Wow. What a week. We hope everyone is safe, and our hearts go out to all the families affected by the flooding. The strength of the Montpelier community has shown through, and we are so thankful to be a part of that community. 

We are settling into our new Studio space on the VCFA campus tucked away on the hill. As a result, we were not directly affected by the flood and could still host our first group of dancers for the FairyTale Fusion Camp this past week. Dancers aged 3.5 - 5 yrs old spent their mornings with MC DeBelina, and it was beautiful to have creative dancing bodies in the space. We want to hear from you about your Summer class and camp needs! Please take a moment to fill out our Google survey, one per dancer. 
​https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSem6baWX-Am2lt-vrWuyO2dxVfVPlPX8UBtOSYvgyJO44sH3A/viewform?usp=pp_url

Our downstairs Studio space still looks slightly like a construction zone, but our sprung floors have been finished. Thank you to Val and Harrison Snapp for undertaking that tedious project. Mirrors have been placed in the upstairs studio, and marley floors will soon be laid in both Studios. 

Enrollment is ongoing for our Autumn Session. Some of our kids’ classes are robust, and there will be an option to be added to a Waitlist. Please place your child on the waitlist for their preferred class choice. There is no charge to add their name to the waitlist; if places open up, you will be contacted. Additionally, we are exploring adding a second class time for some of our classes. If we are able to do so, an email will go out with that information. 

Our Autumn Preparatory Week (August 28th thru September 1st) is a fantastic way for Teen (ages 12+) and Adult dancers to ease their bodies back into dance. Classes available include a Technique Wakeup, Ballet and Pointe Wakeup, and a Contemporary Class with one of our new teachers - Marissa Hall. Portal registration is preferred, but drop-ins are welcome as well. Check out those offerings here: https://www.cdandfs.com/autumn-preparatory-week.html. Our Leotard and Footwear Exchange is also happening that week, Monday through Thursday, from 3:45-6:00 pm. Bring your gently used, clean leotards and dance shoes, and leave with something “new.” Drop-offs are accepted starting all day on August 26th. Take advantage of the Dancewear Try-On and Order Days on August 26th, 10 am-2 pm, and August 28th, 1:00-4:00 pm. 

The months of July and August are always quiet for the studio. We do not have regular office hours during the Summer, so please contact us via email or phone (646-400-5882). If you prefer to meet in person, I am happy to make an appointment. We will host an Open House on Saturday, September 2nd, from 10am - 2pm, where Families can familiarize themselves with our new Studio location. Come try out the sprung floor and feel how soft the dressing room rug is. I hope to see you there. 

Summer classes are in full swing and we are excited to have dancers back in the Studio. It's a bittersweet month since it is our last at 18 Langdon Street. I've been delighted to see a healthy mix of younger students, older students, and graduated students who are taking the chance for one last class in the space. 
One class in particular, the Choreography Workshop, drew in students of different ages and levels. During this Summer Session, the students in the Choreography Workshop will be co-creating draft #1 of a Contemporary piece. As the Studio celebrates it's 50th year this coming season, this piece will be shaped, expanded upon, and molded by a wide range of participants. The end result will be performed in the Summer of 2024. I'm excited to see what comes of so many different voices and visions.