Studio 23 on Kuppa Kopi

In November 2009, we were interviewed on our local radio station Red FM. I say 'we' but it was actually Emmelina and my mom who did all the talking while I was just trying not to breathe too heavily into my microphone. Radio interviews are alright because you get to slouch in your chair, swivel it all about and gesture wildly at your interview partner. AND you can write notes to each other.

However, being interviewed for a TV programme is totally different. First of all, there are so many people in the room and they're all looking at you. Apart from the cameramen, there are the producer, the director and other technical crew. And really, there's nothing that induces a blank mind faster than the knowledge that you're being recorded and that if you mess up, everyone has to wait while they reset and do a retake. And trust me, the wait is agonizingly long when you're the cause!

But let's start from the very beginning, a very good place to start...

Memorising important facts.

"Si! My name is Herina...D'oh!...Hi! My name is Serina."

Yes, I actually did fall asleep and even had a minor leg twitch,

which I quickly covered up by gracefully recrossing my legs.

Thank God I didn't kick her.

Saodah, miracle worker.

My request was, 'Please make me look fresh and awake'.

I spent the whole time staring at Sharnaz because I didn't

know which camera to look at!

Sharnaz (presenter), Regina (producer), Ms. Iris (Ballet teacher),

Mr Chester (Sarawak Dancesport Association),

En. Sharkawi (Caperena Dance Academy)

dan Puan Serina (Studio 23).

The chat during the coffee (and curry puff yay!) session we had after the recording was actually more interesting as we were all more relaxed, and it was fun and inspiring to meet people who are passionate about dance as well.

It was really scary being on TV but it was also a really interesting and eye-opening experience. (In one instance, 'eye-opening' became literal as the dilating of my pupils syncronised with my mind going blank). But now, I can forever regale my great-grandchildren about the time I was on TV. Thanks, Regina, for inviting us to the show, and to Sharnaz who has such a warm personality and who was able to make us laugh and feel more-at-ease in front of the cameras.

I was actually really really shy about being on TV and had refrained from telling anyone about it, despite Lydia's intense interrogation and Wilfred's sneaky casual interrogation. But when I was in Penang, very busy training hard during Aziza's workshop, I got an sms:

Lydia : Ahahaha it's Kuppa Kopi! I'm gonna watch you space out on TV!

Serina: Nooooooooooo!!! How did you find out?!!

Lydia : Albert mentioned it on the blog!!

Traitor!!!

Next up...Kuppa Kopi comes to Studio 23....

P/S: If any of you took photos of the RTM crew in the studio that day, please email it to studio23kuching@gmail.com thanks!

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN PIROUETTE?

BREAKING NEWS: Our 3rd Adult Ballet Class will be on Friday 7:00 p.m. and we will start on 11th June as some of you are still travelling. Again, we will only open this class if we have enough people pre-registered. We already have 4 names, so come and register quick!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE: Registration for the Monday 8:15 p.m. and Friday 6:00 p.m. class is officially closed. Thank you for the enthusiasm! HOWEVER, because of the great response, we are considering opening up a 3rd class. Please watch this space; we'll update once we confirm a time slot!

We're offering a special 3-month Adult Ballet course! If you ever wanted to learn Ballet when you were younger, then this is the class for you.

This class is open to everyone from ages 13 to 55, and no prior dance experience is necessary.

What it is:

*An introduction to the basic Ballet positions, dance steps, techniques and skills.

*A great way to work on your posture.

*A healthy workout which can help to tone and stretch your muscles.

This 3-month course runs from June to August, and will be led by Elaine Lee. Elaine is a Royal Academy of Dance (England) qualified and registered Ballet teacher. She was trained as a professional dancer and teacher in Kuala Lumpur. She has won Silver and Bronze medals in Ballet competitions at the national level in 2002 and 2003. After completing the highest level Ballet examination and teacher's course offered by the Royal Academy of Dance, she moved to Singapore to teach Ballet.

Elaine then received a scholarship from Ballet Magnificat, located in the United States, where she was a trainee for two years. After this time, she joined the Dramatic Truth Ballet Company as a full-time dancer for another year. In addition to Ballet, Elaine is trained in the Martha Graham technique of contemporary dance, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Chinese dance.

