Have you seen the news lately? We are proud to say that Prestige Dance Studio has been in the news quite a bit this last month! There are so many great things happening at our studio and the Cedar Rapids and Marion communities are taking notice. In case you missed these exciting features, we have done a quick round-up for you. We love being able to share our passion with new families!
This article was all about getting Cedar Rapids pumped up for Market After Dark. The “lighted ballerinas” mentioned in the article are our Prestige dancers! This was such a cool performance for our dancers that we have done it 2 years in a row. Our performance was a huge success, we had so much fun and are so proud of our dancers. You can watch the performance below. Be prepared to be amazed!
This article by The Gazette celebrates the opening of our Marion location and Miss Jess’s success as a business owner. During our 5 years serving the Cedar Rapids community, Prestige has thrived and we are so proud of all Miss Jess has accomplished. We love getting a glimpse of what it’s like to own a dance studio. This article is inspiring for anyone who has dreams of opening their own business. Way to go Miss Jess!
Miss Jess spent some time with the Cedar Rapids Mom Blog a couple weeks ago. During this LIVE recorded video, you will learn what sets Prestige apart from other dance studios in the area. You will also get a tour of our Cedar Rapids location and see some of our dancers rehearsing. It is a GREAT way to see what Prestige is all about. Check it out below!
We are so happy to be in the news this month and share our passion with our community. Thank you to The Gazette and to the Cedar Rapids Moms Blog for featuring us, we had so much fun spending time with you both.
Interested in learning more about Prestige Dance Studio? We are still accepting enrollment in classes with spots available. View our Cedar Rapids Schedule and Marion Schedule and register today!
The Intensive is back by popular demand! Each August, incredible choreographers from all over the United States are flown into Cedar Rapids for a dance workshop at Prestige Dance Studio. The Intensive is a jam-packed weekend full of quality technical training, choreography that challenges dancers mentally and physically, and most of all FUN! This is our favorite way to finish the summer and gear up for the start of another great school year session. We are accepting registrations as space allows. Register online to reserve your child’s spot!
Tiny Intensive – Ages 4-6, 10:00-12:00pm $58.00 Jazz, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop
Mini Intensive – Ages 7-9, 9:00-12:00pm $99.00 Technique, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop
Junior Intensive – Ages 10-12, 1:00-5:00pm $132.00 Technique, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop
Senior Intensive – Ages 13 and up, 10:00am-3:00pm $159.00 Technique, Musical Theatre, Contemporary, Hip Hop
Dancers ages 4+ are invited to join us August 11th and 12th for a weekend that will have an impact LONG after they leave the studio. Be prepared to be inspired and energized! Training in an intense, condensed atmosphere allows dancers to really dive deep into the material and push themselves beyond what they thought they could achieve. Every summer we are blown away by the growth we witness in our dancers.
One of the aspects that makes The Intensive so special is our line-up of guest artists. Our guest choreographers bring diverse backgrounds and a wide range of impressive credentials. We are thrilled to offer our students an opportunity to expand their horizons and exposure to different teaching styles without having to leave the studio. We are providing a safe environment for them to explore and express the emotional component of dance!
Ready to get excited? Read more about the AMAZING faculty we are bringing in below:
Samantha Long is a professional dancer, choreographer, and teacher based out of Los Angeles. She is an Elite Protege Alumni at The Pulse On Tour, Masterclass teacher at HDJ, and instructs dancers from all across the country. She has danced in music videos, television shows, & national commercials. Her dancing has brought her to dance for artists such as Janet Jackson, Paul McCartney, Lunchmoney Lewis, Paula Abdul, D. Woods, Carson Lueders, Guordan Banks & many more. Samantha has been on shows such as So You Think You Can Dance, Every Single Step, & MTV. She has danced in national commercials/ads for brands such as Samsung, Doritos, Sprite, Avon, Danielle Wellington, Air BnB, Fashion Nova & Rocksbox. She also just got done dancing in the new Emoji Movie as well as dancing for James Gordon on a live award show! Samantha is currently choreographing a commercial and live performance that will be performed on the Grammy’s next year! She is also a company member of IMMAbeast & has performed with other companies such as Academy of Villains. Samantha loves traveling to teach and choreographing for artists across the world.
