Rev Up for Heroes & Donation Page!

What a fabulous school year this has been!  We have worked hard to keep your dancers thriving in their love of this art!

As you can remember from reading this past blog post, we are a non-profit performing arts studio.  With the help of donations we are able to continue to keep costs low. As the economy continues to make slow strides it makes it even harder for us to keep those costs to a bare minimum.  With the help of donors we can continue to push to keep lower tuition costs and continue to provide a family-friendly environment with a lot of "extras" too!

This past weekend we were happy to participate in the "Rev Up for Heroes" event that supported Operation Second Chance.  Not only do we want your support but we want the support for others.  We had a exciting and fun time with Mountainside Bar-T and all of the Car Show and Motorcycle families at the Urbana Fair Grounds!

Without the help of donor's we wouldn't be able to continue to participate in events like theses and build relationships with the community.  We created a donor page to honor those who have donated this year, as well as, to link to our donation page that make it easy to make a tax-deductible donation to our studio!

C.O.D.E. appreciates all of our donors and their families for their continued support!

Company Audition Requirements

Company auditions are right around the corner! Be sure to check out our requirement list for both Intermediate (0-2 years competition experience) and Advanced (3+ years competition experience) companies!

Auditions will be held Saturday, June 14th from 9am-1pm and Sunday, June 15th from 9am-3:30pm. Both days are required.

LEVEL I & II (Kindergarten & 1st-2nd Grade)

Audition requirements to be completed in class. See instructor for more information.

LEVEL III  (3rd-5th Grade)

Auditions for Level III: Saturday June 14th, 9am-11am & Sunday, June 15th, 9am-12pm

Level III Intermediate Company Requirements:
Level III Students auditioning for the Intermediate level must be able to complete:

•         Clean single pirouette R or L
•         Develope extensions R or L and hold (e.g.  tilt, front, side, or arabesque back position with or without hand)
•         Soute De Chat R or L
•         Correct 1st arabesque position R&L
•         Shoulder rolls
•         Multiple travelling turning combinations (chainé, piqué, soutenu, lame ducks)
•         Multiple leaping combination clean transitions
•         Multiple consecutive jumps (e.g. Changement, Echappé, Ring Leaps, Toe touches, Scissonés, etc.)
•         Calypso from Chainé turns R or L
•         Correct layback placement (with and without kick)
•         Clean transitions and landings

Level III Students auditioning for the Intermediate level must be able to understand:

•         Level changing choreography
•         The ability to interpret musicality
•         Moving with group correctly and seamlessly
•         Spatial Awareness
•         Basic knowledge of proper Ballet technique

BONUS POINTS:
·        Switch Leap R or L
·        Needle
·        Side Leap R or L
·        Chin Stands
·        Reverse Flowers/Over-the-head flowers
·        Walk overs
·        Handstands
·        Hand springs
·        Multiple pirouettes


Level III Advanced Company Requirements:
Level III Students auditioning for the Advanced level must be able to complete:

•         Clean single and double pirouette R or L
•         (at least) 2 Á La Seconde turns into single pirouette with correct landing
•         Develope extensions R&L and hold (e.g.  tilt, front, side, penchée or arabesque back position with or without hand)
•         Soute de Chat R and L
•         Correct 1st arabesque position R&L
•         Shoulder split rolls
•         Multiple stationary turning combinations with foot/leg position and arms
•         Multiple travelling turning combination (chainé, piqué, soutenu, lame ducks) with changing arms and directions
•         Multiple leaping combination with changing direction and leg placement with clean transitions
•         Multiple consecutive jumps (e.g. Changement, Ring Leaps, Toe touches, Scissonés, etc.)
•         Italian Fouettes
•         Switch Leap or Switch Scissoné R or L (R preferable)
•         Correct layback placement (with and without kick)
•         Clean transitions and landings

Level III Students auditioning for the Advanced level must be able to understand:

•         Level changing choreography
•         The ability to interpret musicality
•         Body fluidity with choreography
•         Moving with group correctly and seamlessly
•         Spatial Awareness

BONUS POINTS:
·        Needle
·        Extension Turns
·        Chin Stands
·        Reverse Flowers/Over-the-head flowers
·        Walk overs
·        Multiple pirouettes
·        Elbow Cartwheels
·        Hand springs
·        Arials

JUNIOR (6th-8th Grade)

Auditions for Junior: Saturday June 14th, 11am-1pm & Sunday, June 15th,12:30pm-3:30pm

Junior Intermediate Company Requirements:
Juniors auditioning for the Intermediate level must be able to complete:

