ANNUAL WOODLAND MALL HOLIDAY SHOW

Julie’s Dance Studio, Ltd., has been providing holiday entertainment for Woodland Mall for the past ten years. This is a highly anticipated event by dancers, parents and patrons alike and has continued to grow in popularity throughout the years as evidenced by our maximum capacity, animated and very enthusiastic audience members.

Our annual Christmas performance for the 2008-2009 season will be held on Saturday, December 6^th in the Center Food Court. The dance classes will be divided among 5 shows which will be performed throughout the day beginning at approximately 10:30am, running approximately 60-90 minutes per show. Minimal costume requirements may be needed for each student. These items will be furnished from home and are simple and inexpensive, such as a Santa hat, jingle bells, holiday sweatshirt, etc.

In the past we have had talented and crafty parent volunteers create wonderful holiday costumes for the entire class. This is an option for each class member, however, it is voluntary for everyone in the class. You are never under any obligation. If you would like to volunteer to craft costumes for the entire class please let the office know. A description or sketch of your idea must be submitted and approved by the director.

We realize that December is the busiest month of the year and we are all trying to squeeze in as much as possible. Your child’s class will perform in one show only. If your child will not be attending, we ask that you advise the office or teacher as soon as possible so any choreographic changes can be made early.

TOYS FOR TOTS FOUNDATION & CHRISTMAS PARTY WEEK

For the past 24 years, JDS has held our annual Christmas parties during the last week of December classes. Please see the calendar for dates. These are held during the last few minutes of our regularly scheduled classes.

We do have students with food allergies. We ask that if you send in a treat or snack to share that it is individually wrapped. Students will not consume snacks in class.

Shhhhhhhh….rumor has it that we may have a special visitor from the North Pole! We will keep you posted!!!

The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community. The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders. In lieu of small gifts to exchange in class, we will be setting up a Toys for Tots donation box in the studio. We will send home additional details as we get closer.

“THE NUTCRACKER BALLET…ALL JAZZED UP!”

JDS’ second annual “The Nutcracker Ballet…All Jazzed Up!” will be performed Saturday, December 20^th 2008 at Bowling Green State University Moore Musical Arts Center Kobacker Hall. Curtain rises at 3:00pm and 7:30pm.

The story of a dreamy young girl and her Nutcracker prince takes a funky twist as they journey into a world of toy soldiers and mice, angels and snowflakes, queens and fairies in this electrifying new take on a holiday classic. “The Nutcracker Ballet…All Jazzed Up!” combines the timeless music of Tchaikovsky with modern and exuberant choreography. We invite you to experience the Nutcracker in a whole new way this holiday season.

As we get closer to opening night we will be having ticket give-a-ways, coloring contests, mini performances and other fun and exciting “Nutcracker” events.

ALL THINGS “STAR-STYLE”

STAR-STYLE ‘A Chance To Shine’

For more than two decades, Julie’s Dance Studio, Ltd. has provided students with an exciting performance experience through its May dance celebration “Star-Style.” The annual staple of the dance school, the dance celebration, conjures images of childhood and Americana for many. It’s a rite of passage for thousands of youngsters, a chance to shine in front of family and friends that students anticipate with nervous excitement. It gives students that wonderful sense of “look what I can do” as well as personal accomplishment.

The dance celebration offers our students a professionally directed performance that allows them to present to their families and friends the results of a year’s hard work, dedication, and progress. It is a fun, safe way to experience the real world of performing without the negative impact associated with competitions.

A big part of the dance training process includes learning through performance. The experience helps build self-esteem, self-assurance, and contributes to a sense of confidence. Although performance opportunities can help prepare some students for a possible career in dance, they also contribute to children’s success in non-dance activities. That onstage experience can result in better in-school presentations, improved social skills, and strong interview skills for future college or job opportunities. The rehearsal process is a tremendous learning experience as well. It helps the children develop retention skills, and by working with their classmates on a group performance, they learn the positive aspects of working as a team to create the best end result.

