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6 B a c k t o S c h o o l / M u S i c & D a n c e - S u p p l e M e n t t o t h e W i n n i p e g F r e e p r e S S - S a t u r D a y , a u g u S t 1 6 , 2 0 1 4 By Jennifer McFee For the Free Press B and programs start students off on the right note as long as parents keep in tune with the costs. For teacher Garren Werbicki, the benefits of band are music to his ears. "The first two years of band are the most important because that's when they learn the skills, they learn the behaviour and they learn a tradition. It's a discipline, and within that discipline, everything else improves — their grades, their social interaction, their emotional state," said Werbicki, who teaches band at Ecole Selkirk Junior High. "I really try to create and foster a community feel where they're all family and everyone needs to contribute to make an outstanding finished product. Sometimes there's social pressure to practise and know your part. They all have to come together." At the same time, these programs are not without their challenges, especially when it comes to finances. At some schools, parents raise money for music camps and band trips that happen throughout the year. Werbicki takes students on annual outings to Camp Arnes for three days and two nights. During that time, he hires musicians from the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the University of Manitoba to work with kids in small groups or one on one. He also tries to plan a big band trip each year for his students. This year, the Grade 9 musicians will head to Chicago. "Trips and band camps aren't required, but the more of those things I do, the more kids start to get into the community feel," he said. "It's a fun job." In most cases, parents also need to consider the cost to rent or buy instruments for their young musicians. Irene Sas strives to facilitate the process through her work in the band department at Long & McQuade, where parents have the option to rent, buy or rent-to- own instruments. Many band programs focus on four core instruments to start: flute, clarinet, trumpet and trombone. With Long & McQuade's rent-to-own option, flutes and clarinets cost between $17 and $20 per month over a three-year period, while trumpets and trombones range from $17 to $26 monthly. "You start out with a nice, bright, shiny new instrument. You're not putting out your money all at once. You're just doing it monthly, so if you continue with it, you will have the benefit of owning it in about three years," Sas said. "If you change your mind, just bring it back. We treat it as a rental and you return it. The payments are done and you don't have to worry about it any further." The monthly fees for other instruments can be a bit pricier, such as the alto sax ($35 to $52), the tenor sax ($43 to $63) and the French horn and euphonium (each about $70). "A huge benefit with our rentals is that we have instrument protection that you can add on to the monthly rates for one dollar. That will cover you for the full value of the instrument for loss, theft or damage beyond repair," Sas said. "It's essentially a worry-free rental. You're not paying deductibles. It's completely covered if one of those terrible things should happen. We also include free repairs with our rentals if anything goes wrong with it." Other parents prefer to pay a yearly rental rate in one lump sum, which allows them to keep the same instrument over the summer months for free. In addition to parental involvement, teachers like Werbicki remain committed to the cause. "Most music teachers I know usually stockpile instruments throughout the years and make sure they have instruments to give to kids who can't afford them," Werbicki said. "In Lord Selkirk School Division, our music program is very strong. I'm lucky to work in that environment. But I think every music program struggles because it's so expensive. To buy a tuba is almost your whole budget for a year. You have to think of your priorities." For music lovers in the community, Werbicki notes that anybody can help support school band programs. "If people want to support music education and they want to donate money to music programs, I would suggest they do it with their local school in their community. Most divisions have tax numbers, so if people make donations to the programs, it helps them too," he said. "Music takes a lot of persistence and dedication, and the results are not instantaneous. It takes many, many years to accomplish great things. It's really training a strong work ethic all around." cuStoM MuSic leSSonS With Custom Music Lessons, we customize every aspect of your music lessons. The price of the lessons, location of the lessons (including in- home lessons and lessons in every area of the city), style of music, approach used to teach, learning pace of the students, age and teaching