“Scuba” Steve Gorski started dancing at the young age of 2. He received his training from Stage Door Dance Academy and Impact Dance Studio. Steve has won many titles, scholarships, and awards and was also featured in the December 2007 Dance Spirit Magazine as a “Future Dance Star.” Steve attended Oklahoma City University as a Dance Performance major at the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management under the direction of John Bedford and Jo Rowan. Steve holds a B.P.A from Oklahoma City University. While in Oklahoma, Steve has performed in the Oklahoma Centennial Parade and the Oklahoma Centennial Spectacular along with Reba, Carrie Underwood, The Flaming Lips, and All American Rejects. He was a member of the professional dance company at OCU, The American Spirit Dance Company and was elected the Deputy of the company, which allowed him to work closely with the director and company manager while he served as a liaison between the dancers and the director and company manager. He has starred in shows at OCU such as Life of the Party, Home for the Holidays, The American Spirit Spring Show, and, as a freshman, was selected to be a part of the American Spirit Tour Cast. Steve was the swing for Kate Jablonski’s Off Broadway Show, Beyond Words, in New York City. After graduating from OCU, Steve joined Inaside Chicago Dance as a performing apprentice and media director. With Inaside Steve was able to work with instructors/choreographers Richard Smith, Anna Czajun, Laura Wade, Sarah Ford, Harrison McEldowny, Wade Schaaf, Lizzie MacKenzie, Eddy Ocampo, Sinead Gildea, William Gil, Debra Nanni, Autum Eckman and Robert McKee. Steve joined S.L.A.T.E. Theater’s cast of Legally Blonde where he was cast as Nikkos, ensemble & dance captain. Steve has also performed with Michigan Ballet Theatre in their production of Copellia (Fiancé) and The Nutcracker (Rat King/Russian/Spanish). Steve choreographed Kankakee Valley Association Theatre’s production of The Wedding Singer which was raved about in the Kankakee press. Steve’s choreography has appeared on CBS, FOX, ABC & NBC for the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade, received numerous choreography/entertainment awards, and several students hold national titles with Steve’s choreography. Several of Steve’s students have gone off to perform in Joffrey’s cast of The Nutcracker, Drury Lane’s Production of Billy Elliot, models for Revolution Dancewear, scholarship recipients to Joffrey, Alvin Ailey, Lines Ballet, River North and Inaside Chicago Dance. Steve currently teaches throughout the suburbs of Chicago and Northwest Indiana at several studios and high schools sharing his love of dance to those around him.
Lindsay “Lil” Doescher is a former student and current instructor at Applause Studios in Moore, Oklahoma. She is also the Head Coach of the University of Oklahoma Dance Team. Lil worked with our Company last season and choreographed a routine that now holds a 2018 National Championship Title. We are so excited she is returning to work with our students at The Intensive!
Aimee Jarzembowski found her joy and drive for performing at the young age of three. Since then, she’s been singing, dancing and acting her way to her dreams. Aimee is a graduate of Western Illinois University with a degree in Musical Theatre and Dance. When not teaching dance and theatre, she enjoys participating in local community theatre productions, prepping her for the big move to NYC, one day. Some favorites have been Tracy in Hairspray, Jan in Grease, BJ in Smokey Joe’s Cafe, and Miss Fleming in Heathers. This summer she will be Mabel in the beloved 80s hit, Fame. She thoroughly enjoys bringing dance and musical theatre together; one of her favorite pieces choreographed has been a tap dance to a song from Dear Evan Hansen. If any free time occurs, she loves learning new songs and recording singing videos that have been recognized on social media.
So excited to welcome back Missy Ridgway to work with our 2018-2019 Company! Missy has worked with our Company for the past 3 seasons, sharing her knowledge and passion for dance and choreographing some amazing award winning dances. We are so thankful for her!
