Congratulations Miss Melissa

NEWSLASH- Our gorgeous, always smiling, multi talented Miss Melissa has just been awarded the Dubbo Eisteddfod Speech & Drama Scholarship ( $1000 to go towards pursuing her Acting Talents!!) We are so very proud! We always knew you were a star! Now you are a cashed up star! Well Done. Can I have your autograph please? Move over Cate Blanchett. Nicole who? Remember her name. Melissa McDonald. You saw her here first!
Dubbo Eisteddfod Dance is but a mere 7 minutes away from commencing.............Let's raise the curtain on a wonderful week. Whoo Hoo.

DUBBO EISTEDDFOD

Can it really be that time of year again?
It seems so....Get your glue gun fired up and get set and ready to BE DAZZLED!!
Best wishes to all the Stepping Out students who will be treading the boards from this Friday onwards. We look forward to seeing you do your very best!
Dubbo Eisteddfod Group Notes have gone home this week. Our Groups will perform on the 18th & 19th June.
Get ready to Shine!

Gulgong Eisteddfod Results- Part 2

Finally, ( amidst what has been a huge few weeks) I will continue my spiel on all things "GULGONG!"
Our Senior Students performed with aplomb. Congratulations to Brandi McGuire, Courtney Hart, Paris Burns, Melissa McDonald, Imogen Slack-Smith, Amelia Rice, Amber Bunt for outstanding performances.
Special note to Courtney who was asked to perform the weep inducing Demi Character and high point score winning routine for the Grand Concert. Amber was ecstatic to come 2nd in the Open Jazz Championship and Paris was delighted with her Highly Commended in the Ballet Championship.
Honestly, all these students do so many routines and had so much success, I really just do not have the room to write every result but know this girls we are so incredibly proud of you and can't wait to see you on stage at Dubbo.

SENSATIONAL SOLOISTS

I finally have the opportunity to emerge from the blanket of sleep deprivation (thanks Miss Evie) and take some time to pay homage to our outstanding soloists who did us exceptionally proud in Gulgong. I will also endeavour to wash up, answer my mobile, forget to do the laundry ( sorry kids those socks are walking on their own to school, do some year 12 marking and as Master Archer would lead me to believe, most importantly cling on his every word and meet all his demands PRONTO!)
So, while he is momentarily sated by Scooby Doo and Tiny Teddies and Evie has vacated her reserved seating on my lap, I shall report on the WEEK THAT WAS.
The real joy came in seeing our kids take to the stage for the first time this year and their first appearances with new routines and costumes. It was fantastic to catch up with other mums, teachers and dancers from other areas. Toddlers & Tiaras has nothing on all of us. With Dream Duffel bag laden, (can I say a Must have?!) we rode off into the ummmm, fog to Gulgong.
Little Miss Laura Keizer stormed the stage and brought some sunshine to the dreary day with her Jazz ( Walking on Sunshine & Classical.) Laura was awarded 2nd for her classical and Highly Commended for her Jazz. She was so pleased. Our Under 8s Classical students were beautiful. Go Onny, Go Brinley, Go Rhiannon.Congrats to Rhiannon Griffith for a Highly Commended in this section. Holly Keizer shone in the Under 8s Demi Character ( never has there been a more perfect Alice) and won 1st place. Holly was also awarded Highly Commended in her Tap Solo, 1st in her Modern Expressive Solo, 2nd in Song & Dance ( the girl can really sing and this was an Under 12 section), 1st in Modern Expressive Impro and DRUM ROLL "7 & 8 YEARS TROPHY FOR MOST PROMISING DANCERYAY!!style="font-weight:bold;">
Maeve Sparrow danced beautifully in her Modern Solo and received 1st place for a very cleverly performed Classical Ballet Impro. Rhiannon Griffith ( with choreography by Zara Duffy & gorgeous training by Suzanne Duffy)danced beautifully in her Modern and won her Demi Character Solo with a most convincing routine. Brinley Catto received 2nd in her Modern, Highly Commended in both her Impros with fantatsic performances.Congratulations to my Onny who danced up a storm with Singing in the Rain and Rhiannon for her Rocking Robin routine. Rhiannon was also awarded the Trophy for Encouragement Under 8 years. Go Rhiannon.
Paris Burns received 2nd in the Classical Ballet 13/14 years. Brandi McGuire got through her first pointe' dance with finesse' and Courtney Hart received Highly Commended for her Classical. Melissa McDonald also making her pointe' debut received 2nd in the Restricted Demi and Amber Bunt looked like she had been in those pointe shoes for years in the ballet. Well Done Girls.
Brandi McGuire got a 3rd in her Jazz and then everyone fell into bed exhausted. This was just DAY 1.
Day 2 I took a much needed hiatus and relied on the beep beep of mobile alerts. It felt like I was there.Congratulations to Jade Bunt and Meg Keizer who danced beautifully in their Classical Solo. Meg received HC in her Tap Solo, 3rd in her Contemporary solo, 3rd in her Modern Solo and 2nd in her duo with Jade Bunt. Jade received 3rd in her Modern, 2nd in her Contemporary, 1st in her Jazz and in a solo that brought down the house, 1st in her Entertainment. Jade was later awarded the Encouragement Trophy for her age group 9 & 10yrsyay!!
Jody Howard was amazing in her solo debut performance. Well done Jody. Brandi Mcguire received 3rd in her Contemporary in a shiver inducing performance.
to be continued..........................there is loads more.....Evie is irked and Arch has demolished the tiny teddies and my sanity.

