|
The Brent Street Newsletter and Facebook page
If you would like to receive the monthly newsletter via email and haven’t yet subscribed, please go to our website and click on the button and sign up!
You’ll find so much more when you go to the Brent Street website.
Daily posts regarding Brent Street activities are posted on our Facebook page. We welcome new friends so join us now! We're also on twitter @BrentStreet1.
|
 |
Concert DVD's have arrived
All concert DVD’s are available for collection at Brent Street. This includes;
The First Night of our Lives Fulltime Graduation DVD will be posted upon receipt of payment. If you have ordered and paid for your DVD please ask Front of House for your copy. If you missed out on ordering prior to Christmas we did order a few extras so you may be in luck.
Email reception@brentstreet.com.au if you would like to order.
|
 |
Enrolments for 2012
If you haven’t enrolled in your classes for 2012, you’d better be quick. Brent Street is experiencing a great deal of interest from new members who are keen to join and find out what it is like to be a part of Brent Street. There are new classes and new memberships for the year so if you haven’t selected your classes, better be quick .
-
Check out the Young Performers’ timetable here
-
Check out the Petite Performers’ timetable here
-
Check out the Membership information here
|
 |
The First few weeks as a Young performer at Brent Street
The buzz and excitement of the first few weeks may seem overwhelming to newcomers but let us reassure you that while it may look chaotic, we have an organised system to have students sorted into classes as quickly as possible.
It may take a few weeks of working out levels and classes and reorganising timetables and we ask for your patience as we settle into our new schedule.We have a very experienced team of teachers assessing and grading the students and we take it very seriously.
We will not have the time to discuss decisions with parents in the first few weeks so we ask that you allow us this time to “get it right” before we are able to address any concerns that you may have.
Brent Street has unique studios - J1 and T1 are all glass and therefore students can be seen. However we request that parents/carers do not sit and watch the classes. It is general practice at all Performing Arts Schools that parents do not sit and watch the class.
There are a number of reasons for this. Firstly, the children and teachers who are working in class find it very distracting and intimidating to be constantly on display while they are trying to explore their creativity and also traffic congestion throughout our buildings during peak times (particularly in the first few weeks) can be a problem.
We are fortunate to be in a café precinct and encourage you to enjoy the nearby facilities. While your child is attending classes at Brent Street we request that you drop off your child and leave as soon as possible. If your child is younger (Petite/ Pre-Junior member) and needs you to stay around please stand as far back from the windows as possible and be considerate of not participating in distractive activities (like eating yummy treats with younger siblings!)
Parents are not permitted inside the studio classrooms at any time. However, in the final week of each term parents will be invited to view the class that their child is participating in.Please note that if you are running late to pick up your child please call the front desk on 8323 6666 ext 5 (save this number to your phone now) so that we can safely hold him/her at the front desk until you arrive.
|
|
Trial classes in Term 1
Throughout the term, Brent Street has a number of classes where new and prospective members can trial a class to see if they enjoy trying something new.
Check out what is on offer and book your free trial class online or call Reception on 8323 6666 ext 5.
|
 |
USA trip 2012
If you love to travel and dance then the Brent Street Young Performers USA tour is for you! Join your performing arts friends and teachers as we dance out way through L.A and New York visiting Hollywood, Disneyland, Universal Studios and more.
Highlights include:
- Dance workshops at ‘The Edge Performing Arts Centre’ and Millenium Dance Centre Hollywood
- Visit Kodak Theatre, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive, Melrose Avenue
- Swim at the world famous Southern Californian Beaches – Venice & Santa Monica
- Disneyland & California Adventure Park
- Perform on the Plaza Gardens Stage in Disneyland & Magic Music Days Workshop
- Master Class with a cast member from Broadway Musical at Broadway Dance Centre NYC
- Workshops at Alvin Ailey NYC
- Dinner in Times Square NYC
Come and join us for the experience of a lifetime . Find out more about the Pulse Tour by registering your interest here.
Brent Street's P&F will be fund raising for the trip and welcome new members in 2012.
