| ATTENTION: Starting the first week of Jan. with edition no.14, "Dance
Matters" will be posted on the Visual Art/Dance Home page. Go to the ODC
website and click on "Dance." This will lead you to the web page that has
the newsletters.
Dance Matters No.13 - Dec. 10 -14
You are Invited to a Winter Celebration
The students did some wonderful research on the ballets, ballerinas,
teachers, choreographers, costumes and theatrical innovations of the
Romantic Ballet Era. To culminate our history unit, we will be creating the
atmosphere of the Paris Opera Ballet in the 1800’s.
The students will choreograph their own Romantic Ballet in the morning to be
performed in the afternoon performance. Each dancer will receive a
character which they will portray in the ballet and they will be able to
bring a costume to help show that character. The costume should be
something they can dance in easily.
The students may also bring refreshments for the end of the celebration. It
would be fun if the snacks were labeled as if they were food that might be
served at a reception for the dancers at the Paris Opera Ballet after a
performance. Help your child think of food that might be eaten in France
during the 1800’s such as bread (pain), cheese(fromage), fruit (pommes,
poires, grain de raisin), chicken(poulet), pastries (patisseries) and so
on. Use your imagination to name common snacks as a French food: candy
might be “bon bons”, cookies labeled as “madelines”, cakes as “petit fours”,
potatoes as “pommes de terre”, juice as “jus” and so on.
Over the years we have found that this type of celebration really helps the
students understand the concepts and style of the historical unit. They
even remember the information the following year!!
So we hope to see you during the week of December 17 – 21 from 12:00 –
1:20. Prepare to be transported back to the 1800’s, to the Paris Opera
House, for a Romantic Ballet performance that will take your breath away.
Trying to decide what to give your son or daughter for the holiday season???
Think dance gifts! Here are some ideas:
- Dance CD’s
- Dance Books
- Dance Videos
(www.dancehorizons.com is an excellent place to order any dance book, CD or
video)
- A subscription to Dance Magazine - www.dancemagazine.com
- Tickets to a dance performance
- New leotards and/or tights
- New ballet shoes
- Warm-up sweater
- For girls - pretty hair barrettes
- Nutcrackers
- Dancer pencils
- Dance notebooks
- Dance Calendar
Have fun shopping for your favorite dancer!!!
Dance Legend
Marius Ivanovich Petipa (March 11, 1818 — July 14,1910) was a ballet dancer,
teacher, and choreographer. Marius Petipa is often given the title "Father
of all ballet", and is cited nearly unanimously by the most noted artists of
the classical ballet to be the most influential balletmaster and
choreographer that has ever lived (among them - George Balanchine, who cited
Petipa as his primary influence).
He is equally noted for the ballets he created, some of which have survived
to the present day in versions either faithful to, inspired by, or
reconstructed from the original - especially The Sleeping Beauty (1890) and
The Nutcracker (1892).
Dance Word of the Week:
Pas de Deux — In ballet, a pas de deux (French, step/dance for two) is a
duet in which ballet steps are performed together. It usually consists of
an entrée, adagio, two variations (one for each dancer), and a coda. The
Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier dance a pas de deux in the second act of
the Nutcracker Ballet.
Dance History Fact:
The Nutcracker and the Mouse King is a story by E. T. A. Hoffmann in which
seven-year-old Marie Stahlbaum's favorite Christmas toy, the Nutcracker,
comes alive and whisks her away to a magical kingdom populated by dolls
after defeating the seven-headed Mouse King. In 1892, the Russian composer
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky and choreographers Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov
turned the story into the ballet The Nutcracker, which became Tchaikovsky's
most famous composition, and the most popular ballet in the world. From a
historical point of view, “The “Nutcracker” is considered part of
the “Classical Ballet Era” following the “Romantic Ballet Era.”
Calendar:
Dec.24 - Jan.1 - Winter Holidays
Jan. 7 – 11 – ODC 8th graders field trip to the Visual and Performing Arts
Academy at Salem HS
Jan. 5, 12, 25 Governor School Auditions
Jan. 21 - No ODC
Jan. 25 and 28 - No ODC
Feb. 1 ODC Dance Applications deadline (Current students do not need to re-
apply).
Feb. 1 Visual and Performing Arts Academy applications deadline
Feb. 18 - NO ODC
Feb.25 -29 - VPAA auditions
NOTE: The 8th Graders field trip to the Visual and Performing Arts Academy
is going to happen during the week of Jan. 7 – Jan. 11. Parents, please
make sure you sign your child’s field trip permission slip.
Dance department needs - Kleenex and pencils Please
contribute as you are able
Lost and Found - Has your child lost something? There are lots of items in
our “Lost and Found” bins.
Encourage your child to check the bins out.
The dance faculty wishes to extend our sincere best wishes
to you and your family for a restful and peaceful holiday season.
Enjoy the holidays! See you back at ODC beginning January 2nd.
Dance Matters - No. 12 - Dec. 3 - 7
A Goodbye from Mrs. Glass
Our ODU teacher intern, Mrs. Glass, has completed her semester of student
teaching and she will be graduating from ODU in December with a degree in
dance education. Congratulations Mrs. Glass!
Dear ODC Dance family,
This semester spent at ODC is one that I will carry with me throughout
my career as a dance educator. It has opened my eyes to not only the field
of dance education and what it offers in a public school setting, but it has
also reassured me of the type of teacher that I am and want to continue to
be.
As I carry on the path of obtaining my dream of opening up my own
dance studio, I will remember the countless things that I learned as well as
the moments at ODC that touched my heart. One of the most informational new
things that I gained from this experience is being exposed to the Language
of Dance. It is a great new tool that I have added to my collection and it
is one that I will use in the future. I will also never forget the
overwhelming feelings that I got when the students allowed their passion
for dance to shine through and how wonderful it was to have the chance to
begin my days with warm hugs and such smiling, enthusiastic faces.
Only a teacher would understand the joy it gave me when all the
students on the Thursday tempo team began and continued to execute the
entire battement tendu combination with the correct head placements. It is
little moments like these that make teaching such a great passion of mine.
At the conclusion of this experience, I feel that the most important
realization that I made is that a teacher actually learns best from her
students. It was really amazing to witness my text book studies come to
life in the classroom and within each individual. I am so grateful for the
students’ hard work in my classes and their willingness to trust me as a
guide. It was nice to feel as though the students really respected and
connected with me in the short amount of time spent here.
Although taxing at times, I am very blessed for having this
opportunity. I know that because of this internship I am better equipped to
achieve success in the classroom and be the teacher that the students
deserve. I thank the faculty for passing along their vast experience and
believing in me. The students should feel very blessed for having the
opportunity to be taught by such wonderful and amazingly talented people.
Yours in Dance,
Stephanie Glass
When Can I Dance on Pointe?
The Romantic era ballerina Marie Taglioni is credited as the developer and
pioneer of the pointe technique. Taglioni first went on pointe with soft
ballet slippers that had a reinforced toe area, although not nearly as stiff
as modern pointe shoes. The area was reinforced by stitching around the
front and sides of the slipper. Unlike today, the moments on pointe were
very brief and consisted of mostly balanced poses and relevés.
Today, dancing on pointe is almost like a “rite of passage” for young girls
taking ballet classes. However, because of the intense physical demands on
the body from pointe work, many things need to be considered before taking
this next step in the dancer’s training. It is usually recommended that
young girls start dancing on pointe between the ages of ten and fifteen.
They are not considered ready for pointe work unless they have been studying
classical ballet for three or more years, with a frequency of two or more
classes per week. They should also be in an intermediate or advanced level
of ballet and be able to hold their turnout from the hips while performing
center combinations. All of this requires careful evaluation on the part of
the teacher. In some dance academies, a medical professional's advice is
required to make sure the dancers' feet have ossified sufficiently. Serious
foot deformities can result from starting pointe too early. Students must
not dance on pointe until the bones of their feet are fully developed and
the muscles in the arches, ankles, legs, pelvic area and abdominals are
strong enough to bear the weight and the rigors of this training.
Injuries, such as breaking the ankle, can occur because of weak, untrained
muscles. Dancing on pointe requires a student to use the entire body for
support, including the legs and abdominal muscles. And so, a young dancer
must be patient and train very carefully and thoroughly before pointe work
is even considered.
Dance Legend
Lucille Grahn (June 30, 1819 - April 4, 1907) was the first internationally
renowned Danish ballerina. She was trained by Bournonville at the school of
the Royal Danish Ballet in Copenhagen. In 1843, she made her official debut
with that company, becoming one of the major ballerinas of the Romantic
Ballet after her debut at the Paris Opera in 1838.
