The mission of USA Dance is to improve the quality and quantity of dance in the United States. USA Dance MN was started by, and continued to grow because of, members who have been interested in, and who have supported, this mission. Thanks to all of the past and present USA Dance MN volunteers who have given time and money to carry on this mission in Minnesota.
Improving the Quality of Dance
A stronger focus this year for the USA Dance MN board will be on improving the quality of dance. At our last board meeting in December, we started an exciting discussion about how we could best increase the number of people getting quality dance instruction in Minnesota. Behind every great dancer within our dance community is quality dance instruction and practice. Although they seem to just naturally dance across the floor without a flaw, they didn't start out that way. Hours of lessons that included technique lessons, such as correct posture and frame, have been drilled into these dancers. They know that muscle memory is created during their learning process that will then allow them to move on to the next level of dance. We all start out wanting to just learn how to take the right steps so we can dance. We learn that so much more comes into play to dance well. Quality dance instruction, in the end, equals more fun dancing.
Star of the North
Star of the North is scheduled for the last weekend in February. This amateur dance competition is an excellent way for dancers to improve on the quality of their dancing. Although dancing while others are watching seems scary, it is good for us. Our confidence is built every time we dance in a competition. This year, this special dance event is going to be at the Marriott West Hotel. This new space has lots of room for spectators, so invite your friends or relatives who would love to watch dance. Come to volunteer, compete, or watch. Our special guests will be the Winter Carnival Royalty. To our competitors, “Dance as if no one is watching.”
Marketing Communications
This year, the plan is to create an active Marketing Communications Committee. A marketing student at the U of M will be a part of this new committee. Many other volunteers are needed to enhance our new USA Dance MN website www.usadance-mn.org and create greater awareness of all of our events. Our newsletter team continues to be the best. How can we get more people aware of our website, newsletter, and events? Please see Mike Jones if you want to help by contributing to this committee.
Fundraisers for College, Youth, and Special Interest Groups
This April, our monthly dance will be at the U of M. We will be helping the U of M Ballroom Dance Club raise money for their dance education needs. This year, we are interested in starting to see how we can elevate our fundraising efforts for young people interested in dance. We are also interested in participating in other fundraising events as we did last year with the veterans. See Yeun Chou if you would like to help with fundraisers.
Enhancing Our Dance Demo Team
We have had a bit of a decline in the amount of dancers involved in USA Dance MN dance demos. This year, however, at the Mall of America, we have a lot of dance talent on the floor. Help us attract others into our dance world. Our dance demos are a great way to create awareness of USA Dance. See Yvonne Viehman or a board member if you are interested in taking part in dance demos.
Enhance Energy at Monthly Dances
This year, we are going to enhance the monthly dances. Brian Folger, a U of M student, plans to get involved on this committee once he completes graduate school. Corissa Ranum is a U of M student on the board and the monthly dance committee. Craig Hagensick is the monthly dance registrar. Zhoujing Liu is on the board and is scheduling our dance studios, instruction, and music for the monthly dances. We could use photographers, music association reporting, and help with ways to enhance monthly dances.
Happy Dancing!
