THE PULSE FEATURED IN MAY 2011 LEAWOOD LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE!
THE PULSE IS VOTED BEST DANCE STUDIO IN KANSAS CITY!
We are thrilled to announce that The Pulse has been voted The Best Dance Studio in Kansas City by KMBC-TV’s A-List Awards! We couldn’t be more honored, and it couldn’t have been done without some serious support from all of you! Thank you to everyone! Check out the results here!
KANSAS CITY SYMPHONY PERFORMANCE!
Pulse dancers shine in Kansas City Symphony's holiday show! Great job Casi, Tyler, Brian, and Luke!
RADIO DISNEY PLAZA LIGHTING PERFORMANCE!
Great job to our very own Curtis Smith, choreographer for Radio Disney, whose dancers did a wonderful job performing on the main stage at the Plaza Lighting Ceremony on Thanksgiving with American Idol winner, David Cook!
CURTIS SMITH SELECTED AS CHOREOGRAPHER FOR RADIO DISNEY!
Congratulations to Curtis for being chosen as the new choreographer for the Radio Disney Street Team right here in Kansas City! The group rehearses at The Pulse and prepares throughout the year for upcoming appearances and shows!
MISS GRETA FEATURED IN DANCE TEACHER MAGAZINE!
FAMILY NIGHT OUT TAKES ON SPECIAL MEANING FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN AND LEAWOOD MINISTRY GROUP:
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (November 19, 2007) This December 8th, one group of remarkable kids will receive a very special performance and some heartwarming joy this holiday season.
Matthew’s Ministry at the Church of the Resurrection is a program geared towards serving kids with autism and their families. The program, headed up by Jennifer Ross, has two full time staff members and a volunteer for each of the kids. On Sunday Services, the ministry is open to these special needs kids and provides a place for the children to feel comfortable and participate in activities while their parents take time to attend service. Several volunteers participate in making time fun and eventful for the kids. The group particularly enjoys music and will often go as a group and listen to the worship song set at the beginning of the service. The program’s unique offerings include a monthly four-hour Family Night Out where the families can enjoy some quality time together. The next outing is December 8th, and includes a special song and dance performance that is being created especially for them by The Pulse Performing Arts Center and Christian Youth Theatre.
“There just aren't enough programs like this out there,” says Travis Murray from The Pulse. “I personally know several families with an autistic child that don't have a place to take their kids or will often choose not to attend events or even restaurants because of the challenges in attending them.”
Jennifer Ross agrees. “We are very proud of this program and our volunteers who provide such quality attention and love to these kids. Many of these parents might not go to church at all if it weren't for this ministry. It's really quite remarkable, and we are looking to help spread the word about this great program.”
Jennifer is planning on thirty-five children attending each with their own volunteered attendant, and the evening consists of dinner, crafts, games, movies, and entertainment. Dance students from The Pulse Performing Arts Center and teachers from Christian Youth Theatre will collaborate for a song and dance performance of upbeat holiday cheer. Both companies are committed to reaching out to the community and getting their students involved artistically in the charitable process with organizations like Operation Breakthrough and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
For more information about Matthew’s Ministry visit www.cor.org, and for more information about Christian Youth Theatre, visit www.cytkc.org.
DANCING FOR A CAUSE: DANCE STUDIO, BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS COME TOGETHER TO 'GET DOWN'
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (August 21, 2006) The Pulse Performing Arts Center welcomed Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City (BBBS-KC) into their dance studio for a free hip-hop class Saturday, Aug. 19. A group of children and their mentors signed up in advance to attend the class, which was taught by a professional dance instructor, and a high-energy “dance-off” ended the session as a fun way for the students to show off their new moves.
“Because we have such a great staff of teachers that believe in helping organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, we felt this event was a great way for us to launch our opening and let the community know what we are all about,” said Brandon Irwin, co-owner of The Pulse, a new dance studio in Red Bride Shopping Center.
Irwin noted that giving back to the community is a big part of the company’s philosophy. “As educators of children, we want to teach the art of giving freely and show them how you can help your neighborhood using the resources that you have available,” he said. “We think this is a unique and wonderful way to introduce children to the charitable process while providing a valuable service to the community.”
BBBS-KC is recognized as the leader in outcome-focused, one-to-one mentoring service to high-risk children in the Kansas City area. Volunteers serve as friends, mentors and role models, helping children gain greater self-confidence. “Bigs” encourage “Littles” to realize their potential and see themselves as having happy and successful futures.
Roy Morrill, executive director of BBBS-KC, said that feedback from the kids has been incredibly positive. "Opportunities like these are great because they allow our children to participate in activities that they might not otherwise have the chance to do,” Morrill said.
In fact, the class went over so well that both groups plan to make it a recurring event. “This was a great bonding experience for the children and their mentors,” said Irwin. “It allows them to get together in a fun environment, and it was so much fun to host an activity like this – we’re already looking at dates for the next one!”
For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City, visit www.bbbs-kc.org.
DANCING HER WAY TO RECOVERY: HOW DANCE TRAINING HELPED OVERCOME SCOLIOSIS
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (July 31, 2007) While America has become riveted to dance programs this summer like Dancing With the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance, one teenager knows she can dance and has reason to celebrate after having a life-altering surgery.
Mia Scaglia was diagnosed with scoliosis at age nine, and after spending several years wearing a brace to correct the severe curvature of her spine, had surgery in March 2005. She received 2 rods and 18 screws in her spine, making her two inches taller. During all of this—the 20 hours a day of wearing the brace, the meeting with various doctors, the surgery itself and the recovery—Scaglia has found one thing to keep her going: dance.
When many other teens that are faced with such challenges can become depressed and withdrawn, Scaglia’s positive attitude never wavered. During their early meetings she was told she might have to stop dancing if she had the surgery. A passionate performer, she knew in her heart that she would always work hard enough to overcome her limitations. As she said before the surgery, “I am blessed. Many kids might lose a foot, but I can still dance.”
While she had to sit out of dancing for six months, she would still attend dance class as a spectator, even though it was upsetting to sit on the sidelines. But little by little, she learned what her body was capable of and began to dance again.
Scaglia now dances at The Pulse Performing Arts Center five nights a week and is a member of their competitive dance team. Strong ballet and jazz training, as well as Pilates stretch techniques, have helped her grow stronger and take herself further than she or her family once thought was possible.
“The positive encouragement and direction I receive from my instructors at The Pulse has enabled me to accomplish things that I, and the doctors, never expected,” she said.
Now Mia hardly thinks about the rod in her back. She said she can feel where it ends when moving, but she is still able to do what she loves so she doesn’t focus on it. This summer, Mia performed a lead role in The Pulse’s year-end performance. Her doctor attended the show and was so moved by what Mia has accomplished that he purchased a copy of the performance to show other patients to use as motivation.
“I am so grateful to be able to continue doing what I love,” she said, “and if my successful recovery can make a difference for others, then I know I have gone through this for a reason.”
For more information about Mia Scaglia and how The Pulse Performing Arts Center helped her battle with scoliosis, visit www.thepulsepac.com, or call 816-941-2278.
