Orientation Handbook. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance Psalm 150:4

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1 Orientation Handbook Praise Him with the timbrel and dance Psalm 150:4

2 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance Psalm 150:4 Welcome to Steps of Grace Ballet, a Ministry of Elmbrook Church We are so thankful that the Lord has directed you to Steps of Grace Ballet School. We are very excited about this new year of dance! It is our desire to train, equip and encourage your child s love of Christ through the gift of dance. Our purpose is to teach with integrity and excellence with the goal of using the vehicle of dance to further the kingdom of God. Faculty and Staff, Steps of Grace Ballet Mission Statement In Him we live and move and have our being Acts 17:28 We feel called by God to use our bodies as instruments of praise. This is an honor and a privilege we do not take casually. We believe dance can be a wonderful way to learn how to worship and praise our Creator. It is a vehicle to draw children and adults hearts to their Savior. As we dance we desire to give God all the glory! Steps of Grace Administrative Team: Alyce Roeder School Director Sarah Howard- Parent Communications Heather Keckeisen- School Registrar Peggy Moede- Events Coordinator Teaching Faculty: Alyce Roeder School Director & Ballet Instructor Alyce danced with the Nashville Ballet for three seasons before joining the Milwaukee Ballet from She was trained by her mother, Pat Gillispie, with Classical Ballet Memphis. She studied at the ballet schools of Houston Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Atlanta Ballet and received scholarships for the San Francisco Ballet School as well as the National Academy of the Arts. In the summer of 1995 she completed the advanced examination for the Royal Academy of Dance and was one of two dancers in the United States to be awarded the coveted Solo Seal of the Academy. Recently Alyce has joined dancers from all over the world to dance at the Feast of Tabernacles in Israel with the International Christian Embassy. Alyce travels to regional conferences such as Zion Center for the Arts in North Carolina and Karitos Christian Arts Conference in Illinois, using her gift of dance to teach others to worship. She is married to Mark Roeder and they reside in Milwaukee with their three children. 2

3 Anisa Diaz- Hip Hop & Zumba! Instructor Anisa specializes in Hip Hop, Modern, Contemporary, and African dance styles and has danced with Rhemadance Company in Kenosha, WI. She is the Youth Director for ALATS Dance Company at Sign of the Dove Church in Waukegan, IL. She has enjoyed the opportunity to minister through dance on mission trips to Tanzania & Guatemala. Anisa is a mother of 3 and is a STEM educator and Teacher s Coach. Brooke Funk- Ballet Instructor Brooke joins our staff this year, having graduated from the full Steps of Grace Ballet program. Brooke trained as a teacher s assistant with us for 2 years. Her performance credits include His Gift, David s Heartbeat, You Are Special, and recently the production of Unknown. Brooke brings her love & joy for the art of dance to our youngest students this year. Heather Keckeisen Ballet Instructor Heather received her ballet training at the Classical Ballet Conservatory of Southern California. After studying three summers on scholarship with the Milwaukee Ballet School, Heather went on to win the prestigious Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Competition her senior year in high school. She then moved to Milwaukee and danced with the Milwaukee Ballet from Since 2002 Heather has enjoyed using her gifts to introduce children to the joys of musical theater through Elmbrook Church's summer Musical Camp. She is part of the dance ministry of Elmbrook Church and plays a vital role in all Steps of Grace productions both onstage and off. Heather is married to Beau Keckeisen and they live in Milwaukee with their two children. Karen Marinin Ballet & Modern Instructor Karen graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1999 with a BFA in dance performance. She spent a year dancing with two small modern companies in Chicago as well as numerous independent choreographers. After being renewed in Christ, Karen began refining her gift of dance for new purposes in worship. In 2002 she was certified as a DoxaSoma instructor and enjoys sculpting the body along with scripture and prayer. Karen has taught dance classes for Above the Clouds in Milwaukee, Mad Hot Ballroom, as well as with Steps of Grace. She resides in Waukesha with husband, Scott Marinin, and their son. Jennifer Miller - Ballet Instructor Jennifer Miller received her training at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet under Marcia Dale Weary, as well as at summer intensives at Joffrey Ballet and on scholarship with San Francisco Ballet. She was a trainee with the Milwaukee Ballet and rose through the ranks to become a leading artist. Ms. Miller teaches with the Milwaukee Ballet School, and for the past 13 years with Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet s summer program. As a choreographer, four of her ballets have been adjudicated for Northeast Regional Dance of America; one of which earned her the Monticello award for emerging female choreographer. Jennifer resides in Milwaukee with husband Karl von Rabenau and their two children. Glorielle Noel Niedfeldt - Modern Instructor Glorielle Niedfeldt has trained at Studio One Dance Theatre, Dance Gallery, and Chicago Multi Cultural Dance Center. She has been a featured dancer, artistic director and choreographer with Endure Productions as well as a featured dancer with Muntu Dance Theatre at Navy Pier. Glorielle was also a principal dancer in the 2013 Bollywood movie "Dhoom 3". Ms. NIedfeldt has taught at Dance Center North in Libertyville IL and at Karitos Worship & Arts Conference, and resides in Milwaukee with husband, Jeff Niedfeldt, and their son. 3

