News

PDE Spring Break!

PDE will be CLOSED March 31-April 6, 2010.

Classes resume April 7, 2010

Enjoy a safe and happy holiday as we progress into Spring!  Vacations have been accounted for in the calendar & tuition calculation.  Be reminded that tuition is still due the 1st and late after the 10th of the month.  ($10 late fee) Please make arrangements so that your payment is not late.

Thank you,

Amy, Michelle, & the PDE Staff

Petite Hip Hop & Beginner Tumble Make-up

PDE Policy indicates that if a class is canceled 2 times due to inclement weather, a make-up lesson is necessary to correspond for the missed class.  Due to the 2nd snow closure on February 6, PDE is issuing a one time make-up lesson on the below specific dates.

Petite Hip Hop: March 4 from 7-7:45

Beginner Tumbling: March 10 from 4:30-5:30

If you have any questions, please speak to Amy directly.  Thank you!

If you are unable to attend the make-up lesson, you may substitute with another class.  (hip hop for tumbling or tumbling for a dance discipline etc)

News and Information Update!

** COSTUME DEPOSIT DATE CHANGED
The next costume deposit due Jan 15, 2010 has been moved to February 1, 2010.  More information regarding this payment will be available to you shortly.

**Please welcome back to Pittsburgh DancExplosion, Miss Gretchen Smith Lewis!  Gretchen has been with us for 3 years and we are so excited to have her smiling face in the studio again!  OOOOH, we have missed her!  Look for her on Mondays instructing the Kinderdance class, Lyrical 2 or Jazz 3 Classes.   In addition, she will be a welcomed support for our competitive ensemble rehearsals on Saturday!

**  SNOW AND DELAY INFORMATION

CCAC Adult Classes!!

A new semester of CCAC Adult classes is set to begin in February!  Come Join the fun & exercise that PDE has to offer!

Tap CCAC 2/11/10-4/1/10
8:00-9:00 THURSDAY

Hip Hop CCAC 2/10/10-3/31/10
8:00-9:00 WEDNESDAY

ALL CCAC classes must be registered and paid through CCAC.  Please visit the Website below to register.

http://www.ccac.edu/default.aspx?id=137111

Special Offer!

New Students receive $15 off registration fee from now until Jan 31, 2010!   Come check out a trial class, speak to a member of the staff, and register for classes!!! Questions about the studio: Please e-mail Amy@PittsburghDancExplosion.com or call 412-821-1223

Offer expires 1/31/10—Not applicable to CCAC courses—Only 1 per family

COSTUME DEPOSIT DUE

It’s that time of year again when planning for the annual student production begins. Those of you who are seasoned dance families or new to dance may know that costume selections begin now and orders must be placed prior to Christmas to ensure that we receive them in time for our performance. The confirmed performance date is Sunday, May  30, 2010 at the beautiful Kean Theatre in Gibsonia.

Participation in the annual production is optional but highly anticipated as well as suggested. It is a years accumulation of hard work and improvement for each and every student and instructor that we would like to share with our friends and family.

If you would like to participate, please turn in your total costume deposit no later than November 13^th. There are absolutely no refunds after December 1^st. The remaining balance will be due January 15^th and the recital fee (tights, finale t-shirt, DVD) due March 19^th. All accounts must be current at the time of deposit and the time of costume delivery.

Costumes will only be ordered for students who have paid the necessary deposits.

Any questions, do not hesitate to contact either Michelle or Amy at the email addresses noted above.

Each class/technique must provide a deposit of $40 per costume.

If you take a combo class(Intro, Kinder) the deposit required is only $40–you will have only one costume.

Ensemble members are required to place a $100 deposit. Confirmation of class routines participating will be communicated soon.

PDE VOICE

NOVEMBER 2009 NEWSLETTER

Thank you for a great start to the new year!  PDE is very proud to have all of you in our dance family.  If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail Amy@PittsburghDancExplosion.com or Michelle@PittburghDancExplosion.com.

Calendar Updates

11/13/09 Costume Deposit due

11/19/09 PDE Clothing Order Due

11/18-11/24/09 Parent Observation

11/25-11/28 Holiday Vacation, Studio Closed

12/23-1/1/10 Holiday Vacation, Studio Closed

Costume Deposit

Our annual Student production has been scheduled for Sunday, May 30, 2010. If you would like to participate, please turn in your total costume deposit no later than November 13^th. There are absolutely no refunds after December 1^st. The initial costume deposit is $40 per class. The remaining balance will be due January 15^th & the recital fee (tights, finale t-shirt, DVD) due March 19^th.  Costumes will only be ordered for students who have paid the necessary deposits.  Please refer to your detailed letter for additional information.

PDE Clothing Orders

Due to overwhelming requests, PDE has decided to order sweatshirts & sweatpants.  In order to receive our order by Christmas, you must order your attire by Nov 19.  Look out for order forms & sample sizes coming soon!

Parent Observation

Parent Observation is schedule from November 18-24.  This is a great time for parents to come into the studio to track progress & dance education for their child.  We would like to keep the dancers focused so please limit attending guests to 2 people.  In addition, we suggest keeping small children at home to limit distractions to your dancer.

Studio Closed

A reminder to parents in lieu of the thanksgiving holiday, the studio will be closed from 11/25 to 11/28.  In addition, the studio will be closed from 12/23-1/1/10 due to Christmas & New Years.

Tuition

Please remember that tuition is due the 1^st lesson of the month & is late after the 10^th lesson of the month.  A $10 late fee will be added to all late tuition, no exceptions.

