Performance Save the Date + March News
We are so excited to announce that the Steppin' Out annual performance dates have been confirmed for June 3rd and 4th at Everett Middle School. We'll showcase half of our dancers on Saturday, June 3rd at 11 a.m. and the other half later that day at 2 p.m. The advanced dancers will also be performing on Sunday, June 4th at 5 p.m.
We'll start measuring for costumes in class this month, so please let us know if your child won't be performing this year (you are always welcome to order a costume even if you can't perform). We'll have more details about the performances (and dress rehearsals) soon, but for now please mark your calendars and encourage your dancers to keep practicing their routines.
MOVEMENT OF THE MONTH: MIRROR MIRROR!
Mirroring another dancer is a great way to build skills and confidence! Have your dancer face a friend and take turns leading and following each other's movements as accurately as possible. This activity builds body awareness and kinesthetic "listening"--those "follow the leader" skills we need for mastering many new somatic tasks--as well as providing lots of giggles and plenty of fun.
TEACHER OLIVIA AT FAMILIES WITH DISABILITIES RESOURCE FAIR
Steppin' Out's Teacher Olivia will be manning a table at the Support for Families of Children with Disabilities 2017 Information & Resource Conference next Saturday, March 11th at O'Connell school. She'll be sharing information about our classes for special needs students and about the Steppin' Out Special Needs Dance Company. Please spread the word about this wonderful event that supports families who are looking for activities or support for their children--or better yet, stop by and say hi.
DANCE IN THE NEWS
A great use for dance! High school dance marathon raises record of $800,000 for charity over 28 hours of shaking and sweating. Read more about this creative fundraising strategy.
QUICK TIP: DRESS THE PART
Does your child have a favorite pair of socks, necklace, or headband? Sometimes wearing a special piece of clothing can help dancers get in the mood to be fabulous.
All About Love + Steppin' Out February Newsletter
It's the month when we celebrate love (and during times like these, love is especially important). So this month we focus on our community. Our dancers are all different, and those differences make us colorful, but we are lucky to come together in our shared love of dance.
We're also thrilled to welcome some new students to Steppin' Out this spring semester. Now that the first few weeks have passed, we can report that our new dancers are integrating beautifully into our community. And our returning dancers are doing equally well, having now made the transition from break back into their school-year routines. Let's keep this momentum going as we begin our performance choreography!
MOVEMENT OF THE MONTH: TWIST WITH A PARTNER
This month is all about togetherness, so let's practice a move with a friend. Twisting, or moving the top half of the body in the opposite direction from the bottom half, strengthens core muscles and integrates left with right and top with bottom--but it's a lot more fun with a pal! Have your dancers face each other and join hands and hold on tightly. Bend their knees, lift their heels, and move their knees to the right and their upper bodies to the left, then shift in unison to the other side. Since they'll be facing each other, they'll be twisting in opposite directions, which creates added tension, allowing them to work on balance and further develop core strength. And if you've got some great twisting music, put it on! Great music just adds to the fun.
DANCE IN THE NEWS
Since we're promoting love this month, we wanted to share some love for Steppin' Out teacher Jordan Drew's recent performance. DawsonDanceSF Dances with Vigor and Truth, the Chronicle's review of the show, praises the program and describes how Jordan "carved out her classical moves with steely precision." Congratulations, Jordan! We can also report that at least two Steppin' Out students in the audience were in awe of your work!
QUICK TIP
Ask your children what their favorite thing was about class each day when they're finishing up at the studio. We predict you'll love what you hear.
Spring Registration + Steppin' Out January Newsletter
Happy New Year and welcome back to the studio! We hope you enjoyed your winter break as much as we did. We had so much fun this winter during Steppin' Out Winter Camp that we're brainstorming an early summer camp this year. Stay tuned for more details.
The big news of the moment is that it's time to register for the spring semester, which begins January 17th. The Steppin' Out community is now invited to register for any class that still has space. On January 9th, all remaining spots will go public, so act now if you'd like to add a class or change your schedule. To register, click here. For more information, click here. For questions, comments, or concerns, please email Angela: angela@steppinoutsf.com.
