(Semi) New Schedule Starting in January!

Ballet
Friday 4-5pm (4-8 years old) - Brittany
Friday 5-6pm (9 and up) - Brittany

Ballet/Tap Combo
Wednesday 4-5pm (4-6 years old) - Brittany (Studio B)
Wednesday 5-6pm (6-8 years old) - Brittany
Tuesday 4-5pm (8-10 years old) - Brittany (Studio B)
Tuesday 5-6pm (10-12 years old) - Brittany (Studio B)

Breakdancing
Friday 6-7pm (all ages) - Crystal

Capoeria
Wednesday 6-7pm (all ages) - Yesenia and Jerry

Cheer/Tumbling
Saturday 12noon-1pm (4-12 years old) - Ali
Saturday 1-2pm (13-18 years old) - Ali

Creative Movement
Thursday 10-11am (3-4 years old) - Crystal (ballet basics)
Tuesday 3-4pm (3-4 years old) - Crystal (Sudio B) (hip hop/jazz basics)

Hip Hop
Monday 4-5pm (8-13 years old) - Crystal
Tuesday 4-5pm (5-8 years old) - Crystal
Tueday 5-6pm (14 and up) - Crystal

Jazz
Tuesday 6-7pm (4-7 years old) - Crystal
Wednesday 4-5pm (8-12 years old) - Crystal
Wednesday 7-8pm (teen - adult) - Brittany

Jazz/Tap Combo
Wednesday 6-7pm (8 and up) - Brittany (Studio B)

Jazz Technique
Tuesday 6-7pm (8 and up) - Brittany (Studio B)

Lyrical/Modern
Monday 5-6pm (teen - adult) - Crystal

Music and Acting Lessons
Private voice or acting lessons by request - Jennifer (Studio B)
1st and 3rd Saturdays 2-4pm (adult acting lessons) - Jennifer
2nd and 4th Saturdays 2-4pm (ages 5-16 acting lessons) - Jennifer
Piano lessons are available by request - Crystal

Pilates
Saturday 10-11am - Leah (Studio B)

Strength and Conditioning
Tuesday 3-4pm (5-16 years old) - Melissa

Tap
Wednesday 7-7:45pm (teen - adult)

Tumbling
Tuesday 2-3pm (3-5 years old) - Melissa
Wednesday 12:30-1:30pm (3-5 years old) - Melissa
Saturday 9-10am (beginning 5 ages and up) - Melissa
Thursday 4-5pm (beginning ages 5 and up) - Melissa
Thursday 5-6pm (beginning ages 5 and up) - Melissa
Saturday 10-11am (beginning-intermediate ages 5 and up) - Melissa
Thursday 6-7pm (beginning-intermediate ages 5 and up) - Melissa
Saturday 11am-12noon (intermediate ages 7 and up) - Melissa
Thursday 7-8pm (intermediate ages 7 and up) - Melissa

Zumba
Monday 9-10am - Vanessa
Tuesday 10-11am - Jannet
Wednesday 11am-12noon - Jannet
Thursday 9-10am - Vanessa

Yoga
Tuesday 11am-12noon - Amy
Thursday 11am-12noon - Amy

Prenatal Yoga
Wednesday 10-11am -Amy

Benefits of Hip Hop Dancing

The fast paced element of a hip hop exercise routine provides aerobic and anaerobic benefits while improving flexibility and coordination. Hip hop exercise offers an upbeat alternative to running, climbing stairs or an elliptical machine. Many health clubs offer hip hop style dance or aerobic classes that incorporate hip hop dance moves with simple strength exercises such as squats and lunges for a full body, cardiovascular workout. Attend a hip hop exercise class at your local health club, pick up a hip hop exercise video or simply turn up the music and dance in the privacy of your own home.

Aerobic Benefits

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 30 minutes of moderately intense cardio exercise five days a week. An hour-long hip hop exercise class more than fills that requirement as it raises the heart-rate, increasing cardiovascular endurance. Aerobic benefits kick in when the heart rate rises and your body requires additional oxygen to keep working out. Hip hop exercise keeps your body moving and active during the class or routine. Additional aerobic benefits of hip hop exercise include lower blood pressure, stress reduction and boosts of energy.

Anaerobic Benefits

While reaping aerobic benefits by engaging in hip hop exercise, your body can also benefit anaerobically. Your body works aerobically each time you perform a dance step. By pushing yourself to learn more complex moves and pushing your body to work past the point of a normal workout, you work your muscles anaerobically. To benefit anaerobically from hip hop exercise, ensure you are using proper technique and form when performing steps and movements. By doing so, you will increase muscle strength and improve flexibility.

