​What a week! Here's what we've learned about our space and timeline:
I've continued to be in touch with the contractors and fire marshal about our space. As many of you saw via facebook, my foster daughter was in the hospital from Saturday to Wednesday, so meetings were conducted on the phone as much as I could arrange them (with some added help from Tracy, Therese, and Apryl when things were needed at the studio).  However, I still have not received a clear occupancy date.

That being said, I have been taking feedback from families and teachers and really focusing on what my priorities are for the studio. Our number one priority is to offer a positive, healthy dance experience.  With that as our guide, I am working out the details to start offering at least a partial schedule for January 22nd. 

Our ideal scenario is to get the okay from the fire marshal and be fully in the space. Those who have walked through the renovation process before, or even just the permitting and fire code process, have shared with me that you've experienced similar set-backs. Those stories have been incredibly encouraging: thank you for offering your stories and sympathy. We are also pursuing the option of using a portion of our space or returning to the church for classes.

Through this process, it is important that you know that I will share as much information with you as quickly as I can. We are a community, and I know you are all eager and excited to be back in full dance-mode and to see this dream space that we have been creating (see a few pictures here).

With gratitude,
Miriam

It's Monday, and my sweet dancers are just getting started in their warm-ups as I write from the comfort of my husband's recliner in our living room: pot of coffee half-way empty.  I'm grateful to have staff who can step in as subs and encourage me to just sit after three long days of dancing and traveling.

Why so tired? This past weekend Durango Dance Ensembles attended our second convention of the year.  It was also our second convention ever.  Unlike our first convention (Project Dance), this one (ASH) included an adjudicated performance opportunity.  Things get a little dicey for me as I talk about such opportunities: I'm not a do-it-because-everyone-else-is person and I want to be clear about our goals in attending these events. Our team of teachers and families are all here for the same reason: we want to teach children to dance safely, happily, well, and unburdened.  It's important for our dancers to experience dance outside of our studio and under the care of other teachers, but honestly, that is not always an easy task (as any parent or caregiver can attest).  It seems we must dance this line along the various schools of thought that dance is fun, dance is competitive, dance is artistic, and dance is for you/not-you/boys/girls/skinny/strong/wealthy/few/all.  Throw in the various ideas about technique, tricks, careers, and healthy/safety, and you'll find that stepping out into the dance world is not always an easy walk.

BUT when we walk through this as a dance family, we can navigate these various paths together.  What an amazing experience it then becomes to travel to our first convention Project Dance where we could experience the wonder of performing outside in an amphitheater, take classes from teachers who could personally correct or encourage, and hear the director share her personal story of how dance impacted her life.  Likewise, we could experience this latest convention ASH where we were able to experience performing in front of master teachers who were actively taking notes on our performances, take classes in huge ballrooms where we were challenged to learn choreography quickly, and we could watch dancers whose choices were sometimes vastly different and see the broad spectrum of what dance and dancers look like.

Throughout this experience as we support our dancers in the quest to learn and grow in dance, I am grateful to watch them also grow as humans.  My favorite moments from this past weekend were seeing them encourage the dancers around them, move from the back of the room to the middle of the dance floor, try new styles of movement, step into a new stage of ballet training (4 dancers are working in pre-pointe and pointe shoes now!), and face their fears and discomforts and push through anyway.

Dance. Friendships. Growth.  What a combination for this good-tired feeling. And now, to finish that last half of my coffee pot.

Here's a detailed list of which class is performing in which Nutty Nutcracker Show.  All performances take place on December 17th at Fort Lewis College, and all dancers will have dress rehearsal at 9am on Sunday, December 17th.

