Wishing You All A Magical, Happy, Fun Filled Holiday Season!
“From home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another. The warmth and joy of Christmas brings us closer to each other.”
Emily Matthews
To all of our students that we dearly treasure, those that have come, gone and those that have made the LDA studios their home and are looking forward to the day that we finally install a shower so that they may never need to leave the premises at all, we thank you.
You keep our dreams alive through your passion and enthusiasm for dancing.
We would like to thank all of our loyal and brilliant instructors and staff for the contributions you have made over the last 12 months. You are the fuel in the engine of our beloved LDA family. Thank you for the undying energy and devotion that you bring with you to the studio and to class every day.
We would like to extended a special mention to Tais who is impeccable, working with extreme dedication managing the administration team. To Juliana who is always welcoming with a smile managing our reception desk, to Tatiana who works with persistence, and to Priscila who assisted us in the journey earlier in the year.
As we witness the closing of the year 2009 we reflect on the amazing journey that it was, at LDA this passing year.
The year of 2009 saw the bringing together of Latin Dance Australia and Modus Vivendi Productions. The unity between these two entities had created a whirlwind of tremendous excitement and opportunities that continues to illuminate into the new year of 2010.
__________________________________________________________________________
Latin Dance Styles In 2009 – Salsa, Zouk, Bachata & Samba.
This passing year we saw new instructors come onboard with new ideas and techniques. Trainee instructors step up and prove to be great leaders of inspiration and skill.
We are very excited also about our new Salsa syllabus that has been launched towards the end of the year, that we are certain will continue to evolve and improve the skills and talents of students whilst making it a lot of fun to learn.
If you have been with LDA for a while and have not revisited the younger levels, this will create the perfect opportunity for you to revise your fundamentals as well as learn some of the new skills and techniques introduced. In particular level 3 which we have created to be a little challenging.
And certainly for anyone that has not participated in our classes before we welcome you with open arms to try out our classes and get involved in some Salsa fun!
This is not to forget the other styles of Latin Dance that live and thrive at the LDA studios.
Our Brazilian Zouk Lambada classes lead by international instructors have created a monster buzz amongst Latin dance lovers in the scene, inspiring with a new sound, flavour and movement.
The sensual Caribbean flavoured dance; Bachata has evolved over this year at LDA as our instructors travelled internationally to bring to you the newest and innovative movements, styles and music.
Brazilian Samba this year had gone crazy! To accommodate the explosive demand for booty shaking fun we created another class on Saturday mornings, and are looking at expanding on Sunday mornings into the new year.
For information on our new courses commencing into the new year please refer to our timetable.
We also offer gift vouchers for courses – a great Christmas gift idea! - make a fun change in the life of your friends and family and invite them along to be a part of our exciting world of dance at Latin Dance Australia.
__________________________________________________________________________
Performances & Competitions in 2009
In 2009 our performance teams had multiplied quickly creating 2 resident pro/am salsa teams; on1 - MVP and on2 – SWAT, as well as a student Zouk and a Bachata team that had the opportunity to perform in many national events. Also our many individual couples had displayed an incredible talent presenting their personal works at the National competition this year Where LDA had taken out many accolades and had been named ‘The Best School of the Year’.
The LDA Annual Ball, that has become a calendar event not to be missed over the years was a tremendous success in 2009. Over 200 students, regular everyday people, some without any previous performance experience and certainly some with limited dance experience performed the various styles of dance on a theatre stage lit up in lights for their friends and family. Oh what a joy it was to be a part of an awe – inspiring process.
Our Professional team; Modus Vivendi and professional internationally sought after individual artist; Jaime Jesus, Nestor Manuelian, Lidia McMahon, Marcia Pinheiro Percival, Little Liz, Amy Mills, Mary Grace Brown, and others continued to travel the world inspiring through their teaching and performing skills reiterating our exceptional Australian talent, bringing back with them fresh contemporary material to share with the students of LDA.
Our pro team, Modus Vivendi is currently in the USA, competing at the World Salsa Championships , we wish them the best of luck.
We also welcomed the opportunity for student teams, and individuals to travel with us around Australia and overseas to various countries
basking in the opportunities of this large Latin dance world, and enjoying the richness of a greater community.
Next year we are planning trips to countries such as Hong Kong, Bali, Malaysia, Vietnam, New Zealand and even a cruise around the Pacific! And we encourage you to join us. If you have not yet travelled with a salsa event then this prospect is a MUST on your to do list for the year 2010.
Our corporate and wedding show team had done a tremendous job entertaining hundreds over the year with our feature shows and engaging audience participations, especially in the last few weeks leading into the holiday season, what amazing people to work with. Thank you for spreading the love of dance.
__________________________________________________________________________
Australia’s Largest Latin Dance Festival
The Sydney Salsa Congress organisers have posted an exclusive page about LDA in their website. It is awesome check this out: LDA and the Sydney Salsa Congress:
“Expect the Unexpected at the Sydney Salsa Congress 2010”
The 2010 Sydney Salsa Congress is jam packed with an incredible line-up of artists, including dancers who are now regarded as the Top in the World Salsa Scene.
The weekend includes over 75 workshops, 4 evenings of incredible shows and 2 big rooms to party till 3am. The event is just 2 ½ months away. If you buy online and mention you heard about it from Latin Lover you will receive ONE Congress DVD set of your choice for free. (Choose from SSC2005 – SSC2008).
Hurry prices will go up from 1st December!
If you are a lover of Latin dancing, the Sydney Salsa Congress is one of those things you must do before you die! Says Marcia Pinheiro Percival
__________________________________________________________________________
Christmas Holiday Break 
We are closing the studio, but only briefly, to enjoy the Christmas holiday cheer with our families and dear friends from December 23rd 2009 to return bright eyed and bushy tailed on the 6th of January 2010.
A happy, happy Christmas to all, let this season win us back to the delusions of our childish days, where every Christmas tree looked to be 20 Metres tall, early morning wake up was a delightful pleasure and every dream seemed the assured prospect of attainment. May peace be your gift this Christmas that you share freely with the ones you love.
__________________________________________________________________________
Personal Note
For all those lovers of a chuckle here are some quickies that will surely stretch a smile 
Why couldn't the skeleton go to the Christmas Party?
He had no body to go with!
How do you make a blonde laugh on boxing day ?
Tell her a joke on Christmas Eve !
How do Chihuahua's say Merry Christmas?
Fleas Navidog!
What do you call a cat on a beach at Christmas?
Sandy Claws!
Who is never hungry at Christmas ?
The turkey - he's always stuffed !
What did Adam Say the night before Christmas?
Its Christmas, Eve!
From the LDA Family, Merry Christmas , and we look forward to seeing you all again in the new year of 2010.
Dancing regards and inspirations
The LDA Team!
__________________________________________________________________________