Confidence

Hip hop exercise movements combine isolated body movements with fluid, fast movements that require quick work and coordination of your muscles and extremities. Gain confidence by mastering the quick, choreographed movements or memorizing a dance routine while also improving coordination, balance and agility. Hip hop exercise is a form of dance and, according to Ace Fitness, dancing is an enjoyable, engaging activity that helps to reduce chronic fatigue and stress, and increase self-esteem and confidence. Start with a beginner class or video to learn basic steps and build self-confidence before moving on to more advanced moves and routines.

 http://www.livestrong.com/article/150147-what-are-the-benefits-of-hip-hop-exercise/#ixzz2FdqTMyPu

7 Reasons Your Child Should Take a Dance Class

1. Dance class promotes fitness! No matter what style of dance, your child will be moving. They will be getting the necessary exercise needed each day. Studies recommend 30 minutes of exercise each day for your child. The average dance class lasts 30 minutes to an hour. Most of the time you child may take more than one style. It also gives a good all around workout. Most dance classes begin with a stretching for flexibility, have some type of cardio section, and then a cool down at the end. It's exactly what your child needs to stay fit!

2. Dance class builds high self-esteem! Dance teachers promote expression, smiling, and reflection. Children can express themselves through movement. They are constantly asked to smile until it becomes a habit. Finally, they are constantly given an opportunity to look at themselves in the mirror and learn to present themselves in a way that is pleasing to themselves.

3. Dance class promotes social development! Dance class lets children move around and communicate with each other. The entire class works off of one another's energy and personalities to learn and perform class dances.

4. Dance class teaches discipline! Children who take a dance class learn how to control their energy in their body through technique training.

5. Dance class builds focus! Dance requires much concentration and determination in order to get moves right, retain choreography, and perform it beautifully.

6. Dance builds good posture! We all know a dancer when we see one. They have a straight back, shoulders slightly back and their chin up! All of that comes from years of keeping your head off the floor, pushing your shoulders back, and making sure we aren't slouching or hyper extending our backs.

7. Dance class is fun! Overall, the best reason for a child to take dance is because of the rewarding fun they will have. They will meet new people in an environment where they are free to express themselves! What kid wouldn't want to do that?!

http://www.examiner.com/article/7-reasons-why-your-child-should-take-a-dance-class

We have piano lessons!!

We do offer private piano lessons for your aspiring musician, or yourself! Half hour lessons are $15 per lesson. (We find that half hour lessons are the best for our younger students. Anything longer than that and they tend to lose interest!) 1 hour lessons are $30 per lesson. For times available, or to schedule your lessons please call the office; 760-361-3080! 

The Benefits of Ballet

The Benefits of Ballet

• Self Confidence
• Connection to Others
• Focus and Concentration
• Stress Relief
• Increases Flexibility
• Better Posture
• Toning and Strengthening of Muscles

Ballet integrates the body as well as the mind for, literally, a full body work out! Come check out our ballet classes on Wednesdays and Fridays!

http://www.greenstar.coop/health/571-the-health-benefits-of-ballet
http://projectpandora.org/?attachment_id=520

Pioneer Days 2012

Willow Tree Studios - Now Offering Acting Seminars!

Acting seminars are held twice monthly - adult classes are held the first and 3rd Saturdays of the month and children's classes re held on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month. Instruction will cover a broad range of topics relevant to the study of acting. Courses will rotate monthly and shall cover such topics as: Preparing for the Musical Theater audition, Scene Work, Monologue Madness, Resume and Head shot lab, Makeup for the Stage, and other course topics as requested.

Classes will be presented in a group setting. Sign up today, as space is limited to the first 10 students!

Parents Night Out at Willow Tree Studios

PARENTS NIGHT OUT AT WILLOW TREE STUDIOS!!
We are offering a parents night out on December 1, 2012 from 5-9pm. Parents can drop their children (ages 5-16) off at the studio for a dance party for just $20 PER child. Use this night to get some Christmas shopping done or just to have a date night! This is a fundraiser to assist our competition team out with comp fees and travel. Children should bring water and a snack. There will be dancing, XBOX 360 games, plus many other activities for the kids to do. There WILL be CPR/First Aid certified instructors overseeing the activities! Space limited to the first 40 children who register! So sign up ASAP!!

Chalk Fest

Just a reminder that the Willow Tree Studios dancers have been invited to perform at this years Chalk Fest. The performance will be held at the Community Center (Joe Davis Rd, by Luckie Park) on Sunday, November 4th from 1-2pm!
Chalk Fest is a FREE event for the whole family! So come check out our dancers and then hang around for some Chalk Fest activities! 
Hope to see you there!

