Hey Selena...
 
Let me tell you...my daughter was at your last competition in Meadowvale, as you know...and the kids from our studio are still flying on a high note from the Luv 2 Dance Competition.  It left every child feeling like a million bucks!!  They all felt confident, happy and excited upon leaving the competition.  The idea of a trademark "dance" for the competition, which involves the dancers themselves creating it, is fabulous.  This one act alone makes the dancers feel special, let alone all the other special touches you have within this competition!!  We loved the fact that you have organized it such that there is a lot of emphasis on special awards because to me, it is about pointing out to the dancers what it is they do that works on that stage.  It is lovely to get a glittering gold or even, WOW, a perfectly platinum to let them know that they did well...and when they get a special award, they know exactly what it was they did well.  The time that Shannon spends giving those words of feedback, knowledge and encouragement to, what seems to be every single one of, those dancers is invaluable to their self-esteem, confidence and happiness.  They are children and this is the time to identify and give them kudos for what they have worked so hard for and tell them to keep doing what they love.  Shannon's fun-loving style and wealth of knowledge comes out across the audience and the children on the stage with the love, respect and admiration she truly holds for those dancers, teachers and the parents/caregivers that support them through their dance endeavours.  
 
I also loved Paul, your MC....his quick wit kept the audience in stitches at times and filled empty spaces when there was work being done behind the scenes.  He has an amazing voice and keeps everyone captivated and on their toes...he also has a wonderful way of reminding young dancers of the manners they have to keep in mind amidst the excitement of getting awards while on stage.  I realize some parents may not like his style...but I love it...he lets dancers know they need to remember the little things that matter in sportsmanship when on that stage...like standing up to receive awards and saying their thank you.
 
Your mom, Mike and yourself kept that competition moving at a pace that was just right for all.  You and Mike were responsive to all feedback online in an efficient and immediate manner.  I loved that you took in all feedback onsite with a smile and made the changes you deemed necessary without saying you will wait until the next competition to make the changes.  I have so much more to say in terms of what I love about this competition; however, since I know you are completely overwhelmed right now, I will stop here and save some of the great stuff I see at Luv 2 Dance til the next time I give you feedback.  I see that you are learning as you go and with a competition this fabulous in your 2nd year out, I can't imagine how great it will be as the years unfold before you. 
 
At Luv 2 Dance, the dancers are taught discipline, given confirming and developmental feedback, shown appreciation, and ensured days of fun with dance and their family/friends.  They love to dance and you are ensuring that they keep doing it with the very positive environment you create at your competition.  The professionalism of this competition is one I have seen only at seasoned competitions with years of experience behind them...KUDOS for a SUPERB job to all!!  So through your tears of being overworked...just know that all your hard work is paying off by putting smiles on the faces of dancers and reminding them why they love to dance!!
 
Sincerest thanks,
 
Evelyn (and Elena...smile)

Parent ~ TDI

 
 Hi Selena
Thank you for a very nice weekend. We all had a good time. I liked
the fact that you gave out overalls to each dance form, it gave even the
small school like myself a chance at winning some overalls. I know my
parents had a good time. We loved all the special awards and I know my dancers felt so so special in receiving three special awards and nine overalls, for a
little school like mine that is only barely three years old, we came out
of this competition feeling very proud and excited. We will DEFINATELY be coming back next year. I try to find smaller competition for my dancers with small schools I don't want my dancers competing against the huge schools that dance a million and one hours a week to be thrown in the same catagory. So I liked that you separated
the levels nicely. I found the marking to be fair and I liked that you actual had proper
ballet and modern adjudicators as often I go to a competition and the
adjudicators main knowledge is tap, jazz and acro. I REALLY appreciate
all the different adjudicators you had. I must say for your first competition it was a HUGE sucess and totally support it for next year. Congratulations Selena!!!

Director ~ Julia
STRICTLY DANCE

Thank you Selena,

The competition was fun! The kids and parents had a good time, thank you again. Also I wanted to let you know that I already recieved our DRC Video judge. Thank you for that those guys are great! We look forward to seeing you again next year.
Take care,
Director ~ Sarah Dempsy
ANNEX DANCE ACADEMY

Selena,

I wanted to take the time and thank you for a great weekend. The girls
and I had alot of fun.

Director ~ Ruth-Ann Gray
THE DANCE SHOPPE

Congratulations on a successful first season of competition.  I had a great time!

Theresa Domingues
SOMERVILLE DANCE ACADEMY

Selena thank you for a wonderful competition weekend!

THE DANCERS AND TEACHERS AT DANSECORE

This was a very good competition. Tell Selena that in particular the
rotating judge format was an excellent idea. Since the ballet
competitors started so early, it was really nice that their efforts were rewarded with a positive judging experience. It also gave the younger members of our team a chance to see some of the older team members perform. Often the young
ones are on a totally different day than the experienced members and
having them together added to our team spirit and the whole competition
experience. The special awards judge was quite bubbly and fun - just what you need in a special awards judge. All in all it was a wonderful experience for our team.

