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This week's newsletter is sponsored by Jill Bridger from Melody Movement Early Learning. Email jill@melodymovement.com for a Melody Bear and Melody Movement Teacher catalogue.

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This is the last newsletter of 2007, as I shall be in Australia for my son's wedding for the next month.

For those readers who celebrate Christmas, I wish you a very happy one. And to all readers, I wish you a happy and successful 2008.

I shall be reading and responding to emails whilst I'm away so feel free to get in touch!

The next newsletter will be issued on or around 6 January 2008.

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DTOL member Tina Heeley (tinaheeley101@hotmail.com) from Northamptonshire, UK would like some information from members:

"I currently provide dance sessions to those with mental and physical disabilities as an intervention in improving health and well-being. What I want to do is research further into this, taking workshops and training that can enhance my practice as a dance practitioner when working in this field. I am fully aware of the therapeutic side that dance can offer, and the courses that are available for study at a post grad/MA level in DMT, but I want to set this aside for now, and undertake something more practical based shorter term. I am really interested in finding out from other countries across the globe on what is currently implemented there and any exploration being undertaken in this field, Could you let me know of any workshops/courses that are available coming up in the next year? Any replies on this would be gratefully received."

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DTOL member Kimberly Sawyer (ksawyer@sc.rr.com) from West Columbia, South Carolina, USA is "interested in networking with our studios to cross train each other. We are in SC and would travel a few hundred miles outside our area. We would love to host another studio or dance company to come and train with us. Just looking to network with other studio owners to share ideas, choreography, etc. Thanks."

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Dance studios for sale in Shropshire, UK:

Established dance school of 200+ pupils in exceptional leased premises available in thriving, picturesque, Ludlow (the Shropshire town recently nominated as the best place to live in the country).

Comprises two large studios with sprung floors, barres and mirrors. Baby grand piano and remote control music systems. Reception, shop and café area. Girls and boys changing rooms. Three additional rooms for music, drama etc. Large storage room for costumes. Central location close to schools.

Currently teaching ISTD Ballet, Modern and Tap plus singing. All ages up to intermediate. The standard is very high resulting in excellent exam results.

A high percentage of pupils enthusiastically and successfully participate in festivals throughout the year. This generates a significant part of the business turnover from choreographic fees, private tuition and costume hire.

The shop sells dancewear, confectionary and gifts. Pupils wear a dancewear uniform sold in the shop. Reception and the shop are run very efficiently by a team of 'mothers'.

Dance is taught by the Principal and one qualified colleague, both of whom are ex professional dancers trained at Bush Davies and Laine Theatre Arts. They are assisted by several student teachers. A music teacher offers piano and flute classes.

The facilities are under utilised at present with capacity for expansion. There is a market for salsa and ballroom classes for adults plus dance workshops during school holidays. There is room for children's birthday parties and an internet café.

The business owns a website. See www.in-steps.co.uk

The business is run as a Limited Company which holds the lease for the premises and owns all the equipment, fixtures, fittings and stock. The company has no debts and accounts are available for inspection.

The business is for sale because the Principal is emigrating with her husband who has been offered employment overseas. A committed enthusiastic and professional Teacher is required to take over and continue the school. Current management are willing to stay for a handover and advisory period following conclusion of the sale. Please reply with full CV to insteps@hotmail.co.uk

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More on the issue of young children dancing:

DTOL member Fiona Brown (pointe@artslink.co.za) from South Africa wrote:

"I loved the mention of "daisies" because I had a very funny situation a few years ago. I was teaching Ballet at a local Nursery School where the deal was that I was only to get 4 year olds and older. Just as I was planning our little item for the year end show, I was presented with a pair of three year olds, who I was assured would "soon" be 4, and so, "couldn't I just try them, they really want to dance!" Heard that one before?

Any way, I chose to do that popular children's song "three little fishies", and one of the lines goes " and suddenly they saw a SHARK.!!"

Now here in South Africa, we have a Provincial Rugby team, well, several actually, but this one is the Natal Sharks, because Kwa Zulu Natal is coastal and has lots of very toothy creatures. Their colours are Black and White. So, I put these sweeties in Black body tights, painted "Natal" on the front, and at the appropriate moment they were pushed onto the stage where they stood in front of the Proscenium Arch, looking fierce (not really, cute more like).

The Daddies all roared with laughter, and they had their stage debut!"

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Sharon Pinsley (s_pinsley@hotmail.com) supplied this information in response to last week's newsletter request:

"There is a fairly inactive chat room on danceart.com. But, I know the webmasters are really anxious to get it going again. It used to be a really fun place to be with a special time given to professional teachers on Fridays for a "private" chat. I really miss that one."

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DTOL member Morag Phillips (contact@lothiandance.com) from Scotland wants to know "if anyone knows of an internet site for dance teachers and dancers where you can chat online."

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DTOL member Elizabeth Burr de Olivar (liz_burr@hotmail.com) from Spain responded further to the debate about CPD:

"I am fully aware that the RAD teachers are being consulted with regards to CPD and I have duly returned all questionnaires to London as invited.

It has yet to be seen if non RAD courses will count. First impressions lead us to believe that this is not so.

Many teachers are members of various societies and attend the courses they deem most imperative to their teaching at the time. To endanger this freedom of choice (one has to consider time and financial factors) because they are obliged to attend an 'official' course could prove detrimental in the long run.

I am sure that no valid teacher objects to doing the 'odd course (as many do anyway)', it is the manner in which the RAD are planning their CPD which concerns teachers at the moment.

These fears I have relayed to the RAD as an active member."