The first meeting is Saturday 18th February in the Brent Street Academy academic area at 11am. Please email our P&F President, Angela Kalliabetsou on angela@brentstreet.com.au for more information.
|
_New.jpg)
|
New Faces
You will notice some new people on our team. Donna Bunnell has been appointed as Front of House Manager and Deborah Mifsud has been appointed as Accounts Manager. On the teaching front we welcome Jake Green (Hip Hop), Elenja Harris (Hip Hop), Cristina De Mello (RAD Ballet), Leslie Abraham (RAD Ballet) and Jenna Woods (Petite Performers).
|
 |
RAD Syllabus (Classical Ballet - Royal Academy of Dance)
Brent Street teaches the RAD syllabus, one of the longest operating and most widely recognised ballet training organisations in the world. The RAD syllabus has been taught to millions of children since 1920 and continues to provide relevant and safe grades for examination. Visit www.rad.org.au. All students attending ballet classes MUST wear the appropriate clothing. Leotards, tights and hair in a neat bun for girls. Boys must wear a support, black or navy tights and a close fitting white t-shirt (essential to see the line of the body), white cotton socks, black or white shoes. Ballet shoes are compulsory and students will be asked to leave the class if not dressed appropriately.
They are permitted to return once properly dressed. We ask parents to support us in this by ensuring that your child has the correct ballet attire as we believe that a dancer requires discipline in all areas to succeed and looking the part and respecting the teacher by adhering to the dress code certainly assists.
There is no set uniform at Brent Street beyond RAD classes at this time, however Brent Street does insist on suitable dance attire for all dance classes and correct shoes. Jeans, overalls or restrictive clothing are not acceptable. For safety reasons, jewellery, watches or body piercing items should be removed before class.
There is no set uniform at Brent Street beyond RAD classes at this time, however Brent Street does insist on suitable dance attire for all dance classes and correct shoes. Jeans, overalls or restrictive clothing are not acceptable. For safety reasons, jewellery, watches or body piercing items should be removed before class.
We also ask that students wear respectable clothing when travelling to and from the studios or in the public areas at Fox Studios. There is Brent Street merchandise available for sale at Reception so if you don’t know what to wear then a red Brent Street T-shirt is always in style.
Ballet Exams
Ballet is the core of most professional dance disciplines. It provides the basis of a lifelong technique and in many ways is the safest way to learn to dance and have a career down the track if desired. Exams are not compulsory for all students but highly recommended. Students intending to do their RAD exam classes must enrol in 2 ballet classes per week to most effectively cover the syllabus required. Exams are held at Brent Street in the first week of Term 4 and you will be notified by your teacher of your exam date. Not all students may be ready for the exam so please check with your teacher as to your progress throughout Terms 1 & 2. If you are not intending to do RAD exams then please enrol in the Ballet Technique classes where you will learn correct ballet technique in a non-exam format.
Virginia Guy (pictured) can assist with any questions you have regarding your ballet class. Please make an appointment to see her with the Front of House team.
|
 |
CSTD Tap exams
Brent Street also offers students the opportunity to improve their tap technique via the CSTD syllabus and exams are held at Brent Street in the 2nd week of September. If you would like to find out more about CSTD tap, make an appointment with our Front of House Team to meet with Amanda Foad known as Foady (pictured), who teaches all our students the CSTD syllabus.
Brent Street students achieve outstanding results in these exams with 13 students achieving Honours and 31 students scoring Honours Plus (over 94/100) in 2011 exams.
|
 |
CSTD Contemporary: Jason Winters Syllabus
This brand new syllabus is available to Brent Street and taught by Jason Winters (pictured) and his contemporary team. Jason devised the entire syllabus and CSTD will examine Brent Street’s students.
As this is a new syllabus and Brent Street is one of the only schools to offer the course to its students we are looking forward to a great outcome. If you are interested in the CSTD Contemporary classes please call our Front of House team and make a time to see Jason or his contemporary teachers to discuss your options.
Classes are 1 ½ hours and students must also take classes in ballet, jazz and contemporary dance at Brent Street.
|
 |
Eisteddfod/Dance & Singing Competitions
As always some classes will be competing in Eisteddfods and for the first time in many years we will also be entering selected group singing classes to compete as well.
In 2012 we anticipate competing in Dance Life Unite Competition, City of Sydney Eisteddfod and the Australian Dance Challenge. Please note that if you are selected to compete there will be additional fees to cover entry fees. If you do not wish to compete, please tell your teacher at the beginning of the term.
Brent Street has a proud record of achieving outstanding results and the atmosphere is wonderful when we all perform as a team.
