School Option For A New Age

Five years ago, we opened our ASPIRE Integrated School Option program. It's a public virtual school blended with our performing and fine arts programs for K-12. The idea and dream was that it allowed children to spend their day in a facility filled with huge opportunities in dance, music, art, performance gymnastics and acrobatics, while completing their school studies. 

We knew five years ago that this model of school was no different than children in elite gymnastics gyms, Broadway theaters or Hollywood having tutors on site while they worked out or worked on their theater craft.  We saw it as a way that students could have more time for performing and fine arts. Or being a part of a competitive dance or gymnastic team.

Today, ASPIRE Integrated School Option is in the forefront as a school choice for area children, due to the  COVID-19 pandemic. It is sad that the pandemic has so many families concerned about their child's education and safety. But the virtual teachers with the Oklahoma Virtual Public Schools we use are well trained in virtual education on a daily basis, so their is no concerns, stresses or anxiety about delivering a great school experience. They have been doing this for years now! And so have we. 

We are BACK! I'm going to get a little personal for a moment.

No, we did not go anywhere. It has just been many months since posting anything to our BLOG. So long, we did not even realize that Blogger has updated their look and style a bit! 

Why such a long time between posts? Family. Sometimes you just have to take a break and take care of family. And that is exactly what we did. Specifically, the absence was due to me needing to help take care of my parents needs, mostly my dad. Dad passed in May and I am beginning to catch my breath.....at least I think I am. Daddy had dementia for almost 30 years. 

I bring up my Dad because he was the beginning of what I now do. Daddy was a musician. Actually a very good musician. But he never had a lesson in his life. He played multiple instruments, guitar, western steel guitar, mandolin, piano, a little bit of banjo. And he played them all by ear.

Daddy would sit next to me at the piano and watch me practice. He would look at the music books I had in front of me and would say, "Looks like chicken scratches to me."  Then he would play the piano with me. Me playing from my books and Daddy adding chords. He is the one that taught me chords before I was even ready to learn them from Mrs. Evans, my first piano teacher.

Music was always in our house. From my uncles, aunts and cousins gathering at our house on the weekend to join in  the playing of music, to Daddy listening to his Gospel records on Sunday mornings. Music was a big part of our world, an important part of our world.......we just did not realize it at the time.

When Daddy started having to walk with a walker and was slowing down some, I got the idea to build him a Pandora account with all of his old country musicians he loved so much. I would turn it on when we would walk in the house. He and I would circle around from the living room to the dining room, then the kitchen and hallway that lead back to the living room. Some days, he would only walk four or five times around. Other days, he would walk as much as thirteen to twenty two times around ( I would write down each day how many times so it could be given to his physical therapist that visited him at home.). 

Daddy actually started getting stronger in his legs and would walk in tempo to the music, which made us laugh. When a quick two step would come on, I actually had a hard time holding onto his safety belt due to him walking to the tempo! Daddy really loved music. And I really love music, but I loved my Daddy more.

At his funeral, during the COVID-19 pandemic with so many regulations concerning safety at funerals, they played recorded music of Johnny Cash singing Amazing Grace and Alan Jackson singing I'll Fly Away. The morning of the day that Dad passed, he was in his wheel chair listening to music and I'll Fly Away came on. Daddy started nodding his head and tapping the beat with his fingers. When the song finished, he looked at me and smiled a crooked little smile. I said to him, "You really like that song." He responded with "Yeah". 

Early that evening, while setting in his recliner, my Daddy was sleeping and he took his last breath. No lengthy hospital stays or nursing home. He stayed home with mom, my husband and I,.............and his music. Music was his special drug that made everything bearable. It helped when he was in pain or could not sleep. It expressed when he was sad or happy. For many months it was the only way he could walk any distance.

Music has always been a part of my life in my home growing up, at school in the Junior and Senior High Schools, and in  my studio. I listen to music more than I even watch TV. Now music has even a more special part in my life. It holds the memories of my Daddy.

Mary Myers is the Owner and Director of Academy of Fine Arts in Woodward , Oklahoma.

But My Child Wasn't Learning And Wants To Do Something Else

It's that time of year again. Your child want's to go do what their new friend is doing, even though you have spent hours and money in classes already. What to do?

