WE ARE BACK!

Looking forward to getting back into the blogging action at least weekly for you all!
This season has been GREAT! Not only have I had the opportunity to hire amazing faculty, but whats better is that they all did a GREAT job and went above and beyond while filling on for me when I was off having my 2nd baby! Little Hedrix has arrived happy and healthy, ... now its back to work for me! Showcase is in just over 2 weeks... and yes its very early in the season for us. Usually we have showcase at the end of March and we compete in April. March 8th we will hit the stage and test out routines.

Step with Style is posting videos and info daily on our facebook page and do hope you have had the chance to check some of those out.

SWS HITS THE ORONO FAIR!

This past week end has been insaine!
SWS hosted our annual assessments where TONS of students came out to join!
We are thrilled to have so many happy clients at SWS.

ASSESSMENTS
Assessments at SWS are not like at other studios. It is not a stressful or scary adventure at all for a student. Each and every student has an important place in SWS. We have so many levels there is a home for everyone its all about finding the right level for your dancer.

UPDATE
Friday evening we held our annual parent meeting. Lots of GREAT additions and changes to the program this season. First we changed up our three free routines in our fulltime competitive package. Our students will be doing a ballet extended line, Open extended line as well as a small group hip hop. Tap is being left for small group work this season. Our recital this season will have a tap extended line for ALL, as well as a finale piece. GREAT news we can piece the costume together and SAVE! We are having 2 different days for competitive shows Fri night 6:30 then another show Sat at 6:30. This way students who are in many physically challenging routines have enough rest. Recreational shows are going to be Saturday 12 and 3pm this way our young ones don't have to miss out because the show is too late! Joe Perez is teaching Acro comp and Sadie Brooker is teaching Recreational acro. Back by popular demand is Dane Gulston for our Break dance team. NEW competitive crew competes this season! Stay tuned for Results!

Now this EXCITING NEWS I was speaking of.....

NEW THIS SEASON Recreational clients (whose children are registered in a class at SWS) we are offering ALL of these parents 50% off any adult class they wish to take! Moms you deserve to take some time for yourself!!!!! This discount also applies for ALL moms from the Oshawa Whitby mom and swap group! We hope to see more lovely ladies out there doing something for themselves!
How  exciting is THAT!... I know right.. exciting... BUT not the exciting news you have been waiting for I am affraid .. you will have to stay posted! ;)

PARTY
Junior Slumber party was Friday evening... that was .... interesting ahahaha 30 juniors under the age of 12yrs spent the night at the studio. Popcorn, Pizza, games laughs.... check out our facebook page for a director blog during the party!

ASSISTANTS SEMINAR
Instructing is a whole new ballgame! Here at SWS we start training our students to teach as soon as they are interested. It is a long process to learn and assisting allows students the hands on experience they need to improve this completely different set of skills.

ORONO FAIR
Thank you to all the students who came out to the Orono Fair to the SWS table! Congrats to the winner of free dance class for an entire season! Kim Murray! We hope you enjoy your class!

Talk sooooooon and do stay posted for that EXCITING NEWS!!!!

... FOR THE CURIOUS...

There are some lovely friends of mine out there that don't know a lot about facebook so I thought I would be a good friend and help them understand...
Did you know that when you ad people  from the "People you may know" list that have mutual friends with you on facebook ... that doing this is NOT considered stalking.... NO IT'S NOT! Facebook actually was developed to help people get in touch with loved ones and friends all over the world then slowly over the years become a great networking tool to meet new people with simillar interests! Did you know this... ??? If you did not know this now you do. Cool concept isn't it! For all those who did not understand before I hope this helps. If I ad you and you don't want to be my friend that's cool just click no. Happy to help! PS I hope you do become my friend... I think you may like me ;)

AND NO .. this was not the exciting news! THAT is still to come!

Ok! everyone so we have had some exciting news to share for some time now!!!!!

New to our faculty!!!!! We welcome Dmitri!!!!

Dmitri Machnine

Originating from Moscow (Russia), Dmitri has a rich history as a performer as well as a teacher.

From the age of 7, he has passed the auditions to become a member of a well known Children's Choir. At the age of 8, he became its soloist. Started travel nationally at 9 years of age, and internationally at 10. Before the age of 16, Dmitri travelled as soloist in over 23 countries, singing before audiences all over the world. He has performed as well before Soviet dignitaries, including Brezshnev and Gorbachev. In 1980's Dmitri's voice could be heard daily on state-run radio.

Moving to Canada in 1995, Dmitri discovered Speech Level Singing (SLS) through Seth Riggs' book "Singing for the Stars". Applying these techniques helped Dmitri to dramatically increase his vocal range and presence. His students also benefited greatly from learning and applying SLS. Fulfilling all the requirements, Dmitri became one of only 11 Certified Speech Level Singing Instructors here in Canada.


"My greatest joy is to see my students succeed."- Dmitri Machnine

Everyone reading!!!!

This is very very exciting news ... very exciting news indeed BUT this is not the news we were talking about more exciting news to come ... ;) Mandy and Sasha

STAY TUNED

I'm back! so yesturday I told you about our LOYALTY program... but that was NOT the exciting news...

SWS has recently spent over 40,000 on renovations! Both Oshawa locations have been completely redone and will be open for an OPEN HOUSE! August 27th-30th both locations (871 Wilson Rd south and 214 King street East will be open from 5-9pm each day for registration and viewing)

You name it it's been done!
We have updated studio floors, mirrors, office, waiting areas, halls, dressing rooms, washrroms ALL completely redesigned/painted and updated! We have added a student lounge, shoe area and so much more!

Come by to see what has been done. Friends and family are all welcome.
Come between the hour 6-7pm and there will be a free dance class. (All are welcome but we do recommend ages 5 and up for this specific class) SWS students will learn a studio dance!

... ALTHOUGH THIS IS GREAT NEWS
THIS IS NOT THE EXCITING NEWS WE WERE TELLING YOU ABOUT!!!!
Stay tuned for the exciting news happening at SWS!

Talk soon
Mandy

DID YOU KNOW?!!!

The last time we blogged we told you that we had exciting news!..

Did you know that SWS has a loyalty program (new this season!) students who register for summer intensive camp as well as the fall (by making payment for September) recieve ALL OPEN SUMMER CLASSES FREE!!!!!! This is something that NO OTHER STUDIO offers!!! Competitive as well as recreational students who are current (meaning have spent a season with SWS already) who register for these 2 events (summer dance camp and September lessons) dance for absolutely FREE during our summer session of open classes. Definitely an opportunity not to be missed!

Sasha and I are very happy to be the first studio ever to offer this! This - the "Loyalty Program" we intend to have with us for many years!

Now is that eciting or what?!..... BUT THAT WAS NOT THE EXCITING NEWS..... stay tuned for the exciting news we have for you coming from Step with Style!

Mandy

RAINED OUT

We may have been rained out today but not before our dancers got to perform their SWS "How Do You Step" routine and "Animal Crackers". The clouds held out just long enough for dancers to perform once for a crowd of approx 50 people. Yesturday was so hot and humid we were not sure if little Mya would have enough steam left in her to perform today... but she did! Thank you dancers for coming out! Exciting news Sasha and I will be doing a video blog soon! Currently we are working away on our promotional videos, finishing the renos and updating our website between teaching our regular open classes at SWS throughout the summer... so we have been busy.. but busy in a great way. Much positive energy flowing at SWS ...
stay tuned for a VERY exciting announcement!
Mandy

LAKEVIEW PARK PROMOTIONAL SHOW!

Today was an absolutely beautiful day down by the lake here in Oshawa! Some of our competitive dancers came out to perform by the Jubilee from 11am-4pm. There was a show once every half hour and the dancers performed some competitive routines as well as a special dance they learned specifcally the SWS park show!

Mya from our 2yrs Mom and Tot class came out to perform "Animal Crackers" At only 2yrs it was outstanding that she performed over 6 different times throughout the day!

Thank you to the dancers who came in for rehearsal friday evening and spent the weekend with us to promote SWS! Alyssa Chilco, Madison Bell, Ashley Welsh, Gemma Paciocco, Sarah Dargie, Ashley Yip, Kiannah Covassi, Megann McCandless, MiKayla Chilco, Christina Machinine, Kaitlyn Yip, Julia Blackburn, Stephannie McCandless, Jordyn Johns and Tierni Kessler.

We got some wonderful pictures to share of everyone performing and will upload soon!
Remember to check out our facebook page as more videos are being uploaded! There are already 3 different promotional videos to see!

Thank you for reading!

WE ARE B A C K!

We are back! After a lengthy time away we are B A C K! Artistic Director Sasha Chifman and I, Amanda Coatham are looking forward to staying more in touch with our followers, family, friends and future clients.

It's been a wonderful ride the past 6 years. I am so excited to be heading into our 7th season this September! SWS was voted again as Best Dance Studio - voted again by Readers choice this past season- this is our fourth season to earn this award!

I could not be more proud of the studio we have built. Sasha and I have both endured many untrue rumours as we built our business from the ground up. We do hope that you will join us on our blogging path as we treat this blog like a journal for what is happening within the SWS walls.

Let us know what you are wanting to hear about?

AUGUST 4 & 5th PERFORMANCE AT LAKEVIEW PARK
Next weekend we will be at the Lakeview park performing just outside the Jubilee and do hope to see many new faces as we will be handing out SWS info and coupons!

SWS OPEN HOUSE
We have recently just completed a $40,000 renovation to BOTH our Oshawa locations! Both locations will be having an OPEN HOUSE for registrations/viewing from August 27th-30th. Both locations will be open that week from 5-9pm. If you drop in to either location that week between 6-7pm there will be a FREE dance class for all!

Take care everyone and talk soon!
Mandy

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!