Prestige Dance Studio

Dancing on the Bright Side

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online dance classes

As we head into month number two of this challenging and unprecedented time, it’s easy to focus on the scary thoughts. It’s easy to get bogged down by the many things that aren’t happening. It’s easy to wish this all away, and trust us, we’ve been there!

However, our Prestige team takes great pride in being a positive force for our dance families and our community. Even in the most difficult of times, we always find a way to look on the bright side. Or shall we say, DANCE on the bright side? 😉

Between live virtual classes, digital storytime, and recorded videos, we’ve been busy over here making sure our dancers keep at it! As we put together these online dance classes, we couldn’t help but notice the incredible positives of our new learning structure. It’s been shocking to see how such great things can come out of a seemingly awful situation!

Check out these 4 Benefits of Online Dance Classes:

1. Discipline

Ask any dancer and they will tell you that us teachers are not always big on words. At the studio, we are constantly offering hands-on corrections to show a dancers’ bodies how to execute skills. On Zoom, it’s a bit of a different story!

Our teachers are still seeing their dancers and offering up verbal corrections, but we can’t do it FOR them anymore. It’s up to the dancers to take our feedback and make it happen for themselves. Challenging? Yes. Something that EVERY dancer must learn how to do? ABSOLUTELY! 

We are thankful that this challenging time has forced us to focus on teaching our dancers how to be disciplined and make progress happen on their own. 

2. Spatial Awareness

When you dance in the same place each week, it’s no surprise that you get used to it. Your brain starts to memorize landmarks in the room to help you remember your dance. 

For example, a student might know that they start their routine by the blue wall. But do they know that the blue wall is stage right? Do they know how to take that SAME spacing and orient themselves in ANY other dancing space? Like….a huge recital stage? As you can see, being able to orient yourself in different places is an essential skill for dancers!

It’s a skill that doesn’t come easy for young ones, which is why we always have dress rehearsal. We are considering these zoom classes as rehearsals FOR our dress rehearsal! It may be a little early, but our students are learning how to orient themselves and take their routines into a brand new place! 

3. Self-Reliance

Even though we preach all year long that our dancers should practice at home and not rely on other students to know their dance, we know that doesn’t always happen! In a studio with 10 other kids and a giant mirror in front of you, it can sometimes be easy to slide by without memorizing the dance until the last month before recital. During online dance classes … think again! YOU have to REALLY know that dance! 

4. Adaptability

We saved this for last because it’s definitely our favorite. The popular saying, “the show must go on” is ringing true now more than ever. And in the dance world, every young dancer has to be ready for ANYTHING! 

A hair-piece falls off on stage, you forget your routine in front of a huge crowd, or the music stops in the middle of the dance? You KEEP DANCING! A pandemic hits the entire world and stops us from coming to class? You KEEP DANCING! 

If you love to dance, nothing will stop you. And we absolutely LOVE that our students are learning this important lesson during this difficult time. 

Amazing right? Once we took a second to think about all this, we knew we had to share with our dance families. A shift in perspective can make such a difference, especially right now when the bad news seems to keep on coming!

Are you a current Prestige family? Be sure to check out our Virtual Class Schedule to find your Zoom Link! 

We know one thing for sure, no matter how long this lasts, we will continue to stay positive. More importantly, we will continue to DANCE on the bright side with you all.

 

Splish Splash into Summer Dance

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summer dance camps

Hey everyone, things are CRAZY right now! Between virtual dance classes, children home from school, and businesses closed, we know one thing for certain. We can’t WAIT until this is all behind us. We are looking forward to brighter days, when the sun is shining, our dancers are back at the studio with us, and the world has returned to normal.

Now, we must confess. Returning to the studio is not the ONLY thing we are looking forward to. We are also getting pretty psyched for Summer Dance! We have put together an AMAZING line-up of summer dance camps and classes that we can’t wait to get rolling. 

Is your child looking to make a BIG splash this summer by taking their dance skills to the next level? Are YOU looking for a place to send your kids this summer that will entertain them while keeping them moving? It’s time to check out these amazing options that will create a summer full of fun AND set them up for success in the Fall. 

Dive into Dance:

Summer dance classes designed for students of all levels looking to explore new dance styles and further their technique. 

