cdt-2007

[cdt-2007]

Summer intensive auditions are nothing to fear

For the first time the faculty and I encouraging our dancers to auditions for summer programs. The students have achieved a certain level of skill and they are ready for a taste of what’s out there in the big dance world.

I remember the first time my teachers told me to go attend auditions. I thought for sure I wouldn’t get in. However, about 5 other girls and I carpooled up to Seattle and auditioned for the Rock School of Pennsylvania Ballet. I was terrified. I was in this giant city, in a giant studio, with people I didn’t know. But I completed the class and….. I didn’t get in. Back in 1996, they handed you a slip of paper with your results. I was the only one of my friends that wasn’t accepted.

Then I went to the second one, Dance Aspen, it was less scary this time and I felt I did a better job. Class was completed and a month letter I got my letter…. I didn’t get in.

So now it was our third audition for my friends and I, and we drove all the way to Portland Oregon to audition for Ballet Boston. I didn’t think that much of it, after all I had been rejected twice. It was a lot for my 15-year-old self. But surprise surprise I GOT IN.

I couldn’t believe it. I convinced my parents to send off the deposit, and they convinced me to keep auditioning. Luckily I did, because Boston Ballet filled up and I was bounced to a waiting list. However, I was also accepted at the Hartford Ballet summer intensive.

So, over the summer of 1996 I spent 6 weeks on the east coast in Connecticut. I boarded an airplane by myself for the first time. I resided in a college “dorm” it was really more of a condo with 4 girls from DC, New York and Texas. I remember taking classes from 9am-5pm and as the tallest girl in the studio I finally got to partner with a boy for the first time. There was one tall and strong enough for my more athletic frame. I met my first drag queen, one of my fellow dancers in the boy’s dorm next door, and in an effort to fit in with a girl that I thought was the coolest I smoked my first cigarette. (To all my students, don’t follow my footsteps with that part. Smoking is bad)

I took weekly class from the Legendary Alla Osipenko, I even asked her to sign a pointe shoe which I still have today.

I danced in a piece by Raymond Lukens, which was stressful as we were a split-level group and my section kept forgetting our choreography. I also have the most hilarious stories about Mr. Wong, who loved to torment me. I became famous for imitating him after the day was done, well, when we were safely back in our dorms.

 Yes, summer intensives for many are a stepping stone into the professional dance world. If that is one of your goals, you absolutely should be attending. If it’s not one of your goals I want to know why are you limiting yourself from the opportunity?

You never know where they path of the world is going to take you. You just might end up in Boston, New York or Texas.  So, what is it really?

I can tell you, it’s fear.

I remember fearing the word no when it came to dance. Dance was my passion, it was what I spent countless hours doing. I missed football games, slumber parties even a prom for dance. Even if I hadn’t gotten into any summer programs, the experience was worthwhile.

I learned how to be graceful in the face of disappointment

I learned how to handle rejection

I learned to value the opportunity when the chance was given to me

I learned how to handle myself in new surroundings

I learned that the word No is just the word No, and it isn’t forever

I learned that I could step out of my comfort zone and be successful

At the end of the day, a variety of experiences make us better in all aspects of our life. So, what is stopping you?

 “Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.” — Japanese Proverb

[cdt-2007]

Dress for success inside the studio

We are about six weeks into the dance season and as families are settling into their new normal of the school year, this is about the time we see a little bit of slack happen when it comes to dress code. So, this is a friendly reminder that your dancer’s attire is important. Click here to read up about the dress code at Children’s Dance Theater.

Look I get it, there are weeks where your rushing and stressing about pick up kids from school, having the snack in the car and then rushing into the studio, only to find out you packed the wrong leotard or you only have one tap shoe. I’m of course not referring to these moments.  I want to share why following the dress code important and some tips on how I manage it.

Dancers need to be in proper dress code for their safety, particularly when they are older and working on more advanced steps. Dance technique required the use of deep muscle tissues and that can be difficult for the instructor to see if the body is covered up by baggy sweats. It can also be dangerous in classes like partnering and acro, if there is excess fabric, hands can get caught in weird places and next thing you know a dancer being spotted or lifted has fallen.  Dancers should be focused on the learning and fun, and that is made more difficult if their hair is falling out or being constantly pushed out of their face. The distraction factor is HUGE when one darling little dancer is more focused on their skirt or the teen ager who is self-conscious about the constantly riding up tee shirt.

By wearing the proper dance attire, dancers start to feel like dancers. Have you ever heard that you should dress for the job you want not the job you have? It’s the same idea. Taking the time to put that hair in a neat bun or the appropriate leotard is attire is going to make your child feel more confident and a part of the group.

As a mom of two dancers, it can be tough. I have a 5-year-old who is dancing 3 days a week and right now my 13-year-old son is dance 6 days a week. It’s a lot right now, however 2 of those days are for Nutcracker practices and won’t last all year. I also work a full-time job, so I get it. I’m here to tell you organization and planning is key.