4 Student Placement & Classes Class Levels Steps of Grace Ballet reserves the right to determine class placement for every student regardless of age and prior or current training. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Alyce Roeder, director of Steps of Grace Ballet at or Our teachers determine when a student is ready to advance to the next level. Not all students progress technically, artistically, intellectually, emotionally or spiritually at the same rate. Ballet Classes Mommy & Me (must be 2 by January 1 st and accompanied by parent) Karen Marinin Tiny Tots (must be 3 by September 1st) Alyce Roeder & Brooke Funk Primary (must be 4 by September 1st) - Alyce Roeder & Brooke Funk Level 1 & Ballet Intro (must be 5 by September 1st) Alyce Roeder & Brooke Funk Level 2 - Alyce Roeder Level 3 - Alyce Roeder Level 4 - Alyce Roeder Level 5 - Alyce Roeder Level 6 - Alyce Roeder Level 7 - Alyce Roeder Level 8 - Alyce Roeder, Heather Keckeisen, & Jennifer Miller Level 9 - Alyce Roeder, Heather Keckeisen, & Jennifer Miller Levels 2-9: New students need placement permission from the Director. Additional Dance Classes Modern/Contemporary Levels 8 & 9 - Karen Marinin & Glorielle Neidfeldt Worship Dance Karen Marinin (for ages 10 and older with placement by Director) Hip Hop- (for ages 10 and older) Anisa Diaz Adult & Teen Zumba!- Anisa Diaz Schedule The dance program is comprised of two semesters per year: Fall Semester: September December Spring Semester: January May (*There are additional weeks of classes in Spring) Performance Opportunities: From time to time Steps of Grace produces ballet productions. Our past productions include "His Gift", "David's Heartbeat", "You Are Special", and most recently Unknown. Opportunity to perform in these productions is at the discretion and invitation of the director. Typically, students in our upper levels are asked to perform. Each December we have a ballet outreach to local nursing homes. This is a performance opportunity for our younger dancers, those that may not be included in our larger productions. Lastly, our Ballet Demonstration is held at the end of the spring semester each May. This is an opportunity for all of our students, including all levels, to experience using their gift of dance as a worship offering and feel God's pleasure as they dance! We welcome all family and friends to attend! 4

