Welcome to the best dance center in the Ohio Valley!  I love what I do and that is the secret to my success!  I am starting my 50th year of teaching dance in the Ohio Valley.  Many of the local dance teachers have studied dance from me.  I pride myself in being the only teacher that personally teaches each and every student.
 My assistant teachers are very capable.  They are adults and have studied dance with me for many years in the past.  They know what I expect from each dancer and it will not be long before you will see how much they really do care about your children.
 My assistant teachers are my daughter, Darcee Casey Groves, Kelly Barchiesi, Beth Orwasky-Johnson, Melissa Karas, and Danielle Tiberio.  Darcee has a Masters Degree in Dance/Movement Therapy and a Bachelors Degree in Dance Education.  Kelly has a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and is working towards her Masters Degree.  Beth is a former teacher and has been working in the banking business for 26 years.  Melissa has a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelors Degree in Education with a minor in Special Education.  Danielle has a Bachelors Degree in Business and has been dancing for 21 years.
 The first few weeks may seem a little hectic as we refine the schedule and get acquainted with students.  Please be patient.  You will soon see that I know what I am doing.  You will see it by the skill and talent of my older students and how quickly the new students will begin to actually Dance!

Dates To Remember for Dance Year 2008 –2009

v Lesson money is due the last week of every month for the upcoming month
v Pay by mail or at the studio
v August 18, 2008……..Fall Classes Start
v November 25, 2008 Costume Money is Due
v December 2008  White House Performance and Christmas Shows
v April 2009 Pictures and All Day Rehearsal
v June 18, 2009 Dress Rehearsal
v June 20 & 21, 2009 Recital
v June 21, 2009 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner
v July 1, 2009 Line clinic payment is due ($10.00 late fee)
v August 2, 2009 Registration for 2009-2010
v August 3-7, 2009 Line clinic
 

Our Annual Dance Recital

 Our annual dance recital will be held June 20 & 21, 2009 at 3:00pm.  We will have two compulsory rehearsals for the show.  The first will be held at the Follansbee Community House in April and the second will be Dress Rehearsal in June 18.  Each family must purchase ten tickets at $8.00 each to participate in the show.  Additional tickets may be purchased at the door.  Our show is very professional, and you will be proud to be part of it.
 Costumes for the recital usually cost about $75.00 each.  This amount is due in full by November 25, 2008.  It is necessary to order the costumes this far in advance so we can get them in time for the show.  Costumes will only be ordered for those who have paid for them by the due date.  You will choose the size of the costume at this time and no exchanges will be made after they are ordered.   There will be no refunds on costumes under any circumstance.
 Class photos will be taken for the annual program book in which each student will contribute.  The size of the program ad will depend on the number of students in the class.  The cost ranges from $10.00 - $12.00 for each student in the class.  More information will be available as the book is prepared for print.

Dance Attire

Appropriate dance attire is expected for all lessons.  Please do not wear shorts and t-shirts.  Many local stores carry dancewear and dance shoes.  The different styles of dance require different types of shoes.  It is very important to wear the correct shoes for the best performance.  Shoes and dancewear can be purchased at Athena’s in Weirton, J.C. Penny, Wal-Mart, or online at www.discountdance.com or www.justforkix.com.  Please make sure to label your child’s belongings.  Every year we find shoes, coats, and clothes that go unclaimed.

Important Information

 You can help your child recall the dances learned by bringing in an audio recorder or video camera to tape the dances.  I am unable to do the taping for you, but I encourage you to do it.  It is much easier for the child to practice at home if the music is available.  I usually call out each step as they are learning, so this will also be on the tape.  Practicing at home is essential to remembering all the steps each week.  Encourage your children to practice to reach their fullest dance potential.
 PLEASE READ the bulletin board as you arrive to the studio each week or check out our website at www.brendacaseydancecenter.com.  This is how I communicate with you and keep you up-to-date on studio happenings.  If anything is unclear, feel free to call me at (304) 527-1560.  Sometimes asking other parents for clarification can lead to miscommunication.  I will be happy to explain anything to you over the telephone.
 Dance will usually be cancelled any time school is closed for a holiday.  You will be notified about this at the lesson before the holiday.  Please do not assume anything.  Snow days will be handled in the same fashion.  Even if school is cancelled because of bad roads in the morning, the roads may be clear by the afternoon; in which case, we may still have lessons.  In this case, you will be notified.
 There will be no make-up lessons and your monthly fee remains the same, regardless of the number of lessons attended each month.
 