First, I make sure I have one extra dance outfit, for my daughter that means I have 4 dance outfits. We have her uniform outfit that she wears to her Tuesday classes. Second, she has a “fun” dance outfit she wears to her competition rehearsal. Then she has a special Nutcracker leotard with a skirt. Then is my back up uniform leotard, incase I’m behind in laundry. Which let’s face it, I’m never gonna catch up with laundry.

Second, on dance days, she goes to school with an amazing ponytail. She doesn’t get a hair choice those days. Before I had my daughter, I thought doing hair was going to be such a fun bonding moment. I had seen the epic mother daughter hair battles in my lobby before, but I just thought it was an overly sensitive child or something. I didn’t fully understand the level of contempt my daughter was going to have for me because of the hair brush. The ages of 2-5 were tough. She is just now getting used to that daily schedule of hair brushing. One of my life savers, Fairy Tales Hair Detangler Spray. It smells great too, and is a lice repellant so I feel like I’m covering all my mom nightmare hair bases with this tip!

Third, I only buy convertible tights. My daughter does the traditional combo tap and ballet class, as well as a second acro class. She needs to be able to bare foot for acro then pull the tights down over her feet for tap and ballet. It was driving me mad to search through the drawer and think about what class was happening that day and if I was grabbing the correct tights. I eliminated that concern and started buying exclusively convertible tights. My mornings are better for it.

Fourth, I don’t unpack the dance bag. All her dance shoes live in her dance bag. They never come out. If you don’t have a dance bag, get one now, put the shoes in it, of course shoes with their names in them, and never take them out. I only change out her dance clothes. For us, I pack the dance bag in the morning with the clothes she needs that day and her snack or dinner.  Due to our family schedule, sometimes my kids have to hang out at the studio until I’m done teaching so its not out of the ordinary for them to need a meal at the studio.

Fifth and final tip, create a hair kit and have it live in the dance bag. Our hair kit consists of a zip lock bag of hair rubber bands, bobby pins, and a small brush. Somethings I want to add to it is a travel size hair spray and a scrunchy or two. Scrunchies are not necessary, just my daughter’s latest obsession.

The process really isn’t all that different for my son. We are just now working on him being able to pack his own bag, which is definitely having some bumps, but getting better. I will say with a teenage boy, I need to take a role in the unpacking of the dance bag because the old dance clothes (or leftover food) isn’t necessarily coming out each night. Another thing with teens I would address is that as their body changes, deodorant and gold bond powder is a great addition to the dance bag. Hardworking teens get stinky. I’ve had more than one pre-pubescent teen almost knock me over with BO when lifting their arms to 5th position.

With teen body changes it is important to start thinking about sports bras for girls and dance belts for boys. Now that I’m going through it with my son, I wish I started earlier with the dance belt so it felt normal for him now. If you have a teen dancer, its work taking a quick peek into class and watching to see if there are any support issues starting to happen. You can make the choice of when that is right for your child, however if it is becoming an issue, we will be sure to kindly and privately mention it to the parents. Being a teen is awkward enough, then add a full-length mirror to the picture, it’s just better to handle it before its needed.

Know that your child’s teachers are here to support you too. We know there are going to be rough days. I’ve had MANY parents come up to me and say, “Ms. Stephanie will you please tell Suzie that she needs to have her hair in a bun”. Of course, I do it and the child will comply. I’m also a big proponent of the child should take some responsibility for their preparation in dance class. When a child forgets something and they tell me their mom forgot, I will say, “do you take dance class or does your mom?” Involve them in the process, as appropriate for their age. The more they develop the routine of preparing for class the more they can focus on the learning in class. That act of preparing for something is a life lesson that will serve them well in various facets the rest of their life.

[cdt-2007]

Kicking off a new season

It’s a new season, starting today! It’s gonna be busy at the studio and things might seem wild. They always seem too, but that’s the artists life. I just want you to know we are all so glad to work with you. 

This week is going to be fun and challenging. As the week go on and you might be the stressed out dance mom, or have the kids that is running around the room, or they shy one just standing there. Never doubt that your teacher loves you and we want you in class and improving. 

Have a great time tonight! 

[cdt-2007]

It only took 9 years...…

Our competition team launched into our competitive season this month with our kickoff performance, “Unveiled”. After an amazing show I was complimenting a dancer to her mother to which she replied with a chuckle “Thank you, it only took 9 years.” Before anyone gets upset, this mother and I have a close relationship and she and I are both very sarcastic, so I knew when she said it there was nothing malicious behind it. However, this and other experiences with dance parents over the years have really mulled over and over in my brain this month about how little non-dancers understand the length of time is necessary in order to become a skilled dancer.

In typical studio settings training dancers is a slow process. Most dancers begin at the age of 3 years old, typically this is a 45 minute to 1-hour class for several years. Its precious and adorable, and the most important thing is that the child is enjoying their classes. There are some studios out there that press children’s flexibility and other impressive skills very early. We take a different approach and while yes flexibility and age appropriate skills are important, I worry about pushing little bodies too far to fast. They don’t have the sophistication to know the difference between “injury pain” and “training pain”.

