Each summer School Director Kirk Sprinkles invites 12 -15 students to NYC for one week to study intensively at some of the finest schools in the world with some of the greatest instructors, choreographers, Broadway performers and casting directors in the business. This year will make his third annual trip! Students receive a crash course on the life of a professional dancer/singer/actor. “We do not sugar coat anything, we believe in teaching our students about the reality of the business.” The students take non-stop classes, see numerous Broadway shows and of course a bit of site seeing!

This year’s selected students are as follows:

1. Ryan Clawson (SOA, Dance Major)
2. Jackie Kirchhoff (Adult Dancer/Singer/Actor)
3. Emilee Morton (Wando High School)
4. Katherine Morton (Cario Middle School)
5. Christen Norman (Home Schooler)
6. Haley Campbell (SOA, Strings Major)
7. Savannah Friar (SOA, Dance Major)
8. Catherine Morrow (Home Schooler)
9. Lisa Riddle (Adult Dancer)
10. Gayle Ulm (Adult Dancer)
11. Averie Ulm (Coastal Carolina University)
12. Debbie Rodriguez (Adult Dancer)
13. Bethany Clawson (Mother/Chaperone)
14. Ethel Morrow (Mother/Chaperone)
15. Kirk Sprinkles (Coordinator/Chaperone)

Congratulations to all participating, we promise this will be an experience you will NEVER forget! “Look out Broadway, here we come!”

Dance is an art form that not only requires technique but a comprehension of acting and ‘conveying a story’ to the audience. Dance is powerful to both the performer and to the general public. It is the ultimate form of expression!

As a dancer, one must be patient and become aware of their own body as well as strengths & weaknesses. It is not something that can be mastered instantly. A dancer must commit themselves to conditioning and understanding technique.

It is important as a dance instructor to inspire young dancers, however repetition and following a syllabus is vital. A student should not be progressed to a higher level or more challenging step until he/she has mastered the basic skills needed to execute advanced steps. Technique, technique, technique!

My best advice for youth exploring dance is be patient and do not get frustrated with yourself. We each go at our own individual speed to learn. Remember, it is an art form and we must respect the art itself!

Christmas is personally my favorite time of the year! There is an excitement in the air that is like no other. You notice smiles on others faces and you reciprocate the gesture.

For some, it is the one time of the year people give to others… in the spirit of the season we too try and help those in need. There are so many wonderful charitable organizations that are in need of donations it is hard to choose a cause and entity.

This year we have decided to assist the MUSC Children’s Hospital (Outpatient Care Unit), specifically the center assisting children in the Lowcountry with AIDS and their families. The AIDS/HIV epidemic has scarcely grown over the last decade and affects all countries, ethnic backgrounds and classes. Individuals who are HIV+ deal with enormous struggles from their general health and exorbitant cost of prescriptions to a life-altering lifestyle and feeling of isolation.

Our upcoming production Christmas Cocktails is a benefit show with three performances Dec. 18th – 20th. We hope to raise a significant amount of money for this program. This is a well-deserving program that is in desperate need of financial assistance. Please support our efforts and help us help the HIV+ children and their families of the Lowcountry!

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