Lesson Money

 All lesson money is due by the first of each month; please pay the last week of each month for the upcoming lessons.  You will be told at registration how much you owe each month.  The prices vary depending on the level of involvement, family size, and types of dance you take.  Please write down your total so you will have it handy when you get ready to write your check.  You may pay two ways; 1) you may mail your check to Brenda Casey, or 2) you may pay in person at the studio during the last week of the month.  A late payment of $25.00 will be added to your bill if you do not comply with the due date.  Any student whose account is delinquent will have to sit out and watch lessons until payment is brought current.  There are no exceptions to this rule.  NO!  I do not give credit.  YES!   This means you!

Mail your check to:

Brenda Casey
132 Kennedy Ave.
Follansbee, WV  26037

Awards, Awards, Awards!

 All students will receive a perfect attendance or participation trophy at the annual dance recital.  Perfect Attendance is just that.  You are allowed three excused absences each year.  In order to have you absence excused, you must call on the day of your lesson to let Bren know why you are missing.  This phone call is imperative.  You can reach her at home at (304) 527-1560 or call the assistant at the Studio (740) 266-9553 during lesson hours.  The only excused absences are sickness, death in the family, and a very important school function. We do keep track of attendance at every lesson, and we know who has perfect attendance.  Please be honest.  This is only fair to the students who work so hard!!!  Each year Students of the Year are selected.  The selection criteria is:

v Perfect or Faithful Attendance
v Lessons Paid On Time
v Outstanding Improvement Every Week
v Respect For All Teachers
v Loyalty To Our School and Respect For Me As Your Only Dance/Gymnastics Instructor
v Attendance At All Shows
v Proper Dance Attire and Shoes
v Attitude
v Promptness

 All students should put forth 100% effort in their warm-up exercises.  This is where they develop technique and become excellent dancers.  Instruct them to show my assistant teachers the same respect they show me.
 I also pick a Most Improved in each type of dance and a Showmanship Award.  The final decisions are entirely mine.  I watch the children closely every lesson, and I know who deserves the awards.
 

Stacey Roach Scholarship

 This award is to honor and pay respect to an outstanding dancer and person.  Stacey Roach passed away on July 7, 2001 after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis.  Stacey gave 100% in everything she did.  She loved to dance and her energy level was phenomenal.  This is a Scholarship Award given to one of our students who display the same energy, love, and power of dance that Stacey possessed.  We feel this is the highest honor in our school.
 The 2008 scholarship was awarded to Emilee Karas.  This scholarship will be given every year in memory of Stacey.

Precision Dance Lines

 Being in the line is a commitment.  You must attend every lesson, and you are expected to call if you cannot attend.  Attendance at shows is compulsory.  The routines are choreographed according to the number of dancers participating.  We generally have one show per month with the exception of the Christmas season.  We begin the Christmas Shows during Thanksgiving weekend and are busy until the Sunday before Christmas.  If you cannot fulfill this commitment, do not plan to be in the line.
 The summer line clinic is compulsory for line members and is usually held the first full week in August.  The fee is $75.00 and will be due by July 1, 2009.  This entitles the students to one hour of ballet and one hour of line for five consecutive days.  The material taught at the clinic must be taught at another time to any line member who receives special permission to miss line clinic for sickness or family emergency.
 The lines are extremely important to me.  I feel it is a wonderful experience for your child.  They get the best routines, and they represent me and my dance center to the public.  They are very well known throughout the area, and I expect them to be exemplary at all times.  They become the best dancers in the center as they study all types of dance.  All the routines are excellent regardless of the line you are in.  The children get to meet new friends from all areas in the Tri-State, and make lasting friendships for a lifetime.
Each line does fund raisers to pay for their costumes.  If you are too busy to do them, you can just pay for your costumes, but please remember that line costumes belong to the line.  The fundraisers usually last from August to December.  The Golddusters, Golden Nuggetts, and Solid Gold members must raise about $300.00 each while the Golddiggers earn a little more.  These dance lines buy two costumes each and two full pages in the recital program book. 
 Every line member is required to take Tap, Jazz, Ballet and Line.  There is a special four-class fee for these elite groups.  All lines do both a tap and a jazz routine.  Being a professional dancer for more than 25 years, I know how to entertain an audience.  The line routines do just that!  I work all year to come up with new and different ideas.  I’m very PROUD of all four dance lines!
 