Around the age 6 or 7 they may add a second class. A few years later then multiple days are added. All the while their bodies are changing drastically! It’s not uncommon for a dancer to one week be doing an amazing pirouette and the next week they can barely balance. It’s not really a mystery, they have probably grown or something else developmentally happened. One of my senior dancers used to be the gangliest of kids. There was just something awkward about her for years. However, she loved dance, had terrific attendance and is the kid in class who I can depend on to know the choreo, counts and formations inside and out. I had to wait patiently for nine years so that her body would settle down and she had could stop readjusting every time she grew a ¼ of an inch. Finally, she has grown into her body and things are clicking for her.

My third thought is that when you compare the hours a week your child is putting into dance, you might see why progress is slower than most. Dance first of all is a year-round activity. It’s not like sports where you might train for a season intensely then rest the remainder of the year. That is a lot of dedication and commitment to one’s craft. If your child takes one class, during the 36-week school year that only adds up to 52 hours a year. Compare that to the 1,216 hours they typically child spends in school in the USA. Our most advance dancers may take up to 9.5 hours of technique classes, that is 342 hours during the school year. Its understandable when you look at the hours, progress is slower, because your child needs to be a kid. They need to go to school, have family time, lay around the house every once in a while, or be social with their peers.

With all that being said when things fall into place for a kid it is magical to watch. It appears to happen overnight even though we all know that it doesn’t. I try to remind my students that progress and improvement is like a roller coaster. That uphill chug is long and slow but the rush down is so satisfying you’ll be glad you never gave up. If you are in that uphill climb, just keep going. Put your best foot forward and be patient with yourself. If you keep working it will happen.

 Dancers stand at the barre their whole lives to improve their extension, to clarify their line, to amplify their form," says Rhoden.

[cdt-2007]

Surviving Nutcracker

Well, it’s that time of year again, and this year it seems more hectic than years past. Why so, you ask..... well we drew the short end of the stick when it came to our theatre dates so we are performing this upcoming weekend. Yeah.... I wasn’t super thrilled about this however 85 beautifully crazy souls agreed to be a apart of the show and ticket sales are going strong so I’m choosing to remain positive about the whole thing.

One of the benefits of performing so late is that our studio has been able to be a part of so many community events. We’ve been in a parade, a community performance, danced for a retirement center, co-sponsored a free nutcracker story time with our local library, hosted two nutcracker tea parties and a nutcracker themed parent nigh out event. Phew no wonder we are all tired.

I often get asked how do I manage it all, and this is when I giggle because it means I look like I’m holding it all together. So today’s post is all about managing the nuttiness 😉

Do, Delegate & Delete: this motto is a life saver when I’m feeling overwhelmed by my todo list. I try to ask myself what do I need to do myself, what can I delegate to someone else and what just needs to be deleted. While I have a terrific team of staff and parent volunteers it isn’t just my staff that I do this with. I asked my 11 year old to put away his sisters clothes. Or I have my almost 13 year old be in charge of making the family a simple dinner each week. Finding the little thing to hand off or just let go of, is key.

Don’t sweat the small stuff (it’s all small stuff): Don’t get it twisted, details are important but knowing what is an important detail is crucial. Store bought cookies for the preschool holiday party is just fine. There is no shame in my son being tardy to school so he can have adequate rest this week. Shoppping for Christmas presents on Christmas Eve will be an adventure not a reflection of poor planning. However that 4th proof reading of the program and finding the one kids name who is missing.... super important.

Preparation and a fast getaway: my son is essentially on his own when it comes to managing himself at the studio and theatre because I’m working. So I make sure to write him a schedule of each days events. He can refer to this whever he needs. I have also found that reviewing it with him the night before or in the morning over breakfast helps him prepare for what’s coming at him. I also have a checklist of all of the things he needs so he can attempt to organize himself. We have a theatre duffel bag that has a pvc pipe costume rack in it. This holds all of his things so he can only bring one bag. I ask him to prep the bag then I make sure to do a final check so he is set up for success. Lastly we bring a laundry basket as the dump box. When he is done with his clothes, costumes shoes, make up, all he has to do is put them in the dump box. Once he’s done dancing we take everything home and organize it there. This seems to help with the miss placing of items.

Self care: I have a love affair with my crockpot, and weeks like this are reasons why. This week I have food prepped veggie bags, salads in mason jars and my crock pot will be started every morning. I have 3, so I always have one in use, 1 washing and 1 waiting. I start them at 6 am so dinner is fully cooked by 3 pm and then we take dinner with us to the theatre. I find with such a busy schedule I don’t need my kids, stressed, tired and hopped up on fast food, carbs and sugar. I also get more strict about the quantity of sleep my family receives. That might mean they are tardy for school, and this week we roll with it. Finally down time is important, being sure to have 20-30 minuets of down time helps my kids a lot. We don’t do a lot of extras this week.