Gulgong Eisteddfod Results

Well what a week we have all had over at Gulgong! i am slowly recovering. Lots of early starts and very long days. We are very proud of everyone who participated and special thanks to all the Mums, Dads and supporters.
Costumes for 2011 look incredible and Miss Emma and myself were enraptured with our Group performances and the stellar performances all week by our very talented soloists.
LOTS OF FANTASTIC SOLO RESULTS TO FOLLOW but Group Results are;
* 10yrs Jazz- 1st place
* 12yrs Jazz-1st place
* 14yrs Jazz-1st place
* Open Jazz- 2nd place
* 10yrs Modern- 1st place
* 12yrs Modern- Highly Commended
* 14yrs Modern- 1st place and Highly Commended
* Open Modern- both groups equal 1st
STEPPING OUT was also awarded BEST JUNIOR GROUP and BEST SENIOR GROUP. Our 10 years Jazz won Junior Group with ABC Boogie and Open Modern Dolls were awarded Best Senior Group with the impressive score of 97.
Bring On Dubbo! So relieved we are ready and raring to go.

STAGE MOTHERS!!! PFFFFFT

So, just letting you know, I am now a very proud and dedicated SOCCER MUM and NETBALL MUM. Funny moment, our costume designer extraordinaire and devoted Aunt, Sonya was spotted at the soccer ovals commenting on how great they looked in their red "costumes!" Try uniforms, but hey, I agree, a little bit of sequin, a little bit of razzle dazzle and they would have looked even better! WHOO !! GO ORANA SPURS! GO ST FUNKY FAIRIES!
I just went a little bit GAGA but am loving the opportunity to support from the sidelines. Let's hope Cale and Onny don't possess my sporting ummm "prowess."
So, after hearing news reports of a Sydney coach who was beseiged by fold out chairs and had to defend himself with scissors, I am hoping, come Eisteddfod season that I don't see any of my beloved stage mums approach with similar weapons of destruction. Pointe shoes can be deadly!

WHEN YOUR PHONE RINGS AND IT'S..........??????

So yes my phone rings, beeps, vibrates almost constantly.....so sure, it could be anyone. I have had so many calls this week from new students! Term 2 looks set to be big and of course there have been calls wanting some holiday lessons but imagine my surprise when the phone rings, I answer to discover, my old pal MR MICKEY MOUSE inviting us back for a triumphant RETURN USA DANCE TOUR! YAY!! ( Cartwheel, Toyota leap, much squealing, much pinching myself!!)
YES STEPPING OUT IS GOING BACK TO DISNEYLAND IN 2012! Email the gorgeous Miss Leesa at leesa@steppingoutdance.com.au and she will send your way an itinerary ( yes it's even more amazing this time around) and pricing for this incredible adventure. Everyone is welcome. We learnt so much from last trip so if possible, this one will be even better.
HOLLYWOOD IS CALLING!

We are on Holidays- Well Amost!

JUST HAD TO RE ACQUAINT YOU WITH MY EVIE! Isn't she growing up fast? 7 months old and VERY MOBILE!
Hey All,
Tomorrow we head off on our annual pilgrimage to Port Stephens or Awesome Bay as Archer calls it!
Please book your privates for second week with me via my mobile number ASAP. ( for all those soloists limbering up for Gulgong.)
All Performance kids were given notes last week about classes on Monday, 25th April. We will be rehearsing our group performances for Gulgong Eisteddfod on this day. We know that Gulgong has snuck up on us but we know you are all busting to get out there and dance so we will make sure in the week leading up to this exciting day that we are ready and raring to go.
You will be notified of Costume Pick up on this day as well. Be prepared to be blown away! They are going to be sensational.
I will be packing the lap top and posting from our balcony overlooking Shoal Bay ( don't you just hate me) but am looking forward to finally taking some time to pause, reflect and exhale on what has been a very hectic but rewarding Term.
I have some fab pics too to share.
Our beautiful Vincent is home and has been teaching at the studio and sharing his genius. He is creating the most stunning Contemporary routine at the moment ( goosebumps!!)
So there is lots to share over coming weeks.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Faster Than the Speed of Light or Open Jazz's Turn Sequence

I, oh lover of words, cannot believe that it has been so long since my last post. No excuses........ok, so I, do have a few. Sure, so I haven't been strolling across a road in Double Bay, ala Jackie O and bottlefeeding my baby, but I have been very busy MOTHERING and by mothering I mean not just my own but the studio too. FLAT CHAT it has been. But back to Jackie O, is this really debate worthy, as a devoted mum myself and fervent multi tasker ( typing this post, washing up, entertaining the boys with a rousing rendition of "this old man", feeding Evie, mastering finger knitting, facebooking and of course online shopping) I realise that in this day and age, we, especially us Mums, have alot to juggle. The times they are a changing and I think instead of villifying working Mums, we should be saluting them. Seems something is very amiss that headlines can be brandishing outrage over a radio announcer's need to feed her baby en route rather than the thousands upon thousands of children who don't get fed at all or live with abuse and neglect.
So to all the tired, multi tasking, harrassed mums I see doing the drop off to dance each day and managing it all with a smile, at times,a tad weary smile but one nonetheless, thank you. I promise I shall add more posts to my ever growing list of daily (mmm I won't use the word "Chores" I'll say agenda.)
SO WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING?
* Vincent is in at the studio today choreographing a masterpiece with the Seniors. I can't wait to check in on them very soon.
* Miss Leesa has some big news ( not of a baby kind)
* Gulgong Eisteddfod kicks off Tuesday, 26th April. Group Day 1st May.
* Soloists are all working very hard in finishing off routines for their first Eisteddfods.
* Newsletter OUT this week and loads more posts. I have missed you all.
See what the newspapers have to say about dance teacher crossing the street, baby strapped to her, other four trailing mother duck style and blogging as she dances into the studio.

PERFORMANCE TEAM-MEASUREMENT DAY

Hi,
BIG REMINDER to Performance students that your Costume Measurement Day is Thursday 3rd & Friday 4th March at 1A St Georges Terrace.