The first thing is to talk to your child's teacher or coach you have been taking classes with first. Before any decision  is made. They may have some great insights for you to share with your child.

Did you know that probably 90 % of the time when a child is allowed to quit classes, change classes or even change where they have been training, that child was at a point of achieving something great in class, and then it is over by one decision to let them quit or change. When making them stick it out could of made all of the difference.

Adults that have a hard time holding a job for a great deal of time or have difficulty in following through and completing projects , have shared that their parents allowed them to start and stop things at a whim or for what was the most popular at the time. They, as employees, find themselves disorganized, unfocused and unable to make great life changing decisions. Most will say that they wish their parents had held to their decision about lessons and made them continue.

There is great value in being consistent and persistent when it comes to training for your child. And though your child may whine and want to go with their friends, constantly changing  may actually devalue the training you have already acquired.

What helps a child to progress in classes? Consistency mostly. Constant training from one great source of information and background. Year after year training with the same source is the most beneficial. It allows the students to grow and develop in skills, mature and become comfortable and trusting not only in their own abilities, but also trusting in the source of the training.

Persistency is also important. Those that are taught to stick things out through to the end are the ones that will see themselves completing their college education and following their dreams. They have been taught that there is value in following through to the end, and little value in starting, stopping, starting, stopping and starting again.

The performing and fine arts training your child is involved in can make a great difference in their lives. It can teach them that when things are hard, you just push a little harder. When things are tough, you work a little tougher. When you fall down, you get up. And when you friends are going off and doing one thing and then the next, you stick it out for the long run, because you may not be an Olympic Gymnast or a Prima Ballerina, but sticking with the fine arts for years in succession in one solid training ground, just may help you to be a doctor, physiologist, school teacher, nurse, writer, artist or business owner. Just like some of our former students that stayed in classes through their senior year in high school.

Yes, there is value is sticking things out. There is also great value in continuing your training under the same teacher, coach or institution. There is great value in the fine arts.

 

 

NOW REGISTERING FOR THIS FUN MASTER CLASS IN AUGUST!

 

This is a great class for students in acrobatics, tumbling, gymnastics and dance!

Master Teachers will be teaching beginner to intermediate level skills depending on the age and level of the students.

 

5 yrs and up!

 

LIMITED ENROLLMENT!

Don't Miss It! It is AWESOME!

Tomorrow, we have a very special event for our students here at our Woodward location. Mary James, songwriter and professional performer will be at our school from 6:00 pm-6:30 pm prior to her concert! She is coming FOR OUR STUDENTS and families to be able to visit with her about her career as a song writer, author, musician, vocalist and tv actor. Now how often does that happen in NW Oklahoma? Hardly never!

Why are we doing this? We had an opportunity and seized it! This lady has a wonderful story of perseverance, faith and passion to tell and all of our students can benefit from. It is a lesson of even when life becomes hard, we must push on and move forward to achieve what we are working for.
(Mary James was in an accident that actually paralyzed her vocal cords and there was little hope by medical personnel to be able to continue to sing.)

We do hope that all of our families will see the value in this event and will want to participate in the meet & greet at our school March 28th at 6:00 pm. Then if you are looking for a fun Parents Night Out, arrange with us today for tickets for the show and for your child to stay at the school for pizza and a movie! All for only $60 (includes tickets to the show for the parents and one student staying for pizza and movie---$10 extra for each child added)

Today is your last day to get your tickets (pay in person today at our school or call and pay over the phone to reserve your tickets.) Those that attend will be talking about this for some time! Those that miss will wish they had attended. We don't want you to be left out for sure!

Oh! Be sure your child brings an autograph book with them to the meet and greet (which is free to all of our students and those that got a special invitation yesterday) And we will see you at the most talked about even in Woodward in 2014 tomorrow!

School or Studio?

In visiting with and listening to parents lately, there seems to be some confusion about school. Just the label "school" in itself seems to mean different things to different people. The conversation came up recently when a new inquiry asked why we called our place a "school" and not a "studio".

I went on to explain that the word "studio" really did not explain what we do here at Academy of Fine Arts. We call our selves a school, and operate as one, because we teach educational programs such as dance, music, gymnastics/tumbling, swimming (in our Woodward location) and an arts based preschool.