Plan for panic: know that at some point your kid is gonna lose it this week. It’s okay, just know it’s gonna happen, they all do, and know that the thrill of performing is going to outweigh the tantrum in the end. My secret weapon for my son’s nerves is......a pocketful of the candy Mambas. They are a non messy chewy candy that keep his mouth busy. Last year during his first competition season he had quite a few meltdowns that were sevre enough for him to completely miss entrances. Whenever he started to ramp up with stress, I’d hand him a mamba, he’d pop it into his mouth and while chewing it calm himself down. It made me giggle because he had NO IDEA that was what I was doing, yet all the girl did. They would just slyly smile at me and we’d move on with what we were doing.

The Nutcracker is a tradition for most young ballet dancers. It is an honor to create a magnificent show each year! You won’t hear from me until the new year so have a happy holidays!

[cdt-2007]

Reliability is an verb

Remember that goal of posting twice a month? Well November blew that out of the water, opps! Why was it so busy you ask?

It was Thanksgiving, nutcracker rehearsals and my family and I were able to travel to Disneyland for the first time ever. 

It was an exciting time and many of my fellow studio owners might be shocked that I was able to take that time off without a single interruption from my teachers, staff or a dance parent. But it’s true

That got me thinking about how lucky I am to have a reliable team of people involved in my life. 

My diligent reception team was at the desk providing terrific customer service to our clients. My office manager navigated a tricky scenarios with our credit card processing company just days before our monthly payments were due. Our teachers showed on time, with inspiring lessons and our first Nutcracker “stumble through “ went off without a hitch overseen by our newly appointed director. Our dancers and their parents stayed the course and demonstrated terrific work ethic by putting in the hour to make their dance training a priority.

While reflecting upon this I am once again impressed on how dance provides so many the opportunity to demonstrate more than technique and skill. It’s the development of personal character that really counts. Passion, dedication, perseverance and team work to name a few.

Reliability is an essential life skill that is taught in every day small actions. Things like taking the time to follow dress code, properly putting your hair in a bun or making sure to arrive on time for classes are all small ways you are teaching your child how to be reliable. At the studio reliability looks like classes that start on time, show safe teaching practices by following class syllabus an structures and having someone available to answer questions. 

While we are creating dancers and artists, we are also playing a part in developing the future generation. While some may go on to professional dance careers, all of our students will benefit from their daily #dancelife

[cdt-2007]

Enjoy the Special Every Day Moments

This past Tuesday I went with my daughter to the preschool pumpkin patch at Spooner Farms. She attends our studio’s preschool, Arabesque Academy. It’s a truly adorable program, these young dancers attend lessons twice a week. They participate in two dance classes, our studio’s creative ballet & tap class on Tuesday and a tumbling class on Thursday. They also spend time learning their letters, numbers, and working skills like cutting, gluing, pre-writing and other traditional preschool activities. Much like any other preschool program we went on the pumpkin patch field trip. On our drive there I realized, this is my LAST pumpkin patch field trip.

 I thought back to how different my life is now to when my two boys were in preschool. It just gets busier and busier. While I’m counting down the days until I get 5 hours to myself once my youngest in Kindergarten it was a great reminder to enjoy the special every day moments. Celebrate the process of getting ready for dance or the small victories like the first successful pirouette. These moments will be terrific memories for both you and your child.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the day!

[cdt-2007]

Are you getting more than just dance lessons?

Well fall is off and running and if you are like me the pressures of my crazy fall schedule is in full swing. It is these times that I’m so thankful that I’m surrounded by people I enjoy. I am constantly reminded that I’m not just a dance teacher. Yes, I teach steps and technique, however I’m also a mentor, a friend, a role model. Through dance class students learn qualities like dedication, work ethic, team work and leadership.  Every once in a while, I hear something that surprises me, like this email that I recently received an email from a parent:

“I am emailing you to say "Thank you!" Thank you for creating a studio with morals.  Thank you for advertising that age-appropriate dance is important.  By the studio expectations you have set, you are also teaching the girls that their beauty doesn't come from the way they dress or how they flaunt their bodies.  I have danced my whole life, got my degree in dance from BYU, and have been teaching through out the years.  I KNOW how hard it is to make modesty in costume, music, and movement the standard for our children.  I wish there were more teachers and owners like you.  The lack of modesty is the very reason we left the dance studio my daughter danced at last year.”

This got me thinking….. In 2007 I opened my Auburn location, Children’s Dance Theater, because I saw a niche. In the upswing of uber competitive win at all costs dance studios the seemed to surround my area. Now, I’m not in any way trying to knock my local dance community members. They also have great programs and serve hundreds of dancers just like I do. And like any group be it a church, a sports team, a workplace or school there is a culture that is created and you have to decide if that groups founding values match yours.