Dance History Fact:
In the early part of the 19th century, Leon Espinosa, a famous European
dancer traveled with a troupe up and down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers on
a flat boat, stopping to perform at major towns. Often these troupes of
dancers would camp in the wilderness between towns. One night Espinosa
frightened off a band of Native Americans by executing multiple pirouettes
(turns) and innumerable entrechats huits (jumps in the air with the legs
beating and changing 4 times)
Dance Word of the Week
Imagery - using mental pictures to support dancers’ physical and artistic
training.
Example:
The skill– landing softer from a jump.
The image - pretend you are landing on soft pillows.
Congratulations to dance faculty member Valerie Winborne and Tuesday dance
student Desiree Jimenez for having feature stories in the Virginian Pilot.
Parent/Teacher communication:
1) MYSCHOOL mail
2) ODC phone number 473-5043
3) Faculty e-mail addresses
Karen Buchheim - karen.buchheim@vbschools.com
Gwen Spear-Jones –gwen.spear-jones@vbschools.com
Valerie Winborne - valerie.winborne@vbschools.com
Laura Wright - laura.wright@vbschools.com
4) TeacherWeb(www.teacherweb.com/VA/Old Donationcenter/MrsWright/)
Dance Calendar: Dates to remember
December 6 City-wide Information Night - A city-wide information meeting
will be held with the Dance Education and the Visual Arts faculty members.
The faculty will describe, explain and answer any questions about these two
programs. This meeting is for parents and students interested in applying
to either of these programs for next year.
December 17 - 21 The Winter Celebration - This is a time that students,
teachers, and parents come together to celebrate the conclusion of the dance
history unit. Parents are invited to come to studio 1 from 12:00 until 1:30
on the day your child attends. Students and parents are invited to bring
food and drink for our “reception.” Mrs. Spear-Jones will be calling parent
volunteers from each day to come help set up the tables and serve food. If
you turned in a blue volunteer sheet at the beginning of the year, she has
your number. If you would like to volunteer and you did not turn in a blue
sheet, please call her at 473-5043 or e-mail her at
gwen.spearjones@vbschools.com. This is a wonderful time to celebrate our
special dance community.
January 5, 12, 25 Governor School Auditions
February 1 ODC Dance Applications deadline (Current students do not need
to re-apply).
February 1 Visual and the Performing Arts Academy applications deadline
Feb.25 -29 - VPAA auditions
Dance Matters - Number 11 - Nov. 26 -30
Stepping Ahead
If ODC dancers want to continue their dance education after 8th grade in the
public school system, there are 2 school programs available to Virginia
Beach students.
The Visual and Performing Arts Academy (VPAA) at Salem High School offers an
interdisciplinary curriculum of differentiated academic and applied
instruction in the arts. Students may focus on one art strand or they may
choose two as a dual strand participant. During their four years in the
program, students participate in 70 master classes. (ODC’s Valerie Winborne
and Karen Buchheim will be giving master classes at VPAA during Nov., Dec.,
and Jan.) Sessions range from topic seminars to workshops. In addition, job
shadowing opportunities and senior year internships provide students with
hands-on experience. Students are expected to participate in performances
and exhibitions during their four years at the academy.
In the dance strand, students develop an awareness of the body as an
instrument of expression. They refine their skills in dance technique and
choreography, and increase their ability to move artistically. Exposure to
great master dance works allow students to analyze the special
characteristics of noted performers, choreographers, critics, as well as
understand how these individuals have shaped the history of dance.
Many dancers from ODC audition and are accepted into the academy each year.
All of these dancers feel they received excellent training at ODC that fully
prepare them for the academy dance program at Salem High School. Students
like that they fell included with the rest of the school and that they are
able to participate in all school functions. Many of the dancers are school
cheerleaders and belong to several clubs and organizations. The students
also liked that they do not have to leave the school grounds to participate
in dance.
Written applications are due to home school guidance counselors by Friday,
February 1, 2008. Dance auditions are scheduled for February 26 - February
29, 2008. Information regarding requirements for the appropriate
audition/portfolio are available from Salem High School. Download an
Academy application in pdf format. A selection committee will review the
applications of all qualified applicants; applicants will then be scheduled
for auditions/portfolio review. Dance auditions include a dance class, solo
performance, and an interview. Student notification will be mailed to
applicants in the spring. For more information go to
http://www.vbschools.com/curriculum/academyprog/index.asp
Previous ODC dancers attending the academy are: Jasmine Crump, Shanay
Glass, Mary Lukasiewicz, Lindsey Conner, Laura Sorady, Mini Evans, Chanae
Joyner, Camisha Leak, Alex Payton, Robert Frazier, Kia Haley, Jessica
Keesler, Alyssa Trower, Kenisha Washington, and Marlita Shaw-Brown. This
year will be the first graduating class from the academy.
Some important dates for Salem are:
January 9 - Visual and Performing Arts Academy night at Salem HS. All
interested in the academy should attend.
January 18 - 19 - Academy Showcase (all strands) at Salem HS.
Feb.1 - Applications deadline
Feb.25- 29 - VPAA auditions
May 2-3 - Dance Showcase
The Governor's School is a regional fine and performing arts high school
serving the school divisions of Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Virginia
Beach, Suffolk, Isle of Wight, Franklin and Southampton. Students are
admitted by audition. There are programs in Dance, Theatre, Musical
Theatre, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music and Visual Arts. Students in
grades 8-11 are eligible to apply. Applications are available at the
guidance departments of the public schools and auditions will take place on
January 5, 12 and 25. Dance students are required to complete a class which
includes ballet, modern dance, jazz and improvisation. The average
enrollment in the department is sixty students. The department operates at
the TRDance Center, located in the cultural center of downtown Norfolk.
Students major in either ballet or modern dance and perform in both
traditional and non-traditional settings. Curriculum includes modern, ballet
and jazz technique classes, pointe, Pas de Deux, the Pilates Method of Body
Conditioning, tap, anatomy and kinesiology for dancers, rhythmic analysis,
dance history, improvisation and choreography. Complete information is
available on the web at gsarts.net.
Dance Department performances:
January 11, 12, 2008 - Winter Concert - University Theatre
Feb 28, 2008- Celebration of Black History Month- TRDance Center
May 17, 2008 - 20th Anniversary Celebration Gala - Sandler Center
Former ODC /Governor’s School graduates include:
Alison Zamorski- class 0f 1999- Nashville Ballet; Rachel Buschert- class of
1999- NYU Tisch School of the Arts Graduate, Independent choreographer in
NYC ; Chris Hutchins- class of 1999, Independent choreographer in NYC
Dance Calendar: Dates to remember
December 6 -City –Wide Information Night
A city -wide information meeting will be held with the Dance Education and
the Visual Arts faculty members. The faculty will describe, explain and
answer any questions about these two programs. This meeting is for parents
and students interested in applying to either of these programs for next
year.
December 17 – 21 The Winter Celebration
This is a time that students, teachers, and parents come together to
celebrate the conclusion of the dance history unit. Parents are invited to
come to studio 1 from 12:00 until 1:30 on the day your child attends.
Students and parents are invited to bring food and drink for
our “reception.” Mrs. Spear-Jones will be calling parent volunteers from
each day to come help set up the tables and serve food. If you turned in a
blue volunteer sheet at the beginning of the year, she has your number. If
you would like to volunteer and you did not turn in a blue sheet, please
call her at 473-5043 or e-mail her at gwen.spear-jones@vbschools.com. This
is a wonderful time to celebrate our special dance community.
January 5, 12, 25 - Governor School Auditions
February 1 - ODC Dance Applications deadline (Current students do not need
to re-apply). Applications are due
February 1 - Visual and The Performing Arts applications deadline -
Feb. 25 –29 - VPAA auditions
Note: Parents, please sign your child’s parent packet in the lower right
side by “Report Cards- Unit 1.” We want to make sure you received your
child’s evaluation.
Dance Legend: Jules Perrot
(August 18, 1810 - August 18, 1892) was a dancer and choreographer who
later became Ballet master of the Imperial Ballet in St. Petersburg,
Russia. He created some of the most famous ballets of the 19th century
including Pas de Quatre, La Esmeralda, Ondine, and Giselle with Jean
Coralli. Perrot danced often with the great Romantic ballerina, Marie
Taglioni but their partnership was short-lived. She eventually refused to
dance with him fearing that he would outshine her.
Dance Word of the Week:
Artistry– the ability to perform with skill, creativity, style, flair,
mastery, and talent.
Dance History Fact:
When Fanny Elssler performed in the United States, a session of the U.S.
Congress was dismissed so its members could attend the performance. Excited
fans detached her carriage from its horses and pulled it through the
streets.
Parent/Teacher communication:
1) MYSCHOOL mail
2) ODC phone number 473-5043
3) Faculty e-mail addresses
Karen Buchheim - karen.buchheim@vbschools.com
Gwen Spear-Jones – gwen.spear-jones@vbschools.com
Valerie Winborne - valerie.winborne@vbschools.com
Laura Wright - laura.wright@vbschools.com
4) TeacherWeb(www.teacherweb.com/VA/Old Donationcenter/MrsWright/).