Having once heard the applause of ones efforts it provides the groundwork from which self- confidence is built.

Dedication to Star-Style commitments is the responsibility of the JDS staff as well as both students and their parents. You will receive the Star-Style handbook in April in an effort to clarify what you can expect from us as well as what we expect from you in terms of commitments and responsibility to the annual production, the school, and other students and parents. It will not only be a general guideline but will also offer more specific details such as dates, times, etc. Please refer to your calendar included with the handbook regarding the dates of rehearsals and Star-Style. Most students will perform in one Star-Style- not all three.

STAR-STYLE COSTUMES

Costumes are an important part of our exciting and glamorous Star-Style performance, and dancers of all ages look forward to receiving them. There is a partial costume allowance included in your monthly tuition with a costume fee of $35 per costume due December 1^st. Costumes include all accessories and are yours to keep, however, they do not include tights, shoes or special order headpieces.

We spend many hours determining the correct costumes for each class. They are always age-appropriate and of the highest quality possible. In an effort to ensure that costumes are delivered in time for photographs and an organized distribution to our students, costume orders are placed during the December holiday break. Costume manufacturers do not accept cancellations or offer refunds; therefore JDS does not refund costume allowances or costume fees.

Costume measuring begins the first week of November, during scheduled class times. Each child will be measured in order to determine her/his proper costume size(s). We add one inch to each measurement to allow for growth. Measurements are taken at: chest, waist, hips, girth and inseam where applicable.

PHOTO WEEK

Photos are taken in Star-Style costumes by PhotoSmith, Wayne Ohio and are done in the main dance room of JDS. There is no sitting fee and no obligation to purchase photos. Classes will be scheduled as a group as close to your regular day and time as possible. A class group photo will be taken first with time allotted for individual photos as well. There are no regular classes during PhotoWeek.

STAR-STYLE TICKET SALES

All Star-Style seats are reserved seating and sold on a first come, first serve basis with ticket sales beginning at 10:00am on the Monday of Photo Week. There is no limit on the number of tickets you may purchase, however, it must be handled on one transaction. All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. Free parking. Free show program.

Bowling Green State University reserves the right to add additional seating in the orchestra pit and/or house, mezzanine, or balcony. These may consist of rows AA, BB,CC,DD,EE and will be distributed last. Patrons seated in Rows A thru E will not be permitted to relocate their seats.

STUDIO REHEARSAL

Studio Rehearsal is a run-through of the entire Star-Style performance and allows students to become familiar with the performance process as well as dancers and music ahead of and behind them in the performance. This rehearsal is held at the Jr. Fair Building (WC Fairgrounds) the week of Star-Style.

Star-Style Studio Rehearsal Continued

Generally, if your child is performing in the Friday show she/he will have the following schedule:

Monday: Studio Rehearsal

Wednesday: Tech or Dress Rehearsal

Friday: Star-Style

If your child performs in the Saturday show(s) she/he will have the following schedule:

Tuesday: Studio Rehearsal

Thursday: Tech or Dress Rehearsal

Saturday: Star-Style

Students may leave when they have completed all of their dances.

TECH/DRESS REHEARSAL

Technical Rehearsal allows the students to become familiar with the auditorium surroundings and feel comfortable being onstage. It is a placement only rehearsal and is held in BGSU’s Moore Musical Arts Center, Kobacker Hall.

Dress Rehearsal allows the students to become familiar with the auditorium surroundings and feel comfortable with their performance, costumes, placements and transitions. Lighting and music cues are being finalized as well as set changes and prop logistics for an organized and professional performance so that the students make the best impression possible.

These rehearsals are held the week of Star-Style and students may leave when they have completed all of their dances.

A separate Star-Style newsletter will be distributed in early April which will include specific dates and times as well as Volunteer request forms, dressing room etiquette, line-up and many other items of interest.