What's New at Applause Studio

YPO
Youth Parent Organization

Applause Studio Youth Parent Organization is a Washington State non-profit similar to PTA - open to all parents at the studio. They do fundraisers throughout the year, and organize the volunteers at the recitals. The studio literally could not function without YPO! YPO meetings are usually the 1st Fri. of the month at 7:00pm, & meeting notices are generally up in the lobby a week in advance. Come join us! (PS. The board is currently in need of a VP!)

SCHOLARSHIPS & WORK EXCHANGE

YPO is the organization that funds our scholarship program. $25 per month per class is paid to the studio for approved students, and the remainder due can either be paid by the family or covered by performing tasks assigned by studio management. Applications and complete information are available at the front desk

ATTENTION PERFORMANCE TEAM MEMBERS

Team jackets are available now at new discounted prices - children's sizes are $29, and adult sizes are $35 (plus sales tax). Don't forget to buy yours soon!

FRIENDLY REMINDER:

Tuition is due in advance on the first of each month. We add a $10.00 late fee to payments received after the 5th. To avoid being late, you can pay by phone, by mail, or place a check in an envelope and simply slide it under the door. There is also a convenient and secure payment box provided on the lobby wall. (You can save by paying 3 months in advance - Oct/Nov/Dec, Jan/Feb/Mar, Apr/May/June.)

COSTUME FEES...

June recital costume fees are $60, but you can save $10 if you pay yours within 30 days after registration. So if you want to save some money, pay your costume fees when you pay your October tuition! (Remember January Show-A-Thon costumes are additional, but are also less expensive.)

(Click HERE to download a copy)

A ♪ from the Owners...

Dearest students, instructors, & families,

Welcome to our FIFTH year of operation! When we first opened our doors, it was with the intention of establishing a clean and wholesome performing arts studio that offered quality instruction, with more varied opportunities for learning & performing than any other place around. We are thrilled beyond measure at what Applause Studio has become, and look forward to another fabulous year.

Our success has truly been the result of a team effort. We could never have done it without the support of our marvelous instructors and studio parents. Thank you so much!

Miss Alison has been honored to serve as studio director these past four years. But the time has come for her to cut back on the demands of running the studio in order to spend more time with family & pursue other interests.

Therefore, we are proud to announce that as of Sept. 2008, our new Applause Studio Director is none other than the incomparable Miss Laura West! Miss Alison will serve as Assistant Director, and Miss Debra G. will continue to serve as Artistic Director. (And Miss Edie will continue to be the woman behind the scenes who makes it all happen!)

There will be a little bit of reorganization for a while, so please be patient! And don’t forget to congratulate Miss Laura when you see her. We know she’ll totally rock the house as the most awesome studio director ever!

Thanks again for your marvelous support.

Alison Herron—Assistant Director
Debra Galteland—Artistic Director
Edie Smith—Procurement Director

Dancewear For Sale!

Jazz, tap, & ballet shoes from Revolution Dance Wear can be ordered through Applause Studio. Styles and prices are displayed on the poster in the lobby. Make sure you try on a sample shoe to assure correct sizing BEFORE you order! Delivery takes about a week, and the prices are terrific. We also sell a limited selection of in-stock tights and leotards. Please talk to the office staff if you are interested.

We also have some used dancewear available: Used jazz pants, $5.00 each, payable to YPO; used dance shoes $7.00/pair, payable to Applause Studio.

Regarding Monday Holidays

If you have any classes on Mondays—PLEASE NOTE that we hold regular classes on all Monday holidays except Memorial Day. Don’t assume that there isn’t class just because there is no school and the banks are closed!

The APPLAUSE STUDIO CHILDREN'S CHOIR needs eager singers ages 8 and up. Chari Bennett is an amazing musician and a wonderful choral director. This group could easily become the county's premier children's choral group! Help us spread the word!

AUDITIONS ARE COMING UP:

Please check our calendar page for dates and times!

ADVANCEMENT POLICIES

Advancing to higher levels of difficulty in dance is not like advancing grades in school. It may take 2, 3, or more years for a student to advance from one level to the next. Additionally, a student studying jazz, tap, or ballet in any kind of combination class will also be advancing more slowly in each dance discipline, as less time is spent concentrating on each type of dance during the limited and divided class time.

In the past our instructors have used their own syllabus/curriculums in determining student placement. This year we are consolidating our instructional guidelines for uniformity of teaching and advancement policies. Exact requirements will be posted at the studio (and on our web site) very soon, so that each student knows what skills they must be able to demonstrate for their teachers by the end of the semester in order to be advanced to the next level of difficulty.

This determination must be made before any student can sign up for any classes (summer or fall) that are at a higher level than those in which they are now enrolled. A student’s dedication, work ethic, and behavior in class... along with their adherence to dress codes & studio rules may also be taken into consideration.

SOMETHING FUN FROM MISS ALISON...

This past fall I went to a Seahawks game and had a great time… except for ONE thing! A lot of people did not watch their language and it made me very uncomfortable—especially because there were a lot of children sitting nearby. I was so concerned about it, I wrote a letter to the Seahawks & the Everett Herald. The Seahawks didn’t answer, but the Herald did! They did an article about it that was on the front page! It was a nice article, but I don’t think that things will really change at the Seahawks games, & they should! Hmmm… what to do?

I learned about a “No Cussing Club” that a 14 year old boy named McKay Hatch started in California . It has been very successful, and has been on Good Morning America, Fox News, MSNBC, CNN… you name it! He has gotten a lot of celebrities to join… including Dr. Phil and Hulk Hogan! They have over 10,000 members worldwide.

I’m so inspired by this—I want to start a NO CUSSING club at Applause, and then arrange to have all of us go in person to ask Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to join! We can invite TV stations to come, too! We’ll wait until after the recital, but you can sign up now! We have a sign up sheet in the lobby!

Visit www.nocussing.com to learn more.