HD Newsletter - Fall Edition

    Hosanna Dance Newsletter

Fall Edition 2024 ∙ 119 N Deadwood St ∙ Ft Pierre

In Him we live & move & have our being! 

It has been a summer of surprises for Hosanna Dance. Ms. Sunny fractureds her upper left femur which kept her from participating in the June workshop at Dance Gallery in Sioux Falls. Ms. Sunny worked on physical therapy and getting her leg healed so she could travel to the Cecchetti teachers Seminar in Holland, MI, in July.

Mr. Josh and Ms. Sarah attended the Dance Gallery summer intensive along with four dance students, Hannah, Shawnie, Kourtney, and Hadassah. The students got to perform at the end of the week and enjoyed all of the classes as well as various evening outings. Mr. Josh and Ms. Sarah finally took their Grade V Elementary teacher's exam this summer, even with Ms. Sarah's injuries. We are so thankful that Ms. Jackie in Sioux Falls coaches and mentors all of us Pierre teachers and advanced dancers. South Dakota and the Northern Plains area is blessed to have her.

Mr. Josh, Ms. Sarah, and Ms. Sunny attended the CCA's International Summer School Teacher's Course July 21-27, in Holland, MI. The 930 mile trip was broken up by many stops to walk at gardens, arboretums and scenic overlooks. While at Hope College, where the CCA holds these events, Ms. Sunny put her cane away while dancing off to the side. Ms. Sarah also marked or watched when necessary while Mr Josh went for it out on the floor.

The CCA teacher seminar was running concurrently with the CICB (Cecchetti International Classical Ballet) competition hosted this year by the CCA. The competition was one of the many reasons for attending the summer teacher's course. We were able to see Becca Brusven compete in the CICB Competition. This is a very special experience as the CICB competition is only held every three years and in various countries around the world (almost like the Olympics) 😉. There are dancers sent from all of the different Cecchetti societies. This year the UK, Canada, South Africa and Australia were able to send dancers.

In addition to our lovely Becca, there were two more South Dakota dancers from Dance Gallery in Sioux Falls that qualified to participate. They all had to learn a lot of material for the challenging classes they had to present on stage as part of the overall adjudication process. We are so thankful that Ms Jackie was able to help coach Becca through all the many aspects involved in such a big endeavor. Becca received a couple scholarships and the dancers learned to network during the gala and received  even more interest from various ballet representatives. 

Becca was recently able to officially announce that she has received a spot at Kate Simmons Dance, a prestigious dance college in England. Becca says, "I'm so thankful for this next step in my dance career and for this amazing opportunity!" She will be very close to some of her favorite ballet companies in the world. Hint: look up Marianela Núñez and share something you learn.

Her words of encouragement for younger dancers are, "that dancing is supposed to bring joy to not only the viewers but the dancers as well. Remember to not look at mistakes as failure, but instead look at them as another way you can learn and grow." 

Becca will also be able to  continue working on Cecchetti diploma, the final and highest of the exams. It is like getting your PhD in ballet. While she has already been able to teach a little ballet and modern, in addition to assisting classes, she will be able to continue her professional development through KS Dance. While studying and dancing at Kate Simmons Dance, there will also be opportunities to audition for companies and productions including the touring company associated with Kate Simmons school.

Meanwhile, what will we be doing here at home? We will be cheering her on as we begin to prepare for our spring show of “He Lives In You” Lion King adaptation. Go Becca!

Performances will not be until April 25 & 26, 2025 so we will have a lot of time to work on our technique, a continuous process.

Check out the calendar page for important dates for the 2024/2025 dance season. 

HD Newsletter - New Year Edition

   Hosanna Dance Newsletter

New Year Edition 2024 ∙ 119 N Deadwood St ∙ Ft Pierre

Happy New Year! 

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

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

.

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.

Nutcracker time!

 

DANCERS & PARENTS

🎄Tuesdays in Nov/Dec  - for everyone

Nutcracker Run-throughs for all student classes and extras

No costumes

In-studio at Hosanna Dance

5:30-8:00 pm

🎄Thursday, December 7, 2023 - for everyone
Nutcracker Dress Rehearsal for all student classes

Treat as a performance - bring costumes, etc (see below)

at Riggs Theatre

5:30-8:00 pm

🎄Christmas Show - Friday & Saturday, December 8 & 9, 2023
Nutcracker

-Friday 7:00 pm performance

-Saturday 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm performances

at Riggs Theatre
*Run-throughs will be for everyone in all recital classes, every Tue at 5:30pm, the month leading up to the show. Dress Rehearsal is the day before the show. Please plan accordingly. Thank you. 🙂

~  THEATRE PERFORMANCES ~

Dress Rehearsals at Riggs Theatre are 5:30-8:00 pm

Be at the theater by 5pm. Find your dressing room and get organized.
Be on stage in your class clothes - leotard, tights, shoes, and secure ballet bun - by 5:30 for notes and warm-up. Costumes will be put on after warm-up.