1. Summer Class Session (June 15th-July 23rd)

This summer, we are offering a 6-week class session packed with various dance styles and levels. For dancers as young as 1 year old, these evening classes will take place on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from June 15th-July 23rd. The classes operate on a punch card system, specifically designed for students wanting to explore our many different classes before committing to a year-long class.

Ready for the best part? Our flexible pricing options are tailored to your busy family. One punch is good for any one class. Punch card options include 6 classes for $59, 12 classes for $112, 18 classes for $162, and Unlimited for $210. Contact the studio to get registered today! 

2. The Intensive (August 8th & 9th)

The Intensive is back by popular demand! Each August, guest choreographers from all over the U.S. are flown in for a weekend full of quality technical training at Prestige. These packed 2 days will challenge your dancer to go beyond what they think they are capable of. Time slots and pricing varies by age, so be sure to head to our website to get all the deets!

Splash into Skills:

Dance camps for eager and focused dancers who want to take their skills to the next level.

1. The Intensive (August 8th & 9th)

The Intensive is back by popular demand! Each August, guest choreographers from all over the United States are flown in for a weekend full of quality technical training at Prestige. These packed 2 days will challenge your dancer to go beyond what they think they are capable of. Time slots and pricing varies by age, so be sure to head to our website to get all the deets!

2. Turn Camp (June 8th-June 11th)

Our heads were spinning (literally and figuratively) when we planned this amazing camp! This Summer Turning Camp will emphasize technique, flexibility, and coordination while introducing students to more advanced turning skills. We will go well beyond pirouettes in this jam-packed camp! Time slots and pricing varies by age, so be sure to head to our website to get all the deets!

3. Tumble Camp (June 8th-June 11th)

Don’t let summer break turn your flip into a flop! Our Summer Tumbling Camp will emphasize flexibility and technique. Athletes will rotate through a series of challenging drills and high intensity tumbling circuits. We emphasize safety as all tumblers are assisted by experienced spotters while learning advanced skills. Time slots and pricing varies by level, so be sure to head to our website to get all the deets!

Belly-Flop into Fun:

Summer dance camps in Cedar Rapids for young dancers who are ready for the most fun-filled summer EVER!

1. Frozen 2 (July 13th-16th, 9am-12pm)

Is your little dancer OBSESSED with Elsa and Anna?! This half-day camp will take them on a movie-inspired adventure, moving through obstacles and dance routines that help free the Northuldrans from the Enchanted Forest. Activities include arts and crafts, stretching, snacks, and best of all DANCING! 

Divided up by age, the four-day quest for $127 will leave your 3-9-year-olds totally frozen with joy! Contact the studio to get registered today!

2. Trolls World Tour Camp (June 29-July 2nd, 9am-12pm)

Join us for music and friendship with our Troll Buddies. 3-9-year-old campers will use their dance skills and imagination to help Poppy and Branch save music from the evil Rockers! We will listen to different kinds of music and explore many different dance styles. Activities include arts and crafts, stretching, snacks, and best of all DANCING! 

Contact the studio to get registered today for this 4-day rockin’ adventure priced at $127!

3. Too Pooped to Pop Camp (June 12th & July 24th)

We designed these action-packed one-day camps to leave your little one TOTALLY pooped! From 8:30am-4:30pm, we will cover 8 whole hours of summer fun! Activities include obstacle courses, musical games, dance exploration, and team-building games! 

If your 4-10 has some extra energy they’d like to work off, send them our way for $59 per day. Contact the studio to get registered!

As you can see, we’ve got A LOT going on this summer. We are especially excited because we are offering something for EVERYONE. We can’t wait to see ALL of our Prestige families during the summer months, whether it be for dance classes or fun camps!

For now, we hope all of our families stay safe, healthy, and happy as we dance virtually together. We can’t wait to see our dancers on the other side, eager to move and READY for the summer months ahead!

COVID-19 Resources for Dance Families

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resources for dancers

Oof! Whatever you are stressed about right now…. just know, you are NOT alone. Between finances, health, and childcare, it’s just a lot. These are REAL issues, REAL concerns, and we are with you. We want to help. From our stuck-at-home family to yours, we are here to offer some positivity during this trying time. 

