WORLD DANCE MOVEMENT LAUNCHES AN INTERNATIONAL DANCE COMPETITION AT THEIR ITALY EVENT. / IL WDM LANCIA UN CONCORSO DI DANZA IN ITALIA.

*SCROLLA IN BASSO PER LEGGERE IN ITALIANO*

Imagine spending your summer in paradise, surrounded by dancers from nearly 25 different countries and getting individual training from the industry’s top choreographers. This is what World Dance Movement strives to bring to dancers all over the world. This summer, a brand new International Dance Competition will enhance their signature event, in Castellana Grotte (BA), Italy, one of the most beautiful towns in Apulia!

Read the Competition Regulations & Rules.

Download the Registration Form.

Students from around the world will compete for the chance to be noticed by a world-renowned panel of judges and to win amazing prizes. Besides several cash prizes, The World Dance Movement International Dance Competition (July 13) will award prestigious scholarships for international dance studios such as Broadway Dance Center (NYC), Peridance Capezio Center (NYC) and Studio Harmonic (Paris) as well as for Complexions Contemporary Ballet‘s Summer Workshop co-directed by dance superstar Desmond Richardson, who will also teach at WDM Italy.

World Dance Movement began with an idea to give dancers around the world a forum through which they can learn from and inspire each other both artistically and culturally.  World Dance Movement – The International Workshop – builds connections between dance and diverse cultures that inspire and transform dancers around the world. Our focus is to present dancers with an opportunity where they receive one-on-one training and attention in a noncompetitive atmosphere. The curriculum challenges dancers of all levels through a comprehensive study-vacation model.

Desmond Richardson  & Francesca Dario – WDM Italy Gala Performance

“I wanted to bring together all the dancers and cultures I had worked with all over the world under one umbrella,” said Michèle Assaf, Founder and Artistic Director – World Dance Movement.  “I was so inspired when I traveled to different countries and was able to see the way dancers trained, the class etiquette, the passion each one had. The idea to create World Dance Movement was to allow them all to share their artistry with each other.”

 “’World Dance Movement’ is just that, master teachers and dancers from all over the world, uniting through dance and collectively learning from one another. It is an experience not to be missed, an opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and learn about different cultures and investing oneself for ultimate growth,” says Desmond Richardson, Co-Founder/Artistic Director of Complexions Ballet & WDM faculty member

“Forget the super-crowded hotel-based conventions and come to World Dance Movement,” says Belinda Wagner, WDM Parent.  “Super fabulous dancing, fun socializing with dancers and choreographers from all over the world, scenic towns and beaches, and of course… gelati and other delicious delicacies at the signature event in Italy!”

Registration for 2013 World Dance Movement Italy is open now at www.WDMItaly.com. Next year’s events include WDM Spain (April 13-18, 2014), WDM Switzerland (April 22-27, 2014) and WDM Italy (July 6-27, 2014). Other beautiful national and international locations will be announced in the near future. Stay tuned for more information.

About World Dance Movement

World Dance Movement – The International Workshop – builds connections between dance and diverse cultures that inspire and transform dancers around the world. Our focus is to present dancers with an opportunity where they receive one-on-one training and attention in a noncompetitive atmosphere. The curriculum challenges dancers of all levels through a comprehensive study-vacation model.

For more information about the workshop visit www.WorldDanceMovement.com

For more information about the World Dance Movement International Dance Competition visit www.WDMCompetition.com

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Immagina di trascorrere la tua estate in un paradiso della danza. Ballerini di circa 25 nazionalità, i più grandi coreografi del panorama internazionale, attenzione individuale per ciascun allievo. Tutto nella paradisiaca cornice di Castellana Grotte, in provincia di Bari. Quest’anno un nuovissimo Concorso Internazionale di Danza arricchirà l’evento del World Dance Movement Italia!

Leggi il Regolamento.

Scarica il Modulo di Registrazione.

Studenti da tutto il mondo competeranno per essere notati da una giuria famosa a livello internazionale e per avere la possibilità di vincere importanti premi. Oltre a diversi prezzi in denaro, la World Dance Movement International Dance Competition (13 Luglio) assegnerà prestigiose borse di studio per scuole di danza internazionali come il Broadway Dance Center (NYC), Peridance Capezio Center (NYC),  Studio Harmonic (Paris) ed anche per il Complexions Contemporary Ballet‘s Summer Workshop co-diretto dalla superstar della danza Desmond Richardson, il quale insegnerà anche al WDM Italia.

