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Dance 2005 Emily           Of course Emily has continued her dance lessons at Dance Arts Academy in Fairbanks. Her spring schedule is less strenuous than the winter, when she was at dance up to 13 hours a week.           We consider the investment in her classes to be completely worthwhile, whether or not she decides to continue into adulthood. It is an atheletic activity she enjoys very much. Dance builds strength and discipline and also encourages commitment and teamwork.           In the fall of 2004, Emily attended Dance Theatre Fairbanks for beginning hiphop, and particpated in "The Christmas Angel."           At Dance Arts Academy, she took Beginning Ballet (again), Ballet II/Pre-Pointe, Hip Hop, Tap and danced in Company. She will continue her DAA lessons through May and decide whether or not to continue after her Freshman year, when she plans to transfer out of Alaska for college.           Something else we continue to learn about with each performance (dance or drama) is Stage Makeup. All it takes is a lot of practice and continually being open to learn more.           Dance is an expensive art/sport. It requires considerable investment in quality gear, and is as strenuous as many sports (including contact sports!) The more variety in class types, the more expensive the endeavor becomes. To help off-set Emily's expenses, we have "buy it" links to some of the items she uses, should you want to try them yourself. All proceeds will go toward Emily's dance expenses.           Through trial and error, (and wearing out a few pair!) Emily determined which shoes and attire work best for her. For example, she prefers split-sole, canvas ballet slippers to leather and an all-in-one bodysuit to regular tights. The High Price of Dance Equipment Item     click an underlined link to purchase Class Price 2005 Sansha Original Canvas Ballet Slipper - S1C Ballet $12.15 Gaynor Minden Pointe Shoes Pre-Pointe $71.25 Danztech ToesaversTM Prima toe pads Pre-Pointe $17.95 Capezio® Premiere Tap Oxford Tap $45.90 Capezio® Body Convertible Tights (pink) All $13.50 Capezio® Body Convertible Tights (tan) All $13.50 Natalie Classic 3/4 Sleeve Leotard - 7121 All $26.35 Mirella Cap Sleeve Leotard - 510 All $24.45           Even without the trial and error, the costs add up quickly. The only way to find out an item really fits an individual is to wear it and use it for awhile. Emily tried 1 pair of Bloch® Sonata pointe shoes, 2 pairs of tap shoes (wrong sizes) and a couple of different leotards before finding her best matches. Buying online isn't the best option as far as fitting goes, but in Fairbanks, Alaska, what else are you going to do when you want items that aren't sold locally? Most of our purchases are made online, through Discount Dance Supply Some magazines of interest include: Dance Magazine Pointe Magazine Dance Spirit Magazine Contact the Birch Grove: E-Mail

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