Summer Stories Part 4

 

Here is the last of our 'Summer Stories'. Check back soon for 2012/2013 updates and stories!

 

 

Dancer #4 -Erin Benson

 

Travel Plans- This summer my sister and I traveled to Ecuador to work at an orphanage called Casa de Fe. This was our fourth summer working with these kids and it was wonderful to be back!

Fourth of July- I spent the 4th  of July hanging out with some of the kids that my sister sponsors through Compassion International. Visiting with these little ones makes me really want to meet the girls that I sponsor, but they live in Africa. Maybe another year ;)

 

 

Favorite Activity-This summer I had the opportunity to teach some dance classes at the orphanage. So much fun! Kids everywhere love to dance :)

 

I think their favorite part was trying on my shoes!

 They learned how to do an Israeli folk dance..

..and how to skip across the floor together, giggling all the way

 

 

Summer Highlights- One thing that I really enjoyed this summer was craft time with the big girls. It was wonderful to see their individuality and creativity come out.

One of their favorite projects was making their own sandals....

...start with a regular pair of flip-flops...

...do some creative sewing...

 ...put it all together and you have beautiful sandals!

  

Another summer highlight was taking the kids on outings. This was a great way to give them one-on-one attention, and it was just down right fun!

 

 

 

Looking forward to the Upcoming Season- It is hard to believe that Ballet Emmanuel is starting its 7th season this month. God has brought us so far! It's been a privilege to witness His provision and faithfulness as He guides this company each year.

What I am most looking forward to this season is seeing the hand of God move. -Seeing Him move in the wonderful ladies who serve along side me, in the audiences that we perform for, and in the students that we teach across the country. It is such a blessings to see our amazing God at work and to be a part of what He is doing!

Summer Stories Part 3

Introducing..... Mia Calabrese!  Find out how our newest company dancer is spending her summer.  Part 4 is coming soon, you won't want to miss hearing about Erin's summer in Ecuador :-)

Dancer #3: Mia Calabrese

Travel plans? When my family moves me out to Colorado they will be taking a vacation as well. We have not been on a vacation in years and we are very excited about spending some time together away from home in a beautiful state!

With my family after my most recent ballet performance

Summer job? I worked in retail until the middle of June, then decided that Babysitting paid better. So I have been babysitting and paying for my dance classes and gas that way.

How did you spend your 4th of July? My family and I went to a small town called Saugatuck in Michigan where we ate Gelato (Italian ice-cream) and shopped. I bought a fun Paris/French themed scarf for only $7.50. I love good deals. Later, we went to another town called Holland where we watched fireworks and met up with some friends.

The 4th with my brother and best friend

Favorite summer activity? Spending time with my friends and dancing, of course.

In the Windy City, Chicago!

Summer highlight? One night, a few of my friends and I spontaneously decided to watch a movie and go swimming really late at night. I was out until about 2 in the morning. It was so much fun being with an awesome group of friends who love the Lord!

What are you most excited about regarding BE's upcoming season? I love teaching, so I am really looking forward to putting on the workshops when we travel. I am also looking forward to spending time with the rest of the company members as they will help me grow not only spiritually but technically as well.

Summer Stories Part 2

Here's another peek into what Ballet Emmanuel dancers are doing this summer.  Stay tuned to hear from our newest company dancer, Mia, next!

Dancer #2: Laci Landry

Travel Plans? I was very excited to be able to travel back to Michigan for a couple of weeks to spend time with family and friends. We spent lots of time in my brothers new pool :-) and my niece McKenna is quite the water bug. Nathan was also able to come out for a couple of days and we were able to go to Cedar Point (the best rollercoaster park ever) with my cousin who just got back from Afghanistan. Nathan and I are also visiting New York City at the end of July. He has never been and since I lived there for 2 years, I can hardly wait to take him. I am also going on my families annual "girls trip" to Hilton Head Island in August. 

Reading time with McKenna

Summer Job? Thanks to Nathan's job, I am fortunate enough to not need to get a summer job. Plus, if I had one, I would not have very much time left to visit my family.

Meeting cousin Marissa for the first time

How did you spend your 4th of July? Nathan and I were in Michigan over the 4th of July and we celebrated with my family. We spent the day barbecuing, swimming, and bonding with my niece.

Chinese lanterns!

Favorite Summer Activity? Hmmm, well it use to be swimming until I moved to Colorado where there is no water ;-) Now I love chilling on my back porch with Nathan and the dogs doing simple things like reading, making smores, and playing games (we love Jenga).

Our husky, Leonidas

Our newest dog, Swarley

Summer Highlight? Well currently it was our trip to Cedar Point. When I was younger, my family use to go every year and I LOVE roller coasters. However, I have a feeling that our New York Trip will take the prize as this summer's highlight. 

Cedar Point!

What are you most excited about regarding BE's upcoming season? Well I am very excited about Mia joining of coarse! And I am always excited about our new choreography and concert. But this year I think I am most excited to see how the company grows and matures. Looking back, it is amazing to me what God has done through Ballet Emmanuel in the 4 short years I have been here, and I can hardly wait to see what God has in store for us this year.

Summer Stories Part 1

Welcome to part 1 of our summer stories!  We thought it'd be fun to give everyone an idea of how each dancer spends their time during BE's off-season.  We hope you're all staying cool and enjoying some time with family and friends!

