Team Newsletter – December 2017

We hope you had a great Thanksgiving with your family.  APA has so much to be thankful for. We are blessed with an incredible staff, hard-working students, and their dedicated parents.  From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for choosing APA for your child’s arts education.  

We have such an exciting month coming up with lots of performances.  Please make sure to read all of the information so you and your child are prepared for the upcoming events.  We are looking forward to seeing our students perform this month!  


More Important Info For You To Know:

NYC Trip update:  We received enough interest in a trip to NYC.  This trip will take place on Friday, October 19th-Monday, October 22nd, 2018.  If you would like information and pricing, please email [email protected] for details.  This opportunity will be open to all APA students and families.  We would work directly with a company that set up the trip from beginning to end.  These trips are NOT for performing or competing.  They offer a package deal with some add-ons such as dance classes at Broadway Dance Center, etc. 
 
Winter Break:  APA will be closed December 23rd – January 2nd.   Classes will resume on Wednesday, January 3rd.   We will not have dance classes on December 16th, due to our Showcase performances.   Music classes WILL be held that day.  

Snow Days:  APA will decide if we will remain open during a snow/ice storm.  We will use the school district’s verdict as a guideline.  We will email everyone by 3pm if we decide to close Monday-Friday or by 8am on Saturdays.  We will post on Fox 6, as well as our facebook page.  Because this is completely out of our control, we cannot provide make up lessons for each class, however, we will allow you to attend any group class the following week as a make-up.  Please stop by the front desk to schedule.   

Cold Weather Reminder: To aid in injury prevention it is important that the dancer’s bodies are warm when they come to class.  We recommend that students wear layers to and from dance class.  Even though they may feel hot after dance class, it is important for their health to wear pants and a jacket.  

Logo Wear for Sale:  You can click the link below and place your order online.  Our store will close on December 10th and will not reopen until January 1st.  All orders will take 3-4 weeks after the store closing date and will be shipped for free to APA.  Click here for the link.    

Referral Program:  Share us with a friend.  When a new family registers and mentions your name, you will EACH receive a $50 tuition credit.  (Credit given after 2 months enrolled and there is no limit to the number of families referred!)   

 
Give the gift of Dance:   We’re excited to bring you a new way to give the gift of dance lessons to someone you know to group classes with openings!  Beginning December 1st we will have FREE gift cards handed out inside of the classroom or for you to grab at the front desk and GIFT to someone who is not currently attending APA.   This gift card gives them a full month of dance classes (group classes only, up to $59 value) at no cost to them.   All you need to do is write your name and theirs on the back of the gift card and give it to them.   They can call us, stop by either location or go online to register for the dance class of their choice.   *Please make sure to have them mention they have a gift card promotion*  If they choose to register after the free month and are enrolled for 2 months you both will be eligible for the APA referral program credit!  They must be enrolled by January 15th, 2018 and this offer is for new students only.    

License Plate Winner: Congrats to license plate 848-GEE!  One of our staff members spotted your Academy window sticker while driving! Please contact the front desk so we know who you are and you will receive a $50 tuition credit.  To participate, grab a FREE window sticker at the desk!   

Facebook & Instagram:   Interact with APA on social media!   We have fun contests, photos from classes and more on both our Facebook and Instagram pages.   Click here to join us on Facebook and here to follow us on Instagram!

   
Kudos! Program:  We hope that you are enjoying the NEW Kudos! Program we have at APA.   Don’t forget to take advantage of the awesome deals that these local businesses have provided.   If you are a business owner interested in our Kudos! Program, please email Cara at [email protected]   Click here to see all the great deals! 

APA Community Christmas Party:   Join APA on Sunday, December 3rd for some Holiday fun!   We’re proud to bring this fun FREE event back for it’s 4th year!  This is open to the community, so please invite friends and family.  Santa will be here for pictures with the kids; we’ll have crafts, cookies & juice and much more!!   Elsa will be making an appearance as well! Click on the following links to register today!   

