2015 Nationals in Hollywood Beach, Florida

Whatever you do, do it well.  Do it so well that when people see you do it, they will want to come back and see you do it again and they will bring others and show them how well you do what you do.

-Walt Disney

It was truly an interNATIONAL competition with dancers from the United States, Canada, South Africa, and Ecuador participating in American Dance Awards National Championships.  After months of rehearsals, all of our company dancers ages 7-19 years were excited for a week of competitions, classes, performances, and awards.

The Petite Company's "Rescue Me" and "Sweet Escape" placed Overall 2nd and 3rd respectfully.  They continued to inspire the older members of their dance family by having ALL of their group dances (The Clapping Song, Sweet Escape, My Own Two Hands, Freeze Frame and Rescue Me) make it to the 9 and Under Dance Off!  Payton Bourassa received a Special Costume Award in the 12 and Under Category.  "Rescue Me" continued to deliver by receiving a Special Award for "Outstanding Acro."

The Petite Company used their excitement and energy by the ocean to Leap for Linda

The Mini Company', "Men of Snow" placed 6th place high score in the 10-12 year large group category, while "Over the Rainbow" placed 9th in the 10-12 year duo/trio category,   "Swing the Mood" placed 1st in the 10-12 year class category and was invited to perform in the 12 and Under Dance off, along with "Ants Marching" and the Junior Company's "Alice."  

Posing with hand hearts for Shannon, these Ants marched right to the Dance Off!

Andrew McKenzie had an awesome week, participating in the Junior Dancer of the Year Title Competition.  We were all so proud of him!  .. he was followed by his "groupies" from Petites to Seniors!  

Andrew's team came to support him, along with staff and seniors!

That smile says it all... GREAT JOB!

The Teen Company continued the sparkle with High Scores for "How" placing 8th and "Everything at Once" placing 9th, both in the Large Group Category.  

12 and Under Gala

Following in their fellow company dancers' footsteps, the Junior Company's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" placed 3rd in the Extended Category and was invited to compete in the 13 and Over Dance off, along with "Dare You to Move."  "Las Chicas Fabulosas" also placed 8th in the Duo/Trio Category. Juniors Ellen Marshall, Jenna Dunphy and Victoria Rego placed 4th, 5th, and 6th for Overall High Scores in the Teen Solo Category. Ellen Marshall also received the Best Costume Award in the 13 and Over Category, as well as a Special Award "Making Something Big Out of Something Small."  "Bridge Over Troubled Water" received a Special Award for "Light as a Feather/Precision Tumbling," while the Trio "One and Only" received one for being "Dare Devils."  "Las Chicas Fabulosas" received a Special Award for "Academy Award: Best Actress in Musical Theater." 

Pause

The Senior Company placed high scores in Duo/Trio with 4th Place for "Pause," in Small Group with 5th Place for "M'adorer," in Large Group with 5th Place for "Blue Ocean Floor" and in Production with 1st Place for "Black Parade."  Senior Elyssa Sena placed 6th for Overall High Score in the Teen Solo Category, while her teammate, Devon Larcher placed 2nd for Overall High Score Solo.

"Forget Me Not" 

Devon was also acknowledged for his choreography in "Forget Me Not" with a Special Award for "Great Choreography & Storytelling and Great use of Foreshadowing."  

Invites for the 13 and Over Dance Off went out to Pause, M'adorer, Blue Ocean Floor, Forget Me Not, Black Parade and Devon Larcher for his Solo.

13 and Over Gala

Devon Larcher competed in the Male Dancer of the Year Competition and won the Jazz Class Award, Modern Class Award, and Ballet Class Award.....as well as being named ADA's 2015 MALE DANCER OF THE YEAR!!!!!!!!  We couldn't be prouder of the way he represented the studio on and off the stage...

Best of luck to Devon in his next adventure...as part of the Dance Company performing on Royal Caribbean International's Legend of the Seas!

It came down to the final award of the evening....in the Production Category... and First Place went to "Black Parade!!!"  What a way to end our week!

Oh, what a night!  Oh, what a week!

It was a week of dancing, hard work, celebrations, and FUN...here are some dance memories being made:

Little dancers, BIG fun!

Fireworks on the beach...Happy 4th of July!

Celebrating with friends!

All dressed up and having some fun!

Showing our GREEN spirit.

Especially when the teachers join in...

Posing with Scott Fowler!

And you're NEVER too old to join the fun...

Best of luck to our graduating SENIORS...you'll forever be shamrocks!  Ivy Gowans, Sarah Carter, Brette Chartier, Kayla Colson and Sloan Kinney...........

A special THANK YOU to Mitch Gowans and Melanie Plante for transporting our props to and from Hollywood Beach, Florida! 

1st Mandatory Week...

We hope everyone has been enjoying their summer vacation so far!  The teachers and assistants are very excited to see all of our dancers for the July mandatory week.  Classes for this week will be at your dancer's regular scheduled time.  Attendance is important for mandatory weeks so teachers and dancers can review recital routines.