• Clean single pirouette R&L
• Develope extensions R or L and hold (e.g.  tilt, front, side, or arabesque back position with or without hand)
• Soute De Chat R or L
• Correct 1st arabesque position R&L
• Shoulder rolls
• Multiple travelling turning combinations (chainé, piqué, soutenu, lame ducks) with changing arms
• Multiple leaping combination clean transitions
• Multiple consecutive jumps (e.g. Changement, Echappé, Ring Leaps, Toe touches, Scissonés, etc.)
• Calypso from Chainé turns R&L
• Correct layback placement (with and without kick)
• Clean transitions and landings

Juniors auditioning for the Intermediate level must be able to understand:

• Level changing choreography
• The ability to interpret musicality
• Moving with group correctly and seamlessly
• Spatial Awareness
• Basic knowledge of proper Ballet technique

BONUS POINTS:

• Switch Leap R or L
• Needle
• Side Leap R or L
• Chin Stands
• Reverse Flowers/Over-the-head flowers
• Walk overs
• Handstands
• Hand springs

Junior Advanced Company Requirements:
Juniors auditioning for the Advanced level must be able to complete:

•         Clean single and double pirouette R&L 
•         (at least) 8 Á La Seconde turns into double pirouette with correct landing
•         Develope extensions R&L and hold (e.g.  tilt, front, side, penchée or arabesque back position with or without hand)
•         Side leaps R or L
•         Correct 1st arabesque position R&L
•         Shoulder split rolls
•         Grand Cabriole Fouettée
•         Multiple stationary turning combinations with foot/leg position, arms, and speed
•         Multiple leaping combination with changing direction and leg placement with clean transitions
•         Multiple consecutive jumps (e.g. Changement, Entrechat Quatre, Ring Leaps, Toe touches, Scissonés, etc.)
•         Italian Fouettes
•         Switch Leap or Switch Scissoné R or L (R preferable)
•         Correct layback placement (with and without kick)
•         Clean transitions and landings

Juniors auditioning for the Advanced level must be able to understand:

•         Level changing choreography
•         The ability to interpret musicality
•         Body fluidity with choreography
•         Moving with group correctly and seamlessly
•         Contemporary concepts
•         Spatial Awareness

BONUS POINTS:

·        Needle
·        Extension Turns
·        Chin Stands
·        Reverse Flowers/Over-the-head flowers
·        Walk overs
·        Multiple pirouettes
·        Elbow Cartwheels
·        Hand springs
·        Arials

SENIOR (9th-12th Grade)

Auditions for Senior: Saturday June 14th, 11am-1pm & Sunday, June 15th,12:30pm-3:30pm

Senior Intermediate Company Requirements:
Seniors auditioning for the Intermediate level must be able to complete: 
      

•         Clean single & double pirouette R&L      
•        (at least) 4 Á La Seconde turns into single or double pirouette with correct landing
•         Develope extensions R&L and hold (e.g.  tilt, front, side, penchée or arabesque back position with or without hand)
•         Side leaps R or L
•         Switch Leaps R or L
•         Correct 1st arabesque position R&L
•         Shoulder split rolls
•         Multiple stationary turning combinations with changing foot/leg position and arms
•         Multiple leaping combination changing direction with clean transitions
•         Multiple consecutive jumps (e.g. Changement, Entrechat Quatre, Entrechat Six, Ring Leaps, Toe touches, Scissonés, etc.)
•         Calypso from Chainé turns R&L
•         Correct layback placement (with and without kick)
•         Clean transitions and landings

Seniors auditioning for the Intermediate level must be able to understand:

•         Level changing choreography        
•      The ability to interpret musicality
•         Body fluidity with choreography 
•         Moving with group correctly and seamlessly
•         Contemporary concepts
•         Spatial Awareness
•         Basic knowledge of proper Ballet technique

BONUS POINTS:

·        Switch Scissoné R or L
·        Needle
·        Extension Turns
·        Chin Stands
·        Reverse Flowers/Over-the-head flowers
·        Walk overs
·        Handstands
·        Elbow Cartwheels
·        Hand springs
·        Arials

Senior Advanced Company Requirements:
Seniors auditioning for the Advanced level must be able to complete:

• Clean single, double, triple pirouette R&L
• (at least) 8 Á La Seconde turns into double pirouette with correct landing
• Develope extensions R&L and hold (e.g.  tilt, front, side, penchée or arabesque back position with or without hand)
• Side leaps R or L
• Switch Leaps R or L
• Correct 1st arabesque position R&L
• Shoulder split rolls
• Ciseaux with and without Battu
• Grand Cabriole Fouettée
• Multiple stationary turning combinations with changing spot, foot/leg position, arms, and speed
• Multiple leaping combination with changing direction and leg placement with clean transitions
• Multiple consecutive jumps (e.g. Changement, Entrechat Quatre, Entrechat Six, Ring Leaps, Toe touches, Scissonés, etc.)
• Pop-outs from Chainé turns R (tilt or toe touch acceptable)
• Switch Scissoné R or L (R preferable)
• Correct layback placement (with and without kick)
• Clean transitions and landings

Seniors audition for the Advanced level must be able to understand:

• Level changing choreography
• The ability to interpret musicality
• Body fluidity with choreography
• Moving with group correctly and seamlessly
• Contemporary concepts
• Spatial Awareness

BONUS POINTS:

• Needle
• Extension Turns
• Chin Stands
• Reverse Flowers/Over-the-head flowers
• Walk overs
• Handstands
• Elbow Cartwheels
• Hand springs
• Arials
  

Happy "Tap Dance Day!"

