February Newsletter!

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Dear Families,

Welcome to our February newsletter. There is a sense that the train is leaving the station this month as we set all wheels in motion and head towards our destination, The Wizard of Oz! We teachers share the excitement with dancers as they start learning choreography and hear the fun story from us, often for the first time.

Below we have linked the video of our 2021 production. I recommend watching it with your kids to help them understand this wonderful story. Another great resource is the 1939 movie starring Judy Garland - a true classic! Some of our dancers are confused between The Wizard of Oz and Wicked and also about Munchkins from Munchkinland and munchkins from Dunkin'!

Be sure to familiarize yourself with Performances page which is your guide to everything related to the upcoming show. Links are all below.

Check out our updated Summer page - registration opened Saturday February 1st with early bird discounts available. It is an excellent summer program and we look forward to having most of our students extend their dance year this way.

Read on for all the news!

Gemma Williams

774 208 6547

• The Wizard of Oz
• Summer - Enroll Now!
• February Vacation
• Private Lesssons with Mr. Clarke!

Our Wizard of Oz performances will take place on Saturday, May 4th, with shows at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM at Regis College Casey Theatre. The cast list is out, and choreography has officially begun in classes! It’s essential for dancers to attend all scheduled classes and rehearsals. Costumes will be tried on during regular lesson times.

Our Performance Page is up; it is where you can find the most up to date information on our spring performance including rehearsals, show week schedule, and the upcoming photoshoot on Wednesday, April 9th.

We’re excited to announce that a new logo is being designed for this show! Starting next week, we’ll have hoodies and tees available in the lobby for dancers to try on so you can find the perfect size before ordering. The order link will be available on the performance page. We can’t wait to see everyone wearing the new Wizard of Oz merch!

Originally planned for the stage in Spring 2020, The Wizard of Oz performance was postponed due to the pandemic. When theaters remained closed in 2021, Metrowest Dance Academy found a new way to bring the production to life. We filmed the entire ballet in our studio, creating a full-length movie!

We hosted a drive-in movie screening at Mendon Drive-In Movie Theater, where families and friends watched the production on the big screen. Though it wasn’t the stage debut we had envisioned, it became a memorable and creative way to share the dancers’ hard work.

This production showcased the resilience, dedication, and passion of our dancers and teachers—proving that no matter the circumstances, the show always goes on! We share the film with you below.

Summer is the perfect time to learn, grow, and dance! Metrowest Dance Academy is offering a variety of summer programs for dancers ages 4–18, designed to inspire, challenge, and keep dancers moving all season long. Enroll before March 15th for an early bird discount on most of our programs.

• Young Dancer Program (Age 4-7): An action-packed story-based dance class awaits dancers in Little Steps, Pre-Primary and Primary. This program runs June 24-28 from 9.00-11.00am and is filled with dance, crafts, and stories!

• Ballet Repertoire (Age 12+): This intensive week will help dancers enhance their technique, explore different ballet variations, and strengthen pointe work. Open to dancers who are serious about intensifying ballet training in a process driven, challenging, and focused environment.

• Summer Intensive (Age 7-18): The Summer Dance Intensive is a great opportunity to be immersed in a quality dance program with small class sizes, individualized training, and professional teachers. Classes will run from 9.00 AM – 4.00 PM Monday through Friday, and students will be separated into 3 levels. The second week of this intensive will culminate in a performance for families to attend. Choose to attend one week or both!

• Theater Dance Workshop (Age 7-12): Each day, participants will learn dances from famous shows, act, and sing while developing performance skills and confidence. This camp focuses on storytelling, teamwork, and bringing scenes to life through expressive movement and theater techniques.

• Dance Pass (Age 12+): Designed for dancers entering Intermediate Foundation and above, dancers return to basics and tune up their technique in preparation for a successful dance year.

February Vacation will be from February 17th–23rd. Take this time to rest, recharge, and get ready for warmer days ahead!

New MDA Faculty member Mr. Clarke is available for 30 or 60-minute private lessons on Fridays from 7:00–8:00 PM. This is a great opportunity for dancers looking to refine their technique and progress with individualized attention. With his encouraging teaching style, Mr. Clarke helps dancers build confidence and reach new goals.

Email info@metrowestdance.com to inquire about your student.

Mr. Clarke, born in Glasgow, Scotland, trained at the Royal Ballet School in London, performing with the Royal Ballet Company in The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake.

He joined Ballet Arizona in 2007, dancing principal roles in Don Quixote, The Four Temperaments, La Sonnambula, and works by Balanchine, Wheeldon, and Tharp. He received critical acclaim for his performances in La Sonnambula and The Four Temperaments and originated principal roles in Ib Andersen’s Diversions and Cinderella.

After retiring, Clarke directed the Community Dance Academy at Walnut Hill for four years. He is currently an Associate Professor at The Boston Conservatory at Berklee and a Professor of Dance at Dean College.

• February 17th-23rd - February Break
• April 9th - Wizard of Oz Photoshoot
• April 21st-27th - April Break
• May 2nd - Act 1 Tech Rehearsal at Theater
• May 3rd - Act 2 Tech Rehearsal and Dress Rehearsal at Theater
• May 4th - Wizard of Oz Performance

Email: info@metrowestdance.com
Website: http://www.metrowestdance.com
Location: 92 Blandin Avenue, Framingham, MA, USA
Phone: 774 208 6547
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetrowestDanceAcademy/