Newsletters: 2012

This page features the newsletters we have sent out so far in 2012:

Newsletter 57 - January 2012

Happy New Year and thank you so much for all the lovely cards and presents I received for Christmas.  I hope 2012 is a good year for everyone.

Term Dates

Lessons start on 9th January and end on 23rd March with half-term week commencing 13th February.  Most branches have 10 weeks this term except for Wicken who only have 9 however it may be necessary to cancel an evening later in March for exams .  Please make a note of the following dates when lessons will not take place:

Friday 3rd February – no lesson at Wicken due to Anglian Festival Weekend

Achievement Awards

The winners for last term were Eva O’Neill, Farrah Wells-Burr, Eloise Short, Miranda Giddens and Agatha Ward.  Well done to all of you and have a look at your photos on this website and also on the Samara Ballet Facebook page.

Scholarship 2012

Congratulations to Caitlin Williams and Kacia Craigen who have been awarded Samara Scholarships for the coming year allowing them to attend as many classes as they wish for 12 months in addition to their normal class.

Fees

As per the end of term newsletter, the fees have increased this term and I have also introduced a different pricing structure which makes it cheaper to attend more lessons.  The length of some of the classes has also increased to allow both ballet, theatre craft and modern to be taught more fully following the successful trial before Christmas.  Several children have asked if they can attend more than once a week  now that it’s cheaper to do so and as long as I have spaces in a class then yes they are very welcome.  If you would be interested in your child attending more classes please do get in touch to discuss availability.

Exam Results

At the time of writing, the exam results for the RAD exams in November and the IDTA exams in December are still not available.  The IDTA examiner was very complimentary about our first entrants in the Theatre Craft exams so fingers crossed that the marks are good!  All results will appear on the website and a note sent out via the Facebook and Twitter pages as soon as the results arrive.

Holiday Photos

Thank you for the ‘ballet pose on holiday’ photos that you sent in over the summer.   The winner was Lucy Francis who amassed 25 ‘likes’ of the photo on the Facebook page and will receive a new pair of satin ballet shoes as a prize.  Look out for a new competition this term (a link to the Facebook and Twitter pages can be found here

Uniform

The new uniform introduced in September has been very well received (especially the reduced prices!) and the new lycra leggings have been welcomed as a warmer alternative to ballet tights.  Although the leggings are not for exams until grade 1, I am now happy to supply to the young children for class use as many of the mums of the prep and primary age children have been asking for them.  However, younger children do still need to wear their skirts until grade 1 as this is the specified uniform of the IDTA.

Modern & Theatre Craft

Theatre Craft has gone down very well after our trial last term and 22 pupils took Theatre Craft (TC) exams in December for the first time.  The new timetable will enable me to also introduce the modern syllabus as the term progresses but still have a definite time for ballet within the lesson.  Children do not have to take any exams or can decide which they wish to take as and when the opportunity arises but eventually all four core disciplines will be available for exams: ballet, tap, modern and theatre craft.

Bad Weather

The winter is upon us and as ever we have the chance of disruption with snow.  If I have to cancel a class I will endeavour to contact as many of you as possible but please can you all keep an eye on the website and Facebook/Twitter pages as this will be the main way of letting people know of cancelled classes.

As I do not live close to all the locations I teach at, I do have to weigh up the safety of an hour’s drive to some classes and more importantly an hour’s drive home again at 9.30 pm at night.  I very rarely have to cancel a lesson but sometimes it’s just out of my control. 

If you have moved house recently or changed telephone or mobile numbers, can you please let me know so that I can contact you if I need to cancel.

Festivals 

The last few festivals of the season are fast approaching with Anglian on 3-5th February and Sudbury on 11-15th February followed by Newmarket on 21-22 April.  If anyone is interested in coming to watch our pupils and see what festivals are all about then please do contact me for details.

DanceEast Academy

Applications for the DanceEast Academy will close at the end of this term so if you are interested in auditioning or would like more details then please get in touch. Hayley Rasdall and Marie Sheehy will have an exciting time this year with DanceEast as they prepare to dance at The Royal Opera House in London in collaboration with DanceEast, The Royal Ballet and Gareth Malone’s choirs!