Tiffany's Dance Academy - Pleasanton, San Ramon, South San Francisco, Costa Mesa, Livermore, CA

Have you ever wanted to see the California coast up close? Now’s your chance! This summer, Steffon Long – Co-Artistic Director of BAD COMPANY and Paul Henderson - President of the Board of Directors - will set out on their bikes to ride from San Francisco to Santa Monica. See the route at www.onebadcompany.org.

The 460 mile trek will begin in San Francisco on June 21 and end in Santa Monica on Friday, June 26. This fundraising event, otherwise known as BAD TRIP, will benefit BAD COMPANY, The Health Trust, and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

If you would like to ride, start training now!!! Call Paul at (925) 456-0774 for group training ride info.

If you would like to support a rider and these non-profit organizations, please make a donation by pledging money per mile that your favorite rider completes. For more information on The Health Trust, and the Lance Armstrong Foundation, please visit their websites: www.healthtrust.org, www.laf.org.

Lodging in Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Pismo Beach, Ventura and one night in Santa Monica is included; however all riders must provide their own support (food, spare parts, etc…) A spacious 33’ trailer will follow the peloton should anyone need a place to crash…in an emergency. Note: A sore backside and tired legs does not constitute an emergency. Several spouses are planning to drive from one hotel to the next to make a family vacation out of the bike trip. Cyclists will ride from 4 to 7 hours per day and arrive at each hotel in time to lounge around poolside (or Oceanside) with family and friends. It will be great fun and low-stress. Each rider must obtain a minimum of $1500 in donations from family, friends, neighbors--and acquaintances you barely know--to participate.

THE TEACHING OF CLASSICAL BALLET AT TIFFANY'S DANCE ACADEMY

-by Steffon Long

When discussing syllabus work, Vaganova (Russian), Cecchetti (Italian), Bournonville (Royal Danish), Royal Academy of Dancing (English) or School of American Ballet (NYC BAllet) it is important to consider that we are talking about methods of educating dancers based upon a number of factors that do not apply to dance schools and dance programs that must accept all students wishing to enroll in dance classes regardless of the student's body type, natural facility for classical ballet or given talent.

The large professional ballet schools that have developed the above mentioned "methods" of teaching have always had the luxury of being able to select the bodies that they consider most ideal for the study of classical ballet. Many attempts have been made to define the perfect body for classical ballet, but the perfect body is more of a concept than a fact. The major schools define the "ideal body" for classical ballet as having 180 degrees rotation in the hip joints, flexibility and strength of the spine in equal proportions, and bones that hang in a straight (plum) line from the top of the head to the tips of the toes.

In actuality it is good scientific training from knowledgeable teachers that can bring a dancer to a high level of technique and artistry. What in fact makes for an ideal dancer is a student with a natural kinesthetic sense (a feeling for movement), natural coordination, and an agile quick mind that can comprehend and work towards movement goals assigned throughout the various levels of training. Also important are determination, commitment and passion - - a burning desire to dance. It is more of a question of what is going on inside of the dancer's entire being than whether or not they have the "ideal" body type. There are countless dancers with the so-called "ideal body" type that just do not have what it takes emotionally, intellectually or artistically to become successful professional dancers.

During the last 34 years I have worked with many dancers who did not have bodies ideally suited for classical ballet, but who had been able, with good scientific training, to overcome physical limitations and become beautiful and successful professional dancers. This is where the educated, dedicated teacher rises far above the limitations that syllabus training can impose.

In my work I seek out the "individual" in each dancer. I study carefully their physique, physicality, sensitivities and kinesthetic awareness. I work with each dancer to find ways to help him or her overcome what may seem like physical limitations in order to enhance their creativity and artistry and lead them to a classical technique that will work effortlessly for their body. My primary goal as a director, teacher and choreographer is to help each dancer find his or her self through the study of classical ballet and the related disciplines of music, film, art and literature.

Next month we'll talk about my plans to educate these young dancers about dance history and how it relates to the history of the world that they live in.

Thanks, and dance well! Steffon

Open House BAD COMPANY www.onebadcompany.org

Look for the article and pictures in the Arts Section of the SF Chronicle Friday, March 5^th. Don’t forget to attend the BAD COMPANY Open House event on Monday, March 8^th from 6pm – 9pm. Prospective board members, parents and fans of dance will sit in on ballet and jazz classes and gather for wine, appetizers and information. Steffon Long, Paul Henderson, and Tiffany Henderson will explain BAD COMPANY and what it means to Tiffany’s Dance Academy and the Bay Area.

Leotard Requirements Beginning Next Fall

We are excited to tell you that we have been working with a dancewear designer and manufacturer over the past several months.

We have designed two leotards for our Twinkle Babies, Twinkle Stars and Combo classes. These leotards are very high quality, stylish (pink with black edging for combo class, black with pink edging for Twinkle Babies and Stars), and inexpensive. Samples will be available at the studio by the end of March. We will require our younger dancers to wear these leotards during class next fall. It is proven in many studies that uniformity in class creates better, more disciplined dancers.

Of course, if you have recently purchased new leotards, you may wear them until they wear out or are too small-then switch to the TDA Leotard.

We also realize that part of the magic of dance for young children and their parents is dressing up in very cute and unique dance outfits each week. We realize that many of our dancers still want to dress up, so to accommodate them, dancers may wear whatever they desire on all Parent Observation days at the studio (approximately once per month). These leotards will be available for purchase at TDA Day on April 24^th.

Dancewear Order Form

Last month we told you about TDA Day…an exciting day enabling you to (1) select your June Concert tickets, (2) register for next season, and (3) pre-order next season’s dancewear ahead of time at a great discount. We have included an order form for your dancewear with this newsletter for your convenience. We are anticipating an enormous turnout on TDA Day and this form will virtually eliminate your need to stand in line to select your dancewear.

We are urging, urging, urging you to complete this form and fax it in to us no later than Wednesday March 31^st. This will help us ensure that we have everything in stock and ready for you to pick up on TDA Day.

Remember, the advantage to ordering your dancewear through Tiffany’s Dancewear on or before 4/24 is that your registration fee for next year ($15) will be waived. Also, you will receive a 15% discount on your dancewear Value Menu purchases at TDA Day!!! Of course, should your dancer grow between TDA Day and the start of summer or fall classes, we will happily exchange your dancewear for the correct size. Please complete the form and either fax, mail, or hand-deliver it to Tiffany’s Dance Academy so we can order your supplies.

Tiffany’s Dancewear Store Hours:

Beginning April 26^th, Tiffany’s Dancewear’s regular store hours shall be Monday thru Friday 10 a.m – 12 noon and 3 p.m. thru 6 p.m. The store will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays and closed on Sundays.

Summer Classes and Camps:

The summer schedule has been finalized and we are now accepting registrations. Inquire at the office.

PARENT NIGHT OUT – THE GREATEST IDEA WE’VE EVER HAD

With the help of the TDA Performing Company members and their parents, PARENT NIGHT OUT was born late last year. Imagine, you are the parent of 1, 2, 3, or, God Forbid, 4 or more children. You feel like you haven’t spoken to your spouse in months. You need a break!!!

To combat the challenges of parenthood, Parent Night Out is the answer. For a nominal donation (it could be $1000 an hour and it would still be worth it), you can drop ALL of your kids off at the Livermore dance studio where they will be entertained by a crew…and I do mean crew, of TDA Team Dancers and parents who will entertain them. Next available dates:

Friday, March 5^th, 2004,
Friday, April 2^nd, 2004,
Friday, April 30^th, 2004

REHEARSALS

Dad / Daughter Dance– subject to change March 13, April 10, May 15 – times for age groups pending.

PARENT Volunteers –A Noble Cause

Parent Volunteers are the backbone of any good school. Without them, we could not function and there would be no way to manage the 500+ dancers who perform in the annual concert in June. Plus, the real reason (we know the real reason) for volunteering is that all volunteers get to purchase their concert tickets one day before the non-volunteers. This is important because Chabot only seats 1400 per performance. We run the risk of selling out!

If you’d like to volunteer, check with Barbara at the front office…and sign up for Parent Night Out while you’re at it.

Performing Co. Meeting 2004-05 Season

Invitations to become a member of the performing company will be sent to students who qualify in the next few weeks. Contact Tiffany if you do not receive an invitation and feel you are qualified for consideration.

There will be a meeting for prospective TDA Performing Co. members on April 5^th at 7 p.m. at the Livermore studios. The meeting is designed to give parents and dancers an understanding of what is involved with being on the Performing Co.

Reminder: current Performing Co. members must complete appropriate summer camp.