December happenings...

Costume orders will be due before Dec. 15, and please remember that you must mail them in, DO NOT drop them off at the studio, if you do this we must mail it in for you, only delaying your order. Orders received from Dec. 16th forward will be a full 25.00 higher...Yikes! Don't let this happen to you...:(

The Nutcracker Ballet will be performed in Spokane on Dec. 18- 20, we hope you are able to attend...What a fun weekend seeing our Inland Northwest Ballet dancers on stage with Ballet Memphis.

We will be closed for Christmas vacation from Dec. 21st through Jan. 3rd. In the future, remember that this info, along with all vacation day info, is also located in your student packet sent home this fall (the packet you had to sign for).

Miss Janine, Miss Kaiti, Miss Karen, Miss Lynne, Susie, and Cheryl all wish you the happiest of holidays!

Ballet Channel

Ballet Channel

ABT Star Irina Dvorovenko discusses "Becoming Juliet"

Inland Northwest Ballet Studio Director Janine Fraser is a huge fan of Irina's, and wants to pass this interview with Irina along to our Spokane ballet dancers...Just close out the ad at the bottom, click on the full screen button and enjoy!

Hooray! Nutcracker on TV...On Tues. 12-1 at 10:30 pm on PBS (Spokane and Cd'A)...A behind-the-scenes glimpse at Anthony Williams' remake of Tchaikovsky's classic "Nutcracker" ballet as a multicultural production featuring traditional ballet, hip-hop, tap, swing and flamenco...Also, on Wed. 12-2 at 10:30 pm...The history of Tchaikovsky..."Nutcracker" ballet....A couple of great programs for our Inland Northwest Ballet dancers! :) Miss Janine says these are a "must watch"...:)

Though not announced yet, PBS usually shows America Ballet Theatre's production of the Nutcracker" starring Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland...Details regarding this showing will be posted here when available! :)

We love Empire Dance!

A huge thank you to Empire Dance for treating our Spokane ballet dancers so well at their first pointe shoe fitting last weekend. The girls learned so much about the fit and care of pointe shoes, and had lots of fun as well! The first week of pointe classes went well, due to your excellent fitting...:) Inland Northwest ballet loves Empire Dance!

PS Though you may be able to find less expensive dancewear online, you will NOT get the availability and care of Philip Broadbent and his staff at Empire Dance. If you have to return what you purchase because it does not fit, or it was not quite what you wanted, than it may cost you much more in the long run. Need another reason? Empire Dance supports local arts programs. That means they are putting their money back into the community where it benefits our dancers...They are worth every penny! :)

First Pointe Shoes!

Above: Jemima, Madi Maude, and Emily releve in 5th position...very pretty!

Below: Mackenzie, Ciara, Jemima, Madi Maude, and Emily show off their new pointe shoes, and are joined by Sarah and Shannon, who have been dancing on pointe for awhile...All smiles!


Finally! A group of our level 7 Inland Northwest Ballet students from Spokane made a much anticipated trip...Miss Janine, along with parents, took the girls to get fitted for their very first pointe shoes!

Empire Dance, located in downtown Spokane, is THE place to go for the best fit. The owner Philip Broadbent, along with his wife Sally, both danced professionally in Europe for many years, and truly know ballet. It can be a long process to get the correct fit, but so important to asssure the health of the dancer's feet, lower back, and hips. After the fitting, Philip gives the girls a talk about the care of pointe shoes, along with ribbons and elastics and what to do with both, and answers any questions they may have.

At Inland Northwest Ballet, we are very cautious about whom we allow to dance on pointe, some of these girls have been dancing for 12 years! They had their first class on Saturday, and said it felt "amazing" to go on pointe. What fun!

It's that time of year again! Performance packets have been sent home so that our dance families may begin to make preparations for our June performances. Costume order forms are enclosed, and are due before December 15th, or your costume fee will be a full 25.00 higher. Yikes! Don't let this happen...order on time...:)

Also, dates and times of your performance are enclosed as well. This way, no one should be wondering when and where to be come springtime! Save this packet until the end of June for a no stress performance seaso

Our little ones at Inland Northwest Ballet...:)

When Miss Kaiti opened the door to let her little ones last week, she found them out in the hallway...they had started without her...:)

Happy Monday Spokane dancers!

Happy Monday Spokane!

We'll start the week off with one of Miss Janine's favorite quotes by Carlos Castoneda...

"The trick is in what one emphasizes, we can make ourselves miserable or make ourselves strong, the work is the same" ...In other words, it's all about ATTITUDE! We hope you start your week off with a fantastic attitude! :)