Advice for Dancers

Best Of The Web: Dancers To Watch

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A web round up of amazing dancers from around the world! Perfect to follow on social media to get some inspiration!

If you haven’t guessed by now, dance is kinda our thing at Prestige Dance Studio hehe. We love performing, taking class, choreographing, talking about pieces, and of course watching it. It is so exciting to get a front-row seat watching our very own young students transform into amazing dancers! To get some inspiration and to keep moving forward, it is always fun to go outside of our Prestige family and check out what other dancers are doing.

Lucky for us, social media makes it SO easy to see what other dancers are up to! We thought we would share with you, our favorite dancers to watch right now. You and your dancers can watch their videos or follow them on Instagram to be AMAZED! It is one of the best places to look when your dancer is needing a little motivation or just needs some distraction.

  • Eva Igo – Have you seen The World Of Dance yet?! This 14-year-old is phenomenal! Her passion and dedication are undeniable. Fingers crossed she goes far in this competition!
  • 25 To Watch From Dance Magazine– This list is packed FULL of amazing dancers from all over the world. We love how they included emerging dancers from so many different disciplines: ballet, jazz, modern, musical theater, hip-hop, and more. There is something for everyone here. Be sure to check out your favorites on social media!
  • 5 Dancers To Follow On Instagram From Dance Spirit– This is another great list. It is heavy on choreographers but they post videos and photos like CRAZY and it is awesome! Some of these dancers will get you out of your comfort zone in an amazing way.

So what are you waiting for!? Go get your inspiration on with these beyond talented dancers and choreographers! We know you and your dancer will enjoy watching them grow and transform along the way, we certainly do!

An Introduction To Dance Class Etiquette

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Dance Class Etiquette for dance studios. Perfect for new dance parents!

With our summer session well under way, we are busy in the classroom learning new skills and having a blast! Our Fall Session is approaching quickly and with it comes a handful of new dancers. In our latest post, we gave you a few hints on how to make your child’s first dance class a success. This week we thought it would be helpful to get an introduction to dance class etiquette.

Before your dancer’s first class every year, it is a great idea to talk about the classroom customs and rules. Not only will it make for a more pleasant experience for YOUR dancer, it enhances the experience for the OTHER dancers in class as well. Each teacher may have specific rules depending on the kind of dance class and the age of the dancers. However, you can assume the following class etiquette guidelines will be expected in any dance class.

  • Respect yourself, your dance friends, and your teacher. This one is SO important! We talk about it even with our littlest dancers. In our classes at Prestige, we want to respect ourselves by trying our hardest and working toward our goals. We respect our dance friends by being kind, keeping our hands to ourselves, and waiting our turn. Finally, we respect our teacher by listening, following directions, and being kind.
  • Go to the bathroom, get a drink of water, and blow your nose before class starts. Asking to do one of these things in the middle of class is not the worst thing in the world and sometimes it cannot be avoided (especially with little ones). But it can be a distraction and often starts a waterfall of kids leaving the classroom. Try your best to keep these requests at bay by asking your dancer to take care of it before class starts.
  • Keep the chatting to a minimum. We totally understand that dance class is FUN and is a reason to see all your best dance friends. Whispers during short breaks are OK but make sure your dancer knows that it is not OK to talk when the teacher is talking and that most conversations should wait until after class.

That isn’t so bad right!? Our top priority is to make sure that your dancer has an amazing time in whatever class they take. These etiquette rules help make that happen and keep the focus on what is important- DANCE!

3 Things to Add to Your Summer Schedule

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Summer Dance Classes at Prestige Dance Studio

We are in the final countdown to our Annual Recital! We are so excited to see our dancers on stage doing what they love. We know that you are focused on finishing the school year strong… but we can’t help but think ahead to all the fun we are going to have at Prestige Dance Studio in our summer dance classes and camps!

Have you had a chance to check out our exciting line-up of summer camps and classes? Spots are going quick! We highly recommend registering quickly to ensure a spot. Summer is a great time to try something new, reach specific dance goals, and have fun without the stress of the school year. Unfortunately, dancing is NOT like riding a bike. You have to continue training in order to continue to improve. We recommend a summer dance class or camp to all of our dancers. Today we are offering a few additional recommendations for your dancer this summer. Make sure these things are on your schedule and help your dancer to be his or her best when our school year classes resume!