Many recital costumes have already arrived and dancers will be able to try them on! Here's a little sneak peak...

We hope to see everyone this week!

Recital Tights 2015

SOSD Recital 2015

Correct Shoes and Tights

For your convenience, the studio will be placing a large order of tights this summer.  All dancers MUST have proper shoes & tights for Picture Day at the end of September.  If you would like to get your tights through the studio you can use the order form on the back side of this sheet.  Orders must be paid in full at the time of the order.  We suggest you consider getting an extra pair to be prepared in case of an emergency.

Classes	Tights	Shoes
FINALE-EVERYONE J *Except level 2 & 3 Tappers	Bloch Light Tan Stirrup	No Shoes
All Hip Hop Classes	No Tights White No Show Socks	*White Hip Hop Sneakers* *Will be ordered by the studio*
P/S Acro K/D Acro Level 1 Acro & Jazz Level 2 Acro & Jazz Level 3 Acro & Jazz	Bloch Light Tan Stirrup	No Shoes
Sat P/S Tap Sat K/D Tap	Capezio White Convertible	Black Patent Leather Tap
Mon P/S Ballet Tues K/D Ballet Fri 5:00 Level 1 Ballet	Capezio White Convertible	White Leather Ballet
Fri 4:00 Level 1 Tap	Bloch Light Tan Convertible	Bloch Light Tan Mary Jane Style# SO302G
Mon 7:00 Level 2 Lyric Mon 7:00 Level 3 Lyric	Bloch Light Tan Capri or Capezio Caramel Capri	Capezio Jelz Footundeez Nude Style# HO7G
Fri 4:30 Level 2 Modern Fri 5:45 Level 3 Modern	Bloch Light Tan Capri or Capezio Caramel Capri	No Shoes
Tues 5:45 Level 2 Ballet Tues 7:00 Level 3 Ballet	Bloch Pink Convertible	Bloch Pink Canvas “Pump” Style# SO277L
Tues 6:45 Level 2 Tap Mon 8:00 Level 3 Tap	TBA	Bloch Black Oxford Style #SO301

Spring Newsletter 2015...Mark your calendars :)

Our staff...

I just thought that I would take a minute to brag about our extremely talented, passionate, devoted, kind, home grown, amazing staff at SOSD! I am often told that I am too modest and do not do a good job at "selling" our school. Even typing that sentence feels boastful. I have decided that I will make it a point in the near future to highlight these women and their accomplishments so that more people can appreciate how special our school is. I burst with pride just looking at this photo. Our SOSD Dance Family is large. It takes many class assistants and alumni that come back to cover classes when needed and help with events, to run a school of our size. These 8 ladies are the main teachers and choreographers that ensure every child enrolled in our school is inspired to grow their minds and bodies in a safe fulfilling environment!

Dance moms and dads, please read...

This is the best parent letter I have ever read! I am so grateful for all that dance has given me and now I'm seeing what it is doing for my girls. Dance moms and dads: please read! -Shannon

"You start by taking your 3yr old daughter to dance class as something to fill an hour of her week and give her an outlet for her energy. She comes home from class and continues to dance around the house, wearing a few spare scarves from your closet or last year's princess costume from the dress up box-asking every day after "do I go to dance today?"

Next thing you know, you're complaining about hours spent driving back and forth to the studio, the later-than-you'd-like rehearsal (on a school night?!), times sitting and waiting at the studio when you have a million other places to be, and don't even get me started on the money-tuition, shoes, master classes, shoes, fundraisers, shoes. Did I mention shoes?

You fret and worry that a normal childhood is passing her by. She is not on the field hockey team, she is not a cheerleader. She's rarely at the dinner table because she has class almost every night of the week. Family vacations are planned around summer intensives. 

But before you know it, she's danced her last recital and discarded her last pair of shoes and it's all over too soon. When it is all over and she has left the stage for the last time, will you remember the hours, the money, the worry of the physical toll? My guess is "no". You will remember the gifts dance has given her: the ability to prioritize and multitask, a strong, flexible body, the ability to handle pressure and last minute changes, and an appreciation for music not currently heard on I Heart Radio. You will be grateful that you are sending your daughter out into the world with a strong work ethic and long attention span. You will have a great sense of peace knowing your daughter is part of a strong circle of young women equally capable of lifting one another up when the road is rough, as they are when celebrating one another's triumphs. In the end, you can pat yourself on the back because taking her to that first dance class 15 years ago was one of the best parenting decisions you have made."

"Dancing with the feet is one thing, but dancing with the heart is another." ~Author Unknown

SOSD Zumbathon!

~SOSD ZUMBAthon 2015~

SOSD is going pink Saturday, May 16th

Only $10 per class!

4:30-5:30 Teens (12 & Up)

5:30-6:30 Adults 

(Free child watch available)

6:30-7:30 Children (7-11)

 100% of the proceeds will go to the 

American Cancer Society Relay For Life, 

Team Bosom Buddies

Bring your friends... All are welcome!