Costumes
An essential ingredient for the performances are the Brent Street costumes which are hired to our members for eisteddfods, competitions and the End of Year Concerts. If you have not returned your costumes from 2011 please bring them in the first week back. We need them as many of the routines will be performed in live performances and the costumes are an essential part of the performance.
Costume hire is included in the cost of your membership however a refundable cash deposit of $50 per costume (max $150) is required at the time of collecting your costume. Please contact Rose Costa, the head of our costume department at costumes@brentstreet.com.au.
|
 |
Brent Street Agency
The talent at Brent Street is also given the opportunity to shine in the professional market. The agency commenced 22 years ago and remains the most respected, elite agency for children in Australia. Numbers are kept manageable, children are promoted for their talent and running costs are kept affordable.
The agency is not a mass marketed volume business, rather a small professional niche agency with a long and proud history. Acceptance is by audition only. Our next agency auditions will be during the school holidays at the end f Term 1. In some cases you may have the opportunity to audition before this date so please contact agency@brentstreet.com.au for details.
Check out the latest agency success stories
|
 |
Private Singing
Many of our students excel in their singing due to the additional tuition they receive in a private lesson. Private lessons are held in sound proof studios in the quadrangle or in P2 studio and arranged on a term by term basis. The fees are $400 per term (10 x ½hr class per week).
All private singing students have the opportunity to practice their performance skills in our private singing night held towards the end of each term. Check the calendar for the dates of each evening. We're also planning for group singing students to enter into eisteddfods this year as outlined in the Eisteddfod section of this newsletter. Private singing students are also encouraged to enter competitions themselves and your teacher can help with appropriate song selections.
To enquire and book your private singing lessons contact Darren Mapes (pictured) on email address (singing@brentsreet.com.au).
|
 |
First Aid
We accept students on the assumption that they are in good health and fitness. It is your responsibility to notify Brent Street of any medical complaint or history suffered by the student that may prevent that student from engaging in any physical or active or passive exercises or routine.
Brent Street has trained first aid staff and plenty of first aid supplies. Minor injuries can be treated and there is an ice machine on site for treating sprains and bruises. We will always contact parents if students are injured so please make sure we have your emergency contact details in our database and all your details are up to date.
|
 |
Contacts at Brent Street
Front of House Manager – Donna Bunnell
P: 83236666 ext 5
Email reception@brentstreet.com.au
Brent Street Course Advisor – Bonnie Le Conte
P 83236606
Email bonnie@brentstreet.com.au
Accounts Manager - Deborah Mifsud
Email deborah@brentstreet.com.au
Head of Singing - Darren Mapes
Email singing@brentstreet.com.au
Head of Contemporary - Jason Winters
E: Jason@brentstreet.com.au
Head of Drama - Russell Smith
E: Russell@brentstreet.com.au
Wardrobe Manager - Rose Costa
E: costumes@brentstreet.com.au
Principal Brent Street Academy - Stephanie King
P: 8323 6615
Email stephanie@brentstreet.com.au
Head of Young Performers - Lucas Newland
Email: lucas@brentstreet.com.au
Artistic Director - Cameron Mitchell
Email cameron@brentstreet.com.au
General Manager - Suzy Yates P: 83236609
Email suzy@brentstreet.com.au
|
 |
2012 Calendar of Events - Terms 1 & 2
| January |
|
|
Saturday 28th
|
|
Term 1 classes commence
|
| |
|
|
| February |
|
|
Saturday 18th
|
|
Brent Street P&F meeting
|
| |
|
|
| March |
|
|
Mon 27th
|
|
Private singing night - Blue Room
|
| |
|
|
| April |
|
|
Thu 5th
|
|
Last day of Term 1
|
TBC
|
|
EQ Family Show performances
|
TBC
|
|
Easter Show performances
|
Mon 23rd April
|
|
Term 2 commences
|
| |
|
|
May
|
|
|
Sat 12 - Sun 13
|
|
Dance Life Unite Competition Science Theatre
|
Sat 19 - Sun 20
|
|
Dance Life Unite Competition Science Theatre
|
Mon 28 May
|
|
Private singing night - Blue Room
|
| |
|
|
June
|
|
|
Sun 24th
|
|
City of Sydney Eisteddfod (details of classes competing TBC)
|
Fri 29th
|
|
City of Sydney Eisteddfod
|
Sat 30th
|
|
City of Sydney Eisteddfod
|
| |
|
Last day of Term 2
|
| July 1st |
|
City of Sydney Eisteddfod |
|