Our programs are syllabus based and having learning objectives for our students. The classes are organized and planned out by qualified teachers that continually train each year to become better at what they teach. Our school program has received recognition on the state, regional and national levels.

But you will fine "studios" within our school. The studios are equipped rooms that meets the needs of the students and teachers that take a class in there. Specialized floors for training, sound systems (not boom boxes), mirrors, barres, gymnastic equipment, pianos, drums, art equipment and supplies, preschool activity centers, desks and supplies. Each studio is set up for the type of class that is offered in that room. Even multifunctional studios are equipped to meet the needs to the different classes held in them.

When looking at the definition of the word studio, you will find the following:

1

a :  the working place of a painter, sculptor, or photographer

b :  a place for the study of an art (as dancing, singing, or acting)

2

a :  a place where motion pictures are made

b :  a company that produces motion pictures

3

:  a place maintained and equipped for the transmission of radio or television programs

4

:  a place where audio recordings are made

 

When looking at the definition of the word school, you also find the following:

 

1

:  an organization that provides instruction: as

a :  an institution for the teaching of children

b :  college, university

 

We do believe that we provide instruction and that most of our students are children. We also know that each and every program that we teach, with consistent training and passion, can lead to a college or university scholarship and to a career. Therefor, we prefer to call ourselves a school. It just so happens that our classes are taught in studios.

 

But it does not matter what our families call us.When talking about their classes to friends and family, it  dose not matter because they are always being told about our terrific programs and how many of our students have went on to a college or university to further their education. You see, "studio" or "school" does not matter when your program is doing the right thing for their students.

Why Music FunTime?

Music FunTime is a theory based music program for children as young as 18 months of age. Not like other music/playtime programs, Music FunTime actually teaches children to recognize music symbols, name the notes of the treble and bass clef and start reading music before they can even read a book!

Impossible you say? No, not really. Based on research, young children can learn to recognize music symbols, name the parts of and note of the staff and all before they can even read a book! It is a lot like teaching the young child how to recognize colors, number and recite the alphabet. It is all very easy when in the right environment and with the right teachers.

Music fun time is also filled with musical games and crafts to take home! Each child receives their own personal rhythm instruments to take home and bring back each week. The cost of all of this fun is included in the monthly tuition!

Parents will be amazed when their child asks, "mommy do you know how many beats are in a whole note?" We even have two year olds right now that recognize a whole note, half note and quarter note!

Yes, Music FunTime is an educational program that is fun. It also is a program that can prepare your child for private lessons and start them to recognized letters, counting, and much more.

Progressive parents will recognize the value in this program. We are pleased to be a Music FunTime provider for the Woodward and Enid areas! Register early!

Just Part Of The Uniform

Traditionally, dance schools have had required class dancewear. Such as the one piece leotard, tights (absolutely), waist belt or skirt, hair tightly secured (most often a bun). For boys, black tights/pants, belt, white shirt. The uniform of a dancer, was much like the uniform of a Girl or Boy Scouts uniform. It meant that you were privileged to be a member of an important group of boys and girls your age, your level and studying/being a part of  your interest or passion. 

Much like private schools have had their "uniforms", dance uniforms also served a need. It allowed you to be able to focus on what you were in attendance for. No distractions. No worrying that someone else may have on something that is better than what your parents could afford or that your current wear did not meet the current social trends.

Then there were the crossovers. The one that sticks out the most was after the movie Flashdance hit the big screen, and the next thing you knew was that dancewear was now cool enough to be street wear....LEGWARMERS! Shrugs were available on almost every little girls Easter dress for awhile too. Admit it! You have either seen others wearing these dance items, or you did it yourself! And oh, how... cool... it... was...!

Today, it is the SOCK BUN! So cool! So nifty! So handy! You don't even need clean hair for it! Right? Of course! But guess what cultural Fashionistas, dancers beat you to it! Yep! Sock buns have been around for generations and dancers have been sporting them in classes even before you knew what they were! So cool! So nifty! So in style!