MOVEMENT OF THE MONTH: LOG ROLL
January is a good month to get cozy with the floor. Teach your dancers how to roll with full extension: arms stretched overhead, legs straight, toes pointed, tummy muscles engaged. The more your dancers extend and engage, the easier it will be to roll which, in turn, will reinforce proper lifting and extension in their dancing. Tell your dancers to imagine touching one side of the room with their fingers and the other with their toes. Then let them experience how much harder it is to roll when they aren't extending in both directions. And don't forget to remind them of this trick when they come to class!
HAPPY DRY BIRTHDAY!
The rainy season is upon us, with a vengeance. Have a dry happy birthday just the way you want it. We offer fabulous and fun movement-themed birthday parties of any kind, from basic to turn-key, at can't-be-beat pricing. Reserve your party now--parties fill up fast when the weather's wet.
DANCE IN THE NEWS
Our amazing ballet teacher Jordan Drew will be performing at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts with her Isadora Duncan Dance Award–winning contemporary ballet company dawsondancesf on January 27 & 28 at 8pm. dawsondancesf is ballet like you've never seen it--classical ballet reimagined with energy and athleticism. You can read more about her company and the performance here. We at Steppin' Out have been amazed each time we've seen dawsondancesf live. Support Jordan and enjoy an amazing performance by buying your tickets now. Recommended for kids aged ten and up.
QUICK TIP
Sometimes the transition from break back into our normal routines can be tricky, especially for young dancers. Prepare your children by asking what they most remember about class. This quick visualization will make it easier to return to the studio.
Tis the Season + Steppin' Out December Newsletter
It's that time again: the only time of year we play the Frozen soundtrack. This month you'll hear both "Let it Go" and "Let it Snow" as our dancers spin with their nutcrackers (like one of our Wednesdaydancers in her Clara dress, pictured above). Please read on for all the information you need to know for the season, including which performance of "The Nutcracker" to attend, when the studio will be closed for the holidays, and how to register for spring.
HOLIDAY CLOSURE
Steppin' Out will be closed from Sunday, December 18th through Sunday, January 1st. You have not been charged for classes during this winter recess. Please enjoy your holidays.
MOVEMENT OF THE MONTH: JUMP
All that footwork we do in ballet class really helps your dancer prepare to defeat gravity and jump! Plies are a good base from which to start and land. Ask your dancers to bend their knees with a straight spine and knees and ankles in alignment. Then dancers can push into the floor with the balls of their feet and spring up, then return to their deep plies. After a few warm up jumps, try having your dancers give you a "high five" at increasingly greater heights. You might be surprised at how high they can go.
WINTER CAMP
We still have space in Winter Camp and we've updated our camp page with each day's enrichment activities, including making fairy and wizard houses and ice skating! Whether you need coverage the whole break or just for a day here or there, Steppin' Out has you covered. Come take advantage of our magical winter days packed full of delightful, age-appropriate activities and surprises. Learn more or request dates on our Winter Camp page.
REGISTRATION NEWS
Many of you have begun asking about registration for the spring semester. We at Steppin' Out want our families to be able to plan ahead, so we've set up a page with all the registration details you need to know. The bottom line: Even if you're continuing in the same class, you'll need to register again on January 3rd. We'll send you an email with instructions on that date. Students continuing in the same class have guaranteed placement for the spring semester if they register by January 5th. We look forward to continuing to dance with your children for the duration of the 2016-2017 season.
WHICH NUTCRACKER?
During this time of year, many families choose to see this classic holiday ballet performed live. While there are many excellent options in the Bay Area, here are a few of our favorites:
The classic, featuring breathtaking performances and spectacular sets:
San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker
The 50-minute version, perfect for the younger crowd:
Mark Foehringer's Nutcracker Sweets
The whimsical, audience-participation option:
Dance Along Nutcracker: The Fantastic Adventures of Captain Nutcracker
DANCE IN THE NEWS
Robert Battle, the artistic director of Alvin Ailey Dance Company, discusses dance, the value of the arts, and humanity in general in this powerful video, Alvin Ailey's Enduring Vision.
QUICK TIP
Winter is a special time for theatrical performances, especially in San Francisco. Why not give your child the gift of an experience in lieu of a traditional present? Those memories can last a lifetime and help inspire your young performer.
