Psalms 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds a house the work of the builder is worthless; Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.” Steps of Faith Dance Company, Inc. is excited to announce that the Lord is establishing a Dance Discipleship Training School through us. It is true that each venture we could pursue would be worthless if it was not led by our God. Throughout the years God has lead Steps of Faith through exciting changes and overwhelming challenges and we are completely reliant on His guidance in bringing this Dance Discipleship Training school into existence.    

 

The focus of this Discipleship Training School is to ignite in each participant an ever growing desire to seek and serve God through studying His Word and applying it to their lives. We hope to encourage this through in-depth study of topics such as… 

 

1.  Character of God

2.  Fear of God

3.  Prayer

o       Intercession

4.  Finances

o       Tithes

o       Gift

5.  Apologetics

6.  Missions/evangelism

7.  Relationships

8.  Holy Spirit

9.  Salvation

10.  Gifts of the Spirit

11.  Calling/purpose

12.  The Church, body of Christ, the Bride

13.  Religion and Theology

14.  Justice/suffering

15.  Hearing from God

16.  Devotional life

17.  Spiritual warfare

18.  The bible

 

We firmly believe that God reveals Himself through His Word and that our job as daughters of the King is to seek after Him as Psalm 25:4-5   says, “show me Your ways, oh Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.”

 

 So often in our culture young adults are expected to stick to the normal schedule of pursing college directly after high school, or to go straight into a lifetime career after completing their college degree. Success and setting a financial foundation for oneself is expected of most young adults. Taking a break from the busy schedule laid out by schools, universities, and careers is often questioned or even looked down upon. But who is more worthy of our attention and of our time than our Father in Heaven, is there one more worthy to receive a few months of focused attention while we take a break from the world, reflect on who He is, and seek His will for our lives. The word selah, seen most commonly in the Psalms, although its exact meaning is disputed, is believed to mean to measure or to weigh what has proceeded it, to encourage reflection upon what has been said and what it might mean for the future. We desire to be selah, to be the moment or the months where each participant can measure, weigh, reflect upon, and ultimately focus her attention on God, His Word, His will, and His ways.

 

“This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face. Selah”    Psalm 24:6

 

A huge part of this Discipleship Training school is DANCE. There are many opportunities for young adults to pursue the same spiritual growth through Discipleship Training schools or Masters programs, there are even a few which include or focus on dance but to our knowledge this is one of the few which offers dancers an opportunity to grow in knowledge and understanding of first of all classical ballet technique, as well as other dance form’s including, jazz, hip hop, Pilates, lyrical, African dance technique and whatever else the Lord might lead us to offer. We believe that God has a purpose for classical ballet along with other dance techniques, while we reflect on God���s Word, His will and His ways we also want to reflect on, how He has used, is using, and desires to use dance for His glory.  

 

Each week participants will present a response to the weeks Biblical and dance topics through a variety of means including...

 

Dance presentation/sermon

Written report

Journal

Poetry

Musical presentation

 

These responses serve as a way for the participants to recap what they have learned, present the most meaningful parts, and challenge their ability to express what they have learned in a creative way.

This summer, we are offering SELAH as a FOUR WEEK SUMMER INTENSIVE STUDY.  Classes will be held Monday-Friday with ministry and performance opportunities on the weekends.

 

We will spend alot of time focusing on dance training, since everything we do, we want to do with excellence!  Participants will have ballet classes 5 days a week, with weekly classes in jazz, lyrical, modern, body conditioning for a minimum of 20 hours a week in instruction.  Instructors include accomplished professional and collegiate level teachers from the Atlanta area. 

Mary Binkley Marcengill will continue to be SELAH's co-director this Summer!  Mary is one of the original SOF students in 1997, and grew up at the studio, becoming a leader in the company and a sought-after teacher.  She has finished THREE years of dance discipleship training schools in both Florida and Texas, and is looking forward to pouring into the students she will have this Summer.  She finished up her second year with Ingredients Dance Company as a company member, and as an instructor in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.  As part of her DTS experiences and her involvement with SOF, she has participated in mission trips to Norway, Sweden, Phillipines, and Houston.

She has had the opportunity to assist with Dance Revolution conventions across the country, and perform in dozens of venues.  She has had intense bibilical training and used that training to evangelize many kids.  Since back in Georgia, she danced with Refuge Dance Company in Atlanta, and assisted in Project Dance-Atlanta.  She is also a fulltime instructor at Steps of Faith Dance Studio LLC.  We are proud to have her on our staff!  Her leadership in SELAH has been outstanding this year and we are looking forward to her using her experience as SELAH's director this past year to take SELAH to the next level!

