March 2026
Spring is HERE!
We are finally ready to see the grass and hear the birds sing because spring is coming! There is a lot of things coming and we are so excited for the show next month but also there is some amazing summer opportunities we can’t wait for you to be a part of!
Praising the Lord for amazing ways He continues to provide for us and gives us everything we need. We love you all and can’t wait to celebrate the new season change together!
~ Talyn Stansfield, Founder
In this newsletter
Ticket Sales
Silent Auction
Parent Show Walk Through + Preparation
Spring Break - NEW DATES
Exam Week (UPPER SCHOOL LEVEL STUDENTS ONLY)
Make Up Class + Opening/End Finale Practice
Show Weekend Information
End of the Year Banquet
Donation Drive + Thrift Sale/Makers Market
Scholarship + Summer Fundraiser: Difference Makers
Applications Open for SOTA 2026-2027
Summer FUN
Parents Night Out: June & August
Looking Ahead Calendar Dates
Ticket Sale! Now Available
Tickets for our Spring performance: Unashamed are NOW LIVE! Get yours right away and invite lots of friends and family! The Gospel will be preached and you don’t want to miss that opportunity!
Tickets are: $15 online (+processing fees)
$20 at the door (we encourage all families to purchase BEFORE the show)
All SOTA families will have 2 tickets reserved at will call to redeem on the day of the show.
Silent Auction Info
As part of our Spring Performance celebration, we will be hosting a Silent Auction Fundraiser again! We would love for our SOTA families to partner with us in making it a success! This is a wonderful opportunity for our community to work together to support the mission and future of the School of the Arts.
Families are invited to participate by contributing an item or package for the auction in one of the following ways:
1. Connect with a Local Business
Reach out to a business you know and ask if they would be willing to donate an item, gift card, or experience valued at $100 or more. This could include things like services, gift baskets, event tickets, memberships, or specialty products.
2. Create a Themed Basket
Families can also put together a themed basket on their own or partner with a few other families. Some fun ideas include:
Gardening Basket
Pet Basket (Cat or Dog themed)
Movie Night Basket
Game Night Basket
Wisconsin-Themed Basket
Coffee Lover’s Basket
Family Fun Basket
Creativity is welcome, and themed baskets often become some of the most exciting items in the auction!
If you would like to contribute an item or basket, please contact Kim Bump: 715-514-0125 or bumpfamily@gmail.com to let her know what you are planning to provide so we can organize the auction items.
Thank you for partnering with us and helping make this event both fun and impactful for our students and families!
📣 PARENT SHOW WALK-THROUGH 📣
📅 March 23–27
This important week is designed to happen during your dancer’s regularly scheduled class time, but at specific walk-through times.
WALK THROUGH TIME SCHEDULE:
Tuesdays: 4:00-5:30pm
Thursdays: 5:15-6:15pm
Fridays: 10:00-11:30am
This walk-through is a required parent event
⚠️ Parents MUST attend to pick up costumes and materials. Families who do not attend will be charged a $25 holding fee, so please plan ahead and don’t miss this important week.
How to Prepare for the Parent Show Walk-Through
Our Parent Show Walk-Through next week is an important and helpful time where families will receive all the details needed to prepare for our Spring Performance weekend. To make the evening smooth and efficient, here’s what you can expect and how you can come prepared.
1. Check-In & Pick Up Your Parent Packet
When you arrive, you will check in and receive your Parent Show Packet. This packet includes important printed materials such as:
Show Weekend Schedule
Dress Rehearsal Schedule
Costume Checklist
Additional important show details
We encourage you to take time to review these materials carefully so you feel confident heading into performance weekend.
2. Volunteer Sign-Ups
Our performances run smoothly because of the help of our incredible families! Each family will be asked to sign up for one volunteer slot for either:
Friday – Dress Rehearsal Day
Hauling show items from the studio to the church (morning) - ideally some men for our dance floor!