 

Rising Star, All Star, Brenda’s Best Groups

 Each year our best dancers in each style are chosen to participate in our prestigious Rising Star, All Star, Brenda’s Best groups.  These groups meet only once a month for a half-hour lesson.  Payment of $6.00 is due at the beginning of the lesson.  Due to the lesson being held once a month, you must work hard to memorize the routine.  Attendance for all lessons and shows is mandatory.  Please phone Brenda in advance if you must miss.  Any student who misses more than three of these lessons or shows will be dropped from the group.  Even in the event of an excused absence, the lesson must be paid for due to the fact that you will learn the material you missed.  You must make accommodations to learn the material you missed prior to the next lesson.  Failure to keep up with the dances is also a reason for dismissal from the group. 

Lesson schedule:

Brenda’s Best, All Star and Rising Star meet the Fourth Sunday of each month.

 11:00 – 12:00 Brenda’s Best Acrobat
 12:00 – 12:30 Brenda’s Best Tap
 12:30 – 1:00 Brenda’s Best Ballet
 1:00 – 1:30 Brenda’s Best Jazz & Rising Star Tap
 1:30 – 2:00 Brenda’s Best Lyrical & Rising Star Ballet
 2:00 – 2:30 All Star Jazz & Rising Star Jazz
 2:45 – 3:45 All Star Acrobat
 3:45 - 4:15……….Rising Star Acrobat

 

 

      

 

 

Dance Center

 I am asking all students and parents to please share my pride in the dance center and to do their part in caring for it.  First of all, there is very little waiting area in the dance center entrance, and we encourage parents to only stay in the dance center when it is absolutely necessary.  Our waiting room is small, and undue noise distracts the lessons.  The fewer people we have in the waiting areas the better.  However, any parents who are in the waiting area please make sure that appropriate behavior is displayed.  The stairs and railing are not a play ground for students or additional family members that may be present.  Please make an effort to arrive for your child’s lessons at the correct time and promptly pick them up.  Children with nothing to do often distract the other lessons in progress.  Please be respectful.  No adult or child is to enter the studio until it is their scheduled time as it is very much a distraction for the class in session.  You must enter or exit between classes only.  Please do not wear street shoes into the dance area.  Parents are permitted to observe classes the last lesson of each month.  Please be quiet when observing classes.
 We would like to keep any food or drink to an absolute minimum.  Please try to have your child eat before or after classes at home or in a restaurant.  We realize that sometimes this is not possible due to the length of time the students must be at the studio.  Please be considerate and clean up after yourselves.  If this is not done, we will ban food and drink from the premises.
 I hope you enjoy this year with me.  If you have any questions, please call me at home at (304) 527-1560.  The best time to reach me is around 10:00am or 10:00pm.  My schedule at the dance center does not enable me to take the time to discuss anything during lesson times.  I want to give my students my full attention.  I want to be accessible to you, and I want you to understand what is happening in the dance center.  I know that sometimes things can be very confusing, especially for new students.  It really is best if you get your information directly from me; therefore, please do not hesitate to call.

 

We’re all invited to the Dance-
The Dance of Joy,
The Dance of Being,
The Dance of Life!
Let your dreams run wild and free-
And always, always follow where they lead.
 

My sincere THANKS for choosing me to teach your child and help in following your dreams of dancing.  It is said that if you choose a job you love, you never have to work a day in your life.  I truly love my job!

       Dancingly yours,
        BREN
 
Please sign and return to the teaching staff:

Date:______________________

From this day forward, as long as my child ____________________________________ is enrolled at the Brenda Casey Dance Center; let it be known that neither Brenda Casey, The Brenda Casey Dance Center, or The Center of Music and Art, Jody or Carolyn Glaub, or any assistant teacher will be held liable in the event of an accident or injury that may befall the above mentioned child during a lesson, at a show, or on the Dance Center premises.

 

 ____________________________________
 Parent or Guardian Signature
 

I have received a newsletter explaining the policies of the Brenda Casey Dance Center, the rules and dates for the recital, and the payment schedule and mailing address.

 

 ____________________________________
 Parent or Guardian Signature

 

 

 

 

 

EMAIL@BRENDACASEYDANCECENTER.COM                    

264 Main Street/CMA Wintersville, Ohio 43953

740-266-9553