Want to know three things that make us smile over here at Prestige Dance Studio? Our smiley students, our supportive parents, and… yep, you guessed it… DANCE! Dancing releases endorphins. So even though it may seem harder than ever before, now is the MOST important time to make sure our students KEEP dancing. 

The dance community is a special one. We have been totally thrilled by the number of professional dance companies, studios, and individual dancers who have banded together to create virtual resources for fellow dancers. 

Are you a current Prestige Dancer? Be sure to check out our Virtual Classroom! On top of OUR classes, we’ve compiled a list of amazing resources for your dancers! We also threw in some general resources for our parents who are suddenly expected to be teachers AND parents! We’ve got you.

Check out these awesome resources for dancers and parents during COVID-19:

Virtual Training Resources for Dancers:

    • Ballet Class with Elite Classical Coaching – Be sure to follow Elite Classical Coaching on Facebook as they live stream daily ballet class!
    • Ballet Class with the Pros – A list of professional Ballet dancers that are offering virtual classes via Instagram/Facebook Live.
    • CLI Studios – The industries leading online class outlet is offering FREE classes during this time with your favorite choreographers. Visit the website for a complete schedule and get moving!
    • DANCIO – Take class with the stars of dance from the comfort of your own home. They are offering a free 2-week trial!
    • Dancing Alone Together – A day-by-day guide to all the live classes happening around the world! You will also find creative prompts and videos.
    • @FreeDanceTraining – Instagram account of free dance classes organized by @DoctorsForDancers
    • Flexibility and Stability Classes – Follow Acrobatic Arts on Instagram to take advantage of their live classes.
    • GAGA classes – Donation based Gaga classes through Zoom multiple times a day!
    • STEEZY – Explore different urban dance styles like house, breaking, and popping. Free 7-day trial!
    • Sugarfoot Therapy – Injury prevention workouts for dancers designed by a physical therapist.

Staying Active:

    • BOKS – Free online fitness program for kids.
    • CorePower Yoga On Demand – Parents this is for you! CorePower has released their online classes for free.
    • Cosmic Kids Yoga – Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation designed specially for kids aged 3+
    • GoNoodle – Keep your tiny dancer moving with these fun, free dance videos for the whole family!
    • LES MILLS On Demand – Another great resource for parents to experience over 800+ workouts from home. They’re offering free trials!

Exploring Art:

    • BroadwayHD – You can experience the magic of Broadway from home! They offer a 7-day free trial!
    • Google Arts & Culture – Google has partnered with over 500 museums and galleries around the world!
    • Met Opera – Every evening enjoy a FREE night at the opera from your couch! 

Virtual Learning:

Stay informed:

Whether you’re homeschooling kids, trying to work from home, or doing your best to keep your dancer active, we hope that you find these links helpful! 

From all of us here at Prestige Dance Studio, we are sending you warm and healthy thoughts. Together we will make it through this time, and we can’t wait to see you all back at the studio. Happy living room dancing to all of our students! 

Compete with Prestige: A Day in the Life

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competition dance team

Picture this: a hundred sparkly costumes, a giant lit-up stage, and a set of judges watching your every move. Kind of a big deal, right? That’s what competition day looks like for our 45 competition dancers at Prestige. We know that if you aren’t there yourself, it may be a little difficult to understand what all the hype is about. So today on the blog, we are giving you an inside look at our competition dance team in Cedar Rapids. 

At Prestige Dance Studio, on top of our weekly recreational classes, we offer multiple performance team programs. P.Com is Prestige Dance Studio’s community expo team. Dancers perform four to six times per year throughout the community with both jazz and hip hop routines. P.Co is Prestige Dance Studio’s all-genre competition team. These dancers attend dance conventions, four regional competitions, and a national dance competition.

Today we are shining the spotlight on our P.Co teams, not only because our competition season is in full swing, but also because we are so proud of their accomplishments so far! So what exactly happens at a dance competition? It’s not exactly your typical sporting event. 

1. A Dedicated Rehearsal Schedule

In addition to weekly technique classes where they practice their dance skills, our competitive dancers attend weekly rehearsals. Learning cutting edge new choreography, these teams are committed to making their routines look clean, impressive, and perfectly in sync. They are responsible for remembering their multiple routines for different dance styles, making detailed changes to their movement, and cooperating with their teammates. 

