Blog/News

Great Day in Downtown Paso at Pioneer Day!

Loads of people, floats, beans, music, and dancing! Thanks to all for joining the parade with us. Look for photos coming soon!

Special thanks to Golden Hills Auto Center for donating the truck & trailer for the Class Act Dance parade float. Couldn't have done it without you!

This is part one of a two part article - look for the next article "Is it dancing...or is it juggling?" coming up next week.

Hello all - when the team at Class Act Dance sat down to set goals and draw up plans for the 2011 Fall season, one of them was to improve two way communications between parents, students and the staff. We've made a number of changes that we think have helped, and which are outlined below. Because communication is a two way street, we welcome your feedback!

Here's a list of some of the things we've done so far:

1) New email addresses - easy to remember - we've given our office and Director staff classactdance.com domain addresses, and created a couple to ensure rapid accurate response. Here's a list:

• info@classactdance.com - general information, inquiries
• accounts@classactdance.com - billing, account and registration information
• webmaster@classactdance.com - got suggestions to improve our website? Send them along!

You can also reach us directly:

• cheryle.armstrong@classactdance.com - owner, artistic director, ballet
• amy.wescom@classactdance.com - jazz company director, hip hop, pre-dance
• molly.comin@classactdance.com - tap company director, adult classes
• trish.jacobs@classactdance.com - office manager
• ann.ormonde@classactdance.com - billing, account management
  

2) Calendars - we're working on ways to leverage on-line calendars to create both generic and specific calendars to keep everybody informed. With so much happening at Class Act Dance constantly, we believe this will be a big help to all. Our general calendar is currently on our website, readily available. Specific calendars - such as those for rehearsal schedules - will be directed towards staff and performers as needed. As before, these will always be available at our offices as well as posted on-line to view and download.

3) Online enrollment - you can now create an account, register your family and students, enroll in classes, and make payments online. We also still completely support in-person enrollment. Read more here

4) Website - the site has been revamped and is our primary location for information. Find general info about the studio, instructors and news. Check for auditions, production information, class schedules and the all-important calendar. You'll be seeing many more photos of our dancers and performances coming up.

5) Facebook - you can "like" us on Facebook and get notifications about upcoming events and announcements. Those same announcements are posted on our website as well. And - you can always provide feedback directly on the Facebook page.

6) Blog - we've added this blog, which not only provides a great way to read up on our latest thoughts and activities, but allows readers to comment back to us with your views! Take advantage!

7) Phone - we've simplified the phone system, while keeping our number the same - 805.239.3668

To summarize - we are committed to helping our families, students and staff participate in the Class Act Dance community. Please use these tools should you have questions, need information, or have constructive comments that will benefit us all.

Thanks very much!

The Staff at Class Act Dance and Performing Arts Studio

Artistic Director Cheryle Armstrong to Represent Class Act Dance at RDA Conference

Representing Class Act Dance and the Paso Robles Chamber Ballet, Cheryle Armstrong will be participating in the weekend long Regional Dance America (RDA) Festival 2012 planning sessions in Montreal Canada, Sept 23 - 25. Over 120 directors of dance programs from across North America will be in attendance to complete plans for the May 2012 festival.

RDA's mission is to "advance and foster the growth and education of dancers, choreographers, directors and dance companies in every community across the United States and Canada." As a member of the Pacific region, Class Act Dance is committed to upholding the professional and quality standards required by the RDA. Cheryle and her Chamber members join 85 other companies and 3000 dancers from across North America, dedicated to these ideals.

"It's a way for our local dancers to get regional and national exposure, and it helps our ballet and dance programs stay relevant, informed and up-to-date with trends and techniques being introduced around the country", says Cheryle.

For more information about RDA, visit www.regionaldanceamerica.org

A Few Words about Going on Pointe...

Hello! I am often asked about my views and policies regarding  moving new ballet students to pointe. I thought I would take a moment to address this critical moment in a young dancers career. 

Progressing to pointe work is a wonderful moment for a young ballet dancer. However, it is both physically and emotionally challenging. There must be a combination of maturity in both areas before the dancer will find the enjoyment and success they seek. 

I am passionate about my dancers, and I am committed to their health and well-being. For this reason, I will not jeopardize my students physical or emotional health by putting them on pointe before they are ready.

Having been in the ballet business for over 30 years, I am very in tune with my dancers and their physical stature. Going on pointe is very tough on young feet, achilles tendons, ankles and knees. I look for correct body alignment, muscular development, skeletal strength, as well as evaluate the students maturity from a dance and commitment level - they must be  ready for the challenge. If I have any medical doubts, I recommend - if not insist - on the student and parent meeting with a podiatrist for an examination and evaluation. I make myself available to discuss the decisions that need to be made.

I appreciate the students desire to move to pointe - and I love their enthusiasm and energy! But, if there is any chance the student could face harm in anyway, then I am obligated to delay this step. This is always done in the best interests of the student.

All children develop physically at their own pace. There is nothing wrong with allowing the body time to catch up to their desire. In my role as a mentor, I often recommend exercises and steps to help them reach their goals quickly and safely.

It just makes good sense, and it is the right thing to do.

I welcome your questions and comments about this next phase of a dancers life. It is exciting, it is empowering - but it can potentially be harmful. You have my word that I will do everything in my power to protect your child's health first and foremost.

Cheryle Armstrong
Artistic Director, Owner
Class Act Dance
Sept. 2011

Nutcracker Cast Results

Results are in! Congratulations to all for a great job! Check HERE for the full casting results.