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Strictly Rhythm Dance Center is committed to providing a well-rounded
dance education in a warm, caring environment. Excellent training
in dance technique and performance is provided here, promoting
self confidence, creativity, a good work ethic, and a sense of
accomplishment. The focus at Strictly Rhythm is on recognizing
and developing natural ability and fine-tuning lasting skills
while maintaining a friendly and comfortable atmosphere.
From age two through adults, students at Strictly Rhythm are
offered a dance curriculum which includes tap, jazz, ballet,
pointe, hip hop, and a unique and specially designed program
for pre-schoolers. "Two year old students easily learn basic
dance steps and begin to socialize even before they are potty-trained!"
states studio owner Kim Menke. As a matter of fact, with a student
roster that has quickly exceeded over 400 students, Strictly
Rhythm is one of the few studios to begin teaching children at
the young age of two. Kim believes that by focusing the class
on early developmental skills in a fun learning environment,
even the youngest students gain self confidence,
develop coordination, learn to take turns, follow directions,
and increase listening skills. All of these attributes will help
them as they begin pre-school. Kim strongly believes the discipline
involved in dance helped her to achieve her dream of owning and
operating her own studio at the age of only 22! Her sister, Kolbie
Bowling, an English major and Dance minor at George Mason University
agrees. Kolbie, who has been dancing since the age of two, adds
that the discipline involved in dance has helped her develop
time management skills that allow her to dance, teach, and maintain
high academic achievement.
The parents at Strictly Rhythm sing the praises of the entire
staff from the very organized and efficiently run front office,
handled by Studio Manager Robin Surdam, to the professional,
friendly instructional staff.
Meet the Staff
KIM MENKE, Director - An award-winning dancer and choreographer,
Kim has been dancing since the age of two. Kim's performances
include local, national, and international competitions, Wolf
Trap, the White House, and the National Theater. She has also
choreographed and performed two live concerts at the Taj Mahal
in Atlantic City. A former Captain of the Washington Redskins
Cheerleaders, Kim assisted with much of their choreography for
game performance and Showtroupe. Kim's instructional specialty
is the pre-school program at Strictly Rhythm. Her patience and
creative approach to dance has won her national recognition as
one of the best dance educators for young dancers. Kim has created
a preschool program that includes tap, ballet, and expression
through the use of interactive songs geared to challenge the
imagination of her young students while developing their dance
technique. Many of Kim's young students have won regional and
world dance championships. Most recently two of her six-year
old students won the Starpower World Duet Championship, and three
of her students were selected to perform at Disney World this
past summer. Kim is also a sought after judge for several national
competitions.
SHAUNA BARKER - A former member of the award-winning Masonettes
Dance Team of George Mason University, Shauna has studied dance
at the Dance Theatre of Harlem and is a guest artist with the
troupe, "Tappers with Attitude". Shauna's innovative
tap choreography has won national acclaim at competitions across
the country. This past summer one of her tap soloists won the
solo World Championship at the Starpower Competition. Shauna's
group routines consistently win top honors and choreography awards
regionally and nationally. Shauna is a graduate of George Mason
University.
JESSE BEAUDOIN - Jesse recently graduated Magna Cum Laude
from Towson University. He has performed at Towson University,
the Jazz World Dance Congress, several NFL halftime shows, and
was the 1999 winner of Mr. Starquest. Jesse has also won numerous
choreography awards and his students have received high score
recognition at regional and national competitions. Jesse's unique
choreography has been recognized at numerous competitions and
dance conventions, and his student's are consistently awarded
technical achievement accolades.
KOLBIE BOWLING - The winner of numerous dance titles and scholarships,
Kolbie has also proven herself to be an incredible teacher and
choreographer. Her solo students have won many regional and world
dance titles including Petite Miss Starpower World Champion,
Jr. Miss Dance of Virginia, Young Star of Tomorrow, and Jr. Ms.
Starpower, Little Miss Dance of Virginia, and Teen Miss Dance
of Virginia. Her distinctive style and creativity have been recognized
at many competitions. At the Starpower World Championships this
past summer, her group of 7 and 8 year olds won the World Championship
and they continue to collect overall championships at regional
competitions so far this year. Kolbie was a member of the original
Power Pak Tour and has traveled and performed in Orlando, Florida;
Dallas, Texas; Branson, Missouri; and Las Vegas, Nevada.
CAROLYN THROCKMORTON - The ballet program at Strictly Rhythm
is under the direction of Carolyn Throckmorton, a graduate of
the London College of Dance. Carolyn is certified in Cecchetti,
Modern and R.A.D. Many of her students have been awarded scholarships
to prominent dance institutes and conservatories around the world.
Carolyn has been at Strictly Rhythm for four years and is directly
responsible for the development of the technical program of our
students. Several of her students have been selected for the
intensive with Dance Theater of Harlem and have also won technical
recognition at regional and national competitions.
CANDRA JOHNSON-PRESHONG - Candra has studied tap, jazz, and
ballet in the Northern Virginia are for many years. She has performed
at the Jack Guidone Theater and the Kennedy Center. Candra attended
Point Park College with a major in Dance and recently transferred
to George Mason University to complete her degree in Psychology.
