Hello Dance Families,

This week dance class is the dress rehearsal, please have students wear costumes to class to practice in.  (Hair and makeup is optional).  The schedule with each student name and practice time is at the end of this email. Please look carefully as some students show and practice times have changed from last week.

How the Recital and Pictures will work:

Each show has 35-43 students participating in it. Show A is at 10:00am, Show B is at 12:00pm,. Show C is at 2:00pm.  SHOW A AND B ARE ABOUT AN HOUR LONG, SHOW C IS ABOUT 1 1/2 OR 2 HOURS LONG.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WE ARE STILL TRYING TO LIMIT OUR EXPOSURE TO EACH OTHER AND BEING IN PUBLIC.  As much as I would like to make this a huge community event, we will need to limit the number of people that you invite to watch.  Please be aware that I have several students that have low immune systems that are still wanting to participate but need to limit their exposure to others.  Please only have 1-2 people per student come to watch.  I ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU TO WATCH YOUR STUDENT, GET PICTURES TAKEN AND LEAVE THE AREA TO MAKE ROOM FOR OTHERS.

I am not selling tickets or setting up seating.  Please bring your own lawn chairs.  We will have a table for donations to help cover the cost of renting the stage.  If every family donates $5, we will cover the cost, anything additional will go toward studio summer expenses.  I appreciate your generosity.

Students with costume changes, we are setting up a little “tent city” in the grass stage right (by the ramp).  We have several parents already bringing tents with separate rooms and pop up shanties, but if you have anything to bring, it would be helpful to keep kids distanced and modest while changing between routines.

When you arrive (ARRIVAL TIME DEPENDS ON YOUR PICTURE SCHEDULE, BUT PLAN 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE SHOW STARTS),  please find a space to be in.  Students will meet at the bottom of the ramp (stage right) to line up for their routine.  They should stay with their parent until their performance, unless, of course, they are in multiple routines.  We will have 8.5×11 signs with the class song name that we will hold up so that you can see when we are “calling” you to be ready.  We will have 1 class on stage, 1 on the ramp, and 1 getting ready at the bottom of the ramp.  We, of course will be keeping the student distanced as much as possible.  If you’d like your student to wear a mask until they go onstage, that is perfectly acceptable to me.  I am happy to hold it until they come off stage.

The Picture schedule is also attached.  The photographers will have roped off areas and distance lines for everyone, along with sanitizing procedures between students.  The schedule is not set in stone.  If you arrive and see that there is room for you, get your picture taken.  I have tried very hard to have students be able to arrive in their first costume, get picture taken, then perform or perform then get picture taken so that it is close together.  The students that are in multiple classes, of course, are different, but I have still tried to make it quick and easy.  You are not required to purchase pictures, but the studio wall composite will be all individuals this year versus groups.  If you do not want to get pictures taken, I am not offended, if you only want to get pictures taken with 1 costume, or with siblings, that is all fine with me.  HOWEVER, to make the process go quickly, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU PREORDER PICTURES FROM THE LINK I SENT LAST WEEK OR  ON THE STUDIO WEBSITE.  AND, HAVE POSES PICKED OUT FOR EACH COSTUME.  I will not be there to pose students since I will be running the shows.  Again, our goal is to pose, snap, and go!

T-shirt orders will be ready next week.  I will send an email to families to notify them when they can pick them up directly from Sports Stop.

SUMMER DANCE CAMPS: I will be offering a few summer dance camps in July.  Info to be posted later.

Attachment: PICTURE SXCHEDULE 2020.pdf (43.2kB)

Attachment: Modified Dance Schedule 2020.pdf (49.1kB)

PRACTICE SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK. (ALSO ATTACHED AS AN EXCEL SPREADSHEET)

As restrictions begin lifting and the weather gets good, I’m looking at lots of different outdoor options for the dance recital.
We are making all routines “no touch” and modifying or removing lifts, partner work, and floor slides (if we have a “less than desirable” stage flooring).
We may not be able to gather in large groups, so I am also making a plan to have 3-4 smaller recitals by family to showcase these great kids hard work, beautiful smilies, costumes, and to reward them for sticking with the zoom classes.

