Hosanna Dance Newsletter
New Year Edition 2024 ∙ 119 N Deadwood St ∙ Ft Pierre
We have a very successful Nutcracker behind us and a New Year ahead. We believe it was the best Nutcracker we've ever done. Still basking in the afterglow. So many compliments from people we barely knew.
So, what's next? We are continuing with the constant task of working on our technique. For some classes, working on choreography improves our performance abilities but technique can begin to slip.
We will begin to work out some choreography for our Oz-themed end-of-the-year performance, even though we have four months before the showcase. Time will go fast, especially with the onset of spring school activities.
We have four young dancers preparing for Cecchetti exams sometime in the next year or two. Kate, Hadassah, and Hannah are working on Grade II. Kourtney Hughes and Shawnie Zeeb are preparing for Grade III.
Students wishing to do Cecchetti ballet exams should talk to their parents. Interested parents should talk with one of our ballet teachers - Mr. Josh, Ms. Sarah, or Ms. Sunny. It requires a separate class in addition to a student's regular ballet class. It takes time to properly prepare for exams and not just go through the motions, but for the technique to be truly absorbed. Students have to prepare and focus on executing the technique, developing their quality of movement, learning the terminology and theory, and eventually memorizing set syllabus exercises. However, in the end, spending extra time and developing through exams, helps a student improve.
We teach the Cecchetti ballet method as well as a non-syllabus combination of styles in our ballet classes. Even other classes like modern will apply Cecchetti principles at times.
Hosanna Dance sets itself up for excellent ballet instruction by attending continuing education, workshops, and teacher training events. We also offer great modern dance instruction where students can learn Horton technique, Graham-based movement, and other modern techniques.
And of course ballet and pointe nerd teacher, Ms Sarah, is always looking at the best ways and proper methods to develop and improve dancers' technique.
There have been questions about what is PrePointe class. PrePointe is not a pointe class -- do not go out and buy pointe shoes. PrePointe is a technique fixing, strength building, alignment improving sort of remedial ballet class. The goal of the class is to ensure dancers have the necessary technique, strength, and maturity to eventually, maybe, progress to pointe in the future. Ms. Becca is an excellent example of applying what she learned even in other ballet classes.
Here is a plan for spring- subject to change, of course.
Oz Showcase
Oz Showcase
In-house, limited seating - May 11
Dress rehearsal for all classes and class photos - May 10
Cast List
Dorothy - TBA
Over the Rainbow - Ballet V
Tornado - Acro
Pizzicato Lollipops - Ballet 1
Scarecrow Dance/Blackbirds - PreBallet
Cornfield Tap - Ballet 1
Dance of the Flowers - PreBallet
Apple Tree - Ballet II
Poppy Field - Ballet III/IV
Oz - Beg Modern
Winkies - Thu Pointe
Flying Monkeys & Winkies - Beg and Int/Adv Modern
“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert
-- Isaiah 43:18-19
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We Encourage All Our Students to Prepare for Cecchetti Examinations
This is such an excellent way for students to become technically proficient and thoroughly learn the terminology of ballet. There is something about preparing for an exam that makes students work harder and helps them develop as dancers. And bonus, you get a certificate as a memory of all the hard work, study, and effort.
If you or your student(s) are interested in getting started with Cecchetti student examinations let us know.
⇒ Ballet III and up are eligible to start working on Grade 1. Examinations take a lot of preparation, study, and commitment. (Normally 1-2 years is spent studying per grade. More as you progress through the grades.) Examinations - read more about what to expect here
Our studio is affiliated with the Cecchetti Council of America. We added the Cecchetti syllabus to our classes in 2013. All teachers are professionally examined by the CCA to hold certificates in the Cecchetti Method grades.
Hosanna Dance instructors attend all the Cecchetti intensives and workshops at Dance Gallery in Sioux Falls and attend the International Cecchetti Teacher's Summit at least every other year.