Ms. Reeves

Feb. 28, 2011

Welcome back from your winter break! I hope all of you had a great break. I observed some good action today in class but we really need to tighten up the talking in between the combinations. I know you are excited to get back with all of your friends but we loose a lot of time.

I noticed today that many of you are still confused with over and under. We will continue to work on this as well as reviewing the nine body positions and preparing for a test. These have to be learned. There are no exceptions.

Have a great night and drink lots of water if you were not active over the break. You will be sore everyday.

Ms. D

 

Feb. 16, 2011

Once again I want to remind all of you that Ms. Mora and I will not be here tomorrow and Friday. We will be in NY with ComPANy. Many of you asked what we do while we are there. We are so busy! Students will have dance pieces set on them for the spring dance concert, they will get vocal and drama coaching, and classes in all areas. We have many alumns on Broadway that are so gracious in giving back to the school by coming to teach and share their experiences. We are also fortunate in being able to have Broadway professionals come and meet everyone and make even more connections.

We will still be in NY when you are on your winter break. Have a good break and go take some dance classes. Many local studios will be open!

Thursday..no dance clothes..you will NOT be dancing.

Friday you will be dancing with either Mr. Davis or Mr. Green.

Ms. D

Feb. 15, 2011

Plie!!!! and the purpose of fifth position? I hope some "light bulbs" went off today in your classes. The "light bulb" moments are when something clicks and you really understand information and are able to apply. An example was in first period today, when Rex was giving his report. It is not just a matter of writing down the words but actually understanding.

For those of you that were not in first period, we are referring to just memorizing or copying word for word what you hear. If you read the directions or an explanation of something,  this does not mean that you could actually accomplish the task. We need you to be able to accomplish the task.

Few reminders:

   Ms. Mora and I will both be in NY on Thursday and Friday. You will have written work on Thursday with a substitute. You do NOT need to bring your dance clothes on Thursday but you WILL be dancing on Friday with Mr. Green or Mr. Davis. Please be prepared to dance on Friday!

  Have a good break next week and go take some dance classes!

Ms. D

 

Feb. 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day~

   Way to work today. Again,  I know that I am pushing you, but it is only for you to get better and to continue learning and progressing to your future! You are making your future. What do you want to do with your future?

  What did you learn today? You should ask yourself this each day.

Remember that you are off next week, so push yourself extra hard so that you will not be so far behind when we return from the week off!

Ms. D

Feb. 11, 2011

http://www.danceinforma.com/USA_magazine/2011/01/31/beyond-the-stage-%e2%80%
93-part-2/

(In the Search box, put my name and you should be able to straight to the article.)

I was recently invited to share my thoughts on "Dance Beyond The Stage" in an online dance magazine. Thinking through all of the different skills you are learning and how you can use them in rest of your life, helped me reflect for you how prepared you are for your future. I am sure you too can think of additional ways that dance will help you in your future. Enjoy the article...there is also a great article from Jon Lehrer, whom we worked with at the Regional High School Dance Festival in Virginia several years ago and an article from Cynthia Bond Perry who teaches dance at Kennesaw State University and Brenau University.

Reminders:

     Vocal minors and majors are meeting together for fifth periods next week.

     Homeroom is both Monday and Friday next week.

    ComPAny is performing Sat. night at the Strand for the Humane Society.

    Alvin Ailey is at the Fox this weekend and we wish all the students 'break a leg" at their auditions.

    Atlanta Ballet performing "Sleeping Beauty" at the Cobb Energy Center.

Have a good weekend!

Ms. D

 

 

Feb. 10, 2011

So glad we did not have a snow day today! There was so much learning and progress today, it would have been a shame to have missed this day!

Do you have a better understanding of how fifth position position is used in ballet for your movements now? I am trying to help you see the follow through throughout your class and how each movement or preparation will help with the next successful movement. I see many of you making a lot of progress and seem to really be understanding and are able to apply your knowledge.

Progress can happen daily. It depends on what you want to do with the time you have while you are training!

Atlanta Ballet this weekend at the Cobb Energy Center will be doing "Sleeping Beauty"

Alvin Ailey this weekend at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta...go see a show and get inspired. See how your daily training is applied in the professional world of performance.

Ms. D

Feb. 9, 2011

Here we go ...hopefully, the review today will help you have a smoother class tomorrow. It is very important to understand these concepts or you will not be able to progress. We will continue to work on these until you get them! Practice and get with other students if you are still having trouble. Try to see how they are used in all the steps and you might be more motivated!

Have a good evening!

Ms. D

Feb. 8, 2011

Good dancing today...progress was evident. I actually see that you are understanding the concepts and are able to apply your knowledge. When you are moving, you have to be able to think quickly and to stay with the music that pushes your knowledge faster as well. If you felt like you were not able to keep up with the pace, think through what we were learning and when you encounter it again, your knowledge will be there. What I am teaching you, you will encounter it again. In all styles of dance. I am teaching you concepts that will be useful to you.

You will be recieving your video packets back next week, as I have a few more students to do their make up work.

Have a good restful evening.

Ms. D

Feb. 7, 2011

Off one show and on to another: "Ragtime" auditions are next Tuesday.

This weekend: Atlanta Ballet is performing "Sleeping Beauty" at the Cobb Energy. Great chance to see a live ballet and one that you should be slightly familiar with since we did a small section in your fall dance concert.

We will continue to get our dance skills up to the level we should be since we had so much time off due to bad weather and because of the show for the last two weeks.

Technique and concepts, we will clarify the over, under, devant, derriere, en avant, en arriere movements. Body positions are still required since we use those in every single class!

Ms. D

Feb. 4, 2011

Sorry we missed you last night at PTSA. I know the weather was bad and we had a show at the Civic Center. It was great seeing the few of you that made it! We had the dance concert running on the video and lots of picture memories.

Please start seeing how your grades are progressing. Ms. Mora and I have diligently been putting in your grades with all the weather delays. At least you now can follow how you are doing so at the end of the semester you will know how you are doing.

Have a restful weekend! Stretch, go see "How To Succeed", good luck to all the Vocal GHP.

Ms. D