Church set-up
Command Center (for parents who have been part of at least one previous show)
Saturday – Show Day
Ticket Booth
Door Greeters
Kitchen Help
Flower Booth
First Position Table (for families who have been part of First Position for at least one year)
Ushers (during the show)
Discuss with your spouse and please plan to choose a role that works best for you.
3. Dessert Reception Contribution
Each family is asked to bring 2 dozen treats for our dessert reception after the show. These can be things like:
Bars
Brownies
Cookies
Other baked treats
At the walk-through, you will simply check your name next to your last name on the list to confirm you will be bringing something. You do not need to know what specific treat you’re bringing yet.
4. Performance Recording (DVD or Digital)
First Position will be purchasing a copy of the show for each family, and we want to make sure we get the format that works best for you.
You will have the option to select:
Physical DVD copy, or
Digital file of the performance
Please decide ahead of time which format you prefer so it’s easy to mark when you arrive.
5. Flower Pre-Orders for Your Dancer (OPTIONAL)
Families will also have the opportunity to pre-order bouquets of flowers for their dancers.
$8 per bouquet
You may order as many as you would like
If grandparents or family members will want to purchase flowers, you may either pre-order them for them or let them know flowers will be available for purchase at the show. Pre-orders help us plan ahead and support First Position through this fundraiser.
6. Help Us Promote the Show
We will have promotion cards and flyers available for families to help spread the word about the performance and its powerful message.
We ask families to:
Take a few cards to personally invite friends and family
Take one or two flyers to share
You will also see sign-up sheets where you can:
Check off your church (and at least one additional church you’d be willing to drop a flyer off at)
Select a local business where you’d be willing to post a flyer
This simple step helps us continue to share the message of the performance throughout our community.
Thank you for partnering with us to make this performance weekend organized, meaningful, and impactful for our dancers and our community!
ANNOUNCEMENT
📣 Spring Break REMINDER 📣
Spring Break dates!
🌸 March 30th – April 3rd
➡️ There will be NO classes during this week.
Classes will resume as normal following Spring Break. We hope your family enjoys a restful and refreshing break!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out 💕
Exam Week
April 9th
What to Expect - For UPPER SCHOOL LEVEL STUDENTS ONLY
Exam Week is coming up for our Upper School Level Students who participate in The Gathering on Thursday nights ONLY. This is an exciting opportunity for our dancers to demonstrate the growth they have made throughout the season.
Exam Date:
Thursday, April 9th during normal class times.
Dress Code (Required):
All dancers must come dressed in all black (no exceptions) with hair neatly secured in a bun or cleanly pulled up. This simple dress code allows our faculty to clearly evaluate technique, alignment, and movement.
Student Numbers:
When students arrive, they will receive a number to wear for the duration of their exam. This number should be pinned to the front of their shirt or leotard so faculty can easily identify dancers during the evaluation process.
What Students Will Be Examined On:
Dancers will be evaluated in:
Ballet Technique
JLC Technique
These exams help our faculty assess each dancer’s technical progress, understanding of concepts, and growth throughout the dance season.
Evaluation Process & Placement Information:
After exam week, our faculty and Artistic Director will meet to discuss dancer progress and consider class placements for the 2026–2027 SOTA season.
Evaluation summaries and recommendations will be sent to parents later in the summer via email once all discussions and placements have been finalized.
We are incredibly proud of our dancers and so excited to see how much they have grown this year! Exam week is a wonderful moment to celebrate their dedication, hard work, and progress.
SHOW WEEK INFORMATION
Show week is quickly approaching, and we are excited to see everything come together! All of the detailed information for the performance is available in the Parent Portal under “Show Information.” Please take time to review those materials carefully. Below are a few important highlights to help you prepare.
Production Manager
We are excited to introduce Merisa Brindle, our Production Manager for the performance. She will be overseeing show operations and logistics throughout show week.
