Ms Lisa Ballerina

Pre School Dance for ages 3-5 on Tuesday Mornings

2011-11-15T10:43:00.000-08:00

Children in the Grand Rapids area are invited to attend Ms. Lisa's Pre School dance classes at BalletMore at Breton and Burton. Classes run Tuesday mornings from 9-9:30am for children age 3 and 9:30-10:15am for children age 4-5.

These movement classes involve creative movement and ballet. Students will explore dance through basic ballet, gross motor skills, prop play, and story dances.

Visit www.BalletMore.com for more info.

Ballet Lessons in Three Rivers, Michigan

2010-10-01T11:49:00.000-07:00

Students age 18 months to 11 years old will now have the opportunity to take ballet in Three Rivers, Michigan at the It's Your World Studio for the Arts.

Ms. Lisa Bredahl will be instructing these lessons.

Dance Classes offered in Three Rivers, Michigan 2010-2011

2010-09-30T16:32:00.000-07:00

Three Rivers, Michigan, Dance Studio offers Classes for Children

Dance classes for ages 18 months to 11 years will be offered in Three Rivers, Michigan, beginning October 20, 2010. Ballet, Tap, and Hip Hop will be offered. Call Jerry at 269-279-9100 to register or for more information. Location: It's Your World Studio for the Arts, 54 1/2 North Main Street, 2nd Floor, Three Rivers, MI.

Instructor Bio:
Lisa Bredahl is a professional dancer who is originally from , near . She has performed professionally with 3 x 3 Dance, Company Dance Traverse, Young Michigan Dances, Kalamazoo Junior Dance Co and several productions through WMU's Dance Department. She once played a Flying Witch in Hansel & Gretel at Miller Auditorium. Lisa was the director of the of Music&Dance for 19 years and has taught over 4000 students in the area find their passion in the arts. She received my BA in Dance from in 1999. Her hobbies include enjoying warm weather, traveling, music, and spending time with her puppy. Lisa resides in with her husband, son & daughter.

Visit www.MsLisaBallerina.com for a complete list of Children's Classes.

Student Music and Dance Concerts... Saturday, June 19, 2010

2010-06-14T08:02:00.000-07:00

The 3pm Concert will feature our music students, from beginning through advanced as they perform classical and contemporary music. General Admission: $6/13 yrs and older and $3/ age 3-12.

The 5pm Concert features our 18 – 36 months, 3-4 year olds and our Adult Dance Company. The children will be dancing to songs about summer and our adults will perform excerpts from Swan Lake, Snowwhite, The Beatles, and John Cage. Ballet, Jazz, Modern, and tap to be featured. General Admission: $6/13 yrs and older and $3/ age 3-12.

Our 7:30pm Concert will feature jazz, hip hop, tap and ballet. The Children’s Ballet Production is “The Princess and the Pea” and features principle dancer, Chloe Habitz as the Princess, Jessica Loper as the Queen, and Hilary Skalski as the Maid. General Admission: $10/Adults and $6/ages 3-17.

“We took the classic fairy tale of “The Princess and the Pea” and transformed it into a 30 minute ballet production. At 30 minutes, we can keep the attention of the youngest audience member. There are 30 students, age 5-16, who took on the famous characters of the story. The cast has rehearsed for 6 weeks to prepare for the production,” said Lisa Bredahl, ballet choreographer.

All three concerts take place at the Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s, Texas Township Auditorium on Saturday, June 19.

For upcoming concert events, visit www.KzooMusicAndDance.com or call 269-375-3938.

"If You Give a Moose A Muffin" Dance Performance

2010-03-16T21:28:00.001-07:00

Do your preschoolers and elementary age students love the the book "If You Give a Moose a Muffin"? Sit back and and enjoy this fun story dance production of the Laura Joffe Numeroff classic.

The Student Dance Company performs for Pre Schools, Libraries, Elementary Schools, and community events and would love to have the opportunity to perform for you.

The one hour performance consists of a 30 minute story dance to the classic book, along with 30 minutes of dance, music and movement games to inspire the audiences creative side.

Assembly rate for 1 hour production is $250

Email: director@KzooMusicAndDance.com for questions or to reserve your spot today!

2010 Cast: Jessica Loper as "The Moose". Rebekah Hagenbuch as "The Boy". Kayla Hagenbuch and Cassandra Kipp as various dancers.

On-Site Music or Dance Program at your Pre School Facility

2009-09-21T20:53:00.000-07:00

The Kalamazoo School of Music & Dance is now offering "at your location/on-site" 8 week programs in music or dance for preschool facilities.

Now you can provide arts edcuation in music or dance to your students. Parents will love the convenience and you will enjoy the ease. Since our staff handles the registration and payment process, all you have to do is hand out the information flyers we provide you to get your own music or dance lessons up and running.

