|
|
| Dear Top Hat,
Aloha! 2008 is off to an amazing start with the highlight so far being the Top Hat Dance Studio trip to Hawaii. There was fun, there was sun, and there was dancing with 58 people from the Top Hat clan. We cannot thank you all enough for making this trip such a wonderful memory for all of us to share. Mahalo!
If you are sad that you missed this amazing trip, fear not, another one is sure to be on the horizon! Travelling is great, but travelling with great friends is even better.
Looking towards February, the studio is bursting with excitement. We have new classes being added to our already amazing Salsa program, a huge Hustle & West Coast Swing Weekend with Hazel and Tybaldt Ulrich on the 23rd and 24th, and competition season excitement is charging the dance floor with total energy.
Read on for all of the incredible Top Hat news for the month of February and Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
In this month's edition you will find information on. . .
1) Student of the Month Spotlight
2) Upcoming West Coast Swing & Hustle Weekend
3) New Staff Members at Top Hat
4) New Sunday Classes in Philadelphia
5) February Studio Schedule
6) Upcoming Competitions
|
|
Student of the Month Spotlight
 Meet John & Deb Reichard, February's Students of the Month Spotlight. . .
In 2002, Deb Reichard and two of her friends decided to try ballroom classes. She convinced her husband John to try it out and they sought out the then new location of Top Hat Dance Studio in New Holland. When the time came, Deb's two friends chickened out but the Reichard's persevered (Deb says she had to drag John, "kicking & screaming")!
John & Deb began in the Ballroom classes, learning various dances. As with trying any new activity, there was some discouragement at the beginning. But luckily the couple was never discouraged on the same night - so when one was disheartened, the other was full of encouragement. Deb was excited because she was accomplishing something her friends did not think possible - the "uncoordinated" was learning to dance!
Throughout all of their classes, a few dances have emerged as their favorites. John loves the Waltz and the smoothness intertwined in that dance. Deb prefers Latin and faster dances. She especially enjoys the liveliness of Cha Cha & Salsa.
The Reichard's both agree that their favorite components of Top Hat Dance Studio are the staff and the friendships they have formed while at the studio. They believe the teachers at Top Hat are unparalleled in their patience and understanding. "Daniel & Jameson get you through things you never thought you could possibly do!" John & Deb are also grateful that they have met people that they never would have met any other way.
Because of their enjoyment of the social aspect of Top Hat, the Reichard's have attended many of the trips sponsored by the studio. They have gone on a few of the NYC bus trips, attended the Philadelphia Ballroom Competition, sailed the Mediterranean, and most recently hula-ed through the Hawaiian Cruise. They say if it were not for the studio trips, they would never have done anything this adventurous!
Five years have gone by and John & Deb are continuous in their dedication to Top Hat and ballroom dancing. We are so delighted that they too did not chicken out that first night, for they are true members of our "family"!
|
|
One of the most vivacious & exciting professional West Coast Swing &
Hustle couples is coming to Top Hat Dance Studio! Tybaldt & Hazel Ulrich will be running an entire weekend in February devoted to those 2 favorite dances. Tybaldt & Hazel teach and compete on both the West Coast Swing and Hustle circuits and have combined teaching experience of over 20 years. They have placed in the Top 3 of numerous professional divisions over the past several years. Their style is spirited and vibrant, making their workshops fun and vastly informative.
Hazel & Tybaldt will be at the studio teaching workshops and private lessons all weekend long. If you are interested in having a private lesson with either Hazel and/or Tybaldt please contact the studio for scheduling. Lesson times will fill up fast so please call soon to get your spot reserved!
There will also be an incredible Hustle and West Coast Bash on Saturday Night, February 23rd starting at 9:00pm. Done in true Top Hat style, this party will be a blast that promises a non-stop night of fun that you simply do not want to miss. Calling all dancers...it's time to dance!!!
Workshop Schedule:
Saturday, February 23 at 4:00pm - Whips, Wraps, & Chains - beg/int West Coast Swing
For all of you beginner/intermediate West Coast Swing dancers who are looking for new fun and exciting patterns, this class is for you. Have a ball and learn them all, this class is a must!