Lesley (YDA Parent)

I just thought I would let you know that Rachel really enjoyed this
competition. She said the staff was especially nice and easily
accommodated dancers if there were any difficulties. From my
perspective I liked the fact that they had judges that specialized in
the discipline. The facilities were comfortable and the theatre was
nice. It was also not far away from home.

Mary (YDA Parent)

Hi
In my opinion, this is one of the best competition we have
attended so far. The staff was very organized, pleasant and efficient.
The judges were kind and generous in their praise and encouragement when
distributing special ribbon awards. Paul, the master of ceremony, was
able to give results and awards very quickly and very efficiently in the
nicest way, regardless of the long hours he worked. He was most helpful
in setting up with the sound booth the clip-on microphone for Karine's
song and dance which worked beautifully. All in all it was an excellent
and very rewarding experience!

Colette L. White (YDA Parent)

Hi Selena

I just wanted to thank you again for a wonderful weekend. Congratulations on a really fun, well run competition.
Thanks again and all the best.

Director ~ Margaret Amato
MAPLE DANCE ACADEMY

Hi Selena!

I just wanted to thank you again so much for asking me to judge at your
competition.You did a great job and congratulations on your very first year. To
many more successful years!

Director ~ Nadine Nicole Lepera
PULSE DANCE WORKS 

Hi Selena,

Thank you for the opportunity to be part of your event. You did a
great job in organizing it and I would love to be a part of it again.

Teego
VyBe DANCE COMPANY

Hi Selena,
here are some of the things we enjoyed at your competition;
-specialized adjudicators: it was great having adjudicators for different
disciplines
-special awards judge: gave a lot of special awards(more than most
competitions), she was incredibly creative and positive, made dancers feel
great, our kids liked their special awards more than their actual awards at
your competition, we loved this adjudicator!
-ran on time: well done!
-beautiful plaques, trophies and ribbons etc.
-photographer great
-video judge was great
-spliting of categories by studios(so our students didn't have to compete
against their friends)
& having everyone place.
-professional wedsite, program, logo etc.

Best of luck in 2008.
Sincerely
Director ~ Kim Dodson
LETS DANCE

We really love your comp. Good job for your first year.

Mary Leonardo 
THA SPOT

 I didn't expect to have a schedule so soon!  You are quite organized.  We don't have any of our other schedules yet.  I appreciate the advance notice.  Thanks a lot Selena!

Leah Anna Jansen-Sanguinetti
IN HARMONY DANCE & WELLNESS LTD.
  

 Thanks for being SO organized so early!!

Artistic Director ~ Robyn
PREMIERE STUDIO OF DANCE 

Thanks again for your promptness in getting a schedual together early it makes life so much easier.

Director ~ Julia Mounsteven
STRICTLY DANCE 

     Hi Selena, just wanted to say Thanks for a Great Weekend, the girls, my family and I loved it!

Director ~ Lia C.
DANCETASTIC STUDIO

Speaking on behalf of my studio the dancers did have a good experience. It was a first time to a competition for many of my dancers and they enjoyed the competiton.  They liked the idea of a judge specifically for each dance style. It was very well organized and it was nice to attend a competition that ran on time. 

Director ~ Jennifer Leitch
GOT RHYTHM

 I like that so many overall's are awarded which gives the smaller school like myself a chance and is certainly a confidence boaster for the dancers.  So great idea on your part regarding that. Thank you again Selena and congratulations on your second year of Luv 2 Dance!

Director ~ Julia Mounsteven
STRICTLY DANCE

 We just wanted to say thank you for a great competition.  It was a very positive experience for our dancers and their parents, especially for the younger girls as it was their very first competition.  Everyone enjoyed themselves as did we.

Director ~ Nadine Lepera
PULSE DANCE WORKS

  I thought that the backstage staff was very friendly and willing to offer any help they could, even though they were very busy assuring smooth operations.  Over all it was a great experience and our studio was happy to be a part of it.  Thank you!

BRAVO! The Centre For Dance

I just once again wanted to thank you for a wonderful weekend. We loved the atmosphere that you have built at Luv 2 Dance and will not only recommend your competition to other schools but will attend you competition again next year. We have already written down the April Meadowvale date in our calendar for next year.

Thank you so much.

Director ~ Nicole Marello
STAGEWORX

loveeed that competition!!! So much fun, 2nd year there and looveee it again!

Mackenzie Perras
TORONTO DANCE MACHINE ~ Student 

Hi Selena,
I just wanted to congratulate you on a terrific competition. We all had
a great time....students, parents and teachers. It's nice to see the
efforts that have gone into your event. It's all very much
appreciated. Great job!

Studio Director ~ Monika Hodge
TORONTO DANCE INDUSTRY INC.

Hi Selena,
The competition was great. Our students enjoyed themselves very much! Thank you for a great weekend, everyone had a good time and we are looking forward to next year.
Studio Director ~ Denise
DANCEOLOGY

 Great competition your doing a great job.