You can schedule an 8 week program that continues to run throughout the school year or once that only runs for 8 weeks.

To schedule your program: email director@KzooMusicAndDance.com or call 269 375 3938 to select what lessons you would like to provide, what students should wear, what day/time works best, and your start date.

Our "Traveling Arts Program" is currently serving Kalamazoo County, St. Joseph County, Barry County, Calhoun County, Allegan County, and Van Buren County.

The KSMD Mission: "Helping area children find their passion in the arts"

Local Ballet Dancer Performs at United Teen Talent Show

2009-08-06T19:12:00.001-07:00

Jessica Loper was one of 60 teens who auditioned for this years United Teens Talent Show in Kalamazoo. 21 teens were selected to perform. Most are singing, but there's some dance, piano, guitar, even comedy mixed in.

Jessica Loper will be performing a contemporary ballet piece that she has choreographed. Between rehearsals and individual coaching sessions, performers can expect to dedicate at least four weeks and more than 30 hours of their time.

"This program is not about a talent show, it is about providing a professional arts mentoring program to the area," said Anne Drummond, communications director for the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, which helps fund the program.

At this year's first rehearsal as a group, Ben Zylman, the show's director, stood by a piano and addressed the quiet group. They didn't quite know each other yet. They hadn't yet bonded. "You guys don't know it yet, but there is so much talent here," he said.

The show is scheduled for Saturday, August 8th at 7pm at the Civic Theatre in Kalamazoo. Tickets are by invite only. http://www.kzoomusicanddance.com/

Area Ballet Students Perform "Little Red Riding Hood"

2009-06-18T21:44:00.000-07:00

Ballet students from the Kalamazoo School of Music & Dance are finishing up their 2009 school season with a community performance of “Little Red Riding Hood” a ballet, at Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s, Texas Township Auditorium, Saturday, June 27 at 7pm. Tickets are general admission and cost $10 adults, $8 seniors/students, $5 children 3-12, 2 & under free.

“We took the classic fairy tale of “Little Red Riding Hood” and transformed it into a 30 minute ballet production. At 30 minutes, we can keep the attention of the youngest audience member. There are 30 students, age 5-older, who will take on the famous characters of the story. Students have been rehearsing for 6 weeks to prepare for this production.” Said Lisa Bredahl, director of the company.

The Lead Characters are played by:
Lisa Balanda: “Little Red”, age 12 of Portage,
Jessica Loper: “The Wolf”, age 14 of Kalamazoo
Chloe Habitz: “The Grandmother”, age 12 of Mattawan
Megan Pineau: “The Mother”, age 13 of Mattawan
Alan Williams: “The Woodsman”, Adult Student of Kalamazoo.

For more information, call the Kalamazoo School of Music & Dance at 269-375-3938

Kalamazoo Voice/Vocal Student Performs Her Own Composition

2009-04-06T09:30:00.001-07:00

Kalamazoo School of Music & Dance student, Alana Bredahl, performed her own composition entitled "Everything" for their annual Spring Concert.

Alana was very gracious that her voice instructor helped her write the music for piano and guitar so she could perform her first composition. Alana's career goal is to break into the music industry and with the help from the Kalamazoo School of Music & Dance she has the opportunity to perform at two annual concerts and community events and get the experience she needs to be a successful performing artist!

Her passion is the arts and knows this will be a life long desire.

Michigan Pageant Choreographer Available

2009-04-03T11:45:00.000-07:00

Michigan pageant choreographer, Andrea Hernandez, is now available for one-on-one private pageant coaching. Including choreography of dance or baton routine, make-up application for pageants, costume suggestions and stage presence/modeling. Private lessons start as low as $25/half hour. Call for choreography quotes 269-375-3938. You may also visit www.KzooMusicAndDance.com/stars_baton_and_dance_club.htm

Area Dance Students perform "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie"

2009-03-20T12:36:00.000-07:00

The Kalamazoo Junior Dance Company, a local youth company, is finishing up their 2009 elementary school touring season with a community performance of “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” at Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s, Texas Township Auditorium, Saturday, April 18 at 4pm. Tickets are general admission and cost $10 adults, $8 seniors/students, $5 children 3-12, 2 & under free. Girl Scouts & their leaders receive ½ off if they wear their sash/vest.

“We incorporate a popular children’s book and choreograph with movements focusing on emotions, level changes and a variety of tempos. The company’s rendition of the book by Laura Joffe-Numeroff mixes ballet, modern and jazz dance elements with a twist of pantomime.” Said Lisa Bredahl, director of the company.