If you have any show-related questions, please contact her directly at:
fpdfproductionteam@gmail.com
Costumes
Most costumes will be distributed at the Parent Show Walk-Through. However, there are a few costumes we are still waiting to receive. Those will be given to students when they arrive before show week.
Please make sure to carefully review the Costume Information in the Parent Portal so you know:
How to properly care for and prepare costumes
How to pack costumes for the show
Any accessories or additional items needed
End Finale Costume
All dancers participate in the End Finale, which requires its own costume. Please review the Costume Checklist to see what item(s) your dancer needs to provide for this portion of the performance. We do our best to choose items families may already own or that can easily be found at a second-hand store if you prefer not to purchase something new.
Costume Rentals
Families renting costumes or costume pieces must return them after the show.
All rented items must be placed in the Costume Rental Basket.
Before leaving the show, you must check in with Miss Hanna Wildt to confirm that all rental items have been returned.
Any families who do not return rental items will be charged the full replacement cost for the missing costume pieces. Please help us stay organized by returning items promptly.
Tickets
Be sure to purchase your tickets as soon as possible.
Each family will also receive:
Two complimentary tickets to use however you would like. Available at will call (ticket booth) day of the show to redeem
If you have a credit remaining from costume deposits, those funds will automatically be applied toward ticket credits once costume balances are finalized.
Volunteering
Our shows run smoothly because of the incredible help from our families. Every family is required to volunteer for at least one position during show week.
Volunteer opportunities are available for:
Friday (Dress Rehearsal Day)
Saturday (Show Day)
Please review the Volunteer Information in the Parent Portal or the details shared at the Parent Show Walk-Through, and come prepared with:
Your preferred position
A second option in case your first choice has already been filled.
Dress Rehearsal
Please carefully review the Dress Rehearsal Schedule in the Parent Portal to know when your dancer is required to be present.
For dress rehearsal, dancers must arrive in:
Full costume
Hair done
Makeup applied
Please also remember that all dancers participate in the End Finale, so make sure your dancer has the necessary costume pieces for that section as well.
Final Reminder
All detailed show information can be found in the Parent Portal, and the materials shared during the Parent Show Walk-Through will outline everything you need to know for show weekend.
If you have any additional questions after reviewing those materials, please contact our Production Manager, Merisa Brindle, at:
fpdfproductionteam@gmail.com
Opening & End Finale Practice – April 18
To help prepare our dancers for the performance, we will be holding Opening and End Finale practices on Friday, April 18 at the studio. While attendance is not mandatory, it is strongly encouraged so dancers feel confident and prepared for these important moments in the show.
Practice Schedule
8:30-9:30 AM | Make Up Class
• Trescher Duet
• Kourtney Winsand & Mikaya Hodnefield Duet
9:30–10:30 AM | Make Up Class
• Homeschool Mini Jazz
• Homeschool Ballet
10:30–11:30 AM | End Finale Rehearsal (ALL DANCERS)
11:30 AM–12:30 PM | Opening Rehearsal (Upper School Level Students Only - those that attend the Monday Company Rehearsal)
Thank you for helping your dancers come prepared and excited for this special part of the performance!
Raise the Barre
Save the DATE! April Session
Ballet Technique Master Class
Join us for a special Ballet Technique Master Class designed to help dancers strengthen their foundation, refine their movement, and grow in confidence!
Date: April 14
Time: 6:30–7:30 PM
Cost: $15 per dancer | GREAT FOR ADULTS TOO!
Who Can Attend: Open to all levels
This one-hour class will focus on core ballet technique including alignment, strength, control, and artistry. Whether you are newer to ballet or has been training for years, this class is a wonderful opportunity to deepen technique and gain valuable instruction in a focused, encouraging environment.
We look forward to an evening of growth, learning, and beautiful movement together!
Spots are limited, so be sure to sign up! 🩰
Kids Dance Camp
“Jesus Is Alive!”
