GP Dance

Grounding Point Dance Company produced A Second Chance Dance Festival at Hype Dance Studios May 16, 2009.  This dance festival was a fundraiser for Daybreak Day Center a program of OPCC, which helps homeless women get off the streets.

Carrie Smaczny, Artistic Director in coordination with Melanie Miller Event & Silent Auction Coordinator and Karen Smith assistant Event & Silent Auction Coordinator, were able to raise $3500 for the center.

There were a total of 10 pieces in the show, 8 different companies ranging from pre-professional to professional dancers held at Hype Studios in Torrance, CA.

“The event was a success to me because it did three things: 1) It brought together 2 different communities dance & social services, 2) The dance companies performed for a new audience, some who had never seen dance before, 3) The audience was involved because the ticket sales and silent auction items were purchased by them with knowing that 100% of the proceeds went directly back to the homeless center”, states Carrie Smaczny.

“We had over 15 volunteers to help set up the event and keep things running smoothly, it was a great to see people work together for a wonderful cause! I couldn’t be more happy with the results.”

If you were unable to attend and would like to make a donation please visit opcc.net

Thank you,

Carrie Smaczny

I have been working on creating “Come Along” for the past month with dancers Clare Bayens and Erica Perus. Getting into the studio to sketch work has been such a enjoyable process.  I am excited about the work especially about these two dancers they are passionate dancers who take the work seriously.  Both are committed to A SECOND CHANCE cause of supporting Daybreak Day Center a program of OPCC for homeless women.

You can see Erica & Clare perform “Come Along” on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 4 PM @ Hype Dance Studios in Torrance, CA for the Second Chance Dance Festival.

For more info contact Carrie Smaczny at info@gpdance.com

Festival Title: A SECOND CHANCE
Grounding Point Dance Company is excited to announce that Artistic Director, Carrie Smaczny, will be producing a dance festival at Hype Studios.  The purpose of this dance festival is to raise money for the Daybreak Day Center at Ocean Pacific Community Center (a homeless shelter) in Santa Monica, CA.  ”100 % of the proceeds will go directly to the shelter to help get homeless women off the streets,” states Smaczny.
Smaczny states she is ” looking for dance companies and independent solo dance artists who want to help raise money by performing in this festival.  I am interested in all types of dance - Hip Hop, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Cultural, Fusion, Multi-media from professional & pre-professional dance companies.   I am looking for 8-10 dance pieces from different (professional) choreographers with themes that are uplifting, artistic and entertaining for this family friendly event.  ”

How did Grounding Point Dance Company get involved with OPCC?

“I have been volunteering at OPCC as a Pilates instructor since November of 2008.   These women are so inspiring to me.  I want to give them more than just my time.  I want to raise awareness of the homelessness problem we have in America today and I want to help raise money to support their current programs.  We will be having a silent auction and reception prior to the performance” states Smaczny.

Smaczny’s friend and pilates client Melaine Miller, who has been involved in the film and music industry, has taken the role of silent auction coordinator.  More information about the silent auction items coming soon!

If you are interested in donating, dancing, volunteering at the event or just want to support us by passing on the information please contact Carrie Smaczny at info@gpdance.com

Grounding Point Dance Company is current searching for new dancers for a project to benefit a OPCC a women’s homeless shelter in Santa Monica, CA.  Carrie Smaczny is seeking mature male and female dancers for a new Contemporary Jazz piece.  

This piece will be performed in the dance festival, Grounding Point Dance Company is producing at Hype Studios on May 16, 2009. This dance festival is a fundraiser for the women’s program at the Homeless Shelter, Daybreak Day Center of OPCC in Santa Monica.  

Requirements:

Strong Jazz and Contemporary or Modern Background, ballet background or improvisational skills a plus.  Come prepared to learn a Contemporary Jazz Combination.  Please bring resume & head shot.  You need to make a reservation to audition.  E-mail Carrie at info@gpdance.com

Positive attitude and Available for Rehearsals on Wednesdays from 8-9:30 PM beginning Feb. 18. Rehearsals will be on Wednesdays for February and March.  In April and May rehearsals will be twice a week (continuing with the Wednesdays & adding another day).  

THIS IS A NON-PAID POSITION.  Dancers would be donating their time to help fight homelessness.  

DATE: Wednesday, Feb. 11 @ 7PM @ Hype Studios, for company class 8-9 PM additional combinations. YOU MUST RESERVE YOUR SPOT BY E-MAILING info@gpdance.com

Address: 1951 West Carson, Torrance, CA 90501 

All DANCERS NEED TO BE LEGAL US RESIDENT AND OF AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE 

For More Information contact Carrie Smaczny at info@gpdance.com or by phone at 949-302-1208.

