Happy New Year!

Here's hoping you dance your way through 2012... literally AND figuratively ; )

The first 3-5 year old Creative Dance class is scheduled for Jan. 4th at 4pm. There is still room in this class for a few more students. Call 928-862-0118 or email for more details.

I'm hoping to kick off the Baby and Me class this year (depending on sign-ups). If you have an infant or know someone who does, and want to get active with them, get tips on parenting and child development this is a great class.

If you have children interested in preballet (5-7 yo) or ballroom dance (6+) let's get a class started!

Adult ballroom is continuing on Thursday nights at 8pm. In January we will study Nightclub 2-step. This is a great alternative to just swaying to and fro when a slow romantic song comes on.

Also, all current and past ballroom students are welcome to join our table at the upcoming Clarkdale dance with Sentimental Journey. The dance is Jan. 14th from 7-10pm at the Clarkdale auditorium and the entrance fee is only $7.50. Hope to see you there!

Remember, private lessons are always available... just email me. Also, you can check out my new web site at sedonastudio.com !

Lifelong Dancer,
Dana De Luz

America Goes Dancing!

This is a fantastic article about the increasing number of ballroom and social dancers in the US. It also highlights the great benefits dancing brings to mind, body and soul!
Enjoy reading it and then don't ignore the urge to contact me for dance lessons : ) 

http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2011/11/04/lifestyle/features/america-dance-crazy.html

October Classes:

If you've always wanted to learn Latin dancing this is a great month to start.

On Monday afternoons from 2-3 join me at the Golden Goose restaurant in West Sedona to learn both Merengue and Salsa! If Monday afternoons aren't good for you call me at (928) 862-0118 or email go get on a waiting list for a new class.

If ballroom dancing is more to your liking, Thursday nights from 8-9 in the VOC is where you want to be. We're currently studying the Waltz and will begin the American Tango on October 20th! Tango is a great ballroom dance to begin with because it sets a standard for great posture and frame and is easily translatable to Foxtrot and Waltz.

If neither of these classes is what you're after let me know... get on a waiting list for the dance style you want to learn... and I'll see you on the dance floor soon.

If you're looking for classes for your child, I have waiting lists for..
Creative dance age 3-5
Preballet ages 5-7
Ballroom/Social ages 6+

Happy dancing!
Dana

Register for fall classes NOW!

Hello dancers,

Great news for September!

Monday afternoon (2-3pm) classes at Golden Goose restaurant will be expanding. Class will begin at 1:30p with a half hour of practice time. This will allow students to work on several dances they have been learning. I'll be there and available to help. Practice is the best way to keep from getting rusty or forgetting steps. Following the half hour practice, we will begin our regular one hour class. September we will bein learning the merengue. The easiest of all Latin dances! Please, join us. How about lunch at Golden Goose and then dance class? Sounds like a great afternoon to me.

Our new dance to study in September during the Thursday night (8pm) class in the VOC will be the Waltz. I'm considering beginning with a half hour practice on this night as well and eventually hold both beginning and intermediate classes before and after practice time.

For the kids:
I'm taking registration for both creative dance for ages 3-5 and preballet for age 5-7. Please, share this news with friends who have children and might be interested. These classes will be held in the VOC and the days and times will depend upon registration.

I'm also taking registrations for after school ballroom for ages 6 and up.

Finally, I'm building a fitness/dance class for parent and child. This "Baby and Me" class will concentrate on fitness for the parent while also encouraging bonding and major motor skills for the baby.  

Anyone interested in taking classes should call me, Dana, at 862-0118 or email me at dancingdana64@gmail.com. Remember private lessons are always available.

Here's to a great season of dancing!
Dana

Lessons for July! And dates to save.

Beginning Monday, July 4th a month long series of lessons in COUNTRY 2-STEP kicks off. What a patriotic way to enjoy dancing. Country music is an American original and country 2-step is a staple on any country dance floor. Join us at The Golden Goose Restaurant for group class on Mondays from 2-3pm.

If Thursday nights are better for you... join the group class in the VOC for an overview of the 5 basic AMERICAN BALLROOM DANCES. I'll be teaching basics in foxtrot, waltz, rumba, cha-cha and east coast swing. This is a great introduction to the dances or an excellent review if you haven't danced them in some time. It's also a great way to prepare for the up coming dance events... see below.

My group social/ballroom class prices are... $12 for drop-ins, $10 for a calendar month paid in advance OR buy a 10-class discount card and each class only runs you $8. A "Happy Feet" discount is valid for 12 weeks from the time of purchase. AND REMEMBER.... first time clients get their 1st group class for FREE!

Save these dates:
Monday, July 4th is the Elk's Club's 4th of July Celebration! It all begins at 3pm with a color guard followed by a BBQ dinner at 4pm and dancing begins at 5pm. Contact the Sedona Elk's Club for more information.
Friday, August 5th is the Sedona Elk's Club Christmas in August Event. Help Santa out by donating a new unwrapped gift to go to Toys for Tots. 
Saturday, August 13th is a Midsummer Night's Ball to be held at Ashurst Auditorium @ NAU from 7-11pm. More details to come.

