The Voice School teaching ”Year” runs from approx.early February to mid Dec. We have 4 Terms of around 10 weeks roughly following the School Terms. We meet at Liberty Christian Church on a Monday night with class times as follows: Junior groups - Blue, Maroon,Green, Yellow(age 4 – 12yrs)  6-7pm                                             Junior groups – Aqua, Orange (age 10 – 14 yrs) 6 – 8pm Senior groups – Purple, Red training, Red, Senior Boys & Drama team  (age14 – 24yrs)  6 – 9pm AIMS OF THE SCHOOL The school teaching programme aims to provide students with the skills necessary for performancedance.                                                                                                                                          Juniors are taught basic dance skills as well as being encouraged to express themselves freely in dance.Senior classes work primarily towards production performances.  Dances and dramas for upcoming performances are practised and perfected. Occasionally drama tuition is available for junior classes but this is dependent on the availability of our drama tutor Terry Harold who is primarily focused on directing the drama for the senior production team. VOICE DANCE STYLE Voice dance has a unique style born out of the sport of rhythmic gymnastics of which Eileen the director is a coach.  As the team has developed students of dance have joined the team bringing with them other dance disciplines such as ballet, jazz and hip hop.  These have been incorporated into our dance repertoire while maintaining our original style.  We continue to expand our repertoire of movement and have now included artistic gymnastics, contemporary and ceroc dancing.  This year we hope to expand to include some forms of trapeze. Our performances include working with various apparatus such as rhythmic gymnastic ribbons, flags, chiffons (lengths of fabric), swords, hoops and candles. ABILITY BASED CLASSES Classes for junior children are ability based rather than age based.  Students are assessed by their teacher and the school director at the end of every term and moved to a more appropriate class if and when necessary. It is not unusual for a junior student to remain in the same class for up to 3 years.  At this stage they gather the foundational skills required to be part of the senior performing team and each child will progress at their own pace.  Some students will naturally progress faster than others especially when they are receiving dance classes outside of Voice dance. JUNIOR PRODUCTIONS Junior students will perform in a JUNIOR PRODUCTION once a year. This production has traditionally taken place during the third term.   At this time each class will present their own dance as part of the storyline and there are often opportunities for children to have solo roles in dances and drama.  These parts are usually auditioned. There is also usually opportunity for the junior classes to perform in the Christmas production. SETTING A STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE Voice Production Company have a reputation of performing with excellence and we endeavour to aim for this standard in all age groups.  While we do not follow an exam syllabus we do encourage the students to work to the best of their ability, achieving the highest possible standard for their age and stage. In order to achieve this children are expected to attend a couple of extra classes before their production performances CLASS DETAILS Our first class begins at 6pm on Monday 11th February.  We will as usual be at Liberty Christian Church in Avondale and we will meet together in the auditorium before the children are introduced to their teachers and shown their teaching area. The first Thursday class for seniors begins on Thurs 14th February and will be held at North West Baptist.  Senior boys are invited to come to this class for term one but must commit to attend regularly and be prepared to work very hard on body strength and fitness work. FEES Class fees remain the same as last year and are as follows: One child  $65 Two children in same family $100 Three or more children in same family $130 Please make sure your fees are paid by week 2 as there will be an additional late fee penalty of **$10 per child payable  if fees are paid after week 2. **We are as always reluctant to have to apply this rule but we have overhead costs which must be covered each term for rental of church facilities & storage of costumes as well as running costs for lighting and making of costumes for productions. EXTRA COSTUME FEE FOR  SENIORS                                                                                            Red, Red training & Senior boys have a costume fee of $20 for this term. Please pay this when you pay your fees. CLASS RULES All students are asked to respect the teacher in charge of their class.  If you would like time to chat with your friend(s) plan to meet them before class begins so that you are ready to concentrate solely on the work of dance. CORRECT GEAR FOR CLASS Please make sure your child  is wearing the correct clothing for class.  Juniors should wear comfortable shorts and a t.shirt which covers their stomach area.  Please no skirts.  No shoes are required for class as the children work in bare feet. Seniors please make sure you wear shorts for the summer season (yes you too boys!).  For teaching purposes girls shorts should be above the knee in length.  Girls please ensure your tops are modest, always covering the bust and stomach area. Eileen has purchased some very unlovely tops & shorts to be lent out to students (guys and girls)  who do not wear the correct gear!   THE NO TOUCHING RULE! Just a reminder that during class times or anytime you are representing “Voice Ministry” that boys and girls are not to hug each other.  Also boys and girls should not pair off and move away from the main group.  Thanks HAIR STYLES Please come to class with your hair tied up if it is long.  It must not be hanging in your face or in your eyes.  This may mean you wear a number of hair clips to ensure it stays that way throughout the class. Please do not depend on others to supply hair clips etc but arrive ready to start class with your hair already meeting the above requirements. LONG EARRINGS Please do not wear long dangly earrings to class. We are not being mean but safety conscious.  Dancers have been known to have their ear lobes torn by someone accidentally pulling on a dangling earring.