Virginia and Mack Lathrop
| A Letter From Miss Diane 2011 |
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Virginia and Mack Lathrop |
This has been a great year in so many ways. I am inspired by what I see and hear around our dance studio. There is the truth that a foundation is the most important part of any structure. LSOD is blessed with many strong blocks in its foundation. Our Students - I am encouraged and excited about our students’ progress this year. Maybe it is the music, lighting and mirrors in the studio, or the choreography, but the energy and improvement they have shown all year is amazing. Even through all the snow days and make-ups, they continue to impress us with their efforts as they learned some very difficult routines. Our Staff - I continue to be inspired with a talented and dedicated staff, and all of those “behind the scenes” people at the recital. Together, we will continue to build on the curriculum of LSOD and expand our programs. New 6 week classes, Summer Camp Programs, and other unique classes are bringing the joy of movement to new heights. Our Traditions - It has been a challenge to dance without Mrs. Lathrop in the wings. As we developed the routines for this recital, she and Mack’s style and expectations of performance with grace, class and a smile, were with us in every step. From the Stardust Overture to the Finale, we strive to bring out the best of our talents. Our Studio - The timing of all the events of the past year led us to the opening of the Dance Studio in the former Town Hall Office areas. I would like to acknowledge the work and dedication of the Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers and Staff. They helped identify and remodel the area we now call a permanent home for LSOD. It was always Mr. and Mrs. Lathrop’s desire to have a dedicated studio space, and to have it right here in the Edmond Town Hall building is a dream comes true for all of us. Our Parents - What always energizes me all year long, and especially this weekend, are you, the supportive and helpful parents. Your extra effort in the gym, backstage, ushering, providing security and just a passing smile means so much. Without you the recital would be impossible to produce and enjoy. All of these blocks in the LSOD foundation ensure that we can continue to enrich the lives of our students with dance and this can only mean one thing – “this is the best show ever”. With Love , Miss Diane 2010 - A Letter to Mrs. Lathrop You were the most wonderful teacher ever. Besides teaching us the best choreography, you taught us some of life's lessons more valuable than countless riches. As our boss, you instilled promptness, dedication, education, creativity and kindness. As a performer, you taught us style, class and showmanship. As a director, you taught us how to delegate, inspire and to be gracious. As our mentor, we will always be thankful for the wonderful challenges you placed before us. I look forward to directing the school as you and Mack live on in countless steps and smiles. My goal for the school is to continue the rich traditions, blending the newest and latest dance styles, in a wonderful atmosphere and personal level of instruction you and Mack treasured. Now, as Mack would say: “Sit back, relax, and point with pride as you watch our students perform for you.” We all know what you would say Mrs. Lathrop: “This is the best show ever.” With Love, Miss Diane & Your Students |
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... What a wonderful “Stardust Revue” my entire family enjoyed the show
from beginning to end. I don’t know how you make every student feel
special, but it’s obvious every one of them was having a ball! Emily had a
huge year. She loves her teachers and absolutely has improved 100%.
Thank you for always being enthusiastic and friendly, kind and courteous,
and most of all respectful to the kid’s feelings and uniqueness...Christina Hartman
... I did something this weekend that I had not done in years. I went to see
the “Stardust Revue”. As we took our seats I started to reminisce about my
childhood when I danced. This weekend I witnessed that same bliss in so
many people – tall, short, little, big young, old, girls and boys. I loved
the boys! I felt like an extra in a movie that was shooting a recital scene. So
perfect, the lights, the sound, the star effect from the mirror ball-sheer hometown
magic! So, I would urge (and dare) any and all to do one of two
things. |
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In The News... |
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Stardust Revue Included Plenty Of Tradition Melded With New Twists
By Sherri Smith Baggett, (The Newtown Bee, June 10, 2011) For a great slide show visit: http://newtownbee.com/ Hip hop, pop rock, jazz, ballads, Broadway tunes… All these styles of music had feet sweeping and tapping on the stage at Edmond Town Hall Theatre last past weekend as the Lathrop School of Dance (LSoD) presented its 59th Annual Stardust Revue. Known to everyone as Miss Diane, head teacher Mrs Diane Wardenburg has taken the helm of the dance studio and created an atmosphere of excitement, inspiring all those around her. Despite the loss of Mrs Virginia Lathrop, founder, star dancer, choreographer and teacher of LSoD, Miss Diane has made an effort to continue tradition, while adding a hint of her own flair and furthering the success of the studio. Dancers spent more than eight months preparing for the early June Stardust Review.--Bee Photo, Hicks They may be only five years old, but dancing to "Ready or Not" the girls could bring down the house. The youngsters are always a tough act to follow, but it never is a chore for the Stardusters. Coming out in "A Rockin' Rhythm Beat," emcee Joel Wardenburg said it best: "The girls bring attitude but dance with tapitude." Twelve sets of taps were dancing in sync with each other, 24 taps sounding as one, definitely "tapitude"! Every audience was treated to several twists this year. Eight members of the student faculty presented a beautiful jazz number, showcasing their talent to the song "I Believe" and closing the first half was a blackout dance to "Ghostbusters Theme Remix." Two classes joined together wearing black costumes lit with an outline of green lights, simulating a ghost figure. The ghost dancers surrounded the audience and stage, doing a compelling fun dance. The weekend found dancers at the peak of their perfromances on the Edmond Town Hall stage.--Bee Photo, Hicks In the second half, getting a chance to stretch their legs, the audience was invited to participate in a Zumba number, directed by Lynn Lewis, LSoD's Zumba class instructor. Dancers in the aisles encouraged the audience to Zumba in their seats while the stage was filled with dancers and Miss Lynn. Presenting the 59th Stardust Revue definitely states there is history with this program. Two members of LSoD, sisters Jean Ann Heise and Mary Ann Phillips, completed their 50th year of dancing this season. Highlighted in a number, the Kayfus sisters challenged their dancemates with precision and classy taps. Clearly all were winners, with two shining sisters. The summer is usually a time for relaxing and reorganizing for the faculty at LSoD, but a summer camp offered will keep everyone busy, as Miss Diane continues to prepare for another successful year. As the dance school session came to a close, Miss Diane reflected on her experience and love of the students and school, saying: "Mrs Lathrop always said 'I hope you'll always be as blessed as I am' and I truly am."
True joy of dance for all to see, (The News-Times, Danbury, CT, June 2008) |