Dance Matters - Number 10 Nov. 14 -20
We are Thankful for Our Parents and Students
Parent Visitation Week was busy and special…
During the week of Oct.29th – Nov.2nd, parents came to visit the ODC Dance
classes. They observed their children in technique classes (ballet, modern,
jazz and/or fundamentals classes) and Dance Perspectives class (students
were researching the Romantic Ballet period.) It was wonderful matching
parents with their children.
There was a special moment when a parent came up and said,
” I was a student in this program about 15 years ago. I attended ODC when I
was in the 4th, 5th and 6th grades. I remembered Mrs. B. And now my
daughter is a student here as a 3rd grader.”
That is a big WOW! - Mother and daughter sharing their ODC dance
experiences from a very unique perspective.
Other Parent comments:
Mrs. Wall (mother of Haley – a Wednesday student and Amanda – a Thursday
student) said - “By taking dance at ODC, both my daughters have a stronger
dance technique --- plus they enjoy being here.”
Mrs. Hansen (mother of Chelsea – a Wednesday student) said, “I had no idea
that GRT’s were these students’ advocates. You mean they can help ODC
students find strategies to juggle the work load between the 2 schools?
This will be particularly helpful for my daughter.”
We are thankful for our supportive parents!!!!
8th Graders are thankful to be in the ODC Dance program because:
- It has prepared me for life and has taught me so much: how to cooperate
with others, work as a team, and just juggle everything. Kate Cashwell –
Tuesday
- I love to dance and here is where I can do it! Kady Munden - Friday
- I am grateful that I am in the ODC Dance program because not everybody
gets to dance here. I have dance instructors that have experience and
really help me to learn all these dance techniques . Lauren Riley - Tuesday
- I was chosen from a large amount of people. I am able to practice
different forms of dance all in one day. Melissa Baka - Wednesday
- It gives me a chance to express myself and work on my technique. Khari
Johnson - Monday
- I get a chance to learn about the history of dance and get to experience
all kinds of dances. I get to learn new techniques. Allison Marshall –
Tuesday
- I get to dance for almost a full school day and I learn new things.
Beth Turner - Thursday
- Attending ODC and my other dance studio helps me build up technique.
This prepares me for Governor’s School - Jasmine Ambrosio – Monday
We are thankful for our wonderful students!!!!
Dance Evaluations Coming Home this Week
Today your child received his/her dance program evaluation for the first
grading period. This evaluation format aligns with our program goals
highlighting areas that are fundamental to our curriculum. The numbers on
the evaluation represent a marking code, not letter grade. To receive a “3”
means that your child is doing exactly as we had hoped: improving steadily
in the skills and concepts taught during the unit. A”2” means that this is
an area of concern to which we will be paying special attention. A”4” means
that the student has performed above our expectations and a “5” means that
the student has consistently performed above our expectations and has
mastered more of the difficult skills. Very few”5’s” are given out. The
initial in the upper right side of the boxes represents the teacher that
taught the class. If you have any questions, please contact any one of the
dance teachers.
The Winter Celebration: December 17 – 21
This is a time that students, teachers, and parents come together to
celebrate the conclusion of the dance history unit. Parents are invited to
come to studio 1 from 12:00 until 1:30 on the day your child attends.
Students and parents are invited to bring food and drink for
our “reception.” Mrs. Spear-Jones will be calling parent volunteers from
each day to help come and set up the tables and serve food. If you turned
in a blue volunteer sheet at the beginning of the year, she has your
number. If you would like to volunteer and you did not turn in a blue
sheet, please call her at 473-5043 or e-mail her at gwen.spear-
jones@vbschools.com. This is a wonderful time to celebrate our special
dance community.
And Now A Word From the Dance Fashion Bureau...
HELP!!! - Dance Hair Bun Explosions in Dance Studios!!
There are many hair buns that are not making it through the day.
They “explode” into either pony tails or roll all the way down. Parents,
please help your daughter fix her hair into a secure bun before she comes to
ODC dance. The bun should be so secure that it would survive your daughter
jumping up and down many, many times and stay absolutely still. It should
also be placed on her head so she can lie on the floor and the bun will not
hamper any movement. Check the student hand book for a guide as to how to do
a correct ballet bun. We do want our students to be able to do their own
hair, but for the younger students they still might need a little help.
Let’s reduce this amazing exploding bun phenomenon.
Holey tights - Not to be confused with holy tights.
It seems that there are quite a few dancers that are dancing so hard, they
are putting holes in their tights in all kinds of places. Please check your
child’s tights and make sure all tights are whole!
A Shoeless Ballet Dancer??!!
All dancers Need to have ballet shoes. Ballet shoes are a must! If there is
a question about these shoes, please do not hesitate to call a dance teacher.
Dance Calendar: Dates to remember
December 6 -City –wide information night A city -wide information meeting
will be held with the Dance Education and the Visual Arts faculty members.
The faculty will describe, explain and answer any questions about these two
programs. This meeting is for parents and students interested in applying
to either of these programs for next year. Deadline for dance and art
applications is Friday, February 1. Current students do not need to re-
apply.
December 17 – 21 Winter Celebration - The culmination of our dance history
unit. Detailed information in this edition of “Dance Matters.”
Dance History Fact: During the Romantic Ballet era, women were not credited
as choreographers on printed programs, although some did fill these roles.
Being credited as a choreographer was a 20th century breakthrough for women.
Dance Legend:
Fanny Cerrito, (May 11, 1817 – May 6, 1909), was an Italian ballet dancer
and choreographer. Born in Naples, she studied under Carlo Blasis and the
French choreographers Jules Perrot and Arthur Saint-Léon, to the latter of
whom she was married from 1845 – 1851. Notable roles included Ondine and Pas
de Quatre (1845).
Dance Word of the Week:
Skills: technical abilities, specific movement or combinations of movements
Parent/Teacher communication:
1) MYSCHOOL mail
2) ODC phone number 473-5043
3) Faculty e-mail addresses
Karen Buchheim - karen.buchheim@vbschools.com
Gwen Spear-Jones - gwen.spear-jones@vbschools.com
Valerie Winborne - valerie.winborne@vbschools.com
Laura Wright - laura.wright@vbschools.com
4) TeacherWeb(www.teacherweb.com/VA/Old Donationcenter/MrsWright/).
“We dance for laughter, we dance for tears, we dance for madness, we dance
for fears, we dance for hopes, we dance for screams, we are the dancers, we
create the dreams.”
(Author unknown)
Happy Thanksgiving from the Dancing Turkey!
http://www.xmission.com/~dk/images/misc/turkey_dancing.gif
Dance Matters - No.9 - Nov. 7 - 13
boys don’t dance - OH YES THEY DO!
There's a scene in the movie, "Shall We Dance?" in which a motley crew of
men finds itself in a ballroom dance class. It's the first session, and each
student feels compelled to explain the reason he's taking the class — one
guy's fiancée wants him to lose weight, another wants to impress the ladies,
and the third, just wants to get to know the dance instructor. Though it
turns out to be the case, none of the men is brave enough to say, "I like to
dance." Despite the undeniably cool moves of Gene Kelly, Mikhail
Baryshnikov, Savion Glover and countless MTV b-boys, our culture still
harbors a weird taboo about men dancing. With television shows
like, “Dancing with the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance”, dance is
becoming more accessible to the general population. This accessibility
brings an awareness of the potential power and strength of male dancers.
However, still for many, the idea of men dancing is a hard concept to
accept. There is, to some degree, a prejudice in our country towards boys
and men who dance. Ours is one of the last countries to recognize and
accept the fact that men can dance as a way of expression or dance for the
sheer physicality of the art form.
Football players know of the physical demands of dance, specifically ballet,
all too well. American football is a sport hardly known for its grace and
poise, but many players have swapped their pads for points, to do ballet.
Ballet dancers are renowned for their agility; they are able to leap, land
and turn with, well… with balletic grace. This has led researchers and
sports team players and coaches to experiment with ballet and other dance
forms as a conditioning method. Super Bowl winner and former top high-
hurdler Willie Gault was one such player who believed his on-field
performance and resistance to injury was enhanced by ballet. Ballet has in
fact been used within American football since the 1970s.
At ODC, there are 25 boys enrolled in the dance program. They all come on
Thursday, dress out in dance attire and take on an intense study of dance
from a technical, creative, scientific and historic perspective. It takes a
degree of courage for a young male, especially a middle school student, to
come week after week to dance. Two of our middle school boys share their
thoughts, reflections and reasons why they keep coming to dance. Just never
tell these young men, “boys don’t dance.” They have NO problem telling
you”I like to dance and yes, I AM a dancer!”
