"Dance Up" Spring 2010 - The Newsletter of The Wooden Floor

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Providing Hope and Opportunity Through Dance, Academic and Family Programs

spring 2010

danceup MELANIE RÍOS GLASER, EXECUTIVE AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

The Wooden Floor from here you can step

in the first person: Kathy Avila, age 17 I first heard about The Wooden Floor through a friend when I was 9 years old. I was an active kid and loved sports so I looked at dance as just something to try, even though I wasn’t a fan of ballet. My parents didn’t have extra money for activities like this and I was able to attend for free. Little did I know how this decision would affect my life. I made a lot of friends, went to summer camps, and had opportunities to perform. I remember when I was little and in my first concert. Melanie gave us nicknames and my group, the youngest dancers, were called the “Pop Tarts.” Even now, she sometimes calls me her Pop Tart, even though I’m not so little anymore. The Wooden Floor was my home away from home. But everything changed when I was in the 5th grade. My parents went through a divorce and my sister and I went to live with my grandma. My parents were fighting and I didn’t have a good relationship with my dad. I was angry and started acting out and by the 6th grade I was suspended and almost kicked out of school. I was hanging around the wrong people. I had lost hope, didn’t care that I was failing school and I wanted to drop out of The Wooden Floor. My mom pleaded with me and told me, “This is a place that can help you. I

anywhere

Previously known as Saint Joseph Ballet

don’t have the resources.” With the encouragement of the staff and my mom, I started meeting with Teresa in Family Services. Those counseling sessions went on for 3 years. I knew I could go to Teresa if I needed to talk, and Melanie and the staff never gave up on me. I started receiving tutoring in the Education Center and was able to bring my grades up. I even signed up for some college prep classes at The Wooden Floor. I was on the wrong path and The Wooden Floor helped me find my way. Through all of this, dance was a constant in my life. Expressing myself on the dance floor and making something beautiful was something I could accomplish with hard work and discipline. It was an outlet for me and got me thinking about other goals for my life. Great news came two weeks ago. I have been accepted to Humboldt State and Cal State East Bay and I’m still waiting to hear from two more colleges. My parents are very proud. I will be the first in my family, on both sides, to attend college. And I am a role model for my little sister, who is also at The Wooden Floor. One day, she will go from being a “Pop Tart” to being the second in our family to attend college.

Saturday April 24, 10:30am

Thursday June 3 – Saturday, June 5

“Inside the Studio”

Graduates’ Brunch

27th Annual Concert

A captivating look at how our esteemed choreographers and spirited young dancers approach their art-making collaboration for The Wooden Floor’s Annual Concert. Please RSVP to Kelly at 714.541.8314 Ext. 140.

Join the Neighbors giving group for one of the most heartwarming events of the year. Show the Class of 2010 that their community is behind them as they share their hopes for where they will go from here. Please RSVP to Ellen at 714.541.8314 Ext. 124.

Choreographers Mark Haim, Melanie Ríos Glaser and Nami Yamamoto restage the sold-out January production which brought standing ovations to REDCAT. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster starting April 5th.

Thursday April 8, 6:00pm

Complete information on events featuring the students of The Wooden Floor is available online at www.TheWoodenFloor.org


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