Thanks to Brandon Twp. resident Sheri Hartzog, Oxford Township Parks and Rec is now offering for the first time ever the Sunshine Generation: Children’s Performing Group program.
“This is a wonderful program,” said Hartzog, 37. “The theme is Spreading Sunshine, and we just want to spread a little warmth and sunshine through the Oxford community.”
Sunshine Generation is an international organization which promotes singing, dancing, showmanship, performing skills and confidence in children. Organizers believe “all children have talents that can be developed and we love to watch the children shine as their self-esteem grows.”
Hartzog originally brought the program to Oxford, and has recently been named director for the area groups by the Sunshine Generation organization.
“I have family out West and this program is so big out there, everyone seems to be involved, that I wanted to bring it here,” she explained.
Hartzog, a mother of seven children with six at home, has an extensive background in music and dance. She received her bachelor’s in dance at Brigham Young University, taught dance for the past 15 years, owned several dance studios in the Lansing area and taught courses for Oxford Township Parks and Rec for the past two years.
“I like to teach classes that my kids would be in,” said Hartzog. “Several of them have shown an interest in singing.”
There are no auditions for the Sunshine Generation program and classes are held once a week for an hour at Daniel Axford Elementary School. Participants are placed into classes by age. This fall, Hartzog said she has two classes, one ages 3-7 and the other ages 8-12, with about 20 youths in each. Three classes are planned for the winter Parks and Rec session.
“The whole idea is to build the kids’ self-esteem and confidence, and the kids just love it,” said Hartzog. “This program is very efficient and the techniques are precise.”
A new show is learned each session. All productions are 30 minutes long and include costumes and props. At the end of each class, the show is preformed three times in the community free of charge. The fall session holiday show is scheduled to be performed at Canterbury Village on Dec. 5, in the Oxford Christmas Parade on Dec. 6 and at Great Lakes Crossing on Dec. 13.
“I hope we become a part of the community,” said Hartzog. “My goal is to get the groups out there and seen and known throughout the area.”
For more information on Sunshine Generations or to enroll in the winter session, please contact Oxford Township Parks and Rec at 248-628-1720.