I am a Dancer—by Dalton Henderson
I have attended ODC for 5 years, so far. I look forward to attending
through my 8th grade year. I was in 3rd grade when I started attending ODC
for dance.
I am grateful that I am in the ODC Dance program because it gives me a
chance to discover the language of dance. Also, I get to learn different
dance styles, techniques and dance vocabulary. Coming to ODC has taught me
how to manage my time wisely.
I keep coming back each year because I am always learning something new. I
always see new details in dances that I haven’t seen before. I always learn
new things from and about my teachers.
I juggle my work at both my schools by always going to see my teachers for
the work that I have missed. Also, if I have missed taking a test, I always
study the night before again and take the test the next day I am at my home
school. I discuss any problems that I might be having with my teachers at
both ODC and my home school.
I also do my homework on the day it is given to me; I find that this helps
me stay caught up.
I am most proud of being here at ODC for dance because of how much I have
learned and grown over the past 5 years. I look at the videos of the
performances of my first couple of years and see how much I have grown in
technique and ability.
My toughest time at ODC was my first year. At first, I didn't know anything
about dance technique or its different styles. I have danced hip hop all of
my life and knew very little about ballet and modern. I knew nothing about
how dance affects everyday life and your body. Being in the 3rd grade and
juggling my work between schools seemed hard at first. But after a few
weeks of dance and working with my teachers at both schools, I finally
learned to manage all of it.
The difference in when I first arrived at ODC and now is pretty big. When I
first starting coming to ODC, I was nervous and I didn't know what to
expect. I also thought all we were going to do was dance. Boy was I
wrong!!!! WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!! Now, every week when I come to dance, I
always come to learn new things and improve on my dance techniques. I have
learned that every dance style has its own vocabulary (there are a lot of
words).
As a boy in dance, I usually combine technique, power and expressions in
every part of the body. I have found that my dance has helped me in all
parts of my life. My dancing has helped me so much with my wrestling and
football. It has helped me find my balance, strength and agility.
My best memories would be just coming to ODC having some of the best
teachers in the dance industry, learning from them, having fun and learning
how to express myself through dance.
I Am a Dancer by Marquis Hitchcock-Jones
Being a boy dancer hasn’t been easy. Sometimes you are called names and
teased, but doing something I love is worth it. All of the negative
criticism didn’t break me down, it only made me stronger. As a dancer, I
have made new friends, expanded my dance technique and followed my dream.
My true friends have always been here for me. I have been put through many
challenges. I have had to wear tights and ballet shoes. It wasn’t as bad as
I realized. At first I thought my teachers were out to get me, but I
realized that it is only standard dance wear. This is my 5th year in the
ODC Dance program and if I can do it I know you can! Just believe in
yourself!
New Schedule for unit 2
This week marks the beginning of the second grading period. ODC Dance
evaluations will come home next week. There will be an explanation about
them in next week’s newsletter.
The schedules of teachers have changed so that all of the teachers have the
opportunity to work with each student. We will move forward in technique
and creative dance classes to cover new skills, new concepts and new
vocabulary words.
In Dance Perspectives class, we will continue our study of the Romantic
Ballet period. The students will complete this unit of study with a
summative project which will be presented in class. This unit will end with
a festive celebration during the week of Dec.17-21. All parents are
welcomed to come.
Dance Legends
Mikhail Baryshnikov (b January 27, 1948) is a Soviet-born American dancer,
choreographer, and actor. He is often called the world's greatest living
male ballet dancer. When he was twelve, his mother enrolled him in School
of the Theatre Opera Ballet in Riga. His dancing is renowned for its
textbook form, technical brilliance, and emotional detachment, as well as
its use of "bravada," meaning masculine, daring dancing.
Dance Calendar: Dates to remember
November 7th - 2nd unit starts
November 14 -20 - Dance Evaluations are given out
December 6 -City –wide information night A city -wide information meeting
will be held with the Dance Education and the Visual Arts faculty members.
The faculty will describe, explain and answer any questions about these two
programs. This meeting is for parents and students interested in applying
to either of these programs for next year. Deadline for dance and art
applications is Friday, February 1. Current students do not need to re-
apply.
December 17 – 21 Winter Celebration - This is the culmination of our dance
history unit. Parents are invited to join us for this celebration. More
details about this event will be in next week’s “Dance Matters.”
Dance Word of the Week:
Inspiration: the excitement of the mind, emotions or imagination
Dance History Fact:
Pas de Quatre is a ballet divertissement choreographed by Jules Perrot in
1845. On the night it premiered in London, it caused a sensation from the
critics and the public alike. The reason for this was that it brought
together on one stage the four greatest ballerinas of the time. The
ballerinas were, in order of appearance, Lucile Grahn, Carlotta Grisi, Fanny
Cerrito, and Marie Taglioni. The order of appearance was done by age, from
youngest to oldest, to stop further confrontations between them.
A Thought :
Acceptance notices what exists and describes it.
Acceptance is the cornerstone of unconditional love.
Dr. Becky Bailey from
Conscious Discipline
Parents - Thank you so much for making our Parent Visitation Week SO
successful! It was wonderful meeting you all. You don’t need to wait for
a “special week “to visit us. Please visit us any time. Just call and let us
know you are coming.
Dance Matters No.8 - Oct.29 - Nov.2
One in Dance/One in Music by Laura Wright
The Tempo & Space teams have been studying the relationship of dance to the
elements of music in their creative dance classes. The rhythmic skills can
be tricky to learn! First, we paid close attention to the beat and practiced
performing movements/actions that took 8, 4, or 2 counts. So often, young
dancers want to dance fast and do something on each beat. However, a
choreographer learns to create interesting movement rhythms by changing the
length of time, or duration, of the movements. The students have learned to
read and create a rhythmic score that is based on the way rhythms are
notated in Language of Dance.
Next we paid close attention to the speed of the beat, or the tempo.
We found that the tempo can have a lot to do with the mood or feeling of a
piece of music or a dance. Dances performed at a different tempo than
originally planned can express very different ideas (and be hard to do!)
Now we are using instruments that create sounds that last for
several beats to match the longer movements. Some of the favorite
instruments we’ve used are electric pianos, thunder sticks and rain sticks.
The dancers have learned to play rhythms on the various instruments, even
while they’re dancing – not a simple task! Their final dances will combine
all of the elements of music that they have learned (the beat, tempo and
duration) with the elements of dance we have studied (action, direction and
traveling).
I have always loved both music and dance. I studied the piano and
the flute as a child and I actually received two degrees from my college –
one in dance and one in music! The Erick Hawkins Dance Company always
traveled with our own orchestra, so I always got to perform to live music.
What a treat! Learning to understand music and really listen to it is an
important part of dance training that is often overlooked or taken for
granted. These teams have done a great job learning to be musicians and
choreographers during this unit.
No Hogs, No Logs, No Bogs
“Just work together.”, “There’s no “I” in teamwork.”, “Everybody must share
ideas and listen to each other.” All these statements are wonderful and
worthy concepts yet extremely difficult to achieve. Understanding how to be
a successful team member is an important part of your child’s education in
the dance program. Students are learning the value of creating movement
collaboratively and also the special challenges that come from this type of
work. In creative dance class, students work in small groups to create
short dance studies. They are taught that all must try to share and respect
each other’s ideas, all must try to listen and really hear what is being
said and finally, and possibly the hardest, they must try to understand how
to compromise. (Compromise is a concept world leaders have been working on
for centuries.) This last one can be difficult, especially if there is an
emotional investment in a particular idea. Sometimes that “great idea” does
not fit into an overall dance theme, and changes and even cuts must be made.
Accepting that this is part of the collaborative process is a big step in
understanding the role of being a good team member. For the past two weeks,
students have been exploring various team members’ roles. Just ask your
child what the phrase, “no hogs, no logs, or no bogs” means. It could be an
interesting dinner table conversation.
Dance Legend –
Carlotta Grisi was an Italian ballet dancer. She was born on June 28, 1819
and died on May 20, 1899. She trained with dancer/ballet master Jules
Perrot. Through Perrot's contacts, the pair worked in Paris, London, Vienna,
Munich, and Milan where she sang and danced. Of her two talents, it was her
dancing that was acclaimed. By dancing Perrot's choreography, which at that
time was receiving great attention, she gained notable attention of both the
public and the critics. Her greatest role however was that of Giselle.
Dance History Fact –
The Romantic era marked the rise of the ballerina as a central part of
ballet, where previously men had dominated performances.
Dance Word of the Week –
Technique - A procedure or method for accomplishing a complicated task. In
dance, technique refers to the development of the dancer's physical and
artistic skills.
Dance Calendar:
November 2 - End of First Grading Period.