2:30 Show ONLY
Pre Ballet 1 - Fridays 3:30
Pre Ballet 2 - Tuesdays 3:45
Pre Hip Hop - Mondays 3:00
Pre Tap/Jazz 1 - Fridays 4:15
Pre Tap/Jazz 2 - Tuesdays 4:30

6:30 Show ONLY
Pre Ballet 3 - Tuesdays 4:30
Pre Contemporary - Wednesdays 3:30
Pre Tap/Jazz 3 - Tuesdays 3:30
Acro - Mondays 3:45
Acro - Mondays 4:30
Homeschool Ballet - Wednesdays 1:30
Homeschool Tap/Jazz - Wednesdays 2:15

Both the 2:30 Show and the 6:30 Show
Ballet 1, Ballet 2/3, Ballet Teen
Contemporary 1, Contemporary 2, Contemporary 3/4, Contemporary 5, Contemporary Teen
Hip Hop 1, Hip Hop 2, Hip Hop 3, Hip Hop 4, Hip Hop Teen
Jazz 1, Jazz 2, Jazz 3, Jazz 4A, Jazz 4B, Jazz 5
Tap 1, Tap 2, Tap 3/4, Tap 4, Tap 5, Adult Tap
Musical Theater 1
Worship
All Ensemble Groups

Save the Date: December 17th

Rehearsal for everyone will be at 9am.  Shows at 2:30 and 6:30!

Tickets go on sale at durangoconcerts.com on October 1st.

Most of our classes are in full swing, but for those families who are just now ready to dive into dance classes, we have a handful of classes that are still accepting students.  If your dancer is ready to try a new style or join us for the first time, check out these class options!

- Creative Arts Academy (for the little artist) 
9am-11:30am on Tuesdays.  Featuring yoga, dance, art, and music on a rotating schedule.

-Pre Contemporary
3:30-4:15 on Tuesdays. For new and experienced young dancers (ages 5-7) who like dancing barefoot and on the floor!

-Pre Jazz 3
5:15-5:45 on Thursdays.  For new and experienced young dancers (ages 6-8) who like to move to sassy and strong beats!

-Leaps and Turns (NEW class!)
4:30-5:30 on Tuesdays.  For new and experienced teen dancers (ages 13+) who would like to work on their technique and trick steps as jazz, tap, cheer, or team dancers.  

Please visit our "Student Portal" or email us for more information!

If you've peeked your head in the studio recently, you may notice a few differences.  Walls are coming down; paint is going up; and Ms. Miriam is walking around giddily singing "Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!" 

This year we're adding 15 new youth classes plus a preschool-alternative program!  That means we HAD to do something about our tiny lobby and inoperable middle studio.  I can't wait to show off all the final changes, including a larger lobby, accessible director's office, private changing rooms, additional waiting area, and a dance wear boutique (no more 3 hour drives for dance clothes!)

If you're even nearly as excited as I am (or just plain curious), come by our open house August 29th 4:30-7pm.  We'll have most of the updates finished and start selling from our boutique then!

We have joined the eco-friendly world of online class cards.  Adult students who take Blast, Barre, Bliss, and our technique classes like Tap, Hip Hop, and Cardio Tap are all invited to check out this new system!  Paper class cards are still accepted, but if you need new class cards, you're welcome to start purchasing online.

​Take a look here :)

​

Did you know that we are starting a new preschool alternative program at Durango Dance?  We are, and today was our first day of preview camp!

I think this may be my new favorite thing.  It's such a different avenue for us as a studio, and our little artists seem to agree that we're on the right track. On the way to the parking lot, one little artist described today as her "favorite day ever," and mom was sweet to run back into the studio to share her excitement with me. All of our little artists participated in music and yoga plus free play in our decked out Studio 2.  As a teacher, it was inspiring for me to watch the other teachers: Bailey who taught music using the motion of scarves and timing of steps to the beat of a drum and Hana who taught yoga using interactive jungle music and literal rain drops.  

We're looking forward to tomorrow's activities of art and, of course, DANCE!

Free play activities: kitchen set, coloring, dress up, and free space to dance (who can keep from dancing when wearing a pretty dance costume?!)