And REMEMBER treat dress rehearsal as a performance. Wear the correct costumes, tights, undergarments, shoes, hair, etc. This is where you make sure everything works, looks good, and you can sort out any mid-performance costume issues. Keep costumes off the floor!! Read PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES.

Performances at  Riggs Theatre at 2 p.m. afternoon matinee & 7 p.m. evening performance

Dancers: Be at the theater at noon for the first performance. Be back at the theater at 5:00 for the second performance.

Be at the theater at 12:00 pm to get organized in dressing rooms, do hair, makeup, etc.
Be on stage by 12:30 pm for notes and warm-up and any extra practice that you may need
Costumes on at 1:30 pm. Curtain at 2:00 pm.

Break 3:30-5:00 pm

Be back at the theater at 5:00. Make sure everything you need is reorganized and in its place. Keep the dressing rooms picked up. If you haven't done so this would be a good time to put recital gifts for classmates out on the tables.
   Makeup/hair redo or touch-ups at 5:00 pm.
   Be on stage in class clothes at 5:30 pm for notes and warm-up.
   Costumes on at 6:30 pm. Curtain at 7:00 pm.

After: Check the gift tables out front, pick up all your costumes/accessories/shoes, pick up after yourself. Return borrowed items. Pack up! 

Read about Performances
PDF 🩰

GROUP PHOTOS for everyone
&
if ordering them, individual shots

🎄Photos for Nutcracker this year!  (we want everyone there for group photos)

Show up before your first picture time and get costumed up so you are ready and lined up with your class at the time listed below. 

Each class will only get pictures during their time slot. —- Group photo and if purchasing that option also take an individual shot.

When you arrive, get dressed (in your first costume if you have more than one) and wait in the small studio until your class is called as a group.

Ballet 5 -- 3:00 pm - flower, snow, Spanish trio

Doll solos, Pas de deux, Clara, Clara & Papa - 3:15

Ballet 4 -- 3:30 pm
ballets first then boots

Modern (Beg and Int/Adv) -- 3:50 pm
finale first then flies

Also w/Clara

Also, with Angels/guys

Ballet 2 -- 4:10 pm
party first then Irish

PrePointe/Beginning Pointe (Chinese) -- 4:30 pm

Russian (Boys) -- 4:45 pm

Ballet 1 -- 4:50 pm

Acro (Arabian) -- 5:10 pm

PreBallet -- 5:20 pm
Dolls dress first then pajamas

Dress Rehearsal and Performances are at Riggs Theatre. All other run-throughs or activities are at the studio.

HD Newsletter - Fall 2023 Edition

  Hosanna Dance Newsletter

Fall Edition 2023 ∙ 119 N Deadwood St ∙ Ft Pierre ∙ Artistic Director, Sunny Hannum

To Live is to Dance! 

We are looking forward to catching up with all of our dance family. Nine of our Ballet V dancers are already taking classes and working on one of the large corps dances for Nutcracker. Three of our younger dancers moved up to this class and are doing well.

Ms. Sunny, Ms. Sarah, and Mr. Josh have attended two weeklong Cecchetti workshops this summer, one in June in Sioux Falls and one in July in Holland, MI.
The Cecchetti technique enables dancers like Becca Brusven to get into pre-professional levels with companies like Ballet Magnificat. Beccas spent an entire month in Jackson, MS, studying at their summer intensive. Due to being placed at the highest level, pre-professional, she learned and performed an entire Ballet Magnificat ballet. Congratulations, Becca!

At the Dance Gallery Summer Cecchetti Intensive in June, Shawnie Zeeb was chosen for a classical ballet variation solo and Kourtney Hughes and Walter McVey were selected for a duet in their group's dance. All three of these students have started working on Cecchetti Grade III after passing Grade II exams this spring.
Hannah Vasalie and Hadassah took their Cecchetti Grade I exam in June and will soon be working on expanding their ballet knowledge and technique as they begin Grade II class in the fall. Becca passed her Advanced Grade VII exam; similar to a masters in ballet. Only one syllabus left to work - Diploma, the doctorate of ballet and a two inch book.

We teach the Cecchetti ballet method in our ballet classes in addition to nonsyllabus classes. Students who wish to take ballet exams have to attend a separate class in order to prepare and focus on executing the technique, developing their quality of movement, learning the terminology and theory, and eventually memorizing set syllabus exercises. 

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.

