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Essex County Dancer Incorporated (ECDI)
Essex County Dancers Incorporated is a non-profit organization whose primary purpose/objective is to provide its group of competitive amateur dancers with the opportunity to participate in various dance competitions and workshops so that they may develop and grow knowledgeably, emotionally and professionally in the field of dance.
The current 2008-2009 team is made up of 26 young people (aged 8 to 18) from all areas of Essex County. They train and perform throughout the August to July dance season in a number of dance disciplines including ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, and hip hop. Their hard work and dedication has resulted in many of the team's members receiving scholarships to attend training workshops. As part of its civic activities, the team provides benefit performances for various organizations throughout Essex County.
Following is some general information concerning the ECDI Competition Team. Please do not hesitate to contact our Artistic Directors, Nancy Pattison or Cindy Pattison-Rivard or our ECDI’s President if you have any questions..
WHAT IS DANCE COMPETITION?
Dance Competitions, as the name implies, are competitions that judge dance routines for technique, choreography, costumes, use of music, and showmanship. Dancers taking part in competitive dance are evaluated by professional dancers and instructors and compete against teams from all over North America. The competition dance experience is one of the best avenues available for amateur dancers wishing to perfect their talent and gain exposure to the art of professional dance and receive professional instruction from top dance professionals.
WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM TEAM MEMBERS?
Dancers who are selected to the ECDI Competition team are expected to make a commitment for the entire dance season. The dance season begins in August and continues through and including a National Finals that is normally held in July. Competition Team dancers must take regular ballet, tap and jazz classes in order to become team members.
The team competes in approximately 3-4 Regional Competitions: ordinarily, these take place over weekends and include a day or two of dance workshops and a formal competition. Regional competitions are usually held within 1-6 hours driving distance from Windsor while National Finals could be held anywhere in North America and can last from 4 to 7 days.
Team members are expected to attend all practices, workshops and competitions throughout the entire dance season. They will be expected to learn a number of routines in preparation for the various dance competitions that they will attend. During the season the team may be asked to perform locally for charitable organizations, rest homes, dinner shows etc., and will participate in an end of the year recital.
WHAT COSTS ARE COVERED BY ECDI?
ECDI is a non-profit organization that undertakes the task of raising funds to pay for many expenses associated with the operation of a competitive dance team. Depending on the success of its fundraising activities, ECDI strives to cover the following expenses:
• Choreography
• Teacher Fees
• Competition Fees (for all competitions)
• Costumes
• Studio Costs (for practices)
• Fundraising Expenses
• Administrative Expenses associated with operating ECDI (i.e. insurance, accounting, legal fees, etc.)
WHAT COSTS ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS/GUARDIANS?
Currently, parents/ guardians can be expected to incur the following costs associated with their child’s participation:
• Workshop Fees
• Travel Expenses (hotel, meals, travel)
• Dance Shoes
• Start-up Fee – a one-time fee paid by all new members
• Tuition Fee at the beginning of each season
• Costume Deposit (this is returned once costumes are given back to the team)
• Cover-up – (Team Jacket and Pants)
• Make-up – everyone MUST have their own kit
ONE PARENT’S PERSPECTIVE ON BEING A MEMBER OF ECDI
I wish someone had told me how much my children would be enjoying this team and how physically demanding it would be for them. I wish someone had told me how much time it would take away from their school homework therefore, learning valuable time management skills. Or, how fulfilling it has been to compete and how much they love performing on stage. I wish someone had told me how much pride and love I would have for my daughters to see them on stage and truly enjoying something I was able to give them. I wish someone had told me how many new friends I would be making and that I would be entering into a family called ECDI.
I wish someone had told me that for every year they remain on this team it is a privilege; something that my daughters have to work hard for and dedicate themselves to truly giving 100% all the time. I wish someone had told me about the teachers – the dedication and hard work they put into our dancers and the love they have for the art. I wish someone had told me that this would be the greatest thing to happen to my daughters – sharing this common bond they have to dance and to support each other with respect and love; to be friends for a lifetime. I wish someone had would have said:
“Dance, love. Dedication, hard work, time, fun, friends, family…can you handle it?”
Written by Cathy Betschel (mother of 4 past and current ECDI members) |
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THE ENCORE! PERFORMING ARTS COMPANY
 
Do you love to perform? Would you like to learn how to enhance your performing skills and your dancing at the same time?
The Encore Performing Arts Company invites boys and girls ages 8 and up to join E.P.A.C. as they dance into the new millennium. Join us at our many performances throughout the year including the Strawberry Festival, the Summer Fest, the Annual Encore Gala, Community Events, Fundraisers, Retirement Homes, Long-Term Care Facilities and many more.
We offer exciting technique classes, professional rehearsals, and inspire personal growth. We teach teamwork in an encouraging, non-competitive environment where students can explore their artistic abilities through dance. Former Encore company members have gone on to pre-professional and professional classes with ballet companies, become dance teachers, dance on cruise ships and pursued many more performing and employment opportunities.
NO AUDITION IS REQUIRED. The company is open to all registered students of Nancy Pattison’s Dance World who are studying Ballet and either Tap or Jazz.
COMPANY CLASSES AND CALENDAR
Students will be placed into levels based on age and ability at the discretion of the directors. All students will rehearse on Mondays and Fridays, times TBA. Company members are asked not to schedule other activities on these days as rehearsal times may change and performances may be scheduled for these days.
Notes
Twice weekly attendance is mandatory.
Special rehearsals may be called at the discretion of the directors.
The ENCORE! Performing Arts Company is dedicated to:
Educating young dancers about dance, its music, its history and its future.
Exploring musicality, artistry, technique, style and professionalism in the performing arts.
Endowing young dancers with a sense of dedication and loyalty to their art and to one another.
Helping young dancers learn values of setting and reaching goals, patience, perseverance, and self-discipline.
Encouraging the development of confidence and self-esteem through performance.
Creating an atmosphere of teamwork and co-operation.
Sharing our love of dance with as many as possible.
REGISTRATION, TUITION AND DRESS CODE
In person registration at the Main Studio 3900 Walker Road. Post dated cheques only. Please see below for dates. Cheques to be made payable to Nancy Pattison’s Dance World Inc.
Tuition will not be refunded for missed classes, vacation, illness or leaving in the middle of an instalment period.
| 1st Instalment |
September 1, 2009 |
$325.00 |
| 2nd Instalment |
December 1, 2009 |
$275.00 |
| 3rd Instalment |
February 1, 2010 |
$275.00 |
| 4th Instalment |
April 1, 2010 |
$225.00 |
| Total Annual Tuition |
$1,100.00 |
A $50 costume fee from all new company members
will also be due upon registration ***
ALL PRICES INCLUDE GST
REQUIRED UNIFORM
Encore Leotard
Pink footed tights
Hair in a Bun
Pink Ballet Slippers
Black Jazz Shoes
Black Tap Shoes |