Winter Performance

It is time again for our annual winter performance!  This is a fantastic opportunity for our dancers to shake off the nerves & get on the stage in a casual, small scale atmosphere.  There will be no additional fees for the performance, with the exception of ticket purchase.  Ticket purchase is utilized to keep costume costs low for our annual student production in May.  Please inform the front desk of your availability; performance schedule for the weekend of Jan 16.  (Date to be announced shortly)  Tentatively the following classes will participate:  Ensemble, Intro to Dance Wed, Intro to Dance Thurs, Intro to Dance Saturday, Kinderdance, Ballet 1, Jazz 2, Jazz 3, Petite Hip Hop, Junior Hip Hop, Teen Hip Hop, & select solos.

Michelle’s Status

Michelle, executive director of PDE, is busy at work in Florida.  As a casting director for Poet Productions, Michelle is hard at work finding new & impressive talent for upcoming cruise ship shows.  In addition, she is working hard at creating a new show for the Eclipse cruise ship & training circus arts for upcoming Cirque on Ice shows in Singapore & Hong Kong.  Several Reviews have already hit, here is what they are saying about the show “Equinox”:

“And we saw the new Show called “Equinox” – absolutely loved it, almost felt like I was in Vegas seeing “KA” again! I envy anyone who gets to cruise on her before I do again!”

“After dinner we watched the BEST show I have ever seen on a cruise & I’ve been on 30 plus cruises including 2 world cruises.”

Way to go Michelle!

Studio Policy Reminders

Please be reminded that all Classes (except Hip Hop) should be wearing tights & a leotard.  In the winter months, it is acceptable to wear dance pants & sweat shirts until the dancer is warmed up.  Class attendance & timeliness is essential to each dancer’s growth & progress.  However, please do not jeopardize our students by bringing a sick child to dance.  In the event that classes need to be cancelled to accommodate for the winter weather, Please visit the website News section or call the studio answering service for updates!

Northway Mall Performance The date for our annual Christmas spectacular performance at Northway Mall is December 13.  Please let Ashley know of your availability.; class selection based on participation.

Kelly Gallagher Awarded Internship

Kelly Gallagher, Senior at Shaler High School, Member of Pittsburgh DancExplosion Ensemble, and Assistant teacher has began an internship to participate in classes at the Dance Alloy, a professional performance company and studio focusing in modern technique.  Once a month, Kelly attends the Dance Alloy to take classes in the Contemporary Style of dance and technique.  Kelly’s classes will also focus on the creative process of choreography.   Only 16 students across the Allegheny School district were invited to participate!  These classes will be a fantastic opportunity for her to continue to grow and develop as a dancer and young Choreographer!  Way to go Kel–PDE is so proud of you, Work it and be fierce!

New Introduction to Dance Class!

We have decided to add a new Introduction to Dance Class for our 3-4 year old dancers!  Beginning in October, We are adding a Wednesday class from 4:45-5:30.  If you are interested in switching to Wednesdays or ready to register for dance classes please e-mail Amy@PittsburghDancExplosion.com or call the studio 412-821-1223.  Hope to see you soon!

September News Letter

WELCOME TO PITTSBURGH DANCEXPLOSION

Celebrating 15 years of dance…

Welcome to all new and returning families of Pittsburgh DancExplosion (PDE). I hope everyone’s summer was wonderful.  The 2009-2010 season celebrates our fifteenth year and we are so happy you have decided to join. Before the year gets too hectic, I wanted to remind you of a few things.

Who’s Who…

Amy Johnston is the Managing Director/Co-Owner/Choreographer of PDE. She will be your day -to- day contact person. Ashley Dietrich is the front desk supervisor and alternate teacher. She will aid Amy & Me in returning phone calls, collecting tuition, and taking attendance amongst other things.  Renee Smith, Emma Chammas along with Amy will be instructing classes on a weekly basis with the help of assistants Ally Chammas, Kelly Gallagher, Jenna Markovich and new class demonstrator Samantha Beckas. I (Michelle Moore-Owner/Executive Director/Choreographer) will be handling the business aspects including tuition collection, scheduling, and overall running of the studio. If at any time you have comments, questions or concerns, do not hesitate to email me at Michelle@Pittsburghdancexplosion.com or email Amy at Amy@PittsburghDancExplosion.com

Remember to…

Ÿ  Monthly newsletters will no longer be distributed or mailed. Updates, deadlines, reminders and news will be posted frequently on the website. www.pittsburghdancexplosion.com. Be sure to check the website monthly. There will be copies at the studio as well as posting to the bulletin board. If you have news you would like to share, write it down and turn in to Ashley at the front desk.

Ÿ  Please be sure to review the policies of the studio you received at registration. With your continued support and assistance your dancer will excel and everyone will have a fabulous year.

Ÿ  The Annual Student Production is being held Memorial Day weekend this year. Actual date will be confirmed shortly. Therefore…

In order to guarantee a timely delivery for picture day and performances, costume deposits will be payable in two (2) payments: ½ due on or before November 13^th and the balance due January 15^th. All costumes will be ordered during the winter break. Only students that have made the first payment will have costumes ordered for them. There are no refunds on costumes. Detailed information coming in October.

A Recital Fee, which includes the cost of tights (if necessary), finale t-shirt, DVD, and class picture in the annual yearbook will be due by March 19, 2010. Tickets to the performance, solo pictures in the yearbook and yearbook pictures are all additional costs. Details to come.

New Ensemble Members Wanted…

If you and your dancer have an interest in competing, please speak to Amy. New teams are being formed now. Practices will be held on Saturdays with competition season beginning after the New Year. These expenses are additional and would include rehearsal time (Saturdays) and Costuming. The positives of competition outweigh the negatives. Think about it!

To Another Awesome Year!