2. Glitz and Glam!

A dance competition is basically a SEA of sparkles, and it’s not JUST because we love to shine! When dancing under the big stage lights, moving rhinestones create a pretty magical effect. Thick stage makeup is needed so that the dancers’ facial expressions can be seen under the lights as well. 

Hair, make-up, and our beautiful rhinestoned costumes must all be completed with precision, as each dancer must look exactly the same. This uniformity reduces distractions and point deductions. We love watching as our students learn responsibility at competitions. If a dancer forgets a costume accessory or their hair falls out on stage, it reminds them ALL to triple check before stepping on stage. 

3. Taking the Stage

After hair, make-up, and costumes are set, our dancers head to the warm-up zone. We require our teams to stretch and do a brief run-through of their dance before heading backstage. This reduces injuries and mind-blanks on stage!

Once the music starts, it is 2.5 minutes of amazing! Watching our dancers hit their routines while judges are scoring their every move is incredible! A spark usually lights up inside of them. They are taught to dance BIG and BOLD, which is almost impossible NOT to do when your dances are well prepared and you look like a rockstar!

4. Trophy Time

After teams from all over the region compete, everyone gathers on stage to hear the results. Each dance receives an award (silver, gold, platinum) and then the dances are ranked by overall score. 

We teach our P.Co dancers to practice good sportsmanship, win OR lose. We celebrate our victories AND clap for other teams when they win big. Awards teach our dancers how to strive for excellence. Hard work pays off.

Our 2020 Competition Season is already in full swing! A month ago we debuted our competition routines at Showbiz National Talent Competition in Davenport, Iowa! We recently headed to St. Charles, Missouri for our second competition. 

We are SO proud of our dancers’ performance at both events and we are hungry for more stage time in the coming months! Check out some of our amazing results from Showbiz! 

competition dance team

competition dance team

Be sure to follow along on our studio Facebook page to stay up to date on competition results from the rest of our season! Good luck to all of our P.Co dancers. We can’t wait to watch you shine!

Start 2020 Off Right: 5 Tips for Supporting Your Dancer

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dance parents

Happy New Year Prestige dance parents! What is your dancer looking to accomplish this year? Are they hoping to move up a level in their technique classes? Do they want to audition for our competition team this year? Do they have big dreams of dancing professionally one day? However lofty their goals are, we are here to support them!

As dance parents, we KNOW that you see your child’s potential and want them to accomplish great things. The truth is, us dance teachers see their potential too, but sometimes kids need just a little extra push. Together, we want to make 2020 the biggest year of growth for our young dancers. 

This month’s blog post is all about helping your dancer establish good habits that set themselves up for success. Follow these tips, and your dancers will feel more supported than ever while working towards their dance goals!

1. Mark Your Calendars

First and foremost, we encourage all of our dance families to stay on top of this year’s important dates. The busy, end of the year rush is approaching quickly so it’s important to get these events on your radar now!

When dress rehearsal or recital sneak up on you, it will probably show in your dancer’s performance. We never want our hard-working students to feel flustered and stressed on the big day. Being well-prepared in the coming months will make all the difference! View our full school year calendar on our website. 

 

2. Make 2020 the Year of Arriving to Class Early and Ready To Go! 

We tell our dancers to do this ALL the time! At the beginning of the year, everyone is usually on time and ready to go RIGHT when class starts! But as the year progresses, we tend to see promptness, dress code, and other studio policies fall to the wayside. 

We can’t stress it enough: stretching before class is crucial for injury prevention and success in the studio. Especially during the cold months, jumping right into class without any time to warm up your body is bad for your muscles. Getting to the studio early will help your child enter class with a warm body and focused mind! 

3. Encourage Your Dancer to Set Goals and Stay Accountable 

Coming to class each week with a specific goal in mind really helps kids advance their skills. Sitting down with your child at home and creating a list of realistic dance goals is a GREAT way to establish focus in 2020. If dance is a foreign language for you ;), ask your child’s instructor for some feedback on what they should work on. We are always happy to help!

After these goals are set, the car ride to and from class each week is a great time to check-in. “What are you going to work on today in class?” and “How did your pirouettes go today?” are easy questions to ask! Offering encouragement on good days AND bad days will make them feel supported always. 