My point is, if what dancers wear in class (or are suppose to wear in class) is so hip today on the street, why do we struggle getting our dancers, acrobats and gymnasts to show up for class properly prepared? Why are we purchasing a ring of hair ties to have on hand because we know that we will need to hand them out at the beginning of class? Why do we have to ask, "where is your leotard?"

If a uniform , that allows you to be part of a very special group or class that some young men and young ladies would beg their parents for, why do you not come bursting through the doors of our school shouting "HERE I AM! AREN'T I AMAZING?!"

Is it because we have forgotten to tell you how amazing you are? Or is it because we have forgotten to remind you every week that you are a part of a very special class of young people that hold the breathe of your audience every time you turn, leap, pause or smile from the stage. No other athlete has that ability. Seldom do you see a football or basketball player able to bring tears to their audiences eyes except...... for when they.... loose.... the..... game.

Yes being part of your dance or gymnastics class, fully uniformed, means a little bit of extra work. It means you have to remember where you put your leotard. It means you have to remember that tights are a dancers tool to warm the muscles. It means you have to take a moment to say to yourself......
"I am amazing! So let's go work on being able to make other people hold their breathe and tear up, while I move my marvelous body across the floor. I am powerful. I am special. I am a dancer!

New Classes This Fall

New classes will be added to the fall schedule to accommodate students that are homeschooler, virtual schooled or in our Learning Coach Service program. These classes will be held in the early afternoon ( and possibly in the mornings).

Classes we are planning on offering this fall are Ballet I and II, Ballet Technique Class, Jazz I and II, Tap I and II. Pre-Tumble and Dance will also be offered for our Preschool and Pre-K students that are registered in the Move-N-Learn Academy. By offering earlier classes, these student will be able to blend their training into their school day and receive many benefits of physical activity and more.

Also offered in the earlier class periods will be group music and vocal as well as art.

Those interested in the classes need to pre-register by May 1st to be assured the class will be held. A delay in registration could mean the class could be filled or dropped from the schedule.

Registration for the Learning Coach Services is also due by May 1st.

The Unmentioned Heroes

Recently in class, a conversation broke out among students approximately age 9-12 years of age. The conversation turned to heroes. One of the things that I noticed was that the majority of the heroes that they admired were actually cartoon heroes and not real people that they could actually look up to. Really? What is wrong with that?

It was not that I wanted them to mention dancers or musicians, although throughout history there have been many worth mentioning. Like one of my heroes from childhood that always changed a bad situation into a wink and a smile, Shirley Temple. But it would of been nice if it had not been a pretend action hero.

Heroes should be people that have made a difference in our society. Whether they meant to or not, they changed us and changed us for the good. Heroes should be those that have made a stand or a high commitment and saw it through. Someone that was brave, even if they did not feel brave every moment of their life.

But true heroes are people that do not even realize that they are held in high honor. People that are just trying to get through the day, the week, the month, the year. People that work hard and do not even know that some people notice.

A few years back we had a hero here at our studio and she never knew it. No one even mentioned her as a hero and maybe we did not realize she was at the time, because all of us were just trying to get through the day, the week, the month, the year.

There was a parent that had her children in classes with us. The oldest had been in class for some time actually, when their life changed. You see, the husband and dad, decided he did not want to be a family any more. Being high school sweethearts was not enough to carry them through.

I remember the day the mom came to me and told me the story of how it all unfolded and that she would have to take her children out of classes. I remember my heart sinking , not because I was going to loose multiple students, but because I just did not know how this could of happened to someone so sweet. I remember looking at her and thinking she is so brave and I am going to fall to pieces any moment!

Because of the trauma that I felt the children were going through, I told her to not pull the children out. I asked that she allow them to finish at least the year because I thought that dance could be an outlet for them. No charge! It was what I felt I needed to do, and I am very certain that there are many other teachers that have done or would do the same. We are attached to our students like they are part of our family.

This mother, someone I had known many years and way before either of us had any children, looked at me and said only if I can pay for it by helping some way. She became our new janitor that day.

But more than that she became a hero that day. You see, this is not about a poor mom stuck with kids, no job and no husband. This is about a woman that took on the challenge of life! She had the ability to change things and she did.