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

Until the restrictions are lifted due to the COVID-19 virus, the studio will be closed.  Please stay tuned to your email accounts and the studio BAND app to stay updated with virtual class links and challenges.  We know that it is not the same as being in the studio, but we are all in this together.

Miss Heather

Heather’s Dance Company  

March Newsletter 2020…. Recital Info Just Dance 2020…..CONFIDENCE month.  

PARENT NIGHT OUT with Miss Heather and Miss Emma. March 6th 8:00-11:00pm Bring jammies, sleeping bags and pillows, kids will craft, dance a little, snuggle and hang out for 3 hours.  Parents go out and have a good time.  $20 donation for up to 3 kiddos.  

  DANCE CAMPS MARCH 21ST.  $40 for the first student, $30 for additional siblings.  God’s Little Princess AND PRINCE camps ages 3-6 10:00am-12:00pm, ages 7-12 12:30pm-2:30pm, learn manners, how to care for a royal dog, dance, be a girl of God. Teens age 13-18 3:00-5:00pm we will still dance and such, but we will chat more about how to deal with the junk the world throws at these young gals and guys.  

Register under events from your parent portal.  

Event Registration 

Lots of Info In 1 place.  If a link does not work yet, check back as it will be before the end of the month.  

Note* the only thing required is to be at Dress Rehearsal and to be at the show- none of these extras are required, only offered as extra comforts.  

RECITAL RULES AND GUIDELINES    – Read this to know what to expect Recital Guidelines 2020 

PICTURES: Picture Schedule: Picture Schedule 2020      Pictures are Saturday April 11th, 2020 at the dance studio. Each Class has its own appt time.  You are not required to purchase pictures, but please still come to get a complete group photo for the studio wall  

Pre Purchase picture packages online.  

 Memory Makers is excited to be your Official Dance Photographer for your upcoming photos! Before we capture your photographs, we would like to offer you our pre-order option. Pre-order online today, and skip the line on photo day. If you are not comfortable ordering online, our friendly staff will be happy to assist you on picture day. Most importantly, make sure you remember to bring your smile! 

Online ordering for your photos at: 

Heather’s Dance- Dance – April 11th, 2020 is now OPEN! 

** ONLINE PRE-ORDERING CLOSES: April 6th, 2020 @ 11:00PM CST ** 

Simply click the link below: 

https://memorymakersinc.simplephoto.com/
and enter code: hedan20 

**THIS ENSURES OUR TEAM HAS TIME TO PREPARE THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK AND  GUARANTEE NO PHOTOS ARE MISSED ON PICTURE DAY. FOR THESE REASONS, ONLINE PRE-ORDERING WILL NOT BE REOPENED.** 

DRESS REHEARSAL: THURSDAY APRIL 30TH at Grand Ledge HS Auditorium 6:00-9:30pm (Families are not required to stay the entire time.  

Dress Rehearsal Schedule 2020 

RECITAL TICKETS GO ON SALE APRIL 6TH 10:00AM $10 per ticket, if purchasing for both shows (at the same time) there is a $2 discount per ticket for the second show. (note- you can order, tickets, recital video’s, flowers and t-shirts all from this site starting April 6th. – One and Done!)- $1.40 fee also applies 

Note that the GL HS Auditorium has a Balcony, be sure to click on the correct area to purchase your tickets.  

Purchase Dance Recital Tickets Here- Open April 6th 10am 

How do you know what show to buy tickets for? Your student’s class costume picture shows what show she or he is in.  If your student is in BOTH shows, please consider volunteering backstage for one of the shows and watching the other.  Backstage and dressing room volunteers are required to pass a criminal background check.  Each Show has a sign up sheet and description of duties in the parent area.  Please sign up if you plan to stay in the dressing room or backstage areas.  

