IMPORTANT NEWS: 

3/5/10: 

♦ We are happy to announce the completion of our new sprung floor in Studio "B".  The top layer is a professional dance floor covering called Rosco Marley.  This product is used in the finest schools and professional dance stages worldwide.  This floor is similar to the one we rented for last year's Spring Performance and will provide our students with an excellent and resilient surface to run, leap, jump, bounce, turn, stretch and tap dance on!  Special thanks to Luke Benedetto, father of Tylar and Danielle, who built the subfloor during President's week and generously gave his time to install the Marley with the assistance of Marianne and the wonderfully talented, Kelly Long .  I would like to also thank my staff, the senior class of 2010 and Gina Meola, who generously gave me the money for the materials to build this floor as a Christmas gift this year!

♦ Introducing ZUMBA by Dana Baudouin at MASD:  Dana is a certified Pilates and Zumba instructor currently teaching classes all over Long Island.  Join the fun on Mondays at 8:30, starting this Monday, March 8th.  Wear supportive sneakers and loose, layered clothing to remove and bring water because you will sweat!  $10.00 per class.  For further information, call Dana at 516-695-0614. 

♦ Exciting news:  Come to the Cabaret! - Don't miss the chance to see former MASD student Courtney Rottenberger as as a Kit Kat Girl with the National Touring Company of "Cabaret", coming to the Tilles Center on the C.W. Post Campus, Saturday, May 8th, 2010 for two shows, 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.  Don't miss the chance to see Courtney when the tour makes a stop on Long Island!  Tickets are available for purchase at Tillescenter.org. 

♦ All of us at the MASD would like to thank all the members of our extended MASD family for their amazing kindness and generosity.  Together we raised $5,000 for the Lagravinese family, who suffered a house fire on January 1st.  Ann and her family are so thankful and grateful to all of you who reached out to help them during this difficult time.

♦ Spring Performance News:  We have begun our preparation for our yearly Spring Performance which is scheduled for Sunday, May 23rd, 2010 at Wantagh High School.  Although it is still early, we have started to receive costumes.  Our next newsletter will detail more specifics about our upcoming performance.  Please note that any past payments are due immediately.  3rd Tri-mester payments are due by March 12, 2010.  Please note no costumes will be distributed until all balances are paid in full.

ATTENTION PARTENTS! (Particularly those with adolescents)  We have had a most difficult time this fall with maintaining our dress code.  No matter how many times we have asked your daughters to come to class in proper attire, they ignore the request or offer lame excuses.  Some of the "ladies" have been downright nasty and this situation will not be tolerated.  If they don't appear weekly in proper attire, we will send them home or allow them to sit and watch.  As the parents (and the suppliers of funds dedicated to learning a discipline!) we beg your help in maintaining a professional atmosphere at the MASD. 

All dancers must come to class in appropriate dance clothing.  This means all dancers must wear leotards to class!  Dance students wear leotards to class - this is a tradition that complements the study of the discipline.  My staff and I will not work with any ladies who arrive for class with their bellies and backsides exposed!  A simple one-piece leotard with proper undergarments will solve the problem.  Jazz pants, leggings, specific shorts (designed for dance, not sport) and/or tights may be worn with the leotard.  I am certain you would not send your daughter to sports practice in dance clothes, so please do not send them to dance class in their athletic gear or school clothes!  NO t-shirts, athletic wear, sweatshirts, Northface jackets or street clothing can be worn in dance class.  A tight fitting camisole or tank top may be worn over the leotard (no graphics or inappropriate messages!) 

Thank you for your cooperation!

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Have you tried Pilates?  This workout system is designed to strengthen your core (abs, back, butt and thighs) and tone, lengthen, stretch and re-shape your body.  Pilates improves your posture and keeps the body firm and strong, a dancer's workout for people of all ages, fitness levels and abilities.  Class is offered Wednesdays @ 8:30 p.m. - *Private sessions available by appointment.*  Joe Conger is a certified Pilates Instructor, as well as a Personal Trainer with a huge following of devoted students.  He is currently working toward his PhD. in Physical Therapy at SUNY Stony Brook.  This new area of study only enhances his amazing gift of understanding the human body and it's mechanics!

Dana Baudouin (a former MASD graduate) is also a certified Pilates Instructor and offers Pilates class on Friday mornings.  She is also available for private sessions at the studio or in your home. 

Both Joe and Dana offer your first "trial" class for free.  Don't miss the opportunity to work with these talented and caring Pilates instructors!

Payment Options for Pilates Classes are as follows:
1) Per Class - $20.00 per class
2) 8 Class Package - $120 / package expires three [3] months from date of purchase.
3) 16 Class Package - $175 / package expires five [5] months from date of purchase.

In addition to our Advanced Ballet Technique and Variations at 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. on Saturday mornings, we also offer an Intermediate Technique and Variations at 10:45 – 12:00 P.M. These classes are key to the development of the serious dance student. We are extremely fortunate to have Allison Rezza available to share her expertise with our dancers. These classes have gained a great deal of popularity, not only with our own students, but have also attracted many students from other studios who wish to improve their technique. If you are a serious dancer and want to improve, this is a most valuable class to attend.

For those students unable to attend technique classes on a regular basis, a ten [10] class card is available for the cost of $120.00.  See Ann or Allison for further details.  Excellent ballet teachers are very hard to find. We are lucky to have one of the best on Long Island.  Don’t miss the opportunity to work with her!

School closings due to inclement weather will no longer be communicated to you to you by a telephone call by a teacher or teacher aide, it will only be posted on our website!   Please be sure we have your current home phone number, as well as a cell number and your email address!

As always, it is a privilege to work with your children.  If you have any questions, problems or comments regarding classes or placement, please make your concerns known to Ann Lagravinese, Heather or myself.  We want to provide each and every student with a stimulating and memorable experience!

Sincerely:
Marianne

The Little Cha Foundation:

Past events have included “A Celebration of Life” in memory of our little dancer Victoria Riccardi who passed away suddenly in 2 years ago. This event was a huge success and raised more than $7,500 which was donated in Victoria’s name to the John Theissen Children’s Foundation. Since then, the Riccardi family has started the “Little Cha Foundation,” in Victoria’s memory. The Riccardi Family hopes to use the proceeds to sponsor a child who would like to pursue the arts. We will inform you of any future events taking place for the “Little Cha Foundation” as soon as the information becomes available. If at anytime you would like to make a donation to the Little Cha Foundation, please make all checks payable to:

 The Little Cha Foundation
2327 Bayview Avenue
Wantagh, NY 11793

*Please note: The “Little Cha Foundation” name is incorporated and all donations are now tax deductible! The code to be used for Tax Deductions is as follows: 501(c)3. Thank you for your help and support!