Pictures from "Let the Nations be Glad!"

It's taken me a while, but I finally uploaded and captioned an album of pictures from "Let the Nations be Glad!" You can see them by clicking below.

Praise God for these great memories!

Let the Nations be Glad!

Praising God for "Let the Nations be Glad!"

God did amazing things through "Let the Nations be Glad!" The dress rehearsal was a little rough, but everything went smoothly for the presentation on Friday, May 13th.

God brought many people to come and watch - the biggest crowd I've had for any dance recital. That was neat, and a lot of fun to share dance for God's glroy with many people. From grandparents to parents to siblings, to friends (even teenage guys!) it sounded like everyone enjoyed it, and were blessed by it. Praise God!

We had the ending dance party today, and I'm still sorting through more pictures to share. A mom took some wonderful close-ups of dancers that are precious, and will be fun.

As for now, already I'm registering people for fall ballet classes, and getting ready for auditions for the summer musical and play on June 6th and 7th! :)

The King's Praise Ballet 2011

It always amazes me to see pictures of all my students together... It looks like such a big group, yet I know each individual by name, face, and personality. Even if I do accidentally call them the wrong name in class sometimes! ;)

God has given me 54 wonderful girls to teach with this semester. They've kept me busy, but been a joy.

To God be the glory!
Great things He has done!

Picture credit: JP Lofgren

"Set free"

"For these are the ones who've been set free by Christ..."

Picture credit: JP Lofgren

"He's got everybody here..."

"He's got everybody here in His hands..."

I love how Wee 1's dance ends. :)

Picture credit: JP Lofgren

Tri-colored Arabesques

Picture credit: JP Lofgren

Dancing with the set

The set wasn't quite finished in time to start, as the cross took longer than expected... the glue wouldn't dry, so Dad and Lydia had to sew the foam panels together. So, we had to start the rehearsal as they put the last few touches on. The girls did a great job ignoring it while they dance! :)

Picture credit: JP Lofgren

"Let His praises ring..."

"Let His praises ring throughout the earth!"

Picture credit: JP Lofgren

Dancing at MerryWood Lodge

The King's Praise Ballet shared at MerryWood Lodge (a local nursing home) this afternoon. Everyone did very well, things went smoothly, and people were blessed - praise God!

These less formal presentations are nice, because it gives performance experience to the dancers (thus they're not as nervous at the "real thing!") and it teaches them to share with and love the elderly, who can't get out much or at all, and so enjoy children coming to them.

Below are a few pictures from the afternoon. Thanks to my dad for taking them!

"Let His praises ring throughout the earth!"

These colors are so fun, and the skirts are definitely "props" as much as costumes for this dance!

Seeing young girls worship... a precious thing.

"Let all creation stand and sing!"

"He's got the whole world..."

One of these little ones was a little reluctant to go out to dance, but she did very well once she got there! It's fun to see little ones - and big ones! - overcome shyness and dance for the Lord.

"For her it was one choice to make..."

"Our brothers and sisters are paying the price..."

It was challenging to dance with a low-hanging chandelier, especially when using long ribbons! But, the girls did well at avoiding it, and nothing got tangled in it, though it did get bumped a few times. ;)

"No greater love" - a duet choreographed by students

"Ignites a candle, and makes His home..."

Other students choreographed a trio. Such joy on their faces!

In-action - fun shot!

I can't get over how pretty these colors are together! :)

Costumes in Class

One of my older students got some fun in-class pictures of the girls practicing in costume during picture week.

Running to their ending pose line

Leaping for fun

Swirls of white and color

Making an arch for a friend

Pretty pastels

"Let's go!"

Ruffly skirts

Come to "Let the Nations be Glad!"

It's hard to believe it's less than 2 weeks away! Please pray for many to come, and for the final preparations to go well!

Costume "editing"

It's hard to find costumes, especially for older girls, that are modest. So, I often have to get creative, ordering a pretty but not too expensive costume that can be "edited." Often I add leotards or skirts underneath, depending on what the costume needs.

However, I try to find costumes that won't need too many alterations, as the costs and time add up if fixing multiple ones for a class.

With my solo, though, I could be more creative, since I only had to edit one. So, I ordered this dress, and added a maroon leotard, white chiffon fabric drape (to cover spaghetti straps and low neck), white skirt (since the dress was see-through - thankfully I already had this skirt from a previous costume), and a maroon sash (since the dress has an empire waist, and looked funny seeing the skirt waistband show through).

A bit of work, but I'm very happy with how it turned out. The dress works perfectly for my solo, danced to "The Faithful" by Steve Green, and representing China in "Let the Nations be Glad!"

Thursday ballet portraits

Portraits turned out well from Thursday classes! Again, I had costumes arrive at the very last minute (after being back ordered and then shipped overnight express), but they came in time for pictures. So, praise God!

My dad was so kind to spend another afternoon taking pictures in between us practicing dances.

Country: Ireland

Ballet III got creative with poses!

We added their black class leo and skirt under this one, but it worked well, and didn't cost extra!

Country: Mexico

This costume is so cute! Works very well for the song "Cristo Me Ama" ("Jesus Loves Me" in Spanish)

Country: France

The pastel colors are so pretty together! The blue costumes were the last to arrive, 30 minutes after this class started. We were all so grateful when they came!

We added the colored leotards underneath for modesty, but even though they're from a different company than the costume, they matched perfectly!

Sister pictures are also so sweet. I love how these sisters are making each other laugh. :)

More sisters! Not all sister pictures fit together as well due to different colored costumes, but these three looked perfect together!

You can see more pictures in a Picasa album by clicking here.

Tuesday Ballet Portraits

Pictures went well during classes yesterday! The girls all look beautiful, and it's fun to see the costumes turn out!

Country: Canada

After preparing myself for the worst (usually costumes turn out much skimpier in reality than they look in pictures) I was pleased to find these needed very little alteration - just a little take-in at the neck to help it not gape. No slips or other additions needed!

Country: Philippines

When I saw these costumes in the catalog, I new I wanted to get them if possible. No alterations, and so many beautiful colors together!

Country: South Korea

These costumes are just plain fun! Sequins and ruffles are cute on little girls!

Country: Russia

Girls in these costumes made it feel like we'd stepped into a winter wonderland.

We added the white leos underneath for modesty, but I found them on clearance, which was nice!

Country: Austria

Little 4-year-old students are so adorable!

Sister pictures are fun. I currently have 12 families with two or more daughters taking dance. It's fun to make it a family activity.

You can see more pictures in a Picasa album by clicking here.

Cowgirls from the USA!

Ballet portraits are this week! Thanks to a backdrop created with the help of friends and family, a wonderful camera borrowed from a generous friend, and a dad willing to give of his time to take pictures, I'm able to offer pictures at affordable prices for families.

This group is representing the USA in "Let the Nations be Glad!"

Dancing to "The Great Adventure" (with stick horses!) for an extra optional dance for girls ages 5-9. Girls must want to be cowgirls, since 11 signed up! They sure are cute... :)

New Props

Long streamers for "Cristo Me Ama" the dance representing Mexico.

Ribbons for the dance representing Israel

Pink, purple, and blue fabric billows for the Philippines

Photo credit: The Paces

Green = Monkeys

I never thought I'd be teaching my ballet students to act like monkeys...

Huh?

You'll have to come to "Let the Nations be Glad!" on May 13th to find out what it means! :)

Springing

Playing

Photo credit: The Paces