Save the Dates

Nutcracker Run-throughs - Tuesday in November, 5:30-8:00 pm, in-studio for all classes

Thanksgiving Break - November 22-26

Nutcracker Dress Rehearsal - Thursday, December 7, 5:00-8:00 pm, Riggs Theatre for all classes

Nutcracker Performances - Friday, December 8, 7 pm
                                            Saturday, December 9, 2 pm and 7 pm

Christmas Break for PreBallet-Ballet V -- December 22 - Jan 1
Christmas Break for Modern, Acro, Adult classes -- December

Nutcracker - The Gift of Christmas

Cast List

Sugar Plum Fairy/Holy Spirit - Becca Brusven

Michael the Archangel/God - TBD
Beelzebub - TBD

Clara - Kourtney Hughes

Papa, Mama, Grandma, Grandpa- the Easters

Maid - Mindy Dorsey

Fritz - Ezra Dorsey

Party dances - Ballet I

Party dances - Ballet II

Party Couples - TBD

Doll solos - Shawnie Zeeb, Kylie Vermundson
Little Dolls- PreBallet

Rats/Flies - Beginning and Advanced Modern

Expectant Mary- Sarah Easter

Wisemen - Jason Vermundson, John McVey, Noah Calvert

Mary & Joseph - TBD

Snow/Angels - Ballet V

Waltz of the Flowers/Redeemed - Ballet V

Russian - Ballet V boys

Chinese - PrePointe/ Beg Pointe

American - Ballet III/IV

German - Beg-Int Pointe

Spanish - Beg-Int Pointe

Arabian- Int Acro Dance

Jewish- Ballet II

Finale - Beginner and Advanced Modern

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:... and a time to dance -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

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.

2023-2024 Dance Year

➤ Ballet 5 classes start August 1, 2023.

➤ All other classes start after Labor Day (9/4).

Next Performance

The Nutcracker

December 2023

HD Newsletter - 2023 New Year Edition

 Hosanna Dance Newsletter

New Year Edition 2023 ∙ 119 N Deadwood St ∙ Ft Pierre ∙ Artistic Director, Sunny Hannum

Happy 2023! 

It’s time to get back in shape and get those dances ready for Sleeping Beauty. What we thought was going to be a one week Christmas break, turned out to be a three week break for some dance classes.  ❄️ ⛄️ ❄️ 

The Cecchetti preparation classes and Thursday night classes all took a hit from the storms. If your children were in any of those classes, they can make up by taking Ballet II on Monday night.

Sunny would like to extend the Wednesday night Cecchetti Grade II exam preparation class to see if those kids can be ready for April or June exams. That should make up for their missed class time.

Mr. Josh, Ms. Sarah, Ms. Sunny and Becca, attended the fall workshops at Dance Gallery in Sioux Falls October 7-9. There were a lot of good classes with Peggy Wright, Cecchetti examiner. We attended Dance Network of South Dakota classes in Aberdeen October 21-23. One of the instructors was ballet and pointe teacher Mary Carpenter. Ms. Sarah and Becca were fan-girling. Classes were also taught in contemporary, jazz, tap, and hip hop. Ms. Sunny enjoyed Josh Nixon’s tap classes.

Many of the dances for the lower level classes have been choreographed, but with students missing classes throughout both holidays, there is still much practice needed. We have also picked up a few new students later in the year than usual who will need to learn the dances.

The Lilac/wisdom Fairy and Aurora variations and pas de deux are well along thanks to Mr. Josh and Ms. Sarah and the two advanced dancers they get to work with. We were fortunate to find three young men to do the parts of the Suitors.

 Ms. Sunny has taught the Canary/song fairy, Violente/temperament fairy, and the Candide/crystal fountain fairy variations and is working on the Miettes/breadcrumb Fairy.

Save the date:

Make sure you have these dates saved for participation in the spring performance.
Rehearsals for all classes on Tuesdays from 5:30-8:00 pm on February 28, March 7, and March 14 at the studio.
Dress Rehearsal for all classes on Friday, Mar 17, 5:30-8:00 at Riggs Theatre. Class photos will be on Friday at the theatre, starting around 3:45 (schedule to come).
Performances on Saturday, March 18, at 3:00 & 7:00 pm and Sunday, March 19, at 3:00 pm at Riggs Theatre.

Performance Guidelines and Class Photo Schedule 

Cast List

Princess Aurora - Becca Brusven

Prince Désiré - Josiah Corrales

Lilac Fairy - Joleh McCullough

Carabosse - Sarah Easter

Candide fairy - Rayna Tibbs

Breadcrumb fairy - Taylor Newell

Canary fairy - Kyli Vermundson

Temperament fairy - Rae McVey

Lilac princess - Ballet I

Angel fairies - Ballet II

Carabosse’s minions - Beg Modern

King and Queen - David Guild and Jen Kanz

Master of Cermonies - Tyler Want

Couriers - Esra Dorsey and Ryder Johnson

Queen’s Attendents - Britta Brusven and TBD

Four Suitors - Tyler, Josiah, Noah, and Mr. Josh

Court dancers - Ballet III/IV

Butterflies - PreBallet

Forest Villagers - Ballet III/IV

Trumpet vines - Ballet II

Puss n Boots and the White Cat - Walter McVey and Kourtney Hughes

Cinderella and her Prince - Kyli Vermundson and Tyler Want

Finale - Int/Adv Modern

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.