IN MEMORIAM
We at Steppin' Out were devastated to hear of this weekend's fire in the Oakland Arts Collective, the Ghost Ship. Our hearts to out to the arts community and all of the friends and family members who lost their loved ones.
Spring Registration Details
You must register again to continue taking classes at Steppin' Out following January 14th.
Here's what will happen:
-On January 3rd, Steppin' Out will email a special link to all currently enrolled families. To continue in your existing class, follow the link to register. If you don't register by January 6th, your spot may be taken by another student.
-On January 6th, Steppin' Out will send our January newsletter with registration links, allowing the Steppin' Out community to register for any remaining spots in classes (whether or not they were enrolled for fall).
-On January 9th, any remaining spots will be opened to the general public.
2017 Performance Information:
-Registering for the spring semester allows you to attend nineteen weeks of classes. Students who wish to participate in the performance (which we highly encourage) will be billed a $30 performance fee in March (discounts are available for multiple dancers from the same family), which replaces any ticket costs for their family. Additionally, students who elect to perform will need to purchase costumes (which generally run around $40-50/child/class).
Spring Semester General Information:
Our spring semester will be nineteen weeks, from January 17th through May 27th , and will focus on preparation for the annual performance.
Spring tuition breaks down as follows:
19 classes x $14/class + a non-refundable $10 registration fee per class: $276/class for the spring semester. (As always, should payment ever be a problem, please contact Angela.)
We will maintain discounts for multiple classes or siblings as follows:
- For two classes or two dancers per family: 10% off the semester
- For three classes or three dancers per family: 15% off the semester
- For four classes or four dancers per family: 20% off the semester
- For five classes or five dancers per family, 25% off the semester, etc.
Please note that multi-class discounts are only available when paying for multiple classes in the same transaction. Additional classes added later will be discounted (second class 10% off, third class 15% off, etc.) but the earlier classes will not be retroactively discounted.
New Techniques + Steppin' Out November Newsletter
Now that Halloween has passed, our students are busy working on new techniques in class. They'll continue to develop their movement vocabulary through the end of the semester in mid-January. While students may be sad to see their pumpkin dances go, there are new treats in store; the winter season is full of themes just perfect for dancing.
WINTER CAMP
Looking for childcare over winter break? Hoping for an enriching, movement-filled school holiday for your child? Just want to get a little extra shopping done? Whatever the reason, Steppin' Out has you covered. Come take advantage of our magical winter days packed full of delightful, age-appropriate activities and surprises. Best of all, our camp is completely flexible: enroll only in the days you prefer. Your camper will learn new skills like baking, yoga, and sewing, all while having fun and enjoying new experiences in dance. Learn more or request dates on our Winter Camp page.
MOVEMENT OF THE MONTH: POINT YOUR TOES, BATMAN!
The most beautiful dancing can look "unfinished" if our feet aren't working in coordination with our bodies. A great way to emphasize this is to have your dancers try skipping across the floor without pointed toes. Sometimes doing the "wrong" thing helps us notice how great it feels when we do it correctly. After a few rounds of dangling toes, your dancers will be ready to point 'em like a ballerina.
DANCE IN THE NEWS
This American Ballet Theater Corps ballerina brought Aunt Viv's moves from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to life for Halloween: Watch Erica Lall set the "barre" high.
QUICK TIP
Reward stickers from the end of class clogging up your dance bags? Buy a tiny notebook or journal and let you children fill pages full of stickers they can look back on for years to come.
Halloween + Establishing Routines + Steppin' Out October Newsletter
Teacher Zoe has arrived. For those of you who haven't had a chance to meet her, that's her "in action" at the top of this newsletter. We're so thrilled to have her join the Steppin' Out family.
We also thought it was only fair to mention that this fall has so far been one of the easiest transitions we've had to date. Keep doing what you're doing to support your child in settling into a routine with class. We've been establishing those "how to take a class" skills like waiting in line and standing at the barre, but now that the newness is over, we've moving into our introduction to choreography section with Halloween dances (complete with props!). Speaking of Halloween, your dancers are welcome to come in costume during the week of 10/25-10/29.
