Diary of a pushy stage mother

slack (or busy?) pushy stage mother

2009-09-11T11:44:00.002+10:00

is trying to do several months of catch up posts, so the posts below will be a bit out of order!

Leilani's dancing successes

2009-09-11T11:31:00.002+10:00

Leilani recently competed in a dance elimination at Dance Blitz eisteddfod. It was open to all dancers, not just "eisteddfod kids" or soloists, so she entered the jazz and modern expressive (lyrical) sections.

She did a great job in the jazz heats, improvising to "Everybody's Free", but didn't make the final.

She did a wonderful job in the lyrical heat, improvising to "I'm yours" - with a few Dance-a-rama moves in the chore! She made the final, did an even better job and scored 2nd place! I was incredibly proud of her!

(I'll do a separate post for Dance-A-Rama)

This year Leilani has successfully auditionned for:
Campbelltown Performing Arts High - got in for Dance in year 7 2010
Westfields Sports High - got in for Dance in year 7 2010
Sydney South West Regional Junior Dance Ensemble

She auditionned for Dance in year 7 2010 at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, but due to the incredibly high standard of auditionees this year, wasn't successful, but IS on the waiting list. I'm proud of how she conducted herself at both the audition, and her disapointment at not getting in. Congrats to Holly, Talysia, Erin, Sophia, Alex, Jasmine and Isabelle from RGDANCE who all were successful.

Kaiesha's first RG DANCE solo eisteddfods

2009-09-11T10:07:00.003+10:00

Kaiesha made her debut as an RGDANCE soloist in June.

At Holroyd eisteddfod she did her solo for the very first time, in a 7/U section. She danced it very well technically, but didn't have a lot of "oomph" or energy, as she was a bit nervous. It wasn't a large section, about 8 dancers. She got 2nd place, and that was the place she deserved.

Then June 21st was her 7th birthday. She had another eisteddfod, and this one was fairly big with 24 dancers in the 6/U jazz, including 8 from RGDANCE. We took cupcakes to share with all her little friends to make it still birthday like. Because all the dancers showed up, they split the section into 2 of 12 dancers in each.

Kaiesha was in the first half, and OMG nearly every dancer was so strong! The adjudicator remarked that they were so strong!

Kaiesha was phenomenal! Buoyed by the presence of her friends, and Mr Grant, she gave it her all! She was so strong and technical, but this time she also had the energy and pizazz.

She WON!!!!!!!!!!!!! what a great birthday present it was!

Decadance photos:

professional photos of Kaiesha in action

2009-09-11T10:06:00.006+10:00

There was a fabulous photographer at Penrith Eisteddfod in July 09.

He got some amazing shots of Kaiesha. My Goodness! I had NO idea her jete's were that high off the ground!

The rest of the photos are on my Facebook if anyone's interested.

Kaiesha's recent results

2009-09-11T09:49:00.004+10:00

Kaiesha's had some great dancing results recently.

Here's a bit of a summary!!

One August Sunday, she had 2 eisteddfods on the same morning: I figure she was already in costume, so why not?

At the first one, Dance Blitz, she got 2nd place (out of about 10 kids). But I was BLOWN AWAY by the comments made: this is what the adjudicator Clint Salter said on the microphone!:
my 2nd place today goes to a great technician. This girl has beautiful technique, technique well beyond her age. She has beautiful legs and great ability.
not word for word, but as I can remember lol.

Her report said:
effective costume
a super opening with great technique demonstrated
excellent flexibility in floor work
straightness in supporting leg on double pirouette
Excellent work

At the second one (Wollongong Spring Dance Festival, which was a MUCH higher standard and higher level comp) SHE WON!!!! 1st out of 15.

Again lovely comments made:
this is what the adjudicator said:

There was only .5 difference today between 1st and 2nd. Both girls were pocket rockets, it just came down to personal preference. 1st place was a lovely performer. I loved it!

Her report said:
I love your outfit.
A strong start from a capable competitor.
This is a great song choice for you.
A strong jazz technique developping.
Your teacher has given you a very hard routine that you have handled very well today.
Try to control some of your extensions.
I loved it.

Here she is with her MASSIVE trophy from Wollongong Spring:

The following week she had another local comp - Oh La La at Ingleburn. It was Special Restricted/Restricted combined. She was entered as SR as I entered forever ago!

There were 12 kids in it and again, SHE WON!!!

Her report said:
great costume
beautiful start
good choice of music
good use of flexibility
lovely routine, lots of difficult elements, executed well.

The same day, Connor won his tap with "Disco Duck" - he was fabulous! (probably because Mum wasn't there, he was with me as Darcy had Dance Blitz!)

Here they are with their wins

Then on the first weekend in September she had one at the Hills (@Dural).
It was Restricted and Open combined (she was still Restricted at the time of entry) and she got 2nd place.

I am very very proud of her.

Leilani's 09 successes so far.....

2009-06-01T11:45:00.002+10:00

I've been slack at updating my blog, so will do a quick post now and more later!

Firstly I posted a while back about Leilani's audition for Campbelltown Performing Arts High School, for entry into their dance program Year 7 2010. Well she was successful!

More recently Leilani auditioned for the Sydney South West Regional Junior Dance Ensemble, which consists of students from years 5 - 8 from schools in the wide reaching Sydney South West area. She was successful in that audition too, and now rehearses once a week for the ensemble, whose first performance is at a Sydney Swifts game on 15th of June!

Here she is with her friend Grace, on the afternoon we found out they were both successful for CPAHS!

