September 2022

I am looking forward to welcoming all the students back to the studio this week, and welcoming some new students joining classes at Primary, Grade 1 and Grade 4 level.

Last term was super busy – with girls preparing for exams, but also giving some phenomenal performances at Vishu Festival for MIKMA (who we now sponsor), the MK International Dance Festival, Milton Keynes Islamic Arts Associations Party in the Park and the Bedford Girls School Culture Day.

What was even better is that I was able to involve most of the students in one or more of the performances – and they all worked so hard and made me super super proud, as they did parents, I am sure too.

We ended the term on a high with our annual pizza party and lots of ice cream too.

2

Girls teaching the Mayor how to dance

Only September and the students have already hit the stage….

The 3rd of September saw the Primary students – Jenika, Asmitha, Asthika, Rithya, Aanvi and Arya take to the stage at the Ganesha Utsav Samithi celebration of Ganesh Chathurthi dancing to the sloka Mooshika Vahana, also Grade 2 Ameya Polavajram and Grade 3 Ananya Pyaraka – singing Jai Ganesha and also dancing to the Krithi Gajavadana Sadana.

This year I was honoured to have been asked to curate the cultural event as well as co-compere.

The event was wonderful as ever and the girls dancing met with much adoration and praise.

Also a huge well done to all those who entered the art competition.

Upcoming Performances

Following on from the busy Summer Term I am pleased to say that we have been invited to several events to perform in the Winter Term and the girls and I will be working hard towards these and also towards Grade exams.

On the 24th September 2022 a first for the school, I look forward to taking to the stage with some of the parents from the school, where we will be performing a Malyali inspired folk dance for MIKMA’s Onam Festival.

On 2nd October 2022 we have a confirmed opportunity to perform at this year’s Durga Puja.

Then on 8th October 2022 our Grade 2 and 3 students have been invited to perform once again for the MKIAC Association at the MK City Rail Station for the City Lights Festival.

The Rara Venu dance troupe comprising students from Grade 1, 2 and 3 are due to take the stage once again in Northampton for the Winter Diwali Lights Festival – students of Satyam have been performing for the Hindu Association in Northampton since 2018.

Finally we await confirmation from MKHA regarding performances for Navaratri– so all in all a busy Winter Term ahead.

However none of this would be possible without the dedication of our amazing dance parents who tirelessly ferry the children to and from dance classes as well as supporting them in getting ready for functions, through rehearsals, dressing on the day and cheering them on when they perform. So to you parents thank you – YOU ARE AMAZING

Invoices

Invoices for Winter Term will be sent out at the end of next week – this will include any participation fees for recent events but will not include the forthcoming exam fees.

Exam dates to be confirmed in due course.

Parking and Attending the Studio

The Studio is located at 10 Ark Royal, Brooklands MK10 7FW. With entrance to the side through the garden gate.

Following a number of complaints in the year can I remind parents to park sensibly and also if the gate is not open do ask the children to wait quietly so as not to disturb the neighbours.

Thank you so much for your understanding.

Fees for Winter Term 12 weeks Primary £120
Grade Classes £144

These figures do not include performance fees, examination preparation classes or adjustments for classes postponed by the school

Please wait for your e mailed invoice before making payment

Carnatic Vocal and the ISTD exams

So far the training of students taking the grade exams in vocal music has never been a problem for me as a teacher as each of the girls who have taken exams so far have in addition to attending dance classes ensured that they have a separate vocal teacher to cover the singing aspect of the course – so currently I cover the dance training, theory and Sanskrit aspects with one of three teachers based in India and teaching online covering the vocal training.

Carnatic vocal training is essential for dancers – not only for their understanding of the music used in dance, but also to help them grasp the importance of tala (rhythm) which is an essential part of dance and vocal training.

With my current grade 1 classes I have come to a crossroad where they are doing wonderfully in their dance training but are going to end up held back from examinations as they have no vocal training support.

Speaking to other ISTD teachers this is not an uncommon problem. In some schools the dance teacher takes on the singing training, in other schools an external vocal teacher is advised or appointed – but for parents this would all come at additional cost.

To keep the costs reasonable, I have uploaded online singing classes for all the students at no extra charge – however it has become increasingly obvious to me that the girls are not accessing the online classes on the google drive.

So, this is my plea to you as parents – please could you ensure that your children spend at least 30 minutes a week following the online singing course, they have the musical notations in their folders (which they should also be writing out in their own handwriting) – this is also available in the google drive.

The online classes are not a replacement for a good vocal teacher offering proper training, but it is better than not providing anything at all – without the vocal training students cannot be entered for examination or move upto the next grade.

If you would like a vocal teacher I am happy to recommend the online teachers who currently support Ananya P, Sandhya, Ameya and Aarushi – all four of these students gained full marks in the vocal part of their exams.

Alternatively locally the Janaranjani School of Music run by Janani Mahesh is also a very good option for Carnatic Vocal classes.

Finally…

Class times for 2022-2023 academic year are as follows:

6

MONDAY – NO CLASSES
TUESDAY – Primary 1 5:15pm to 6:15pm

Grade 1 (Group 2) 6:30pm to 7:45pm

Adult 8:00pm to 9:15pm WEDNESDAY – Grade 1 (Group 1) 6:30pm to 7:45pm

Grade 2 7:30pm to 8:45pm
THURSDAY – Private 1-2-1 classes (by prior arrangement only)

FRIDAY – Grade 3 6:30pm to 8:00pm (This is subject to change from January 2023)

SATURDAY – Grade 4 10:30am to 11:45am Primary Group 2 Timings TBC

Contact – Should any parent wish to make contact please whats app 07813 065227 in the first instance, or e mail debbie@satyamdance.com Please do note that I am a working clinical dental surgeon as well as a university clinical tutor, lecturer and examiner therefore I may take some time to respond to your messages but I will respond.