So come on, ladies and gentlemen (yes, men are welcome to join the class as well!), here's the chance you've been waiting for: now you can finally learn to fondu and chasse with the best of them - even if you don't know a barre from your derriere!

The class will ONLY begin when we have enough people pre-registered. Please contact us at the studio, call +60128053005 (Eileen) or by email at studio23kuching@gmail.com and specify which time slot/s you would prefer.

Friday 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (starts June 4th)

Monday 8:15 p.m. - 9:15 p.m. (starts June 7th)

EDIT: The Monday class is filling up fast! Make sure to sign up quickly to reserve your spot!

FIZFIT IN THE PARK THIS SUNDAY

It's back once again, this Sunday May 23rd at 5:15 p.m., Friendship Park. We had a really awesome turnout last time and are looking forward to another fun outing! We've got some new stuff to play with, and Serina's made me promise to be nicer this time *whistles innocently*...

We'll be going for dinner after the session so come on over for a good workout and remember: you don't eat if you don't sweat! Unless of course, it rains, in which case the workout is cancelled but feel free to join us anyway for dinner!

BRING: water, towel, extra t-shirt.

REMEMBER: wear shoes! Unless you have Hobbit feet.

See you there!

THIS WEEKEND: GO BALD AT THE SPRING

This Saturday May 15th at 8pm, we'll be going back to the Spring, to support this year's edition of the Sarawak Children's Cancer Society's Go Bald campaign. Last year, our dancers were showing off their shimmy skills, with a 4-minute, non-stop shimmy session! This year we're back with a lot more stuff, some classic and some brand new:

Nobody, Nobody (Wonder Girls) - one of our most popular dances!

Let's Dance (Vanessa Hudgens) - our latest Modern Jazz dance!

Drum Intro - our first ever drum intro!

Salome's Seven Veils - Serina will be performing a brand-new veil dance* choreographed by the international Belly Dance Star, Aziza! If you've never seen Aziza dance, check this video out and you'll know why we're such fans!

*if it's ready! We reserve the right to chicken out if the dance isn't ready!

But that's not all, just like last year's shimmies, we're bringing a new Belly Dance Challenge!

Among the many instruments used in Belly Dance are the Zills:

They're also called "finger cymbals" and are used by dancers to accentuate rhythms and beats. Come and try them out for yourself! For every person who comes up on stage to take on the Belly Dance challenge, Studio 23 will donate RM100 to the SCCS - so come on and give it a go!

See you there!

COMING UP: LOTS OF STUFF!

IMPORTANT EDIT: DANCERS, PLEASE READ!

It's going to be a packed week for Studio 23, we've got a lot of big things on the go for the coming week!

1. Kettlebell Demo / Workshop at the Sarawak Health and Wellness Expo 2010!

Albert will be at Permata Exhibition Hall tomorrow, May 9th, at 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Whether you're looking to find out what kettlebells are all about, or just want an extra workout, come by!

2. TV Filming at Studio 23!

Serina was very recently interviewed for RTM's Kuppa Kopi show, and they'll be coming to the studio to film some of the classes on Tuesday, May 11th. All Tuesday dancers in the Belly Dance Level 3 and Modern Jazz Level 2 classes, please dress decently (remember this is national TV, so no plunging necklines, no exposed tummies!) and use light, natural makeup - here's your chance to shine on TV! Flamenco Level 2 dancers, there will be a staged "class" so bring your skirt and shoes. Contact us for more details!

REMEMBER: Nothing over the top please, we want to show what our regular classes look like, so we don't want them thinking every day is like a fairy tale here. So Lydia, put that ball gown away please!

3. GO BALD!

On Sunday, May 16th, The Sarawak Children's Cancer Society is holding their second Go Bald event at the Spring. From Studio 23, Albert and Georgette will be shaving their heads again (as well as collecting donations to do so, hint hint!!), and they'll be joined this year by Joanna! Come out and show your support for kids fighting cancer!