After almost 10 years of having and age appropriate founding values we are seeing our dance community making changes to the way they choose costumes, select music and even in their movement choices. That is great, because I’m a firm believer that our industry needs to change. The sexualization of children is not acceptable. That these amazing “trick” moves need to be done in an artistic way. AND we need to teach our young dancers to respect their bodies, and that may mean saying no to certain moves because one’s anatomy may just not allow our legs to stretch that far.

As a parent, you need to locate what is important to you and your dancer. Then ask your studio what are their founding values, can they even list them? At the end of the day there are thousands of great dance programs out there and that founding value may be the deciding factor for your family. Here are our studios values:

1.       Provide age appropriate choreography, costumes and music

2.       Challenge dancers to achieve their personal best

3.       Create a positive and rewarding environment

4.       Promote fun and a love of dance

If you are frustrated or uncomfortable about what is being asked of your dancer talk with your instructor in an appropriate manner. They may be trying to challenge your dancer and with a bit of information your fears may be soothed. If they are not soothed, it’s not dance that makes you uncomfortable, it’s a mismatch of what is important. It’s sort of like being offered Pepsi when you are a Coke a cola drinker. Take some time to watch your child’s class and make sure you are getting more than just dance lessons.

[cdt-2007]

It’s been awhile.....

Greetings!

It’s been a while since I have found the time to post to my blog but with a new school year starting I have decided it is time to begin once more. So, for this first post I have decided to re-introduce myself.

My name is Stephanie Cox, like all of us I wear many hats. I’m a wife, a mother of two boys and one girl, one of my son’s is on the autism spectrum, a business owner, a crazy artist, a daughter, a mentor and friend. 

I have had the privilege of owning Children’s Dance Theater in Auburn and Prestige Dance Studio in Federal Way for the past 13 years. Dance has been a part of my life since the age of 3 and I can’t imagine doing anything else. Dance gives me a fulfillment that is difficult to describe. Working with dancers as little a two up through adults is incredibly rewarding. 

One day this past summer it occured to me that if I were to sum up my life it would be the new title of this blog, “Tiaras, Tantrums and Typos”. Tiaras is of course a reference to the dancers I work with, but also the many people I interact with in and out of the studio. Yes, it also refers to me.

Tantrums is pointed at my second son. His high functioning autism causes him to have multiple daily meltdowns. Becoming a mom of someone with autism, while frustrating, has been the best thing for my teaching and dealing with the public. I have been forced to learn how to develop strategies and methods to help him be successful in daily life. It also has taught me how to be patient and support everyone in their daily journey to take one step forward. Of course, there are many other types of tantrums that happen, it also refers to me.

Typos, as anyone who has read my newsletters knows, I’m the QUEEN of typos. If you are the grammar police, you are gonna hate my blog. Sorry in advance. I have learned to accept this as one of my many deficit, yes we all have them. I’ve made the solemn vow to take the extra time to stop and proofread,  however I’m sure I won’t catch them all. 

Thanks for reading and checking in. My goal is to post twice a month. It may be rambling at times, that is just the crazy ADD artist in me. But I strive to deal with everyday challenges and problems with positivity and I hope you do too. 

Enjoy your day!

[cdt-2007]

At the studio we are in the hustle and bustle of fall. Classes are filling up, the lobby is as busy as ever and Nutcracker rehearsals are in full swing. This year we have our debut group of Assistant Teachers working in select classes and they have a weekly journal they are supposed to keep and turn in to me so I can comment on their observations and answer any questions that pop up.  One question I received is “how do you help a dancer that is discouraged?”

That is such an amazingly simple and difficult questions at the same time. It seems now more than ever, that we all want instant gratification and the reality is that sometimes things don’t come easy. Our dancers are truly amazing because every week they stand in front of the mirror, face their own personal challenges, and work to achieve their goals. Below are some take home tips for yourself if you are feeling the grind of being back to dance.

Focus on your successes: Remember it’s a new year, so you may be in a higher level and the expectations have increased. Give yourself time to work up to them just like you have in previous years. Find happiness in the everyday successes that you are having. That will add up to overall improvement.

Set realistic goals: Take that big goal and break it up into small “bite size goals”.  Sometimes we have lofty dreams. Try breaking it up in to achievable steps that build up to that final moment. It will help you to keep going during the tough times.

Document your progress: Make yourself some sort of visual aid to help remind you of what you want. It can be a collage board, a practice chart or a journal. This will help you to stay inspired, remind you of your corrections and most importantly stay motivated. Click on this link for some chart ideas

Let go of anger & fear: I recently had the pleasure to work with a gymnast, who wanted to score better in her floor routines. Almost immediately I recognized that the biggest thing stopping her from getting what she wanted was that she was afraid of the more dance moments and was allowing that feeling of discomfort to stop her. If you really want to change you have to embrace the anger, fear or discomfort and know that it will only be temporary. Grit your teeth and bear it.

Avoid comparing yourself to others: Everyone has their own strengths and weakness. If you are constantly asking why can I dance like Suzie Q, all your passion and love for dance will drain away. Praise your effort and remember that there is something unique and wonderful about you.