Join us for a joyful and fun-filled Kids Dance Camp as we celebrate the amazing truth that Jesus is alive! This special Easter-themed camp will be a wonderful time for young dancers to move, play, and learn while celebrating the resurrection.
Date: April 17
Time: 4:00–5:30 PM
Ages: 3–9 years old
Cost: $15 per dancer
During camp, dancers will enjoy:
A fun dance class
Games and activities
A short Easter devotional celebrating that Jesus has risen
A craft or special activity to take home
This is a wonderful opportunity for kids to celebrate Easter in a joyful, engaging environment while dancing and having fun with friends.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you — Jesus is Alive!
2nd Annual Thrift Sale & Makers Market Fundraiser
We are excited to announce our 2nd Annual Thrift Sale & Makers Market, happening this year at our new studio location! This special fundraising event is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together, support our dancers, and enjoy a fun weekend of shopping, food, and connection.
Event Dates & Times
May 15: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
May 16: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
This year’s event will feature a large thrift sale filled with donated items from our studio families, making it the perfect time to do some spring cleaning and donate gently used items to support the company. Every purchase helps support our mission and the future of our dancers!
We are also adding some exciting new elements this year:
Bake Sale
Families are invited to help by donating baked goods for the event. These can include:
Individual treats like cookies, bars, or brownies
Larger baked goods such as sourdough bread, pies, cakes, or other homemade favorites
Concessions
We will have lunch and dinner options available for sale, along with drinks and snacks for our hungry shoppers throughout the day.
Coffee Station
We are also working on offering a coffee station with delicious lattes and handcrafted coffee drinks available for purchase.
This event is truly a community effort, and we will need all hands on deck to make it a success. We kindly ask families to reserve this weekend and plan to help out in some way. There will be many opportunities to serve, including:
Sorting and organizing thrift donations
Setting up and preparing sale areas
Assisting shoppers and selling items
Helping with food, bake sale, or concessions
We welcome moms, dads, and kids to jump in and help. Whether you love organizing behind the scenes or interacting with shoppers during the event, there is a place for everyone to contribute.
We can’t wait to open our doors to the community and make this year’s Thrift Sale & Makers Market bigger and better than ever!
If any of our students want to host a booth again and sell their handcrafted items please let us know!
Donation Drive
First Position Donation Drive – May 8 & 9
Get ready to help us gear up for our 2nd Annual Thrift Sale & Makers Market by participating in our Donation Drivethe weekend before the sale! This is a wonderful opportunity for families to declutter, give back, and support First Position at the same time.
Dates & Times:
Friday, May 8: 5:00–8:00 PM
Saturday, May 9: 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
What to Bring:
We are looking for gently used or new items in good condition, including:
Clothing
Dishware
Toys
Books
Home goods
And more!
Important:
Items should be clean, functional, and free of stains, damage, or excessive wear.
Please clean items as best as you can before bringing them to the donation drive.
How to Prepare:
Before the donation drive weekend, take some time to go through your home and pull together items you’d like to donate to First Position. Feel free to share this opportunity with friends, neighbors, and family—the more donations we collect, the bigger and better our thrift sale will be!
How You Can Help:
We need lots of hands to sort, price, and organize donations in preparation for the thrift sale. If you can help during the donation drive, please email Talyn at Talyn@firstpositiondanceco.com to let us know.
We also are in need of LOTS of tables or clothing racks! If you have of these items please let us know!
This is a great way for families to serve together, engage the community, and make the thrift sale a big success!
End of the Year Banquet
THURSDAY, APRIL 30th
We are thrilled to invite ALL SOTA families and students to our End of the Year Banquet to celebrate an incredible year of growth, dance, and community!
Date & Time: April 30 | 6:00–8:00 PM
Location: First Position Dance Studio
Potluck: Families, please bring a dish to share. First Position will provide drinks.
