Letters
of Recommendation
Karin's 30 yr. teaching career
1975 - 2005
1992
Le Studio Newsletter
Karin
Michels is
one of the
foremost children's creative dance specialists in California. She has
been
teaching dance to children in the Pasadena area for many years. She
took majors
in Dance, Music, and Psychology and is an accomplished flutist as well
as a
ballet/modern dancer.
This unique
blend of talents is immediately
apparent to
anyone who visits one of Miss Karin's classes--She spares no effort to
find
excellent music, and at any given moment the kids in her class are
raptly
intent on the current activity. While in college she began teaching and
studying in workshops given
by some of the pioneers of children's dance
and education
- Ann Barlin and Hap Palmer. Through further hands on research she has
devised
a unique approach. Word of her great teaching has gotten out, and her
classes
are among the most popular in the Los Angeles area. We at Le Studio
feel very fortunate that Miss Karin Michels is on the staff.
(Le Studio
– 1991 Phip Fuller
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Sep. 10th, 1998
To Whom It May Concern,
I’m, writing this recommendation on behalf of Ms. Karin Michels. Ms. Michels was director of Le Studio’s Threshold Division program, ages 3-10, from 1981-1995. During these years she proved to be an highly organized and extremely hard working professional, a detail-oriented person with an abundance of enthusiasm and motivation with extreme commitment to her subject matter. Not only was I impressed with her teaching techniques but also in the way she interacted with her students.
As director of Le Studio for the past nineteen years I feel I have a sense of the needs of today’s students and of the kinds of pedagogical styles and personalities that do and do not meet their needs. For this reason, and those mentioned above, I strongly support Ms. Michels.
If you have any question concern Ms. Michels or about my recommendation, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Phillip Fuller
Director – Le Studio Pasadena California
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June 12, 2000
Dear
Karin,
Your program on Saturday of "The Story of The Legendary Isadora
Duncan", was a delight! Bart and I were both impressed with the
careful and thorough development of the story and the creative, loving
way you worked
with the children. Their progress in dance and in poise, grace,
and
self-control was evident. It was a great treat to see you dance
as well.
You have a lovely manner and quality, as well as great skill.
_______ is
fortunate to have your talents!
Most
Lovingly,
Jamae
and Bart
Van Eck President
of ___________Private School
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter
below by Alina Maleski who had both daughters with Miss Karin at
Le
Studio, (once
the home of The Pasadena Dance Theatre)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9-14-1998
To Whom it may concern,
It is with great pleasure that I write this letter of recommendation
about
Karin Michels because it isn't every day one meets an extraordinary
teacher who
gets little feet in motion and big dreams in flight.
About eight years ago while attending Cal State LA I inquired at the
Dance
department if someone could recommend a reputable dance school with an
appropriate dance curriculum for my four-year-old daughter. (I shopped
around
for dance classes for her and had found that classes for children were
irrelevant and technically too difficult.) I was told that
there was an
excellent Creative Dance Class at Le Studio of Pasadena taught by Miss
Karin.
I took my daughter there and was immediately impressed with Miss Karin.
As a
teacher and performer myself, I knew right away this was not your
average dance
class. She was obviously experienced. Her approach was totally child
centered,
innovative, enthusiastic, organized and refreshingly age appropriate.
As we
continued to attend we found she used such a variety of friendly props
and vast
repertoire of music that children took delight in every movement. She
was
definitely an expert in teaching children. Her class management skills
were
amazing as she kept little ones focused and eager. She allowed for
improvisation and fantasy and therefore every class was surprisingly
different
within a structured building of predetermined skills.
My daughter wanted to continue in Karin's class of Creative Modern,
even when
she was promoted to the serious ballet level, and so she attended both.
A couple of years later I enrolled my youngest daughter, three years
old then.
Although I drove from Whittier to north Pasadena, a fifty minute drive,
we
attended her classes for a span of about four years, my daughters were
promoted
to the next level, of serious regimented ballet.
Miss Karin was as dependable as knowledgeable and personable. We never
missed a
class. Neither did she.
As a professional I know nothing can replace the advantage and the joy
of music
and dance in a child's life, and thus I value her work professionalism
and
expertise. As a parent I know nothing can replace the treasure of
the
fond memories of those early dance days, and thus I thank Miss Karin
from the
bottom of my heart for never missing a beat, for being 100% each time,
and for
providing my children with such a fabulous start!
Today
my children, ten and twelve, still love to dance. Thank God for gifted
teachers
like Karin Michels who are worthy of the name. Thank God for those like
her who
truly inspire and pass those satin slippers to the next generation.
Sincerely,
Alina Maleski
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March 1st,‘03
My daughter Katrina took dance lessons with Miss Karin at a private school in 2000-2001. She loved the lessons and loved performing in Karin’s dance troup “Petite Danseuse” at the So. Pas Fun Faire May 20th, ’01.
Katrina’s natural talent for dancing was really fostered and expressed in Miss Karin’s style of improvisation and the Isadora Duncan Technique.
I was very grateful for having had Miss Karin’s talent at my daughter’s school.
Thank You,
Mrs. Boyd
------------------------------------------
2001
Miss Karin
Thanks for all your hard work and patience. We think you’re great! See you in January
Fondly,
Grace and the Olinskis
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June 8th, 1994
Dear Miss Karin,
Thank you for being such a
wonderful
ballet teacher! I have loved my lessons with you and look
forward
to many more... I hope you have a fabulous summer! Thank you for
all your
spirit and enthusiasm - you have really made me love dancing
even more!
Your Friend,
Whitney McAniff ...a
student from
Karin's class at Le Studio 1994.
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5-25-93
Dear
Ms. Karin:
We
just wanted to say
Thank you for all your hard work, and for teaching Emily to have fun in
ballet. After only two classes last fall, she said "Mom, I really
love ballet". Now she asks during the week if it is "ballet day
today?" As Parents, we are so happy and thankful that she is
enjoying something so much. We watch her practice at home and we
can tell
she really feels special. You should know that it is through your
kind
words of encouragement, your fun props (she loves the scarves), and
music that
she has appreciated her experiences last fall and this spring.
You are a
terrific teacher and obviously understand children and how they have
fun.
We cannot believe how much she has learned, and how much her
co-ordination has
improved over the past nine months. She is feeling more confident
and
open to try new things, partially because of your class. Emily is
disappointed she cannot take ballet during the summer due to pre-school
and
swimming lesson, but she will surely see you in the fall. Thank you for
being
such a special part of her life.
Very
Sincerely, Bob
and Stephanie Heuerman
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June 15th, 1999
Dear Miss Karin,
Thank you for being such
a
wonderful dance teacher and giving Gabby and the rest of the girls so
much!...especially
the little things that add up over time. You are very special.
Love,
Kate Shlaudeman, Gaby and
the
Woodsy Owl Dance Team - "Petite Danseuse"
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Director of Young
People's
Village - Temple City - August 23rd, 2000
To Whom It May Concern,
Miss Karin has been with
us since
1982, and has been continually growing and perfecting as a teacher,
artist,
dancer and producer of Children's Staged Productions. The
parent's
have been very happy with her teaching skills and rapport with the
students. The student's are always happy with each class and look
forward
to her coming to teach them once a week.
I was unable to attend her stage production of "The Story of The Legendary Isadora Duncan", on June 10th, '00, at the South Pasadena Middle School Auditorium, but many parents told me it was very lovely!
We at Young People's Village are very fortunate to have Miss Karin, an independent traveling children's dance instructor who has such talent and years of teaching experience behind her.
Jeannie Comaianni
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Short Note from Mrs. Bachman June 11, 2000 - Principle of St. Elizabeth's Elementary in Altadena
Dear Karin,
Your program yesterday was wonderful. I had
to
leave ASAP so did not have a chance to tell you personally. What
a
difference between the 3 yr. olds and the older girls.
I look forward to your shared talent next
year at
St. Elizabeth's.
Good Luck with your summer program at
Woodsy Owl.
With Much Love,
Mary Bachman
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Victory Montessori Schools - September 16th, 1998
To Whom it may concern:
Karin Michels worked as a dance teacher from 1986 - 1991 for Victory Montessori Schools. This included 5 locations serving San Marino, Pasadena, La Canada, West Covina and San Dimas. She taught all the students ranging in age's three years through twelve years, boys and girls.
Karin is a very hard worker. She had to organize dance shows for our Christmas and Spring concerts at all our locations. She taught once a week in order to pull the programs together.
Karin is a very talented person and is conscientious and eager in
passing
this talent on to young students.
Sincerely,
Linda Hughes
Owner - Victory Montessori Schools - Sep. 16, 1998
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3/11/97
Dear Karin,
Thanks so much for making
it
possible for Abigail (and all of your students!) to have this
wonderful
experience Sunday in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade! I really
appreciate you
and what you've done.
You're Awesome!
Yours,
Naomi Dauermann
__________________________________________________________________
Nov.
18th, 2000
To
Whom it may
concern,
I was director of "The Woodsy Owl Day Care Center", in So. Pasadena
for three years, until Kinesthetic Learner took over the lease.
During those
three years I had the opportunity to watch Karin's Dance recitals and
to get to
know her as a person.
Karin is a friendly, energetic and a very artistic hard-working
individual who
devotes much of her free time to planning everything from costuming,
her public
relations, lesson plans etc. I have seen the children delight in
her
classes and come out feeling very self confident and happy.
My own daughter began lessons with Miss Karin last year at age 4 yrs.
and she
loved her dance lessons and could not wait until the following week.
The stage production, "The Story of the Legendary Isadora Duncan" was
a wonderful program with great music, storyline, and all the children
of all
ages ranging from three years old to early teens did a wonderful
performance.
I highly recommend her classes for children of all ages.
Sincerely,
Sylvia Czekaj
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1975
- 1987
Karin
Just a note to say "Thanks" for the contribution you make to our
school. We do appreciate your special energy and positive
attitude.
Odell
Scott - Director of the private school
“Cambridge” in Pasadena. They folded in the late 80's.
I love You,
Natalie