For additional info or to sign up for classes CONTACT ME, Dana, via email or call (928) 862-0118.

Happy dancing everyone!
Dana

Press and tips for brides and grooms:

I just got word that I received mention in the next issue of Phoenix Bride and Groom Magazine hitting newsstands June 12th! It's a complimentary and informative article on the Sedona Wedding Studio's Bridal Bootcamp and it includes some of the the fabulous tips our wedding professionals had to offer. You can read the article from this link or grab your very own copy when they hit the stands. If you missed Sedona Wedding Studio's Bridal Bootcamp... I'll be sure to post info when the next one is set to go!

My pick on where to dance this weekend.

Hi dance enthusiasts!

My friend and fine musician, Greg Aitken, will be playing with his band, Swing Shift, this Saturday night (the 28th of May) beginning 9:30pm at Full Moon Saloon in the Village of Oak Creek/Sedona (on Route 179 in Tequa Plaza).

Please, come out to hear and DANCE to some great swing tunes as well as other tunes you request! If we pull together enough dancers, management may be interested in hosting MORE dance events. YEA!
Let me know if you plan to come.

Dana De Luz

The next BIG dance event...

A Midsummer Night's Ball.

This formal evening of open dancing, cocktails, hors d'oeuvers and performances is held annually in Flagstaff. This years' event is scheduled for August 13th (Saturday) at the Ashurst Auditorium at NAU from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. Ticket prices are yet TBD; however, I believe it will be about $50 per person. I will update when I am certain about prices and where tickets can be purchased.

In the meantime, if you need to brush up on your ballroom and nightclub in order to dance your best and have lots of fun contact me, Dana, about private or group classes this summer.

April Group Class Schedule

Mondays: 2-3pm Cha-Cha class @ the Golden Goose Restaurant in West Sedona.

Thursdays: 9:30-10:15am Creative Dance for ages 3-5!
                   7-8pm beginning Waltz @ the VOC home studio.
                   8-9pm beginning Night Club 2-Step @ the VOC home studio.

To schedule private lessons or get more info, contact me.

Happy Dancing!

Spring brings new growth and a new class...

Beginning the first week of March the Sedona Studio expands into West Sedona. Every Monday afternoon from 2-3pm you can find me, Dana, at the Golden Goose Restaurant (next to the Super 8 Motel) teaching the Cha-Cha.

As with all of my classes, this class was developed based on the interests of my students. It seems many currents students want to learn some Latin dances and now West Sedona residents have a location that's nearby. We will kick it off by studying the very useful Cha-Cha which can be danced to almost any quick tempo music like Latin, rock, techno, or hip-hop.

Thursday morning's 9:30 creative dance class for ages 3-5 adds the concepts of Body Awareness (how are bodies can move) and Relationships to Others (how to dance in pairs and groups) during March. This class is still taking new students who would like to get creative with us!!!

There is continued growth in Foxtrot (7pm) and East Coast Swing (8pm) on Thursday nights in the VOC. The Foxtrot class is still at a beginner level and Swing students are moving into intermediate steps. 

For more information EMAIL me, read my earlier posts or give me a call at (928) 862-0118. I'll be happy to help you.

Dana

February Is for Foxtrot... and Swing

Starting in February... our 7-8pm class on Thursdays will be a beginning Foxtrot course. We'll introduce beginning steps and technique throughout the month. Foxtrot is a smooth dance that is great when done to a variety of songs in 4-4 time of many tempos.

Due to popular demand... the swing class will continue in February. This class will follow the 7-8 Foxtrot class on Thursdays and run from 8-9pm. This class is still beginner level so don't be afraid to jump in. Please, consider taking both classes. If you can dance a swing and a Foxtrot, you'll be able to dance almost any song played at dances here in the Verde Valley!

For more info email or call Dana at (928) 862-0118.

Have a preschooler who loves to dance?

Get them signed up for class!!!!

Starting in January I'm kicking off my preschool creative dance class. This class is for 3, 4 and 5 year-olds who love music, movement and imagination. We'll use imaginary play to get us through stretching, co-ordination, rhythm, and body parts awareness warm-ups. I also use poetry, stories and a wide variety of music to increase creative thinking. The children will learn dance steps from ballet, jazz and modern styles as well as having fun dancing "kids" social dances and they'll stretch their own creative thinking muscles by moving to music any way they please!

Parents are welcome to participate if your child is more comfortable that way. I believe children (and everyone else for that matter) need to feel safe, comfortable and relaxed in order to learn. The children will be encouraged to participate but never pressured. If watching is what they need to do for a class or two, that's fine.

Class will be held on Thursday mornings at 9:30 in the Village of Oak Creek beginning January 13th.

Sign-up for class today by emailing me your contact info. Please, note your child's name and age. The first 5 students to sign up are eligible for my 5 x 5 = 25% OFFer!!! See the article titled "How Much Does it Cost?" for more info on pricing and discounts available each month!