I’m sure you have all heard it said that Ballet is the foundation of all forms of dance, and while there is some truth to that, all styles matter. Being well rounded will not only help you in class, on auditions and with performance aspects but it may very well open you up to something that you never thought of trying before. All styles of dance have a connective tissue that binds them together within the art form and also have many unique qualities that can grow you as a dan

I have said it before and I will say it again, Dance creates leaders and the world needs more of them always. We are a leadership program that uses dance as a tool to grow strong, healthy humans. How does dance do this? Well, it starts with the teachers being a strong and healthy role model but more importantly it is grown organically from the dancers themselves. While dancing and keeping a busy schedule you will have to learn time management skills. As an adult you will need

Choreography is a very personal thing, but to who? The choreographer or the dancer? The answer is both, in my opinion. While the choreographer draws on life experience to create a piece it is also very important that they are choreographing and catering to the needs of each individual dancer. This includes movements that are age-appropriate, level-appropriate, to prevent injury as well as how the choreography sits in the dancer's body. When creating a piece of movement it is

We speak so often about kids these days being on a screen for too long and how that is not the best developmentally for their growth. Well, what if I told you that putting them in dance was the answer to that? Many think that putting children will in dance or any activity will curb that and get them out into the world and that is true. However, in a dance class aren’t they just standing in front of one big screen? We call it a mirror and while I truly feel that it is better t

The answer in short, is yes! Class size in a dance classroom is not only important based on physical space but what kind of learning environment it sets. If you are the parent that truly wants your child to learn technique and focus on all the benefits that dance has to offer then a smaller class size is what you should be looking for. A smaller class size may look different in each studio, again, based on the physical size of the room. When class sizes are smaller it allows

I’m sure you have heard it said before, “There is a studio out there for everybody” but what exactly does that mean? It means that the most important part of finding a good fit for your dancer is the most important part of selecting a dance studio for you child. That begins with studio culture. Let’s break that down even further. What Is studio culture and why does it matter? Studio culture is basically the “vibe” you feel when you walk in that is created by the studio’s core

You have heard the old saying “If you don’t use it, you lose it” well, that’s true for dancers too. While dancers, as any athletes do need some down time to rest and recover, how much becomes an interesting question. The answer may vary depending on your level and age but one thing is for sure, taking an entire 2 months off can be a bit much. We all need breaks so maybe the answer is take a few less classes but keep the consistency of dancing weekly so you don’t lose that dri

What did I just say? Sounds crazy? Yes, but hear me out. As a teacher for 27 years, I have learned the importance of evolving with the times and meeting students where they are at. While I agree that dance is the perfect opportunity to keep children away from screen time, it can also truly add value to their education in dance. I have recently started incorporating into class, just a few minutes, to show a video clip, recommend a book, or show photos on the topic/skill I will

When considering dance for your child there are few things to consider that you may not have thought of. Here is a list of the top ten most important qualities to look for in a dance studio. Remember there is a studio out there for everyone and finding the right one that aligns with your values as a parent is important for both you and your future dancer. 1 Staff: What is the teachers background in dance? Do they have a degree or special training/certifications? 2 Environm

Believe it or not many dancers that may seem confident on stage in the final performance did not get there overnight. Many dancers struggle with self confidence regularly in class. To that I say do not let your head lie to your feet. Trust that you have done and continue to do the work to improve your technique. Celebrate little wins along the way and keep your head where your feet are. Remember why you started dancing. My number one reason is because it’s fun. Focus on that

Every year many people start off with resolutions and things they want to leave behind in the past year. For many this doesn’t last. So, what if instead we added instead of subtracting? Now this can be tricky because in dance there are bad habits that we do want to try and avoid but what if we changed the language? Instead of looking in the mirror and picking apart what you are doing wrong, look for what you are doing right and focus on that. Give yourself a pat on the back a

Why is it important to find a studio where they have built a community? Many reasons actually. There is a studio out there for everyone, it all depends on what you are looking for. Some may offer more competitions while some offer a more artistic approach. Some may offer dance classes while some offer more of a leadership program using dance as a tool. The choice is yours. One thing I would encourage you to search out is a community, as it is, and should be the base of every

When learning anything it can be helpful to first be clear on how you as an individual learn and process new information. This is also true for learning to dance. As a dance teacher for 26 years I have noticed that all children learn differently, and not just based upon their ages, although toddlers and younger children for sure learn their best through play. There are 7 types of learners such as, Visual (spacial), Aural (auditory) Verbal (linguistic), Physical (kinesthetic),

Parents, ever wonder what you are paying for when taking your child to dance? Yes dance class can add up but is it worth it? Yes, it is because you are not just paying for your child to learn an art form (which is valuable alone) but you are paying for them to learn life lessons through dance and that, you can not put a price tag on. So what will your child learn from dance? We can start with how to take care of their body. Learning this at a young age will make their life a

After spending a week away at a very inspirational conference my passion and spirit for sharing the art of dance has been re-born! My biggest take away is something that I already knew but had gotten complacent with. Fundamentals can be FUN! Breaking things down and doing one step at a time in a fun way really is the best way for all learners to learn. Whether you are a visual learner, auditory learner, kinesthetic learner, or tactile learner starting with a basic concept and