Wow! This indeed is a month of celebration and transformation. We have been juggling a few events and adjusting to the changes that came with it. Here is an update to keep you intrigued:

1) 4^th Biennial Dance Showcase

Our yearly dance showcase serves as a platform for our local talents to perform and gain confidence in their individual dance styles. It is also a “graduation ceremony” for most of our students below age 18 years. After “graduating”, these young dancers are advised to upgrade to a higher level class. Trying to accommodate 80 students’ active lifestyle into our current schedule has been an uphill task. We realize that we needed more space.

2) Renovation of Studio 2

Within our existing space, we have re-designed the dance floor. We now have Studio 1 and Studio 2 to make way for two classes to be conducted at the same time. We are proud to achieve this goal after operating in Giant, Bandar Kinrara for 1.5 years.

3) New schedule + More classes = Burst of creativity

Now that we have enough space, we can afford more classes. Yay! Due to overwhelming demand from our customers, we now offer the Holistic Package, Fitness Dance package, Speech & Drama classes, Kids Latin, Kids Jazz and Kids Belly Dance at an amazingly reasonable rate.

4) Member Get Member (MGM) Program

This package is applicable to our existing customers, who have a minimum of 1 month subscription with Living Arts. More information available at the counter!

5) Introducing our new fitness-dance expert

With the immediate expansion of Living Arts, we are very privileged to have another full-time instructor to work hand-in-hand with Miss Teresa. Originally from Brazil, Miss Lilica Vargas is our resident dance and fitness instructor. She is also the top female capoeirista in the region. Miss Lilica will be handling all the classes under our new fitness dance package; Body Sculpt, Stretch n Strengthen, Latin Mix, R n B Dance, MTV Dance.

6) National Day celebration

The studio will be closed to commemorate this day. Classes will resume on September 1, Wednesday. Sorry for any inconvenience caused. Thank you.

That is all for August activities. More updates on September’s fun-time soon. Stay healthy and happy!

In retrospect of our

4th Biennial Dance Showcase…

The morning of August 8:

Crystal (Floor Mgr), Ivan + Hui Wan (Emcee) and Teresa (Event Director) gathered at the performance venue for a short briefing while the crew in Jaya One began setting up the sound and stage. Our dance students and their parents started pouring in. The venue came to live when we finally lined up all the young dancers and prepared them for rehearsal on stage. They were bubbly and patient throughout the process.

In the afternoon of August 8:

We were relieved when the kids and teens went home with their parents after a 2-hour rehearsal. By this time, most of our volunteers and core team members have arrived. We sat down for lunch and a short discussion ensued. Our adult students started arriving in groups for their own rehearsal. Everybody seemed certain of their roles in this event and were very eager to contribute; on-stage and off-stage!

An hour before the dance showcase:

Our kids were seen reporting back at the registration desk in their full costumes, with their hair and make-up done. Our volunteers and crew started to mobilise things and people to the designated waiting area. Parents started to occupy the front row seats, others still moving about in a busy chatter. Our official event photographer and videographer took their positions.

In the waiting area, volunteers got busy with applying finishing touches to our young dancers. There were accessories like: tattoos, face glitter, feathers, head gears, and etc to be applied. Each dance has a unique dramatised look to correspond with the story behind the dance.  Most children expressed their excitement but remained calm throughout. There were a few young ones who were overwhelmed and had to stick to their mummies

Finally! The dance showcase:

The show kicked off at 4.15pm and ended at 7.15pm. In the 3 hours, we managed to put forth the following dance performances: Rock n Roll, Dancing Party, Shake Your Feather, Jungle Adventure, Kids Jazz, Kids Latin, High School Musical dances, Street Jam, Hip Hop, Belly Dance, Bollywood Dance, Capoeira, Contemporary Dance, Salsa, and Pole Dance! It was indeed a very gratifying moment for the Parents to see their children perform, for the Instructors to see the fruit of their labour, and for the Performers to see and hear so many people cheer them on!

The Principal’s note:

I am deeply moved by everybody’s spirit. It is very heart-warming to witness how the simple act of dancing allows its practitioner to have total control over his/her mind, body and soul. Cliche, right? But if you were there, you would know what I am talking about.

From a mere 50 students when we first relocated from Bandar Sunway, we now have over 150 students from as young as age 2 to adults. We started with only 10 types of dance classes, we now have 20 types of dance classes, fitness classes, yoga + pilates classes and martial arts classes. We have a larger pool of talented teachers and assistants too. We will continue to strive to be Malaysia’s leading dance studio in providing creative moment and dance classes. I look forward to see everybody in next year’s dance showcase, hopefully in a larger venue and more variety of performances.

Acknowledgement:

A million thank you to all volunteers; backstage crew, make-up artists, hairstylist, emcee, my dear friends and family members. Also, a note of gratitude to all the parents and dance instructors at Living Arts for making this event a success. To everybody who took part as performers, thank you for sharing your passion in dance and for believing in us all in Living Arts. Thank you to our audiences, for spending your Sunday evening with us.

NOTE: DVD videos and photographs taken during this event are now available for sale. Please speak to our staff to make your reservation. Thank you and regards.

There are many more photographs for sale in the studio. Come and visit us soon!

Regards, Teresa

WHY?!

They should because it is showtime! Kids, teens and adults at Living Arts Dance Studio are doing their final dress rehearsals, polishing their moves, trying out their costumes and strutting off with style!