She got a job. Actually two jobs in fast food restaurants (plus still doing janitorial for her children's classes) because she had no work history for others to hire her. Marrying her high school sweetheart and raising kids was her job for years. But, shed no tears because from two fast food establishments, she eventually made it to some college and then to the director of one of the best daycares in the area. Still raising kids.

But that is not the end of the story. She continued to work at raising her beautiful children, they continued over the years to take classes from us. She eventually continued her education and completed her degree. Children moved on to college. Now they are married. A grandparent!

In between she did re-marry for a time and took care of her own parents. Eventually, she moved away to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

I wonder at times if she realized what a great story she has created for her children to hand down to her grandchildren? I wonder if she ever knew that others sat back and wondered how she ever did it. I wonder if anyone ever realized how much power this one quiet woman really has.  I wonder if she knew that she is some ones hero. Probably not, because some of the best heroes never even knew that they were changing the game of life because they did not know someone was watching.

So maybe today we should all watch and notice unmentioned heroes. And instead of being quiet about it, maybe we should speak up and tell them, "You know, I've learned a lot from you. Thanks for being my hero today."

Here is to unmentioned heroes. See if you can find a few to learn from too. Now take THAT Batman! ((POW))!!

Mean Mary James To Visit Academy of Fine Arts Students

In case you have not heard, Mean Mary James will be visiting our school on March 28th to have a meet and great with our students. All students, no matter what department they are in at our school, can attend this event at 6:00 pm in our Woodward location.


The purpose of the meet and greet is to allow our students to meet a professional performer! Mary James is a musician and vocalist with a great story that has led her to where she is today. Follow and accident that damaged her vocal chords, Mary James knows that it takes a love for what you do, dedication and commitment, and never giving up when times seem hard to achieve your dream.


Although she performs under the name of Mean Mary James, there is absolutely nothing mean about her but her fast banjo picking! Mary plays eleven different instruments, has co-authored books and written her own music and songs.


After the meet and greet, Mary will be forming a small concert venue at the Josie Adams Cultural Center. We hope that all our parents will want to attend with family and friends since this is also a fundraiser to purchase more equipment for our school. the concert starts at 7:00 pm with food and beverages first. (Students can stay at our school for a movie, pizza and popcorn for only $10 per person! Now that is a cheap baby sitter!)


We think that you will be amazed by Mary James journey and her music and hope you will plan to purchase tickets and attend.

Why A Dance Education Versus Just Learning A Dance?

There are many different types of dance studios around our nation. And rightly so because not all families are looking for the same thing when it comes to placing their children in a dance program.

There are the "activity" studios. These are the ones that can come up with great activity style classes that only run six to eight weeks at a time. Low commitment and made for fun and to give the parents a break from their children once in awhile.

There are "lets learn a dance" studios that start teaching a dance at the beginning of the season and take the entire season to complete or polish it.

There are "competition" studios where every class in the studio, with maybe the exception of the baby classes, compete. That is their goal and target. Attend competitions.

There are the studios that see what they do as an education. They not only teach dances, but actually how to dance. Techniques is important and impressed upon their students because they want to be sure if these students do one day decide to audition for a university dance department or for a professional show, that they have the skills and training to make it.

Take these four types of studios and you will see even a different blend. Such as the Educational Studio that understands and can meet the educational side with still allowing a few students to compete. Why only a few? Because they are hand selected and not open called for auditions. These hand selected students are ones that parents understand that this is more that just getting on a stage and getting a trophy. It is about performance value and learning about performance.

Then there is the studio that the competitions are actually an activity because not enough time is spent on technique, but instead tricks to make the audience yell out for them (have you ever experience yelling "get it girl" during a Nutcracker performance by a professional company?). Although entertaining, these dancers seldom go on to higher levels of dance opportunities, and even if they tried they are generally turned away.

Dance is an education of movement, correct sequences and technique in execution. It should be fun or your child will not enjoy it. It should be measurable or your child will not know if they are advancing or not. It should be balanced with technique and learning a dance.

Yes, dance is an education. So is performance. An education that can take them to as high as they want to achieve, if they have the right start.

Woodward Academy of Fine Arts Students To Get Private Meeting With International Touring Artist on March 28th!

We have a real treat for our students in our Woodward location! On March 28th we are bringing in an international touring artist of guitar, banjo and violin to speak to our students about being a professional musician, author and actor!