Is your dancer registered? We would love to see them at the studio August 11th and 12th. Take care of your registration online and get ready for an amazing weekend of dance!
With our Annual Recital just a week away, we thought this was the perfect opportunity to thank our studio families. This has been a wonderful year. It would not be possible without the support and energy of our families. Thank you for ALL you do to make Prestige Dance Studio an AMAZING place to dance.
We are so proud of what we have been able to accomplish together this year. At Prestige Dance Studio, we are very passionate about encouraging confidence building, teamwork, and personal growth. Beyond creating talented dancers, we want our students to be good people both in and out of the dance studio. This mission would not be possible without the trust and support of our studio families.
Parents we would like to thank you for supporting your child’s love of dance. Thank for trusting our vision. Thank you for all the rides to the studio. Thank you for making sure your child has everything they need for class. Thank you for reading our emails! The list goes on and on! Most importantly, thank you for believing in your child’s dreams and our vision for the studio.
Every year we witness SO much growth in our students. From our three-year-olds just finishing their first year of dance to our seasoned performance team members; we are SO proud. Thank you, dancers, for your hard work, positive attitudes, and passion. You encourage and inspire us to become better teachers and leaders.
What better way to finish off a great year than with our Annual Recital? We cannot wait to see our dancers shine on stage June 3. It takes a great deal of coordination to put on a production of this size. Thanks in advance for your energy going into the performance. It would not be possible without your support.
We are so grateful for our Prestige Dance Studio family. We can’t wait to see our students on stage doing what they love!
Recital is getting close, can you FEEL the energy in the air? We sure can! Students, teachers, and families are working hard to make sure the performance goes on without a hitch. Our teachers have been busy in the classroom making sure dances are perfect. We wanted to share a few tips that you can do outside of the classroom so that your dancer is ready to perform come recital!
Dances
Encourage your dancer to start a dance journal if they haven’t already. After class, they can write all their notes and changes in the journal. We find that dancers do a much better job remembering corrections when they write them down.
Practice your dances at home! Practice videos for our 2018 recital dances will be uploaded as they are available. Visit our Vimeo site at: https://vimeo.com/prestigedancestudio to access them.
Costumes
One of the most important things you can do before the big day is to label your costumes. Put your dancer’s initials on each costume’s tag. There is nothing worse than losing a costume or taking home someone else’s by accident!
Take a few moments before you go to the theater and get things in order so they are easy to find. This includes tights, shoes, accessories, undergarments, etc.
Hair and Makeup
Know the specifics. You can find the hair and makeup details on our recital page.
Practice before recital week. If you are new to recital hair and makeup make sure you practice a few times. There is a tutorial video here and you can always ask teachers for more guidance if needed.
We cannot wait to see our dancers shine on stage Sunday, June 3rd 2018! With any questions that pop up, please remember all of the recital details can be found on our recital page. Our teachers and staff are also available to help before and after classes.
Audition for one of our award-winning teams! Believe it or not, we are already starting to think about next season at Prestige Dance Studio. We are looking for confident, hard-working dancers to join our performance teams for the 2018/2019 season.
At the June audition, we will be holding auditions for both of our performance teams, P.Co and P.Com. Interested families should plan on attending the parent meeting in May. In addition to covering requirements and expectations, there will be ample time for questions. We also highly recommend attending the clinics leading up to the audition. This will give you (and your child!) a sneak peek into what our performance teams are like.
Below, you can learn a little bit about each of our teams and start to think about which might be the best fit for your child.
P.Co is our competitive dance team.
As a member of P.Co, dancers compete all styles of dance. They learn teamwork, responsibility, and commitment in an energetic and fun-filled atmosphere. P.Co dancers attend dance conventions, four regional competitions, and a national dance competition throughout their season.
Curious what being a part of a competitive dance team is like? Check out our studio vlog!
We documented our experience attending a regional dance competition. Dance competitions are a great opportunity for dancers to perform, push themselves outside of their comfort zones, and make SO many memories alongside their teammates.