Practice positivity: Experts agree that having a positive outlook is a choice, so make that choice for yourself. Be your own biggest cheerleader. Watch old videos to see how much you have improved over the past years. I recently heard a mantra on daytime television that I love, “Do your best and forget the rest”.

[cdt-2007]

Summer- Half over, or half to go?

This morning it crossed my mind..... “Its practically August, I should go get a few back to school items.”

Seems impossible doesn’t it? This spring and first half of summer have been incredibly busy for me. Personally we sold and bought a house, The studio’s had our largest recital yet, launched our premier summer theatre camp and we are in the midst of pre-season training for our competition team. Ohh yeah and Nutcracker auditions are just around the corner.

It is an incredibly busy but rewarding life. I get asked again and again, “How do I do it all?” The answer is simple; 1. Don’t sweat the small stuff and 2. a lot of advanced planning.

Now is a terrific time to figure your families schedules and goals for the upcoming year. Right now your family is relaxing and enjoying life so selecting an activity isn’t so overwhelming. Unlike the first few weeks of school, when everything is new and chaotic.

Taking the time now to figure out which dance classes and how many you can commit to for the year will set your child up for success. A few pieces of advise;

Less may be more; Do not over commit. Take into consideration all of the demands your child may face. School work, chores, other extra curricular activities. Make sure that dance class is something your can commit to on a weekly basis. It is more beneficial to have amazing attendance and work ethic in 1 or 2 classes a week versus 10 classes with frequent absences or a dancer that is too exhausted to give it their all.

Give yourself a target: Talk with your dancer about what skills do they want to master. Figure out additional practice time for those skills. Just like with piano lessons. At home practice is important. Use this simple chart to create an action plan.

Rest & Recovery: Your child needs days off. From everything. Make sure to give yourself time to be home with nothing on the calendar. We call it “puttering” at my house. And my second born needs more “puttering” in his week then my other two. What is right for your family?

Try something new: Maybe a different style of dance is more your cup of tea. Don’t be afraid to experiment. While ballet is the foundation of dance and an absolute must for someone with serious goals. Be sure to give jazz, tap or hip hop try also. You may surprise yourself on how that cross training helps.

We hope that dance will be a part of your plans and as an extra incentive to get one thing crossed off your fall to do list, use the promo code”Summer's half over” and get $10 off your registration fee. This promo code is only good until August 20th and is valid at both of our locations!

Now go enjoy the rest of your summer!

[cdt-2007]

You are invited to join us for our summer theatre camp! Learn more at www.prestigedance.net/theatrecamp

[cdt-2007]

Take Center Stage This Summer

We are busy gearing up for our production of the Little Mermaid Jr this summer, but I wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the countless benefits of putting on a show with students.

  Having a regular creative outlet is not just part of a well rounded education – it is essential for a child’s emotional health and well being.  Producing a show brings the arts together and provides growth opportunities for all varieties of learners.  For example, kinesthetic learners engage their bodies through dance, linguistic learners dive into the written and spoken word, spatial learners tackle set and costume design, and musical learners revel in the show’s score.   Besides being incredibly fun, musical theatre helps young people develop many of the skills necessary for success in today’s world:    Self-Confidence:  Throughout the rehearsal and performance process, young performers discover how to take creative and emotional risks and learn to trust their abilities.   Literacy:  Students increase reading and writing skills at their own pace by immersing themselves in the story, reading and re-reading their scripts, memorizing their lines and taking notes at rehearsal.   Communication:  During rehearsals, students learn how to articulate their thoughts and questions and carefully listen to direction in order to improve their performances.   Imagination:  Theatre is most dynamic when the imaginations of its participants are fully engaged.  Students make countless interpretive choices in design and performance to create a detailed, fictional world for their audiences.   Empathy:  Through character work and story creation, young performers explore the lives of others.  First-hand perspectives of new circumstances challenge prejudices and aid in the development of well-rounded students and citizens.   Critical Thinking & Problem Solving:  The amount of work required to successfully put on a show makes all participants valuable troubleshooters. Whether inventing mnemonics to remember lines, adjusting staging to show off everyone’s faces, or mastering a tricky scene change, students have countless opportunities to creatively tackle challenges.   Self-Discipline:  Through prompt attendance at rehearsals and learning lines, music and choreography on schedule, students acquire valuable self-discipline techniques and become reliable and trustworthy members of an ensemble.     Community Awareness:  A theatrical production provides ample opportunities to connect with our families and neighbors.  Students can engage parents, community centers and local vendors to help create sets, props, costumes and publicity.   Public Speaking:  Whether performing for their peers during rehearsal or for their school and local community during a performance, students gain expertise and confidence speaking in front of a group.   Teamwork:  Theatre requires extensive creative input from all its participants.  Students build ensemble by working together to rehearse, construct, promote and perform their show.  Every role – whether onstage or behind the scenes – is vital for the show’s success.   As you can see, our students will gain valuable life skills through their participation in this production.  We’re looking forward to jumping into rehearsals and seeing you on the first day of camp! To learn more please visit our website, www.prestigedance.net/theatrecamp Sincerely,   Stephanie Cox

[cdt-2007]

The Hustle and Bustle of the Holidays

The Holidays are approaching fast and for many of us at the studio that means Nutcracker is almost here! This year our production has 91 dancers involved and many busy dance moms and dads that are dedicating their time and effort into what will be a terrific production. Tickets are now on sale for our annual production.  Even if you are not in this year’s performance, we can all admit that life gets crazy this time of year so I’d like to share 4 tips from veteran dance moms on how they manage it all.