National Tap Dance Day falls on May 25th of every year.  It's a salute to one of the best forms of dance ever created!  National Tap Dance day was brought forth to congress in 1989 and signed in to American Law by President George H.W. Bush in November of 1989.

So why the 25th? Well, it's in honor of Bojangles Robinson, who as a significant contributor to this art. Lets celebrate by tapping our way to every place we go today; especially while honoring our Heros!

How You Can Help!

 

It is so different from yesteryear when a 501 (c) (3) organizations such as SSSPA/CODE were able to place outreach flyers in teachers'  mail boxes for distribution to students. We are such an organization with a mission to keep costs down and provide an amazing environment to learn out dance and perform. Each county now has unique rules about information dissemination and requires almost a personal in-house understanding on how things can and are being done to get information to area kids and their families about us.

Since our visibility is limited due to our location, and we know we are one of the best and unique studios in the tri-county area, we need you NOW more than ever to let other people to know about us. Let them know about our dance programs from Toddler (Yaya) classes to our summer programs and fall program dance options. Encourage them to try out for our competition teams, and/or enjoy just taking class. We really want to share our studio with many others and have them become a part of our family too!

So here's how to help:

1. share, Share, SHARE - Share everything from our fliers to our Facebook posts and tweets.  If you haven't already, like our Facebook page here and share our posts.  The more shares we get the more exposure is out there, and our "location" viability will be a thing of the past!
2. See something, say something - If you see a child, teen, adult or anyone that needs to socialize or has that special something say something to them about us!  We can tell you many stories about our students that have thrived in our environment all because they gave us a chance.
3. Register early - Registering early gives us a better idea of how to manage class sizes.  The more information we have about our incoming students the better prepared we will be to ensure your student gets the most out of their class
4. Check-in - If you have a Facebook account, use the "check-in" feature to let your friends know you are here enjoying your child's love for dance
5. Send us your photos - We LOVE featuring ALL of our dancers!  Send us any photos you take from your child's class and we will make sure to publish it; whether it be on the website, instagram, twitter, or Facebook accounts

We appreciate ALL of our volunteers from the Moms & Dads to the Brothers & Sisters and all those in between.

Have a fabulous weekend and we will see you soon!

C.O.D.E. Company Makes the Local Newspaper!

The Cheryl O'Hara Dance Elite (C.O.D.E.) company team.

Cheryl O'Hara Dance Elite competitive dance team made it in the Mt. Airy Messenger this past Wednesday for their First Place, Platinum winning tribute to Sandy Hook at the Groove National Dance Competition!  Below is the write up! Congratulations girls!
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Local dance team takes home first place in Groove National Dance Competition
The Cheryl O’Hara Dance Elite (C.O.D.E.) company team recently competed in the Groove National Dance Competition in Huntington, MD. Their performance of “A Better Place – A Tribute to Sandy Hook”  received a Platinum Award and First Place in the Novice Large Group category. A moving performance that brought tears to the audience as well as a standing ovation.

SSSPA/C.O.D.E. is a family-oriented, 501(c)3 non-profit dance studio dedicated to the development of dance and performing arts. C.O.D.E.'s goal is to provide affordable opportunities for people of all ages and levels to participate and develop skills in all aspects of dance, theater and the arts. A sound  education in the arts contributes significantly to academic achievement in science, mathematics, social studies, language arts and other subjects; and assists the development of general cognitive skills, self-expression, discipline and confidence. C.O.D.E. is devoted to providing opportunities to participate in all aspects of performing arts. It offers professional level training in ballet, pre-pointe, pointe, lyrical, tap, acro, musical theater, voice, hip-hop and more. Additional offerings include the Competition Dance Teams, the Contretemps Ballet Corp, Apprentice Training Program, Special Needs Classes, and our Teacher In Training Program.

Registration for Summer and Fall classes are open, as well as tryouts for the competitive team are coming up soon! Please join us at Shining Stars School of Performing Arts/C.O.D.E., 11791 Fingerboard  Road #101, Monrovia, Maryland 21770, info@gossspa.com, 301-865-8788.

