WELCOME BACK EVERYONE!

So this is the blog for Step with Style. Also known as SWS. For all of those out there who have heard sooooo very much about us we would love to meet you so you can put faces to the name!

Stay posted for an open house- a meet and greet with the directors. My husband and I look forward to meeting many new families and answering all your questions!

Currently we are into our first week of classes for the 2011 season. Registrations for Part time Competitive level as well as the Recreational team are still in progress! The office is open Mon-Thurs 5-9pm.

We want to send out a big welcome to all of our new and returning members this season! Classes are off to an excellent start! Looking forward to seeing you all in the studio!

Mandy

SWS PROMOTES DRUG FREE TEENS!

SWS was happy to be requested to perform for the Neutron Fitness and Sports Organization. Neutron was hosting their teen fitness competition at the Oshawa Little Theatre and requested Step with Style as the opening act! The students had a wonderful time and Neutron is looking forward to having SWS next season! Thank you to all the students who participated in this seasons Fitness show! Working otgether to promote a drug free environment for all was our pleasure!





To find out about our 4 different dance programs -Recreational, Pre Competitive, Part Time Competitive or the Advanced Competitive Team please call the office Mon-Thurs 5-9pm at


905 723 1133

RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS

The faculty are gearing up for our annual recreational recital meeting!

Every September faculty members sit and create the theme and direction for our show before the season even begins. Each class involved in our recreational program (Ages 1yrs - Adult) are involved in a year end performance. This year end performance follows a theme. Last season it was: "Step into Summer!"

Each recreational class was a part of one of 5 sections- Park, Picnic, Water, Beach or Carnival section of the show! We have an excellent idea for this seasons show and the faculty are all meeting in the beginning of September to prepare as SWS heads into our 6th season!

We look forward to seeing all of our returning recreational students as well as introducing dance to many recreational dancers and their families for the first time!

SWS has mom and tot for ages 1-2yrs

2-3yrs have the choice of ballet, jazz and or tap.

4-5yrs are offered ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, hip hop or pre comp levels

6-8yrs have the options of ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, musical theatre, break-dance, acro or pre comp levels

9-12yrs can choose between ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, break-dance, musical theatre, lyrical/contemporary, and or acro.

13-18yrs (teen classes) available are: ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, break-dance, musical theatre, lyrical/ contemporary, modern or acro

Adult classes running are: jazz, hip hop, tap and NEW this season Burlesque!

There is something for everyone in the family!

Registration dates are every Mon-Thursday 5-9pm at 871 Wilson Rd South

INFO ABOUT AUDITION ROUND WINNERS

Previously our blog spoke about our Audition round winners. Every intensive we host finishes with an audition class with one of the top agencies in Toronto. Our students are put through a mock audition that includes two rounds of dance and the final 5 dancers audition with a vocal piece.

This season as I watched our students make through the cuts there were some surprise faces we have not seen before make it to the top ten and then on into the final five. Summer lessons can advance a student so very much and that is exactly what happened this summer! Congratulations again ladies!

The final 5 of each age group Junior Inter and Senior completed a slate for camera that included an introduction of their name age and where they were from. With each student that proudly said I am from Step with Style Dance Productions loud clear and confident my eyes filled with more and more tears of joy. Some of these students we have now had with us for 5 years as we move on into our 6th season. Over the years we have grown incredibly close and each success that a student has our faculty are so proud of them. There are definitely stars in the making at SWS. The audition rounds this season were so wonderful it brought tears to our eyes!

The singing section of the audition round is my absolute favorite to watch. As a dancer I know how hard it is to sing in front of others .. I have so much respect for those dancers who accept the challenge of stepping out of their box... this is NOT easy. With every year that has passed our students have grown more and more comfortable exercising their vocal knowledge and performing with confidence! This is something that my husband and I never had. We were not trained vocally and lost out on several jobs due to not being able to sing. Although we had a wonderful career in dance we always wanted to provide our students with more opportunities than we had... much like being a parent. You always want to provide more for your children than you had... and this is us as instructors. This is how much the faculty care. We will always open as many doors as we possibly can for our students and look forward to helping each of them walk through the doors they choose.

END OF SUMMER

Hey everyone so yes it's the end of summer! Absolutely crazy that it has passed so fast! The SWS Intensive was our most successful to date! MANY instructors commented on how disciplined and hard working our girls and boys are and raved about their technique! When guest instructors have such a great experience it is incredible for the students and the studio. Last season for example, Twitch had such a good time working at SWS that he spoke personally to his friends in the business promoting our studio!
Congratulations to all who won their audition rounds. Stephen from DaCosta continues to be impressed with the progress and training!
Congratulations to:
Tayja
Emily
Jazmyn
Brittany
Andrea

Andrew is in the office this Monday through Thursday from 5-9pm registering, booking meetings and answering questions about our 4 different programs we have available! 905 723 1133

Talk soon!