Kaiesha's 1st RGDANCE troupe eisteddfod

2009-06-01T11:11:00.003+10:00

The big day finally arrived after months of training, shoe painting and excitement.

Saturday 30 May 2009 was Troupe Day at St George Eisteddfod.

Kaiesha and Darcy were first up in 6/U Jazz Troupes, with "Ease on down the road". This troupe has 2 x 4 year olds (!) and 6 x 6 year olds.
They did such an amazing job! They danced their little hearts out, and when they "krumped" (LOL) it was hilarious!!!
They've only learnt this dance this year, so did a wonderful job to get 2nd place!

Here are some photos of Kaiesha in her costume, and with her friends:

Next up were Kaiesha and Connor in 8/U Jazz Troupes, with "She works hard for the money". These costumes were awesome! Again, this group have only been together this year, and learnt this routine this year. Another fabulous result of 3rd place in a quite strong section.

Here are a few photos from the 8/U's:

SYTYCD Grand Final

2009-04-20T15:15:00.000+10:00

Having trouble watching these videos on the 10 website so am seeing if better here!

Tyron & McKaylah on Australia's Got Talent Semi Final 2009

2009-03-27T08:26:00.000+11:00

Audition Day!

2009-03-23T17:50:00.005+11:00

Feral morning hair lol.

Stretching before the big audition!

The finished product, ready to go!

Today was Leilani's audition day for Campbelltown Performing Arts High School.

She had a nice relaxing bath last night and a good night's sleep. She got up this morning,ate breakfast, then did some stretching with the RG Dance conditionning DVD.
Then she did her hair in a bun and was ready to go!

We met Grace and Danielle outside the high school,and the girls were all excited and happy, not at all nervous which was great!

Here they are, ready to go in:

We met the Head Teacher Performing Arts, and the Admin lady, and the girls went off into the audition.. there were only 8 auditionnees today, as the main auditions (3 x groups of 25) were on the 19th, but our girls had the Selective Schools Exam that day.

The parents were escorted to the staff common room, where we drank tea or coffee and ate biscuits with the Principal. It was a great informal session where she talked about all aspects of the school, not just the Performing Arts. We were able to ask questions: I asked about their NAPLAN results (great, above average), their canteen (healthy!), their LOTE (Spanish only :( ) etc. It was really a great forum.

Suddenly the girls were back! They were very happy and confident that they did really well in the audition. Grace said everyone kept looking at Leilani to keep up with the dance! :)

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SOLO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-03-04T23:24:00.000+11:00

Kaiesha has a solo!!!!!!!!!

Progress!

2009-03-04T23:22:00.001+11:00

Progress!
It's quite incredible the progress Kaiesha has made after only 4 weeks @ RG.

Her "pullover mounts" are getting great, she is doing turns and leaps and it's amazing to watch!

We got a "sneak peak" at 6/U troupe the other night, and WOW!
It's so fast! leg mounts, splits, turns, more splits and mounts... in the first few counts of 8!!!!

Miss Chi dances with guest singer on SYTYCD

2009-02-23T23:19:00.000+11:00

Jesse dances for his life - with us in background!

2009-02-18T22:48:00.002+11:00

At the beginning of Jesse's dance for his life, he dances along the side of the stage... look out for the fat mama in the black and sparkly top, Leilani in a black teeshirt with colourful patches, and Justine and CJ.

So you think you can dance.. live show!

2009-02-17T11:58:00.005+11:00

I haven't got time today to type my own, so am shamelessly flogging Justine's blog and have edited slightly ;)

So you think you can dance.. live show!

I knew when we won the tickets to the live show of SYTYCD it would be great.

I never ever ever expected it to be this great!!

I am still on a high, I can't believe the experiences that we got to be a part of last night!!!!

The euphoria and joy of watching those dancers - only metres away from us! The screaming of the crowd that is just contagious, you cannot help yourself, you have to go NUTS! The sorrow and tension waiting for the announcement of who is to leave.

These are just some of the emotions that we went through tonight.

Then there was the whole learning experience! Explaining to Ceilidh and Leilani why they had to do warm up clapping, what the countdown to 'action' meant. Having to re-shoot things and with everyone in the same spot, etc etc etc.

Because it was the first week we didn't really 'know' the dancers. So Ceilidh decided to make one for the ballet girl, Talia "because she reminds me of Casey!" (her ballerina aunty). So we made up one for Talia. Then Leilani made one for BJ (as he's a friend of Alexanders, who is L's old teachers brother).

Ceilidh and Leilani loved taking their signs in. And boy oh boy did it pay off having them!!!

Here in point form are the 'MAGIC MOMENTS' from the show!!

* Got front row spot NEXT TO THE STAGE!!

* Talia's mum came and met us at the intermission and told us that she saw the girls' sign and she rang Talia about the 2 little girls in the audience who had a sign for her!! My friend and I spoke to her Mum whilst the girls raced around to the glass window to meet Talia!!

* Talia's grandmother and then her uncle also came up to the girls during the night and thanked them for their support!

* Ceilidh and Leilani got up on stage and did a routine together in a warm up competition. THEY ROCKED!! They danced up there in front of ONE THOUSAND PEOPLE!!! with Kelly Abbey in the audience and Jason Gilkinson!

* BJ and Talia both waved and smiled at CJ and Leilani when they came out from the back stage area!

* Jason COleman Hi-5'd us all (wow! blurgh!)

* At the end of the show Talia came up and met the girls properly and asked them where they were from etc. We told her about Casey and she said she has lots of friends dancing in Germany.