Candra's style and attention to technical detail has won many
awards, including overall high scores and choreography recognition
at regional and national competitions.
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Strictly Rhythm Performing Company
In addition to, and certainly not the least of Strictly Rhythm's
programs, is their 100-member World Champion Performing Company.
Performing company members' range in age from three to eighteen.
They perform during the year at local community events such as
Springfield Days, YMCA Healthy Kids Day, special events at Landmark
and Springfield Malls, and various clubs and organizations, as
well as regional and national dance competitions. The top award
winners at many regional competitions, the Strictly Rhythm Performing
Company has also proven themselves as world dance contenders
at the Starpower World Championships the past four years by winning
many overall high score solo, duet, trio, and group awards. At
the 2002 Championships, 8-year old Kendall Cherry, won the high
score soloist award with her tap number, Money, and 6-year
old duet partners, Celino Amados and Allyn Melliza, were the
World Duet Champions, with their jazz routine, Shake It.
The 7 & 8 year-old members won the World Group Championship
with their jazz routine to Wild. Other standout performances
included, tap groups Hi de Ho, Souljahz, and Pop
and a character dance performed by the three to six year-old
dancers, The Kings, which featured the young performers
in a dance tribute to The King - Elvis. A highlight of the week-long
World Championship is the solo title competition. In the age
8 & under division, Strictly Rhythm students Kendall Cherry
and Mackenzie Neuburg were selected to the top ten solo finalists
out of several hundred competitors from across the country. In
the 9-12 year old division, 10-year old Michelle Tatiya was selected
as a finalist out of over two hundred competitors. Michelle has
been dancing at Strictly Rhythm since she was five years old.
Her parents started her in dance because she was shy and reserved.
They agree that dance has certainly helped Michelle overcome
her shyness and develop self-confidence and social skills, in
addition to becoming a world champion performer. Michelle recently
auditioned for the television show, Star Search, along
with teammates Kendall Cherry and Cameron Spera.
Fun, Exercise & Friends
As well as offering the competitve aspect of dance, Strictly
Rhythm offers classes for beginner to advanced students who are
looking for fun, exercise, and the opportunity to meet new friends.
Along with a fabulous pre-school program, the teen and adult
enrollment has doubled over the past two years. With the addition
of new teen and adult classes in tap, jazz, ballet, and hip hop,
the increased enrollment proves it is never to late to start
dance or to rekindle the love for dance you had as a child!
As dance teams at local high schools begin to receive recognition,
many middle school students are hoping to join their high school
dance team and look to the instruction at Strictly Rhythm to
help prepare them for this activity. Strictly Rhythm instructor,
Shauna Barker, is also the dance team coach at Hayfield High
School. "When prospective dance team members have a strong
technical dance background, it makes for an easy transition onto
the dance team in high school," says Shauna. Strictly Rhythm
offers classes that will help students develop the dance ability
and technical strength they will need to prepare themselves for
their high school team.
Recital Performance
An annual recital is offered in June of each year. Although recital
participation is optional, it is strongly encouraged as it offers
all students - even the youngest - the opportunity to perform
on stage in costume, in a professional setting, for their family
and friends.
Dance Curriculum
A full dance curriculum is offered at Strictly Rhythm. Classes
are available in Rhythm Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Hip Hop, and
a specially designed dance program for Pre-Schoolers, ages two
through five.
The full-year program begins in September and ends with our annual
recital performance in June. During the summer months (July and
August) Strictly Rhythm continues to offer a full dance curriculum
along with Weekly Mini Camps, such as:
Little Ballerina Camp (ages 21/2-3)
Introduction to Dance (ages 4-5)
Tap and Jazz Camp (ages 6-7)
Jazz Camp (ages 8-11)
Rhythm Tap Camp (ages 8-11)
Musical Theater Camp (ages 8-11)
Hip Hop Camp (ages 8-11)
The five-week summer program is a great time to try a new
activity or continue in the class of your choice. You can select
weekly hourly evening or Saturday classes, and/or enroll in one
of the exciting weekday Mini-Camps. There is no registration
fee for the summer program.
Registration at Strictly Rhythm Dance Center is on-going and
class sizes are limited to ensure individualized attention to
each student. Registration is held during regular studio business
hours, Monday through Friday 4:00 - 8:00 pm, Saturday 9:30 am
to 12 noon, or by telephone with a Visa or Mastercard. Convenient
class times are available throughout the week and on Saturdays.
Tuition pricing is competitive and family registration discounts
are offered.
Strictly Rhythm is located on Franconia Road, one mile east
of Springfield Mall. It is easily accessible to residents of
Alexandria, Landmark, Ft. Belvoir, Kingstowne, Springfield and
Burke. For more information or to receive a class schedule, please
call 703-719-6878.
STRICTLY RHYTHM
DANCE CENTER
6120-A Franconia Road
Alexandria, VA 22310
Phone: 703-719-6878
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