COMMENTS FROM STUDENTS AND PARENTS WHO JOINED JUST THIS SUMMER

We thought we would share just a few of the comments that students and parents have made this summer!

"I have been to three studios in the area and NO ONE has ever taught me like this! I am so happy to be here!"

Thomas 16yrs- student new just this summer

"I have not seen training like this in all my 12yrs with my daughters involved in dance. Best training ever!"

Tamara- parent

"If I didn't live so far away I would be training at SWS!"

Anna- parent of students who took summer open class program

"I wish I switched to SWS earlier!"

Zoe 15yrs- student new to SWS this summer

"My daughter didn't enjoy tap but after Mandy's class I couldn't get her to stop tapping!"

Adrianna- parent new to SWS this summer

Come on in and see why everyone has so many wonderful things to say!

ATMOSPHERE IS AMAZING!

If you have not been out to an open class yet this summer come on out! The faculty are all very excited about our returning and new families joining us for SWS's 2012 season! The atmosphere in the studio is amazing! Everyone is working so hard towards their personal goals and are all motivating each other which is wonderful to see!

If you are looking to become a part of a great team come on out and try a class!

OPEN CLASSES ARE ON

Have you ever wondered what SWS is like? Heard a lot but never seen it for yourself?? Come on out and try an open class. We have many levels. Some more advanced and some less. No matter what your age its never too late to find out how far you or your little one could go! The office is open Mon-Thurs 5-9pm for open classes, private lessons and our recreational summer program.

Artistic Director Amanda Coatham is back this season! Last season she was off as she just had her baby girl Mya. Now she is very excited to be back full time this summer for open classes and its one of her favorites times of year! SWS has many outstanding faculty members that will be instructing during the open classes. For example: Tuesdays include Danny Davalos and O.I.P. staff for hip hop and there are many more exciting classes going on!

You can find the schedule on the website under competitive summer open classes.

We hope to see you there!

INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP MEETINGS

Next week Tuesday May 3rd 2011 Sasha and I are excited to be hosting group and indiviual meetings for all those interested. If you would like to reserve a time slot please call our office manager Andrew at (905) 723 1133. Group meeting are extremely beneficial! Often times other attendees will think of questions that you may not have thought to ask. We welcome everyone to book a meeting and ask as many questions as they like about our program and its results.
Looking forward to meeting many families that are in search of a program that will show progress, because afterall if you are going to invest in something everyone wants to see results.

Take care and we'll see you soon!

MEETINGS AVAILABLE WEEKLY!

Have you ever had questions about SWS but never had the opportunity to ask them?

Get the information straight from the source!

Meetings with the Artistic Directors are happening weekly!

Our office Manager Andrew will be happy to help you find a time suitable for you!

Call (905) 723 - 1133

SWS MAKES HEADWAY

So we are back from our first competition of the season and are glad to say we have some very very good results and noticable improvement from the ENTIRE studio. Not only have students ages 6-18yrs have improved but the faculty has truly outdone themselves this season!

Step with Style earned the HIGHEST MARK in the entire competition with a mark of 97 for Can't Stop 12yrs Open extended Line! This was 1st place from 721 routines! CONGRATS to ALL!

We urge everyone to come and view this routine. The electric energy in the audience and on stage is something you cannot describe. This routine performs next at the Richmondhill Theatre Sunday May 1st at 12pm for the Rhythm Dance Competition. We encourage ALL to come out and see it!

Earning the top mark in ALL divisions Junior Intermediate and Senior! Step with Style took ALL three of the Galaxy of Stars Supernova awards (the top mark of the entire division.) CONGRATS to all students and instructors for your hardwork!

JUNIOR SUPER NOVA WINNER:

"Dance Like Michael Jackson"

10yrs Tap Group

Choreographer Amanda Coatham

INTERMEDIATE SUPER NOVA WINNER:

"Can't Stop!"

12yrs Open Extended Line

Choreographers Amanda Coatham, Sasha Chifman, Maria Freethy, Almitra McMillan & Heather Humphries

SENIOR SUPER NOVA WINNER:

"Love The Way You Lie"

16yrs Open Group

Choreographer Amanda Coatham

Earning high marks in tap jazz open acro ballet etc the studio was also recognized for countless choreography awards for many members of the faculty!

A special shout out to our Novice group "Belle" 6yrs Song and Dance for earning 1st place AND Highest mark for Novice Group/Line-EXCELLENT FIRST TIME OUT!