FREE TRIAL CLASS
Our early morning weekday classes still have a few open spots, so we're holding an open house so new families can see what we do. Please spread the word:
Sunday, October 23rd at Steppin' Out Studio
10-10:45 for ages 2-3
11-11:45 for ages 4-5
Classes are limited to fifteen students (sign up required) and are for students who are new to Steppin' Out and Music for Aardvarks.
Each class offers 20 minutes of creative moment, yoga, and scarf or ribbon dancing taught by Teacher Angela as well as 20 minutes of music instruction from Bay Area Parent Best Music Class Winner Music for Aardvarks, featuring original music created for the diverse urban student.
New students can sign up here. Thanks for spreading the word!
MOVEMENT OF THE MONTH: CARTWHEEL
Take advantage of SF's annual "summer in October"--the best place to practice cartwheels is in the grass. Younger dancers start by simply planting their hands flat against the ground and hopping their legs over. As dancers gain coordination, they can lift their legs higher and eventually straighten them (with pointed toes). Teaching your dancer opposition (pushing down with the hands while reaching up with the toes) will help with balance.
DANCE IN THE NEWS
We already knew that dance is attractive, but these song birds took it even further: the blue-capped cordon-bleu use "tap dancing" to attract mates!
QUICK TIP
If your child is still feeling apprehensive about being on the dance floor without you, establish a special signal to let her know you're watching and approving, like waving two fingers or blowing a kiss.
Welcome back + Dance Attire + Steppin' Out September Newsletter
We at Steppin' Out would like to send a huge thank you to our community for being so amazing during out new registration process. We know there were a lot of changes this year, some of which we weren't ourselves aware of till the last minute, but you handled them like champs. Thank you!
We're thrilled that we'll be seeing all of you at the studio very soon. Classes begin Tuesday, September 6th. We know you likely have a lot of questions, so please read on for more information:
WAITING LIST & OPEN CLASSES
Looking for a new class? On the waiting list? Here is a list of classes that currently have at least one spot--please spread the word--and if you are on the waiting list for a class that becomes open, we will contact you immediately.
- Tuesday 9:30 a.m.Tap/Pre-ballet/Tumbling ages 2.5-3.5 with Teacher Angela
- Tuesday 10:30 a.m. Tap/Ballet/Tumbling I with Teacher Angela
- Tuesday 3 p.m. Jazz ages 7-10 with Teacher Angela
- Tuesday 5 p.m.Special Needs Creative Movement ages 7-10 with Teacher Olivia
- Tuesday 5 p.m. Preteen/Teen Tap/Jazz Intermediate 11 ages 9-13 with Teachers Angela and Dora
- Wednesday 10:30 a.m.
Tap/Ballet/Tumbling I with Teacher Angela - Wednesday 5 p.m. Ballet Intermediate I ages 7-10 with Teacher Jordan
View all of our classes here.
NEW CLASS POLICIES
This year we've updated some of our class policies, especially about viewing. Please read our new policies here (and feel free to get in touch with any questions or comments).
DANCE ATTIRE
The first day of class can be stressful enough without worrying about clothing and shoes! Here are some tips to get your dancers dressed and ready:
Shoes:
If you are buying new shoes, please buy black tap shoes and pink ballet shoes for girls and black dance shoes for boys. For teens, please buy black tap and jazz shoes, pink or nude ballet shoes, and nude character shoes (if needed). If you already have shoes or find some second hand, any color is fine!
We do have some tap and ballet shoes in the shoe bin for you to use on a first come, first served basis. If you find a pair that fits, feel free to take it. If you've outgrown an old pair, we'd love your old shoes back so that another student might benefit from them.
Otherwise try:
- Discount Dance for flat-rate shipping for shoes and other dance needs. New customers can get 8% off with code TP115042
- Payless on Mission at 22nd (ballet or jazz shoes)
- Chloe's Closet in Bernal (second-hand dance shoes)
- San Francisco Dance Wear on Mission at 3rd (a bit pricer but they have everything)
Clothing:
- Discount Dance also offers clothing. (New customers can get 8% off with code TP115042)
- Target has a dance section
- Sears also offers dance and active wear
- eBay and craigslist are good sources for second-hand dance attire
MOVEMENT OF THE MONTH: RELEVE
Children naturally love to go up on their toes, so sometimes a very simple way to get them excited for dance class is to have them practice rising up at home. Remember not to go all the way up on the toes--simply lift the heels in demi pointe while the toes stay down. Most dance movement comes from opposition, so teach your children to push down into the floor in order to rise up tall. Lifting their bellies up and in and standing up straight will also help them find that dancer's grace.