P.Com is Prestige Dance Studio’s community expo team.
P.Com team members represent Prestige Dance Studio in the Cedar Rapids area. The dancers perform four to six times throughout the school year. They learn, rehearse, and perform jazz and hip-hop routines. Dancers learn discipline, teamwork, and showmanship.
P.Com members get a TON of performance experience and learn to be flexible (we perform in a variety of venues!). Our P.Com members get to experience the joy of sharing dance with the community first hand!
Both of Prestige Dance Studio’s performance teams offer students the opportunity to gain additional performance experience, be a part of a dedicated group of dancers, and work intensively alongside their teachers and the studio director. In addition to weekly dance technique classes, dancers attend weekly rehearsals. Students learn the value of hard work, are motivated to reach their full potential, and make lasting relationships with their teammates and teachers.
If you have a dancer at home that is looking for something beyond a weekly class, is itching to perform more, and anxious to grow as a dancer… one of our performance teams could be a GREAT fit. We may be just what you are looking for.
At Prestige, we have SO many amazing things happening but one of our ultimate favorites is recital! We could not be any more excited for this year’s annual recital and want to make sure you are in on ALL the recital details needed to put on our spectacular event. If you haven’t already, make sure to mark your calendar for our production of “It Takes A Village” on June 3, 2018.
We have added ALL the recital details to our website to keep you informed(link below)! We encourage all of our Prestige families to check the website when questions pop up. You will see sections on dress rehearsal, picture day, forms, costumes, volunteers, practice videos, and so much more! You are free to access this information at any time. Make sure to take a little time to get familiar with these pages. For any family members hoping to catch the recital, share the link to our general information page.
Tickets can be purchased in our studio office Monday – Thursday from 4:30 – 7:00 PM beginning on April 1st for $12 each. Tickets will also be available at the Box Office the day of the performance for $15 each.
At Prestige Dance Studio, our dancer’s growth is SO important to us. We want to help all of our dancers reach their potential both in and out of the dance studio. Inside our dance classes and company rehearsals, we are doing so much more than just drilling skills and running dances! We are working on our dancers’ mindset, helping them to develop a work ethic they are proud of, and teaching resilience.
As we head into the last portion of our school year session of dance classes, these skills become even MORE important. Dance (and life!) are not always easy. We want our dancers to have the mental strength to push through the hard moments so they can arrive at the finish line strong. Recital and competitions are even MORE rewarding when you feel confident about all the work you have done to get there!
Below we have rounded up a few links worth checking out with your dancer. Get a little inspired to finish this year strong!
You can imagine that Olympian Nastia Liukin has had some difficult days at the gym. We LOVE her mom’s strategy for dealing with hard days. Such great perspective!
The author of this article outlines the huge impact dance can have on students. Dance teaches students how to collaborate, cooperate, and be more accepting of one another. We can get behind that!
Tenacity and hard work pay off! This young dancer works diligently over the course of the year to become a better hip-hop dancer. The video of her progress speaks for itself!
Feeling inspired? We hope so! We are so proud of the hard work our dancers have put in this season. Their growth is what encourages and motivates US to be the best we can be. Have another inspiring article or video we should see? Share it on our studio Facebook page. We love sharing a dance inspiration with our studio families!
Did you have a relaxing spring break? We hope you and your dancer got a chance to recharge because we have an exciting couple months coming up! Between competitions, community performances, and recital, spring dance is going to get FUN! Before things get crazy, this is the perfect time to check in with your dancer to make sure they are ready for it all.
To spring back to dance, you will want to take inventory or have a chat with your dancer about the following:
Do their dance clothes still fit? A change in season is the perfect time to try on dance clothes and shoes and make any purchases if necessary. At Prestige, we have a ton of styles to choose from along with shoes and tights. Make sure to take a peek at the dress code before buying any new dance apparel!
Are there any lingering injuries? If your dancer has been complaining of pain during the winter months and it still hasn’t improved, now would be the perfect time to get evaluated by a medical professional. Here is a great article talking about the distinction between pain and regular muscle soreness.