November 5th -6th – Staff Day -Parent conferences as needed. Please call
the ODC office if you would like to schedule a conference with the dance
teachers. (473-5043)
December 6 -City –wide information night A city -wide information meeting
will be held with the Dance Education and the Visual Arts faculty members.
The faculty will describe, explain and answer any questions about these two
programs. This meeting is for parents and students interested in applying
to either of these programs for next year. Deadline for dance and art
applications is Friday, February 1. Current students do not need to re-
apply.
December 17 – 21 Winter Celebration – This is the culmination of our dance
history unit. More information to follow
A Thought :
Encouragement is basically a dose of hope. People need hope to feel safe.
from Conscious Discipline by Dr. Becky Bailey
Everything in the universe has rhythm. Everything dances.
Maya Angelou
Dance Matters No.7 - Oct.22-26
LOD Stands for Language of Dance by Karen Buchheim
The Language of Dance® also known as Motif Notation (developed by
Ann Hutchinson Guest) is a system for graphically representing and recording
movement. It is closely related to Labanotation, a system for accurately
recording choreography in a precise and detailed manner for use in
reconstruction of great works of dance.
Motif notation is used in a freer, more exploratory way for teaching the
prime movement actions universal to all movement forms. It provides an
accessible link to movement for participants of all ages and skill levels,
as well as an easy introduction to dance literacy through the visual symbols
and clear movement vocabulary.
We use the Language of Dance Movement Alphabet as a support and aide to
understanding of movement concepts in various technique and creative dance
classes. Just as music students read a musical score, so dance students can
read and write dance using this method. The use of this method supports the
relationship of movement to music in terms of rhythm and dynamics.
Ask your child to give you an example of how the movement alphabet has been
used in their classes this unit.
I am always amazed at how quickly the students pick up this unique symbol
language. I have been video taping the level III/IV creative dance class
exercises recently, and I enjoy the connections the students make from LOD
work to their other dance classes. Today, for example, the student’s dance
score called for them to execute a two beat turn led by the right shoulder
followed by a two beat turn led by the left shoulder. “Wow!” said one of the
students. “We’re doing a Tassle Turn!” (a movement they had been working on
in Mrs. Wright’s modern dance class.) I love it when they find those cross-
over connections. It gives real meaning to the work.
(editor’s note: Mrs. Buchheim is in her final stages of work before she
receives her full certification in the Language of Dance)
Cold Weather Finally Here - Maybe?
With the temperatures starting to go down, we ask you to help your child
remember to bring a tight-fitting, long-sleeved, solid colored shirt or
dance sweater to ODC. They can use these sweaters/shirts in their technique
classes, but the shirts must be tight fitting. We need to see the dancer’s
body clearly in order to help them improve their alignment and muscle usage,
but we also want them to be warm if the studio is chilly.
Just Sign Right Here - On the Parent Packet
We thank you for regularly signing your child’s dance parent packet. By
your signature, we know that our dance information is getting to you. To
clarify which line to sign, look at the front page of the newsletter and
check the number. The number on the newsletter should correspond to the
line that you sign. Example: This week’s newsletter is No. 7, so please
sign line 7.
Dance Legend - Alvin Ailey, dancer and choreographer was born January 5,
1931 in Rogers, Texas. After training in New York City with Martha Graham
and others, he founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958, which
was a hugely popular, multi-racial modern dance ensemble. The company
popularized modern dance around the world thanks to tours sponsored by the
U.S. State Department. His most famous dance, Revelations, is based on
Ailey's own experience of growing up African American in the rural South and
is a celebratory study of religious spirit. He retired from the stage in
1965 to devote himself to his company. Ailey received the Kennedy Center
Honors in 1988 and died a year later.
Dance History Fact The Romantic period in ballet occurred in the early
to mid 1800s, and roughly corresponds to Romanticism movements in art and
literature. Like these movements, 'Romantic ballet's focused on the conflict
between man and nature, society and supernatural. The Romantic period in
ballet occurred in the early to mid 1800s, and roughly corresponds to
Romanticism movements in art and literature. Like these movements, 'Romantic
ballet's focused on the conflict between man and nature, society and
supernatural.
Dance Word of the Week – Choreographer Choreography is the art of
making dances, and the person who does this is called a choreographer.
Choreography (literally "dance-writing", also known as "dance composition"),
is the art of making structures in which movement occurs. The term
composition may also refer to the navigation or connection of these movement
structures. The resulting movement structure may also be referred to as the
choreography. So people who create choreographies are called choreographers.
Dance Calendar : Coming soon!
Oct. 29 – Nov. 2: Parent Visitation Week
Parents are cordially invited to come and watch their child’s classes on the
day of attendance from 8:30 until 10:45 AM. Unfortunately, we do not have
space in the cafeteria for parents to stay for lunch.
November 2 - End of First Grading Period.
November 5th -6th – Staff Day - Parent conferences as needed. Please call
the ODC office if you would like to schedule a conference with the dance
teachers. (473-5043)
December 6 -City –wide information night A city -wide information meeting
will be held with the Dance Education and the Visual Arts faculty members.
The faculty will describe, explain and answer any questions about these two
programs. This meeting is for parents and students interested in applying
to either of these programs for next year. Deadline for dance and art
applications is Friday, February 1. Current students do not need to re-apply
December 17 – 21 Winter Celebration - The culmination of our dance history
unit. More information to follow
A Thought :
“When children are upset, offer empathy or positive intent first, then ask
questions and facilitate problem solving.” From Conscious Discipline by Dr.
Becky Bailey
Dance Matters - Newsletter no.6 - Oct.15-19
Dance Perspectives – My Point of View, Your Point of View –WOW! They Are
BOTH “Cool” Points of View
In the Dance Education program we investigate dance from many perspectives
or points of view - from the point of view of a dancer, choreographer,
historian, dance critic and anthropologist. For the past several weeks in
the dance perspectives class, we have watched a video of the famous
classical ballet, Giselle, from those points of view. Analyzing sections
of this ballet, we found that the ballet told a story in movement and had
elements of realism and fantasy. Comparisons were made to a dance style
from India called the Kathakali and a hula from Hawaii. Like Giselle,
these dances told a story in movement and gesture.
Teaching our young dancers to look at dance from these many perspectives, we
deepen their understanding of the world around them and how dance reflects
the attitudes of the people in various societies and cultures. This unit of
study bridges us into an investigation of the Romantic Ballet period - the
19th century. Our students will be looking up facts, watching videos and
discussing this important time frame in ballet history. Be sure to ask them
to tell you something about the Romantic Ballet period from their perspective
Oh No! I left my Binder in the Dressing Room
Fortunately we are not hearing that statement too often. We have a small
room where the dancers store their backpacks, outer layers of clothing and
any thing they don’t need for their dance day. As part of being responsible
students, we ask that they are prepared when they leave that room. This
means they have an extra article of clothing to wear to the cafeteria,
binder, parent packet, home work and ballet shoes. We have given the
students four weeks to get into the habit of leaving the dressing area
prepared and gently, or sometimes not so gently, reminding them to have
everything.
We are now locking this room and not letting students back in after the
start of the day. Hopefully all students will be prepared when they come
out of the dressing room and ready to dance, dance, dance!
Dance Vocabulary
Your child has growing lists of many dance vocabulary words from their
technique classes, creative dance class and perspectives class. These words
help the dancers understand their movements and their bodies more fully.
These words also act as tools, giving dancers a way of talking about and
describing dance in an insightful and more thorough way. Take a look at
their vocabulary lists to see how far your child has come in his or her
knowledge of dance since the beginning of the year. Many of these lists are
posted on the TeacherWeb site at:
www.teacherweb.com/VA/OldDonationCenter/MrsWright/
Dance Calendar : Coming up...
Oct.29 – Nov.2: Parent Visitation Week
Parents are cordially invited to come and watch their
child’s classes on the day
of
attendance from 8:30 until 10:45 AM.
Unfortunately, we do not have space in the cafeteria for
parents to stay for
lunch.
November 2 - End of First Grading Period.
November 5th - 6th – Staff Day - Parent conferences as needed.
December 6 City –wide information night - Old Donation Center - 6:30
p.m.
A city -wide information meeting will be held with the Dance Education and
the Visual Arts faculty members. The faculty will describe, explain and
answer any questions about these two programs. This meeting is for parents
and students interested in applying to either of these programs for next
year.
The deadline for dance and art applications is Friday, February 1.
Dance History Fact:
The word Ballet is derived from the Italian word, Ballare, meaning to dance,
and Ballo, which refers to dances performed in the ballroom.
Dance Legend
Martha Graham (May 11, 1894 - April 1,1991)
She was born in Pennsylvania, lived in California and from there began
studying dance. She taught dance and became one of the 20th century's best
known choreographers as a pioneer of modern dance. Her dances were rooted in
muscle tension and relaxation; to some, this looked more awkward than the
classical-rooted movement of Isadora Duncan.