5 School Guidelines: I. Dress Code A. ALL dancers should wear cover-ups when coming to and leaving class. Students can use the restroom nearest their classroom for changing. B. Only assigned leotards are to be worn in class. You will find order information for class uniforms in the registration packet. 1. Upper level girls may want to cut off a pair of old tights to pull over their head and wear under their leotard (This is useful for warmth and modesty). 2. No sports bras underneath leotards. Appropriate dance undergarments may be purchased. 3. ALL LEVELS: Underwear is NOT to be worn under leotards. Leotards and tights have a cotton panel, similar to a swimsuit. C. Pink ballet shoes and pink tights are required for all female ballet students. 1. Bloch brand shoes are recommended. 2. Shoes should be purchased at Ballera on North Avenue in Brookfield. 3. Shoes should fit snugly, no room to grow. 4. Shoes should be snugged up with the drawstring, which is then tied in a bow and tucked into the top of the shoe. 5. Shoes should NOT be worn outside. D. Hair should be pulled back in a low bun (see last page for demonstration on how to ). E. Only small stud earrings allowed. F. The standard class uniform is to be worn during rehearsals for any ballet production. Do not have your concert first and then tune your instrument afterwards. Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him. Hudson Taylor II. General Etiquette A. In Class 1. No gum. 2. Only water bottles no food please. B. Outside of Class 1. Use designated areas for bags and other personal items keep hallways clear. 2. Pick-up after yourself. C. Remember: We have the privilege of using Elmbrook Church for classes; we want to be above reproach in all areas. III. Parent Guidelines A. Please encourage your children to pray for their teachers. B. The instructors of Steps of Grace always welcome your concerns. C. Please help your child to be in class on time, ready to dance. A. There will be a room available in the B300 level for parents and siblings to wait while your child is in class. Please do not allow waiting children to run and play in the hallways. The playground on the southwest side of church is available to use while waiting. B. The church library and bookstore welcome your visit. C. Please check the website for updates. 5

6 Miscellaneous Attendance Students should arrive 10 to 15 minutes before class begins. The student can use this time to dress for class, use the restroom and prepare mentally. We encourage students to be on time and not miss class. If your student is ill, please notify us at Do not call the church. Make up Classes Students can make up a missed lesson in a class level below theirs, with permission of the instructor. Inclement Weather When Elmbrook Church closes, classes are cancelled. Closings will be noted on Elmbrook s website: If a class is cancelled due to weather conditions or facility closures, the students will be allowed to participate in another class as a make-up lesson. Lost & Found and Swap Box We maintain our own lost and found separate from the church s lost and found closet. Items are stored for one semester in a box located in the women s dressing room behind the sanctuary. Unclaimed items are donated at the end of each semester. The ballet Swap Box is also maintained in the women s dressing room alongside the lost and found box. Well cared-for dance items that your child has grown out of may be placed in the box for others to use, in hopes that you might find the next size up for your child Please only donate items to the swap box that do not have holes and shoes that have a mate! Website You can access the website by going to: Our website is kept up to date with current information about classes, rehearsal schedules and downloadable registration forms. Please keep us current on your , phone number and home address. Fees and Payments A fee and payment schedule will be available each semester with registration forms. Steps of Grace is run as a ministry, therefore fees are lower than a comparable, secular school of dance. Thank you for choosing Steps of Grace Ballet. We pray this year will bring a blessing and we give God all the Glory! 6

7 How to Make a Classical Ballerina Bun 1. If hair is of many lengths, has bangs, or is very fine and slippery, moisten the hair well. It is wet enough when comb marks stay after combing. Comb in hair gel thoroughly. The crucial part is to comb it from the roots to the ends completely and evenly. Use a generous amount of gel. The objective is to glue bangs and layered hair into place once the gel is dry. Use gel that dries clear and not with white flakes! 2. Smooth hair into a ponytail at the fullest point of the crown of the head. Use a sturdy, covered elastic band. A loose band will slip down during movement of the head. Uncovered elastic band will rip the hair. (See diagram A). 3. Twist the hair tightly into a rope shape. (See diagram B). 4. Coil the hair around the elastic band in the same direction the rope is twisted into a bun. 5. (See diagram C). 6. Holding the bun in shape, cover the bun with the hair net so that the elastic pulls underneath. Wrap the extra net around and underneath the bun. 7. Allow the covered bun to slightly relax so that the bun lies flat against the head. If it looks like a doorknob, it is coiled too tightly. Just unwind the bun slightly (just a quarter of a turn) and smooth the bun to the crown. 8. Pin the bun in place securely. A few larger bobby pins or traditional hair pins will do the work that twenty or so smaller pins will never do and are less likely of coming out during rigorous movement. 9. If necessary, spray with hairspray and smooth down the fuzzies before the spray has dried completely. A B C 7

NOW ENTERING INTO OUR 12 TH SPRING SEMESTER A TIME TO DANCE!

NOW ENTERING INTO OUR 12 TH SPRING SEMESTER A TIME TO DANCE! There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven a time to mourn and a time to DANCE! Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 A Time to