  1. Rest. OK we DO want your dancer in class, but we also understand the positive benefits of rest or taking a little time off. For our competitive dancers, this could be a weekend with no dance. Or a week long vacation with family. Or even a morning spent at home. Time without a schedule or places to be can be rejuvenating for both dancers and their families. Make sure you have periods blocked out for unstructured fun! A little time away can make sure they are ready physically and mentally to jump back in.
  2. Stay Active. If your dancer is taking a little lighter load this summer in terms of their dance training, make sure they are staying active! Swimming, running, climbing, playing… all great ways to make sure they are ready for the demands of their dance classes.
  3. Cross Train. Cross-training is a great way to address specific areas of your dancer’s technique. Help your dancer to make improvements outside of the dance studio. Do they need to work on their flexibility? Take a yoga class! Core strength? Pilates! Do they want to leap higher? Safely incorporate some resistance training! Cross training can be a great way to keep things interesting.

 

5 Things To Throw In Your Recital Bag

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What to pack in your recital bag! Love these unique items!

Can you believe it is almost May?! For us here at Prestige that just means we are getting closer and closer to recital and we cannot wait! With dress rehearsal and recital just around the corner, we thought you may be starting to think about what exactly you should pack in your dancer’s recital bag. I’m sure you have already thought of the usual (shoes, tights, hair and makeup supplies, costumes and accessories, undergarments, and snacks just to name a few) but have you thought to bring these next 5 things?!

  1. Clear Nail Polish– Of course, we suggest bringing an extra pair of tights for the day of recital but sometimes even that isn’t enough! Clear nail polish is the perfect thing to stop a RUN in your tights dead in its tracks. As soon as you notice a tear, dab the polish on the end.
  2.  Sewing Kit– Like we hinted at before, sometimes the unexpected can happen during the big day. A rip or tear to a costume could be devastating if you cannot repair it quickly. Make sure to throw in a handful of safety pins along with your needle and thread!
  3. Dryer Sheets– For some reason, costumes LOVE static cling on a performance day! Simply rubbing the inside with a dryer sheet can completely eliminate the cling and your dancer’s costume will lay like it should.
  4. First Aid Kit– Throwing in some bandaids, antibacterial ointment, and ibuprofen can save the day in a pinch. Don’t worry though, if you forget- you can always find a PDS staff member during the performance, we will be well stocked!
  5. Tennis Ball– During performances, cramped and tight muscles happen! A tennis ball can bring a world of relief to a sore dancer in between numbers.

So, how did you do? Were these things already on your list to be packed? Do you have any favorite unconventional items that weren’t on our list? Let us know so we can share!

Check here for more information on recital events and schedules. We can’t wait to see you there!

 

Best Of The Web PERFORMANCE HACKS

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Best of the web performance

As some of our dancers are busy attending competitions and community performances, others are gearing up for recital. Where ever your dancer is in their performance season, it is never too early to start planning for a smooth, stress-free event. From quick changes to event safety, we have collected the best dance performance hacks from the web so you can breathe easy. At Prestige, our best advice is to plan ahead and go through the big day with your dancer so they know what to expect and you are both on the same page. Who is helping them change? When and where can they eat? When can they relax for a bit? Dancers generally will feel more prepared and less frazzled when there is a plan in place and as a dance parent, you will feel better too!

  • Labeling Garment Bags For Dance Competitions and Recitals – This article tells you exactly how to label and organize your costumes. Quick changes will be a breeze and lost costumes will be a thing of the past if you follow this method.

  • Dance Bag Organization – We think using a reusable wine/beverage bag from a grocery store does an AMAZING job at creating little compartments within your dance bag. The dancer in the article uses the bag alone but it would fit inside of your normal bag too. You could even use more than one! It would make finding shoes and accessories SO much easier!

  • How to Clean Practically Anything Dance Related – Dirty shoes, dancewear, or costumes, this article has got you covered!

  • A Snack Plan– This is an easy idea to keep all your dancer’s snacks organized. We all know it takes a lot of fuel perform at your best so make sure your dancer is well stocked with healthy options!

  • Event Safety – We love this article and video on how to keep your dancers safe during performances. Although we do our best to make sure every event runs as smoothly and safely as possible, sometimes things happen. Having a first aid kit on hand as a simple way to ease your mind during a very busy day.

We love seeing our Prestige dancers perform on stage! With these simple hacks, you will be able to relax and enjoy the show!

Stay Healthy & Injury Free This Year!

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Healthy and Injury Free

We are well into our performance season here at Prestige. Between competitions, community performances, and recital, our dancers are dancing more than ever! Staying healthy and injury free during this time of the year is not only important but also harder than the first half of the year. We thought it would be a great time to go over some helpful tips and give you a few useful articles so you can give your dancer a leg up in this department!