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SPONSOR'S SECTION

Have you heard about Melody Bear? She wants to help your dance school grow and flourish with her Melody Movement dancing stories. Watch out for her comic strip story 'Melody Bear visits the Ballet' featured in the St Petersburg Ballet UK Tour programme and the 'Snowman' production at Sadler's Wells Peacock Theatre. Mums all around the UK will be looking for Melody Movement classes so start warming up your Melody Bear now!

What is Melody Movement? Melody Movement introduces pre-school children to dance and movement with the unique use of picture cards, story telling and characterisation.  It explores the natural actions of the body through dance with a structured syllabus of imaginative movement which is enjoyable and fun.  The classes introduce other fundamental curriculum learning skills such as counting, colour and shape recognition, vocabulary and language skills.  Melody Movement is the ideal entry into the world of dance and the Melody Bear Class-in-a-Box provides the teacher with everything needed to start a class including syllabus notes, music CDs, publicity material, a licence to use the trademarks and have website listing to help promote your classes and dance school. Exciting additional packages are available too including 'Christmas with Melody Bear' and 'Melody Bear's Busy Week'.

An important feature of Melody Movement is the quality of music used.  All the pieces are commissioned original compositions from composer Eugene Kulikov which fully 'characterise' all the actions and emotions of the dances.  In addition there are some great songs with easy to follow movements which children and teachers love.

Who is Melody Bear? Melody Bear is the focal point of the Melody Movement early learning dance syllabus.  Melody Bear uses the world around for inspiration to dance.  In her picture cards we see her riding on a swan and the dancers move like rippling water and gliding swans, we see Melody Bear going to school and sing and dance a counting song, we see Melody Bear peeping into a nest and do our bird and feather dance - to name just a few ideas.  Melody Bear's sticker award scheme is popular too with children, parents and teachers.
 
What's next for Melody Bear?  We have a new DVD of class ideas and activities ready.   Plus Melody Bear's new friend Milligan Bear will be available soon with story themes especially for boys!  Join him as he fights the Green Dragon, turns from a frog into a Prince, explores the five senses and more.
 
And did you catch the Melody Bear story in the November edition of Dance Expression?  Melody Bear and Milligan Bear went to a firework party and did a firework dance for their friends in class.    Dance ideas with music to accompany the new Melody Bear comic strip stories is available to Melody Movement teachers. 
 
To find out more visit www.melodymovement.com or ring 01480 493579.

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NEWSLETTER COUNTRY-SPECIFIC SECTIONS
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USA SECTION
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Kat Lee (kat.lee.67@gmail.com) from Gainesville, FL has "been dancing since I was 3 but took a couple of years off in late middle school early high school and wanted to get back into dance in college. I was looking for a good dance studio or private teacher to teach me pointe and general ballet classes maybe over the summer."

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UK SECTION
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Che Ip (che878@hotmail.com) from Canterbury, Ashford, Folkestone, Kent is "really interested in learning how to breakdance/ pop n lock/ street I can't seem to find anywhere local to learn. Where the closest break dancing lessons... to Canterbury/ ashford/folkestone. Many thanks."

Diane (dianewelsby@hotmail.co.uk) is from Culcheth Warrington, Cheshire:
"I don't know whether you can help me I am looking for ballet lessons for my daughter aged 4 1/2 and can you advise what age children can start as I have a 2 1/2 yr old also who likes to copy her sister."

Katarzyna Soto (kasiahectorsoto@yahoo.co.uk) from London is "looking fore studies or classes in jazz for beginners, part-time or full-time or evening classes."

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THIS WEEK'S NEW DTOL MEMBERS

The reason for listing new members each week is to foster DTOL's community. I hope that, from time to time, you will find a DTOL member in your area, or who is teaching your specialism in another area, and you will want to make contact with them, to share experiences. That's what DTOL's all about! But the listing is also a "welcome" to the new members. Perhaps you can take a minute this week to email one of these members to welcome them to DTOL.

The second line in each case is what each member says about themselves.

oumar sagna, Wales, United Kingdom. Email: oumar@diambart.co.uk
im a african dancer from senegal i teach african traditional dance

Eva Hayden, Philippines. Email: evahayden815@yahoo.com
Classical Ballet, Modern Dance, Creative Movement, Jazz

Sharon Vandermerwe, New Zealand. Email: holydancer3@gmail.com
Christian Classical Ballet Company

Natasha van der Merwe, South Africa. Email: natasha@bellydancing.co.za
Hip Circle Belly Dance School offeres a range of Oriental or Middle Eastern Dance styles.

Sharon Watson, Leicestershire, United Kingdom. Email: sw179@le.ac.uk
Irish and Ceili dancing age 5 upwards.  all welcome No prior knowledge necessary.

Joanne Bowles, Scotland, United Kingdom. Email: star-struck@hotmail.co.uk
Starstruck dance school, Motherwell teach hip/hop, cheerleading, tap, ballet, modern,jazz

Gemma Griffiths, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom. Email: harmonydts@hotmail.co.uk
Harmony have classes available in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Disco, Musical Theatre.

Robbie Hayden, Philippines. Email: rob _hayden@yahoo.com
Modern/Contemporary Dance and Theater movement

Jayant Prem, India. Email: jayantpremg@yahoo.com
18 yrs of experience in salsa,latin-american,hip-hop,jazz,bollywood dance & drama

DTOL now has 5,997 members, in 88 different countries.

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Dance Teachers On-Line thanks Jill Bridger for sponsoring this newsletter.

Contacts:

Jill Bridger School of Dance
Tel: 01480 493579
www.danceschool.biz

'Melody Bear's Books & CDs
www.melodymovement.com
www.melodybear.com
'Everybody loves Melody Bear'

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