This special evening will be full of:
Testimonies and stories from our SOTA family
Memory videos highlighting the year’s best moments
Awards, including student favorites:
Student Awards:
Every SOTA student receives an award, so be sure to attend to celebrate your accomplishments!
Spark Award: Voted by students for the dancer who lights up the room and inspires peers.
Heart of Worship Award: Voted by students for the dancer who performs from the heart in pure worship to the Lord.
Scholarship Awards – Servant Leadership:
Selected by our teachers, these scholarships honor students who have demonstrated leadership and servant-hearted qualities throughout the year.
One award goes to an Upper School student for the Summer Dance Intensive, and one goes to a Lower School student for the 6-week Mini-Mester.
This banquet is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the dedication, talent, and growth of every student, and we can’t wait to gather with families for this special evening. Don’t miss it!
Difference Makers | Scholarship & Summer Fundraiser
We are thrilled to introduce Difference Makers, a brand-new fundraiser designed to support scholarships for students and families and to raise critical funds for First Position’s summer outreach months.
Date & Time: May 28 | 7:00–8:30 PM
Location: First Position Studio
At First Position, we know that some families would love to participate in our programs but may face financial barriers. Partial and full tuition scholarships ensure that finances are never a reason a student cannot dance, grow, and experience the joy of movement & discipleship. This fundraiser is an opportunity to provide access to dance for families in need.
In addition, our summer months focus on outreach, offering opportunities to serve and share Jesus with our community. These months rely heavily on donations and generous supporters, as tuition income is minimal. Your support helps First Position continue this mission during the summer and beyond.
What to Expect at Difference Makers:
Dessert Reception: A special evening to gather with our community and hear testimonies, stories, and the heart behind First Position.
Giving Opportunities: Guests will be invited to support through a one-time gift or by becoming a monthly donor, either for the summer months specifically or throughout the entire year.
How Families Can Participate:
Attend the event and join us in celebrating and supporting our mission.
Bring baked goods or desserts for the reception if you love to bake or cook—your contributions help make the evening extra special!
Invite friends, family, and supporters—grandparents, aunts and uncles, neighbors, church friends, coworkers—to help raise awareness and funds for this important cause.
This is a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of students, families, and the community we serve. Join us for a meaningful evening of fellowship, desserts, and generosity at Difference Makers
JUNE 1st | SOTA Applications OPEN!
Applications will be open June 1st for our SOTA 2026-2027 season! Watch for an email when things are LIVE!
☀️✨ SUMMER DANCE IS HERE! ✨☀️
We are so excited to announce that Summer Dance Registration is NOW OPEN—and we have some AMAZING programs lined up for your dancers!
🌟 Summer Intensives (4 days each):
• Ages 10–18
• Ages 3–9
Perfect for dancers who want to grow, be challenged, and stay inspired during the summer months!
Summer Class Programs (6 weeks):
• Ages 12–18
• Ages 3–11
A great option for consistency, technique, and continued training in a fun, encouraging environment.
Whether your dancer wants to dive deep or keep dancing all summer long, there’s something for everyone! 💃🕺
INTENSIVES & CAMPS | 4 DAY SUMMER CAMPS
🔥✨ SDI | SUMMER DANCE INTENSIVE ✨🔥
📖 Theme: The Story I’ll Tell
📅 August 3–6
⏰ 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Ages 10–18
Our Summer Dance Intensive (SDI) is back—and this year’s theme, The Story I’ll Tell, invites dancers to explore the story God is writing in their lives and how they use their voice, movement, and faith to tell it.
This powerful 4-day intensive includes:
🩰 Dance classes
🎶 Worship & creative worship
🗣 Testimonies
📖 Discipleship sessions & Bible study
🎉 Themed parties at the end of each day
💵 $100 per student — and truly worth every second.