Carrie Smaczny, Artistic Director of Grounding Point Dance Company, will be showcasing her choreography at Hype Dance Studios, Open House, on Saturday, Jan. 17 from 3-6 PM.  Crystal Truesdell, GPDC company member, will be performing RED and Smaczny’s Contemporary Jazz Class will be performing a routine.  

On Sunday, Jan. 17 HYPE STUDIOS, will have a DANCE DAY.  For $20, unlimited classes for the day.  Carrie Smaczny will be teaching Pilates/Yoga Fusion at 2 PM & Contemporary Jazz @ 3 PM.  More classes are available please check out Hype Dance Studios @ hypestudios.com .

See you there!

I was online this morning looking for a quote that is about happiness.  This is what I found:

Happiness depends upon ourselves.
Aristotle 

This quote makes me feel that I have more control in my own well being.

Have a HAPPY DAY!

Yes, we are definitely in a recession, but that does not mean we have to overly react.  The more the I hear about how poorly America’s economy is doing from the media, the worse it makes me feel.  Then I have to shake myself really hard and pull myself together.  Finding the light in the midst of the darkness has been a challenge — so I find myself going deeper in to my practice of making dance and taking yoga class.  

Yoga classes have been my space to be vulnerable.  Me and my mat sitting with my thoughts through breath.  This is where I am getting the most piece right now.  

I am thinking positively and I know America can change, the people of this country will seek opportunities during though times.  It is my hope that change is near.

One of the yoga teachers I study wtih, Julie Rader, said something really interesting in class yesterday.  She said imagine gazing forwarding, looking a tiger in the eye.  That really stuck a chord with me.  When an animal is hunting, it has very specific focus, it’s prey.  I found if I put my mind in that place I could really be present calm my runaway thoughts and allow myself a chance to completely focus.

I tend to have a lot of projects going on at one time.  I wear numerous hats - wife, teacher, doggie mommy, friend, dancer, choreographer, video artist — so when I embraced looking at the tiger in the eye, I felt completely engaged in that moment.  

As I move forward in my creative process this week, in teaching classes, doing housework, creating video work — the image of looking a tiger in the eyes is in the back of my mind.

Have a Happy Day!

I feel it is important to not only set goals for myself, but hold steady to the art of practicing.  As a dancer repetition is an important of the learning process for training the body. As an artist, I feel for me I have to keep my mind focused on the work I am creating both in and out of the studio.  

For me, I have to find a way to make my life as a artist, dancer, teacher, wife, friend, and animal lover come into balance.  Every day I have to remind myself to  train my body, keeping an open mind, and set small goals that enable me to push beyond my comfort zone.  

How I achieve those goals is through my daily practice of being a human who strives to serve a higher purpose, training my body and mind, and finding time to decompress in order to reflect.  

Some days are definitely better than others; however, my intention is set at the beginning of each day and this gives me peace about knowing I am doing the right thing at the right time.

What is it that we really need as humans?  I am currently reading a booking called Nurture, by Sally Bevere. She has an incredible way of describing all of us as mothers, daughters, fathers and sons.  It is not just about blood relation, but how we can “relate” to others in a deep spiritual way and be a “mother figure” for a daughter.  I find this completely intriguing because, as the Artistic Director of Grounding Point Dance Company and Dance / Pilates / yoga teacher, I find that my main job is to encourage, challenge, and nurture my dancers and clients to reach their highest potential.  

The idea of conscious “nurturing” in order to help people is a revolutionary idea.  If each of us really took the time with every person we came across in a day and was present in that moment, you never know how you could change someone’s life.

This happened to me with my high school dance teacher, Pam Hollerbach.  I was at Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, AZ in the 1990s, when I first experienced leadership.  Mrs. Hollerbach is a mother and she nurtured her dance students by giving us full artistic freedom in our choreography and dance performance.  I got more involved at dance in high school by auditioning and becoming a member of JAMOBA (Jazz Modern Ballet - you can only image what that was like, oh and we used to sell doughnuts as a fundraiser!).  My junior year of high school I began to lead and form relationships with people through dance. I was directing the younger dancers and they were seeking direction and positive encouragement.

I look back now and realize that is when I started to learn how to nurture other people outside of my family.  This experience was at the heart about why I like to direct dance.  I want to nurture dancers and help them reach their full potential.  By my teacher allowing me the space and trusting me to direct and choreograph, I felt supported by her and it was one of the stepping stones that made me who I am today.  THANK YOU MRS. HOLLY!

The interesting part of this story is, that I got a call from her in 2003, 9 years later.  She was leaving the Fountain Hills Unified school district and needed a dance teacher to take over.  I was able to get the position and get emergency certified by the state to start teaching high school and middle school students within a week of my interview.  I was able to pass on what she taught me to my 120 students.  So the cycle continued…