What is the plan for summer? We have an AMAZING line up for summer dance along with some super fun camps and intensives. If your dancer has been talking about trying a new style, summer is the perfect time! It is also a great time to try out a larger class load before the craziness of fall kicks in. You can read more about all we have to offer this summer in one of our blog posts!
How about the fall? We know it is barely spring but the fall will be here before you know it. Our fall schedule and recommendations will be posted and emailed the week of March 26-30. Priority registration will start the first week in April. Now would be a great time to talk about the activities your child would like to try. It’s also a great time to talk about the amount of dance they would like to take on and if they are interested in auditioning for one of our performance teams.
We hope you enjoy the rest of your Spring Break and are just as excited as us to spring back to dance! We have some exciting things happening at the studio and can’t wait to see it all come to life!
With our performance team’s seasons in full swing and recital right around the corner, we are in performance mode here at Prestige Dance Studio! We LOVE technique class and the work we do in weekly rehearsals, but there is something SO special about watching that hard work come together when our dancers step on stage. Performances are an opportunity for dancers to not only show off their technique but to show their personality and get valuable experience growing as a performer.
Just like dance technique, becoming a stronger performer takes practice! Today we have rounded up several GREAT articles that give dancers practical tips as they prepare to take the stage. We encourage you to share these tips with your dancers! With a little preparation and a game plan, your dancer will feel confident and ready to do their best when they step on stage.
This article gives a lot of suggestions for things your dancer can do to prepare their mind as they get ready to take the stage. Our favorite tip- mental reps! Encourage your dancer to visualize themselves performing their choreography perfectly. This is a GREAT habit to encourage dancers to do daily. The more they practice, the more effective this type of “rehearsing” becomes!
Are you ready to take your performances to another level and become a super performer? This article outlines what “super performers” do when they are on stage. We love the reminder that you are never alone on stage, even in a solo! You have to find a way to connect with the audience. In a group piece, this means also finding ways to connect with your fellow dancers. It is all about intentional focus and energy!
This article has a lot of great, simple tips for dancers. One reminder that ALL dancers need to remember is to stay open to feedback and criticism as they head into performance season. There is ALWAYS room to improve as a performer. Becoming a stronger dancer and performer is a journey!
We LOVE watching our dancers shine on stage. Seeing their confidence and growth year after year is just one of the reasons we love what we do here at Prestige Dance Studio.
Hopefully, these helpful articles leave you feeling excited and inspired heading into our recital, our upcoming performances, and our competition season. What tips are you excited to share and implement with your dancer? Tell us in the comments or share on our studio Facebook page!
Registration for our 2018 Summer Camps,Punch Card Session, and The Intensive is now open! Spots fill quickly each year, so HURRY to reserve your spot! We are SO excited about the programs we are offering this summer. Students that dance over the summer grow and improve so much in just a couple of months! Summer is a great time to try a new class, fine tune technique, and learn NEW concepts and skills.
Today, we are breaking down each of our summer offerings and also helping you decide which of our summer programs is right for your dancer. Still, have questions? Ask your child’s teacher for suggestions! We are happy to help point you in the right direction.
Punch Card Session
Our Punch Card Session runs from June 18- July 26. Classes run from Monday through Thursday. You can expect many of the same classes your child enjoys during the school year! Prestige Dance Studio offers our summer classes on a punch card system. Each punch is good for one class specific to your dancer’s age group during our 6-week session. You have the option to purchase 6, 12, 18, or unlimited classes! We know summer is a busy time for families. The flexibility of our punch card system allows you to balance summer dance with vacations and other activities.
Is this for me?
Joining us for our punch card session is perfect for families that will be traveling over the summer. Taking regular class helps dancers to maintain their technique, flexibility, and strength over the summer months. Make sure your dancer continues to build upon their growth from the school year! The punch card session is perfect for ALL levels and ages. We have classes for everyone!
