Get started with Zoom:
Zoom is a free app/online download. If you’d like to use your phone or tablet you can download the app through your Google Playstore or Apple App Store. If you are using your computer, you can download here: https://zoom.us/signup. You will need to have this app in order to participate in the class. This allows everyone to see each other and the teacher to answer any questions you have while also ensuring you are dancing safely and correctly. Classes will be 20-40 minutes, depending on the level and style. Assuming you are dancing in your bedroom, basement, living room, etc., we will do our best to give you a complete, yet modified class. All dancers can take classes at their level or below, but may NOT take a class at a higher level as we don’t want you to practice incorrectly or hurt yourself.

To join the class: simply click on the link to the class listed under the “Zoom schedule”. That tab will log you right in to the class (or waiting room if you’re a few minutes early). If you are having issues accessing the class feel free to call or text Miss Heather at 517.256.2074. Feel free to give the link to caregivers as needed if parents are still at work during the class.

You can also find the zoom links, the meeting ID, and passwords on our HDC  Calendar

What to wear:  Dancers can wear whatever is comfortable to move in. If you’d like to put on leotard and tights to have some “normalcy” during this time, feel free- I actually recommend it! If you want to wear yoga pants and a t-shirt, that is fine too. Please avoid super short shorts (because we can see you at home) and baggy pants (because we can’t offer any corrections without seeing your legs). Typical dance shoes are best.

What you need: 

• Find any space that you can move around without too much around you. If the weather is nice, feel free to dance outside!
• Pre Dance and Pre Combo: need a scarf this week.
• Tumbling: have space, all levels need a stuffed animal of some type.
• Ballet classes (level 1 & up): find something to use as a barre such as a wall, counter, or chair. Ballet barres are traditionally 42-44” off the ground. You can do ballet on carpet or hardwood/laminate, just make sure you wont kick anything.
• Jazz, Hip Hop class: Find a space that you can lay on the ground comfortably and move around without too much around you.
• Tap Classes: If possible, find any floor in your house that isn’t carpet. Laminate, hard wood, etc. work best. Title is difficult and sometimes too slippery. A piece of plywood or cardboard will stop your floors from being marked up.

All classes have been modified to accommodate a smaller space than the traditional dance studio, so you should be able to take class in your bedroom (great excuse to clean your room!), basement, family room, or kitchen.

​Remember teachers will also be teaching in their homes (my dogs and cats really like to videobomb), so it’ll be a learning process for everyone!

Here is the daily zoom class schedule. Remember that you can take any class that is of the same level or below what you are currently enrolled in.

 

Calendar for ZOOM Classes

 

Heather’s Dance Co (HDC) families,

I am praying this virus is stopped in such a miraculous way that only GOD gets the glory! We are adapting every day to what the new “temporary” normal is looking like and are excited to announce that our new normal includes LIVE online classes starting next week, but kicking off with a dance party Friday night! We were excited to get content onto the YouTube channel Heather Reed- HDC Youtube Videos, emailed out and put on the band app this week to help us get through March, but it appears we may be social distancing for a bit longer. This method allows us to reach our families, connect with the dancers, and still provide you a quality dance experience the best way we can, given the circumstances.

While we were originally closed for Spring Break next week, it seems that now is the time kiddos and families need routine and activities to stay positive. We are hoping to be a positive part of your day and something for your kiddos to look forward to. Our faculty will be offering these exclusive LIVE online classes for all current HDC families through Zoom video conferencing starting Monday, March 30^that regular class times. We have had great success testing this model out with a few teens and parents over this week and are excited to expand our offering to every age and level.

Check out more details about the HDC website- Zoom Classes You can pick to join in for any class time at your level or below. (This is a great opportunity to make up missed lessons)

PARENTS OF TEENS : I would love to send your dancer his or her own invite to each class, if you reply to this email with your dancer’s name and phone number or email address or both, I will invite them to each of their classes.

Kicking it off with a ZOOM Dance party Friday night!  Friday March 27^th 7:00pm-7:30pm ages 2-9 (levels pre, 1, and 2)  7:45pm-8:15pm ages 10 and up (levels 3, 4 and adv) Be ready for a dance scavenger hunt, awesome beats, and a dance challenge!  DANCE PARTY AGES 2-9 Meeting ID: 606 461 238 Password: 073718  DANCE PARTY AGES 10 AND UP  Meeting ID: 997 299 881Password: 006875

 

Test for parents and teens Thursday March 26^th at 7:00pm  Set everything up and join this test meeting before Friday night. TEST ZOOM MEETING  Meeting ID: 452 711 780 Password: 009311

*At this point we are hoping we can reopen the physical studio on April 14 or 15^th.  Time will tell, but everything scheduled after that date is currently still happening.

**Pictures have been tentatively moved to the day of the Recital.  (definitely not my first choice due to hecticness, but we will do what we need to do) Recital tickets will go on sale Saturday April 25 at 10am.

***April and May tuition is due as usual. May classes will now be extended until May 22^nd (possibly beyond) Log into the parent portal Parent Portal HDC to pay with a credit or debit card,  send tuition via paypal as a friend heathersdancestjohns@gmail.com, or mail a check to the studio 221 N. Clinton Ave. St. Johns, MI  48879

While we are hoping most families will join us for these online classes and continue to support the dancers and studio, we realize this may not be suitable for everyone. If you are not able to join in the zoom classes or are having a financial hardship due to this pandemic and are seeking financial aid in the form of tuition assistance, more time to pay, or to drop your students class, please email Miss Heather at heathersdancestjohns@gmail.com or reply to this email.

If you able and interested in donating to the studio at this time we would appreciate any amount of support. Your donation will ensure that Heather’s Dance Company can continue to pay our teachers and stay open via zoom during this pandemic, so that when the social distancing/quarantine does end, and it will, we can still be here to share our love of dance with you and the community as we have done for 25 years. Make your donation Donation Portal today (to log in use email: hdcmissions@gmail.com password Dancedonation2020) and help keep the arts alive.

As always, we are so thankful for the wonderful families of this community. Whether you are needing aid, joining us for online classes, or making a donation we value each and every one of you. We hope you and your family are staying safe and doing well. Please note that Miss Heather and staff will be praying for each family individually this weekend throughout the weekend. Please reach out to us if there is anything (even beyond dance) that we can do to help you and your family during this time.

Thank you for your continued support of our studio, our staff, and the arts,

Dancingly Yours,

Miss Heather