October 2013 newsletter
Welcome dancers and parents to another exciting year of classes at Defy Gravity Dance Co. After a successful year of
classes, competitions and performances last year, we anticipate another amazing year of learning, laughing and
growing! We look forward to teaching each student and will enjoy sharing with you the progress they make throughout
the year. We appreciate your support of the studio and hope that you are as excited about the upcoming year as we are!
Congratulations
Class Placements
Over the summer our Company 1 Dancers Kirsten, Jade & Riley
competed at the Western Canadian Finals in Kelowna and earned
many Gold and High Gold medals as well as a trophy for the
highest scoring Division 3 Trio. We are thrilled to announce that
they received the highest score of the competition. Company 2
Dancer Carly also attended and earned a gold medal for her Stage
solo. Way to go girls!
We have observed students for the first few
weeks of class and will make any necessary adjustments to class
placements if we feel that students would be better challenged in
other classes. We will speak to parents before any changes are
arranged.
At the end of last year, our Competitive dancers rounded out the
Competitive season with some amazing performances….many
trophies, medals, scholarships & Judges Awards were won by our
elite Company dancers…they are on display in the trophy case.
DG Teachers – we teach our specialties!
Each instructor at DG is one of the best trained, most experienced
and highly sought after professionals in the Lower Mainland.
Many of our instructors are working performers and continue to
take classes to be relevant and inspired choreographers. Miss
Randa teaches Hip Hop, Miss Candice works on Musical Theatre,
Drama, Modern Improv, Vocal & Audition Coaching & Tap. Miss
Kristyn focuses on Tap, while Miss Jamee concentrates on Ballet,
Pointe, Contemporary and Lyrical. Miss Amy works with our Ballet
exam students and Miss Kristin works with our Jazz, Tap &
Modern dancers. Miss Ashley’s specialties are Contemporary,
Lyrical & Jazz, Miss Tamara teaches Jazz & Lyrical and Miss
Rishell’s heart lies with Ballet, Jazz and Lyrical. We all love
dancing, performing and sharing our passion with the DG dancers.
Want more info? See our website Bios 
Guest Instructors
From time to time we will have Guest Instructors teach our
students. Our students benefit immensely from different
approaches to teaching, so the more dance influence the better!
We will also continue to have guest instructors choreographing
Competition Solos & Duos this year.
Workshops & Conventions
We are recommending several Workshops and Conventions to our
Company Dancers this year as part of our comprehensive training
program. We can’t say enough good things about exposure to
many unique teachers and choreographers contributing to the
success of our dancers. Workshop details will be emailed to
Company Dancers and details are posted on the Company Dancer
Info Board beside the office. If you need further info or would like
to participate in these amazing experiences, please let us know!
Class Times
We changed a few class times to make the schedule work for
students and instructors. Thank you to all families who have made
changes to their schedule to attend classes!
30 - 11151 Horseshoe Way, Richmond BC V7A 4S5
DG Awards
Congratulations to the following dancers that were chosen by the
faculty last season to receive trophies for their achievements as
outstanding dancers, role models and exemplary students in class:
Gabriel Kwok – Leaps & Bounds
Olivia Reid-Freisen – Together We Can
Emily Smith – In It to Win It
Amelia Saed-Werner – Dress for Success
Avery Brodie – I LOVE DG
Olivia Lacroix – Rising Star
Kayla Bleeker – Love that Smile
Donalie Johl – Blood, Sweat & Tears
Emma Wallace – 5 Point Star (Modern Improv)
Riley Kump-O’Brien – Dead Puppies (Lyrical)
Brayden Soriano – 1Hundred % (Hip Hop)
Elyse Wall – Eat Broccoli (Work Ethic)
Kirsten McInnis – Nice Picadilla (Tap)
Bridget Crawford – To the Pointe (Ballet)
Jessie Chan – Liquid Awesome (Jazz)
Racheal Kitamura – Sing Out Louise (Musical Theatre)
We will continue to recognize our students for their unparalleled
commitment to dance, positive attitude, solid work ethic and
perfect attendance…..watch for your name on the front board!!
Special congratulations to Marianne Bernal for being chosen as
the Outstanding Dance Parent of 2012-13!!
Water & Snacks
We encourage all students to bring a water bottle with them to
class. Water bottles must be kept in the change room or outside
the studio doors and are not allowed in the studios. We
encourage students in multiple classes in one day to bring a
healthy nut-free snack to the studio to gobble down between
classes….dancers need to keep their bodies fuelled!
Website, email & Student Information
This newsletter, along with all other important information, will be
posted on the studio website. We send out studio updates via
email…if you have not received an email from us, please email
[email protected] to add your name to the list!
Please help us keep our records up to date. If you have moved or
changed phone numbers, please submit a NEW registration form
to the office as soon as possible.