 Julie C. Reeves, Studio Owner/Instructor/Company Artistic Dir./Selah co-director, has been choreographing and teaching dance since 1983. Her experience includes dance teams, theater, talent shows, pageants, business shows, as well as studio and liturgical dance choreography and performances. She has a BS in Management from Georgia Institute of Technology (1990) and is a certified member of Dance Educators of America.  Her training spans most her life in ballet, clogging, tap, jazz, pointe, and modern. She is also the Artistic Director of Steps of Faith Dance Company, the non-profit performance and ministry group based at the studio, and has led the group on both stateside and international mission trips.  She is the Co-director of SELAH DTS housed by the Company.  She feels blessed by the Lord and honored to be director of SOF, which she has seen grow from 22 to 250 students in over fourteen years. Julie has 3 wonderful sons, Collin 17, Carter 15, Caleb 12, and adopted dear daughter from China, Caroline (almost 6yr old). She is honored to serve with the priceless support of her dear husband, Robby.  She is excited about owning her own facility this year, and about the expansion of classes SOF is able to offer!

Theresa Shampine, Company and Selah Instructor/Ballet Mistress, has worked for SOF since 2001.  Ms. Shampine has enjoyed teaching and choreographing at Steps of Faith for the last ten years. She has worked closely with Ms. Reeves to develop a sound and annointed ballet-training program. Theresa is originally from Syracuse, New York and was a scholarship student at The Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet. She is a graduate of Mercyhurst College, where she received a BA in Dance. Professionally, she has danced with the Erie Ballet Theatre, Charleston Ballet Theatre, and The Georgia Ballet where she enjoyed being a featured dancer.  She has one daughter Zella, and lives with her husband Jack in Canton. 

Tonya Veitch, Office Manager . Tonya began in 2001 as a receptionist and quickly moved into the position as Office Manager.  She now is responsible for all student accounts and registration.  She lives in Cartersville with husband, Gerald, son Phillip and daughter Lauren.  SOF could not run without her invaluable support!

FOR APPLICATION:

Click ==> 

www.steps-of-faith.com/selahform)

Submit form, an audition video (you may audition in person; just call for appt.), and a photo of you (side shot) in first arabesque en pointe.  Deadline is August 31, 2010 for Fall acceptance; October 31, 2010 for January 2011 session.  Only a limited number of applicants will be accepted.  You will be made aware of your acceptance within 10 days of all application materials.

SELAH VIDEO AUDITION REQUIREMENTS*

 

For Women:  Please wear a solid colored leotard and pink tights.

For Men:  Please wear black tights and a fitted white shirt.

No skirts or costumes please.

 

I. Introduction

            A.  Name

            B.  Age

            C.  Location

II. Barre – Please record from the side.  One side only.

     A.     Plié  

     B.    Tendu 

     C.     Dégagé  

     D.     Rond de jambe

     E.      Developpé

     F.      Grand Battement

III. Center – Please record from the front.  One side only.

     A.     Adagio

     B.     En dehors pirouette

     C.     En dedans pirouette

     D.     Petit allegro

     E.      Medium allegro

     F.      Grand allegro

IV. Pointe – Please record from front.  One side only.

     A.     Échappé

     B.     Pirouette

     C.     Piqué turns

V.  Classical Variation en pointe (preferred)

VI. One minute solo in a different genre of your choice  

* Must be recorded on DVD or VHS to be accepted.

God has led us at Steps of Faith Dance Company, Inc. to start a new Discipleship Training school, named Selah, with a strong concentration in ballet and lyrical/contemporary dance and biblical studies, for use in mission work, locally and internationally.  2010-2011 has been a pivotal year of establishing this unique program and we have had much success and God has been glorified.

We will be offering SELAH as a FOUR WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM in 2012. 

Dates are June 11-July 6. 

These days will be INTENSE!  Tuition will be $250 a week or $800 for all four weeks.  Tuition  includes classes in ballet, jazz/contemporary, modern, pilates, and other genres, as well as biblical studies and concentrated prayer time led by a dedicated Selah leader/instructor.   

Students may raise support for SELAH through the non-profit host of Steps of Faith Dance Company, Inc. So do NOT let money be a deterent!  We are also applying for grants to offset the costs of the program.  .

 

 Students are allowed to get jobs and/or take college classes as long as they don't interfere with the Selah schedule.  Living arrangements are not part of the program, however, we can arrange for host homes or local accomodations.  Many good options are available in Cartersville!

Applicants need to submit an application

(click here),

and submit a video audition or call for an in person audition to be considered.  There is a $20 application fee required.   Deadline for Summer 2012 is June 1st.

 

Dance applicants must have strong background and training in classical ballet, be at least a high school graduate or equivalent, and a desire to use their gift of dance to magnify the Lord.  We hope to have young adults from all over the United States, and perhaps the world, be part of this program. 

 

For more information, email Julie Reeves, Director at sof@bellsouth.net.