This person (name to be announced soon!) plays eleven different music instruments and started co-writing music by the age of 5 yrs. The artist could read music before they could even read a book!

Known internationally for lightning-fast fingers, haunting vocals, and intricate story songs, this artist travels the genres of folk-rock, bluegrass, and blues with banjo, fiddle, and guitar. Anything from ghost pirates to demon guitars could romp through a the show!

Not only will there be the private time talking with just our students, but there will also be a small house concert that evening for adults at the Josie Adams Cultural Center! Ticket prices to be announced.

Be sure to stay tuned to find out more and mark your calendars for March 28th!

You Are Invited To Learn More!

You are invited to an informational meeting! No obligation, just attend to learn more! Back to top FEBRUARY 25th Time 6:30 pm Location Hampton Inn Woodward OK OKLAHOMA CONNECTIONS ACADEMY A VIRTUAL OKLAHOMA PUBLIC SCHOOL and ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS How the two can blend to create a great educational opportunity for your child's success! Listen, ask questions and find out about a different learning environment for your child. It is still public school but in a private setting! Registration for Fall 2014 Starts Soon so now is the time to learn more about this cutting edge method of school that can allow more family time or more time for your child to spend on their passions! Although this is a meeting we have set up for our families at Academy of Fine Arts, we encourage the public to attend as well. Bring a friend or family member that has an interest!

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What is Oklahoma Connections Academy? Back to top Oklahoma Connections Academy is a public virtual school available to all Oklahoma students K-12. It is a public school that can be done at home or on the go. All that is needed most of the time is a laptop, internet connection and the books they send to you to work from. Is it home school? Well it can be, but we think a bit better because the curriculum is set and you are guided by state certified teachers that are assigned to your child. A parent or grandparent takes online training to assist the child in their daily studies. But don't dismiss it because you don't or can't be a stay at home parent to home school. Because we have a solution to that! You can outsource the Learning Coach position to us! We encourage you to go to the website for Oklahoma Connections Academy and learn more! Then come to the meeting to ask the hard questions! And keep asking questions until you get the answers that you need to make a decision about the future of your childs education. If virtual public school does not work for you, you can always go back to a brick and mortar public school! www.connectionsacademy.com/OKCA

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Why Do We Like Oklahoma Connections Academy? Back to top First of all, children in the arts and athletics have been educated for generations through similar methods....then, it was called a tutor. Gymnastic gyms, dance schools, Broadway, Hollywood, and others have educated children while they worked on their passions. This is really nothing new.What is new is the delivery system! The internet and a laptop. We feel that this is a cutting edge situation and will eventually be the future of how all children will or could be educated. Those starting now, are getting a head start. Technology has changed everything in the world. Adults have been taking online courses for years now to start or complete a degree. It may all seem new, but the technology has been there for years. When looking over their courses and classes for different grades, we were amazed. There is so much more than what a brick and mortar public school can offer! Students and families will be able to tailor their child's education towards what the child enjoys and loves. We like the fact that OKCE is progressive and encourages children to aspire to higher levels. Connections Academy also has a partnership with Julliard in the e-music program! How many schools offer that? Children in virtual school will be tomorrows computer experts. Since it is the method of conducting and recording their progress, they have an opportunity to progress fast than those that get on a computer only a couple times a week at school or to play games on the weekends at home. We also like that they have cubs and parent events to connect families in Oklahoma that are also in OKCA. This means that they also believe that a complete education is also about being with like minded people. We think that any child that registers with OKCA will be challenged. This is not a sit back and let the computer do the work situation. We believe that sudents in a virtual school such as OKCA will be trained early to be a forward thinking adult. This is just a few reasons why we like OKCA and why we have put together this meeting for you to learn more. Invite a friend to come with you. Bring a list of questions! We want you to come and then let us know if you see the future like we do. See you at the meeting!

