do it full out)

I want to make sure all my instructions are clear.

I found a video on you tube that does a great job at explaining and demonstrating. (when watching, please don't listen to her counts though... ours are different)

Look at her posture, form, flexibility and strength. Like I said, some of you may not be able to bring your leg to hip height until we get our strength in our hip flexors and flexibility up (which will happen the more you practice these)
The main changes in levels will happen on counts 1 and 2.
Counting goes:

• (5,6) prep 7,8


• AND 1 - there shouldn't be much of a level change from AND to 1, but a deep plie (she does a great job at this in the video)


• 2 - everything comes to second, arms strong and tight, and leg completely straight


• 3- plie again to corner


• 4- everything comes to second again


• and so on

*Things to focus on:

• Spot


• lemon juice (ya know what I mean)


• abs tight (remember, the tighter your abs and the quicker your spot, the easier these will be)


• heads up


• precise arms


• DRILLING the ball of your foot into the ground


• NO hopping! (Unless I make you hold it! haha)

Getting started correctly is half the battle... it is the hardest part. If you get your first a la seconde correct, your next should be golden!

Practice your form at home. Do the basic things that she does at the beginning of the video. This WILL help your turns if you do this for just 5 minutes a day at home. Keep stretching, smiling, and being awesome!