Newsletter

DANCEXTREME JUDGES ASSOC. - DX CONNECT

Issue # 2 – DEC. 2012

- Nov

			DX Connect For MN Dance Team Coaches & Officials
Welcome to DX Connect jlvb
A PUBLICATION DESIGNED TO CONNECT MN DANCE COACHES, dancers & judges				In This Issue

The overwhelming enthusiasm for DX’s new sportsmanship initiative is amazing. We’ve heard fans in the stands say, “I like this!”

So keep up the good work coaches and teams. Continue the good-luck handshake before every meet like athletes in other sports. It’s the right thing to do.

dx judges association

WEBSITE www.DXevents.com/judging FACEBOOK - DX Judges Association (MSHSL) www.Facebook.com/DXJudgesAssociation

Hire DX For Your Meet

There’s still time to hire DX for your meet. If not for this year, then for next year. Contact Crystal Rozales, the DXJA Scheduler at [e-mail]

Dance At Disney World

DX takes a group of dancers to Walt Disney World every Thanksgiving break to perform at the most magical place on earth. [Read more on pg. 3]

PAGE 2 …

• 
  Connect with Wayzata Coach – Leslie Swiggum
  
• 
  Nail Those Doubles
  

PAGE 3 …

• Dance At Walt Disney World

PAGE 4 …

• 
  Connect with Frazee Dancer – Taylor Reetz
  
• 
  Connect with DXJA Official - Lisa Saline
  

•Coach Connection

by Sherri Shanley

Leslie Swiggum – Wayzata HS

DX would like to congratulate Leslie Swiggum on her 38th season coaching the Wayzata Dance Team! This committed leader has brought her team to victory with TEN state championships, participating in the state tournament since 1977! In those earlier years, all teams went to state and competed in a preliminary round and then the top 1/3 advanced to finals. Wayzata typically was in the finals even then. Leslie is proud that the team has been conference champions and sections top three many times over.
Leslie was pleased to be one of the co-founders of the Minnesota Association of Dance Teams (MADT) in 1980. She has served on the Board of Directors since then, with roles ranging from President to Convention Chair, membership, newsletter and many other jobs on the board! She currently serves as Treasurer. With a keen inside eye to the sport, she has also served on the MSHSL Activity Advisory Board and Rules Committee. Leslie earned Coach of the Year award from MADT several times, as well as Top 5 Regional Dance Director from DTDA in 2000. With all this, it is no doubt that she made it into the MADT and Just for Kix Hall of Fames!

Leslie’s background in Wayzata is not just with dance. She taught Advanced Placement Biology and Human Anatomy for 37 years at Wayzata High School, retiring just one year ago. While teaching, Leslie was honored as an Esteemed Teacher eight times and won the Career Teacher award.

Leslie is married to husband Mark, with two wonderful daughters. Her older daughter Amber lives in Burnsville with husband, Eric, and works at the University of Minnesota as Associate Director of the Office for Civic Engagement Initiatives. Younger daughter Rachel teaches 2^nd grade in Nunapitchuk, Alaska - part of the “tundra bush country!” To get to her village one must fly in a four passenger plane - quite an experience to visit! This goes hand-in-hand with Leslie’s love of exploring new places.

In her spare time, Leslie is involved in her church, Edina Community Lutheran Church. She especially enjoys being involved with civil rights and social justice issues. Cooking is a passion of hers – DX will gladly volunteer as taste-testers any time!

Nail Those Doubles

by Lisa Saline

Tips To Improve Your Double Turns

1. 
   Prep: Start with a strong, clean prep. Plie in your prep. Keep your back foot in a forced arch to help pull you up.
   
2. 
   After your prep: Pop up quickly and straight rather than slowly. Place your foot in posse and make sure its positioned property and tight. Don’t forget to point your toe and lock your working leg. This will give you the power you need for multiple turns.
   
3. 
   Arms: Correct positioning will ensure you maintain balance in order to execute multiple turns.
   
4. 
   Back: Stay strong and keep the muscles in your back engaged to help you stay balanced.
   
5. 
   Stomach: Work your core. Keep stomach muscles tight.
   
6. 
   Spot: Spotting is the last key element of a successful turn. Stay focused and practice spotting. As you circle around for each turn, snap your head quickly.
   
