THE GREEN ROOM

AND THE 2009-2010 TEAMS ARE...

Last month, girls from all over Orange County tried out for either dance or song teams at various high schools in the area. Dancers from McCoy Rigby Conservatory of the Arts were no exception. Many of these MRCA girls have been dancing at the studio, and its predecessor Academy of Ballet and Dance Arts, for years, some shortly after learning to walk. There are also those who have recently joined the MRCA family. Regardless, all of them had phenomenal try-outs, and look forward to a year of competing their little hearts out.

Congratulations to the following MRCA dancers who made...

CANYON HIGH SCHOOL........................................................

SONG:

- Alexa Grunder

- Alex Niel

EL DORADO HIGH SCHOOL....................................................

DANCE:

- Sydney Folsom

- Morgan Harris

- Julianne Kelly

- Sunny Lee

- Rachael Mauter

- Natalie Oganesyan

- Annie Trail

- Jorgia Zvulon

ESPERANZA HIGH SCHOOL....................................................

DANCE:

- Megan Abba

- Blake Blakenship

- Briley Harrison

- Laura Orriny

JV SONG:

- Aubrey Harrison

- Lauren Melendres

- Madilyn Shell

VARSITY SONG:

- Brooke Cooper

- Kelsey Culver

- Ali Martinez

- Jenna Pasko

MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL.....................................................

JV SONG:

- Sarah Cooper

ROSARY HIGH SCHOOL.........................................................

JV DANCE:

- Alex Collins

- Megan Dillon

- Katie DiTomaso

- Nicolet Luebke

- Ashley Nieto

VARSITY DANCE:

- Amy Domino

- Mary Kate Domino

- Bridget Jacob

- Kelly Jacob

- Melissa Metz

- Caitlin Moravek

- Sarah Parizino

YORBA LINDA HIGH SCHOOL..................................................

JV SONG:

- Candice Cooper

 

 

 

 

PHILOSOPHIES

I spent many years inside dance studios, as a child and an adult, taking all sorts of classes. Not only was I a student, but for several years, I was on the dance staff for Up With People, teaching the two-hour show to incoming cast members. And for almost 15 years now, my own children have taken classes, competed on teams, and so forth. In other words, I have worn pretty much every hat you can wear when it comes to this world known as dance.

As such, I consider myself somewhat of an expert on dance studios, including what makes a good one versus a mediocre or downright lousy one. I am happy to report that most of the ones of which I know are good, very few are lousy. 

And every now and then, you find one that is exceptional. But let me explain my definition of an "exceptional" dance studio. Yes, the teachers are adept. Yes, they are creative. Yes, they are talented. But far more than that, they are enthusiastic. They are motivated. And above all, they care.

They care about their students in a manner that goes beyond teacher-student. They take a personal interest in the well-being of their children, not only in wanting to develop their talents as dancers, but in showing them how to gracefully handle wins as well as disappointments. They notice when a student is working exceptionally hard. They notice when one seems to be having an off day, and do what they can to help that child through it. 

Teachers with this philosophy do not just appear by happenstance. More often than not, they are copying the general attitude of those who own and operate the studio. When management has a cutthroat philosophy, chances are good the teachers will as well. Which unfortunately causes the student to follow suit. But when management is nurturing, competitive while still keeping its perspective on what really matters in life, then you have a studio where the teachers will be the same way. And, most importantly, so will the students.

This is why McCoy Rigby falls under the "exceptional" category. The studio embraces these qualities, as is evident by the atmosphere every time you walk through the door. To make my point, included here is a letter sent from a mom to Jill Leatherwood, manager of MRDA: 

Dear Jill,
This is one family who is NOT writing to complain. We wanted to take this opportunity, when you are being bombarded with questions and concerns, to simply say THANK YOU.

Thank you to you, to Cathy & Tom, Brianna, all the wonderful teachers and staff. 

Thank you to the many parents who volunteer of their time and talents to help with whatever our children may need.

Most of all, thank you for giving my daughter a positive, nurturing place where she can explore her artistic self. MRDA is way more than a dance studio to our family. MRDA is a haven and a nurturing piece of Jessica’s life, and we would venture to say that MRDA is the best part of Jessica’s life. Every time we drop her off at dance, every class, every encounter we have leaves us with a smile on our faces and warmth in our hearts, knowing that some very special people treat our daughter and all the children there like they are LOVED. As parents, we could not ask for more.

Thank you for all you do. You are amazing.

Sincerely,
Jennifer and Stuart Nichols

INTRODUCING...

~THE GREEN ROOM~

MRDA's official blog site for MRDA families and staff members ~

My name is Patti McCoy Jacob, and I am the host of this site. 

The Green Room will profile various dancers, staff members, special guests, letting you in on their latest achievements inside as well as outside the studio. 

Additionally, email me directly with good news about your child you would like me to share with the rest of the studio. My email address:

patti@mccoyrigby.com

Welcome to THE GREEN ROOM ~