* Talia told Ceilidh and Leilani that she saw them dance on the stage and they were fabbo!! (they must have been filmed and shown out the back!)

* BJ came up and thanked the girls for voting for him!

* Jesse danced along the beam in front of us - right where we were standing!

* Charlie spoke to Cj and said he hoped we enjoyed the show!!

* Ben approached Leilani and I of his own volution and introduced himself, first to Leilani by shaking her hand and saying "Hi, I'm Ben. What's your name?" then the same to me! He said "so you're a dancer, what style do you do?" to which she rattled them all off lol. He had a nice chat to us for at least a minute. It was awesome!

* Ceilidh and Leilani had a photo outside with Pania -she was sosooso nice to the girls!! She stopped everything she was doing to have their photo!

* A stranger, a man came up to the girls after the show and said how great they were in their dance, and how brave to go up on the stage in front of all those people. Turns out he owns his own studio.

And of course, there are a million more things!! I didnt get to take alot of photos - you weren't allowed to take anything in the studio with you, and I wasnt wearing pockets, so I couldnt put my camera in - lesson learnt for next time...

However here are a few shots we did get! (will post later, must race off to dancing! If you're on my Facebook you can see them)

You know you're a dancer when...

2009-02-11T23:42:00.001+11:00

You know you’re a dancer when…

...dance is life and the rest is just spare time.

...you sit in a straddle when you are watching TV.

...your body cracks loud enough to stop class but you don't hear it.

...you dance down the hallway instead of walk.

...you know most barres aren't in jails.

...all your friends are eating dinner while you are in class.

...you do plies and tendus while waiting in line.

...you do leaps in the parking lot and down the streets.

...you have the ability to balance your body on five toes, yet cannot bend over to pick the clothes up off the floor of your room.

...every hard floor is like a place for practicing.

...you actually sit up straight in your chair at school.

...you have an entire drawer devoted to your dance stuff.

...you suddenly can't count past 8.

...your kitchen floor has marks all over it.

...you bend over to pick up something and your leg shoots up to a 180* angle.

...you miss more school for performances than your do for being sick.

...when you refer to half time of a football game as "intermission".

…when you find bobby pins in the weirdest places - the kitchen, the shower drain, your shoes.

…you can't listen to the radio without choreographing moves in your head.

…you forgot what your friends look like with "real" clothes.

…nothing, absolutely nothing, is better then being on stage.

you see an empty hallway, and it tempts you to do a grande jete.

...before everything you do you say 5,6,7,8.

…you've read every "You know you’re a dancer when..." list known to man.

…your housemates hear a loud "thud" and don't even bother to ask what happened.

…you only buy stretch jeans.

…you know that doing the splits is not a way to determine if you are a good dancer or not.

…when you wait for something in the microwave you’re dancing.

…you spot when you spin around in your computer chair.

…dance somehow comes up in EVERY conversation.

…when, while watching a performance, you catch yourself subconsciously imitating the dancer's movements with your head.

…when you are sick you try to watch class anyway, until your dance teacher sends you home.

…you can whip up a ponytail in 5 seconds flat.

…you know the lyrics to every dance you’ve danced to.

…your watch is set up to the clock at the studio.

…you choreograph in your sleep.

…you practice your dances in your chair at school.

…you are stretching for gym and everyone goes, "WHOA!!"

…your toes are pointed whenever they leave the floor.

…you never have to buy new Halloween costumes, you just use old recital costumes.

Huge learning curve

2009-02-10T23:07:00.000+11:00

Huge learning curve
Going to RG is a huge learning curve for me.

I am learning that I need to be organised:

* RG is an hours drive (more in traffic) and the girls start at 4pm Tues,Wed,Thu.
* Hair must be in a bun (or 2 buns for acro)
Therefore hair must be done in the morning before school. The girls look very nice for school!!!

* We are there until 7.30 or 8.00 3 nights a week.
* RG have a "Healthy Eating" policy.
Therefore I must prepare healthy snacks and cook & pack dinners for the 3 of us 3 nights per week!!!

* RG is an hours drive (about 70km from home/school)
Therefore I must remember to put petrol in my car, and check the tyres, oil and water regularly!

This will be good for the whole family! I'm not the only Toa screaming "RG ME!!!!!"

Papa Loves Mambo

2009-02-09T22:40:00.001+11:00

This was Leilani's new tap solo at the end of 08, and this was the first time she'd performed it. The song is "Papa Loves Mambo" . I loved this solo and am pretty sad she won't do it again as we've changed dance schools.

Kaiesha's new jazz solo

2009-02-09T22:27:00.002+11:00

Kaiesha debuting her new jazz solo "The way it goes" at Campbelltown Spring Dance in 6/U SR jazz... she'd only just finished it the lesson before this performance. Again, starts well then .. she looks a bit lost. But again I'm proud of her...

Sadly this was the only eisteddfod she got to do this solo at as we changed dance schools since then. But who knows what the future holds?

PS at the end it's hilarious: the music wasn't cut and her sister was in the wings with the person operating the music,so she got mad at her sister and storms across the stage!

Kaiesha's 2nd attempt

2009-02-09T22:24:00.001+11:00

Kaiesha's 2nd attempt at her classical ballet solo, in her new tutu. This was last year at Campbelltown Spring Dance Festival in 6/U Special Restricted Classical.
Her shoe ribbon snapped off backstage so isn't very well done up. She does some things better than last time, but kind of falls in a hole and forgets to point her feet by the end. Oh well she's only 6 with 45 minutes of ballet a week at this stage.

