Hey B Block...Why Do You Dance?!

Alex, Jessie, Shannon, Brett, Evelyn, Stefanie, Ranka, Lisa & Lucy

"I wanted to take dance because it always seemed really interesting and fun.  The first two weeks have been great! I have learned vocabulary words and new styles of dance.  The choreography we are learning is also lots of fun!" - Alex

"I began studying dance in China.  It keeps me in shape!" - Ranka

"I enjoy the class because I am trying different kinds of things.  I have never studied dance before.  This time dance makes me feel successful." - Evelyn

"I enjoy dance class because it's a nice break from the academic day.  I also love the performance aspect and the fact that it always gives me something to work towards.  I am always striving to improve my dancing and it is fulfilling when I realize that I am improving in an area that I may have struggled with before."
- Shannon

"I wanted to take dance so that I could experience new things and learn different forms of dance." - Brett

"I've always loved dancing, but quit after about 4 or 5 years.  I recently started dancing again last year.  I enjoyed the two dances my class performed so I wanted to join again.  The choreography we have begun working on is so much fun and so creative!" - Jessie

"To me, dance class is much more interesting than, say, running outside.  It is a way to relax myself by doing some specific poses." - Lisa

"I'm really enjoying dance.  I want to learn more and learn to utilize it to relax myself." - Stefanie

"I take dance because I enjoy working on something with my classmates and teacher and presenting it to a wide audience.  We are working on a dance that imitates animal motions and the music and movements are really cool! Loving it so far!" - Lucy

The Arts in Perspective Present Poems on La Sylphide

This past week the A Block Arts in Perspective students have been learning about the 1836 ballet, La Sylphide.  After viewing the ballet in class last Thursday they were asked to write poems about the plot.  The Arts in Perspective class is made up of students from America, Russia, South Korea and China.  Below please find a sampling of their work.

Effie or Sylph

Written By: Aqsa Ahmad & Claren Rong

Living room is where the wedding began

A sylph fairy steals James' heart

Sylph was whom James was searching for

Yet every time he thought he saw her, she would always run away

Listening was Gurn himself who saw the enchanting fairy with James

Potions and herbs were what Old Madge put in her brew

Her fortune telling was what declared that Effie was to marry Gurn

In the living room not everyone knew what was going to happen or if this was going to be true

Day of the wedding was the tragic time

Effie stood there shocked and surprised at what she had seen with her own eyes

The Love Affair

Written By: Kristina Smith & Soyeon Jung

The sylph kissed the groom

then disappeared from the room

he searched far and near

and suddenly she appeared

She snatched the ring from his hand

and put it on as her own wedding band

Then off into the forest she goes

and no one but James knows

James is approached by a witch

who is a big snitch

She tells Effie that her lover

is loved by another

Soon the sylph dies

then James cries

Shortly James is to learn

Effie married Gurn

Poor Man

Written By: Arkadiy Ayvazyan & Michael de Ubl

The poor man that lost his love

now will forever watch her graceful as a dove

While her sisters mourn what they lost

He must pay the cost

Effie and Gurn have gained the prize

James instead met his heart's demise

James was doomed by Old Madge

Now he has nothing but the scarf as his badge

The wedding guests have nothing to attest

But James will still try to protest

Wednesday & Thursday are Zumba Dance Fitness Days!

Every Wednesday & Thursday our dance students take part in  Zumba Fitness classes led by licensed Zumba Instructor Network member (and dance instructor) Aimee Dewar. 

Zumba Fitness is a Latin-inspired dance-fitness program that incorporates salsa, cumbia, reggaeton, rumba and merengue (along with many other dance styles) into an energetic work out.  Zumba Fitness is a fun work out and a great way for our students to improve their cardiovascular strength.

Below you will see some of our dancers in action!

 Stefanie, Ranka, Jessie, Shannon & Brett

Ranka, Stefanie & Lisa

Lisa

Evelyn

Ranka

Alex

 Stefanie, Evelyn & Shannon

Brett

Shannon & Jessie 

Stefanie & Ranka

Stefanie

Ranka, Stefanie & Lisa

Jessie & Evelyn

Shannon

Lisa

Our First Week

After many changes and much anticipation, we are finally on the Granby campus and so glad to be back together!  While we are waiting for our dance studio to be completed, we are holding our dance classes in the gymnasium.  We spent our first two weeks of school taking Zumba Fitness classes and learning some ballet vocabulary.   Last week we had our first ballet class and got to use the brand new portable ballet barres....aren't they fabulous?!   

Yoon & Li

Elizabeth & Natalie



Maggie