The Instructor: I, April Buscher,
have always had a passion for all forms of art and performing arts since toddler years. I was born with a severe hearing loss, over the years my hearing
has decreased to a near profound loss. I began taking dace at the age of twelve, immediately dedicated to work my way to the top class of Chardanz Dance
studio. My mother was a single mom of four kids, I would often spend a lot of my after school time at the local Boys and Girls Club (Orchard Lane) practicing
my routines. At the age of fourteen, many of the kids at the club took interest in my after school practices, where I found myself teaching them routines
from my studio plus choreographing my own. Coincidently I had started my first dance group as a preteen. At the age of sixteen I took my club dance group
(ages 6-8) to our first competition (Jurrette's Dance Competition) where we won first place for small group routine. I also produced and directed my first
play "Flash Back to Grease" with over 45 kids at the club, hitting it with a smashing show. Through the remaining years of high school I continued
teaching dance at the club, assistant teaching through Chardanz Dance studio, and joined drama clubs after school, my schedule was jammed packed with the
arts and performing arts through college. I was also invited to participate and perform "What Color Is God's Skin" with Up With People in 1998
at the Alberta Bair Theater. I was nominated State Youth of the Month and awarded State Youth of the Year.
During my young adult years I attended Eastern Montana College with basic courses and studying further into drama, acting, and play script
writing. I also took courses in art (3 dimensional design and watercolor). I took dance through several different studios in Billings (Jurette, Tracy, &
Chris's Dance School) gradually working my way up from being "Flamingo Performing Arts" to the current "Kidz Kreative Zone'. Overall, I have
been teaching dance and performing arts for 22 plus years.
The KKZ Program: Originally my idea
I wanted something exciting, different, unique, but apart from the general repetition of a basic dance studio program. I spent several years at the Adult
Lincoln Center "Nite Owls" testing, changing, improvising the KKZ program (back then Flamingo Performing Arts). Overall my ideas and goals became
clear, with the seasonal schedule of the Nite Owls program, KKZ became a great success. The program is designed to expose the wide range of the performing
arts (tap, jazz, ballet, character dance, drama, theater, performing, showmanship, cheer, dance, singing, and sign language). Each area of the performing
arts helps improve their imaginations, creativity, performances, and coordination skills.
Non Competitive Program:
It is designed to provide a fun filled non competitive program where everyone is important and everyone has an opportunity to learn, explore, and expand
in the performing arts. Our group is about learning, exploring, making friends, being team member, and simply having fun with performing.
Rewarding & Encouraging: Some
kids will learn quickly while others take their time, regardless of their experience and skills we created this program to be rewarding and encouraging
for all members of the program. Filled with various of routines and activities, each season begins with a fresh start and new learning experience.
Just for Kids: The program is designed
based on and for the kids. While our goal is to introduce and educate the performers about the art, we also encourage them to expand beyond just learning
and invite them to be a part of making our show theme and routines something they love and enjoy.
Locations: KKZ is offered only through
Nite Owls (Adult Education Center) and the Boys & Girls Club of Orchard Lane. Classes begin in September, January, and March. Check our schedule for
registration dates to join us today!
Age Group: Our classes are offered for ages 30 months to eighteen years of age.
The Seasons: Each season
we study, practice and review different parts of the performing arts.
Fall and Mid Fall Season
(September - December) We focus on tap skills and exercises along with Christmas theme routines and performance. Our fall season is our longest season is
also our most exciting as we participate in the Holiday Parade downtown, Love & Care Nursing home performances, and our Christmas Recital. Routines
include tap, dance, ballet, signing and singing Christmas routines, and some drama and character dance. Visit the Fall Section
Winter Season (January
- March) We focus more on tumbling and dance techniques (leaps, turns, jumps and more). We also explore into cheer and cheer dance combos. Visit the Winter Section
Spring Season (March -
May) We focus on ballet for our skills and exercises classes will also experiment and study drama and theatre. Character dance is also assigned during this
season. What is character dance? Creating a dance routine with a specific character theme (cats, dogs, movie themes) using combination of dance and drama. Visit the Spring Section
Summer Season (July - August)
We offer summer workshops to prepare our returning students for the Montana Fair performance in August. We also have our Summer Aloha party and gathering
during the July month. Fun way to get together and enjoy friends and meet parents of other classes. Visit the Summer Section
Performances: We offer three end
of the season performances during the year. Our fall season we participate in the Love & Care entertaining selected Nursing Homes in the Billings area.
Each performance is basic and simple, props and displays will be created by the KKZ kids.
Competition and Special Groups:
Starting in 2007, we will be offering a special class/group for returning KKZ members that want to take more interest in doing solos, duos, and competitions.
Group will be held on Monday & Tuesday nights at the Boys & Girls Club.
Special Events: Each season we will
be hosting a End of the Season party for the kids. This has been proven it helps the kids bond, enjoy, and prepare for the show. We will also be hosting
two carnivals/parties (Halloween in the fall and our Summer Hawaiian Water fun in the Summer). The summer party is to gather the kids and parents together
to discuss and plan for the Summer performance at the Montana Fair. We will also be hosting pajama parties in the Winter and the Spring for our older kids
to get together for an over night fun.
Trade Program: To help cut down on
cost of costumes during the season (three is a lot!) we are offering a trade program where if we have available used costumes or shoes (free trade) or trade
in previous season costume and shoes for new shoes for a very low price. This really helps on budgets for students that attend our program regularly season
after season.
KKZ Sponsor Program: We will be offering
our sponsorship program open during 2007. Please see our sponsor section for more information. Program sponsors KKZ members and assistant program.
KKZ Stars Program: We launched our
first annual KKZ star program in 2006 awarding many of our wonderful performers in the program with medals, ribbons, trophies and more. Our goal is to encourage
and reward our dedicated students for their hard work and dedication. To learn more about our reward program see our Stars Program section.
PROGRAM INTRODUCTION 
The Instructor: I, April Buscher,
have always had a passion for all forms of art and performing arts since toddler years. I was born with a severe hearing loss, over the years my hearing
has decreased to a near profound loss. I began taking dace at the age of twelve, immediately dedicated to work my way to the top class of Chardanz Dance
studio. My mother was a single mom of four kids, I would often spend a lot of my after school time at the local Boys and Girls Club (Orchard Lane) practicing
my routines. At the age of fourteen, many of the kids at the club took interest in my after school practices, where I found myself teaching them routines
from my studio plus choreographing my own. Coincidently I had started my first dance group as a preteen. At the age of sixteen I took my club dance group
(ages 6-8) to our first competition (Jurrette's Dance Competition) where we won first place for small group routine. I also produced and directed my first
play "Flash Back to Grease" with over 45 kids at the club, hitting it with a smashing show. Through the remaining years of high school I continued
teaching dance at the club, assistant teaching through Chardanz Dance studio, and joined drama clubs after school, my schedule was jammed packed with the
arts and performing arts through college. I was also invited to participate and perform "What Color Is God's Skin" with Up With People in 1998
at the Alberta Bair Theater. I was nominated State Youth of the Month and awarded State Youth of the Year.
Non Competitive Program:
It is designed to provide a fun filled non competitive program where everyone is important and everyone has an opportunity to learn, explore, and expand
in the performing arts. Our group is about learning, exploring, making friends, being team member, and simply having fun with performing.