4. Attend Parent Observation Week

Ask any dance teacher, and we will ALL tell you that kids dance bigger and better when there is an audience in the room. During Parent Observation Week, a spark usually lights up because our students are proud of all they have learned. Being there shows them that you are invested in their growth!

Additionally, Parent Observation Week is a great way to touch base with your child’s teachers and observe your child’s progress. Staying involved will make 2020 their best year yet! Learn more about this special week on our Facebook event! 

5. Encouraging Your Child to Stretch and Practice At Home

Flexibility and remembering recital dances are things that come naturally to some, but not to most. If the only time that your child stretches or runs through their dances is class time, they will likely not be able to make significant strides. 

Being an audience at home for a mock performance can really help your dancer ROCK their recital in 2020. In addition, encouraging your child to stretch each night after dinner while winding down with television will make their flexibility soar this year. 

Hopefully this list sets ALL of our dance families up for an amazing year of dance in 2020! We tell our students to do these things throughout the year, but hearing it from you can really make a difference. 

More importantly, you know your child best, so you know how to best get through to them. Between your support at home, and our support in class, we really believe that these kids can accomplish great things. Watch them shine in 2020 with us! It’s going to be a great year! 

Take a Look at Our Picture-Perfect Performance Teams

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performance dance teams

Hey Prestige families, with the holidays coming to a close, we are ALREADY thinking about 2020 over here. With the new decade just around the corner, we think we are most excited about seeing our Prestige Performance Dance Teams perform their BRAND NEW dances. January means competition and performance season is officially in full swing!

So today on the blog, we are ringing in the new year by sharing a little more about these hard-working and dedicated teams. They are going to ROCK their performances in 2020. Be sure to scroll down for links to our fabulous team photo galleries, where you can see each young dancer in action.

P.Co

P.Co is Prestige Dance Studio’s all-genre competition team. The P.Co dancers attend four regional dance competitions as well as one national competition. At these fast-paced and glamour-filled competitions, our dancers perform their routines for judges and compete against other studios for prizes and trophies.

Competing in all styles of dance, P.Co is a group of well-rounded dancers who can adapt to many different styles and techniques. As they perfect their routines week after week, they learn teamwork, responsibility, and commitment. In addition to the competitions, they attend dance conventions where they learn from world-renowned teachers alongside students from all over the nation.

P.Com

We know the fast-paced competition atmosphere isn’t for everyone, and performing is about SO much more than just winning trophies. That’s why we created P.Com, our studio’s community expo team. Dancers perform four to six times per year throughout the community with both jazz and hip hop routines. 

Discipline, teamwork, and showmanship are all values that we strive to teach our P.Com dancers. We focus on the joy of performance and the amazing feeling you get when you share your love of dance with an audience. This team proudly represents Prestige Dance Studio within the Cedar Rapids area, and they know that means putting their best foot forward always. 

Our performance dance teams are pretty great if we do say so ourselves! That’s why we have a tradition at Prestige of creating glowing photo galleries of our dancers that we feature on our very own website. They look just like professional dance companies! 

Performance Team Gallery Links
P.Co Gallery
P.Com Gallery

We love displaying our teams on our website. We are proud of the work they do and what they bring to our community. Stay tuned for upcoming dates to catch these dancers live at competitions and community events. 2020 will be our best year yet! Happy New Year Prestige Families! 

Woo-Wee! Baby and Me!

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toddler activities in Cedar Rapids

Do you have an adventurous toddler at home that wants to explore everything in sight? How about one who loves to play pretend? What about a shy toddler who is itching to break out of their shell and conquer their fears? Bring them over to our Baby and Me class, one of the best toddler activities in Cedar Rapids!  

Our Baby and Me classes are a fun-filled learning time for children 12-36 months. At that age, we know they are still SO young, which is why many families don’t think to sign them up for any activities just yet. But we are here to tell you about the MANY benefits of signing your baby up for a dance class!

Top 4 Benefits of Baby and Me dance classes at Prestige Dance Studio:

1. Improved Motor Skills

Toddlers all move through the stages of child development at different rates. In our Baby and Me classes, our students get the chance to leap, twirl, tiptoe, and crawl through obstacle courses. From balance beams to colorful tunnels, your child will feel like they are on a playground! Little do they know, they are working on motor skills that will speed up their development and enhance their coordination later in life.