What are We? - Really

We always advertise that we are a 501 (3)(c) Non-Profit Dance Studio but, does anyone really know what that means?  If we asked people on the streets would they really know what that meant?

Well, we won't bore you with the logistics of what the definition of 501 (3)(c) Non-Profit is but we will tell you what it means for you:

1. Low Cost - Because we are non-profit everything we offer is at cost.  We don't jack up the prices so that we make a profit off of every little item you end up purchasing with the studio.  Most for-profit studio's have higher tuition rates, up the price of costumes anywhere from 25-75 percent of the actual cost the studio pays for them. Crazy right!  We know.  
2. Donations - Anytime you make a donation to our studio it is tax deductible.  That's right! Just like the donations you make to other charities whether it be monetary or actual items you can deduct any donation to our studio from your taxes
3. Creativity comes from within - Since we are non-profit we need to get creative without spending a whole lot of money.  This year one our our company costume accessories was made out of a Dixie bowl.  Yes, you read that right. A Dixie bowl covered in cloth.  What was it exactly?  A hat for our "flight attendant" tappers. We have the ability to pull out some of the best creativity in EVERY single one of our studio members.  Pulling talent from every angle!
4. Non-Profit doesn't mean low talent - Just because we are less expensive then the for profit studio's doesn't mean we lack in our ability to provide top notch education.  In fact, some would say we work harder because we have to keep the business growing.  Our own Company dancers took first place all around for a Tribute to Sandy Hook this past weekend at the Groove competition.  The ONLY platinum award in their category.  That is talent. That is hard work. That is AMAZING!

Summer is right around the corner and our new schedule will be released soon. We would love for you to stop by and see our studio in person. 

Toxic Hats made from Dixie Bowls

Until then enjoy this beautiful Spring!

GROOVE Dance Competition Results!

This past weekend the C.O.D.E. Company team members competed their second competition of the season in Huntingtown, Maryland at Mary Harrison Cultural Arts Center.  And we are proud of our results!  With one more competition to go we are working hard on improving our dances and producing stellar results!

GROOVE Dance Competition Results

Routine	Dancer(s)	Category	Results	Award	Overall Award	Specialty Award
Roxie	Abby Hiltke	Jazz Solo	Gold	2nd Place
B.E.P.	Caitlyn Peigh	Hip Hop Solo	Gold	1st Place
Down the Rabbit Hole	Alyssa Yammarino	Contemporary Solo	High Gold	1st Place
Zombie	Harper Lindsey	Contemporary Solo	Gold			Creativity Award
My Radio	Meghan Stokes	Hip Hop Solo	High Gold	1st Place
Wrecking Ball	Franny Sweeder-Gold	Contemporary Solo	Gold
Set Me On Fire	Shelby Hardy	Contemporary Solo	High Gold	1st Place
Maneater	Shelby Hardy	Contemporary Solo	Gold
Soon	Karly Fennington	Lyrical Solo	Gold	1st Place
All Nigh	Karly Fennington	Jazz Solo	Gold	3rd Place
Boogie Wonderland	Kaileigh Strewig	Hip Hop Solo	High Silver	1st Place
Click, Flash	Ashley Nash	Jazz Solo	Gold
Hey Little Girl	Shannon Duncan	Tap Solo	High Silver	3rd Place
Shut It Down	Kate Parker	Hip Hop Solo	Gold	1st Place		Enormous Energy Award
We Are Siamese	Karly Fennington & Ashley Nash	Lyrical Duo	Gold
Meant	Big Contemporary	Contemporary Small Group	High Gold	3rd Place
The Dance	Big Contemporary	Contemporary Small Group	High Gold
Why Don't You Love Me	Big Jazz	Jazz Small Group	High Gold	2nd Place
Dance at the Gym	Big Musical Theatre	Musical Theatre Small Group	High Gold	1st Place
The One	Big Hip Hop	Hip Hop Small Group	High Silver	3rd Place
Sisters	Big Contemporary	Contemporary Small Group	High Gold
Crazy In Love	Big Tap	Tap Small Group	High Silver
A Better Place - A Tribute to Sandy Hook	Big and Little Contemporary	Contemporary Small Group	PLATINUM	1st Place	1st Place (Junior & Novice)
Roar	Open	Open	High Gold	1st Place
Vogue	Little Hip Hop	Hip Hop Small Group	High Gold	2nd Place
I Enjoy Being A Girl	Little Musical Theatre	Musical Theatre Small Group	High Gold	1st Place
Run The World	Little Jazz	Jazz Small Group	High Gold	2nd Place
Light Em Up	Little Jazz	Jazz Small Group	Gold
Toxic	Little Tap	Tap Small Group	Gold