Coming off another dance-filled summer that saw our students expanding their horizon with new performance and training endeavors, we got right down to business for the 2005-2006 dance year.

Moved by the devastation in the Gulf Coast that resulted from Hurricane Katrina, our dancers wanted to do their part to help, so in September our studio asked several other area dance studios to join us in staging a fundraising effort for the American Red Cross.  As with our "Awesome Dancer" button program, this fundraiser was an opportunity to reach beyond studio boundaries for a greater good, and the results spoke for themselves, with more than $6,000 raised in a single afternoon.

Speaking of The Dance Button Project, our "Awesome Dancer" buttons continued to move across North America, reaching 22 states plus Canada by the end of the dance year, and beginning to earn media attention.  Even tap superstar Savion Glover received an "Awesome Dancer" button in 2006.

As the competition season got under way, our dancers were in great form.  "Fire" earned overall high scoring group honors at The Dancer's Spotlight; "Statues" earned first runner-up to overall high scoring group at PDTA Stars of Tomorrow; many of our acts scored high honors at Dance Xplosion, including "Statues," which was recognized for it's creative choreography.

But the dancing didn't stop there.  We also welcomed several talented teachers to our studio for special classes and workshops.  Guest teacher, Noble Potts, worked with our advanced tappers to raise their rhythm tap skills to a new level, choreographing the award-winning and crowd-pleasing routine, "Insane."

Our Dance Company Parent Association showed its commitment to furthering our students dance education by financing a day-long in-studio workshop featuring Freddie McGriff and Quentin Bolden -- The Boyz.  It was an exhausting and challenging day for all students, but most of all it was an enjoyable and educational one.

And our studio family also had a great deal of fun outside the classroom.  In January, our Company members attended the national touring company performance of "Wicked" at the Kennedy Center.  Before the show they had a private backstage tour and Q&A session with Robert Pullen, Director of Artistic Planning for the Kennedy Center.  And following the show our dancers were welcomed backstage again to meet the cast.  It was a great evening.

Our dance studio has seen many students come and go over the years, and this year two more students are off to college.  Samantha Doyle has been a dedicated student and inspiring teaching assistant, and she will leave us for James Madison University in the Fall.  Christina Tucker started with us as a young dancer, and has progressed to the point that in the last couple years has choreographed musicals at her high school.  She will be off to State University of New York in the Fall.  I hope both of these young ladies take fond memories with them and I wish them continued success.

Our 30th anniversary recital was one that will never be forgotten, as more CCDS alumni than ever before returned to be with us for Showtime.  At the conclusion of our Saturday evening performance, we asked all former students in the audience to come to the stage.  I commented at the time that it was like seeing the last 30 years of my life flash before my eyes, as dozens and dozens of former students came on stage to share the spotlight one more time.  It was overwhelming.

I dedicated Showtime 2006 to some special people who have been influential in my life -- Shirley Sigler, who trained me as a young student and allowed me to become a student teacher with dreams; my parents, Ruth and Bill Collins, who did more behind the scenes for so little in return for so many years; my wife, Vickie, who continues to support me 24/7.

I would like to thank all the parents of our students for your continued support in allowing us to develop your child's potential.  I thank my fantastic faculty for their creativity and dedication to our students.  As much as I have looked back this year to reflect on the past 30 years, I look forward to our 31st dance season.

And even before that year begins, we're off on another new adventure, as our Dance Company performs internationally for the first time while on a cruise to Bermuda.

That was 2006 at Chris Collins Dance Studio, and the beat goes on...