If you are reading this, come join us this weekend for a wonderful celebration with dance! You’ll be tantalized with a potpourri of dance styles at an outdoor door venue, free-for-all! Check out the program below:

Program Outline

4.00 – 4.15pm               Arrival of Guests

4.15 – 4.40pm               Dance performances by kids aged 2 – 7 years old

Order of appearance:
Rock n Roll, Dancing Party – Saturday’s group, Shake Your Feather, Jungle Adventure, Dancing Party – Sunday’s group.

4.40 – 5.15pm               Dance performances by teenagers aged 8 – 17 years old

Order of appearance:
Kids Latin, HSM 1’s Getcha Head in the Game, Kids Jazz, HSM 2’s I Want it All,
Solo Belly Dance, Teens Hip Hop, HSM 1’s Break Free, HSM 2’s Bootylicious,
Street Jam’s I Want To Go Crazy.

5.15 – 5.25pm               Special treat: Instructors’ Showcase

Order of appearance:
Hip Hop & Breakdance by Mark & crew, Bollywood Dance by Shobana

5.25 - 5.35pm                Brazilian Martial Arts’ Capoeira & Maculele demonstration by Terry & students

5.35 – 5.45pm               Certificate presentation for kids

5.45 – 6.30pm               Dance performances by Adults

Order of appearance:
Belly Dance, Contemporary Dance – Any Other World and Card Game, Salsa,
Contemporary Dance – One Love, Pole Dance.

6.30 – 7.00pm              Certificate presentation for adults & Dismiss

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

After all the effort our students and parents have put into participating in this showcase, they deserve a break!

All KIDS’ classes at Living Arts’ Dance Studio will be on a break for a week; August 9 until 15 and will resume on August 16. Other teens and adults classes will continue as usual, no break. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

What a talented bunch! We were all so impressed with their dance and catwalk. We hope to give  these passionate young dancers more opportunities like this. Thank you Anakku!

Little Dancers of ours rocked the floor with a “Rock n Roll” dance routine.

“Shake Your Feather” with our Little Chickens.

High School Musical kids are doing their “thang” with colourful pom-poms.

Energetic High School Musical kids posing for the camera shots.

Had a Great Time showing off their hard work!!!

Our contemporary students had grown mature with the dance steps choreographed by Teresa.

Sharoline contracts in moments of thoughts, representing emotions of the others.

The tremendous and amazing troupe of the Living Arts Dance Studio.

As some of you might have guessed, we have been busy organising our kids, teens and adult dancers to perform in TWO events! One is happening this weekend and another in August! Let me share full details for July’s showtime here:

Event: In’ Health & Beaute Expo 2010

Date: 2 - 4 July 2010 (fri - sun)

Time: 11.00am - 9.00pm

Venue: Mines International Exhibition Conference Centre (MIECC)

What are we doing there?

We will be spreading the joy of dancing with everyone! Come visit us at our booth, W06, next to the Food Court or watch our Little Dancers perform!

We will be performing around lunch time and dinner time on 3rd and 4th July. Most of these kids are below 7 years old and this will be their 1st staged show. So, please drop by and give them your smiles of encouragement.

Here is a unedited preview of what you will see:

High School Musical Dance by boppy teenagers!

Primary students from Garden International School preparing for their handstand

This is a new YOGA CLASS designed for kids aged 5 - 12 years old. Conducted by Teacher Teresa,  the principal instructor at Living Arts Studio. Teresa has 13 years of experience in working with kids aged 5 years and above. She has taught in private schools, international schools, kindergarten and in her studio.

In this yoga class, kids will learn not only poses (asanas) which will benefit their body and motor skills. It will incorporate breathing, visualisation, creativity and build confident levels as well as the arts of communication through our yoga story and yoga play.
Please call or sms to reserve your place. Namaste.

Teresa 012 735 7244

Little Dancer (aged 2- 4 years old) is   starting his Saturday, June 5 at 11.30am - 12.30pm.

Little Dancer is one of our most popular classes in Living Arts Dance Studio.  We promote Creative Movement, Creative Expression and Fun, Fun Fun!

We play games and dance with absolute freedom and joy!

Come join us for a free 1st trial class this Saturday. Please sms or call prior to coming. Thank you.

Regards, Teacher Teresa

012 735 7244

This video was taken during the Polestars Semi-Finals on April 24 at Quattro, KL.

Come support her in the Polestars Grand Finals on May 22 at The Opera, Sunway. Pls sms her for more details.

Unbutton your spine with Paddy McGrath
- With emphasis on backbends

In this workshop, we will explore:
1) Backbends, surya namaskaras & standing poses
2) Backbends & twists
3) Backbends & forward bends
4) Backbends & inversions

These workshops will provide more in-depth understanding of the spine in different postures. The workshops will be held over a period of 3 days with a total of 6 sessions.

Date: May 28, 29 & 30 (Friday - Sunday)

Time: Morning session 7.00am - 9.30am & Afternoon session 12.00pm - 3.30pm

Venue: Yogshakti Yoga Centre . No 1, Lorong Damai 13 Kiri (off Jln Ampang)

Price:
Per session RM230 (morning session) & RM250 (Afternoon session)
Per day RM460 / RM490 (after May 14)
All sessions RM1,320 / 1,420 (after May 14)

Website: www.yogshakti.com

Contact Person: Shilpa 012 205 2714 / shilpa@yogshakti.com

This workshop is suitable for dancers, martial artists, gym instructors, experienced yoga practitioners and anybody who is interested in developing a healthy spine to enhance their personal practices.

Call to reserve your spot today!