Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Magical Princess Camp

The last two weeks I have kept my mornings busy with Magical Princess Camp.  I was in charge and organized the whole thing (feels great by the way).  Every summer at Momentum Dance Center, we have summer camps and usually a fun ballet camp for ages 3-6.  It's kind of a way to introduce ballet to the little ones and they love it.
Since I was going to have two weeks of this camp, I took eight different Disney Princesses and built my camp off of them.  Each day I had a craft that went with the Princess.  It was a lot of preparation to get these crafts prepared, but I had a lot of fun doing them.  From there, I had to create a schedule of what we were doing during the camp.  I also created two different dances that they would perform to their parents on Thursday of each week.
Both weeks were a hit and the kids had a lot of fun which reflected great on me and my T/A's. The demonstrations went really well and the girls always love they get to wear their tutus and other crafts. I am really proud with what I accomplished and look forward to repeating the camp next year.

Here's the Princesses and Crafts that I did:

Ariel/Seashell Bracelet
Belle/Tutus
Sleeping Beauty/Banner
Pocahontas/sunflower
Mulan/lacy fan
Cinderella/tutu
Jasmine/Cave of Wonders Picture Frame
Snow White/crown

Some of my little Princess Girlies!  We made those Tutu's!

Sparky had to join me during craft time

Some crafts

Ariel's Bracelet

I made a Cave of Wonders Box which I kept the Princess of the Day and the crafts in there as a surprise.  The girls loved it!

Lacy Fan (made with wrapping paper)


A Dream Fulfilled- Performing at the Land of D

So I've been going to Disneyland since I was 4 months and yes, I am still obsessed with the place.  I honestly think it is so fun!  When I was little, I always told my family that I wanted to work there.       But as I got older, I didn't want to anymore because I thought it might kill how I feel about the place.  Performing while not working there has always been a goal and yes, I officially completed that goal.
My boss, Cathy, asked me if I wanted to do the Lollipop solo and I definitely agreed for the opportunity! Cathy worked at Disney years ago and still currently does guest choreography and Turtle Talk training.  She has some pretty good connections and Disney asked if we would perform two shows at Disney's California Adventure in honor of the grand re-opening of Buena Vista Street
at the Hollywood Backlot.
Friday July 20 was a hot humid day here in Southern California (felt like Florida).  Our first show was at 11:30 a.m. and went great.  I did my solo on flat because the floor was too slippery for pointe shoes (can't really use rosin at Disney).  I had a great time and loved every minute of it.  The second show was 12:30 p.m. and by this time the floor was extremely hot.  Two numbers before I was to go on again, the teenagers were flipping out because their feet were literally on fire. (I later found out the floor was 180 degrees Fahrenheit.) I was bummed, but it's better to keep every one safe.  At least I did one performance and had a blast living the dream!
After performing and getting ready to have fun, I found Laura and Patrice and we walked through Cars Land.  I hadn't had a chance to see it yet, and it was packed, but awesome to look at.  We stayed over at Disneyland the rest of the time because believe it or not the crowds were less there. :)

It's me!
A special thanks for Patrice for the picture!

Cars Land

The Matterhorn has been closed for 5 months so they could change the seating! Sad Day!

Pineapple Dole Whip Float!

Can't forget the Dinosaurs on the Train


The Wizard Of Oz

I know, I'm a month behind on my events for the blog.  Lots of stuff going on that I haven't had a spare moment to blog. So let's talk about the Recital/Wizard of Oz.
The Wizard of Oz officially came to a close on July 1st and I survived!  It was one crazy final week with lots of rehearsals and four incredible shows.  I had double duty of watching over my kids while they danced and also performing and yes, I think my mind was going crazy.
I am very proud of my 90 kids that I taught this last year.  I have seen so many of them grow and it's fun to watch them excited to perform.  They were so adorable as Munckins, the Lullaby Guild, Crows, and Emerald Gems.  I'm one proud mama!
I especially feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to perform again because it was something I needed to do for myself.    The last time I performed was in 2009 when I was in Repertory Ballet Ensemble at school and when I graduated, I just needed a break.  Dancing 8 hours a day, 5 times a week for 4 years was a lot on my body and mind.  But last year, I decided I was ready to give it a go again.  I really enjoyed being the Lollipop soloist because it was the hardest solo in the ballet. Plus, I was using it as a tool to inspire the kids I teach on what they could achieve one day. I also danced in the corps of the Tornado and Forest.
It was great to have Brett, my parents, and Brett's grandparents come and support me.  I always appreciate the support of my family and friends.  I was really excited to finally show Brett my ballerina skills and yes, he was quite impressed.  My parents who have been watching me dance since I was 6 thought I looked really professional.  That makes me happy to hear because in the 19 years that I have danced, I have put a lot of sweat and tears into what I love.  That's a life of a ballerina!
Glad to have life back to normal until next time!


One of my kidance classes.  They were Sleeping Beauty Ballerinas


Lollipop (Picture Day)



I got this Momentum sweatshirt from my boss and I love it!

Some live action shots!