Dance Word of the Week:
Plie — This French word means to bend. This step is used in all dance
technique classes and is probably one of the most important movements a
dance student learns.
Attention to the 8th Grade Dance students and
parents
The Salem Performing Arts Academy Field Trip has been cancelled. The
trip will be rescheduled for another time.
Parent/Teacher communication:
1) MYSCHOOL mail
2) ODC phone number 473-5043
3) Faculty e-mail addresses
Karen Buchheim - karen.buchheim@vbschools.com
Gwen Spear-Jones – gwen.spear-jones@vbschools.com
Valerie Winborne - valerie.winborne@vbschools.com
Laura Wright - laura.wright@vbschools.com
4) TeacherWeb(www.teacherweb.com/VA/Old Donationcenter/MrsWright/).
Dance Matters - Number 5 - Oct. 8 -12
Dance faculty: Meet Mrs. Spear-Jones...
Dear ODC Dance Community - Students and Parents,
I’d like to share one of my favorite dance pictures and two important
moments in my life as a young dancer. I’m fond of this picture because even
though my form leaves a lot to be desired (check out those “lobster claw”
ballet hands and “limp noodle” legs), I remember how excited about dance I
was even at five years old. My mom could barely get this tutu off my body.
I wanted to sleep, eat and go to school in it. Yes, it was a little weird.
I just couldn’t get enough of this magic world of dance. This was much to
my mom’s delight because it gave her about 50 minutes of peace. I was a
child that was always on the move. I went right from crawling to running,
so my mom was always chasing me except when I was in dance class. When I
was dancing, she was resting.
The first important moment in my young life as a young dancer was when
I got my first pointe shoes. At the time, I thought that day would NEVER
come. I realize now what a wonderful ballet teacher I had, but back then I
couldn’t understand why she was being so “mean” and not letting me get those
most prized shoes. She made me wait. She was determined not to put any of
her students on pointe until our legs, spine and ankles were strong enough
to handle the physical demands of pointe work. Unfortunately there are many
dance teachers that aren’t so wise and knowledgeable and put students on
pointe much too early. I count my blessings that I had such an incredible
teacher. I waited four long years, taking dance class twice and sometime’s
three times a week, when finally she said I was ready. At age twelve I
received my first pair of shoes and it was as if I had gone to heaven - -
Well that was until the blisters came.
The second important moment was when I was accepted into the North
Carolina School for the Arts, a prestigious school where students from the
seventh grade through college age came to study their chosen field of the
performing arts - dance, music or drama. At this school, students lived on
campus and attended both arts and academic classes. So when I was fifteen, I
packed up my bags and left home to pursue my dreams of becoming a dancer.
For the next five years I lived, ate and breathed dance. Even summers for
me were usually spent in a dance camp.
When I arrived at this school, I realized that I had truly found my
community. Students just like me had a passion and love for the arts.
Little did I know however, how demanding this school was going to be. My
day would start at 8:00 with a dance class, followed by academic classes,
followed by another dance class, then more academics, followed by another
dance class and then dance rehearsals. Somewhere in there, we ate, slept
and studied. I can’t imagine how I got through such a rigorous schedule. I
do remember being tired, sore, and sometimes frustrated with the intensity
of the school, but I also remember never wavering, never wanting to give up
on my dream of becoming a dancer.
Today, dancing has remained as important to me as it was when I was
that little girl. Over the past 40 years, I have performed in many
different cities and on all kinds of stages, choreographed a body of
different dance works, taught students of all ages, from 80 down to 5,
danced in museums and churches, and I am still amazed at the power of dance
in my life and the lives of others.
When I look into the eyes of my ODC students, I often see my own
eyes from many years ago - eager to step into that magic world of dance.
The second picture illustrates that yes, there have been some changes
(wrinkles and wider girth aside). I have learned to hold my hands and legs
in the proper position, but what hasn’t changed is my love for dance. And
even though my body has slowed down, my heart still races when the music
begins.
Yours in
Dance,
Mrs. Spear-Jones
Parents’ Information
Bodies At Work
Dance is the only art of which we ourselves are the stuff of which it is
made. ~Ted Shawn
As dancers our bodies are our instruments. Like violinists who have to tune
their violins prior to performing, dancers have to tune their bodies in
order to grow stronger and more secure in their technical skills. This
body “tuning” is not easy and it requires a lot of hard work, determination
and commitment.
Dancers solidify their technical skills in ballet, fundamentals, modern and
jazz classes. Technical skills are specific building blocks of dance; such
as stabilizing spinal alignment, sharpening movement sequencing,
strengthening bodies, understanding rhythm nuances and performing with a
sense of artistic expression. The students are not only using their minds
but they are also using their muscles! Your child may discover muscles
he/she never thought they had. The dance teachers believe in teaching these
technique classes in an exact, careful and thorough approach. In doing
this, the students are able to physically sense their muscles in a deeper
way. Dance teachers take the training of these young bodies very
seriously. Injury prevention is a key component in this training. If your
child comes home and talks about being a little sore, remind them that their
bodies are in the process of being “tuned.”
“Mom, Dad...I don’t think the dance teachers like me! It seems like they are
ALWAYS correcting me.”
All students need frequent reminders from their teachers as they learn to
control their bodies. Dance teachers use corrections as a way to help the
student refine their skills throughout the year. Corrections should never
be taken in a negative or personal way. If a teacher should say, “Rita,
straighten your leg and extend your foot when you do a tendu to the side.”
This doesn’t mean that the teacher doesn’t like Rita or her leg or foot it
just means that the teacher is showing Rita a way to strengthen her legs and
to achieve the proper form. A dance teacher giving corrections to a dancer
is like a gardener giving water to a plant. The dancer needs corrections and
the plant needs water in order to grow and thrive.
After being exposed to new skills through- out the year, students enter a
practice phase in which they learn to self-correct their skills. They also
learn to observe their peers and give positive feedback in the form of
compliments and “stretches”, or goals to achieve. Students often learn
better from each other than from us!
Dance Legends
George Balanchine (January 22, 1904 –April 30, 1983) was a Russian ballet
choreographer. Balanchine is one of the 20th century's foremost
choreographers, and one of the founders of American ballet. The dance
company he founded is called the New York City Ballet Company. His work
formed a bridge between classical and modern ballet.
Dance Word of the Week:
Gesture - a motion made with some part of the body, especially the hands or
arms, to show some idea or feeling
Dance History Fact:
During the Romantic Ballet period (the 19th century), gas lights were used
to illuminate the stage, giving the stage space an eerie, other worldly
atmosphere. During this time there was no such thing as flame retardant
materials, so unfortunately several ballerinas’ tutus caught on fire as they
danced close to the gas lights and they were badly injured.
Oct.29 – Nov.2: Parent Visitation Week
Parents are cordially invited to come and watch
their child’s classes on the day of attendance from 8:30 until 10:45 AM.
Unfortunately, we do not have space in the cafeteria for parents to stay for
lunch.
November 2 -
End of First Grading Period
November 5th - 6th – Staff Day - Parent conferences as needed.
Found: a pair of lavender glasses in the large dance studio.
Please contact ODC if your child has lost his/her glasses - 473-5043
“Dance Matter’s” - A Weekly Newsletter for our ODC Dance community - Number 4
Oct.1-Oct.5
Meet Mrs. Wright
Mrs. Wright has actually lived two different “lives” so far – and very
different ones at that. She moved to New York City right after graduation
from college and was soon invited to join the Erick Hawkins Dance Company.
After touring the U.S., Europe & Asia for 11 years, she moved to Virginia
Beach where she joined the ODC dance faculty and started a family. Here are
some of the similarities and differences between these occupations:
New York City
I lived in a tiny apartment with one cat, a few plants and a fire escape
where I could sit outside.
I could walk to work or take the subway where ever I wanted to go. I didn’t
even own a car!
We would have to be at the theater at about 1:00 for and 8:00 show. When we
weren’t traveling, rehearsals didn’t start until 9:00 PM! I stayed up very
late at night and sometimes didn’t eat dinner until 2:00 AM.
I met many new friends and students teaching classes in the places we
performed.
I didn’t have much time to do anything except dance and read, although I did
get to see many dance concerts.
I got to travel to all kinds of exotic places.
Virginia Beach
I live in a nice house with two dogs, a cat, lots of plants, a son and have
a huge backyard where I can sit outside!
I have to drive to work and any place else I want to go. I did take the
train to Washington D.C. once.
I get up early because ODC classes start at 8:05 AM; I’m a sleepy-head by
9:00 PM now.
I meet many new students every year at ODC.
I have time to enjoy my friends, swim, play tennis, canoe, and garden and I
still get to see some good dance concerts here.