Oak Creek Registration    
Franklin Registration    

 
Toys for Tots:  If you can’t make it to our Community Christmas Party and would still like to donate a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots we will have donation boxes in the lobby of both locations.   Donations will be accepted immediately and our donation drive will end on Sunday, December 3rd.     

APA Students of the Month: Congrats to the following students —   
Competitive Dancer – Carley Whitt  – Carley is new to the competitive dance teams this year, and she is flourishing.  She has never missed a class.  She comes ready to work hard, she takes the corrections in class and applies them.  She is always smiling and positive.  She challenges herself and her hard work is paying off!  She is a joy to have in class.  Carley is nominated by Miss Heather and Miss Danielle.

Music Student Alex Markowiak – Alex is a smart young man who has improved greatly since he began taking piano lessons last year. His attitude and work ethic make it easy to teach him. He works hard, but still enjoys himself and likes to have fun and laugh. I look forward to his continued growth.  Alex is nominated by Mr. Jake.

Recreational Dance Student Mallory Michalski – I love having Mallory in dance.  She is energetic, hard worker and gives her all every day.  She is also a great assistant.  She is patient and kind with all the dancers she assists for.  She is a great role model for them.  I have had the pleasure and privilege to watch her grow into an outstanding dancer and beautiful young lady!  Mallory is nominated by Miss Alyse. 

Team Christmas Party/Lock-in:    
Our NEW team lock-in event is December 1st – 2nd. Details are outlined below. 
Pre-Team:  6:30-8pm ONLY with Miss Jessie and Pre-Team assistants.  Bring a WRAPPED Christmas exchange gift, between $8-$10. Everyone who brings one will receive one. 
All other teams:  Arrival: 8pm 
What to bring: Pillow and sleeping bag or blankets, PJ’s, dance shoes (students will perform for each other), water bottles: money for vending machine snacks (optional). 
Bring a wrapped Christmas exchange gift, between $8-$10. Everyone who brings one will receive one. We will be dividing our groups into ages 3rd-6th graders and 7th – 11th graders (but generally teams will be kept together). 
APA will be providing soda, water and pizza when students arrive. Pre-Team will have juice boxes instead of soda. We will also provide muffins for the morning when students wake up. 
Activities for the night:  Perform your routines for your fellow dancers, play games, gift exchange, watch a movie, and “sleep.” 
Pick up is 8am if you are not staying for makeup/hair demo.  If you are staying, please take your child’s bags, pillows, etc. to your car.   
8am-9am:  Live Makeup and Hair Demo by Miss Sarah in Studio A.  We cannot go past 9am because dance classes start at that time.  This is highly recommended since all of the makeup and hair is new. 
Production rehearsal is from 8-10am.  If a student is in production, a parent can still attend the makeup and hair demo with Miss Sarah. 
Hair & Makeup for Petite, Junior and Teen Teams: NEW THIS YEAR: Miss Sarah will be doing a live demo after the lock in on December 2nd from 8-9am.  Due to Saturday classes starting, we are not able to go past 9am.  We will be posting a live video OR creating a video on youtube to share with you.   
 
Pre-Team: Hair is the same as last year, makeup is not.  Click here for a video tutorial on the hair.   

Injury and Doctor’s Notes:  Anyone notifying us of an injury that takes them out of classes for more than 1 week will need to provide Miss Sarah with doctor documentation of the injury and the recommended treatment process.  That also means if someone does get a physical therapy plan, we need to see it.  Miss Sarah wants to make sure that students are properly seeking treatment for injuries that are taking them out of class and that they are also following the treatment plan thereafter so they return to dance safely.  We want students to follow through with a treatment plan and not get re-injured.  It also makes the fate of routines very up in the air for teachers and other dancers while kids come on and off the sidelines repeatedly or without a definitive return plan. 
  
