Tappers With Attitude Youth Ensemble

May 2010

 

Dear Knock On Wood Family,

 

As you probably know by now, the Board of Directors of Tappers With Attitude, Inc. had to make the heart-wrenching decision to place Tappers With Attitude Youth Ensemble on “inactive status” due to budget shortfalls that will effect the operation and standards of the company for the next several years. It is our full intention to keep the art of tap dance alive in the DC area, and we are working very hard to keep the doors to Knock On Wood Tap Studio open for many years to come. However, the economy is not selective, and we are facing the same challenges as many arts organizations locally and around the country. Enrollments are down, grants for general operating support are few and far between, fundraisers and donations raise limited amounts, and expenses are up.

 

In light of all of this, we are officially announcing our ‘Knock On Wood/Save Our Studio’ (KOW/SOS) campaign, and we hope each and every one of you will help. Here are some ways you can make a difference:

 

1. We are actively seeking other groups (dance, art, music, business) to rent studio space. Please tell us if you know of anyone who might be interested; or have them email kowstudiorental@aol.com.
2. The Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (who give us much-appreciated funding) is convening a meeting for us on June 8^th with other dance/arts organizations who might be interested in partnering in the operation of the studio, to make it a more comprehensive dance center for the long-term. If you know of any such organizations, please let us know.
3. We are developing a proposal for a Pepsi Refresh Project and could use support for proposal development in the next week or so. Once it is accepted, we will need EVERYONE to get the vote out – this is a vote-based award. To learn more, go to www.refresheverything.com
4. We need more students!! Sign up for summer classes, get your friends to take classes with you in the fall. If you love tap, don’t give it up!
5. If you know of grant opportunities and/or can write grants, speak up now!
6. Your tax deductible donations are important now and in the future. Please dig a little deeper.
7. Let us know if you have any other ideas and can help make them happen….we’re listening!

 

If there is enough interest expressed in the next few days, we will convene a meeting at the studio to develop a plan, so…..please let us know what you can do to SAVE OUR STUDIO NOW!!!

 

We hope to hear from all of you. (You can email any of us by clicking on a name below.)

 

The Board of Directors, Tappers With Attitude, Inc.

 

Tim Daniel, President 

Ruth Silverstein, Vice President                      

Dana Bynum, Co-treasurer

Dr. Kindra Ingram, Co-treasurer

Penny Passikoff, Secretary

Kisha Logan

Yvonne Edwards