564 – 566 Brookline Blvd
Havertown, PA 19083
610-446-8844
Dear Parents and Students,
Having completed our 5 summer camps and evening intensives, we now look towards the upcoming 2011-2012 dance season. I am happy to welcome back all our wonderful and highly experienced teachers.
Our level 1 classes will be a combination class.
-Thursday 4:00 – 5:00 includes ballet and tap
-Friday 4:45 – 5:45 includes ballet and jazz/hip hop
-Monday 5:45 – 6:30 will be dedicated to ballet only
The students in the combination classes will perform in 2 dances in the recital. The parents will be responsible for 1 costume only.
Spring Show: This show displays the best of our most advanced students. It also displays original choreography by our creatively talented teachers. Petit Ballerinas, students in levels 5/6 will participate in both The Nutcracker and Spring Show.
Please Mark Your Calendars:
| Nutcracker Ballet | Sunday, December 4, 2011 | Performances 1:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. |
| Spring Show | Saturday, March 17, 2012 | Performance 7:00 p.m. |
Ballet Levels 1 through 6 are welcomed to participate with our Ballet Company
Reminders:
- Petit Ballerinas: Students in Ballet Levels 5/6 who attend Ballet class 2x per week. They participate in the Nutcracker and Spring Performances.
- Pre-pointe classes begin in Level 4. Ballet students must take 2 classes per week to move on to pointe in Ballet 5.
- If the schedule does not allow you to take the recommended classes, there is always a solution. Please call the studio for suggestions.
- Hip Hop Levels C and D only must have white street sneakers. No black soles.
- The Village Dance Shoppe in Wayne is the official store for expert fit for dance shoes. Shoes, tights and some dance wear will be available at registration. The shoes that your child wears are very important. Our ballet shoe price is lower than Payless and the shoe is of better quality. Please consider this before purchasing shoes elsewhere.
See you soon!
Linda
Pointe work should not be attempted by a young or older dancer until the feet and legs are strong in demi-pointe exercises. That usually requires three or four years of regular technique classes. If you don't have a complete understanding of how to work properly in ballet slippers, you're not ready for pointe. Readiness is based on a student's technical level, muscular strength, body structure and attitude.
Students need to understand that "taking pointe" is not undertaking the study of a new technique. They are working on their pointe technique each time they do an exercise at the barre since these exercises are preparing them to be able to execute movements on their toes.
In order to achieve the proper pre-training for pointe it is important that students take a ballet class more than 1 time per week. A minimum of 2 classes are recommended beginning in level 4. In many cases the students who follow this recommendation are able to begin pointe work during level 5. At this level, pointe work is gradually introduced at the end of ballet class.
It should also be noted that age has relatively little to do with readiness for pointe work. Leg and body development as well as a child's emotional maturity are the keys. Readiness is an individual matter as each child matures at a different rate.
In many cases when a child reaches ballet level 4 at Radomile Academy they are not necessarily ready to give up another activity to devote 2 days a week to ballet. Perhaps they may choose to wait a year or as they and their parents see this as a crossroad, may choose to discontinue the study of ballet altogether. It is my belief that the study of ballet can continue for these students without ever having the pressure of moving onto pointe. Our program allows for this possibility.
It is our intention to develop both the more serious ballet student as well as the student who studies for pure enjoyment.
With this in mind, the children who took 2 ballet classes per week during ballet 4 and continue to study 2 times a week in level 5 should purchase pointe shoes at The Village Dance Shoppe in Spread Eagle Village, where all the sales people are qualified to fit your child properly. Students should purchase a shoe that will provide good support, wide ribbon, elastic (2 pieces per shoe) and toe pads. Please note that pointe shoes should fit the exact size of the child's foot. No room for growth is considered as this could cause blisters and other foot problems. Please allow anywhere from ½ hour to 1 hour for the shoe fitting process.
Some of the above information was taken from 'The Pointe Book' by Jane Barringer and Sarah Schlesinger.
The Regular Division Pointe students use their pointe shoes in all their classes. Starting in September pointe students should wear their shoes during barre.
The goal of this program is to introduce children ages 3 to 6 to the basics of dance movement. They are exposed to many varieties of music and movement with an emphasis on ballet as the basis of all other dance. The children explore the use of space. They are encouraged to develop strong flexible limbs, good balance and body awareness.
The youngest children ages 3 – 5 are inspired to use their creativity through the use of rhythm sticks, musical instruments, poetry, dance books, and videos.
Children in pre-school 4+ have an option to incorporate tap into their instruction. All classes are geared towards the "uniqueness" of the children. All classes are planned according to the muscular development of the children.
Children in pre-ballet also have the option to incorporate tap or jazz into their instruction. Both tap and jazz help the children with rhythm and counting to different types of music. All ballet instruction is taught with classical music. All recital pieces will be ballet.
Parents may observe on designated days. A notice will be given. Recital participation is optional. Please consider the following before you bring your child to class each week:
1. Please be certain your child uses the bathroom before they enter the dance room.
2. Please remove all small objects (i.e. – jewelry, hairpins, small toys, money) from your child before class. Please tie, cut, or tack all ribbons on shoes as well.
3. Please try to be prompt in bringing and picking up your child for class. If you are delayed, please call as a courtesy.
4. Please know that some days children just "don't feel like it". If your child is upset it does affect all other members of the class. You are welcome to make up in any one of the other pre-school classes.
5. Please refrain from bringing children who are ill to class. Again you can make up in another class.
6. All elastic at the top of each child's shoe should be knotted, cut at an appropriate length and tucked in. Please ask your teacher for instructions.
7. In adherence to the Fire code and for the safety of your child and all other children – the narrow hallway must be kept clear at all times. School bags, dance bags, etc. should be kept in the dressing room. Kindly leave baby strollers outside of the studio.
Radomile Academy's Petit Ballerinas are a group of young dancers who will be performing age-appropriate parts with our Ballet Company in the Nutcracker Ballet and Spring Ballet Performance. Students in levels 5 and 6 are eligible to join. Here are the requirements:
1. Dancers must attend ballet class 2 or more times per week.
2. Friday class may have to be the second class because rehearsal follows.
5:30 – 6:00 Rehearsals may be longer if necessary.
3. Dancers must conduct themselves in a professional manner
4. Dancers must be dressed appropriately for every class.
5. Dancers will be charged a performance fee to participate.
6. Dancers must be able to attend extra rehearsals if necessary on Thursday evenings, Saturday and/or Sunday afternoons. Sufficient notice will be given on these occasions.
This experience will provide the dancers an opportunity to better understand the commitment necessary to join the Ballet Company.
- Phone: (610)446-8844
- E-mail: radomileacademyofdance@comcast.net
- Website: www.radomileacademyofdance.com