dancers attend THRIVE workshop

Director Rhonda Foote and Instructor Teri Gene Conlin from Rhonda’s FooteWorks dance studio attended THRIVE dance workshop with several students .

The workshop was held at the OnCenter in Syracuse, NY the weekend of November 15th and 16th. For two days, professional instructors taught class in Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Tap dance. Instructors included Allison from season two of So You Think You Can Dance.

Students from the Evans Mills Dance studio ranged in age from 6 to 16 and come from communities throughout the North Country including Evans Mills, Carthage, Croghan, LaFargeville, Natural Bridge and Gouverneur.

The dancers enjoyed meeting and working with the professional dancers. Grace Seybert, daughter of Phil and Lois Seybert, LaFargeville, was one of seven scholarship recipients. Grace received an award and a credit for $80.00 at a regional THRIVE competition.

Rhonda Foote stressed that workshop attendance far outweighs the benefits of attending competition. “The experience of taking class with professionals is immeasurable. Being able to attend class in Syracuse instead of traveling to NYC is a treat. All of our students and instructors came back with more dance knowledge and a greater appreciation for our art.”

For further information, contact 767-3978 or visit www.rfwdance.blogspot.com . The studio will host “A Holiday Surprise” at the Evans Mills Primary School on Friday, Dec. 19th at 7:00 p.m. to benefit 8 year old Madison Fleming.

Director Rhonda Foote receives certification in Therapeutic Yoga Techniques

Rhonda Foote, Director of Rhonda’s FooteWorks Dance studio in Evans Mills, NY, attended a one-day certification course in Therapeutic Yoga on November 5th.

The course was part of the continuing education program from cross Country Education. The course was instructed by Julie Whitbeck, OTR/L, CYT from Dynamic Therapeutic Resources in Sanborn, NY.

The course showed how yoga techniques can be used to address those with special physical and emotional needs. The participants learned how to analyze and address those needs and make modifications in the yoga positions so as to best benefit the needs of the individual.

Ms. Foote intends to apply this course in her daily classes at the studio. “Whether helping someone to work in class with an injury or disability, or using the modifications to advance a student’s individual work out, this course was invaluable.” Ms. Foote said that this summer, the studio will host several specialty workshops that will incorporate much of what she learned in this workshop. Some of the workshops offered this summer will include “Arts, Dance and Yoga” for special needs children; teens and the studio would like to form a support group and workout session for those with Fibromyalgia or other diseases that affect the nerve and muscle systems.

For further information, contact Rhonda Foote at rhondasfooteworks@yahoo.com or call 315-767-3978.