TERM 2

Classes for Term 2 commence on Monday the 28th April. No need to re- enrol for this term, your enrolment continues for the entire year. Payments can now be made online for this term. If you are having trouble with the software, please contact leesa@steppingoutdance.com.au Fees must be paid by Wednesday the 14th May.

CLASSES COMMENCE TODAY MONDAY THE 10TH FEB

We cannot wait to see everyone this afternoon! Classes will start back at our normal studio (Holy Trinity Hall) today 10th Feb. Our new studio has met some challenges with deadlines but we will commence at our new home on Monday the 24th February. SEE YOU ALL TODAY AT THE CHURCH:)

Starting Dance Classes

As the time approaches for us to don our dance shoes and settle back into the year we thought it was important to reflect about what this step might mean for our little dancers. We have been thrilled to hear news of mass excitement, sensations of butterflies and mad enthusiasm as we all await our first dance classes for the new year. For some of our students they will fling themselves through the door with confidence and ease but for some of our dancers, especially our beginners and our tiny ones..........they might feel more like clinging to their parents or nervous about what their class will entail, who will be their friend and will they know what to do. Your teachers are all excited and nervous too. They know that along with the joy of being a dance teacher comes a lot of hard work and their biggest concern in the first few weeks will be about YOU, their student. We strive to create a beautiful and supportive atmosphere where everyone feels welcome. You are all very important to us and we have loved the opportunities to talk to your families, meet new little faces and hear about your goals for the year. We want to dance along side you. We want you to have a haven for your creativity and self expression and most importantly of all, we want you to walk out our doors with confidence, self belief and a huge smile. Parents, especially parents of little people, do know that for some children it will take a few weeks to feel completely at ease in a new learning environment. It is overwhelming to suddenly leave the security of Mum or Dad, your normal routine and suddenly be in the spotlight in dance class with lots of new faces. Know that it is very NORMAL for your usually very gregarious child to suddenly turn very shy or the child who was up dressed in their tutu by 6am to suddenly be frozen and glued to your hand refusing to budge. So if they just want to watch for a bit or if there is a little tear, it's OK, in fact it's more than OK, they are still learning and absorbing and the next time, it will be a little easier and a little less daunting. As teachers, we have had the wealth of experience and the joy of many years helping our little dancers find their wings so we won't bat an eye. We won't question whether your child is ready or label you a pushy parent. We trust and know that each child starts to engage at their own time. It may be immediately or it may be the second or third week of class. This is all very normal and encouraged. We will ease off parent observation after classes have settled. We are really proud of our dance curriculum and really want to show you that you have made the right decision in entrusting your child to us. We do believe it is important that parents are able to witness the content of class, the teaching philosophies and the knowledge of your teacher. After the initial observation period, we know that the most enriching learning opportunities will arise when we have the full attention of your child and are allowed the opportunity to develop a rapport with them and within the dynamics of the class. You will be amazed to hear what your child does when they have the freedom to explore within the studio with the music, the movement and oh, of course the mirrors. ( they love to preen...and it's important for them to feel alive and energised within their own bodies.) Trust that we will have the best interests of your child and the class at stake and even if a little one is teary please allow us the opportunity to calm them. Sometimes this special performance is just reserved for Mum or Dad. If we can't settle a child after a short period, we will send for you. Our goal is happy children. Most times, it's less than five minutes and your child is skipping about and any anxiety is quickly forgotten. For our continuing students, it's OK to be a little nervous or hesitant too. You have been out of routine and had a long break but your body will remember. We look forward to getting sore with you and helping you to soar this year. Together, with the support of parents, we will have classes of happy students progressing at their own unique rate in no time. HAPPY DANCING EVERY ONE. Looking forward to all the many wonderful emotions the first few weeks will stir. See you in class.

Enrolment Day

2014 Enrolment Day- Thursday the 23rd Jan between 4pm- 7pm. We will be holding this at our current studio. Holy Trinity Hall on the corner of Anson and Byng Streets. Directly behind Barrett and Smith Pathologists. See you there!!

Attention Dancers, Mums of Dancers and Friends of Dancers.

