JANUARY NEWSLETTER
Happy New Year!
We hope you had a wonderful holiday with family and friends! 

 We are excited to be back at the studio with the dancers for a wonderful 2017!!!
Costume Information
All of the fabulous costumes for Showcase 2017 have been ordered.  Some have already started to arrive! 

Invoices have been emailed . Balances can be viewed in your portal. Costumes must be paid in full by February 4th.  Late fees will be applied beginning 2/18. If you need to make payment arrangements, please contact our office manager, Erin, before 2/1.

Please note:
Costumes were ordered from several different distributors and therefore are shipped on different time lines. Ship dates range from Now - Mid April. See the previously sent email for further information

Reminder:
Children are unique and custom made! Though our costumes are "made to order", they are not custom made to perfectly fit your special dancer. Therefore, alterations will be necessary for the perfect fit! Alterations are not included in the cost of you costumes.  We do have a 2 wonderful seamstresses who would be willing to help those families who do not sew. However, DO NOT WAIT till the last minute to get it done. Get alterations done early! Contact information will be included in your personalized costume information. 
BRRRRRR!!!!!  
It sure is cold outside!!  Please keep in mind that our dancers are our first priority.  During these cold winter months, dancers should be dressed warmly for that quick dash from the car so their muscles are not cold and tight when they begin to dance.   Showing up for class a few minutes early to warm up is a good idea.  The studio is kept at a temperature comfortable for high activity.  This might feel a little cool at first, so we encourage dancers to wear cover ups such as dance sweaters and leg warmers to begin dance, to be removed as they get warmed up.  Also, to family members sitting in the waiting area, with the front door being opened regularly, it is difficult to keep this area warm.   We do have a space heater running but it's difficult to keep up with the door being opened constantly.  Please dress appropriately.  
LOTS OF QUESTIONS!
PLEASE feel free to ask questions!  There is always a lot going on, and we don't want anyone to feel uninformed.  We try to communicate through email, our 2 Facebook accounts, Twitter, notes sent home, the handbook, the studio yearly calendar,  the announcement board in the waiting area, and the paper hung next to the front door.  However, if you've missed something, call or come in and ask us.   PLEASE feel free to ask questions!  Call, ask the instructors, or ask someone at the front desk.  815-468-1820

For your Privacy - Your financial / student information privacy is a priority to us therefore, only senior staff members have access to your account.  Please leave a message for Erin Edler if you have questions about charges or amounts due on your account. 
AUDITIONS! 
Production Number 2017
Friday, January 27th    7:30 PM

What is a Production Number?  A Production Number is an exciting dance piece performed by a large group of dancers.  This number will be the closing number for the 3:00 AND the 5:30 recital showcases.
Who Can Audition?: Dancers in the 5-7, Junior & Senior level of classes
What is required? Dancers must attend extra rehearsals for the remainder of the dance season that are scheduled on Friday and Saturday.  They must also attend stage rehearsal, 2 dress rehearsals, and 2 recital performances each day (6/10 & 6/11)
There is an extra costume purchase required and rehearsal fees of $100.00 for each dancer chosen for the Production Cast

This years production number will be a homage to all of the great Dance TV shows we have seen over the decades!  American Bandstand, Dance Fever, Solid Gold, So You Think You Can Dance and MORE!!!!  
It is sure to be a highlight of everyone's recital memories!!!

We wish you an AMAZING 2017 and look forward to dancing through it with you!  
Thank you to all of our dance families who showered us with so many wonderful gifts this holiday! Your cards, gifts, homemade cookies and WARM HUGS mean the WORLD to us!!! 
THANK YOU!


-Recital Showcase costumes have been ordered! 

-Have a Heart- 
Starting Jan 30th: 
Get a pre-cut heart from our staff. Finish the sentence "I LOVE dance because..." Turn it back in. We will hang them up through out the studio to decorate for Valentine's Day! 

LOST AND FOUND-
The lost and found is over flowing with dance shoes!  If your child is missing their shoes, please check there before you re-order!  

Continuing Education for our Dance Educators!
Next weekend, members of our Faculty along with a few students will be attending a convention/teaching seminar! We love learning more about dance from the masters in the field and are excited to share our experiences and advanced techniques with our dancers when we return! 

Looking Ahead: 
 
February 10th
6:30pm-9:30pm
*Parents Night Out Valentine's Fun!

Watch for the SUMMER schedule AND the 2017-2018 Dance Season Schedule!  
Pre-registration for the new season begins in Spring! 

March 27th - April 1st
*Spring Break

April 3rd
*Classes Resume
 
April 14th-17th
*Easter Break
 
May 8th 
*Recital Ticket Sales Begin

May 20th & 21st
*Recital Picture days
 
May 29th 
*Memorial Day - No Classes

June 10th & 11th
*Recital Showcases 2017 Performed at Lincoln Cultural Center