  1. Stay hydrated- The number one thing in every dancer’s bag should be their water bottle! Get a sturdy reusable one that they can fill up over and over. Make sure to talk to your dancer about actually using it too! At performances, things get crazy so it can be really easy to forget. Help them out and have an extra ready for them every time you touch base. They will be happy to see it after dancing full out on stage!
  2. Eat mindfully- What we put into our bodies has a HUGE impact on how we feel. Eating foods high in nutrients will reduce our chances of getting sick. They also give us the energy we need to pull off really busy weekends and AMAZING performances. Check here for ideas on what to eat during those long performance days!
  3. Know when to rest- One of the most important parts of staying injury free is knowing the difference between sore muscles and PAIN. It is really tough for dancers to figure out the difference. We love this article explaining it all. For many dancers, resting is NOT something they want to do. They think if they just push through, the pain will go away. However, if they ignore the pain and forego rest, it can turn into a much bigger problem, requiring even MORE time off.
  4. Stretch and Strengthen- Take the time to warm up before running on stage. Try doing jumping jacks or planks backstage while waiting. Dancing full out on cold muscles can lead to injuries. Also, stretching and rolling out after a long day of dance can have a huge impact on reducing soreness. During off weeks keep up with strengthening exercises like these.

We know that with these 4 tips, you are setting your dancer up for success through the busiest time of the year! We can’t wait to see the amazing results!

Summer Dance at Prestige Dance Studio

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summer dance

 

Have you had a chance to check out our summer classes and camps? We LOVE summer dance at Prestige Dance Studio! While it is tempting to take a break after our Annual Recital… we HIGHLY recommend continuing your training over the summer. Here are just a few reasons why summer dance is the best!

  1. Summer dance is an opportunity to work on reaching specific goals. Does your dancer want to master a front walk over? Nail a double pirouette? Summer can be a great time to make huge strides in technique. Without recital dances or upcoming competition performances, dancers can REALLY focus on their technique. If your dancer is not quite where he or she wants to be- summer can be a way to catch up or gain skills in preparation for fall classes.
  2. Summer dance is FUN! The school year can be stressful for everyone. School schedules, homework, commutes, balancing activities… the list goes on and on. During the summer, most families are juggling fewer things. Life feels easier. When students are not worried about their upcoming spelling test, they are able to enjoy (and get more out of!) their dance classes.
  3. Summer is an opportunity to try something new. Has your dancer been wanting to try tumbling? Curious about lyrical? Summer is a great time to try a NEW class. It is a much smaller commitment than the school year and a great way to test the waters. Hopefully, they will discover something new they LOVE!
  4. Summer is an opportunity for students to push beyond their comfort zone. During The Intensive, students will have an opportunity to train with master teachers in a fast-paced environment. This is SO important to their development as dancers! Being introduced to fresh ideas and new perspectives can really take their dancing to the next level. It is so important to us at Prestige that our dancers take chances and push beyond what is comfortable- this is how they continue to grow!

Have we convinced you yet? We are still accepting enrollment as space allows. We are so excited for a GREAT summer of dance classes, camps, and intensives at Prestige Dance Studio!

Why We LOVE Dance Competitions

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Dance Competitions

Here at Prestige Dance Studio, we have just started our competition season and we couldn’t be having more fun! Although we love to bring home ribbons, medals, and sometimes even titles, that is NOT why we do competitions. Dancers gain so much from putting themselves out there and challenging themselves competition after competition. We have found that this practice gives our dancers boosted self- confidence, helps them roll with the punches, allows them to deal with disappointment, and to top it all off, teaches them to become more open-minded.

For each competition, our dancers challenge each other to improve. We set specific goals and work hard to accomplish them. Each time we do, it teaches us that we CAN do what we set our minds to. It also takes guts to get out there and perform for an audience full of other dancers. Not to mention in front of a panel of judges (like we mean FEET away) who will examine our technique and performance abilities right in front of our eyes! Every time a dancer goes on stage, their confidence will get a good healthy boost, we love that!

If you have ever attended a competition you know that they can be unpredictable. They may run early, late, skip around, you just never know until you are there. Of course, this is NOT our favorite thing about competitions. It does, however, teach our dancers a valuable lesson: being flexible (with their MINDS) and being able to roll with the punches is a good thing. Getting flustered will do nothing but ruin the experience and jeopardize the performance. Like any skill, practice makes perfect and lucky for us we get lots of practice at this skill! hehe.

At some competitions, we get special awards, titles,  and 1st place trophies. At others, we just do OK with no special recognition. That can be tough to swallow, even for me! But knowing how to win and lose gracefully takes practice. I am so happy that our dancers at Prestige know (or are at least learning) how to not let disappointment crush their hopes and dreams all in one swoop.