style of the teacher are all customized to suit the students' needs. We are also customizing the flexibility our students need with rescheduling. Make-up lessons are allowed at no charge, and we even offer to move lessons to permanent new time spots, if a student needs such a lesson time change. Every student learns differently and we want to be able to make music lessons the most enjoyable, rewarding and uplifting experience they can be. Teachers also offer to meet with students before they start lessons to make sure students have the best possible teacher for their needs. the Dance centre The Dance Centre is celebrating 30 years in your community! We offer recreational and competitive streams providing great physical activity, artistic expression and personal achievement! We encourage all students to reach their own potential regardless of age or experience in a friendly, nurturing and positive environment. We offer ISTD ballet, an internationally recognized ballet system for all ages. Our professionally trained teachers inspire students with the latest trends in all of the dance styles. All students who are age three and up perform in the annual recital, a great finale to the year! Check out dancecentrewinnipeg.com or call 204-832-5992. We look forward to seeing you soon! Classes begin Sept. 8! evolution Dance coMpany Evolution Dance Company is moving to a new, larger location in Selkirk Town Plaza and will be open in September 2014! The new 6,200-plus square-foot location will feature three large professional dance studios, a modern and comfortable lobby and a large change room. Classes for kids, from age two and up, and for adults are offered in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, creative movement, pre-dance, zumba, yoga, bellyfit and adult dance. Evolution Dance Company is home to dancers from Winnipeg, Selkirk and the entire Interlake area. Fall registration begins Aug. 14! ISTD Ballet program and exams are also available. For more information, call 204-785-1285 or visit www.EvolutionDance.ca. Evolution Dance Company is located at 200-366 Main St., in Selkirk. kickit Dance StuDio Celebrating 10 years of dance! Kickit would like to thank the community for voting us as Top Dance School for 2014 and 2013 through the Top Choice Awards. Our 7,500 square-foot facility with three world-class studios offers an excellent dance environment for students, along with a large viewing area for parents. At Kickit Dance Studio we believe in teaching and encouraging the love of dance. We understand that every child is different and learns at their own pace, and our teachers are trained to recognize this which allows them to teach with individual needs in mind. With recent success at competitions across Canada and the United States, our students look forward to another exciting year ahead. Our directors Robert Boge and Lori Watson attribute the success of the studio to our dedicated hard-working dancers, their supportive parents and our professional staff. Join us at our open house event on Mon., Aug. 25, from 6-8 p.m. Located at 3-986 Lorimer Blvd., 204-269-9003 or visit kickitdance.com kinDerMuSik Kindermusik is a meticulously crafted music and movement curriculum that matches just the right level of stimulation and challenge with your child's every age and stage. From the receptive learning of infancy, through the toddler's need to touch and move, the preschooler's creative self-expression and through to the young school-ager's readiness for reading music and playing melodies on pre-keyboard, string and wind instruments. But what's more? All the research in the world can't capture the pure joy and delight your child will experience in Kindermusik, both in the classroom and at home. We'll help you foster a bond with your child that will last a lifetime. Parents tell us every day that they look forward to Kindermusik because they can really stop, breathe, centre, and focus all their attention on their child. In our frantically paced lives, this time is becoming harder and harder to come by. No wonder hundreds of Winnipeg children ask every day "Is today Kindermusik?" Book your free preview class at www.kindermusikdiscovery.com MODERN BALLET JAZZ AFRICAN TAP HIPHOP BREAKIN' CREATIVEMOVEMENT CLASSES for ages 3 years to adult 104-211BANNATYNEAVE. 