Desmond Richardson  & Stacey Tookey with Scholarship Winner Valeria Marangelli

Nato con l’obiettivo di creare un’occasione di contatto per i ballerini di tutto il mondo, il World Dance Movement si è caratterizzato sin dall’inizio per l’attenzione individuale riservata a ciascun allievo, per l’atmosfera non competitiva ma di altissimo livello professionale, per lo scambio costante tra tutti i partecipanti non solo sul fronte della danza ma anche a livello culturale. Perché la creazione di un legame tra la danza e le molteplici culture che confluiscono nel WDM ispira e trasforma i ballerini, rendendoli professionisti migliori, più sensibili e consapevoli.

“Volevo unire tutti i ballerini e culture con i quali avevo lavorato in giro per il mondo – spiega Michele Assaf – Ero così ispirata quando viaggiavo in paesi diversi e avevo la possibilità di vedere come i ballerini studiavano, si comportavano in sala e la passione che ognuno di loro aveva. L’idea di creare il World Dance Movement è venuta dal desiderio di permettere a tutti i ballerini di condividere le loro abilità artistiche con gli altri”.  

“Il ‘World Dance Movement’ è semplicemente questo – aggiunge  Desmond Richardson, Co-­‐fondatore, direttore Artistico del Complexions Contemporary Ballet ed insegnate del WDM – grandi insegnanti e ballerini provenienti da ogni parte del mondo che imparano uno dall’altro, uniti dalla danza. È un’esperienza da non perdere, un’opportunità per fare qualcosa in più e conoscere culture diverse investendo nella propria crescita professionale”.

Le iscrizioni per il World Dance Movement Italia 2013 sono aperte, visita il sito www.WDMItaly.com. Gli eventi del prossimo anno includono il WDM Spagna (13-18 Aprile, 2014), WDM Svizzera (22-27 Aprile, 2014) e WDM Italia (6-27 Luglio, 2014). A breve annunceremo altre bellissime mete internazionali. Stay tuned per maggiori informazioni.

Per maggiori informazioni sullo stage visita www.WorldDanceMovement.com

Per maggiori informazioni sul Concorso (World Dance Movement International Dance Competition) visita www.WDMCompetition.com

Intervista con Federica Angelozzi e Sabatino D’Eustacchio (Interview with Federica Angelozzi and Sabatino D’Eustacchio)

*** PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ENGLISH***

Ecco la nostra nuova bellissima intervista fatta agli insegnanti del World Dance Movement, Federica Angelozzi e Sabatino D’Eustacchio.

Federica, cosa ha rappresento il World Dance Movement per te come insegnante di danza ed artista?
Federcia: È un grande onore per me poter insegnare quella che è la nostra espressione della danza al World Dance Movement. Avere la possibilità
 di interagire, conoscere e coreografare ballerini provenienti da tutto 
il mondo non capita tutti i giorni, ma grazie a Michèle Assaf questo è 
possibile e vi assicuro che è un’esperienza unica. Per me e Sabatino 
vivere il WDM è un momento di puro sfogo professionale. Una fonte
 d’ispirazione e possibilità di studio con i più grandi insegnanti
internazionali.

Sabatino, quali opportunità ti ha offerto il World Dance Movement?
Sabatino:  Il World Dance Movement è stata la mia e nostra grande opportunità. Nell’anno in cui ho conosciuto Michèle mi sono reso subito conto che a lei non interessasse quanta fama o quanti danzatori potesse attirare il nostro nome. A lei interessava la nostra professionalità e il nostro linguaggio coreografico ed è così che il WDM è diventato la mia seconda famiglia. 
Negli anni questo evento è diventato il ritrovo di ballerini provenienti da tutto il mondo, ditemi voi se questa non è opportunità anche per me?! 🙂

Federica, cosa differenzia il WDM da altri stage italiani?
Federica: Il WDM non è uno stage e questa è la differenza! l WDM è una 
famiglia! Ti accoglie, ti cresce e ti matura sia professionalmente che
 umanamente. Crea il contatto umano tra l’insegnate e il ballerino, da’ 
la possibilità di vivere 24 su 24 la passione che unisce tutte le
 persone che arrivano al WDM. Si parla di rapporti umani veri, di
 lezioni fantastiche, di creazioni coreografiche, di spettacolo, di 
risate, di serenità. Chi viene sa che quando il WDM arriva alla
 giornata di fine evento è come se si cadesse in una crisi d’astinenza
 e si è subito pronti ad aspettare e desiderare l’anno successivo.
 Finalmente il WDM sta crescendo e ci sono varie tappe in giro per il  mondo, 
così da non dover attendere un anno intero!

