Team Newsletter January 5, 2026

🚨 TEAM MEETING

January 27 | 8:00–9:00 PM
This is a mandatory team meeting with important updates regarding scheduling, recital prep, and the upcoming semester.
Please plan to attend and be on time so we can cover everything efficiently.

Attendance Expectations — Please Read Carefully

Over the last two months, we have had more attendance issues than is typical for our team, and we need to address this directly.

We pride ourselves on having excellent attendance on our mandatory team practice days.
Serious illness and conflicts that were planned in advance and properly submitted through prior engagements are understandable — that is not the issue.

However, we have recently had too many last-minute absences beyond serious illness. As outlined clearly at the start of the year, last-minute absences for non-emergency reasons are not acceptable for team dancers on mandatory practice days.

It is also important to understand that missing even “non-essential” team classes still has a real impact. When dancers are absent:

• Team morale is affected
• Other dancers are impacted through spacing, formations, and repetition
• Instructors are forced to reteach, rework, or pause progress

Even when a class may not feel critical in the moment, consistent absences slow the entire team’s growth and preparation.

We are at the point in the season where we must lock in, clean, and prepare these dancers and routines for the stage. We need everyone to take attendance seriously moving forward.

If you must notify us the day of or last minute that your dancer will be missing a mandatory practice:

• You must provide a detailed and accurate explanation of the reason
• Please remember that attending part of the day is always better than missing the entire day, when possible

Parents, please also let us know if your dancer isn’t feeling 100%. As long as they’re not contagious, they are still welcome to attend class, and we’ll simply have them sit out and observe as needed. Observing class is still valuable and far better than being absent entirely.

Team Photoshoot — January 18–19 (MANDATORY | No Cost)

Our team photoshoot will take place January 18–19 and is mandatory for all team dancers. There is no cost to participate, however every family is required to book a 15-minute appointment slot.

These photos are being taken primarily for Esprit Performing Arts studio use, including marketing, branding, promotional materials, and yearbook needs, and also provide dancers with a valuable opportunity to practice posing, performance quality, and technique for dance photography.

🗓 Booking is required for all team dancers:
👉 Book your photoshoot time here:
https://calendar.app.google/Q2kCeVisxFBQCE2JA

Outfit Notes & Inspiration

• Theme: Nostalgia — different eras, decades, modern throwbacks, or anything sweet, whimsical, or childlike, in studio colors purple and yellow/gold
• Use inspiration from the idea list, but feel free to explore beyond it
• You may text outfit photos to the studio number if you’d like help narrowing options
• KEEP ALL TAGS ON ANYTHING YOU BUY in case it does not end up being used
• If multiple dancers arrive with similar looks, outfits or accessories may be adjusted to ensure everything photographs well together

👉 Outfit inspiration: https://a.co/5XFJwAd

Important Photo Use Notes

Please keep in mind:

• This is not an individual private photoshoot
• Image selection and editing priority will be based on studio needs first
• Families will receive and be able to use photos once studio selections and edits are complete

Please do not contact Shayna directly regarding photos. She is working with me directly on editing priorities and is generously helping alongside her other commitments. Photos will be shared with families as they become available and approved for release.

Thank You for Your Commitment

Being part of team requires consistency, accountability, and communication. We appreciate the families who continue to show up ready to work and support the bigger picture.

Let’s move forward with focus and teamwork so we can put our strongest performances on stage.

With appreciation,
Sonya & The Esprit Performing Arts Team 💜