7. 
   Practice: Makes perfect.
   

VIDEO

http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/pirouette

FACT

DX officials go through a twelve hour training program that takes place during three different days. Mastering DX’s unique and copywrited shorthand is the base of the program. From there officials are taught how to apply their shorthand to the score sheets in a timely manner. The DX Judge Certification Program debuted in 1987 and has been adopted by many state associations around the USA as well as Mexico and Canada. MYTH Persons who have an extensive dance background can judge without training.

2013 DX DISNEY TOUR

Attend For FREE

Offer the Disney Thanksgiving Tour up to your dancers and their families and you could attend for free. If you have 20 attendees (dancers, families, guests) traveling to Disney next Thanksgiving break, DX would be happy to have you tag along for free. Because this is a non-competitive performance AND we do the choreography, you don’t need to have your whole team attend. So what are you waiting for? Get the plans started for Thanksgiving 2013 and Disney.

Experience magic during the DX Disney Tour over Thanksgiving at Walt Disney World in Florida. Bring your dancers for a team bonding excursion without the stress of preparing for a competition. Families welcome too. Surprise the family with an early Christmas gift. The DX Disney Tour promises you all a magical vacation that's stress free. DX takes care of all the plans for you, choreographs the routine, orders the costumes and reserves a private Thanksgiving dinner feast and Character Breakfast just for you. The bonus? Your dancers will be official Disney Cast Members and perform live in front of a Disney crowd. All you need to do is show up and have fun. So what are you waiting for?

november 19 – 23, 2013

www.DXevents.com/disney

Itinerary

Day 1 - Tuesday

Arrive at Orlando Int'l Airport and be transported to Disney on the Magical Express shuttle. Pack your swimsuit in a carry-on and jump in the pool if you arrive earlier. Hook up with DX staff at 6PM for orientation and the first rehearsal.

Day 2 - Wednesday

Rehearse in the morning, then head to the parks. Visit Magic Kingdom and catch the Dream Along With Mickey stage show. Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and It's A Small World are must-sees. Join the fun during Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party held in front of Cinderella's Castle. Don’t miss the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks extravaganza at the end of the night.

Day 3 - Thursday

Start the morning with rehearsal then catch the bus to Hollywood Studios.  Hook up with DX for a private dinner held at Hollywood Studios. DX guests will enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal while watching the almost impossible show to get into,  Fantasmic! ; one of Disney's most famous attractions. After the show, DX guests will enjoy a yummy dessert and then be mixed into line for the amazing Rock N Rollercoaster finishing up the evening. Other must sees include Tower of Terror and Beauty and the Best Live!  End the evening with the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights on the Streets of America featuring millions of glittering lights perfectly synchronized to holiday music. Some nights, if you truly believe in holiday magic, the show is capped off with an enchanted flurry of snow.

Day 4 - Friday

Today's the big day. Head backstage for the final rehearsal and special performance in front of a live Disney crowd. Afterwards head to Animal Kingdom. Enjoy some of DX favorites such as Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safari, Festival of the Lion King, Kalie River Rapids and It's Tough To Be A Bug.

Day 5 - Saturday

Meet Mickey, Lilo, Stitch and Pluto during our fond-farewell family style character breakfast at 'Ohana. Grab the monorail to Epcot and travel around the world. Be sure to pick up your official passport and get stamped at each country you visit. Soarin', Test Track and Mission: SPACE are attractions you won't want to miss. Behold spectacular displays of artistry in China watching the Jeweled Dragon Acrobats or grab a slice of pizza and enjoy phenomenal juggling skills from Sergio the Italian Clown Juggler in Italy. Book a late flight out so you can enjoy the day at the parks. Come evening, we must say "Adios Amigos". Safe travels home.

Package Inclusions

$598 per person / 4 in a room

• 
  4 Nights Lodging / 5 Days At Disney  ...  Guaranteed on Disney Property. Specific property assigned to our group two weeks out.
  
• 
  4-Day Park Hopper   ...   Unlimited admission to Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.
  
• 
  Airport Transfers  ...  Skip baggage claim and head to Disney's Welcome Center where you'll catch a ride on the air-conditioned Magical Express motor coach. Disney delivers your luggage right to your door.
  
• 
  Thanksgiving Extravaganza  ...  Disney chefs create a feast for Kings featuring all your favorites plus some surprises. The DX party is a private affair just for our group. No waiting in long lines to get your traditional Thanksgiving dinner.  DX guests rave about this meal; especially the Moms because they don't have to cook.
  