Have you heard about the latest celebrity fitness craze sweeping the world? Come and try a Ballet Barre workout class commencing Wednesday 12th Feb 7:30pm. This unique workout combines the elements of Ballet, Pilates, yoga and resistance training into a highly effective regime performed at a ballet barre. The technique utilises the body’s own resistance in conjunction with weights, bands and small balls. The effect is a long, lean dancers body without being a dancer! Cost: $120 (term 1) or $70 (term 1) for Mums of existing Stepping Outers Bookings essential! leesa@steppingoutdance.com.au

Calling All Little Stars with Big Dreams

Stepping Out Dance Factory is very excited to announce that we have become an Angelina Ballerina Partner studio and will be introducing a brand new department called Little Stars in 2014, incorporating Angelina Ballerina classes.

Our Little Stars Department comprises all of our fun classes for little ones; a speciality area that we are very proud to be known for. Little Stars will feature our famous classes for toddlers & preschoolers as well as special classes to get our little boys unleashing their creative flair and natural groove. For more information about how these classes are the perfect start for your little one please see our website and to discover more about our delightful Little Stars Department, visit . We can't wait to twirl and groove and explore learning through dance with you in 2014

Concert Make- Up (girls)

PLEASE CHECK OUT THE TUTORIAL ON OUR BLOG FOR SOME FABULOUS TRICKS & TIPS FOR GETTING YOUR PERFECT STAGE FACE ON. LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION! It's that time of year again when we dive into our treasure trove of make up and get our little darlings looking gorgeous for the stage! Why do we need to put make up on the kids? Well, though your little dancer may look like a mini drag queen off stage, I can assure you that on stage, they will just look like their sweet little self (with just a touch more pizzazz.) The lighting used can wipe them out and make it very hard for them to dazzle us with their brightest smiles so they need a little help to highlight their features PLUS IT'S FUN! Little girls love make up! Mums, I feel your pain....it's hard to get animated, excited little faces still long enough to weave your magic wand. And then there is the liquid eye liner....oh and the tears, you forget how easily and often little faces can crumple into tears until you spy your pain stakingly applied handi work sliding down their faces. BUT know this, it does get easier and quicker. A little bit of practise before the big day and you are good to go. Remember, children, like animals smell fear! Go into the application with confidence and assertiveness. You are a make up magician. Here is my guide to lighting up our Junior's faces. TINY TOTS and 6 years and under Parents use your discretion. Lipstick, blusher, shadow and mascara will be sufficient but ensure it is bright as the lights are very strong and can wash out those gorgeous little faces and we really want to see those smiles. Students under 12 years please follow instructions below (false eyelashes optional) replace mauve with brown eyeshadow. Senior students- Please use false eyelashes, follow instructions listed below but replace with brown/ grey eyeshadow. MAKE UP INSTRUCTIONS * Use a foundation in their shade ( you can go one shade darker than skin tone for stage but make sure you cover neck etc as well). I suggest using a sponge to apply. It's much quicker and much better for coverage. Some skin tones may not require much foundation. * DO use powder to blot out shininess and it will help rest of make up to go on with ease and stay on. * Use a white highlighter (shadow or powder form- some have a real sheen or a glitter) and lightly place under eye area and along cheekbone. Get your little one to suck in cheeks and generously apply hot pink blusher (for very rosy cheeks.) * Closing eyes, cover entire eye area in white or ivory eyeshadow. Using a mauve eye shadow cover entire eye lid. Accentuate corner of eye with a darker brown shade. Trace top lid with crayon eye liner in black and extend along eye in a cat's eye. (I use a crayon liner rather than pencil as it is easier on little faces). Use crayon liner under eye as well but below natural line so as to enlarge eyes. * Use a white eye liner in corner of eyes on both sides. * If using false eye lashes apply now. Use glue on both lashes and paint along upper lid. Press firmly and hold until fully dry. If not using eye lashes ( on little ones etc) just use mascara on top and lower lashes. Apply LOTS especially if they are fair. * You can then if you like go over crayon with liquid eye liner ( I use the pen ones) as again they are much easier. * On fair children , it is important to draw in eye brows in slightly darker shade than hair. Just lightly colour in. * Outline lips in lip liner- I colour in lips with it as well and then apply lip stick! HOT PINK- as bright as you can find!! There are always lots of mums who have been there, done that all before and remember their first days of making up their children and who are only too happy to help! Please ask us if we can help you! Concerts should be fun and not stressful! www.steppingoutdance.com.au Orange Blog for a copy of any notes you may have misplaced in the hectic leadup to concert.