Keep a Calendar:

All our veteran moms agree; you have to have your schedule POSTED in multiple places! The a synced calendar app on phones is helpful  to communicate events and rehearsals with spouses. Personally, I have found that a laminated weekly calendar for each family member posted in our house is helpful for understanding who is where at what time quickly. Each Sunday I use a dry erase pen to update it on events like my son’s karate, doctors’ appointments and work schedules.  Click here for an adorable free weekly calendar you can download from Kiwi Create.

Shannon Geuvara has it on the fridge and encourages her older daughter to be in charge of what she needs. Start training your young dancer now, “this has become such a yearly routine for us. Sometimes family members have to sacrifice their activities or be in charge of putting together dinner during this busy time, but that is what being a family is about. “

Get presents and decorating done early:

I have finally admitted that I’m too busy to troll malls and shopping centers to find that perfect gift for my loved ones. This year I’m going to master cyber shopping. That’s right, my goal is to have all my holiday shopping done by December 1st and I’m doing it all online.  I’ll be shopping in my PJ’s at midnight when everyone else is a sleep. As an added bonus, I’m shopping on smile.amazon.com which will benefit the studio’s booster club, Next Step. If it is your first visit to amazon smile you will be prompted to select a charitable organization. If you have a different charity and wish to change to Next Step Booster click here for instructions on how to do that.

Charis Oothoudt agrees with online shopping for most items and also uses the Thanksgiving Holiday to get all her decorating and cards done.  "It’s the last free weekend before the performance, so it makes sense to get that done so you can enjoy what free time you have in December."  She also will on occasion, send her holiday cards as New Year’s cards so she  can include Nutcracker photos in her letters!

A Hungry Kid is a Cranky Kid

Freezer meals, crock pots, quick & easy to grab snacks and leftovers are how you survive this busy time!!!! There are so many great ways out there to keep your family full and fairly healthy. Amy recommends cooking a few meals on the weekends and having leftovers during the week. I’m queen of the crockpot. I actually have 2 and use them at least twice a week on a regular basis. Pinterest is the best and easiest way to find recipes! If you don’t have one, GO BUY ONE NOW. I recommend making sure that it has various time options and that it will switch to a warm setting automatically.

Charis spends a bit more money in the fruit section of the grocery store and buys pre-cut fruit. “It’s a little more expensive but when time is short I don’t have time to cut up a bunch of fruit for the week on practice weekends. My dancers love fruit and this way they have healthier options readily available & ready to eat."

Easy ready to go snacks are a must, and make sure to have a few stashed in your car. You may also want to grab a few paper bags for dinners during tech week at the theatre so you are not losing your lunch pail. My most favorite tip is from Amy who says, “Always have chocolate in your purse!”

Get organized sooner than later:

“Gather all your performance costumes, and accessories early and put them in one place so there’s not frantic last minute searching for that one headpiece” says Charis.  She also recommends keeping those performance tights safe until photo day and then hide them away again until dress rehearsal and the shows. No last minute scrambling to replace ruined tights.

Headpieces and any other accessories need to be in a labeled zip lock bag and then put over the hanger. Amy uses some duct tape or masking to label her child’s hangers. I also recommend finding a spot inside your dancer’s costume to put a masking tape label with your dancer’s name on it.  It happens every year, after photo day, or during one of the costumed rehearsals, someone’s headpiece or ballet shoe or even an entire costume gets left behind. That way when the teachers and volunteers are cleaning up at the end of the night they know exactly whose item was lost and you can get the message quickly. This avoids unnecessary stress for you and your dancer.

A great project for the dance dad (or handy mom!) is to create a portable costume rack. Unfortunately, our theatre doesn’t have hanging space for our dancer’s costumes. There are many quick and easy portable options that can be inexpensive. Check out your options on the studios “cool gear” board on pinterest.

Bonus Tip: Try to find Serenity

Kim Etcheverry agrees with everything mentioned and reminds us that when things are stressful, “Try to talk to your dancer in a calm voice even if you don’t feel calm.“  She also mentions that her girls are more prepared for the wildly busy tech week if she gives them a rundown of what is supposed to happen that morning. They know what their expectations are that day and can find places to relax and are not so stressed out a rehearsal or performance time.  I’d like to also add that you may want to reconsider going to every holiday party, or cookie party or afterschool holiday event. While those things are important your dancer will need some R & R time. Schedule moments for them to recover from the busy schedule.