Kyla Wright

 HI Selena,

 JSOD thoroughly enjoyed the competition. My families were very
pleased with your competition.  You run a very organize
competition.
I also wanted to extended my thanks to your backstage girls. They
controlled everything beautifully. You have excellent help. They
represent you well. And most of all to Shannon we want to send our
appreciation for her kind words to all the students. It definitely is
more than just a job to her. Her spirit is so very much appreciated.
And lastly to you and your husband for giving us our monies worth.
Your attention to detail is noticeable and appreciated. I know you
will have success for many many years to come.

Studio Director ~ Jacqueline Willis
JACQUELINE'S SCHOOL OF DANCE

Overall, the competition was very good.  For being such a new organization to competition, you did very well. I think your staff did an exceptional job and  hope you have future success with you dance competitions.

 Thanks

John Randall ~ PARENT

Hi Selena,

Thanks for a great weekend!  I thoroughly enjoyed your competition and the kids had a lot of fun!  You really did a great job.  I know we will return again next year.  I like the idea of the different judges, the plaques and plenty of overalls.  It really makes the kids feel rewarded and a sense of achievement.  That is important to me because we are a new and growing studio and it takes time to build up the competitive team to a serious level. 

Leah Anna ~ DIRECTOR
In Harmony Dance 

 Hi Selena...

  Thanks as this was our 1st yr of dance competition and my daughter had a great time at this one.  Thanks for all your hard work!

Robyn - PARENT

 Hi Selena,

First off I just want to say how much we loved your Collingwood comp last year.  I really hope our SO decides to return for 2009.  My son loved getting the "Let's Hear It For The Boys" award from Shannon.

Kara Clark - Parent  

   Hi Selena

Thank you for asking me to be a part of Luv 2 Dance and Adjudicating. I really enjoyed myself on Sunday as well I had a chance to witness your organization and how dedicated you are to a well run competition and to the enjoyment of all dancers who attend your competition.

 I am now very confident that the adjudication for the Hip Hop competition will be judged accordingly (compared to the many other competitions we have entered that have been disasterous for Hip Hop).

Thank You

Director: Jade Clark
Jade's Hip Hop Academy 

Hi Selena!

Thanks again for another fantastic competition experience!!  My team and I really had a blast!  You do such a fantastic job with this competition...my team and I thank you for all of your hard work and dedication in providing a postitive and educational dance experience for everyone!!! As a high school team, we REALLY appreciate having the opportunity to participate in an event like this, and we have learned so much from it!

All The Best!

Sue Marriott

Dance & Drama Teacher
Napanee District Secondary School 

 Dear Selena

 Kelly Cosgriffe
Parent - Turning Pointe Academy of Dance 

 Thanks Selena,

We really did find your competition a rewarding experience. Your philosophy really does make the dancers feel  talented and appreciated!

Thanks a bunch!

Pauline Schubert
Woodstock Collegiate Institute 

 Selena,

Thanks again for a wonderful competition!

Vida Laurie
Administrator
Burlington Dance Academy

Hi Selena...thanks very much for a great dance weekend!  We all had lots of fun...
Also, for sure, next year will register early...the comp was great. 

 Thanks again,

 Anna Tedesco
 Studio 22 

 This was our first year at Luv 2 Dance and we enjoyed your competition very much.  

Sincerely,
Joanne Halpert 
Parent - All That Dance 

Dear Selena

Thank you for involving me in your competition. You are the best! You run an amzing event, have a great staff and you yourself are the Energizer Bunny Plus! My studio loves going to your competition! I truly enjoy adjudicating for you!!! We are looking forward to attending your competition in a couple of weeks! Thanks Again!

Anne Sprincis
Director: Dansecore

 Hi Selena,
 I just wanted to say thank you for a fun weekend!  My students, parents and teachers enjoyed your competition very much.  My students loved that dance at adjudication time.  My daughter was downloading the song last night.  That was a great touch and got everyone moving and having fun.  It even got the studios dancing together which is really nice.  I know my students added their own personal touch to the dance but I had no control over that!  lol.  They do it all the time with all my choreography!  Just having fun!  I hope you didn't mind. Thanks again Selena!

 Thanks Selena,

Thank You Selena
BIG hug for you. Everyone had the best time

Claire Pigott
Studio Director: BRAVO! The Centre For Dance

Thanks for a great weekend.

Melissa
Studio Director: Toronto Dance Machine

Hey Selena

Thanks for another great weekend!

Ruth Ann Grey
Studio Director: The Dance Shoppe Ltd.

 We very much enjoyed your competition, we attended four this year and your's was the best by far. Thanks again.

Laurie Forth
Studio Director: Renee's Dance Connection

Hi Selena
 
Thanks for a great two days. We all had a great time at your competition and were looking forward to seeing you next year...
 
Studio Director: Kim and Angel  
DANCING ANGELS ACADEMY

 Thanks your competition was well run and it was an enjoyable enviroment.

Hi Selena,
I just wanted to thank you for the opportunity of judging at your competitions.  You are so well organized and your competitions always run very smoothly.  I really enjoyed adjudicating and it would be a pleasure to work with you doing the same or more again next season.