I was very proud of her. Oh yes and she won (insert embarassed emoticon here) he he

Xander's audition on SYTYCD

2009-02-03T22:28:00.001+11:00

Brady's Audition on SYTYCD

2009-02-03T22:26:00.000+11:00

What I need to blog catch up posts on

2008-09-29T23:15:00.001+10:00

I am doing this list here to remind myself what I need to do retrospective blog entries about!

* Wests Tigers spectacular
* Cecchetti Ballet exams
* Glen Wood Tap Exams
* South West Regional Dance Festival (school)
* Stage Dance Festival (school)
* Wollongong Eisteddfod
* Oh La La eisteddfod

and more dancing stuff!

So proud of my girls!

2008-09-06T17:26:00.004+10:00

You know how when you watch "So You Think You Can Dance", they talk about the couples learning the routine in 5 hours, and you think to yourself, "sure" lol. ????
Well last week my girls each did a SYTYCD and learnt a new solo each in a matter of hours.

Thanks to the brilliant teaching style of Miss Casey,

Some "on stage" photos

2008-06-28T15:45:00.018+10:00

Recently my girls did a well known and well run eisteddfod. A professional photographer took photos of them on stage during their performances. Here are a couple I'd like to share.

Kaiesha's Jazz solo:

Leilani's tap solo:

Leilani's jazz solo:

I love them, there are heaps more.. I'm going to order some soon!

What Ava would have become....

2008-05-13T10:51:00.005+10:00

The wonderfully strong, remarkable woman and mother Sheye Rosemeyer recently posted this incredible post on her blog. I warn you, you will cry and cry, but it's just so beautiful, I had to share it here. If you are unaware of who Sheye is, or Ava's story, check out
http://avarosemeyer.memory-of.com/About.aspx and
http://sheyerosemeyer.blogspot.com/
Please take the time to read Ava's story.

When we chose Ava's casket, I vaguely remember some of my thought process. They're so tiny. (But she's so tiny.) Is there just white? It should be pink, really. Silver or gold handles? Silver is better for a child. But gold would suit her skin. (Oh but she's not wearing them, it's just to go with white.) What will look prettier in the chapel? What would she like?

But more than anything..Are we really here, doing this?

I could not even begin to process what we were doing. Not us. Not for our daughter. Please don't let this be our life. Our child. It was so unbelievable. (It is still unbelievable.) I didn't realise on that day that her little tiny white casket with silver handles and a cross needed to hold so much more than our precious daughter.

It had to hold her first day at school. Her uniform. The bows for her plaits. Her books. The friends she'd meet. The lunches we'd make for her. Her graduation dress.

It had to hold all her toys along with all her future things of treasure ..her cd's, her jewellery, her perfume, her car and her house and all her trinkets.

It had to hold her friends. The sleepovers and the shopping trips. The coffees and the wines and the trips to the movies. The giggly phone calls. The games, the gossip, the disagreements.

It had to hold so many parties. Her birthdays, her engagement and her housewarming parties. Her friends parties. The outfits she'd carefully choose, the shoes to match. The gifts. The excitement.

It had to hold a husband. A whole wedding. A beautiful wedding dress...and the dresses of her bridesmaids. A honeymoon and a happily ever after.

It had to hold her children. Her clothes for a bigger belly, her parenting books, her babies nurseries. Her fears for their safety, her hope that she was doing a good enough job.

It had to hold every single one of her dreams. Her hopes for a bright future, her worries about the unknown, her anticipation of all the tomorrows. Her opinions, her beliefs, her faith. Her regrets and her achievements. Her amazing, wonderful, full, happy life that never became.

These are my quiet thoughts today. Pondering what is really contained within each of our small children. So much. So very, very much that we vaguely imagine at times and smile and look forward to.

It is a gift that now, when I hold my children dearly and breathe them in, I'm not just grateful for them, I'm so thankful for all of their tomorrows.

Love Sheye xx

Thank you Sheye for your beatiful words, and for sharing yours and Ava's story with the world.

This is Ava's beautiful headstone

photos - a year apart and a year apart!

2008-03-22T21:40:00.006+11:00

Mishy's lovely comment had me think: let's compare photos from Oh La La March 06, 07 and March 08.

March 2006

March 2007

March 2008

and one of Kaiesha last year just because she's so cute!

Destination Unknown

2008-03-22T12:21:00.005+11:00

Leilani's been learning a new jazz this year. It's not finished yet, but she wanted to get out there and have a go, so she debuted it at Oh La La Eisteddfod in 9/u's last week. Bit of a trial run. She's wearing an old troupe costume from 2 years ago, we couldn't believe it still fit!!! She's certainly trimmed down.

So here is the first 2 minutes of Leilani's new jazz solo, "Destination Unknown".

She danced quite well, I was very proud of her. She didn't place, but at just on 2 minutes, I didn't expect her to.

Special thanks go to Justine for her kooky, crazy hair do. She did it on the Saturday for her tap, with plaits and pipe cleaners... will upload some photos when Justine gets them off her new camera. This is day 2 of the hairdo on Jazz day.

You can do it anywhere, anytime...

2008-03-09T23:01:00.002+11:00

A bit like that VB ad! Kaiesha has turned into an RG like child who just must do legmounts no matter where she is!!!

On the beach with nana, or whilst on an old fashioned swing!!!

My little ballerina practicing..

2008-03-08T15:46:00.001+11:00

She had her 3rd lesson today, and they did some hand and arm exercises for the first time. When we got home she had a bit of a practice... not very seriously but I thought I'd video it, then compare in a year!

"bubble" hand exercise

"bubble bath" arm excercise

point exercise

plies

and legs/point "Polly put the kettle on"

My little ballerina

2008-03-07T19:40:00.004+11:00

Kaiesha started RAD Primary Ballet last week (as an extension to her current repertoire!).

RAD is very strict about grooming, so to every class you must be in full examination attire, ie leotard, exam skirt and hair in a bun. I did my best with the bun, considering it was 8am!

Here she is.

Sports Aerobics

2008-03-05T23:17:00.004+11:00

Leilani started (in all her spare time lol) a once a week "Cadet Sports Aerobics" class last week. It's only $6, and across the road from dancing around the same time Kaiesha is dancing, so I thought "why not?". I had wanted Kaiesha to do it but it clashes.

Last week Leilani was the only one there, so a good intro to some of the techniques. It's kind of aerobics, dance and cheerleading mixed together. Even after one lesson what she showed me looked great.

She had her 2nd lesson today and the other girl was back today. I recognised her as being the 8 year old I saw do a solo demonstration at Emma's dance concert last year. When I went to pick Leilani up, they said she had done well again, and gave me a list of 3 dates... for competitions. I said "oh do they compete?" yes... "as a group?".... no, solos! I just said "ok, well let me know the details closer to the time if you think she's ready" !!!!!

Leilani told me afterwards that before I got there, B's mother was asking about competition dates... she heard her ask "are they going to do it as a trio?" and was told "no, because T doesn't come enough, they'll do solos"... Leilani said she wondered who they were talking about... they were talking about you lovie!

edited: she'll kill me for adding this, but here she is showing me what she learnt

Illawarra Eisteddfod

2008-03-03T22:27:00.005+11:00

We had a lovely day yesterday at the Illawarra Eisteddfod at Wollongong. What a lovely , well run, friendly eisteddfod.

We had to be there at the civilised time of 1140.

Kaiesha, along with Griffo Besties Connor and Darcy were all entered in "Babies Dance (any style)". Ceilidh big sister Griffo had "National Character" . By coincidence or good management, CJ was on 1 section before the babies!

CJ danced well, and we were so excited when she won = 1st Place! She was chuffed too!

Now I'll borrow Juzzie's words, she said it so well. I'll just embellish a little! ;)

The next section was Babies Dance. There were 16 in the section - and all l6 turned up!!! It must have been awfully hard to judge, you had ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary and 'stuff' all against each other!! I don't envy the adjudicator! He gave 1,2,3 and then the rest he benchmarked with a highly commended - which I thought was a bit rough, seeing as you had Connor and Kaiesha, who both danced very well.. Connor very confidently; Kaiesha did well debuting her new bit.. then you had the gorgeous Miss Darcy darling, who was just super cute.. then there were a couple of kids who were pretty ordinary, and another poor girl whose parent or teacher shoved her on stage, sobbing and bawling very loudly!!!

The winner was a modern expressive; now ordinarily I rubbish modern for that age, but this was really very nice! I had a tear in my eye, I can tell you. The adjudicator said that she "melted his heart".

So whilst it was a bit unfair to level all the others, at least their reports were very good, he writes a good report.

Kaiesha's said :

Very cute outfit.
Good choice of music for this section.
Competitor is developing nice jazz technique, but always remember to point those toes!
Where did your beautiful big smile go?
Loved your cartwheel!
Very strong finish. Good girl!

At the end of the section, they got all the babies on stage in competitor # order. They gave them all a certificate which said "Well done!" and their name printed on it; and a bag of lollies. Small touch which meant so much. Well done ladies !

Afterwards the girls and I and Nana Gwen went to Wollongong city beach

The difference between US and us....

2008-02-13T09:52:00.000+11:00

This is the same little girl, Kim (aged 7) from my previous post. She is a much better tapper than jazz dancer, but I am putting this video here to show the difference between jazz solos in the US and here in Australia.

To me this is hardly any dancing, just putting tricks together to a cute song. I think it's a really interesting comparison to how jazz solos are here. What do you think? Do you think this routine would place in Australia???

BTW don't even think about it! The song is MINE! I'm off to Limewire now!!!!!!!!! lol.

OK I'm going to add another video. This is Amanda Ocampo. Again very different than our style, but similar to some of the RG solos.. inspiration for Kayla Maree? I don't mean her solo but some of her incredible style!

Who could forget that amazing spinning girl that did the famous "All that Jazz" solo we all watched on youtube over a year ago?

6? year old troupe??

7 year old tap dancer from US

2008-02-13T09:49:00.000+11:00

I was looking at Leilani's tap solo on youtube, and this came up because of the tags "tap" and "solo". Check out this little girl's footwork! In my Pushy Stage Mother opinion her stage presence and upper body need working on, but check out the footwork! She was 7 in 2007.

Mr Postman - Eisteddfod result

2008-02-09T09:14:00.002+11:00

"Mr Postman" is Kaiesha's baby jazz solo that she learnt in the 2nd half of last year. She did it at 2 or 3 eisteddfods last year, dancing quite well but not so confidently on stage. There is a video of her first attempt at the beginning entries of my blog if you'd like to compare.

She did it at our Xmas Concert in December (quite shyly ;) ) and hadn't danced it (or even practiced) since then when the kids did Baulkhalm Hills Eisteddfod in mid January. Connor and Kaiesha were both in the 6/U Babies Jazz section. Over the holidays Justine had been encouraging Kaiesha to do some "kooky faces" and be more upbeat when she danced. She also convinced Connor to dance RG Boy style without his shirt! They both listened :)

Connor danced really well and looked so cute with his spiked hair and skinny but muscular bare chest! Kaiesha danced way more confidently and did a few faces. They both got Highly Commended and lovely purple ribbons. The fabulously talented Olivia got 1st place, another girl 2nd then our 2.

Justine kindly got Kaiesha's performance on her DVD and here it is. Thank you to Lovely Leanne who made me a copy!

Whilst at the eisteddfod, we discovered that there was a Babies Championship, and that you could repeat your dance from the jazz section, so Justine and I both entered the kids.

They both danced SO much better the 2nd time, having confidence after already doing it once. Unfortunately we didn't get the DVD this time.

At the end of the Championship section, they took the kids back on stage to present the prizes.

The little boy tapper (who is the oldest but 2nd smallest on stage BTW!) got Highly Commended... I held my breath... .OMG Kaiesha and Connor were going to place! .....Kaiesha got 3rd Prize!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She won her very first trophy and was so excited! I still had to hold my breathe as Connor was still up there with the talented miss Olivia..... who got 2nd place,Connor was the winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are Kaiesha, Connor and Olivia showing off their trophies! Kaiesha and Olivia got cool "star" shaped ones, Connor's was a delight with a lovely pink ballerina design! lol

Kaiesha with her very first trophy!

Finally I love this photo of Con, it really shows his excitement at winning! I call it "Con, what a feeling!"

hmm, my photos have disappeared! I'm adding another as a test

What's the view from YOUR kitchen window?

2008-02-07T12:31:00.000+11:00

This will look at bit odd on this page, since this is my "dancing blog" not my "everyday living" blog, but since it's a blogspot thing, am doing it on here!

This is a bit of interesting fun that has been making its way around the blogosphere -- Started by my lovely friend Lynda who recently moved to Cairo with her family. Her wonderful blog is

It's simple, really: just post a photo of the view from your kitchen window, and give a bit of a commentary. Already from Lynda's I've looked out windows in Cairo, in England and in the US.

So here's mine, coming to you on a stormy midday from the South West of Sydney Australia.

It's summer in Sydney. Generally here in the South West outreach of Sydney (an hour from the city) that would mean hot and humid. Like the 39 degree days we had last week, like the first day of school. But since the weekend, we've had loads and loads of rain, and a few horrendous storms. Luckily todays (so far) is a gentle storm because I don't do storms, but need to go to school get the girls and go to dancing in 2 hours.

So because of the rains, our lawn is gorgeous and green. You can see the corner of our BBQ (currently under the patio so we could still BBQ on rainy Sunday!), a spiky pot plant which gets my legs everytime I hang out the washing on the clothes line you can see. Beyond that is our yard, our gazebo (great spot to sip Chardy and watch the kids in the pool, which is around the back of the house to the right of the photo). Beyond that are our currently bedraggled vegies patches, and the shed. Every bloke's dream!!!!!!!

Some photos to share

2008-02-03T11:55:00.000+11:00

When the girls did Summer School at RG Dance the week before school went back, we stayed at Nana's a few days and I left my digital camera at home :(
Luckily nana has a "real" camera and said I could finish her film. Yesterday we visited her and she gave me the photos.

So here are the girls after Summer School one day. These are only scans so not great.

I love both of these shots of the girls, very pretty IMHO :)

Here they are just showing off their summer bodies and dance clothes

and finally practicing their leg mounts together on the left, and just after on the right!

Incredible pas de deux

2008-02-03T10:50:00.000+11:00

It's not strictly ballet, but is simply incredible, mesmerising, outstanding athleticism.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5lN96dgt_Y

What time is it? Summertime! It's our Vacation!

2008-01-29T22:20:00.000+11:00

I am really impressed with Leilani this summer. Normally over holidays, especially these long xmas ones, she "chubbs up" because she's not dancing. Well these holidays she's been much more active, and a lot more open about eating real food as opposed to takeaway. She's been swimming a fair bit, and since "Boot Camp Griffo" introduced her to training and stretching, and having an absolute BLAST at RG Dance Summer School (more in another post!), Leilani actually has lost some weight, is really toned and tanned, and looks the best she has looked in ages! You go girl!

I think our dance teacher will be pleasantly surprised at Miss New Attitude!!!!!!!!

Billy Elliot 2015!

2008-01-15T12:22:00.000+11:00

The Griffo's came over to our place the other day, and we had a really lovely time. The kids played HSM Singstar, hide and seek, catch and kiss (Justine soon stopped that one) . They also did their Boot Camp Griffo training, practiced solos and generally had fun making dancing shows.

We were outside, near dusk and were playing the songs on our phones and the kids were making up dances to them. I went first, and my songs were funky, popular tunes like "Girlfriend" and "Rock this Party", and the kids went wild with their moves. Then CJ said 'your songs now Mummy' to Justine, and so they then danced to Moulin Rouge, Boy from Oz and Billy Elliot!

When it came time to do "Electricity" from Billy Elliot Connor took centre stage - sort of! He was very cute, and I videoed it whilst Jus was 'holding the music player'. We laughed so much at the antics of the kids.

When you have watched the video once through, if you can bare it, watch it again - and watch the girls......

I just watched it again and I choked I laughed so much. I decided to make a conscious effort on watching the 'backing dancers' THEY ARE HILARIOUS! There's the whole 'fight' between Brodie and Kaiesha over Connor, and how he tries to sneak away with Brodie. There's CJ and Leilani doing their best to dance around - and copying each other. And Dee just prancing about left right and centre! Then we have "poop camp" (dog poo on the ground!) and wedgie shots. Oh it was sooo funny!!