604.272.0808
www.defygravitydance.ca
Studio Policies
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We remind all students that food and water are not allowed
in the studios. GUM IS NOT ALLOWED ON THE
PREMISES AT ANY TIME! We are a NUT FREE studio as
we have several students with life threatening allergies.
Street shoes and street clothing are not permitted in the
studio. It is very important that your child wear the
appropriate footwear and attire for each class so that
instructors can correct posture and movement. The dress
code can be found on the studio website.
Dance slippers/shoes are NEVER to be worn outside!
Our professional dance floors are expensive and easily ruined
by dirt, rocks & moisture…
The studio will be open 10 minutes before the beginning of
classes to provide sufficient time for dancers to prepare for
class. We remind parents that children 8 years and under are
not to be left unattended at the studio before or after classes.
Please respect the class schedule! The instructors teach
multiple classes back to back. If you have something urgent
to tell us, please do so quickly at the beginning or end of your
child’s class otherwise, please leave a message for us at the
office. Please call or email the office ahead of time if your
child will be away so that we are prepared for absences.
Studio Care
students to show what they have accomplished! Viewing Week
also helps the students get used to dancing with an audience. We
look forward to seeing you in the studio!
Recital (Fri & Sat June 27 & 28, 2014)
We conclude the year with a professional Recital at the Gateway
Theatre. Each class will perform a dance choreographed for them
by their instructor. Family and friends are invited to attend this
wonderful event that will showcase the accomplishments of each
student! Please reserve the entire day for dance related activities!
Additional dates in the weeks before the recital will be needed for
Rehearsals and Photos….these dates will be made available to
you as soon as they are confirmed so you can plan ahead!
The studio is closed the following days:
Mon - Wed Oct 14-16, 2013
Thanksgiving
Thurs Oct 17, 2013 Candice & Jamee’s classes cancelled
Thurs Oct 31, 2013
Halloween
Tues & Wed Nov 12 & 13, 2013
Classes cancelled
Sun Dec 22, 2013 - Sun Jan 5, 2014 Winter Break
Sun Mar 16 – Sun Mar 30, 2014
Spring Break
Sun April 6 – Sun Apr 13, 2014
Peak Competition
Tues May 6 – Mon May 12, 2014
Dance Power Competition
Monday May 19, 2014
Victoria Day
We have one of the nicest studios in the Lower Mainland and we
are happy to share it with you. Students & their families have a
responsibility to keep the space clean and in good condition.
• Please ensure that any food items that are brought to
the space reflect what we do here (healthy choices) and
any wrappers end up in the garbage or recycling!
• Please pick up after yourself.
• Please stay off the grass and wipe your feet at the door.
• Please keep your feet off the walls - especially tap shoes
• Keep quiet in the hallways and change rooms….there
are other classes in session and we don’t want to
interrupt the important work other students are doing!
Other Important Dates:
Important Dates
Mel will be able to help you with whatever account-related
questions you have. To discuss student placement, please
contact Rishell (Studio Director) via email:
[email protected]
Trial Classes (Sept 9 – Oct 12, 2013)
Students that are interested in adding a new class may try classes
for a Trial Class fee of $21.00.
Last Day to Register (Sat Oct 19, 2013)
The last day to register for or make changes to School Year
classes is Saturday October 19th, 2013. After this date we will no
longer move students to different classes or accept additions to
ongoing classes. Our students training takes top priority and we
will not compromise the training of our dancers in order to squeeze
in a few more new students! Please inquire about additional
classes for your dancers repertoire early to avoid disappointment.
Viewing Week (Mon Dec 9–Sat Dec 14, 2013)
Family members are invited into the studio to watch a portion of
class to see what students are learning. This is an excellent
opportunity for parents to see what happens in the studio and for
30 - 11151 Horseshoe Way, Richmond BC V7A 4S5
June 2014
Sunday June 15, 2014
Sunday June 22, 2014
Fri & Sat June 27 & 28, 2014
Monday July 1, 2014
Cecchetti Ballet Exams
Photo Day
Dress Rehearsal at DG
Tech Rehearsal & Recitals
Canada Day Parade 
Registration, Accounts & Office Hours
Regular office hours are:
Monday
3:30-9:30pm
Wednesday
3:30-9:15pm
Thursday
3:30 -8:45pm
Thank You
A HUGE Thank You to all Defy Gravity families that have referred
new students to the studio!! The greatest compliment we can
receive is the referral of your family and friends. In recognition of
your continued support of the studio, we will continue to offer a
referral credit for every new referred student registered. Referral
credits have increased to $20 and can be used towards tuition &
costume fees.
We look forward to an exciting and rewarding year!
Rishell, Candice, Jamee, Kristyn ,Kristin, Randa, Ashley,
Tamara, Amy & Mel
604.272.0808
www.defygravitydance.ca