Judges Heather Leslie, Lara Lever and Robin Calvert were extremely impressed with how versatile our students are. Comments from the judges -"Very hirable students!" "SWS students have a bright future ahead of them!" and "Excellent training keep up the good work!"

The song and dance groups were a HUGE hit! Murmurs from the audience could be heard no matter where you sat, "Those girls are actually singing!" "Oh my they can SING TOO!"

We are very proud -each and every student from SWS SANG as well as danced. Many routines performed so well people thought it was a recording! We want to thank Tony Chilco for your help with the microphones backstage YOU ARE AMAZING!

We thank all the dads and moms for your help with props backstage. We could not do it without you! And of course THANK YOU to Andrew our office manager! Andrew came out and stayed the entire weekend to cheer on everyone at SWS. There is such an amazing family at SWS. You guys all rock and we can't wait to see you at Rhythm!

The website will hold all of the results soon in the awards and recognition link -(Competitive) Stay tuned for that!

Showcase Around The Corner!

With March slowly closing in on us, its definitely time to be looking toward the Competitive Showcase. Each year we take the majority of our competitive routines and put them onstage for a rehearsal before the dancers head off to competition and this year is no different. March 19th at 2:00 pm we will be at the Bowmanville Highschool putting on a show like none other! We are extremely excited this year to have some killer routines to show everyone! For ticket information please contact the studio at 905-723-1133. Tickets are $15.00 per person, and will be available until that day and at the door! Seats are not assigned, and are seated on a first come first seated basis. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

MESSAGE FROM SWS CO OP STUDENT CARLY ALMON

Hey there! I'm Carly Almon, I am not only a senior student here at Step With Style Dance Productions, I also have the priviledge this year of completing a co-op placement at the studio. This is great because I can give you the inside scoop on what is going on at SWS!


This time of year, everyone at the studio is extremely busy working long hours to ensure they have the best out come for their routines. All SWS's dances routines for 2011 are very exciting, original and creative- thanks to the amazing Faculty at SWS! As a senior dancer I can tell you that the entire team is very excited for another successful competition season. Everyone that is apart of SWS knows a successful year comes with working hard and being committed to your team! I have been at Step with Style since it opened and am proud to say Step With Style is like a second home to me everyone else who dances on our team.

I'll be updating the blog more and more to keep everyone updated! So check it out more often to hear more about all the exciting news that's going on at SWS!

HOW DO YOU STEP?! :)

January 22nd Contemporary Workshop

We at Step With Style Dance Productions are excited to announce our latest workshop opportunity for our recreational and competitive dance teams.

Saturday Jan 22nd Adam Sergison will be here to run a contemporary workshop. The Schedule will be as follows;

1:00-2:00 - PreCompetitive & Company 1 teams in addition to recs between the ages of 6-9

2:00-3:00 - Company 4,5,6 & 7 and recs 13 and up.

3:30-4:30 - Company 2 & 3 and recs between the ages of 9-12

All competitive students will be attending the workshop during regular class hours. Any recreational student that wishes to attend the workshop is more than welcome to. There is a $20.00 fee for anyone who wishes to attend. Please let us know in advance if you wish to attend so that we can ensure there is space for your child!

Below you can read Adam's Bio and see some of the great work he has done!

A professional dancer, actor/singer, Adam has worked with some of the industry’s most admired companies including Disney and Mirvish Productions. He recently danced the role of Tadzio in the Canadian Opera Company's critically acclaimed production of "Death in Venice". He appears in the ensemble dance cast of the movies “Camp Rock” and “Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars”. On stage, he was a member of the Toronto cast of “We Will Rock You” (Mirvish) and “Peter Pan” (Neptune). In 2011, he will be part of the cast of West Side Story (Neptune).

Adam performed with Toronto’s Premier Jazz/Contemporary Professional Dance Company: The Helix Dance Project in their full length dance production entitled “Rain-Life in Full Bloom” and with Fayez1 Productions in "Grief: Another Common Bond". A personal highlight was the opportunity to assist Mia Michaels during the first season of “So You Think You Can Dance Canada”. He has worked with industrial shows such as The LiveRight Gala for the Canadian Liver Foundation, Puma Fashion Show, Rogers Cup and he has appeared in several national commercials.

As a choreographer and teacher, Adam has conducts workshops for The Travelling Stage at Durham elementary schools as well as many dance studios throughout the Greater Toronto Area. His training includes ballet (Vaganova), jazz, hip hop, lyrical, tap and partnering. Histhirteen successful years as a competitive dancer have given Adam valuable perspective and he loves to share his knowledge by giving back to the dance community.