DANCE IN THE NEWS
Did you know that Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez is joining this coming season of “Dancing with the Stars”? We at Steppin' Out are thrilled we don't have to stop watching her!
PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR CLASS SUCCESS
Read up on our top five tips for class success (not just for dance class!)
QUICK TIP
Talk to you dancers about what to expect in class. Whether it's their first time or 7th season, all dancers benefit from being mentally prepared before walking in the door.
Fall 2016 registration is now open!
All summer, you've been waiting, we've been waiting, and finally it's time to register for fall. We've missed you and we can't wait to see you in the studio after Labor Day.
For performance year 2016-17, we're launching a new registration system. Students will register for either fall or spring or both. Our fall semester will be seventeen weeks between September 6, 2016 and January 14, 2017 and will focus on developing a movement vocabulary. Spring semester will run from January 17, 2016 through May 27th and will focus on preparing for the annual performance. (Students continuing into spring will need to register for the spring semester in early January.) Additionally, this year you are welcome to join any open class as long as you adhere to the prerequisites. The only exceptions are classes that require audition or placement, for which you will request the class and Angela will approve you.
Our classes fill up quickly, so don't wait. View our schedule and register today:
—>View our fall class schedule and prerequisite policy.
—>View an announcement about the 2016-17 teachers that links to teacher bios (we have two new teachers for fall!).
—>Review our tuition and policy information. (As always, should finances present an obstacle to your participation in Steppin' Out, please simply contact Angela: Angela@steppinoutsf.com.)
—>Have questions? Need help? Contact us!
We can't wait to begin the Steppin' Out 2016-17 season!
Announcing Steppin' Out 2016-17 Teaching Staff
Steppin' Out Dance Studio is thrilled to welcome Zoe Swenson-Graham and Dora Donovan, who will be teaching alongside returning teachers Jordan Drew and Oliva Lei Byers-Straus and studio owner and director Angela Rose Dorantes during the 2016-17 season.
Zoe Swenson-Graham
ZOË SWENSON-GRAHAM returned to the states in 2015 after living in London for nearly seven years, where she worked as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher. Most recently, she performed as Velma in West Side Story with the Mountain Play, and choreographed the fights for the production. She appeared in the world premiere of Arches, Balance and Light at Ross Valley Players and Peter Pan with the Mountain Play. Before leaving London, she performed in the leading role in the English Premiere of Neil LaBute’s Autobahn at The Kings Head Theatre, London. Other London credits include: Our Town (Emily). The Trojan Women (Helen), The Toll (Edinburgh Festival), and Twelfth Night (Viola). Zoe received an Off-West End Best Actress nomination for At the Broken Places, a new American play that premiered in London in 2011. Zoe graduated from the University of Southern California and has served as a dance and stage combat choreographer and teacher around the UK, including at the Royal Opera House, Soho Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Southwark Playhouse and the British American Drama Academy. London dance choreography credits include: The Producers, A Chorus Line and Company. Zoe recently finished filming the horror film Lasso.
Dora Donovan
DORA DONOVAN has dreamed of becoming a performer since she was a little girl. She started dancing, singing and acting at Kid Stock Inc., where she also found her passion for teaching dance. Growing up, she took classes at Steppin Out from the ages of five to fifteen, where her love of dance grew. Dora also did musical theater at Riordon High School during her high school years, where she was involved in all the musicals, including Anything Goes, West Side Story and Jesus Christ Superstar. Dora was lucky enough to be "dance captain" for two out of the four shows. Her favorite show was Anything Goes because she got to strengthen her tap skills and had fun at the same time. Besides musical theater, Dora was also involved in the Dance Ensemble at Mercy High School where she took tap, jazz, ballet and hip hop. Dora may be a familiar face to returning students at Steppin' Out as she has been running the front desk and subbing classes for the past two years. She has now been given a wonderful opportunity to teach her own classes and couldn't be more excited to give back to the community.