Finally, during competitions, we are surrounded by other dancers. These dancers come from different places, dance different styles, and have different perspectives on dance. Being exposed to this time and time again helps our dancers learn to appreciate things and people who are different than them. I am so proud that our dancers here at Prestige can see the value in any type of performance and are becoming open-minded young adults.

As you can see, dance competitions are about so much more than trophies and titles. The skills that are learned there will last not only for a season but for their whole life! We are so excited for the rest of our competition season and cannot wait to see the great things our dancers will accomplish, on and off the stage.

For updates on our next performances, make sure to check our Facebook Page.

Goals And Why You Should Set Them With Your Dancers

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Goals

With New Years right around the corner, people are busy thinking about all the resolutions they will commit to this coming year. From fitness to financials, ’tis the season for making promises to yourself and the people around you. This concept is probably very clear and familiar to you after years and years of goal setting. If you’re lucky, you may have even mastered the art of actually committing and achieving those resolutions unlike so many of us (yes, I admit I have let a few goals slip through my fingers over the years).

But what about your dancers,  what are their goals for 2017? Have no idea? Don’t worry you still have time to figure it out.  If you are wondering why exactly we are even talking about this, please read on! Although it is hard to pick just a few reasons to share with you, we hope it inspires you to take on the challenge of 2017 along with your dancers!

  • Focus– Have you ever been to the gym the day after New Years? It is a MAD HOUSE but do you see the looks on these new gym goers’ faces? They are determined! Dancers need that same focus in class. Especially mid-year when it is cold and sometimes miserable out, it can be hard to remember why we are spending all these hours at the studio. Setting goals can re-ignite your student’s passion remind them why they are there in the first place.
  • Confidence– How do you feel when you achieve a goal? I know when I accomplish something, whether big or small, it feels AMAZING! It makes me feel like I can do anything I put my mind to. The more I accomplish, the more I feel like I can take on. We do this in dance class all the time (working on single pirouettes, then doubles, then triples). With each new skill, it gives the dancer more confidence to take on the next, more difficult challenge. This is one of those life-long skills that will stick with your dancers and serve them well in any area of their life.
  • Resiliency– Goals aren’t always easy and that is how they should be! Setting and working toward goals teaches your dancers that it is worth it to KEEP GOING. Even when things don’t go their way, if they have that specific goal in front of them, they will be less likely to wave the white flag (maybe sometimes with a little encouragement from you but that is ok!). We all know that life is tough sometimes and the earlier you work on this skill, the better. They will be much more equipt to handle all the things life throws their way in the future if you practice with them now.

Are you inspired yet? I know I am! Take the time to talk about your 2017 goals with your dancers now and check in with them every couple months or so to see how they are coming. HINT: Talk about your goals with them too and make it more of a conversation. It is so good for them to see how you handle your successes and struggles!

We can’t wait to see all the great things they accomplish this year!

5 Reasons To Be Thankful For Dance

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Thankful for Dance

With all the Thanksgiving love in the air, we here at Prestige have taken some time to reflect on all that we are thankful for. Among so many other things, we have amazing families and students, smart and talented teachers, a studio expansion project in the making, and to top it all off, we get to do what we love every day. Have you ever thought about why you are thankful for dance? It was hard to name just a few, but here are 5 reasons our team at Prestige is thankful for dance this year:

  1. Dance keeps us healthy and strong, it is a great form of exercise. It promotes cardiovascular health as well as strength and flexibility. I mean really, who needs the treadmill when you can DANCE!?
  2. Dance is FUN! When is the last time you had an all out dance party?! Dancers get to do this every single week!
  3. Dance builds confidence. We are constantly setting, working towards, and reaching goals in dance class.  Whether it is performing in front of a huge audience or perfecting our leaps in class, each goal (big or small) builds the backbone that allows dancers to set and attain goals outside of class without the fear of failure.
  4. Dance is an outlet for emotions. It provides opportunities for creative movement and self-expression. Have a message you want to express but don’t have the words? Dance can be the perfect medium.  It can also be an escape from stressors outside of class. Going through something hard? A night in dance class can be a welcomed relief where you get to focus on one thing: yourself.
  5. Dance friends are amazing! Some of the strongest bonds are formed in dance class. With one common goal, dancers learn to cheer each other on, lean on each other for support, and challenge each other to become better dancers and better people.

We encourage you all to take a few moments at home this weekend to talk about what you and your dancers are thankful for (The studio will be closed from November 21-27). We would love to know what you came up with!