SUMMER 2016 LEARNING CURVES DANCE NEWSLETTER INFO@LEARNINGCURVESDANCE.COM

WHAT A FANTASTIC YEAR! Dear Students and Parents,

Since starting the new academic year in September 2015, Learning Curves Dance students and instructors have been working non-stop towards a successful and productive year. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for supporting Learning Curves Dance and all our teachers, lessons and performances.

IDTA News The International Dance Teachers Association is the governing dance board with whom all our instructors are trained and our students take their amateur exams. Twice a year Learning Curves Dance puts approximately 110 students through their freestyle tests and the results are always of a high standard. This year, for the first time, 30 students also took their IDTA Street Examinations. This year our exam sessions saw a 100% pass rate

with 69% receiving the highest grade - Honours!

If a student is taking Star 1 or above they are eligible to be nominated by the examiner for the IDTA Freestyle Scholarship. This year four of our students were nominated, bringing our total nominees over the past two years to 14, way above average for a dance school of our size! The competition day consists of learning a routine as a group and a solo routine should a nominee make the semi finals. Approximately 200 students are selected from thousands across the country to compete. Our girls competed on 7th May this year and we couldn't be more proud. Sophie Milburn, Sophie James and Jessica Gardiner were recalled down to the final 30 in the under 18s, with Laura Matthews recalled to

the final 12 in the over 18s. Such an achievement! Congratulations girls, we are so proud to have had you represent LCD as our top IDTA students!

TWO IDTA FREESTYLE AND STREET EXAM

SESSIONS WITH FANTASTIC RESULTS

THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL, SADLER'S WELLS,

BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME, ALTON TOWERS

NEWSLETTER 2015-2016

MULTIPLE FESTIVALS, PARADES AND INCLUSIVE WORKSHOPS

AND SHOWCASES AT SAINT MARTIN'S ART CENTRE

IDTA Street Students prepare for their first exam session

Mrs Smith of the IDTA with Principals Jenn and Toni

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THOSE WHO "Live to Dance"

JEMz at Birmingham Hippodrome with Total TXS from BGT

TOP OF THE SCHOOL! L-R

2015-2016 IDTA Scholarship Nominees Laura Matthews, Sophie James, Principal Jenn, Jessica Gardiner and Sophie Milburn

Students Molly Walker and Lucymay Treacy passed with 97% in the November exam session! Pictured with their teachers Elise and Principal Toni

Student Lara Vina passed her Street and Freestyle exams with 95% in the June exam session!

Student Maisie Lodge passed her Freestyle exam with 95% in the June exam session!

SUMMER 2016 LEARNING CURVES DANCE NEWSLETTER INFO@LEARNINGCURVESDANCE.COM

Community Support Learning Curves Dance has enjoyed supporting Solihull and the wider community this year. We started the year by performing at 'Solihull Fun in the Park' and 'Dorridge Day' festivals. In October some of our Wednesday Medallists performed for the Mayor at the opening of 'Solihull Get Active'. The Mayor then met our LC Elite Cheerleaders when they escorted her into the event 'Painting Knowle Pink'. LC Elite also enjoyed supporting Edwards Trust again in October by cheering on runners at 'The Great Birmingham Run' and JEMz Beginners performed at their Remembrance Day Service, it was a privilege to support this worthwhile charity. The whole school also contributed to Children In Need by coming to dance lessons dressed as their heroes and together we raised £186.20, thank you for being so generous! In the new year we performed at Solihull Fashion Week in Mell Square and the LCE cheerleaders encouraged runners to keep going at the Knowle Fun Run! Together with two mid-term showcases, Mardi Gras, Chance2Dance and two exam sessions it's been a busy and successful year!

Performance News Dance is all about performing and at Learning Curves Dance we love to offer as many chances a possible! This year has seen the JEMz contemporary dancers perform at the stage most famous for dance SADLER'S WELLS THEATRE, our hometown stage the BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME, and of course at our local LCD showcases. The troupe danced two routines, 'Boots on the Ground' an emotional tribute to the men and women in our armed forces and 'Once Upon A Dream' a theatrical doll dance. The response to the dances has been overwhelming and the company have been so professional throughout the performance season. Congratulations to the Team and choreographers Jennie and Toni. We look forward to next year's performance at Sadler's Wells and the Birmingham Hippodrome! For information about auditioning for the team, please see an instructor or email us.

The Royal Albert Hall Super Team once again graced our favourite London stage on 7th May (a very busy day for LCD!). As has been tradition for 11 years now the freestyle team of students aged 7-15 lit up the stage, this time with a Lion King tribute! This year's dancers certainly upheld our tradition of professionalism and gave a sensational performance! Congratulations to Choreographers Jennie and Amber and of course the whole team! Register your interest now for next year's team!

Given the recent success of JEMz Performances with Chance2Dance, this year also saw our Senior Freestyle Team and LC Elite Allstar Cheerleaders' debut an LCD performance at Alton Towers Resort. After a fun-filled day in the theme park, each team performed two routines in the Alton Towers Hotel. The Senior Freestyle Team, trained by Toni danced a modern 'British Megamix' and a technical piece 'Oh Fortuna', displaying a level of skill and technical difficulty particularly advanced for senior team dancers. Our LC Elite Allstars performed their 'Girl Power Mix', which was heavy on the sass and their 'Allstar America Mix' complete with the Statue of Liberty and Stars and Stripes. The day was full of adrenaline and pride as our dancers and cheerleaders did what they do best.

A Final Note Congratulations to LCD Director Lian Fisher on the safe arrival of Finn Daniel Berry born on 20th May, he is simply gorgeous and has no idea how many women he will have in his life!

A big thank you to our Senior instructors Amber and Elise and student demonstrators this year, LCD simply wouldn't run without you! Congratulations to instructors Laura and Katie who have accepted the offer to train to Associate level with the IDTA as of September. Thank you to our event chaperones this year; Amber, Rachel, Katie, Debbie and Laura. Your enthusiasm and passion for what we do makes show days amazing!

We would like to wish everyone a wonderful break over the summer - we can't wait to see you in September for another fantastic year with Learning Curves Dance!

Love Jenn and Toni xxx

The Senior Freestyle Team at Alton Towers

The JEMz Contemporary Team

Brand new class LC Elite Cheeky Cheer

The Royal Albert Hall Super Team

Be a Hero for Children In Need

Thank you to all who made this year a fantastic success! Here's to next year with Learning Curves Dance!