For the 2016-17 season, Dora will be teaching on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Olivia Lei Byers-Straus
After spending a year watching and dancing from the sidelines while her big sister took classes, OLIVIA LEI BYERS-STRAUS officially began dancing at Steppin' Out when she was three years old, studying ballet with Avilee Goodman and tap with Angela Dorantes. She is currently a member of the Special Needs Company at Steppin' Out, taking classes twice a week and performing at the annual showcase.
While attending Ruth Asawa School of the Arts High School, Olivia studied dance with Elvia Marta and performed in the musicals Wedding Singer and Seussical. When she was a freshman she performed in Carnival at Riordan High School. For many summers she performed with KidStock, a musical theater camp. When she got too old to be a camper, she worked as an assistant to Angela, choreographing and teaching dances to the younger children.
After graduating from SOTA, Olivia moved to Los Angeles to participate in Pathway at UCLA, a 2-year post-secondary program, from which she earned her certificate in June 2015. Now she's happy to be back in San Francisco, living in an apartment in Laurel Heights and teaching Steppin' Out's creative movement class for children with disabilities, which allows her to share her love for dance with her young students.
Jordan Drew
JORDAN DREW began her dance training under the tutelage of the late Timothy M. Draper at the Draper Center for Dance Education in Rochester, New York. While training, she was awarded many prestigious honors, including the 2002 Hope Award and 2004 Top 12 Finalist at the Youth America Grand Prix Finals in New York City, as well as scholarships to both the American Ballet Theater Summer Intensive and the Paris Opera Ballet School. In 2008, Ms.Drew was selected as an Honorable Mention Scholarship winner in the Young Arts program from the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts. She rose to the rank of soloist in the Rochester City Ballet, performing in such classical works as the Nutcracker, Cinderella, and Firebird, as well as original works by Edward Ellison and Imna Rubio Tomas. A principal role was created for Jordan in the World Premier of Correspondence by Robert LaFosse. She continued her training at Alonzo King's LINES Ballet Training Program in San Francisco, California from 2008-2010, where she danced repertory by Alonzo King, Kara Davis, Gregory Dawson, Yannis Adoniou, Carmen Rozestraten, Keelan Whitmore, Robert Moses, and Maurya Kerr.
In 2011, Jordan, along with five others, was chosen by Alonzo King to attend the internationally acclaimed Monaco Dance Forum in Monte Carlo. There they performed an original piece created for them by Mr. King. In the spring of 2012, she went to Denver to dance with Dawson/Wallace Dance Project, where she was named a Principal Dancer. In July 2012 Jordan and five other dancers performed in the dance video Aloft choreographed by Yuri Zhukov, which was named the best dance video by Dance Magazine in November 2012. Jordan now dances for dawsondancesf under the directorship of Gregory Dawson.
For the 2016-17 season, Jordan will be teaching on Wednesdays.
Angela Rose Dorantes
Beginning at the age of four, ANGELA ROSE DORANTES studied tap, ballet, and tumbling at Betty May Studio with teachers Eileen Baldwin, Avilee Goodwin, June Sturn and Betty May herself. Over the course of the next 15 years, Angela spent more time in the studio than at home, studying her craft and working as demonstrator, assistant teacher, and eventually head instructor.
Angela also trained with Jacques d’Amboise and Emily Keeler with the Event of the Year’s 1986 Jump Team at the San Francisco Opera House and under Elvia Marta at San Francisco School of the Arts, where she was honored with the S.O.T.A. Dance Achievement Award in 1993. Since 1994 Angela has worked as the dance director for Kid Stock Inc., a musical theater program for children, and in 2001 trained the Pop Warner Brown Bombers dance team taking 3rd place in the 2001 National Dance competition. She has also performed with a number of Bay Area dance troupes.
Angela completed Foundation training with Shana Meyerson in Spring 2013 and is certified through mini yogis to teach yoga to children ages 3-11. Angela founded Steppin’ Out Dance with Avilee Goodwin in 1995, and became the studio’s sole director in 2010. She is thrilled to continue passing on the gift of dance as well as serve the community that has given so much to her over the years.
Preview our Fall Schedule!
Registration for Fall 2016 will open on Wednesday, August 10th at 10 a.m., so please take a peak at our fall class schedule. Also please note that our tuition, payment structure and policies are changing this year; please visit our tuition and policies page for more information. We can't wait to see you in the studio this fall!