Moana Camp
Join us for an action-packed voyage exercising our bodies and minds while having fun and making friendships at Prestige’s Moana Summer camp July 16th-20th from 9am- 12pm. Each day will challenge your energetic camp-goer mentally and physically through structured movement to the tunes of the Moana soundtrack and voyages as we set sail across our Prestige Blue Waters with themed obstacle courses. Campers will express their creativity with daily crafts, refuel with snacks fit for a demigod, and build lasting friendships like Moana and Maui.
Is this for me?
If you have a dancer at home ages 3-9 who LOVES using their imagination, crafting, dancing, and meeting new friends, Moana Camp is for you! Your dancer should be comfortable diving into new activities and excited about meeting new friends. If they are looking to mix things up from their normal dance technique class, Moana Camp is a wonderful option! If your dancer is planning on joining us for our punch card session, Moana Camp could be a FUN way to cap off summer dance.
The Intensive
The Intensive is back by popular demand! August 11-12 incredible choreographers from all over the United States are flying in for a weekend full of quality technical training, choreography that challenges dancers mentally and physically, and most of all fun! Guest Choreographers with diverse backgrounds and superior credentials open the minds of dancer’s minds to different adaptations of movement and provides a safe environment for them to explore and express the emotional component of dance.
Is this for me?
The Intensive is designed to push our dancers outside of their comfort zones. If your dancer is looking for a challenge, this is where she needs to be! Dancers will spend two days learning from guest choreographers that are going to push them to be their best. Dancers that attend The Intensive should be hungry for more and excited to learn!
Tumbling Camp
Our Summer Tumbling Camp will emphasize on flexibility, technique, and safe skill progression while introducing students to more advanced tumbling skills. Athletes will rotate through a series of challenging drills, stations and exercises followed by a structured, high intensity, high repetition tumbling circuit with spotters assisting tumblers on more advanced skills. Each camp will conclude with an introduction or continuation of acro-tumbling concepts. We are offering Summer Tumbling Camp June 5th-8th or July 30th- August 2nd.
Is this for me?
We are offering three different levels each week of Tumbling Camp, so regardless if your dancers is a beginner or refining their skills, they will be challenged! Tumbling Camp is perfect for students with an interest in tumbling or looking to master specific skills. Camp meets for four consecutive days- allowing students to make AMAZING progress in a short amount of time. If you have a dancer at home that is itching to learn more tumbling or acro skills, this is an opportunity for them to learn in a safe environment!
Have we convinced you to enroll? Summer is a great time to dance at Prestige Dance Studio. We look forward to seeing you in one of our camps, in summer classes, or at The Intensive!
Samantha Long is a professional dancer, choreographer, and teacher based out of Los Angeles. She is an Elite Protege Alumni at The Pulse On Tour, Masterclass teacher at HDJ, and instructs dancers from all across the country. She has danced in mus
“Scuba” Steve Gorski started dancing at the young age of 2. He received his training from Stage Door Dance Academy and Impact Dance Studio. Steve has won many titles, scholarships, and awards and was also featured in the December 2007 Dance Spirit Magazine as a “Future Dance Star.” Steve attended Oklahoma City University as a Dance Performance major at the Ann Lacy Scho
Lindsay “Lil” Doescher is a former student and current instructor at Applause Studios in Moore, Oklahoma. She is also the Head Coach of the University of Oklahoma Dance Team. Lil worked with our Company last season and choreographed a routine that now holds a 2018 National Championship Title. We are so excited she is returning to work with our students at The Intensive!
So excited to welcome back Missy Ridgway to work with our 2018-2019 Company! Missy has worked with our Company for the past 3 seasons, sharing her knowledge and passion for dance and choreographing some amazing award winning dances. We are so thankful for her!
At Prestige Dance Studio, our dancer’s growth is SO important to us. We want to help all of our dancers reach their potential both in and out of the dance studio. Inside our dance classes and company rehearsals, we are doing so much more than just drilling skills and running dances! We are working on our dancers’ mindset, helping them to develop a work ethic they are proud of, and teaching resilience.
With our 