Being a part of the Nutcracker is a magical experience, that is why so many of our dancer return year after year. If you are not in our production we’d love for you to come watch the performance. Tickets will be available on both the Children’s Dance Theater and Prestige Dance Studio websites on November 15th-December 16th for $13 pre-sale.

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[cdt-2007]

7 Reasons why your child should take dance class

Back to school time means back to extracurricular activities for the children time. We all know the benefits of a well-rounded child and there are so many after school activities available for children, it may be hard to decide what your child should do. Dance is a great activity that should be added the list of things to scope out for your children. As a matter of fact here are 7 reasons why your child should take a dance class:

1. Dance class promotes fitness! No matter what style of dance, your child will be moving. They will be getting the necessary exercise needed each day. Studies recommend 30 minutes of exercise each day for your child. The average dance class lasts 30 minutes to an hour. Most of the time your child may take more than one style. It also gives a good all around workout. Most dance classes begin with stretching for flexibility, have some type of cardio section, and then a cool down at the end. It's exactly what your child needs to stay fit!

2. Dance class builds high self-esteem! Dance teachers promote expression, smiling, and reflection. Children can express themselves through movement. They are constantly asked to smile until it becomes a habit. Finally, they are constantly given an opportunity to look at themselves in the mirror and learn to present themselves in a way that is pleasing to themselves.

3. Dance class promotes social development! Dance class lets children move around and communicate with each other. The entire class works off of one another's energy and personalities to learn and perform class dances.

4. Dance class teaches discipline! Children who take a dance class learn how to control their energy in their body through technique training.

5. Dance class builds focus! Dance requires much concentration and determination in order to get moves right, retain choreography, and perform it beautifully.

6. Dance builds good posture! We all know a dancer when we see one. They have a straight back, shoulders slightly back and their chin up! All of that comes from years of keeping your head off the floor, pushing your shoulders back, and making sure we aren't slouching or hyperextending our backs.

7. Dance class is fun! Overall, the best reason for a child to take dance is because of the rewarding fun they will have. They will meet new people in an environment where they are free to express themselves! What kid wouldn't want to do that?!

Now that you know all the reasons to sign your child up, please call us to schedule a trial class at either our Federal Way or Auburn location. We have amazing new classes like Break Dancing, Acro, Encore and so much more!

[cdt-2007]

A Holiday Tradition

Be a part of our 4th annual production

Believe it or not auditions for Nutcracker are about a week a way! We hope you can join us for this wonderful experience for you dancer!  Consider the following 5 tips on how to prepare you child for auditions.

1. Arrive early: There is a small amount of paper work to fill out, and you don't want your dancer to feel rushed. Once they have their shoes on, they will want to spends some time stretching and warming up before the enter the audition. We recommend 10-15 minutes early for younger dancers. 20-30 minutes for older dancers who will be doing more technical moves. We don't want anyone to pull a muscle.

2. Be Prepared: Dancers need to wear ballet attire, leotard, tights, ballet shoes and hair in a bun. This is a dancers job interview process so they are encouraged to look their ballet best. Please no tutus or other extras. Keep it simple and don't forget a water bottle. Older dancers should be ready to do some pointe work.

3. Know the commitment you are making: Excellent attendance at rehearsals is critical.  While we can deal with a few absences, any more then 3 planned absences is a problem. Rehearsals are Friday and/or Saturdays, then in November we move to Saturdays only. We do not have rehearsals over Thanksgiving weekend. The final week is located at the theatre and is mandatory. Absolutely no absences  December 15-19th. Participants of the Nutcracker must be enrolled in the appropriate level of ballet class at either Children's Dance Theater or Prestige Dance Studio. 

4. Learn choreography as quick as you can, the PERFORM it:    We pride ourselves putting together an amazing production. That begins with dancers who know and remember their choreography. They take it a step further by not just dancing the combinations but performing them. Its never too early to start learning this skill, but don't worry if your child isn't able to do this yet. It won't exclude them from the production. 

5. Relax and have fun: You may be asked to try something new! If that is the case, don't stress out. Just give it a try. From a directors stand point it's great to see someone willing to take risks and push themselves in a new direction. Don't forget to smile and perform!

* Bonus tip: Try not to have any casting expectations: Not everyone gets to be Clara or the Sugar Plum Fairy. Help your child be ready for casting by emphasizing that it isn't role that makes the dancer but the dancer that makes the role. They can be the most memorable snowflake, gingerbread or baby mouse and that will make them a better dancer. If you can't attend our auditions, but want to participate in The Nutcracker,  please email us at gottadance4@gmail.com. We may be able to make other arrangements.#dance #auditions #ballet #nutcracker #tutu

[cdt-2007]

2015 Nutcracker preview from Children's Dance Theater on Vimeo.

Be a part of our holiday production. There are roles for dancers ages 5 and up. Visit our website to learn more. auburnchildrensdancetheater.com or prestigedance.net