Busy, Busy, BUSY

July has been such a crazy busy month. We kicked the month off with a strong showing in Summer classes. With over 30 classes running this Summer, everyone has been keeping busy just with that schedule alone.

The second week of July we spent sweating away at our booth at the Buchanan County Fair. With hundreds of people visiting the fair, we were able to promote our program in the Independence area. We had a drawing during the fair for one free month of classes and the lucky winner of our drawing was Karen Priebe. Congratulations Karen and we look forward to having you in class!!


We revisited the drama involved with the 2008 flooding at out Independence location. We nervously watched as the Wapsipinicon River crept ever closer to the studio. We did sandbag but luckily the river didn't get us as we only got a little water in the basement but not enough to cause problems.

We have added many new classes to our schedule for the Fall. Due to overwhelming demand, we have had to add sections of our Creative Movement classes, and our 7-9 year old Ballet/Tap and Modern/Jazz classes. We have already added new sections of Pre-Ballet but may be adding more to all locations. We have added a new class for all those fitness fanatics out there. Fusion Fitness will take place Monday and Thursday nights in Cedar Falls and will work on circuit training, interval training, strength training, aerobic exercise and flexibility while visiting such styles as Afro Dance, Kickboxing, Capoeira and Yoga.


We are finishing up the last day of the month with our Baton Camp. Student's from all locations have come to take part in the fun day. Ms. Emily, featured twirler at ISU, joined us for the day teaching all the twirlers new tricks and a routine just for the parents. The students enjoyed playing games and perfecting their skills during the six-hour camp.

On a lighter note, I would like to share with you a new invention underway at Kinetic Energy. One of our 5-year-olds is working on a product called "sticky underwear". Yes, that's right. It took a 5-year-old to come up with the idea to make "sticky underwear" that sticks to your leotard so your underwear does not hang out of your leotard legs. Although this will help overcome to growing fad amongst the younger students, we have also decided "sticky underwear" may not be the best name for the product! A work in progress!!

Rolling Through July!

Wow! July is half over and I can't even figure out where it went. We are well into our second week of summer classes and keeping busy with many outside activities.


On July 3rd we took part in the 150th year of the Independence 4th of July parade. We had a very full float of dancers for the parade. This year we were very lucky to have beautiful weather for the parade (unlike last year when it poured the entire parade) which also led to record numbers of people watching the parade. The students had fun throwing candy and waving at their friends and family...but also enjoyed petting the horse prior to the parade as we waited to move.



This past weekend I had the pleasure of judging the Jesup Farmer's Day Bill Riley Talent Show. There were approximately 20 performers ranging in age from 5 to 18. There were performers who did gymnastics, dance, sang, and played musical instruments. The winners for the junior division was a group of four girls dressed as characters from the Wizard of Oz who performed a dance/gymnastics routine. The winner of the senior division was a vocalist who sang a French opera song. The competition was a great display of talent in Northeast Iowa.


This week began our second full week of summer classes. Our first round of Prince and Princess Camps started this morning with nine young dancers pretending to be Snow White, Cinderella, Belle and many more of their favorite princesses! We are also excited to have our 2008 graduate Ms. Nicole with us all summer teaching a weekly jazz class and an improv camp later this summer. If summer continues like the last two weeks, it's going to be a sensational summer!