I mostly only travel to see family and friends in the U.S. – although I did
get to go to the Arctic Ocean this summer with my Dad!
Next Week - Meet - Mrs. Spear-Jones
The Balancing Act between Two Schools
Balancing the work load between two schools can be quite a challenge for our
dancers, however there are some things that we have found that could be
helpful in trying to support your child. Here are some questions worth
paying attention to early in the first grading period that aids in keeping
your child on track
Is your child receiving missed work and homework from his/her home school?
An important way to help your child be successful in his/her home school is
to make sure your child has a clear plan to get missed work and assignments
from all teachers -- and that the plan is working. Your child should know
when and where to get their make-up work and homework assignments as well as
when the work is due. If the plan to receive assignments from home school
teachers is not working, we hope you can be an advocate for your child to
help encourage teachers to develop a new, more workable plan
Is your child organizing time well in order to complete necessary work?
If your child is not following through on completing work, help him/her come
up with a reasonable schedule to head towards success.
Is your child being marked absent from their classes?
Your child is in school on his/her dance education and is not to be marked
absent. Talk to the office staff or principal to clear up this issue if it
should happen.
Is your child expected to stay at his/her home school for testing?
Except for standardized test like SAT 10 and SOL, tests should be
rescheduled for a different day.
Remember that there are many resources in place at the home school to
support your child. There are the Gifted Resource Teachers (GRT’s) in each
school who have been very helpful to our dance students. There are
counselors at all home schools and here at ODC, who can help devise
strategies for success. In addition, we think you will find that the
teachers will work closely with students who show consistent effort towards
their own academic success.
Please contact us if your child is facing difficulties so we can help. We
also love to hear success stories from our many students who find they are
able to keep their grades the same or higher than the previous year.
This is one balancing act that will not fall down.
Definition:
Home School =The school your child attends when not attending ODC for dance.
Parents Information Corner
Thanks so much for returning all the forms so promptly. We have a few
remaining forms to be received. Also make sure to e-mail Mrs. Spear-Jones
that you have received the beginning of the year information.
SPECIAL NOTE to the Parents of the 8th Grade dance students
The dance department will be taking a field trip during the week of Oct. 22 –
Oct.26. The 8th grade dance students, along with the 8th grade art
students will be touring Salem Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts.
We have sent home field trip permission forms for you to sign. If you have
an 8th grade dance student and have not signed or seen this form, please
check with your child to make sure the form is not buried in the bottom of
his/her dance bag.
Parent Packets
Please sign the line that corresponds with the week printed at the top of
the newsletter. If your child has missed a week due to illness, we will
then know to give them the information they missed. Also, please don’t sign
ahead.
Lunch Money
If you would like your child to have money in a lunch account, it needs to
be put into a separate account here at ODC. We are not able to access money
in an account at your child’s home school. Please make sure your child has
the money they need for lunch. Students who have free or reduced lunch at
their home school do receive the same here.
Homework Buddies
We do give a small amount of homework each week to keep the children
thinking about their dance education classes. Most assignments should take
only 15-20 minutes to complete. There are several ways to find the
assignment if a child has misplaced the instructions or was absent. In
building our sense of community, each child has chosen two “homework
buddies”, one from his/her home school and one that goes to another school.
Both buddies are on your child’s team. They have exchanged names and phone
numbers. So if your child is either confused or was absent, the ways to
retrieve the homework assignment is either by calling their “buddies” or by
checking in on the Teacher web site.
Word of the Week:
Expression: a way of dancing that gives it real meaning or feeling
Dance Legend:
Erick Hawkins (April 23, 1909 - November 23, 1994) was an American dancer
and choreographer. In 1951 Hawkins, interested in the new field of
kinesiology, opened his own school and developed his own technique ('Hawkins
Technique'). His known style is a strong and commanding one and he believed
that movement could be beautiful and enjoyable for its own sake. His
movement choices are not bound but very free and flowing creating certain
aesthetics only found in Hawkins Technique. The movement is also very
organic and natural, building on Erick's belief of letting the movement take
the body through three dimensional spaces. This style of Modern Dance is
taught in the ODC Dance Education program
Dance History Fact:
The Romantic period in ballet occurred in the early to mid 1800s, and
roughly corresponds to Romanticism movements in art and literature. Like
these movements, 'Romantic ballet's focused on the conflict between man and
nature, society and the supernatural.
Calendar: Coming up
Oct.29 – Nov.2: Parent Visitation Week
Parents are cordially invited to come and watch their child’s classes on the
day of attendance form 8:30 until 10:45 AM. Unfortunately, we do not have
space in the cafeteria for parents to stay for lunch.
Dance Video Resource: The dance students are starting to watch the
ballet “Giselle” as part of their dance history unit. Students want to know
where they can get this and other dance videos. The public library and
video stores have some dance videos but one of the best places is
www.dancehorizon.com. This site has a wide selection of wonderful dance
videos.
And now, for the moment you have been waiting for - The answers to Mrs.
B.’s quiz from last week.
There was only 1 false! She does not like to watch team sports. EVERYTHING
else is true! What an amazing woman. She can do almost anything! That’s a
big WOW!
News Online - “Dance Matters” Number 3 - Sept. 24 – 28
Meet Dance faculty member Karen Buchheim
Mrs. “B” has been teaching dance at ODC since 1986. She loves dance and
working with kids of all ages (even grown up kids!). One thing she really
enjoys is solving puzzles. Here is a puzzle about Mrs. B for you to try and
solve.
Who can figure out which of the following statements are true and which are
false?
1-She was born and grew up in St. Louis, Missouri.
2-She married a Naval flight Officer and has lived in many different areas
of the U.S.A.
3-She enjoys musical theater.
4-She has 2 dogs, a Boxer named Titan and a Beagle named Daisy.
5-She likes to knit and explores lots of other creative hand work and crafts.
6-She has a private pilot’s license.
7-She loves to learn new things and reads for knowledge and for pleasure.
8-She loves to watch team sports of all types.
9-She has a son in the U.S. Marine Corps.
10-Her daughter is married to a Navy man.
11-She has created a symbol language for Tap Dance called Tappinese™.
12-She is a Registered Nurse.
13- She is working on a patent for new and original dance software.
14-She has 3 grandchildren.
15-Her husband builds and flies remote control model airplanes.
16- She loves working at ODC with the other dance faculty!
Team Placement Information
The dance students have now been placed on teams which group students who
have a range of similar abilities. These teams include students of
different ages. Some students may have experience with one form of dance,
but less with another. In these cases we look for the best overall
placement for learning in all three strands (Technique Strand, Perspectives
Strand and Creative Strand) of the Dance Education Program curriculum. The
dance faculty has been observing the dance students’ skills for two week and
will continue to observe and assess all students to make sure they are
placed where they can make the best progress.
Our goal for dancers in the ODC Dance Education Program technique classes is
to focus on strengthening fundamental skills and understanding these
foundations. Dance Perspectives and Creative Dance classes add to the
dancer’s knowledge of the details, complexity of dance. These studies can
always be applied to any other movement experiences being pursued by the
student.
We encourage our students not to dwell on what “level” they are in. Each
student receives personal instruction in each class to challenge him/her to
develop necessary skills such as proper alignment, muscle development and
sequencing. We know that all of our students will progress beautifully
during this unit. Ask them to show you some of their new skills
Dance Bags - Cost $10.00 Our 3rd year in a row to offer these nifty dance
bags - This year they are red with yellow lettering - holds all your dance
supplies -
Modeled by -Meredith Savage - 8th grader Kemps Landing Middle School
Jordan Frankos - 3rd grader - Linkhorn Park Elementary School
Will take cash or checks -Make checks out to Old Donation Center.
Dance Department Needs
Kleenex and hair supplies especially thin hair nets
Word of the Week –Alignment - in a straight line - As used in a dance
class, head, torso and hips arranged in a centered way that allows for
maximum efficiency in movement.
Dance Legend -Agrippina Yakovlevna Vaganova (July 6, 1879 - November 5,
1951) was an outstanding Russian ballet teacher who developed the Vaganova
method - the technique which derived from the teaching methods of the old
Imperial Ballet School (today the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet) under
the Maître de Ballet Marius Petipa throughout the mid to late 19th century,
though mostly throughout the 1880s and 1890s. It was Vaganova who perfected
and cultivated this form of teaching the art of classical ballet into a
syllabus of the utmost wisdom. Her Fundamentals of the Classical Dance
(1934) remains a standard textbook for the instruction of ballet technique.
Her style of ballet is the style taught in the Old Donation Dance Education
Program.
Dance History Trivia: A ballet tutu is a skirt worn as a costume in a
ballet performance, often with attached bodice. It might be single layer,
hanging down, or multiple layers starched and strutting out. The tutu was
first introduced during the Romantic Period of Ballet - early1800- early
1900.
