Halloween week at the studio has been a blast!

By: Ms Kristie

This week we're celebrating Halloween at the studio! Dancers and staff are dressing in their best costumes, or borrowing random pieces from the "lost costume bin."

So far we've had dancers dressed as hippies, witches, Superman, Hermione, Tinkerbell, cheerleaders, cats and more. Ms Dana also put on her prettiest tutu and tiara to transform in to a beautiful fairy princess ballerina for her Monday students and Ms Mimi bedazzled her own black fingerless gloves to embody the one and only Michael Jackson. Due to a time constraint before coming in to teach, Ms Shannon was inadvertently dressed as a dog groomer. It worked.

Of course Halloween wouldn't be complete without chocolate and licorice after class for all of our hard-working students and performances of the Thriller dance! Monday night Company learned a section of the dance and performed for the Combo II students and last night the Jazz 3 class (after eating candy while watching the video) transformed into un-dead zombie dancers and performed their rendition of Thriller for Ms Shannon and Ms Mimi to help get them in the mood for the midnight premier of 'This Is It."

Tonight I'm debating between Little Red Riding Hood and going totally 80s. I guess I have 3 hours to think about it...

What's your favorite part of Halloween?

October Newsletter!

Studio Logowear Sale!

Last years Metro Dance Company logowear is on SALE! Limited sizes. Sale runs through Saturday, October 31.

This just in…










Property of T-Shirt $27
Company Sweatshirt: $46





Order Your Metro Dance Warm Up and Dance Bag

Order forms are available online and in the studio and are due to Ms Rita at the front desk by Tuesday November 3. Orders will arrive in time for the holidays. Sample warm up jacket and pants sizes available to try on. See Ms Rita.


Metro Dance Warmup Jacket: $72, Pants $32
Dance Bag: $49



“Getting to Know You” Section Coming Soon…
Starting in November we’ll be highlighting 3 Metro Dance students in the monthly newsletters. Ms Rita will randomly draw names and Ms Kristie will interview and take a picture of each chosen student in the middle of each month. We’re excited for everyone to get to know each other!


Dancers, Show Your Halloween Spirit!
Wear Your Costume to Dance October 26-31
Dancers are welcome to wear non-scary Halloween costumes to dance the week of Oct 26 as long as they can still stretch and participate in class.


We Want Your Gently Used Dance Shoes
Starting immediately we are starting a dance shoe exchange and want everyone to benefit! You can drop off and shop for your gently used dances shoes in the studio lobby and have the choice to collect money for your donated shoes (once they sell) or donate the funds to charity.

TO DONATE SHOES: Place the pair of shoes (1 pair only) in a clear gallon size Ziploc bag and include an envelope with your asking price for the shoes and your first and last name. When the shoes are purchased, the buyer will place the money in the envelope, give it to the front desk and the front desk will get the envelope to the seller.

If you prefer to donate the shoes, the studio will asses a fair price and the money will be donated to a local charity.

TO PURCHASE SHOES: Place the asking price of the shoes (cash only) in the envelope and give it to the front desk.


Congratulations to Ms Shannon and family!
Teagan Grace Hamby was born September 28, 2009 at 11:30am. She was 7lbs, 6oz and 19 inches long.

Everyone is healthy, doing well and resting at home. Ms Shannon will be back to teaching at the studio in November.

WANTED: Metro Dance Company Dancers and Staff to Decorate Scarecrow

We need help to decorate our Metro Dance Scarecrow!

Join us this Saturday Sept 26, 1:30-2:30pm at Kellogg Park in downtown Plymouth (Main Street and Ann Arbor Trail) to assemble our 3rd annual studio scarecrow. Dancers of all ages welcome! We need to stuff, decorate and hang our scarecrow for Plymouth's annual “Scarecrows in the Park” event September 28 – November 2.

We look forward to seeing everyone there! We'll bring all the supplies and cider. You bring your creativity.

Saturday September 26
1:30-2:30pm
Kellogg Park, downtown Plymouth

2009 Masters Dance Intensive Recap, Day 1

By: Kristie Wyler


Yesterday we kicked off the first day of our Masters Dance Intensive with Mimi Whetstone’s advanced Latin Ballroom class. Ms Mimi started class with a slow (ish) Rhumba and transitioned into an ultra fast paced Mambo. The dancers all did great with the quick footwork and weight changes and started to get the fast Latin hips.