PRE ORDER RECITAL FLOWERS Because our show is on Mothers Day weekend and our past experience is that it is difficult to get quality flowers at an affordable price this weekend.  Therefore we are trying 48 Stems and pre ordering rainbow bouquets this season.  Order your dancer a 3 or 6 stem bouquet of rainbow roses before April 28th. They will be delivered and ready for you to pick up at the recital.  

Order Recital Flowers Here 

ADVERTISE IN THE RECITAL PROGRAM Advertise your business, send a special good luck note to your Dancer.  Business Card Size $40, Half Page Size $50, Full page size $60, Full Page front of the Program $70, Corporate Advertisement $200.  Email electronic files to heathersdancestjohns@gmail.com  Advertisements due by April 30th.  

Forms at the studio in the parent area. 

Advertise in Recital Program 2020 

PROFESSIONAL RECITAL VIDEO ORDERS The recital is always professionally recorded by our videographer.  Shows are available on DVD with menu options.  DVD’s are ready mid July.  Purchase 1 show that you will pick up at the studio for $25, shipped  to your home $32, both shows picked up $45, shipped $57.   

Orders will be taken through the month of June. Forms are at the studio and will be at both shows.  

Recital Video Order Form 

RECITAL T-SHIRT  Just Dance 2020 Recital T-shirt with sparkly front. Prices and sample to arrive soon.  Please check the paper on the studio wall in the parent area to be sure student name is spelled correctly as that is what is printed on the back of all the t-shirts.  The link to order will be updated soon.  

Recital tshirts 2020 

Show A ORDER 11:00AM SHOW 

Show B ORDER  3:30PM SHOW 

Friday March 6th 8:00pm-11:00pm

Impromptu Parent Night out by Miss Heather and Miss Emma. Student and siblings ages 3 years old to 15 year old can come hang out at the studio. We will craft, dance a little, watch a movie, tiktok? (maybe), play games, eat a snack. $20 minimum donation per family of up to 3 siblings. Bring jammies, lovies, blankets or sleeping bags to snuggle on the dance floor. 🙂 3 hours for parents to go out and do parent things. 🙂 If you need to drop off earlier, arrangements can be made, but there is a class happening at the studio so we would need to stay in the waiting area. Contact Miss Heather if you need this service.

Register for the Parent Night Out!

Although school was closed, we will still have dance classes tonight!

Wednesday February 26th classes are canceled due to weather and road conditions.

Bring a friend week will be next week for these classes.

Picture Schedule Link 2020

January 2020 Newsletter

January 2020 Heather’s Dance Company Newsletter 

Attached to this newsletter, posted on the wall at the dance studio and on the studio website is the schedule for dance pictures.  The pictures are at the studio on Saturday April 11, 2020.  Please note that some classes are scheduled in the same time slot as other classes.  Please plan to be at the studio 15 minutes before your time slot and 15 minutes after your time slot.  I’ve been doing this lots of years and we are pretty good and getting the group shot and the individuals in and out within a reasonable amount of time.  We like to be able to take more time with the younger dancers and frankly, sometime the teens are overwhelmed as well.  Please be on time.  

You are not required to purchase pictures however, I ask that you come to get your picture with the group so that I can have a complete composite for the studio wall.  Order forms will be available in February along with the option to buy and pay for pictures ahead of time online.  

Put the date and time on your calendar now. J 

Parents should know if their student’s class is performing in Show A (11:00am) or Show B (3:30pm) or both on Saturday May 9, 2020 at  Grand Ledge HS Auditorium.  It is indicated on the costume picture in the hallway.   – I CANNOT MAKE ANY CHANGES AFTER FEBRUARY 1- SO LMK NOW IF THERE IS A MULTIPLE SHOW ISSUE.  