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Back to top Click here to learn more about Oklahoma Connection Academy

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Back to top College Bound Students Find Success

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Back to top Find out more about OKCA

Oklahoma Virtual Public School in a Private Setting

Kids Say The Funniest Things

This week in class, one of our students looked up to the dance teacher and asked, "Do you wash your black leotard and jazz pants every night so that you can teach in them the next day?" "Well no, I actually have several black leotards and pants to select from", said the teacher. "Really?????" was the reply from the very serious young student. "You really only have black clothes in your closet? You really need some color with that!" Sometimes our students say the funniest things, and yet can be so honest with their opinions. What the student does not understand is that a dance teacher's life is filled with a lot of color! Rosy cheeks and pearly white teeth in a large smile that meet the teacher as each student comes through the door for their lessons. Pink skirts and tutus twirling in the air, red hip hop sneakers and lime green pants dancing on the floor, sequined dance bags that line the floor, and glitter! Glitter every where! A teacher of dance hears music and immediately sees movement and color! We see color in the sunrise and the sunset that gives us inspiration to choreograph great performances. Color is everywhere when looking through hundreds of books for costumes for the spring performance. Yes, dance teachers have a lot of color in their lives. So much so that we never notice that when we wear our traditional"uniform" to teach classes that others would think that there is no color in our lives. Actually there is so much color in a dance teachers life that we sometimes find glitter in the strangest places. Sometimes there is even glitter in the meatloaf at home, but by mistake. Keep smiling!

Band and Orchestra Rentals or Rent 2 Own

Check out this link to great rental instruments for band and orchestra. New to like new instruments and a rental plan that will blow you away! Nothing compares to this! Check it out now at http://www.nemc.com/rentals/

Music Fun Time Classes Now Registering

Music Fun Time is a theory based music class for ages 18 mo-3 yrs, 3-5 yrs and 5-7 yrs of age. Incorporating math and music science techniques, your young child will learn to read music and play instruments. Call us at 580-256-3262in Woodward or 580-747-4799 in Enid. New classes starting in January. 

Ever Thought Of Sharing Your Talent?

We are currently accepting resumes for teaching positions. Applicants must be able to pass a background check and be at least 18 years of age. Positions available are mostly part time but we do offer the ability to cross over into other departments to bring you closer to full time.
Positions are open in our Woodward and Enid locations.

Positions now open are:

Piano Teacher                                          Guitar Teacher                        Band Instrument Teacher
Drum Teacher                               Mom & Me Music Teacher               Music Fun Time Teacher
Ballet Teacher                                         Tap Teacher                             Jazz/ Hip Hop Teacher
Lyrical Teacher                               Contemporary Teacher                    Acrobatic Teacher
Gymnastics Coach                       Cheerleading/Tumbling Coach           Art Teacher
Academic Preschool Teacher         Academic Pre-K Teacher                 Learning Coaches

Resumes can be emailed to teacherapplications2000-enid@yahoo.com
                                            teacherapplications2000-woodward@yahoo.com

"I have a talent.....Thank you for the music..."

On the Momma Mia movie soundtrack, there is a hidden track of Thank You For The Music sung by Amanda Seyfried. Have you ever found it? If not, keep looking.  It is well worth the time to search and listen to.........

 Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing 
Thanks for all the joy they're bringing 
Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty 
What would life be? 
Without a song or a dance what are we? 
So I say thank you for the music 
For giving it to me 

When you stop and think about it, what would the world be like without music? Music to move to, music to sing along to, music to evoke emotion and connection (that is why there is always a musical soundtrack playing behind the action packed movies), etc, etc.

Would we still move? Would we still cry at a movie? Would we still sway? Would we still sing? When you stop and think about it, what kind of would we we live in? No Star Spangled Banner. No Christmas carols. No Wedding March. No lullabies. No Amazing Grace. No dancing in the moonlight with the love of our life. No family sing a longs in the car. No Over The River and Through The Woods.

Music is a big part of our culture and has been since biblical ages. Music tells a story. Music sets a mood. Music is something that should never be hidden. 

Our connection to music is very much documented throughout time. Music changes from decade to decade. But as humans, we do not. We still smile when we hear a new song or an upcoming artist. Music also helps to set memories for a lifetime.

Yesterday, several musicians from our music school in Woodward, had a chance to share their hidden musical talents. Smiles were everywhere (and a few anxious parental faces too, for a short time). Music is something we should share openly with everyone. We should not be afraid to share our talents and growing talents. Not ever! 

Share on musicians! Great job yesterday!