Pioneer Days Carnival This Weekend! (10/26-10/28)

The Pioneer Days Carnival is scheduled for this weekend, October 26, 27, and 28 at Luckie Park! In addition to the carnival scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Luckie Park, there will be many food vendors, retail vendors, a beer garden, and LIVE music for the community to enjoy. On Friday evening from 7pm - 10 pm come out to enjoy the sounds of a country western band, The John Linn Band! Kicking off our Saturday entertainment is Joel Daniel, Marinesandpiper. Joel will entertain us with his unique bagpipe music from 4 pm – 6 pm. Wrapping up Saturday evening is country western band, the Dan Kelley Band, who will be performing from 7 pm-10 pm! Sunday’s entertainment is Tite Fitt, a rock and roll band performing from 5 pm – 7 pm. 

We hope to see you at Luckie Park this weekend! If you have any questions, please contact the Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce at 760-367-3445.

The Benefits of Capoeira

Capoeira will:

• Tone up your muscles and give you inner core strength like Pilates
• Improve your flexibility and state of mind like Yoga
• Make you strong without bulking up
• Make you fit like an athlete
• Make you as agile as an acrobat
• Enables you to lose weight without the need of going to the gym.

Capoeira relieves stress, improves confidence, self-esteem and concentration. It also improves balance, coordination and creativity but there is only one problem, Capoeira is incredibly addictive!

You will also:

• Learn how to play all Capoeira percussion instruments
• Learn Portuguese
• Learn Capoeira songs
• Change your life style
• Meet new people
• Make new friends

People all over the world practice Capoeira these days, some for self-defense, others to get fit, relieve stress, lose weight, improve flexibility, core stability, agility, and strength.

There is nothing in the world like Capoeira!

Come see for yourself Wednesday nights from 6-7pm!

October Update!!!

Happy Fall from all of us at Willow Tree Studios! A lot has been going on with our studio over the last month! We have added a new tiny tots tumbling class as well as a new beginning tumbling class with our new instructor, Kimberly! We are sad to announce that we are no longer offering the Mommy and Me classes or the Saturday ballet classes. Along with the cancellation of those classes, we are no longer offering Piloxing fitness classes. However, we will still be offering Zumba on Tuesdays from 10-11 and Wednesdays from 11-12 as well as Pilates on Monday from 9-10 and Saturdays from 10-11 to help with your fitness needs. Don't hesitate, you can sign up at ANY time! :)

Upcoming Events!

October 20, 2012-

Pioneer Days Parade

Those who would like to walk with the studio can. We will meet at 9 am at Oasis Elementary School. After the parade, students can be picked up at the County Building on Sun Valley drive (probably around 11:30am). Later that evening, we will be performing in front of the racquetball courts at Luckie Park from 5-6:30pm. We will wear Willow Tree Studios shirts and black pants or shorts (for both the parade and performance). There will be a rehearsal on Friday, October 19th at 7pm. We will run through the dances once and get the students out as quickly as we can but we want them to know their order of dancing. Shirts can be purchased at anytime, or you can wear the ones you currently have. Please try to purchase soon so we don't run out. They are $10 each.


November-

Chalk Fest near Luckie Park

We will be performing at the Annual Chalk Festival the first weekend of November. The exact times will be announced as we get closer. We will do the same routines as we performed for Pioneer Days, so no extra practice will be required.

Studio Core Beliefs (For All Classes)

• Peaceful, kind studio. No fighting and no bullying or negative comments about others. No fighting among students, staff, or parents. Many times the fighting comes from studios that compete for who is best or who gets a certain role, minimizing the ego and supporting the spirit is what makes our studio happy.
• Dance is an art form that speaks to the spirit, not the ego. This studio is aligned with beautiful dances that come from the heart. This studio is not about: who got first place; who is better than someone else; who can do more turns or tricks; who will win on some show (which is all up to fate and different pathways that anyone can take – not just who is the best). Dance performed on stage is a group effort (not individual). Our dance studio is designed to teach the love of dance and learning it for future use, i.e. scholarships to colleges, becoming a dance teacher, dance educator, or dance therapist.
• Support for everyone in the dance room. Applauding good effort for your dance friends/team when they accomplish a goal or gain in their dance technique
• A winning combination is 50/50. That means 50% teacher/choreographer and 50% dancer. We can train and give the movements and the dancer has to work hard, take it in, and create from that to present their talents. Never forget where you came from and who helped you get there. We put our heart in to each student and teach them with support  and that is an honor that should be recognized by the student.
• It has been said that people may not remember the dance moves, or the dance technique they learned, but they will always remember how it felt. We do not want dancers from our studio to look back when they are older and think that they hated dance class and how mean everyone was to them. We want dancers from our studio to feel proud and happy about their dance ability and to know that they were loved and cared for while they were learning the art of dance.
• It is important that the students that we teach remain humble. There is nothing worse than ego driven students that think they know everything and have nothing to learn or reach for. Being humble is wise in the dance world. There is always something to learn, something that can be done better, or something to do to bring your performance to a higher level. Anyone who is full of ego and thinking they can be better and do better than everyone else is sadly mistaken. The best dancers remain humble and true to their heart while constantly learning and growing.
• It is important that dancers from this studio are respectful: 1) to their teachers, 2) to each other, 3) to the dance form they are learning, i.e. ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop or lyrical honoring each dance form and the history of each and the famous role models for each, 4) to the studio and the space that is provided for learning.

