Dear On Your Toes Studios’ Parents and Students,
As many of you are aware, On Your Toes Studios has been looking for a new location for the Vancouver studio for over a year. In May of 2007, the facility we had rented from for years closed abruptly. OYT Studios quickly relocated to a high school to finish out the year’s classes. For the school year ‘07-‘08, we relocated to Bally Total Fitness, hoping it to be a temporary home until we could find a new location. Surprisingly, we were unable to find a place and ended up staying at Bally’s for the full school year. Bally Total Fitness was not a good location for several reasons, the main reason being that it hindered the students’ learning with a poor, small floor and no mirrors.
My husband and I decided a couple of things this year: 1) we would not return to Bally’s for the sake of our students, and 2) we would not choose a mediocre studio again, even temporarily, for the sake of our students. We have been looking diligently all this past school year for a new space for classes. After recital concluded this past May, we picked up the search again for a new facility. We have looked into schools, churches, athletic clubs, community centers, martial arts studios, spaces for lease and for purchase, all over Vancouver and even into surrounding communities.
There have been several options that seemed to have great potential, but as we got into closing the deal, something would not add up or go through, and the deal would fall through. One major roadblock was the cost of rent. Our rent expense had more than doubled on our move from Mavericks to Bally’s. It was hard to find an affordable place without zoning limitations. My husband and I prayed a great deal for a new location, and more than that, that the Lord’s will would be done with OYT Studios and our lives. Recently, I attended a Teacher’s Workshop at Ballet Magnificat! in Mississippi, which is the world’s Premiere Christian Dance Company. As I was there, I focused on seeking the Lord’s voice concerning future decisions as well as advice from other successful teachers and dancers. The direction I was led and the decisions my husband and I have made are what I am writing to you about today.
We feel it is the Lord’s will for us to discontinue classes at the Vancouver location of OYT Studios this year and to only continue holding classes at East Side Athletic Club in Clackamas, Oregon. I am extremely sad about this, as I know the distance will be too far for many of you to drive to continue with OYT Studios. I was so proud of all my Vancouver students and their progress this year, and it is really difficult for me to know that I will have to leave some of them after all I have poured into them and all they have grown in their dancing with me. I highly advise that you look around for a new studio to join, if you are unable to participate with OYT Studios in Clackamas.
Though this is a difficult decision and will be a hard transition to make, I am excited about new ideas He has given me for OYT Studios in Clackamas. This first year of the transition we will probably not have enough students to perform our usual large, end-of-year-recital, so instead we will put on 3 or 4 smaller performance throughout the year that would look something like this:
- Christmas: Perform Nutcracker Variations and Christmas Songs at local retirement homes
- Easter-time: Perform small “New Life” themed-ballet at local churches
- End of Year: Spring Recital including class work and parts of past recitals performed at a smaller, local stage
These performances will give the students performing opportunities and experiences that will be different than what they are used to. They will be lots of fun, and will be full of new learning. I will make sure to send our schedule for Clackamas to all of our Vancouver 2007-2008 students, just in case you are able to and would like to continue classes with OYT Studios in Clackamas.
I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the chance to have worked with your daughters in the joy of dancing for the Lord! It is often said that teaching comes with the greatest rewards, and I would heartily agree with that. Your daughters often taught me my own lessons and blessed me with their beautiful hearts. I hope and pray that I may yet get to continue with some of them! If not though, I pray that the Lord will bless you with a new studio or a new activity where He will cultivate your daughters and glorify His name!
With love in our Lord Jesus Christ,
Melissa Mellinger
Director, OYT Studios
6/11/08
Click HERE to view and/or download information on Senior Camp!
Dates:
June 30th - July 3rd
(Monday-Thursday)
July 7th - July 11th
(Monday-Friday)
Location:
Oxford Athletic Club
-map-
4/30/08
New additions on the schedule page. Click here to read/print the Performance newsletter!
3/22/08
Click here to view the spring newsletter!
3/20/08
Click here to read the storyline of our recital
"With an Everlasting Love"
1/28/08
All ballet classes cancelled today, as both Vancouver and North Clackamas schools are closed due to the snow.
(http://www.katu.com/weather/closings)
1/16/08
COSTUME FEES
Pre-Primary - Level IB
$51.00 per costume
Level I - Level V
$53.00 per costume
2 costumes or more per student*
$47.00 per costume
Costume fees are due January 31st. You must pay the costume fee on time in order for your daughter to participate in the Spring Recital. We will soon have pictures of this year's costumes in the studio for you to see! Keep a look out for the picture board!
*Students who will have (2) costumes:
Level II Vancouver will buy 1 costume ($53.00) plus an accessory fee of $12.00
Sophia Rolph
Sadie Hayhurst
Emily Marcum
Emma Wold
Kelsie Leininger
Stephanie Stromberg
Heather Toth
Marie Almquist
Melody Andrews
Mariya Riat
Eden Ramirez
Annalisa Miles
AnnMarie Vissers
Jessica Lindsey
Angela Schroeder
1/1/2008
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas break. Classes will resume January 3rd, 2008. See you then!
11/28/07
Christmas Performance!
Bally Total Fitness has requested that you please enter the building through the Studio B door on registration day. This door is located 2 doors down on the right hand side of the main entrance. There will be a sign to help you find it.