Federica e Sabatino, siete contenti del nuovo concorso internazionale di danza del WDM? Cosa vi aspettate?
Federica e Sabatino: Finalmente!!! Si!!! lo aspettavamo da tanto! Sarà una grande novità
 e crediamo che arriveranno davvero dei forti talenti in questo
 concorso! Abbiamo grandi aspettative! Noi se avessimo avuto questa 
possibilità ai nostri tempi non avremmo esitato a partecipare! Ci
 sarà un grande giuria internazionale che non capita tutti i giorni di
 trovare nei concorsi in italia c’è possibilità di essere visionati e di
 poter vincere borse di studio in tutto il mondo che per un ballerino
 significa una grande opportunità di crescita professionale e per 
potersi far conoscere! Quasi quasi partecipiamo anche noi!!!! 🙂

Federica e Sabatino, come descrivereste gli insegnanti, le lezioni, e gli studenti del WDM?
Federica e Sabatino: Un’ unica parola può racchiudere la qualità e il livello che 
caratterizza lo staff, insegnati, le lezioni e gli studenti: UNICI.
 Come Abbiamo detto più volte prima, si parla di un livello altissimo 
di professionalità a 360°. Pensare di poter studiare con coreografi
 che sogni da una vita e avere la possibilità di danzare una loro
 coreografia a fine evento è un sogno che i ballerini italiani non
 possono non vivere!!!!!!

Per maggiori informazioni su World Dance Movement – The  International Workshop potete visitare il nostro sito.

***ENGLISH***

Here is our new beautiful interview with World Dance Movement faculty members Federica Angelozzi and Sabatino D’Eustacchio.

Federica, what has World Dance Movement represented for you as a dance teacher and an artist?
Federica: It’s a big honor for me to be able to teach my personal expression of dance at World Dance Movement. It doesn’t happen every day that you are able to interact, get to know and work with dancers from all over the World. Thanks to Michèle Assaf, this is possible and I guarantee you it’s a unique experience. For Sabatino and I, WDM is a pure professional outlet. An inspiration source that gives you the possibility to study with some of the best international dance teachers in the industry.

Sabatino, what kind of opportunities has World Dance Movement offered you?
Sabatino: World Dance Movement has been our best opportunity. When I met Michèle, I immediately realized that she didn’t care how famous we were or how many dancers our names could bring to the event. She cared about our professionalism and our choreographic language and that’s how WDM has become my second family. Throughout the years, this event has become the favorite of dancers coming from all over the world.

Federica, what makes World Dance Movement different from other dance workshops in Italy?
WDM is not a workshop, this is the difference! WDM is a family! It greets you, it helps you to grow and mature both at a professional and personal level. It creates a human contact between the teacher and the student, and it gives you the possibility to live your passion for dance 24/7 – that’s what connects all the people who come to WDM. We are talking about real personal relationships, beautiful dance classes and choreography, shows, laughs and serenity. Those who come to WDM know very well that when the last day arrives, everyone is sad to leave.  You are immediately ready to wait for and desire the following year. We are so happy WDM is growing, and that there are other events around the world so WDM dancers don’t have to wait a full year!

Federica and  Sabatino, are you excited about the new WDM competition this year?
YES!!!!! We have been waiting for it for a long time! It will be huge news and we think a lot of talent from around the world will come to compete at this competition! We are expecting a lot from this competition! If we had the possibility to participate in this competition when we were younger we would have definitely done it! There will be an amazing group of judges that is not easy to find in Italian competitions. Students will have the chance to be observed and win international scholarships – this is a priceless opportunity to grow professionally and to be known by important choreographers. We are almost tempted to participate! 🙂

Federica and  Sabatino, how would you describe the faculty, classes, students at WDM?
Only one word can describe the quality and the level that characterize WDM staff, faculty, classes and students: UNIQUE.
 As we said before, we are talking about a very high level of professionalism that manifests at 360 degrees. Imagine studying with choreographers that you’ve been dreaming about for a lifetime, and have the possibility to perform their pieces at the end of the event. This is a dream dancers can’t miss!!!

For more info about World Dance Movement – The International Workshop, please visit our website.

Jackrabbit Dance: A Useful Tool For Dance Studio Owners.

Jackrabbit Dance is a Web-based dance studio software featuring online registration, billing, recital & costume management.

Since several of our followers are dance studio owners, we thought it could be useful to provide you with some information about a tool that is conceived to make your  dance studio management an easier task. If you’re a dance student you can always share this with your teacher to help them run their studio smoothly and efficiently.

We had a few questions about Jackrabbit. During one their conferences, they had 3 of their clients answer them to  share their first-hand experience with us. Enjoy and share your opinion by leaving a comment below!

Jackrabbit users:

Mandy Moore – Make Your Move Performing Arts – Opelika, AL

Pam Scheuerman – Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance – Alpharetta, GA

Brandy Wix – CD Danceworks – Acworth, GA

Tezoro: How is Jackrabbit Dance different than other web-based dance studio software?

 Jackrabbit users: One client had purchased pc-based dance management software (Dance Manager) previously and didn’t even use it because it was so un-engaging and difficult to understand. The web-based platform Jackabbit offers is awesome for each client we talked to. And Jackrabbit offers so many features that you can do everything you need to do with it. Even those who aren’ computer savvy find it easy to use.

It is great that Studio Autopay integrates with Jackrabbit and can be updated by parents through the portal. It is also a great benefit that Jackrabbit’s integration with Quick Books is easy.

Unlike other programs, Jackrabbit is something that is so easy even a child could use it. This program actually allows owners/managers to offload work to employees without feeling like it will not be done correctly. Jackrabbit is also more client-friendly for the studio. Billing is better in Jackrabbit than in the pc-based software previously mentioned.

The level of customer service it provides sets Jackrabbit’s software apart.

Online registration eliminates ANY process that might require a line in the dance studio. Jackrabbit provides parents registering online an immediate indication of class availability so they can make better, quicker decisions. The studio can keep students from registering in the wrong classes with Jackrabbit registration capabilities.

Jackrabbit is self-serve for the studio client. Parents enter info during online registration and through portal so they are responsible for its accuracy. Because of Jackrabbit, studio data entry time is cut WAY down.

Jackrabbit comment:

Jackrabbit gives clients a robust system that is more managed and protected than any pc-based system individual studios own. The performance of Jackrabbit’s system surpasses that of other web-based dance management systems. Jackrabbit updates and enhances its features and framework more often than its competitors in any of the class-based system categories.

Tezoro: What are the benefits of using Jackrabbit Dance?

Jackrabbit users:

Jackrabbit is…

• Easy to use – even for less technology savvy
• All your info is in one system
• Online registration is an awesome feature that is easy and sets the studio apart from those down the street
• Staff/human resources are more productive – they can concentrate on more valuable things than figuring out bills
• Saves time and money – automated processes take a load off employees
• Saves lots of phone time answering questions because parents look at account online
• Online registration gives us ultimate control – lets studio decide which classes to expose to which clients
• Online registration is real time. System immediately indicates registrations so parents know when going through the process exactly which classes are available
• It is self-serve for parents
• Studio can be completely paperless.

Jackrabbit comment:

Jackrabbit gives clients a level of confidence in their system that they have not been able to enjoy with other systems. There is no worry about whether the system will go down or whether their data is accurate and safe. Jackrabbit totally takes the worry of systems and data away and enables owners and managers to do everything they need to be able to do to run and grow their studios.

Tezoro: What are the most common mistakes made in managing a dance studio?

Jackrabbit users:

• Not contacting clients in a timely manner (immediate response on all topics)
• Failing to set up business systems and follow-thru with them
• They think they are going to make lots of money 🙂 🙂 🙂
• They don’t LOVE their students but treat them like a business unit
• Don’t get someone with a business sense to manage the business
• Not being consistent and sticking to their policies (making exceptions)
• Letting parents control their studios
• Failing to collect tuition (more difficult with traditional process)
• How has technology changed the way dance studios are run and marketed?
• According to one Jackrabbit client, technology has enabled dance studios to STAY
• in business. Technology makes running and marketing the business easier and cheaper (especially in marketing because you can use the Internet, email marketing and social media and stop paying for print advertising/yellow pages!!)
• Owners/mangers can be more creative and give back to students instead of chasing bills and registrations because processes like tuition collection happens at the touch of a button.
• Everything can now be electronic – even all of the studio music is on ipods.