As well as doing the dance routines, they also did Billy Elliot jumps off the trampoline - see awesome photos below!!!!

Firstly, here's Billy Elliot 2015, Connor, with his version of "Electricity"... make sure you watch it twice!!

Then here are the Grifftoa troupe performing "Play that Funky Music"

Sorry my voice is so loud, and the camera is shaking when I laugh so much!

BCG: Boot Camp Griffo!!!

2008-01-04T22:30:00.001+11:00

We just spent a lovely few days with Justine (see "Pushy Stage Mother of the Month" below) and her family on holidays down the South Coast NSW.

Beach Holiday, ah, it conjures up images of relaxing on the beach, sleeping in, getting sunburnt... well we did all that (except my little brownies L&K didn't get burnt!) but soon discovered that holidays with Justine meant........

Boot Camp Griffo

I'll let the photos tell the story!!!!!!!!!!

Crunches

Everyone helps with situps, even Chewy the dog! Just because you're 5 or even 3! doesn't mean you miss out on the fun!

Push ups
the big girls

the littlies - stop for a chat in the middle!

hard work!

Big girls split stretches

Littlies splits stretches

Froggies

Torture! (see previous entry)

an "easy" final stretch before the big finale.

Leg Mounts/Front Mounts/Russian Mounts (whatever YOU call them!)
The girls held their mount on each leg for 15 seconds then 5 more seconds of intense stretch. Check out their faces when they see how much better they get!!!

Leilani "do I really have to do this Justine?"

"Oh Wow, I've never gotten it so far over!"

Ceilidh "do I really have to do this Mum?"

"ah this leg is much easier!"

Kaiesha "I've never tried this before"

"oh wow!"

Pushy Stage Mother of the Month

2008-01-04T14:46:00.000+11:00

Well I've lost my title as the pushy stage mother... to one of my best friends ;)

The inaugural winner of "Pushy Stage Mother of the Month" is Justine!

Here she is "helping" her son Connor with a stretch they call "torture" at RG ;) This is whilst they are on HOLIDAY!!! Stay tuned for more details of "Boot Camp Griffo" ;)

He didn't like it much! Look at his face!!!

Billy Elliot !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-01-04T12:48:00.000+11:00

On Boxing Day I was lucky enough to get 3 fabulous 3rd row tickets to see Billy Elliot at the historic Capitol Theatre in Sydney. I had been undecided about taking Kaiesha, but when I got such great seats couldn't pass up the chance to take both girls.

They were very excited about both the show and just the trip into the city by train!

Here they are at Central Railway station near the old clock

and in front of the giant Xmas tree

Walking towards the Capitol Theatre

Almost there!

Excited to see Nick on a poster!

We have quite a few friends or dancing acquaintances in the show, including one Billy! Sadly Nick broke his arm so we knew we wouldn't be seeing him. Unfortunately none of our friends were on that day, but we were still so ecstatic to be there and the kids we saw were all fantastic! Rhys was fabulous as Billy, he has a very balletic quality about him. We'd like to see Nick as an athletic Billy, and Ramian as an emotional Billy, but will have to go back for that! Our Michael very nearly stole the show, what a character! and our Debbie was very good too. In fact we'd seen her - a Planet Dance girl - around before and a few of the ballet girls looked very familiar!

The show is beyond description. So bloody fantastic! I was a bit concerned the whole Miner's Strike background would be beyond the girls, but the show is more about the emotions and the people rather than the issues. Yes there is a bit of swearing but I'd given the "talk" before the show so it wasn't an issue. The songs are great, the acting, singing, dancing, choreography is great.. I don't regret going for an instant. Leilani and I both want to go again and again.

After the show we had a very grown up coffee or mocha in Gloria Jeans

before walking across the park to the station. We were lucky enough to meet these gorgeous Staffy puppies on their way to being sold to a breeder.

Electricity!!!

2007-12-26T22:42:00.000+11:00

I can't really explain it,
I haven't got the words
It's a feeling that you can't control
I suppose it's like forgetting, losing who you are
And at the same time something makes you whole
It's like that there's a music playing in your ear
And I'm listening, and I'm listening and then I disappear

And then I feel a change
Like a fire deep inside
Something bursting me wide open impossible to hide
And suddenly I'm flying, flying like a bird
Like electricity, electricity
Sparks inside of me
And I'm free I'm free

It's a bit like being angry,
it's a bit like being scared
Confused and all mixed up and mad as hell
It's like when you've been crying
And you're empty and you're full
I don't know what it is, it's hard to tell
It's like that there's a music playing in your ear
But the music is impossible, impossible to hear
But then I feel it move me
Like a burning deep inside
Something bursting me wide open impossible to hide
And suddenly I'm flying, flying like a bird
Like electricity, electricity
Sparks inside of me
And I'm free I'm free
Electricity, sparks inside of me
And I'm free, I'm free
I'm free. Free I'm free

RG Dance DVD preview

2007-12-23T22:54:00.000+11:00

This looks a bit exciting J!!!

Not a littlie to be seen though, all the top teenies! and lots of Brady which is not surprising!

Photo Day

2007-12-09T22:44:00.000+11:00

Today was our photo day, and what a lovely humid little hothouse the studio was! Thankfully nowhere near as hot as last year, but still very very humid, especially doing about 12 costume changes.

So I just have to share my gorgeous girls in their gorgeous costumes!!!

Firstly my baby Kaiesha.
Pre Junior Jazz

Pre Junior Tap

Pre Junior Ballet (this is SO gorgeous!!!)

Junior Hip Hop

Now for my big girl Leilani.

