As the competitions and championships for 2012 begin I’d like to thank all the dancers, parents and teachers that continue to make our studio a great place to be!

Check out some of our dedicated students (and their parents) in this article featured Jan. 29th in the Lloydminster Source Sunday Online Edition:http://sunday.lloydminstersource.com/issue/53873/0.

Some of you may have noticed that the dancers now have a practice chart in the hallway of the studio. If they practiced the minimum amount (or more) the week prior to their regular lesson they can put a sticker up for that week. The dancers will continue to be reminded that the chart isn’t meant to make them feel bad if they don’t practice but rather to help remind them to practice from week to week.

A few suggestions for practicing for our youngest dancers (< 7 yoa):

• performing for family members or stuffed animals

• videotaping themselves and watching it

• using the kitchen table as a barre before breakfast or supper

A few suggestions for older dancers (> 7yoa):

• Same as above

• Choose a dance, review the movements, then steps then entire dance

• Try doing Highland dance to some popular music!

• Don’t forget to warm – up and cool down!

Medals are in! Congratulations again to dancers on a successful exam tour!

ScotDance / SOBHD cards that were sent via JSHD have all been returned. Parents please pick up prior to Feb. 4th.

If you / your dancer is considering competing in 2012 you will need to have a card for the current calendar year. This must be applied for a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the dancer’s first competition of 2012. Please see Miss Kendra if you are considering competition for the first time or the first time in a long time OR visit the ‘Resources’ page above for more information & forms.

PLEASE NOTE: The Registrar will be away Feb. 16th to 29th, 2012. Therefore any dancer wishing to compete in February or early March that will require a new registration, a 2012 renewal or a change of status MUST SEND THEIR REGISTRATION AWAY IMMEDIATELY.

Forms are below. All JSHD dancer please send your registration to the Saskatchewan Registrar.

SDC 2012 Dancer Registration Form

ScotDance Canada Championship Series (SDCCS) – Edmonton – July 11 – 15th

This annual will take place at the West Edmonton Mall at the Ice Palace and is certainly a competitive event appropriate for all dancers ages 4 and up and their families. Come share in the excitement as Canada’s largest Highland dancing event including the Canadian Highland Dance Championships come to Alberta! Be a participant, a spectator, a volunteer and / or a sponsor! Please visit www.scotdancecanada.ca for more information or the SDCCS section on the ‘Resources’ page.

Don’t hesitate to speak to Miss Kendra if you would like more information!

SDCCS 2012 in Edmonton has a fun choreography opportunity! All choreographies will be performed to music by the Barra McNeils. All dancers will perform on the Francis Winspear Centre Stage in the qualifying round and the top 6 finalists will perform LIVE to the Barra McNeils during the SDCCS 2012 Opening Ceremonies. All this takes place on July 11th, 2012!

Dancers wishing to perform in the choreography must be at least in the Novice category. HOWEVER, if you are interested as a Beginner dancer you may be considered if you know the Fling, Sword, Seann Triubhas, Reel, Lilt & Flora.

There is further information about the choreography, lesson fees, costumes fees, rehearsal dates / times (some mandatory) and competition dates / times (mandatory) at the studio by clicking here by speaking to Miss Kendra.

Please confirm your participation with lesson / rehearsal fee payment by Feb. 15th, 2012!

SDCCS 2013 is in Montreal July 3rd – 7th at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal! I will be organizing a JSHD surrounding this event with more information to come prior July 2012.

SDCCS or the ScotDance Canada Championship Series is an event for all dancers of ages 4 and up and of all competitive levels, along with their families. This annual event includes the Canadian Highland Dancing Championship, Premier & Pre-Premier Competitions, a banquet, pin-exchange, and plenty of other social events where dancers have the opportunity to meet other Highland dancers from across Canada and the world! Not to mention dancers and their families will have the opportunity to take in the sites and sounds of all that

‘la belle province’ has to offer.

Dancers Hailey Brown & Brittany Herbach together with Miss Kendra will be travelling to Scotland July 31st – Aug. 29th to Scotland to compete & perform with the Wilson School of Highland Dance of Saskatoon / Calgary.

In compliance with the Wilson School’s requirements for participants an invitation was given to dancers who would be of Premier competitive standard and competing in their province’s 2012 provincial championship / selection meet.

While travelling to Scotland is certainly something we hope JSHD or the local parent association CBHDA will take on in the future we are VERY grateful to Wendy Wilson and her instructors for having members of our studio join them on this year’s adventure. More exciting news to come!

If you have photographs or videos of our 5th anniversary show hosted in December I would LOVE a copy!

For a full list of important dates in Highland dance visit the ‘Events Calendar’.

Feb. 3rd – 5th – Miss Kendra at ScotDance Canada Mid-Winter Board of Directors Meeting, Toronto, ON

Feb. 4th & 5th – Saskatoon Closed Competition (SK residents or members of CBHDA ONLY).

Feb. 12th – 1- 4pm – Open for Privates & Semi-Privates

Feb. 20th – Family Day – No Classes

Feb. 24th & 25th – ScotDance Alberta Open Championship & Competition, Edmonton & Leduc

March 5th – 9th – Spring Break – No Classes

Mar. 24th & 25th –Western Canadian Championships, Interior BC Premiership & IHDA Competition

April 6th – 13th – Easter Break – No Classes

July 3rd – 6th – JSHD Summer Camp (Tentative)

July 31st – Aug. 29th – Scotland Trip!