• 
  Character Breakfast  ...  Bring your cameras to the breakfast with Mickey and friends. This is always a favorite of DX attendees.
  
• 
  DX Disney Tour Tee  ...  One for everyone. Make sure you give us your size.
  
• 
  Transportation  ...  No need to rent a car. Once you arrive at the hotel, you'll have unlimited access to all transportation links including buses, boats and monorails; and remember that the Magical Express will get you to the hotel. 
  
• 
  DX Staff  ...  24 / 7 access.  Anytime.  Anywhere. If you need us, we'll be there.
  

•Dancer Connection

Taylor Reetz – Frazee HS

by Theresa Fett

compiled by Sherri Shanley

FUN FACTS

• 
  5 years of dance eXperience
  
• 
  5th year on the Fly Girls Dance Team
  
• 
  Senior - Ranked 3rd in her class with a 3.99 GPA
  
• 
  Captain & Choreographer
  
• 
  Northern Lights Dance Academy Instructor
  
• 
  Plans to study physical therapy and dance at University of North Dakota
  

How has Taylor contributed to the team?

Taylor is a very driven young lady, both in her academics and her dancing. She did not start dancing until she was in the 8th grade when I (Theresa) was recruiting girls to be on the junior varsity Team. She did one year on JV and moved up to varsity as a 9th grader because she was so determined!

We love working with Taylor because of that passion and because she is such a good leader for the team. She understands that it is her role to lift her teammates up - she is so complementary and giving - always willing to put in the time and help others.

•Judge Connection

Lisa Saline – DXJA Official

by Jackie Martin, IC Magazine
Some 29 years ago as a charter member of the Minnesota Vikings program, Saline couldn’t have imagined the twists and turns ahead that would eventually lead to founding United Performing Association, and now Dance Xtreme USA (DX).
In The Beginning

At the age of 21, Lisa was asked by the President of St. Cloud State University return to coach again and after much consideration, she decided to launch UPA from her parent’s basement. Fast forward two decades, Lisa is not only celebrating her 26^th Anniversary, but has been able to refocus her company into a dance icon around the world.

Greatest Accomplishments

Using her training as a dancer, one proud moment is winning the Miss Teen of American Talent and Scholarship Pageant which funded her college education. She also attributes her excellent dance background with earning a spot on the first-ever MN Vikings Cheerleader squad at the age of 18. But Lisa’s favorite accomplishment is starting a company at the age of 21 and growing it into a successful business 26 years later.

The Most Important Ingredient

In order to be successful, Lisa strongly believes that having a confident, loyal staff is the key to her success. Her philosophy has always been to work as a TEAM. “I have an awesome staff,” Saline exclaims. “We rely on each other and are family-oriented. Most of my staff has either competed or staffed at my events.”

Judging

Lisa’s pride and joy is sharing her knowledge with Minnesota dance coaches and dancers. She loves to officiate dance meets and help teams grow during the course of the season. “Each year, the dance programs in Minnesota continue to impress me by their growth and creativity,” says Saline. “I look forward to each meet.”

Why

“I love what I do,” Saline repeatedly told IC during our chat. And it’s undeniable. Whether a friend or peer that has known her a lifetime or someone who has just met her, it’s crystal clear that Saline is passionate about everything dance and genuinely takes an interest in those whose journey intersects with hers.

FUN FACTS

• 
  15 years of dance studio and high school dance eXperience
  
• 
  5 years professional Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader [chosen as one of the original 36 from 600 candidates]
  
• 
  Coach of St. Cloud State University and led them to a 6^th place National title
  
• 
  Coach of the 1^st ever professional dance team for the NHL – the Minnesota North Stars “Electric Stars”
  
• 
  Miss Teen Minnesota – dance was her talent
  
• 
  JAM Official & MSHSL State Judge
  
• 
  Osseo High School MVP
  
• 
  MN Vikings Cheerleaders Hall of Fame
  
• 
  Founder of the DX Judges Association
  
• 
  Creator of the DX Judges Certification Program (formerly UPA)
  
• 
  Writer for Dance Spirit Magazine, InMotion, Kickline, Sharing the Spirit, Inside Cheerleading, All-Star Dance Magazine
  
• 
  Dance Worlds Advisory Council, Rules and Judge Selection Committees
  
• 
  Selected as one of the 25 Most Influential People in the Spirit Industry
  
• 
  Author of the commemorative book entitled The First Twenty-Five Years of the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders