Spring 2024 News

We are delighted to be welcoming the warmer months, spring blossoms, and of course, 3rd term! Our focus during the 2nd term has been RAD Ballet exams and awards, Steps Ahead

Performance Group (SAPG) performances, and ‘Clue’ preparations. At the Synergy Dance Competition, our SAPG group dances and many soloists, duos and trios enjoyed excellent feedback from the adjudicators and our Inter Stage dance “Another Day in Hollywood” was invited to Provincials! It was a wonderful learning experience and great fun too! The RAD ballet examiner who marked 45 of our dancers, was able to examine ‘in person’ which was a delight. And we recorded Jazz and Tap exams on the same weekend – It has been a busy 2nd term.

SAPG Dancers at Synergy Dance Competition
Intermediate Ballet Candidates
Grade 5 Ballet Candidates

We were so proud of all of our Performance Group and Exam and Award candidates and believe that working toward a goal makes us all better, teachers and students alike!

There are loads more images and updates shared if you follow us on FB and Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/StepsAheadDanceBC Instagram @steps.ahead.dance.bc and our closed group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/71050184007

CONTACT US:

Reminder of our email addresses dance@stepsaheadbc.com (Ms Lorraine) sapg@stepsaheadbc.com (Miss Hayley/Miss Cat) bblake250@gmail.com (Miss Bryony) amy_staples@iclould.com (Miss Amy)

DON’T MISS OUT ON MERCHANDISE. Order your show tee: https://forms.gle/BiuDr71Skf3AMQKKA

CLUE- TICKET DETAILS

Every class is working on choreography for CLUE and most classes have now received their costumes.

CLUE TICKETS ($33.50) will be on sale to the general public https://cowichanpac.ca/ April 2nd onward.

Steps Ahead Families – Get your DISCOUNTED ($29) PRE-SALE TICKETS NOW 

By calling the box office (250) 746 2722 from 15th – 31st March (only). Give your dancer’s name and the codeword CANDLESTICK to the box office attendant to receive up to 4 seats at this pre-sale price.

Both shows will be identical except:

June 1st includes SAPG Showcase – June 2nd includes Exam Awards and Presentations

Grad speeches are pre-recorded this year and will be shared during intermission at both shows.

Volunteers Needed!

SHOWTIME SHOULD BE A PLEASURABLE EXPERIENCE FOR OUR DANCERS, HELPERS, AND FACULTY.

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO LETTING YOUR DANCERS SHINE.

IT CAME TO OUR ATTENTION LAST YEAR THAT WE WERE IN NEED

OR MORE VOLUNTEERS IN THE DRESSING AREAS. 

PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING OUR DANCERS PREPARE FOR THIS ENJOYABLE WEEKEND AND CHECK THE VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP SHEET HERE: VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP ’24

CLUE ‘24

Putting a production together of this caliber requires meticulous planning and coordination from everyone.

Please see the rehearsal schedule below and highlight your dancer’s times, mark your calendars and phones.

REHEARSALS ARE SCHEDULED AND POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE HERE: https://stepsaheadbc.com/2024/03/14/clue-rehearsals-at-cowichan-performing-arts-centre/

Act One will be rehearsed on May 30th and Act 2 on May 31st. (We will not be rehearsing SAPG dances)

On May 30th we will run the finale at the end of the evening

On May 31st we will run the finale at the start of the day (4pm)

We hope this will allow all dancers at least one practice of the finale on stage with the full company.

NEW: On Saturday June 1st we will run the full show (without costume) at 2pm. This final run through will be without some of the younger dancers, and will allow the tech crew to familiarize themselves with our props, sound tracks, video submissions and more. Please click the link above and read all details regarding the three rehearsals.

PERFORMANCES – ALL DANCERS PERFORM IN BOTH SHOWS

Saturday June 1st 6 pm and Sunday June 2nd 2 pm

  • Dancers only in Act One should arrive 30 mins before the start of the show.
  • Dancers only in Act Two should arrive at the start of the show
  • Costume, Hair and make-up required. Please note dancers aged 4 – 7 yrs only need blush and lip gloss. 
  • This tutorial is ideal for all dancers age 8 and up. False eyelashes required for teens. 

Helpful tutorial on STAGE MAKE-UP here:

BALLET BUN tutorial here:

Please note – we do not have time to do this for each dancer, so take some time to practice at home.

  • Dancers should arrive in costume with a cover-up over the costume.
  • Parent volunteers will be responsible for sign-in and out. 
  • Faculty and volunteers will be responsible for dressing room supervision.
  • Students in Act one (only) are welcome to watch Act two with their family (assuming they have a ticket).

Vice versa also applies.

  • If you are not watching the show, please be at the sign-out table immediately after the show to collect your dancer
  • Flowers will be available to purchase in the lobby

Registration for Next Season Will Open Soon!

CHECK FOR A REGISTRATION EMAIL WITH A LINK TO THE PORTAL, SOON.

Some classes fill quickly so be sure to register early. If you have questions regarding placement, feel free to give me a call (250) 701 0203 or email. LINK TO PARENT PORTAL  Check you are registering in the correct season.

There are a lot of ‘seasons’ listed at the moment. 

 Click on Summer Camps for Syllabus Intensive, Acro and Stage Experience or Sparkle Ballet Camp.

Register Now on Studio Director for our Summer Camps: LINK TO PARENT PORTAL

Summer RAD Syllabus Intensive – July 2nd – 5th 

 is an opportunity for us to work with dancers Grade 2 Ballet and up, without the constraints of school and other activities.  We are looking forward to challenging your dancer during this week of skills building. If you are interested in RAD Awards, Presentations, or Exams this week of the summer school is mandatory. Click on Summer Programs and find Summer Syllabus Intensive to register on  Studio Director. 

Stage and Acro: Three fun-filled hours including Acrobatic skills building and Stage combinations. Your young dancer will go home having learned new theatre-based steps each day and gain skills and strength for tricks in Acro Arts. Learn dances from Broadway shows and include tricks in a safe and inclusive environment.

Sparkle Ballet: Tiny dancers will learn new skills all the while enjoying freedom of movement to age-appropriate music. Although based on classical dance, this camp will encourage young performers to explore different movement styles and genres, culminating with an in-studio performance on Friday 19th at 11.45am for parents to enjoy.

SOLO PHOTOS Offered by Sheena Davies Photography

Don’t miss the opportunity for Sheena to capture your dancer in costume.

If you wish to book a SOLO PHOTO shoot (May 20th at the studio) SIGN UP HERE: https://book.usesession.com/s/y0dK-cxM7

Further examples of Sheena’s solo pics from previous years can be seen on her website.

As always, feel free to call me or email me at any time with questions or concerns, or better yet to simply check-in!

Lorraine and the Faculty dance@stepsaheadbc.com (250) 701 0203