Behind the Scenes of Saorsa Studio - January 2024
These monthly posts will give you some insight into what’s on the go at our studio – from competition and performance results, to our student of the month, to the new initiatives we always have on the go👀
Current dance families can find a more detailed version of this newsletter in their inbox.
February Reminders for Saorsa Studio Dancers
- 💌 We have in-class studio social activites happening the week of Feb 12 – 17 to celebrate Valentine’s Day! Dancers will make valentines or notes for their classmates. Find class-specific info in the detailed version of this newsletter in your inbox.
- 💧 Upcoming workshop: Pilates for Strength and Turn out with Kristen MacIntosh. Info below!
- 👯♀️ Parent viewing week for full-year programs happening February
- 💪 Submissions are now open for the Winter 2024 term of the Saorsa Studio Practice Crew! Find info below.
- 📆 Registration for our next set of 12-Week Programs starting in March opens this month! Follow us on socials to stay up to date.
Student of the Month: Coco Gathercole
Our student of the month of January 2024 is Coco Gathercole!
Here’s what Coco’s instructor had to say:
“Coco is always listening in class and working hard. She’s very kind to the other dancers and always willing to help and try new things.”
Congratulations, Coco!⭐️
Upcoming Workshop: Pilates for Strength and Turn Out with Kristen MacIntosh
Join Pilates instructor and highland dancer Kristen MacIntosh for a focused workshop on strength and turn out potential. Kristen is a former competitive highland dancer and certified pilates instructor, so she knows all about how to build your strength and mobility for turn out!
Saturday, February 17th, 1-1:45pm
In-studio, virtual, or recording options available
Ages 12+
Registration open now on the Portal Find it under Workshops | Popups | Intensives
January Competition & Performance Wrap Up
Robbie Burns Celebrations
In January, our dancers performed in two shows in celebration of Robbie Burns Day. First, we had an awesome group travel to Base Gagetown to perform for the celebrations there. Later that night, Shanachie Dance Company performed at Picaroons Roundhouse for the Fredericton St. Andrews Society’s Burns Bash!
Saorsa Studio Practice Crew - Round Up & New Opportunity!
Congratulations to Rhaya Kendall for successfully earning her Practice Crew status for the Fall 2023 term!⭐️
What is the Saorsa Studio Practice Crew? It is an opportunity for dancers to push themselves and develop their self-motivated work ethic through at-home practicing. We highly recommend dancers try their hand at joining the Crew. In addition to learning the value of hard work, members get a personalized sweater!
Primary Dancers (ages 3 – 6): 15 hours per semester (3 hours per month/45 minutes per week/3 x 15 minute practices per week)
Beginner (ages 7+): 50 hours per semester (10 hours per month/2.5 hours per week/5 x 30 minute practices per week)
Novice – Premier: 80 hours per semester (16 hours per month/4 hours per week/4 x 60 minute practices per week)
Submissions for the Winter 2024 term are now open – Submit here! Happy practicing!
Studio Social Activities Wrap Up
Crazy Sock Week
Our dancers brought it big time for our theme week at dance class: crazy socks!
Medals Tests Celebration
This month, we welcomed dancers and their families into the studio to celebrate their 2023 medals tests results.
Complete with a red carpet and cupcakes made by one of our fantastic dance parents, this celebration brought together dancers of all ages! We had 48 dancers complete 114 exams this year – it was so wholesome to bring them together and celebrate their progress and achievements.
We’re so proud to offer SDTA-certified dance exams every year. The doors that these exams open for our dancers are so valuable!
FROSTival Kilted Skate
We had many dancers attend the Fredericton FROSTival kilted skate event at the Officer’s Square skating rink in celebration of Robbie Burns day!
Social events like this remind us what dance is all about – the bonds of friendship we form ❤️
Looking Ahead for February
Here’s some of the exciting stuff on our February 2024 calendars:
- 🏆 The first championship and competition of the season for our dancers is coming up in Moncton on February 10th. Good luck dancers!
- 💌 We’ll be hosting our in-class Valentine’s Day social activities which prompt our students to recognise and appreciate the friendships they form in dance class.
- 👯♀️ We’ll be having a parent viewing week this month for our full-year programs to allow our younger dancers to show their families what they’ve been working on in class lately.
- 💪 Pilates instructor and highland dancer Kristen MacIntosh will be hosting a Pilates for Strength and Turn Out Workshop on Saturday, February 17th, 1-1:45pm. You can participate in studio, virtually, or via recording. Dancers aged 12+ only. Register now on the Portal under Workshops | Pop ups | Intensives
New Blog Posts This Month
New on our Highland Dancer Blog this month:
- 💧 Stamina Series Highlight – learn all about Nicole’s 4-week stamina series which ran this past month💪💧 What can a stamina challenge do for your dancing? Read it >
- 💪 Competitive Strength and Conditioning Highlight – we chat with Luke MacMillan about the importance of quality cross training for competitive highland dancers, and how his individualised training programming can give you the boost you need. Read it >
January 2024 Vlog | a highland dance filled weekend
Check out Nicole’s latest vlog, highlighting all the fun things we got up to in January! From performances to dance awards day to a kilted skate.
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