Also, we want to thank everyone for your prayers during the recent Waldo Canyon Fire.  We are all so thankful that our families and homes are safe and that none of us had to evacuate.  The fire was an incredible reminder of how not-in-control we really are; we're continuing to pray for the many families who lost their homes and for continued strength for the firefighters who will be fighting fires all summer long.  


Dancer #1: Melanie Dexter

Travel plans? I'll be in Colorado Springs for the summer, but I'm excited to be visiting Oregon with my husband Tyler in less than a week!  We're looking forward to spending time with his family and camping on the beautiful Oregon coast.

Colorado homebodies!

Summer job? Yes, I'm actually working part-time for Ballet Emmanuel booking events for the fall!  We're going to have a very busy season....and I'm already looking forward to it.  Tyler and I have also kept busy with our photography business (www.tmdexterphotography.com) shooting weddings and engagement sessions.  We love photography!

One of the weddings Melanie & Tyler photographed - www.tmdexterphotography.com

How did you spend your 4th of July? Well, it was a little sad to be without fireworks this year due to the fire, but I still had a great time BBQing with friends!  I also made my mom's awesome 4th of July cake to share (it was delish!).

Happy 4th of July!

Favorite summer activity? Probably having friends over for dinner and games, Tyler and I love doing that!  Also, having iced coffee or iced tea everyday multiple times a day.

At the beautiful Dushanbe Teahouse in Boulder, CO

Summer highlight? This isn't really a highlight, but experiencing the Waldo Canyon Fire was something I will never forget.  It was horrible...but also amazing to see how Colorado Springs responded with compassion for those who were directly affected.  This city has had some major praying going on here this summer!

Waldo Canyon Fire

What are you most excited about regarding BE's upcoming season?  Our new dancer Mia!  And our new concert for the season, I'm really excited about the story we're telling. 

Say hi to our newest company member, Mia! (she's in the middle)

A Season of Change

We are sad to say good-bye to one of our wonderful company members, Amy Schaefer. Amy has been with Ballet Emmanuel for three years. Over that time she constantly contributed to the company through her dancing, creativity and hard work. Thank you Amy for three wonderful years. We are going to miss you but we are excited about the new direction that the Lord is leading you and Jared!

Ballet Emmanuel is thrilled to welcome Mia Calabrese as a company dancer for the 2012/2013 season! Mia is a beautiful dancer from Hudsonville, MI. Watch our website for her bio and photo on the company page. We can’t wait to have Mia on board!

Out With a Bang!

There's less than 2 full weeks until Ballet Emmanuel's 2011/2012 season comes to an end!  April and May have flown by with a tour to Nebraska (our first time there!), a tour to Wyoming, auditions for a new company member, 3 church service performances, and a tour to Grand Junction, CO - we guess you could say we're going out with a bang :-)

Even with all the dancing and planning for next season we've managed to make time for some fun.  We had our annual "BE Fun Day" this past week and enjoyed going to Denver to see the ballet documentary, First Position, and stopping by the Cheesecake Factory on 16th St Mall!  Good thing we have to drive to Denver in order to find amazing cheesecake, otherwise we might visit the Cheesecake Factory a little too often ;-)

Stay tuned, we have some very exciting news that we'll be sharing with you the last week of the season!

Dancing at St. Luke's in Kearney, NE

Amy teaching during our workshop at The Kearney eFree Church

Our workshop students in Saratoga, WY

A backstage view of our concert in Saratoga!

Laci and her biggest fan in WY

First Position!

We couldn't resist....

Mmmmm...cheesecake!

Break Dancing!

SBDW 2012 - create a slideshow with music

We had such a great time with all the students during our Spring-Break Dance Workshop. No, it wasn't actually a break-dancing workshop but we did dance a lot during break! This year our workshop  focused on the story of the Flood.  Everyone's bible studies and choreography were all connected to the story.

Our Purple group (ages 4-6) had craft time each day.  They made rainbows, hand print animals and animal masks to wear in the concert. Within our Rain performance they represented all of the animals that came to the ark. They were all adorable dancing to "All God's Creatures Have a Place in the Choir."

Our Red group (ages 7-9)  talked about how Noah was obedient to God even though God's requests were difficult and a little crazy.  Their piece was to Rich Mullins' "Screen Door" and showed how we need to reflect our faith through our works, just like Noah did.

Our Yellow group (ages 10 and Up) discussed how we can rely on God even when we're scared or unsure of what's happening.  Noah was a great example of continuing to trust the Lord in the middle of the storm.  Their piece for the concert was to Toby Mac's "Hold On" and followed the same subject.  Best of all they got to dance with fun ribbons!

Our Green group (the most advanced dancers) talked about the importance of standing up for our faith in the midst of peer pressure. Their dance, to NeedtoBreathe's "Washed by the Water," told the story of a preacher who spoke the Truth but was criticized by the people around him.  This story echoes what Noah might have gone through as he was preparing for the Flood.

Both the Yellow and Green groups also got to perform jazz dances.  These dances are always so fun to watch. The Yellow students danced to Mercyme's "Move" and had the chance to show off their best dance moves.  The Green students portrayed secret agents during their dance to NewWorldSon's "Working Man."

Here are some more pictures from the performance:

SBDW 2012 Concert - slideshow maker with music

Hope you all had as much fun as we did. See you next year!