Jackrabbit comment:

Jackrabbit unleashes not only managers and owners, but all of those working in the studio, from their desks and minimizes the time they need to spend with their faces in their computer screen. It is flexible – allowing iPads to be used for attendance and skills tracking. And mobile – allowing work to be done from anywhere there is Internet connectivity within any part of the system in real time. Owners can check key numbers even if they are away at a conference – or on vacation – and address any concern immediately (or prevent a blip from turning into a major issue).

 Get a FREE Trial of Jackrabbit here –> http://www.JackrabbitDance.com/freetrial.asp

New Media Has Changed The Way to Market Dance Studios.

We had an amazing interview with Suzanne Gerety, owner of DanceStudioOwner.com, an amazing resource for those of you who own a dance studio.

We hope you enjoy! Make sure to read until the end for some useful tips Suzanne shared with us…

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What is DanceStudioOwner.com and how did you come up with this idea?

DanceStudioOwner.com is a comprehensive resource and membership site with information on everything related to starting, running, or growing your dance studio business.  We like to think of it as having your own personal advisory team at your fingertips 24/7.

As for how we came up with the idea… as the daughter of and now the second-generation owner of a large performing arts school in Southern New Hampshire – my entire life has been focused on the dance studio.

The idea for DanceStudioOwner.com came when my son was a newborn; it wasn’t easy – in fact it was nearly impossible, to leave the studio or travel to a big city for a live event to meet face to face with other business owners and dance colleagues.  Determined not have to navigate this business alone if something were to happen to my mom suddenly, we decided to create a place where dance studio owners were able to collaborate no matter where they were in the world.  It was especially important because this is an industry that can be lonely and at times the competition fierce.

Everything we work on with our members is relevant to studio ownership today and it’s based on tried-and-true experience from having over thirty five years of consistent growth in the face of changing trends, personal losses, studio splits, and economic ups and downs. Kathy Blake, my mom and co-founder and I are actively running our own studio of over 900 dancers, 25 faculty and staff, on a day-to-day basis as well so we can relate to and help our members with managing the million details it takes to keep your studio thriving.

Our members often say that they don’t know what they would do without the personal support they receive from us and the other successful studio owners on our discussion forum.  We do everything we can to help our members leverage their unique gifts and talents and expertise.   This is a very personal business – dance studio ownership – one size does not fit all.

Ultimately our focus is in giving our members and readers information that not only saves them time and money but also contributes to growth in their business both financially and artistically.  In a business where it’s easy to burn out, we help people keep their passion for dance alive as they grow their studio.

DanceStudioOwner.com would have never been possible without the use of new media. How do you think new media has changed the dance world and what do you think we should expect in the near future?

I’d say that new media has had a big impact on the ways that dance studios and schools market their classes and programs.  It used to be that you could print a nice looking brochure, send it to your mailing list, wait for the phone to ring and people would call to register. Or you could run an ad in the local paper and people would know you were open for classes. There were a few direct paths for people to follow.

Now we have online registration, automated billing, instant website updates, social media interactions, video sharing/critique from our teachers, email groups for communicating, text messaging, automated messaging, and much more.  Students and parents are taking their good…and at times bad reviews to sites like Google, Yelp, and Merchant Circle.  New media calls us to focus on customer service now both offline and online.  Compound that with mobile check ins on Foursquare or photo and location tagging on Facebook; there are so many places that people can go to get and share information.

Not only do the dance studio owners have many, many more marketing channels to communicate with current and potential students, they have to learn how to compete against the information overload to keep their business running and growing.

Would you like to provide a quick tip for the studio owners reading our blog?

Whether your studio focuses on ballet, Middle Eastern dance, classes for adults, ballroom, musical theatre, Irish step, dance fitness, or general performing arts – we all need students in order to stay in business.  Although the dance disciplines, teaching methods, and personal student concerns can vary widely, I find that each studio owner has a lot in common with one another when it comes to starting, running and growing their studio.

But just like in dance, it’s important to practice the fundamentals consistently over time.  Try not to get overwhelmed by having to do everything all at once or get trapped in feast or famine marketing attempts.  Focus have a professional looking website that is updated regularly with your schedule, make it easy for people to do business with you, use feedback as an opportunity to grow.

William Faulkner said it best “Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Don’t bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.”

Do you have a question for Suzanne? Post a comment below this article.