Back to Dance!
I hope that everyone has had a fabulous summer. For me summer is a time to rest, reflect, plan, reconnect with family and friends. Whatever summer is for you I hope it was exactly what you needed at this time.
The end of August for us at Encore Studios is both exciting and scary: exciting because we get to start a new season, and scary because of the overwhelming amount of work needed to be done before the first day of classes which seems insurmountable! Sorting schedules, planning teachers, lesson planning, music preparation, administration and paperwork, and getting the word out that we are a studio to be considered for dancers and their families takes an incredible amount of time, effort, and resources. But it's all worth it when we get to our first day of classes and see that we have created a culture and space that is incredible with like-minded families who know that dance classes are about so much more than a 'pas de bourre' :).
Our families joined together last week on August 17th for a community picnic in Coronation Park. It was great seeing so many members of our extended family joining in food, games, face-painting, and spontaneous dance performances. We offered everyone the opportunity to purchase a 'meal' consisting of a hot dog, drink, and chips and for every meal sold we would donate $1 to the Children's Wish Foundation. I am so proud that we were able to donate $125! Some people actually gave beyond the 'meal' price. Thank you so much for helping to make this donation possible. It's just one more example of the caliber of families we have as part of the larger 'Encore Family'.
It also gave new families the opportunity to see what the people and culture of Encore Studios is all about. We have one more formal opportunity to do just that before classes commence: Our Open House will be held on August 31st from 5:30 - 7:30pm. We would love to have our existing students take part in the demo classes to make the new students feel more comfortable. The schedule is as follows:
5:30 - "Mini Stars" for 2 year olds and their parents
6:00 - "Little Shining Stars" Preschool Class for 3 - 4 year olds
6:30 - Tap & "Vocal Theatre" for ages 5 - 8
7:00 - "Hip Kids" hip hop class for ages 9 - 12
(By the way, the classes in quotes are programs exclusive to Encore Studios!)
We will also be have the teens doing demos throughout the Open House. If you are an existing student and would like to help welcome new friends by dancing in the demo classes, please RSVP so we know to expect you at encorestudioswinnipeg.leadpages.co/open-house/
If you are looking to see if Encore is the right choice for your family - please join us! And RSVP to the same link :). We can't wait to meet you!
We are busy getting together Grab Bags for those that are new to Encore. Current students, if you bring someone new to Encore at the Open House, you will get entered into a draw for a special prize!
I can't tell you how excited I am to start the new dance season with all of you! I'm so grateful for your patronage, and will continue to work towards our objectives:
Make dance FUN
Allow all students the chance to SHINE
Be a place of friendship and RESPECT
Where students can appreciate the JOY of having dance in their lives
Ms. Tobi
Artistic Director