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Preschool Combo • Ballet/Tap/Jazz Combo • Ballet • Hip Hop • Lyrical • Boys Only Hip Hop • Cheerleading • Ladies Only • Mommy & Me • Competitive Dance Teams •Tap • Birthday Parties • Stretch & Strength • Studio Rentals • Acro & Aerial Silks .EW31&4&ACILITY5NIT-AIN3TREET 204.334.0080 | ladanceacademy.com New 4600 SQ. FT. Facility | Unit 200-2405 Main Street 204.334.0080 | ladanceacademy.com REGISTER NOW FOR FALL CLASSES OPEN HOUSE WEDNESDAY, AUG. 23 RD 6:00 - 9:00 PM B A C K T O S C H O O L , M U S I C & D A N C E … A N D M O R 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 - T H U R S D A Y, A U G U S T 1 0 , 2 0 17 3 Come dance with us in the 2017-2018 season Ages 3 and up For more info email rossdaledancers@gmail.com rossdaledancers.ca Registration: Monday, August 28 6:30pm at Rossdale Hall, 537 Donald Rd., St. Andrews Classes start Monday, September 11, at St. Andrews School ROSSDALE UKRAINIAN DANCE SCHOOL 4 O 4 O YEARS DANCE OF ROSSDALE UKRAINIAN DANCE SCHOOL 4 O 4 O YEARS DANCE OF L.A. Dance Academy students competed in July in the Dance World Cup in Whistler, B.C. L.A. Dance Academy photo Lucy Reveco, director and owner of the North End facility, accompanied more than 40 of her students in July to the Dance World Cup in Whistler, B.C., where they competed against thousands of dancers from all over the globe, including the U.S., Mexico, India, Romania and Poland. Her elite jazz dance squad, in fact, not only took home top honours in their category but they were asked to repeat their performance at a special gala on the competition's final night. The World Cup director came on stage afterwards and presented them with a giant trophy in honour of posting "Highest Score North America" for all groups across all genres. "I was in tears," Reveco said. "We were just floored beyond excitement." In total, dancers from L.A. won six gold, five silver and six bronze medals at the World Cup and Reveco praised the hard-working teachers, including Lindsay Kaczir, Justin Serrette, Jessica Seaford, Heather Schiller and Sofia Constantini, who choreographed L.A. Dance Academy's performers at the event. She said it's been particularly gratifying to see the hard work of her students pay off over the last few years. That growth has coincided with changes to curriculum and teacher training. "I always tell the kids before they go on stage to have fun, perform their best and leave it on the stage. The awards are a bonus," she said. While it's nice to pick up hardware at these competitions, the kids at L.A. are picking up something even more valuable with every single week — life skills such as confidence and self- esteem as well as improved strength, flexibility and co-ordination. "It's not just about teaching dance. We prepare kids for life. For some of them, dancing is an outlet. This may be their only activity. A lot of our kids don't play sports so this is their outlet for expression. A lot of them have said dance changed their lives. When they were stressed out they put music on and they danced," she said. L.A. — the studio name is the initials of Reveco's first name and that of her husband, Alex — has more than 500 students across a wide variety of dancing disciplines, including ballet, hip hop, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre, acro and open. It accepts registrations until the end of October and kids can take a free trial class during the first six weeks of the season. If they missed auditions for the competitive program in June, a private assessment can be arranged. Since opening up in 2003, Reveco has seen the number of dancers under her tutelage expand steadily. Four years ago, she moved a few blocks down Main Street into a 4,800-square foot space — twice what she used to have — featuring three studios. Her staff of more than 20 dance instructors put on more than 95 classes per week. "I wanted to be able to give more to the students with the new space. We have more parking spaces for the parents and a bigger lobby. Our dance studio is a second home for many kids. Some of them are here for 18 hours-plus a week. They do their homework on the lobby floor," she said. Reveco is quick to point out that dance can often be misunderstood as a discipline. Coming from a strong athletic and dance background herself, she said there's no question they go hand in hand. "I've built strength and confidence through dance. I grew up on the north side of the city. I didn't have as many opportunities as a lot of these kids. I wanted to provide an A-plus dance studio so they don't have to go elsewhere," she said. For more information, visit ladanceacademy.com. ❚ "Even though they are discovering the world of music they are also learning how to play together and co-operate with each other. We all need to know how to do that and be part of a team." By Geoff Kirbyson | Winnipeg Free Press The L.A. Dance Academy has been a predominantly recreational studio for the past 15 years but you'd never know it from the awards piling up on the mantle. << Continued from Page 1 or game. It's all done in an environment where the instructors are supportive and helpful. We don't want to put any pressure on these kids," she says. For slightly older or more advanced students, the university's preparatory division has regular and enriched masterclasses. These programs are open to all students enrolled in individual music lessons through the prep studies program. Students are paired with a professional vocalist or instrumentalist who shares their experience and offers some guidance. The masterclasses are a great opportunity for students to broaden their musical horizons, Grills says. "When you get a chance to work with someone other than the instructor it really gives you a whole new perspective," she says. "You learn all kinds of anecdotes and tricks from the musicians. It's a really wonderful learning experience working with them one-on-one." The prep division also offers a series of group classes including musical theatre, which is scheduled to return during the upcoming fall or winter sessions following a brief absence. The program is designed for more mature students and offers instruction in singing, dancing and acting. There is also a jazz piano class for students already enrolled in piano studies that provides them an opportunity to work with an experienced jazz instrumentalist. While musical studies can be a fun outlet for your youngster's creative side, several studies have noted that music education can also provide other tangible, long-lasting benefits. Recent research has shown a connection between music study and cognitive growth and how learning to play an instrument can lead to changes in a child's brain that can help them achieve their full academic potential. According to a study conducted on behalf of the Royal Conservatory of Music, one of the biggest benefits of music education for young people is how it can help them to focus their attention for sustained periods of time. It can also promote confidence and self-esteem and the role hard work plays in achieving success. Grills says music studies can also provide a huge boost to a child's social development, especially in terms of learning how to work with others. "Even though they are discovering the world of music they are also learning how to play together and co-operate with each other. We all need to know how to do that and be part of a team," she says. For more information, visit umanitoba.ca/music/prep. ❚ "I always tell the kids before they go on stage to have fun, perform their best and leave it on the stage. The awards are a bonus."

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