What is Zumba?

"Zumba is the only Latin-inspired dance-fitness program that blends red-hot international music, created by Grammy Award- winning producers, and contagious steps to form a 'fitness party' that is downright addictive." www.zumba.com

In other words, Zumba is a fast-paced dance that helps you dance your way into shape! It's not easy, but definitely fun! Zumba challenges the core of the body as well as the lower body but also gives your entire body an intense workout.

Watch this video to give you a better idea on what Zumba is all about!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G1AkJ-97ng


Now, don't forget to come try out Zumba classes with our awesome Zumba instructor, Janet, either Tuesday from 10-11am or Wednesday from 11am-noon! Classes are $5 each or a $25 punch card which is good for 6 classes! See you there!

Instrument Packages!

Recorders-

$50 Package

Includes:

Recorder

Music Book (CD)

4 Lessons

Monday or Friday 1 Hour Lessons from 4-5pm

October you can bring a friend for 1 free class!

Instruments – Brass and Woodwinds

$175 Package

Includes:

1^st Month Rental Paid*

Music Book

4 Lessons

Monday or Friday 1 Hour Lessons from 5-6pm or 6-7pm

October you can bring a friend for 1 free class!

*Covers 1^st month instrument rental only, student is responsible for future monthly payments.

Free Piloxing and Zumba Class!

Not sure what Piloxing and Zumba are? We are offering 1 class of each type for FREE (yes, you read correctly). Wednesday September 12, 2012 we are offering Piloxing from 9am-10am and Zumba from 11am-Noon. This will give you a chance to see what all the craze is about for these two physically challenging classes as well as see what our studio and instructors have to offer! 

September Update

Happy September from Willow Tree Studios! We sincerely hope that you all enjoyed your holiday weekend. This month is full of many changes! With the addition of our 2nd studio room, we now have the opportunity to offer more classes!  Starting new this month are Mommy/Daddy & Me classes, music classes, as well as Spanish Technique Classes along with all of the regulars. Also being offered again is Zumba! Please let us know if there is something that we can help you with or if there is anything you would like to see offered in our studio. Because it is the beginning of the month, it is the PERFECT time to sign up for classes, remember to get started early as classes fill up quickly!

What is Piloxing?

Piloxing is an exciting and new cardio workout that combines the toning and aerobic conditioning of boxing, the muscle sculpting of Pilates, and the sensuality of dance. The workout itself is formatted into intervals to maximize calorie burn and improve cardiovascular health; almost guaranteed to whip you into shape. Sounds like fun, right? See for yourself!

 Join us Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday (or all 3 days) as certified instructor Amy will be teaching the art of Piloxing!


http://www.piloxing.com/

September Schedule

All of us here at Willow Tree Studios have been VERY busy! Starting in September, we will be offering Mommy/Daddy & Me classes, Spanish Technique classes, as well as beginning our music lessons! Not to mention, we are bringing Zumba back for only $5 a class or a $25 punch card (6 classes). Also, we are now offering Ballet and Lyrical on Saturdays! Let us know if there are any classes that you are interested in as space is limited and fills up quickly! Click the link below to see our schedule!
http://www.willowtreestudios29.com/styled-15/index.html

August Update!

Hello Everyone! Long time no update! The past few months here at Willow Tree Studios have been both busy and very exciting! During the course of the summer months, WTS has had their first performance, opened a 2nd studio room (located in the same building), and has opted to teach competition dance. With the start of school coming up (where did the summer go?), we have just finalized our September schedule. We are very excited to announce that we are now offering music classes. Currently offered are recorder, Jazz, Woodwinds, and private piano lessons. We are still looking for music instructors (including voice), so if you or anyone you know can play an instrument or sing and would be interested, please don't hesitate to send us your information!
Follow the link to meet our studio staff!
http://www.willowtreestudios29.com/styled-2/index.html
http://www.willowtreestudios29.com/styled-19/index.html

June Street Fair

Just some pictures to share the performance at the Twentynine Palms Street Fair that took place on June 2, 2012.

New Year

Hey everyone and welcome to 2012. Things are going great at the studio and we can't wait to meet all of you. Pre-registration will begin starting in February so we can get the class schedule finalized. We are still waiting on the floor, but that should be in by the middle of February, so all is well. We are adding some new instructors to our studio so keep checking back to see what different types of styles and classes they will be offering. As usual, we appreciate your support and we look forward to providing a new and fun place for members of the community to gather and express themselves. Also, for teenagers and adults it looks like we will be offering beginning and intermediate Tango/ Salsa so send us in your information so we can get those classes on the schedule.