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Show Sunshine Generation has new director Tin' Sunshine (Jeneralion program is under new direction in the Pleasant Grove area, according lo Gail Pittard, now area director for both American Fork and Pleasant Grove. An open house is planned at the P.G. Recreation Center Thursday, Sept. 10, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Mrs. Pittard said. Nancie Nalder, national director, will be on hand for the occasion. The Sunshine Generation bills itself as a children's performing group like no other, stressing the development of self-confidence to succeed. Six major areas of development are emphasized - singing, musical theater dance, voice culture, showmanship, music theory, and --most --most importantly - self-esteem. Ms. Nalder, founder of the program, believes all children have talent that can be developed. She says the program emphasizes developing self-confidence and showmanship by performing on a regular basis, with the children's self-esteem growing as they realize they have something wholesome and worthwhile lo conl ribule. Participants are divided into age groups, Mrs. Pittard said -- three years of age through kindergarten are the Singing Sunbeame; first through third grade youngsters are the Sundance Kids; fourth through sixth, the Solar Sounds; and seventh through teens, the Sound Station. The latter group is a new group which began at the beginning of summer. Mrs. Pittard says the various groups attend rehearsals once a week, and don't perform until they are ready. "If the show isn't ready to be seen, then we don't perform until it is," she says, noting they change shows every three months. The familiar yellow and orange outfits remain the same - but different dif-ferent props are added, such as hats, bow ties, corsages, etc. She said the Sunshine Generation is not an auditioned group, and there is equal opportunity for anyone who wants a solo part. Leaders feel that unnecessary pressure can be put on young children through tryouts. Students are grouped only according to age and every student enrolled receives the benefits of performing. Cost is $15 a month for the first child. This goes down on a sliding scale for each additional family member who is a member of the group. To date, local groups have performed per-formed at such places as the Scera Shell in Orem; the 49th Street Galleria, Lagoon, Hogle Zoo, and at various church and civic events. They have also appeared in several local parades and celebrations. Mrs. Pittard teaches the classes in American Fork and will oversee the Pleasant Grove groups. She has had extensive dance training, and has taught dance at the Utah State University, modern and children's dance at Brigham Young University and others. "I have worked with children for years and feel this calibre of activity is among the best," she says. She urges Pleasant Grove residents to watch for the time and place for the open house of Sunshine Generation there and to drop in and get acquainted. V r ? v x . ., - Gail Pittard leads teen group in choreographed number for Sunshine Generation. |