Parents Reminder-
Please remember to e-mail Gwen Spear-Jones that you received the
beginning of the year information. Also make sure you have given your child
any signed forms that need to be turned into the dance teachers.
Dance Calendar :
Oct. 29 – November 2 - Parent visitation (more information to follow at a
later date).
November 2 - End of First Grading Period.
November 5th - 6th – Staff Day - Parent conferences as needed.
From the ODC Dance Newsletter “DANCE MATTERS” - (Newsletter 2) 9/17-21
Meet the dance faculty: Valerie Annette Winborne
Teacher/dance therapist/healer/Mommy/tea drinker
What kind of dance class will you teach?
Great question. I will teach a technique class that incorporates the very
important basics for any technique. I will do it through modern dance
movement integrated with West African Dance, Jazz and Hip Hop.
What’s a dance therapist? Well, A dance therapist is a person who uses
movement and gesture to help the mind and body function at its best. For
example, if you are feeling sad, you might slump down and allow your body to
slouch, you might hang your head low and not want to do much of anything….a
dance therapist would try to help, even heal you through non verbal work to
change your body and the sad feelings…. kind of like a counselor or
psychologist except they work to make you feel better by talking.
Do you have a family? How many children do you have?
Oh Yes, I have 2 girls. They have long names…..Ming Elaine Winborne Woodson
who is 2 years old and Ryleigh Elise Winborne Woodson who is 10 weeks old. I
have a husband…Roman….he’s tall and wears glasses. I have brothers and
sisters, My Mom and a cat that looks like a miniature Ocelot…her name is
Angel the Cat and she can fetch like a dog.
Why do you like to dance?
Well, its not just that I like dance, I love dance...I love to move, I love
responding to music and I love seeing other people move. For me movement is
dance and dance is choreography, so when you walk and you do it consciously
its dance when you move and make it specific, its choreography. That is
truly what makes life interesting for me.
You said you are a tea drinker…why mention that?
Well tea is not just a drink for me…it’s a little luxury I try to give
myself daily. to slowly sip a tasty, flavorful drink and think peaceful
thoughts…well is like a mini vacation...a little luxury. Its makes the whole
day nicer. I drink tea but I also collect tea pots and love the art of tea.
There are actual tea ceremonies that you have to learn to participate in,
it’s a lot more than just drinking.
—Continued on page 2
Valerie Annette Winborne, from page 1
Do you have any favorite things?
Oh yes, Ice Cream…right now my favorite flavor is Sticky Toffee Pudding by
Haagen Daz.
My favorite snack: Olives, Goat Cheese and Cherry Tomatoes on Cracked Black
Pepper crackers…. oh and if you can get a bit of smoked trout it’s a taste
sensation!
My favorite TV show is on the food network, I love the Food Network.
I love smiling faces especially yours right at this moment.
If I was supposed to do a really hard dance step and I could not get it,
would you be upset?
NEVER…There are so many steps I could never do the way some other people did
when I took class and it made me feel like an awful dancer, but when I
learned to try to do things the best I could and to challenge myself to do
the steps better than I thought, I found that I got lots of compliments and
stickers. I found out it was not about looking like someone else but being
my absolute best and trying real hard…Sooooooooooooooo, what to answer your
question, I would never get upset if you can’t get the step because what’s
really important is that you try your best.
Is there anything else you’d like to say to end this interview?
See you in class!
Dance Legends
Fanny Elssler 1810 - 1884), born Franziska Elssler, was an Austrian dancer
who introduced theatricalized folk dance (character dance) into ballet. She
was celebrated for her spirited, spectacular dancing and for her technique,
especially her point work.
Parent Information
Please make sure to sign your child’s forms. Be sure to check the front
and back of the different papers. We appreciate your help with this. We
also appreciate you e-mailing Mrs. Spear-Jones that you received the
beginning of the year dance information.
As part of their homework, the students are organizing their dance
notebooks. Their dividers should be labeled this way— 1) Ballet 2)
Dance Perspectives 3) 2nd Technique class 4)) Creative Dance.
Most divider packs come with 5 or 6 dividers, so the 5th and 6th divider can
be the student’s choice -example: dance homework or dance vocabulary.
The younger students might need help with this , so you might want to check
in with them.
Dance Calendar :
Oct. 29 – November 2 - Parent visitation (more information to follow at a
later date).
November 2 - End of First Grading Period.
November 5th - 6th – Staff Day - Parent conferences as needed.
Parent/Teacher communication:
1) MYSCHOOL mail
2) ODC phone number 473-5043
3) Faculty e-mail addresses
Karen Buchheim - karen.buchheim@vbschools.com
Gwen Spear-Jones – gwen.spear-jones@vbschools.com
Valerie Winborne - valerie.winborne@vbschools.com
Laura Wright - laura.wright@vbschools.com
4) TeacherWeb(www.teacherweb.com/VA/Old Donationcenter/MrsWright/).
Dance Word of the Week:
Shape — a three –dimensional design made with the body in space - curved,
angular, straight or twisted
Dance History Trivia:
The terms upstage and downstage came from the 18th century , when the stage
floor were slanted, or raked, upward away from the audience. The stage
neared the audience was lower than the back of the stage space.
From "Dance Matters" - Sept.10 - Sept.14
Welcome to the first edition of the 2007-2008 ODC Dance newsletter –the
newsletter that keeps you informed. Look for future editions covering
important information like dance calendar reminders, highlights of what
your child is studying, dance program information, contact numbers,
faculty/students profiles, dance performance information and dance history
trivia! We hope you find this newsletter useful and informative. We want
all the members of our dance family to learn about the many facets of dance
education and will do our best to communicate with you.
Meet the dance faculty:
The ODC Dance Faculty from left to right:
Valerie Winborne, Karen Buchheim, Laura Wright and Gwen Spear-Jones
ODU Teacher Intern , Sharon Glass is in the middle.
In partnership with Old Dominion University, this is the 5th dance education
teacher intern we have had in our dance program.
Stephanie Glass is a student teacher from Old Dominion University. She is a
senior aspiring to graduate with a BA in Dance Education. Stephanie comes
from a long ballet background including attending schools such as the
Washington Ballet, the Rock School and the Virginia School of the Arts. She
has been teaching for 7 years and hopes to open her own school in the future.
Next week: Feature story on Valerie Winborne - She reveal why tea and ice
cream are important to her.
Beginning of the year information for Parents
1)Weekly packet: Please read the information each week in “Dance Matters”,
the ODC Dance Education weekly newsletter. Please sign the weekly packet
each week so we know that you have received your newsletter and any other
information that might be in your packet. Please do not sign “ahead“ as
this can be confusing for us to know what you have already received. Do not
seal the weekly packet
2)Dress Code: We are very particular about the dress code outlined on the
supply list. This allows the teachers to more easily see body alignment and
muscle use to properly train the students. Give us a call if you need
guidance in purchasing dance clothes; we do have boys tights for sale here
at ODC (children’s sizes are $8.10; adult sizes are $10.15). We also ask
the girls to put their hair into a secure bun. If it is too short, hair
needs to be pinned securely away from the face and neck.
3) Attendance: Regular attendance is necessary to insure maximum benefit
from the dance education program. Dance education is offered by our public
school system because it can be a powerful enhancement to overall learning.
It should be treated as an important part of your student’s educational
experience.
4)Return Forms - In this week’s packet you will find many forms that need
to be filled out, signed and returned next week. Please check both sides of
these papers. We appreciate the time it takes to fill out this number of
forms and to go over the information with your child.
5) Homework: Students will be given brief homework assignments weekly.
These assignments will also be posted on the TeacherWeb
(www.teacherweb.com/VA/Old Donationcenter/MrsWright/).
Dance Calendar :
September 10: First day for ODC Dance students
Oct. 29 – November 2 - Parent visitation (more information to follow at a
later date)
November 2 - End of First Grading Period
November 5th - 6th – Staff Day - Parent conferences as needed
Looking Ahead - ODC Dance Performance - April 20 at Plaza Middle School
Dance Word of the Week:
Relationship -How dancers move in connection with someone or something - ex.
over, under, beside, between, around, through
Dance History Trivia:
1800 – 1910 was an important time period in dance history called
the “Romantic Era. Point shoes for women were introduced during this time
period.
Parent/Teacher communication:
1) MYSCHOOL mail
2) ODC phone number 473-5043
3) Faculty e-mail addresses
Karen Buchheim - karen.buchheim@vbschools.com
Gwen Spear-Jones – gwen.spear-jones@vbschools.com
Valerie Winborne - valerie.winborne@vbschools.com
Laura Wright - laura.wright@vbschools.com
4) TeacherWeb(www.teacherweb.com/VA/Old Donationcenter/MrsWright/).
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