It's Showtime! + Steppin' Out June News
It’s showtime! Whether you’re a current Steppin’ Out family, an alumni, a supporter, or part of the larger Steppin’ Out community, you are cordially invited to Steppin’ Out’s 2016 Student Showcase THIS Saturday and Sunday at Mission High School. It's going to be amazing. Performances will be held as follows:
Saturday, June 4th, 11 a.m. Showcase I
Saturday, June 4th, 4 p.m. Advanced Showcase
Sunday, June 5th, 11 a.m. Showcase II
Flowers will be available for purchase at the performance.
For information on which classes perform at which showcase, please click here. Also please note that there are no tickets for any of these shows. Just show up and enjoy. We’ll see you there.
ALL THE PERFORMANCE INFO YOU NEED
Please make sure you know which performance your dancers are performing in; see below for the schedule, hair & make up guidelines, and other important information. Dancers should arrive 45 minutes prior to their performance time with hair and make up already done. Remember that dancers should eat a healthy breakfast and please make sure your dancers know that butterflies in their tummies are perfectly normal—they just mean excitement!
Performance Schedule
Hair & Make Up Guidelines for Dancers
Venue Info
Costume List
Song List
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We still need a parent or two to sit with each class with dancers ages nine and younger during the performance. If you can volunteer, please email Angela: angela@steppinoutsf.com
NO DVDS: PERFORMANCE VIDEOS ONLINE!
This year instead of selling physical DVDs, we’ll provide each enrolled student with a code to access the video of the performance on Vimeo. We’ll be handing out those codes during the final week of class. If you won’t be attending, email Leila for the code: leila@steppinoutsf.com. The edited videos will be available after June 25th.
JUNE CLASSES AND SUMMER CLOSURE
Please remember that there will be no studio classes on Saturday, June 4th, as Steppin’ Out will be performing that day. (Note that even if it isn’t your performance time, you are welcome and encouraged to come and watch and support the other dancers.) We will hold other regularly-scheduled classes up through Tuesday, June 14th. (Note that students will be charged only a half-month’s tuition for the month of June.) Beginning Wednesday, June 15th, the studio will be closed for summer break. Keep an eye on your inbox for your enrollment invitation for the 2016-17 season at the start of August.
MOVEMENT OF THE MONTH: A DANCER’S WALK
Our dancers have been practicing all year to be ready for the moment they dance on stage…but are they ready to walk on? Sometimes our most graceful movers can look less than graceful when assuming their places. Have your dancer practice a slow, purposeful walk with upright posture, pointed toes, and a lifted belly. That way all of our dancers can be ready when they hear their teachers whisper, “places!”
DANCE IN THE NEWS: ELVIA MARTA RETIRES
Steppin' Out owner and director Angela Dorantes' high school dance teacher, Elvia Marta, has retired from the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts, where she has been with the dance department since its inception. We'd like to share The Chronicle's moving tribute to her work. Angela calls Marta "a pivotal person in my life, a huge influence, and a friend to this day." We at Steppin' Out wish Marta success and joy in the next stage of her journey.
DISNEY MUSEUM DANCE IN ANIMATION EVENT
Two members of our Special Needs Dance Company who volunteer at the Walt Disney Family Museum turned us on to this cool upcoming event: “Got No Strings”: History of Dance in Animation with Frank Gladstone happens on Saturday, June 11th at 1 p.m. Click here for more information.
QUICK TIP: FINDING YOUR PLACE
If you lose your place in the song while performing, just listen! The music will tell you what to do.
Performance Hair & Make Up Information
Make Up:
We ask students to wear stage makeup during the performance so they don't appear washed out by the lights on stage. Below is a helpful guide to determine how much make up your dancer should wear:
ages 2.5-5: lipstick or lip gloss and blush
ages 6-8: lipstick or lip gloss, blush, and a small amount of eye make up
ages 9-12: lipstick, blush, and eye make up
ages 13-up: lipstick, blush, eye shadow, eyeliner, and mascara
*all boys should wear blush so they don't look like ghosts on stage
Students are welcome to wear more makeup than listed for each age group. Make up can be in any color you choose.