Saturday, February 23 at 5:00pm - Playful Patterns - beg/int Hustle
Known for their fun and creative dancing, Hazel and Tybaldt plan on showing you some of their favorite patterns in this great Hustle class.
Sunday, February 24 at 12:00pm - Make Time for Play Time - int Hustle
Get there faster and play on your "& one". In this class, you will work on musicality and playing with the music in a way that gives you the control and speed needed to really enjoy your Hustle dancing.
Sunday, February 24 at 1:00pm - Fancy Footwork - int West Coast Swing
Spice up your steps with this amazing class in fancy footwork. You will learn fun and creative alternatives to give your steps a makeover. Give your patterns a brand new look for the New Year!!
The cost of the weekend is $15/workshop & $15 for the party. Or you can buy a weekend pass for $50 which gets you admission to all 4 workshops & then $15 for the party. Top Hat class cards and unlimited class cards may not be used for classes with Hazel & Tybaldt. If you are interested in private lessons with Hazel & Tybaldt, the cost of the lessons will be $75/hour (teaching hour is 50 minutes).
If you have any questions, would like to book a private lesson, or purchase a weekend pass for this incredible weekend please contact the studio.
|
|
New Staff Members at Top Hat!
Please help all of us at Top Hat Welcome two new dancers to the staff of Top Hat Dance Studio. Victoria Woods and Delilah Bass will be teaming up to teach one of the best Ladies Styling classes around. Each month Delilah and Victoria will teach Top Hat's new Ladies Styling class on Sundays at 1:00pm. First up in February, Delilah will lead the class and then in March Victoria will add her twist to the styling class. With two teachers teaching this one great class the material is sure to be fresh, new, and always exciting. When you see these talented ladies around the studio please help us make them feel at home!
May we introduce to you Delilah Bass & Victoria Woods. . .
Delilah Bass
In a short time, Delilah Bass has set herself apart as one of the leading female salsa instructors in the greater Philadelphia area. Of Dominican descent, Delilah's passion for Latin music began at an early age with the sounds of Merengue and Bachata at home.
Delilah's instructional career began in 2003 in the health and fitness arena. After discovering salsa in 2005, Delilah studied under master salsa instructor, Joe Figueroa, who then hired her as the principal female instructor for Living in Rhythm. During her time with Living in Rhythm, Delilah has linked her two passions - fitness and dancing - and created the Latin Rhythms curriculum, an innovative fusion of body movements and Latin dance music to create a unique aerobic experience.
Recently featured on CN8's Lynn Doyle show as one of the new waves in dance aerobics, Delilah and her Latin Rhythms classes are offered at several fitness centers in the greater Philadelphia area. Known for her outgoing personality and her unique and sensual style, Delilah has captivated the hearts of many on the dance floor. When asked about her transition from fitness to Salsa, Delilah replies, "It's all about passion, if you love what you do, the enthusiasm will be contagious."
Victoria Woods
Victoria Woods began dancing about 3 years old. She has a background in ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, modern, hip hop, and Cuban flamenco. Her dance background eventually led her to get selected as a background dancer for a variety of freestyle groups that would perform in the South Florida area. She also obtained the role of Pocahontas at Disney in College and was chosen out of thousands to be a Miami Dolphins Cheerleader.
Victoria currently oversees the performing arts curriculum at the Holland school and Tot-Time Child Development Centers. She teaches salsa for children and adults at the Pennsylvania Performing Arts Academy and the Conservatory for Dance and Music.
Victoria was born and raised in Miami, FL. Her Cuban heritage has definitely influenced her dance. Most recently she has been asked to become a board member of the Cuban Arts Society. She studied salsa from a variety of Philadelphia's premiere salsa instructors including Mike Andino and Joe Figueroa. She is known for her unique ladies styling, smooth sensual Cuban movement and what is now known as the "Vikki Shake".
|
|
New Classes Hit Sunday's Schedule!
