Term 1 is done and dusted here at DBS and what a jam packed one it has been! Let’s recap on the days past and see just how much the students and staff have done in what feels like a very short 10 weeks!
The term kicked off with our Open Team diving right into new choreography, learning their entire jazz routine for 2016 in just 5 days! Charles Bartley was in town to choreograph! 2016 makes it Charles’ 5th Open Jazz for DBS! Ever year more successful than the last, and we have no doubt that this year’s piece will raise the roof at every venue it’s performed! The Opens are well into the rehearsal of this dance, but still lots of work and lots of hours to go! Thank you again Charles!
Charles Bartley, during Open Jazz Choreography!
The end of Week 1 saw the return of our Welcome BBQ! Many DBS families gathered in Wahroonga Park in South Dubbo to celebrate the start of a new dancing year! Staff, students and parents had the opportunity to catch up on all the holiday happenings as well as what was coming up in the new year! It was such a great opportunity for everyone at DBS be able to see each other outside of the studio walls.
Miss Angela and Jazmyn at the Welcome BBQ
It wasn’t long before DBS held another outside event, this time it was the Tiny Treasures Tea Party! On what happened to be a very hot Saturday morning, a bunch of our tiniest students gathered in Victoria Park to enjoy ‘tea’ as well as a selection of scones, biscuits and cake! Our very active Tiny Treasures played some party games with their class mates and teachers! This was a great chance for the parents to mingle among each other, as well as get to know the staff a little better!
Miss Alice and some of our Tiny Treasures
Dance Physiotherapist Lisa Howell also visited us early in the year. The staff spent the day with Lisa getting some one-on-one training in core control and use of rotation. It was a brilliant enlightening day, and all teachers have been enjoying passing on all their newly discovered tips this term.
Resident choreographer Joseph Simons came back in weeks 3 and 4 to teach this year’s contemporary groups for ALL age groups. He worked on two new contemporary numbers for the Open age group, as well as the 2016 Musical Theatre piece, which will compete later this year at Sydney Eisteddfod! With so much choreography, in such a short amount of time, it was a lot to take in for EVERYONE! These groups have dived straight into rehearsals with the other DBS staff and we can’t wait to display his work soon! Thank you Joe!
Joseph Simons During Choreography of a New Open Contemporary
All age groups 10yrs and up got to participate in a special Team Bonding day this year! Age group coordinators ran a number of team games and activities for the 10yrs, 12yrs and 14yrs age groups! Held at the beginning of the year, this was a great way for everyone to get to know all our new students as well as bond better with returning ones! All age groups seemed to have a fantastic time and we will definitely be doing it again soon!
Then it was the Opens turn! At the end of Week 5, we packed up our rucksacks, coated ourselves in sunscreen and convoyed out towards Stuart Town! With a trailer in toe, we were ready (kind of) to go camping! What a hit it was! The team completed an Amazing Race, as well as a bunch of other games, challenges and activities! At the end of the 2 days we had a bunch of VERY tired students…and staff!
Open Camping Retreat
Week 6 saw Josef Brown visit DBS. A previous soloist of the Australian Ballet Company, member of Sydney Dance Company, a West End Star in London and cast member of ‘Neighbours’, Josef got to share his incredible skills and experience with a number of DBS students from Grade 5 and Up! His Masterclass ran for 2 days. Students took classes in ballet, contemporary, drama as well as contemporary repertoire and choreography! We were incredibly lucky to have Josef visit us and can’t wait to welcome him back again! Thank you Josef!
Josef Brown Masterclass
As we got closer to the end of the term some cracks began to appear…Only after our 15yr old sign got taken down of course! The building was certainly due for a fresh coat of paint and the installation of our FANTASTIC new signage! A new notice board, front facade sign, LED lit internal signage and a studio mantra! We hope you love all the changes as much as we do! A huge thumbs up to Locky from SOLID SIGNS for all the awesome work he’s done for us! And a big shout out to Wayne Mallison for the lick of much needed paint out the front.
Our New Look Building!
We were also greeted with some ASTONISHING news from ex/current student Elijah Stanger-Jones! He got word that he has been accepted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA. A HUGE accomplishment for anyone! Let alone an 18yr old boy from the bush in country Australia! He will join the graduating class of 2020! We are ridiculously proud of this young man, as he is likely to be the only student selected from Australia! MIT is ranked in the Top 10 Universities WORLD WIDE, and is easily the most prestigious science and technology university anywhere! Congratulations Elijah!
Elijah’s Opening Paragraph of his Acceptance Letter
While all these exciting things were happening, the staff were busy tucked away in their offices busily working away on new routines, choreography and costumes! Just to name a few tasks. Costumes in particular is such a HUGE task! Everything has been either selected, designed, ordered or is in the making stages! As we dive into Term 2 this process will go into 6th gear! Where we ramp up the sequins, decoration and accessories! Wish us luck!
The Term finished with Open Days, where parents, friends and family were able to come into the studio to watch a number of ballet classes. What a great turn out we had! It’s such a great opportunity for everyone to be able to see all the hard work the students and staff put in and see what goes on behind the closed doors! Students were also assessed throughout the final weeks and will receive feedback reports early in Term 2!
Throughout the holidays a few of DBS’ Open students will be performing at the extremely prestigious launch of Jaguar in Dubbo. DBS feels extremely privileged to be able to contribute to the opening of the new Showroom at Dubbo Jaguar Land Rover. It is such a great opportunity for us to support this fantastic local business as they have been so supportive and generous as a Major Sponsor of DBS over the last 12months.
Don’t forget our beautiful Miss Alice will FINALLY be marrying her fiancé of 3 years just before we return for class in Term 2! We will see you all at the service at 1:30pm on Saturday 23 April at St Brigid’s Church!
Congratulations to everyone for getting through such a hectic Term 1! But brace yourselves…here’s what’s coming up for Term 2!
- Stage Rehearsals
- Dress Rehearsals
- DBS Week
- Drama Assessments
- Fusion Nights
- Dubbo Eisteddfod Solos
- Dubbo Eisteddfod Groups
- Sydney Eisteddfod Trip 1
- Sydney Eisteddfod Trip 2
- Company X Launch
- Pink Angels Charity Ball
- Masterclasses
Just to name a few….Rest Up and we’ll see you soon!