After a 10 minute break the dancers moved in to my advanced Contemporary class. We started with a warm up and stretch, then worked chaines, pirouettes, reverse jetes and turning leaps across the floor before learning a piece full of contractions and contortions to one of my favorite songs, “The Blower’s Daughter.”

I'm excited to see everyone later today for day 2 of our Masters Dance Intensive: Modern with Stephanie Plansker and Breaking/Hip Hop with Stringz of Hardcore Detroit. I'll have my camera with me tonight so I can take pictures and videos to post tomorrow.

Have a favorite part of class yesterday? Share with us in the comments.

Advanced Dance Classes, August 17-20

Our Masters Dance Intensive schedule is finalized:


Monday August 17

5:00-6:25pm Latin with Mimi Whetstone
6:35-8:00pm Contemporary with Kristie Wyler


Tuesday August 18

5:00-6:25pm Modern with Stephanie Plansker
6:35-8:00pm Hip Hop/Breaking with guest artist Stringz


Wednesday August 19

5:00-6:25pm Bollywood with guest artist Anuja Rajendra
6:35-8:00pm Irish with guests artists Ed Koehne and Elaine Murray


Thursday August 20

5:00-6:25pm Ballet with Dana Cochren
6:35-8:00pm Russian with guest artist Inna Belikov


Dance for the entire week for $179 or drop in to classes for $24 each. All classes are for experienced dancers and are advanced level. Teachers, pre-professionals and professionals are encouraged to attend.

Registration is now open! Register by phone at 734.207.8970. We look forward to seeing you!

Masters Dance Intensive, Yeah!

By: Kristie Wyler


Ms Rita and I have been working all summer to get the best and most interesting instructors for our 2nd annual Masters Dance Intensive and I am so excited with what we have lined up so far…

Stringz, (AKA S Uno) founder of Hardcore Detroit is teaching a Breaking/Hip Hop class Tuesday August 18 at 6:35pm. I’m so excited for the kids to have the opportunity to work with him. I’m still debating if I’ll have the guts to take this one. Here is a clip of his work:












I tried to get a “dances around the world” feel this year and feel so lucky the kids will be exposed to a number of different cultures and styles throughout the week.

Our resident Ballroom expert, Mimi Whetstone will start the Intensive with a Latin class on Monday August 17 at 5pm. I am definitely taking this class since I am determined to get my Latin hips working like Ms Mimi’s.

Bolly Fit founder, Anuja Rajendra is joining the guest faculty to teach a high-energy Bollywood class Wednesday August 19. Anuja has recently been featured in the Ann Arbor News, Flint Journal and Detroit Free Press. Here’s a short clip of Anuja on Fox 2 Detroit News:

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/health/get_fit/Bolly_Fit__Fitness_Through_Fun

Elaine Murray and Ed Koehne of Green Fire Irish Dancers are teaching an Irish class Wednesday August 19 and Inna Belikov is closing out the Intensive with a Russian dance class Thursday August 20.

Metro Dance faculty member Stephanie Plansker is also teaching an Advanced Modern class Tuesday August 18 at 5pm. I have a feeling if you're there you'll be sore in odd places in the morning, but it will be a "good sore."

All classes are open to dancers, teachers and professionals ages 13+. Call 734.207.8970 to register by phone.

Thinking of attending? I'd love to hear which class you're most excited about taking.

Welcome to the Neighborhood!

Kristie Wyler




Over the past month several new businesses have opened in downtown Plymouth. Welcome to the neighborhood...


CandyLicious Candy Shop
424 S Main
Plymouth MI 48170
734-451-2263

Sweet 21 Bakery
386 S Main St
Plymouth MI 48170
734-455-7144

Plaka Mediterranean Grille
838 Penniman
Plymouth MI 48170

Dean Sadler Hair and Makeup Studio
807 Penniman
Plymouth MI 48170
734-416-9800
www.deansadlerstudio.com

Suburban Harvest
606 S Main St
Plymouth MI 48170
734-259-8357
www.Suburban-Harvest.com


Have you had the chance to visit any of the newest Plymouth business yet? Leave a comment on what you thought.