Dress Rehearsal is on Thursday April 30, 2020* note this date change*  (For all that is Good and Holy, we are having trouble getting this date nailed down, rest assured that we will get it etched in stone VERY SOON)  starting at 6:00pm.  Dancers are REQUIRED to attend dress rehearsal in order to participate in the show. Each class will have a call time to be announced in the February newsletter.  

Thank you to everyone that contributed to the Costume Angel program.  I still DESPERATELY need 3 costume angels. If you are able to contribute to this ministry, please write a check payable to Heather’s Dance Co. and drop it in the box. Your donation will be applied anonymously directly to the student’s account.  I also have 2 families with financial hardship that are DESPERATE for a Tuition Angel (we do not want them to drop out but I can only give out so many free lessons) if you are inclined to give toward that. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.   

MUSIC TO PRACTICE AT HOME: 

On the studio website is a link with all the classes edited music in a mp3 format.  Please utilize this to practice at home. 😊  The first half of most classes practice videos have been emailed to families as well.  When the routines are finished in late January or early February, we will make new videos for your use.  Note that some videos need the specific link in order to view them and are not public. These videos are for home use only and they may not be copied or posted to social media or any other outlet that is not for the student to practice with.   

Please note:  If you would like to video or photograph your student in class, in order to comply with my ASCAP and Youtube music licensing and to protect every student with our studio YPAD certification, know that the studio is the only one with permission to post pictures and videos of students on social media.  If you record the class, you may only post YOUR own child on social media.  If you get other students in your video, you are required to get their written or verbal permission before posting on social media.  This is for all student protection.  

SICK AND BAD WEATHER MAKE UP 

Please remember that if your child misses a class for ANY reason, he or she may make up the class in another similar level class.  Most classes are working hard on recital choreography specific to their class, but your student can learn other routines with similar steps.  This can be FUN and ENCOURAGING to some students and discouraging to others. Speak to your student about that. Ask me what a good class would be for you to come to and maybe we could work on your students dance as well.   

You can make up classes anytime until the end of the season. 

DATES TO REMEMBER: 

JAN 20- MLK DAY- YES THERE IS STILL CLASS 🙂 

THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY HAS THEME WEEKS: DRESS ACCORDINGLY 🙂 

FEB 3-7 BEACH WEEK 

FEB 10-14 DISNEY WEEK  

FEB 17- PRESIDENTS DAY- YES THERE IS STILL CLASS 🙂 

FEB 17-21 CRAZY HAIR WEEK  

FEB 24-28 CELEBRATION OF DANCE WEEK AND BRING A FRIEND TO DANCE WEEK 

MAR 30-APRIL 3- SPRING BREAK- NO CLASSES 

APRIL 6 RECITAL TICKETS GO ON SALE 10:00am 

APRIL 11- PICTURES AT THE STUDIO 

APRIL 30- DRESS REHEARSAL 

MAY 9-RECITAL A 11:00AM, RECITAL B 3:30PM 

MAY 11-15 LAST WEEK OF CLASSES- TRY ANY CLASS 

Tights, bodysuits and shoes are not included in the cost of the dance costumes.   

If your child’s costume requires tights, we will begin to talk about the need for them in each class along with the necessity for nude bodysuits.  (only with multiple classes and costume changes) YOU CAN ORDER THESE FROM THE STUDIO WEBSITE: SHOP NIMBLEY AND THEY WILL BE SHIPPED DIRECTLY TO YOU.  

Here is the link for tights and nude bodysuits tights for recital 

If you do not have the correct shoes yet, please make it a priority to get those ordered.   

Costumes are starting to come in!  I will hand out costumes to classes when they are ALL in for a class. 

SUPERBOWL SUBS FOR SALE: 

GAME: SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2020 

MAKING SUBS: SATURDAY FEBRUARY 1, 2020 

ORDERS DUE: THURSDAY JAN 30, 2020 

HAM/COLBY JACK OR TURKEY/SWISS $5 EACH OR 12 FOR $50