2. Socialization

Many toddlers don’t get the chance to socialize with other kids their age. Our Baby and Me classes give students the chance to meet other kids and learn how to operate in a classroom setting. Sharing, turn-taking, and being kind are all concepts that we use during Baby and Me classes. Practicing these behavior standards at our studio will likely make their transition to pre-school and elementary school much smoother! 

3. Dancer-Parent Bonding Time!

As a parent myself, I can attest to how fast those toddler years come and go. Your child is only a baby for so long, and once they grow up, you can’t get those precious years back! Our Baby and Me classes are packed with pretend-play and games that are sure to bring TONS of precious smiles. The special bonding moments we see in class each week are priceless! Spend some quality time with your toddler before they are old enough to want to do things WITHOUT you! Oh no! 😉

4. Confidence Building

Seriously though, the transformations we witness in our toddler classes are kind of crazy! The first week of class, many toddlers are paralyzed with shyness, clinging to mom/dad, or even nervous to enter the room. It’s normal for a little one who is just getting acquainted to a new environment! But by the end of our Baby and Me classes, our toddlers are leaping through the air, diving onto our obstacle courses, and dancing for joy as soon as they hear music. We watch them go from nervous nellies to brave young movers who are willing to try new things. 

As a dance studio offering classes for all ages, we are proud to offer toddler activities in Cedar Rapids that are not only fun, but also educational for children. Our Baby and Me classes are packed with tools that will help your child grow and develop as people.

Ready to join the fun? Our Baby and Me classes take place at our Cedar Rapids location on Wednesdays at 9:30am and 5:30pm. We are still accepting enrollment and we would love to meet your tiny dancer! Head over to our website to register online today! 

Prestige Dance Studio Makes Headlines: Forty Under 40

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young business owner

Prestige Dance families, we are proud to present some news! Our very own Miss Jess, artistic director and owner of PDS, has been recently recognized by the Corridor Business Journal. WE know that special things happen at Prestige every day, but it always feels wonderful to be reminded by others! It’s time to share the love with all of our dance families.

Each year, CBJ hosts a Forty Under 40 awards program which recognizes young leaders. These 40 fierce entrepreneurs are selected for their business success and the contributions they’ve made to the community. And guess what?! Miss Jess was one of them!

At the young age of 32, Miss Jess is in her 6th year as a young business owner and holds over 30 years of experience in the dance world. When asked by CBJ what she would do with 1 million dollars, she responded, “I have an incredible staff who love my business, our students and their families endlessly, and what extra I had to give, I would give to them.” 

Miss Jess takes pride in her business because it creates a safe space in the corridor for kids and adults to express themselves through movement. She wants Prestige Dance studio to grow over the years because its welcoming environment is a positive force within the community. 

To read more of Jess’s CBJ interview, check out her feature page here! Her answers are a great reminder of how far you can get with hard-work and supportive people in your life. We hope this news makes you proud to be a part of the Prestige family! Keep dancing 🙂

4 Things We Are Doing NOW To Prepare for Recital!

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preparing for a dance recital

Preparing for a dance recital is not always an easy task! But Prestige Dance Studio’s 2019-2020 season is officially underway and we are off to a GREAT start. We can feel it. This year’s group of kids is hardworking, full of energy, and made for the spotlight!

Each year, our kids spend 9 months in the studio preparing for a dance recital. We look forward to it all year! We take pride in how well-prepared students are for their big day… and that starts NOW! In class, we make sure our students know what they are working towards, which makes recital day that much more rewarding.

We know recital is a long way away and our classes might not look stage-ready just yet. But we’d love to share ALL of the ways we are already preparing! Check out the four things we are doing NOW to get ready for the theater in May!

1. Skill Building

As teachers, we are ALWAYS thinking ahead! We use our time wisely by outlining the skills we’d like to accomplish with each class at the beginning of the year. Once January hits, we sneak those skills right into our recital dances! By working on those skills NOW, we make sure that our dancers’ routines at recital are a reflection of everything they learned throughout the year!