This years company members include:
Lisa Balanda: “the Mouse”, age 12 of Portage Central Middle School
Jessica Loper: “the Boy”, a Kalamazoo area home schooler age 14
Rebekah Hagenbuch: “Maid” a home schooler, age 9, of Three Rivers
Makayla Myles: “Maid” age 9 of Winchell Elementary
Michaela Turk: “Maid” age 11 of Mattawan Later Elementary
Mia VanAllen: “Maid” age 9 of Mattawan Later Elementary

“I like to keep it fun and fast paces, as our audience can range from 3-12 years. Our “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” story dance runs 30 minutes followed by 30 minutes of dance and music exploration. Students from the audience participate in games involving tempo, levels, and a story dance using props and costumes. This really reinforces the dance elements that we teach and the student love dressing up in costumes and using props in their own interpretation of their story dance,” says the director.

“The dancers truly enjoy performing for the elementary school students. It builds their confidence when they work with children from the audience, teaching them the choreography during the dance games,” said Lisa Bredahl.

The company was formed in 1999 with the mission to educate area elementary and preschool students in the art of music, dance and story telling. You may contact the KJDC at 375-3938 or view us on the web at http://www.kzoomusicanddance.com/

Kalamazoo Students Audition for Michigan Youth Arts Festival

2009-01-13T20:51:00.000-08:00

Six high school students from the Kalamazoo School of Music and Dance will audition their piece, "Why Aren't You Listening?" on Sunday, February 1st at the Detroit Opera House for the Michigan Youth Arts Festival.

Wish all of these students luck during their audition: Alana Bredahl, Grace Diaz, Tamsey Glaser, Sara Johnson, Jessica Loper, and Lydia Smothers.

Information regarding the MYAF: Student’s grades 9-12 may submit an application to participate in this spectacular three day festival. Outstanding dancers will be selected through a statewide adjudication process. The judge’s top 120 dancers will be invited to attend the festival. The level of talent selected is extraordinary and students are challenged and inspired by the educational experiences they receive in workshops and master classes, as well as the opportunity to interact and perform with gifted peers in the formal dance concert on Saturday morning. A few select groups, as determined by adjudication judges, will have the honor of dancing in the Thursday night Welcoming Celebration featuring some of the top high school performing artists from all disciplines represented at the Festival.

Pointe Shoe or Toe Shoe Protection for Dancers

2008-11-29T15:25:00.000-08:00

Protective padding

Tip & Hints from the Kalamazoo School of Music & Dance

Lambs wool: this is essential for all pointe dancers!! This is special lambs wool made for dancers, do not buy over-the-counter lambs wool as the texture is not correct for pointe work. You can pad lambs wool around your toes before putting your feet in your shoes. I like to cut the tip of an old pair of tights or socks and place it over my toes to keep the wool in place. Then I stick my foot in the shoe. (approximate cost $5)

Toe Tape: This is sports tape and can be put on the toes that are tender from rubbing inside the pointe shoe. This helps minimize blisters. (approximate cost $3 – Meijer)

Corn Cushions: Use Dr Scholl’s non-medicated gel corn cushions for the inside tips of the shoes to add some cushion. Some shoes have a cushioned tip, but if not these work great. You can also tape a corn cushion to a tender spot on your foot. (approximate cost $4 – Meijer)

Gel Pads: These are manufactured for pointe use and they cover your toes with a soft gel. You should baby powder them once a week, but never in the dance studio as it will create slippery spots (danger!!). Even if you purchase Gel Pads, you will still want to get some lambs wool for tender spots. (approximate cost $24)

http://www.kzoomusicanddance.com/

Baton Twirling is Alive in Kalamazoo!!

2008-11-25T20:30:00.001-08:00

Baton Twirling has a vague history at best, but professional organizations supporting baton twirling as a sport have been in existence since the early 1950s. The United States Twirling Association is the largest professional organization for the sport.

Baton twirling naturally involves twirling a baton, which is a balanced stick usually comprised of metal, but at competitive levels, baton twirling is much more. As with gymnastics, figure skating, and other sports combining agility with grace, competitive baton twirling requires a routine containing mandatory elements for scoring points. In a competition, a baton twirler may be required to twirl vertically, or perpendicular to the floor, and horizontally. Similarly, they are required to make a certain number of catches and releases and vary them throughout their routine. Baton twirling at some levels of competition requires twirlers to use more than one baton.

Baton twirling is an essential element to many marching band performances, where you will see twirlers not only as drum majorettes, but also twirling other objects such as rifles, flags, and even flames. Twirlers are an integral part of a marching band performance as they add visual appeal to the overall musical performance. Many participants in middle and high school marching band drill teams, flag corps, and color guards may also be involved in competitive baton twirling individually. (article courtesy of www.wisegroup.com)