204-452-1239 schoolofcontemporarydancers.ca TheSchoolofContemporaryDancers l.a. Dance acaDeMy The L.A. Dance Academy is celebrating its 11th anniversary. Under the direction of Lucy Reveco, the academy has expanded to offer more diverse programs and convenient class times in north Winnipeg. Three large studios are equipped with Marley dance floors, which prevent fatigue and reduce the risk of injury. Designed to bolster students' self-esteem and confidence while providing exercise and excitement, our unique approach to dance ensures everyone has a rewarding, fun experience, regardless of age, fitness level or expertise. Classes include ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, Mommy & Me, preschool and lyrical. Drop by our open house on Wed., Aug. 27 from 6-9 p.m. Visit www.ladanceacademy.com or call 204-334-0080. loeWen piano houSe According to Allen Duma, general manager of Loewen Piano House, the piano has been considered by many to be the most versatile, expressive musical instrument for over 300 years. First established in 1936, Loewen Piano House at 1381 Portage Ave. has been representing fine instruments by Kawai, Heintzman, Roland, Bluthner and Bosendorfer. We also feature a state-of-the-art music school with teachers Don Kissick, Juanita Unrau and Bob Fleury offering lessons for students both young and old. Whether you need to buy or rent a new instrument or tune and service the piano you have, the staff at Loewen Piano House are Winnipeg's piano specialists. pte School The PTE School is a great place to learn. Our instructors are all working professionals and bring their current experience to the classes. The studios are bright and filled with new equipment — especially for the TV/film classes. PTE's location on the third floor of Portage Place is very convenient. Teen and adult classes run mostly on weekday evenings while the classes for kids are offered on Saturdays. There are a variety of classes to suit any interest level. Have some fun or be more serious about acting — it is all possible at PTE. Learn more at pteschool.ca. riSing Star acaDeMy oF artS Music, dance and acting lessons for all ages. Rising Star Academy of Arts is Winnipeg's only theatre, music and dance school offering acting, music, dance and acrobatic lessons under one roof. Our preschool program is second to none, with specially designed classes for two to six year-olds, including new programs such as Music for 2s (parent and child), Music Adventures and Angelina Ballerina™ Dance Academy. We offer private and group lessons in voice, guitar, piano, drums, violin and many other musical instruments. Other classes include ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, breakdance, Irish, acro, musical theatre and drama with both recreational and performance streams available. Visit our website www.risingstaracademy.ca, call us at 204-669-2369 or email info@risingstaracademy.ca for more information on our programs. royal Winnipeg Ballet School recreational DiviSion If you're a dancer of any age, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Recreational Division has a class just for you. The RWB Recreational Division has an outstanding reputation for its state-of-the art facility and exceptional training from a professional teaching staff, and offers classes not only in ballet, but jazz, tap, modern, hip hop and more. Additionally, the Recreational Division is proud to offer a one-of-a-kind adult program, with the largest offering of classes in Manitoba ranging from beginner level to advanced classes for adults looking to continue their dance training. If you've always been tempted to sign up for a class, now's your chance — there is still plenty of space in the RWB's fall programming. Last chance registration takes place Aug. 28-30. Visit rwb.org for more information. Shelley Shearer School oF Dance Our faculty boasts word-class professionals such as Lindsay Nelko, who grew up training at our school, along with former professional dancers, internationally certified teachers and graduates of our teacher-training program who ensure your child gets individual attention. We focus on developing self-esteem and confidence in a positive, caring environment, where students gain discipline and learn to work as a team. As leaders for 28 years, we've garnered more national and international awards than any other Winnipeg school. Our facilities have always had sprung dance floors to avoid injuries, and we were the first to use parent-viewing galleries. See www.shelleyshearerdance.ca or call 204-488-9091. univerSity oF ManitoBa DiviSion oF preparatory StuDieS Prep Studies has been providing quality individual and group music instruction to participants of all ages and levels for 30 years. Unique to Prep Studies, the yearly Masterclass series and Enrichment Program allow students to perform within a small group setting and receive constructive feedback from a guest clinician. Participants gain performance experience, improve repertoire, and also learn from observing other students in the class. Masterclasses are open to all students registered for private lessons through Prep Studies. For information on Masterclass schedules and fees, or to learn more about Prep Studies programs, contact the office at 204-474-9797 or prepmusic@umanitoba.ca. Members of the Ecole Selkirk Junior High band on their band trip in banff. Photo courtesy Garren Werbicki

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