Sundays are getting a face lift! We are adding two new classes to go with the already popular Salsa program. Starting on February 3rd, the schedule will now include Ladies Styling class at 1:00pm and a Latin Alternatives class at 4:00pm. Come on out in February and check out these two new classes!
Ladies Styling:
This New Styling class will be a mix of Body Movement, Rhythm, and Flare for ladies during partner dancing. Also learn Balance, Posture, Shines, and Musicality, all of which you can apply to your regular social dancing. This class will teach you great beginnings to fitting your dance into the music! This class is offered free of charge to gentlemen who would like to practice their steps and help out by providing the ladies with partners to practice their new skills.
Latin Alternatives:
A rotating month to month course consisting of different styles of latin Dance. Styles like Bachata, Night Club Cha Cha, Gafiera (Brazilian Samba), Bolero, Cuban Rhumba even Latin Hip-Hop. Each month will be a different style which will broaden your dance pallete!
Starting in February, Sunday's Schedule will now be. . .
1:00pm Ladies Styling with Delilah Bass & Victoria Woods
2:00pm Intermediate Intensive Salsa 3 with Joe Figueroa
3:00pm Advanced Intensive Salsa 4 with Joe Figueroa
4:00pm Latin Alternatives with Joe Figueroa
|
|
February Studio Schedule
Philadelphia
Salsa and West Coast Swing classes start a new series at the beginning of every month. The current start dates are February 1st for Salsa and February 7th for West Coast Swing.
New Sunday Classes begin February 3rd. Please see article in this newsletter for details.
The Basic Ballroom 1 & 2 classes begin new dances February 13th. Basic Ballroom 1 at 7:30pm will be starting Foxtrot. Basic Ballroom 2 at 8:30pm will be continuing with Samba.
The Rhythm 3 class will begin Bolero on February 18th. The Smooth 3 class will be Waltz.
There will be 2 parties in February!
The Salsa Morph Party will be held on February 2nd. The Morph Party includes an all levels group class at 8:00pm with the party beginning at 9:00pm. The cost is $10 per person and you are welcome to BYOB. If you have any questions, please contact the studio.
The Hustle & West Coast Swing Bash will be held on February 23rd. This incredible party will be the finale to the Hustle & West Coast weekend with special instructors Tybaldt & Hazel Ulrich. The cost for this Bash is $15 per person. Please read the article in this newsletter for more details.
For all other class schedules and cancellations please pick up a calendar at the studio or visit our website at www.tophatdancestudio.com.
Lancaster:
The monthly studio party is on Friday, February 22nd. There will be a group class at 8:00pm and the party will immediately follow at 9:00pm.
For all other class schedules and cancellations please pick up a calendar
at the studio or visit our website at www.tophatdancestudio.com
|
|
Upcoming Competitions
Mid-Atlantic Dance Jam: March 06 - 09, 2008 
MAD Jam is a West Coast Swing & Hustle event hosted by Dave Moldover in Tyson's Corner, Va. just outside of the Washington D.C. area. Top Hat has always had a lot of fun at this event and we're looking forward to another great year with Mad Jam 2008. Complete with packed late-night parties, a long list of incredible workshops, and an amazing environment with some of the nation's best dancers and teachers, you definitely don't want to miss this weekend of dancing. If you would like to attend Mad Jam with Top Hat please be sure to get your registration forms into the studio by February 20th. All competitors must register through the studio.
Philadelphia
Festival Dancesport Championships: April 11 - 13, 2008
 Ballroom & Latin Dancing at its BEST! This is Philadelphia's hometown dance competition and hosts Sandy & Andy Fortuna have always provided one of the best weekends of dance in the area. There are competitions throughout the weekend and a top notch Saturday Night Banquet and Show. If you would like to join us for the competition and/or the Saturday night event, please contact the studio. The Saturday Night Banquet is on a first come, first served basis and most definitely will sell out. (Last year it was sold out 1 full month before the event). Deadlines and pricing information will be coming soon.
|
|
| |
As always, if you have any questions or need more information on anything, please feel free to contact the studio, and as always
Keep Dancing!!
Expanding the Enjoyment of Dance. . .One Step at a Time!
|
|
|
|