Intermediate Modern

Firstly this one just because she looks so pretty!

Intermediate Hip Hop

Grade 3 Ballet (she's grumpy in this shot because she was worried about being late for her real photos!)

Intermediate Performance Group (jazz)

Junior Performance Group (jazz)

I missed getting her photo in her Jazz and Tap costumes.

The silly season has started!

2007-12-09T18:40:00.000+11:00

and NO I'm not talking about Christmas! It's getting close to concert time! I can only think about Christmas in the 3 days between our concert and Christmas Day!!

I spent Thursday running around buying socks for one of the troupe costumes, then Thursday night trying to find more of a particular dress which we discovered we were 3 short of!! I also ran to 2 dance shops to find stirrup stockings! I did find some bargain new tap shoes though so it was worth it! ;)

Friday night we went to the first annual concert for Infusion Dance, who took over from RM Sloper when Miss Rhonda retired last year. It was a lovely small concert which started at the sensible time of 6pm, so we were home by 9. Leilani's oldest bestie, Emma danced in 8 things at this concert. It was lovely to see how she's improved. A nice touch, Miss Megan provided nibbles and drinks - yes, alcohol too! - after the concert.

Saturday morning was the normal Saturday dancing - with trips back to the dance store for more supplies!. Then we had the enormous pleasure of going to RG Dance's matinee concert. It's become a little tradition for my friends the Griffo/Banks and I to sit in the front row of the matinee concert and be blown away by the RG experience. Yesterday didn't disappoint! It was an amazing show with kids that have to be seen to be believed! The things these kids do with their bodies, mind and spirits are incredible. Besides the incredible performance quality of these kids, it was so nice to have many of them who we've met at either Summer School or at eisteddfods, catch your eye during a dance and give you a special smile.

Today was our studio's photo day. We don't do dress rehearsal, we do photo day to check costumes etc and rehearse in normal gear. I'll blog separately about photo day as I have photos to share!!!

So from now on it's the downhill run.
Week 1
Monday - rehearsal
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday - normal classes (about 13 hours worth!)
Friday - night off Woo Hoo!!!
Sunday - Presentation Day and picnic
Week 2
Monday - rehearsal
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, - normal classes (about 10 hours worth!)
Friday - Concert Night!!!!!!!

We have to fit the last 2 weeks of school in here somewhere too!! :)

Found! Just what we need for Xmas...

2007-12-05T23:25:00.000+11:00

Just what my girls need - well Leilani anyway! - to get that RGesque leg mount ;)

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Used-leg-stretcher-4-martial-arts-kick-boxing-gymnastic_W0QQitemZ230199123724QQihZ013QQcategoryZ36281QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This girl was born to entertain!!!

2007-12-03T16:59:00.000+11:00

This is my friend's daughter Dee Dee. She was born for the stage. Ever since her big brother started doing eisteddfods this year, Dee Dee's been asking to dance at the 'stdfod' too :)

She unofficially learns Highland Dancing from a very talented teacher, and started a "Future Stars" combo class (jazz, ballet and tap) this year. You are supposed to be 3 to start, and she wasn't even 2 1/2 but showed she could concentrate... she immediately held her own - in fact is often better! - than the older kids.

At a recent local eisteddfod, they had a 3/U baby section. So miss Dee entered and did a little fling to "Knees up Mother Brown". She had an absolute ball as you will see!

Mandy's movie recommendation

2007-12-02T01:06:00.000+11:00

The girls and I went to see this movie today and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Of course seeing Dwayne "The Rock" shirtless had nothing to do with it

We were sitting in a row of about 10 primary aged boys and they all laughed and enjoyed it. I'd say it's more suited to the 8+ up age but Kaiesha enjoyed it too.

There is a fabulous ballet segment in it which is fantastic, both ballet wise and as part of the movie.

It has sport, dancing, humour and tearjerking moments... 8.5/10

You've come a long way baby!

2007-11-26T20:05:00.000+11:00

This makes me smile.. this is Kaiesha a few years ago, improvising in the backyard... she'd only be 3 years old... too cute IMO!!

Leilani's Tap Solo

2007-11-26T20:00:00.000+11:00

This is Leilani competing at the same eisteddfod recently. She's been doing this solo for a year now with mixed results, some adjudicators think it's too slow for fast tap, others think it's too easy for her. She's ready to retire it, but we're going to try it out in a slow tap section in the new year and see how she goes!

Kaiesha's Jazz solo

2007-11-26T19:58:00.000+11:00

This is my 5 year old daughter Kaiesha competing at a recent eisteddfod. This was the first time she'd done this solo so I'm very proud of how well she did!!!

Who we are

2007-11-26T19:25:00.000+11:00

I'm Mandy. I'm not really that much of a pushy stage mother, well my daughter is giving me the look so perhaps I am!! I see myself more as a mum dedicated to allowing her daughters to have fun, do their best and reach their potential as the best dancers they can be!!!

I love being a dancing mum. I love the whole eisteddfod scene, it's not really like Razzle Dazzle, not that much anyway! I spend 4 days a week at the dance studio, hours at a time waiting for the girls to do their classes. I spend mega $$$ on lessons, shoes, costumes, eisteddfod entries.... but it's all worth it.

My girls are Leilani, who is 9 and Kaiesha who is 5.

Leilani does classes in jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, modern, drama, junior performance group, intermediate performance group and a private (solo) lesson every week.

Kaiesha does classes in jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, pre-junior performance group,and a private (solo) lesson every week.

We spend many hours at our studio...luckily it's local!!!