GMD/SOS
Memberships- a Survival Plan
To offer support, e-mail and I’ll send you a Paypal invoice
Hi Dancers- This message is in 2 parts.
The first is my original letter to the dance community concerning the survival of GMD.
Part 2 is a summary of details concerning our GMD Membership.
Dear Dancers
GMD is sinking. Quickly. The dance Titanic. My financial loss, eight months into the program, is considerable. This state of affairs is hard to believe as we have classes with many of the city’s top teacher/dancer/choreographers, in a beautiful studio, with dynamic accompanists. The cost of a class – between $8 and $10- is the lowest in the city, matching what the subsidized companies charge, and is pretty much what a class cost in the 1980’s. Even a single yoga class with recorded music costs more.
When the 509 Collective closed last December, I decided to build a new program. Toronto is a major North American dance centre, so the thought of the hundreds of dancers in our city not having a regular independent morning modern/contemporary class troubled me. Following suggestions of many dancers, I changed the class structure, recruited fabulous teachers, kept the prices down, and put up both a Facebook page and a Web site. I was sure we would succeed. But we haven’t. Why? The answer is simple- low attendance.
The philosophy of GMD has been to give dancers the chance to train in a wide variety of dance styles, through the skilled instruction of many of our city’s finest teachers. This choice was made so that dancers would have the chance to spread their artistic wings and keep developing versatility; versatility being an attribute helpful in a dance world where dance-work is not easy to come by. Of course, GMD was also set up for those following a specific teacher or style. Some people have suggested that I program more alternative styles, but the truth is that some of our more formal classes, which include a barre, have the highest attendance.
I have great respect for those who give up so much to dance. I know many factors including financial challenges and work schedules get in the way. Still, with the size of our dance population, I hoped that we could average 20 people each day. Yes, during August or reading week, when the schools are closed, we hit 30-40 in a class and everyone has a blast. But without the influx of students, numbers are too low and losses are piling up. So something has to change if we are to continue and we have to do it together.
This is YOUR dance class. It exists for you. About class, Merce Cunningham put it simply: “The only way to do it is to do it.” If each dancer came 4 times a month, we’d succeed. To keep GMD alive, after consultation with some of your fellow dancers, here is what will happen.
1- Beginning in January, classes will be held 3 days a week until May, and 5 days a week from May-Sept. We may have to close some weeks.
2- A GMD Membership Program will be put in place. This program will run from now until the end of August. A membership is $25- an investment in the continuation of GMD. The most important reward of membership is the satisfaction you’ll feel knowing that you have supported the ongoing existence of the only independent, regular morning modern dance class in the country. Your name will be listed on our Web site. And as a gesture of “thanks”, we will have a Member’s Holiday party. As well, we will have giveaways during the year , with all members eligible for fun rewards, like complimentary tickets to shows, silver jewellery, free food at Ginger’s, and more. We need 200 members. Of course, you don’t need to be a member to take class. But please consider becoming one.
I love our dance community, its vitality, creativity, generosity and big spirit. I believe GMD is an important part of it, and I hope you do too. Let’s all stand up together, wrap our arms around each other, and say by our actions that we want this program – your program – to not only continue, but to flourish.
Membership Details
-A membership is $25.00
-It applies from Nov. -2011- August 31- 2012
-We need 200 members to keep GMD alive
-and/or- increased attendance.
-I need to see the possibility of the membership numbers being achieved by the time classes finish for the holidays- Dec. 16- for GMD to continue. And/Or increased attendance.
-The main reward of a successful membership drive is the continuation of the only independent-professional-daily-morning-modern class in Toronto.
-Perks include a holiday party, and various gifts (theatre tickets, etc.) given throughout the year.
-If GMD closes before the end of the membership period, all membership fees will be returned.
-Memberships can be obtained in these ways:
-cash or cheque payment (made out to Kenny Pearl) – at GMD before or after class.
-an Interac e-transfer, sent to my e-mail
-through Paypal- e-mail me and I’ll send you an Invoice- [email protected]
If we already have your e-mail, I will automatically send you an invoice.
Thanks for your time…. Kenny