2. Memory Exercises

In class, we give our kids exercises with many different steps that are put together in a specific sequence. Even when we are working on technique and skills, the dancers are asked to remember a sequence! Many times it is easier to just work on the skill by itself, but we make sure they are always using their minds. We often utilize the same exercises for a couple of weeks in a row to work their long-term memory as well! It’s all part of the plan to help them ROCK at recital! 

3. Focusing on Confidence and Energy

This one might just be our favorite! We LOVE teaching our kids how to be confident in themselves… and we do it in every single class. We build our kids up by complimenting them on their successes, asking them to dance BIG, and teaching them how to command the space while dancing. Whether they are warming up, dancing across the floor, or learning a fun dance routine, we use positive reinforcement to pull tons of powerful energy out of them!

4. Setting Goals Early and Consistently

From the first month of dance to the last class before recital, our students know that they are working towards the big stage. We’ve found that this really helps them focus and know their “why” when they are working tirelessly on difficult skills. During class, you can often catch us saying something like, “Our goal is to nail a clean double pirouette in our recital dance.” Once that is accomplished, we set a new goal with our students. Giving kids something to work towards makes all the difference in their work ethic and overall drive. 

Want to see some of these awesome kids in action? Check out our highlight video! We love watching our students working hard and accomplishing their goals in the studio. 

So now it’s time for YOU to join us as we prepare! This year’s recital will be the best one yet! We are still accepting registration for most classes. Head over to our website to register online today! See you soon 🙂

4 Tips for the BEST Dance Year Ever!

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Best Dance Studio in Cedar Rapids

It is back to dance time at Prestige Dance Studio. It has be SO fun to welcome dancers and their families back to the studio over the past month. We are ready to kick off our 7th season of dance classes in Cedar Rapids and Marion.

We know that the start of a new school year can be overwhelming for both kids and parents. There are new schedules, LOT of notes home, school supplies, lunches to pack… the list goes on and on! We want to help take a little of that mental load OFF your plate.

A little preparation at the start of a new dance year can go a long way! Our team has put together 4 tips to help set your dancer and your family up for success this school year. Ready for your BEST dance year over? Read on to learn more!

4 Tips for the Best Dance Year Ever:

Reflect!

Take a few minutes to reflect about last year. Think through the logistics of getting ready for dance class. What felt hard? Where were the struggles? Common issues that we see at the studio are getting the dance bag packed, getting hair done, and keeping your dancers fed. Encourage your dancer to think about they their progress in their dance classes. Did they reach their goals? Were they happy with their work ethic? A few minutes of journaling is a great idea for older dancers!

Tackle the Logistics

What could you do to make getting your dancer to the studio and ready for class easier? Simple wins might be buying an extra brush and gathering a second set of hair supplies that live in their dance bag. Maybe you keep some quick snacks in your car for the commute to the studio.

Think through your child’s schedule and review the dress code. Would a few extra pairs of tights eliminate stress on dance night? Can you pack their dance bag for the week on Sunday? Maybe a checklist would help your dancer take ownership of the “getting ready” process. Taking a few minutes to think about the logistics might reveal a few simple solutions! 

Set New Goals

Helping our students develop a growth mindset is SO important to our team at Prestige Dance Studio and one one of the reasons we are the best dance studio in Cedar Rapids! Setting aside a few minutes to discuss goals for the coming year with your dancer reminds them of what is possible! Encourage your dancer to write their goals down and put their list somewhere where they can look at them often.

Time to Take Action!

Go back to the list of goals and break each goal into actionable steps. What could they do in the next month to work towards their goals? If they are working towards mastering a new step, maybe they could devote an extra 10 minutes before class towards practicing. It doesn’t have to be complicated! Make a date to check in on their goals in a month. We having a feeling you will BOTH be surprised at how quickly small changes can lead to big outcomes.

Are you and your dancer ready to kick off your BEST dance year ever? We greatly appreciate ALL our dance families do to help set our dancers up for success. The support you offer your dancer makes what we do inside the studio even MORE impactful.

If you haven’t registered yet for the 2019/2020 school year, we would love to have your family join us. We are still accepting enrollment as space allows. Act quick! Many of our classes are already full. Our dancers are going to do great things this year and we can’t wait to see their growth!