Register HERE
Kids Dance Camp | From the Ground Up
📅 June 8–11
⏰ 1:00–3:00 PM
👧👦 Ages 3–9
🎨 Theme: From the Ground Up
Our Kids Dance Camp is back, and this year’s theme, From the Ground Up, is all about building a strong foundation in faith, fun, and creativity!
This 4-day VBS-style camp includes:
🩰 Worship & dancing
📖 Bible lessons
🎲 Games
🍪 Snacks
🎨 Crafts
Last summer at Wonder Junction we had an absolute blast—and we can’t wait to make this year even better!
💵 $50 per student | $100 family max (families with 3+ kids, you won’t pay extra!)
Spaces are limited, so register now and give your kids a week full of faith, fun, and dance! 💕
6 WEEK CLASS SESSIONS
🌞✨ SUMMER MINI-MESTER ✨🌞
📅 June 19 – July 24 | Fridays
⏰ 10-11 AM (ages 3–6) | 11:00–12:00 PM (ages 7–11)
Keep your dancers moving this summer with our 6-week Summer Mini-Mester—a low-commitment, high-fun way to stay active, learn new skills, and grow in faith!
This session includes:
🩰 Fun dance styles (classics + new styles most dancers haven’t learned before)
🎶 Creative worship sessions
📖 Bible study
✨ Parent performance at the end to show off what they’ve learned
💵 $65 per student
It’s the perfect way for kids to enjoy summer with friends, faith, and dance, all while exploring something new each week. Spots are limited—register now to secure your dancer’s place! 💕
💥 THE DANCERS LAB 💥
📅 June 15 – July 23 | Mondays & Thursdays
⏰ 3:00–4:15 PM
👯 Ages 12–18
Looking for an extra challenge this summer? Our 6-week Dancers Lab is designed for serious dancers ready to sharpen technique, explore new styles, and grow in faith.
📌 Mondays: Technique focus
📌 Thursdays: Style choreography
📖 Each session also includes digging deep into God’s Word
💵 $120 per student
This is the perfect way to strengthen skills, stay inspired, and get ahead before the new dance season kicks off. Spots are limited—don’t miss out! 💃🕺
Looking Ahead | Calendar Dates 2025
March 1st | Spring Performance Tickets go on Sale
March 23rd-27th | Parent Show Walk Through
March 30th-April 3rd | Spring Break
April 9th | SOTA Upper School Level Student Exams
April 14th | Raise the Barre: April Session | Ballet Tech
April 17th | Kids Dance Camp: April Session | Jesus is Alive!
April 17th | LAST CLASS OF SOTA
April 18th | Make Up Class + End Finale & Opening Practice
April 20th-25th | SHOW WEEK - NO CLASSES THIS WEEK!
April 24th | Dress Rehearsal
April 25th | Unashamed: Spring Performance 2026
April 30th | SOTA End of the Year Banquet
May 8th & 9th | Donation Drive @ the studio
May 15th and 16th | Thrift Sale + Makers Market
May 28th | Scholarship & Summer Fundraiser: Difference Makers
June 5th | Parents Night Out | 4:30-8:30pm (great event for parents that want a date night!)
June 8th-11 | Kids Dance Camp: From the Ground Up
June 15th-July 23rd | The Dancers Lab
June 19th-July 24th | Summer Mini-Mester
July 23rd | FPDF Parent Information Night | 6:00-7:00pm | Come learn more about SOTA (great for new families!)
July 31st-August 1st | Onefest! We will have a booth so sign up for time slots!
August 3-6 | SDI: The Story I’ll Tell
August 15th | Parents Night Out | 12:00-4:00pm (great for back to school shopping while your kids are taken care of!)
August 22nd | FPDF Summer Scoop | Ice Cream Social to register for the new season and learn about new programs!
September 11th | SOTA Kick Off Celebration | 6:00-9:00pm at the studio! Come celebrate the start of SOTA 2026-2027 Season
September 14th | 1st day of Dance! SOTA 2026-2027 Season!