Hair:
Students must have their hair combed the day of the show. Unless their teacher has a specific requirement for their particular song, students may wear any hairstyle they desire (but should take into consideration any costume accessories such as hats or crowns when choosing a style). Please note that Wednesday 5 p.m. front room "little swans" must wear their hair in a bun during their ballet performance.
Reminder: Dress Rehearsal THIS weekend!
Just a reminder that this Saturday we will have no classes at the studio. Instead, all classes will meet on either Saturday or Sunday for dress rehearsal.
Please check the schedule for your dancer's call time and day:
http://www.steppinoutsf.com/news/2016/4/3/steppin-out-dress-rehearsal-info-2016
Dress rehearsal (and the performance) will be at Mission High School:
http://www.sfusd.edu/en/schools/school-information/mission-high-school.html
For dress rehearsal, your child should wear her/his complete costume; however, there is no need for formal hair or make up. Please also bring a sweatshirt for waiting between stage practices.
COSTUME PICK UP
If you don’t yet have your costume, Angela will be at the studio on Thursday from 3:30-7:00 p.m. for anyone who wants to pick up (costumes must be paid for first). And she’ll also bring all remaining costumes to dress rehearsal for payment/pick up. Please see the complete costume list here: http://www.steppinoutsf.com/news/2016/5/1/steppinout-costume-price-list-for-2016
SCHEDULE CHANGES
NO STUDIO CLASSES this weekend! Steppin' Out staff will be running the dress rehearsal at Mission High School both Saturday and Sunday, so regular classes are suspended. We are OPEN Memorial Day weekend so please make very effort to come for this final rehearsal before the performance. On Saturday, June 4th, there will be NO STUDIO CLASSES as staff will be at Mission High for the performances. The week after our performance will be our last week of class at the studio. We’ll celebrate and have a wonderful wrap-up class together.
Costumes, Songs, & More + Steppin' Out May News
Big news: costumes have arrived! Our dancers are being fitted in class now if they haven't been already. Click here for costume information. Your child may bring her or his costume home once the costume and the performance fees have been paid; please pay at the front desk. As always, if ever a fee poses a problem for your family, simply email Angela: Angela@steppinoutsf.com.
In other news: this is it! We're in our final month of rehearsing before it's show time. Please make every effort to be there for each class and don't forget about the dress rehearsal (click here for schedule information).
MOVEMENT OF THE MONTH: TAKE A BOW
Before you know it, your dancers will be facing stage lights and curtains as they debut the dances they've put so much time and energy into learning. After we finally see their grand performances, we'll want to show them how much we appreciated them...but are your dancers ready to take a bow? A graceful dancer's bow is not hard to learn, but it does require practice. Have your dancer stand nice and tall with two feet together and then bend at the hips, sweeping both hands back.
Some classes may be using the curtsey instead of the bow. For this, dancers place one foot behind the other and sweet both arms gracefully behind them. Advanced dancers may drop their heads during their bow and can practice maintaining balance during this moment. Practicing at home is not only fun, it also helps our dancers get ready for their big moments!
THANK YOU FOR SPONSORING A DANCER!
We really appreciate the families who have offered to cover costume or performance fees for other families who might need a little help. Thank you for being such a wonderful part of our community.
TIGHTS
Whether you need white, pink, or nude, we have you covered with high-quality tights in every size for just $5 a pair. Check which tights you need for your particular costume and then stop by the front desk for as many pairs as you like. (Not just for the performance--because they are higher quality than the standard "Target" pairs, our tights make great practice tights throughout the year as well.)
SHARE THE NEWS
Might someone else in your family enjoy getting our newsletter as well? Have her or him visit our home page and click on the "subscribe to our newsletter" button on the left side. Subscribing is quick and easy! To make sure these messages don't get stuck in spam, ask all family members to add "angela@steppinoutsf.com" to their email address book.
DANCE IN THE NEWS: PRINCE'S PASSING
This month we wanted to honor the incredible musician who contributed so much to the world of dance. Here are some tributes to this amazing legacy.
QUICK TIP: LISTEN!
Practicing choreography at home is very important, but for those times when you can't, at least listen to your music as often as possible. Here's a list of this year's music so you can find your songs.