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Studio Director Roundable.

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BRUCE AND ANGELIKA STEGMANN

STEGMANN'S SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS

Spring Hill, TN

In business since Spring, 2007 (Bruce previously had a school Ohio and taught for Gus Giordano; Angelika had a studio in Germany) 100 students

PROUD MOMENT: In 1993 I was awarded the distinguished teacher award for Presidential Scholarship Program in the Arts. A student put together the nomination materials. He was awarded the performer award for tap. It was great seeing a student I had trained get the recognition. That's what we live for as teachers--seeing our students go on and accomplish what they want to accomplish.

CREATIVE SOLUTION: We really tap into our parents for their strengths and abilities. Whenever there is something needed at the studio, we put the word out to the parents. They love to be a part of what's going on and it's encouraging to see them come in and help. It's almost like they're part owners--helping put down floors, looking to find mirrors. At my last studio, a parent worked for a mirror company and I could get mirrors for a quarter of the price they would normally be.

CURRENT CHALLENGE: Educating the parents and potential students about how important it is to have the basic technique in all dance forms. Our emphasis is more on technique than competition--my teachers are all technique based. A lot of times parents come here from a school where more energy is spent putting together the recital than teaching technique. Performance is necessary too--competition is great, but we don't go that route right now.

NATIONAL DANCE WEEK: We select choreographers or dancers in modern, tap, jazz, and ballet and hand out information, show videos, and devote time to those four art forms in class. The idea is: You don't know where you're going unless you know where you've come from. This year: Gus Giordano, Merce Cunningham, Maria Tallchief, Honi Coles.

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Susan Byrne

A PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY

Salem, MA

Co-director: Seanna Chmura

In business together since March, 2007 250 dance students, 200+ in other classes

ACHIEVEMENT: Building our new studio. My partner Seanna...

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