Optional Convention:  NYCDA Dance Alliance, February 9th-11th, 2018 (Rosemont, IL Hyatt Regency O’Hare)     
The studio will be offering a registration sign up for the NYCDA (New York City Dance Alliance) convention – this will be similar to the Showstoppers sign up in that we are looking for at least 10 dancers to register to send an instructor and go as a studio.  Deadline is Thursday, December 21st. 

The convention is February 9th-11th in Chicago, and features a schedule packed with classes plus special auditions for scholarships to a variety of dance programs and opportunities!  The faculty includes professionals who have had ballet careers, dance on Broadway, in music and movies, and more; there will be some truly incredible classes here! 

Options include a “Ready, Set, Dance” 1-day workshop for younger dancers (ages 5-7) who are just getting into the convention world, and full 2-day workshops for age divisions split into Mini, Junior, Teen, and Senior.  Cost is $100 of Ready, Set, Dance participants and $255 for all other dancers.  Spectator fees are $50 p/p IF you choose to watch.  Hotel and travel accommodations are extra.  NYCDA Conventions are an incredible way for dancers to experience training from industry professionals and be inspired to grow and learn themselves as they are surrounded by their peers from around the country.  Please pay at our front desk by Thursday, December 21st.  Visit this link for hotel information and more details 

2017-2018 Competitive Season:

The hotel for our Showstopper competition sells out fast so reserve soon! 
  
Showstopper Hotel Information 5/18-5/20
HOST HOTEL: Kalahari Waterpark Resort, 1305 Kalahari Drive, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965   (877) 253-5466 
Current Room Rate: $209.99 per night,  kalahariresort.com  
All reservations must be made via phone at (877) 253-5466.  Please mention you are with the Showstopper dance convention. You will not know what day you compete until the week of however you can always cancel a room night up until 48 hours prior to check-in date. 
   
Important Upcoming events…  
 
Team Lock-In 12/1-12/2  
Hair/Make-Up demo 12/2  
Optional Winter Intensive 12/28  
Competitive Fees are due 1/1.  (Please contact [email protected] if you would like your total due)  
Solo, Duet, Trio and Small Group entry fees are due 2/1.  
ALL TEAMS 1st Competition – Sunday, January 14th Competition ~ Lakefront Classic  
This competition is held at the South Milwaukee PAC (same place as our showcases). The Production Team and Tap Teams will NOT perform at this competition 
Times will not be released until the week of and will be emailed out. This is a common practice from all competitions. As soon as APA receives a confirmed schedule and sets up Call Times we will get you the information. Please always plan to be at the competition the whole day or competition weekend until a schedule is released. There is a small spectator fee for this competition.  
  
TEAM CALENDAR  
Click here for the event calendar.
 
All events on this event calendar are required, unless otherwise stated.  If you are unable to attend an event you need to email Miss Sarah ([email protected]) to see if it could be excused. Each will be considered on an individual basis.  
 
Lakefront Dance Classic Waiver: If you have not done so already, please click here to print off the Lakefront Dance Classic Waiver, complete it and return to the front desk at either location by Tuesday December 12th 
 
Winter DANCE  Showcase Information  
Tickets:  Tickets are going fast for our December performances!   Please visit the South Milwaukee PAC online to purchase your tickets – Click here.    Our 1:30pm show has very limited seating currently (under 30 seats) — if your students are in these shows and you have not already purchased tickets we encourage you to do so immediately.   
Volunteers:  We are looking for parent volunteers to sit backstage with each class grades 1st and younger.   Please sign up at the front desk – you WILL be able to watch your child dance.  
Dress Rehearsal:  There is no formal dress rehearsal for our December Showcase. Students are to arrive 30 minutes early. Their teachers and APA staff will make sure their costume/hair are correct – but this can only happen if you pack everything you need! 
Music:  At this point, teams can request to have their music sent to them so they can practice at home.  Please email us at [email protected] and we will send you a digital file. 

Complete Winter Show details including UPDATED show times, line ups, ticket sale information, hair and make-up click here.   

Like this article?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *