Prestige Dance Studio

How To Share Your Love Of Dance With Friends

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Share dance with friends! Free trial classes for cedar rapids dancers! Our Prestige dancers are SERIOUSLY passionate and that is one of the things we love most about our dance family. For a lot of dancers, it may start to feel like you have a whole secret life at the studio that your non-dance friends know nothing about. We want that to change! Doing something you love is great but it is an even better feeling to be able to share it with the people who are closest to you. That’s why we wanted to give out some excellent ideas to help your children share their love of dance with friends.

  1. Have a dance-themed sleepover. Get out the old dance costumes, pull out the dusty disco ball, and get ready to boogie! Your dancer can make a special playlist with all their favorite songs and help you clear a “dance floor” in the living room.  Your children’s friends will have a BLAST dressing up and dancing the night away together. Oh and don’t forget to have snacks and refreshments ready because your little dancers will need to refuel frequently hehe!
  2. Make up a dance together. Instead of playing that video game, make up a dance instead! There will be COUNTLESS laughs and giggles coming from the dance room for hours, it’s a guarantee. They may even put on a show for the parents later if you are lucky!
  3. Watch a dance-themed movie or musical. This may give friends a little perspective into what your dancer goes through at the studio. I mean really, who doesn’t like a musical?!
  4. Invite them to a performance. Friends will get a front-row view into what it means to be a dancer. They will sit in awe watching the result of all the hard work your dancer put in. It also feels GREAT as a dancer to step into the auditorium knowing you have your “crew” there to support you!
  5. Invite them to try a class at Prestige. If your non-dance friend is interested in learning more, what a better way to show them what it’s like than having them TRY it! Of course, we recommend having them try a class that matches their ability level. That may not always be the same class that your dancer is currently enrolled in. Our trial classes are FREE and we are still accepting enrollment in most of our classes up until October 31st.

Have any other ideas to share the love of dance with friends? We would love to hear about them!

To share dance with your friends, click here for more information on our free trial classes . We can’t wait to get to know your friends! 

How to ROCK your Parent Observation Week

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Parent Observation

With Parent Observation Week right around the corner here at Prestige Dance Studio (October 16th-22nd), we thought we would spend a little time talking about what you can do to ensure a successful week.  I mean, not to put too much pressure on you parents out there but it really can influence what happens next in your dancer’s career. Don’t sweat it though! Prestige has your back. We want you to ROCK your Parent Observation Week, so here’s how:

  1. Talk about it before you arrive at class: Don’t throw off your dancer! Kids like predictability and perform better when they know what is going to happen. Surprising your dancer at the studio can send them into a spiral of doom. Nerves and too much excitement aren’t usually processed very well by a young dancer. Instead, a couple days before class just start talking about it. Mention that you will be in the room and that you get to see all the hard work they have been doing.
  2. Be positive: This goes from the moment you start talking about Parent Viewing Week until you (eventually) stop talking about it. Your dancer wants nothing more than for you to be proud of him/her. So get excited for them to show you what they know.
  3. Listen and watch: During class, keep your ears open for any important information from the teacher (sometimes information about upcoming events are discussed) and really watch your dancer! This is their moment, don’t get distracted by your phone (unless it is to take that adorable picture of course!).
  4. Have realistic expectations: If your dancer is not the “best” dancer in class, don’t be disappointed! Instead, focus on if they are having fun and if they are learning new skills. Those things are much more important.

That is all it takes to ROCK your week! We can’t wait to see you there!

Parent Observation Week: Monday, October 16th- Sunday, October 22nd.

Parents will be invited in for the last 10-15 minutes of class. Cell phones or tablets should be left in the lobby or put on silent. We encourage you to take photos of your dancer but ask that videos of class time not be shared on social media.

 

 

Dance-Inspired Halloween Costumes

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Cedar Rapids Dancers will love our ideas for halloween! Halloween is JUST around the corner, do you have all your costumes ready and picked out? If not, you are not alone! We are sure that many of our dance parents out there are starting to panic a little. We have just the thing for those parents, the ultimate dance-inspired Halloween costume list. Feel free to go through it, check your closet for things you already have and put together something amazing! These costume ideas would be perfect for any dancer OR any parent hehe!

Do you have a favorite dance icon? We LOVE the idea of dressing up as your favorite version of Brittany Spears, Michael Jackson, Beyonce, or Audrey Hepburn. Pick your favorite look and go for it! There is also a slew of professional dancers to choose from. Try Misty Copeland as “Firebird”, Martha Graham from “Lamentation”, Maddie Ziegler from a Sia video,  or even a judge from “So You Think You Can Dance!”

What is your favorite dance movie, Broadway show, or ballet? Can you make a costume inspired by a character? We ALL love “Dirty Dancing,” “Footloose,” “Grease,” “West Side Story,” “Swan Lake,” etc. There are SO many memorable characters to choose from! The best part is that most wouldn’t even require a trip to the store!

For people who want to keep things a little simpler, we think the classics are FABULOUS as well! Be a ballet, hip-hop, jazz, or modern dancer. Wear your favorite dancewear and call it a day. Also taking on dance from your favorite century can be super fun! We love a good poodle skirt or side pony. If you are going for a more edgy look this year, a zombie dancer or cheerleader will ALWAYS give a good scare.

You see? There are SO many great options to choose from that incorporate dance in some way. We hope this gave you a little inspiration for this year’s festivities. We can’t wait to hear your Halloween costume plans and see what you come up with!

 

 

 

Fall Fun In Cedar Rapids!

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Great ideas for fall fun for families in the Cedar Rapids area!

Fall is the perfect time to fit some family fun into your busy schedule! Not only is the landscape breathtaking but there are TONS of fun things to do for all ages. At Prestige we love hearing about all the fun family adventures our students go on during the fall. This year we have gathered a few great resources for you to pick and choose what sort of activities suit your family best. Whether it is a trip to the farm to pick pumpkins, getting in a few thrills with a haunted house, or just spending some time in the kitchen, we have you covered! So pick one or two fun activities or tackle them all, just get out and spend some quality time with your family this season.

Apple and Pumpkin Picking– This site has put together a great list of orchards and farms. Whether you are looking for rides and petting zoos or your more traditional farm, you will find it here!

Festivals– Festivals are a great place to explore a new area, try a new food, or see some amazing talent! This list contains festivals from all over Iowa so you can make a fun weekend out of it if you like.

Haunted Houses – This list may not be for everyone but we know that there are people out there that go CRAZY for a good scare. If you dare to try one, let us know the thrill factor so we can steer clear hehe!

Halloween Crafts– With Halloween quickly approaching, you will start needing to prepare costumes and decorations. Why not have the kids help out? Check here for some great inspiration and how-to.

Apple Recipes and Pumpkin Recipes – The smell of ANYTHING baking in the oven is often irresistible. Add some pumpkin or apple and we can’t resist. Here are some delicious ideas so you can use up all those apples and pie pumpkins in your pantry. If you have any left over, we know some hungry dancers that would gladly take care of them hehe!

What do you have planned this fall? Anything going on around Cedar Rapids that we missed? We hope you are able to take a little time enjoying this amazing season. We would love for you to tell us all about your fun fall adventures!

 

3 Reasons To Try Dance As An Adult

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Why Dance Classes are awesome for adults in Cedar Rapids.

Did you dance as a kid? Were you on dance team in high school? Have you stood in awe watching dancers from the sidelines? Do you want a fun way to incorporate exercise into your life? If you answered yes to any of those questions, you are a GREAT candidate for our adult dance classes!

If you haven’t heard yet, Prestige Dance Studio offers ballet, tap, and hip hop for adults ages 18+. We want to encourage you to take a chance and try one of our adult classes no matter what your ability level! In case you need more convincing to give it a try, check out the 3 reasons why you will LOVE dancing as an adult.

  • The workout. Dance is an amazing way to get your exercise in. In our classes, you will use your WHOLE body and probably use muscles you didn’t even know existed. It is cardio, strength training, and stretching all in one class. We promise you will leave class feeling like you got the most out of your time and have fun while doing it!
  • Dance challenges your mind. Whether you are a beginner or more advanced, your brain will constantly be challenged during class. You will learn new choreography along with new steps that require deep concentration. Learning how to connect your mind to your body takes practice and you will do just that during our dance classes. As Henry Ford has said, “Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”
  • It is dedicated time to focus on YOU. As adults, we spend most of our day focusing on other people. Whether it is our kids or people at work, we don’t often get time to focus on ourselves. Dance classes at Prestige will allow you to do just that. We physically and emotionally close the door to all outside distractions. When feeling stressed and overwhelmed, a little time to focus on YOU can be the best medicine.

Doesn’t that sound amazing?! We think so too! So what are you waiting for? You can view our current adult class offerings here.

Want to try an adult dance class before you commit? Schedule a FREE trial class by contacting us. We can’t wait to dance with you!

Is Your Dancer Ready For Fall?

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A few extra steps to make sure your dancer is ready for the fall season

You have picked out your dancers classes and have registered for fall classes, you are all set right?! Yes! We could NOT be more excited to get in the studio but there are some extra bonus steps you can take to help your dancer prepare for class. These are in no way required and will not make or break your dancers season so sift through the list and take on what you can handle.

  • The outfit. Check out your dancer’s current dance wardrobe. Does everything still fit? Find any holes? Have all the right shoes? Noticing that your dancer doesn’t have the right “uniform” ON the first day of dance class is the worst! Do your stress levels a favor and take an inventory now. Also, have your dancer try everything on. Before purchasing anything new, make sure to check out our dress code. There are some changes to look for in the 2017/2018 season.
  • Water Bottle. This is one of our FAVORITE things to shop for every year. We love starting off a new dance year with a fresh new water bottle. Help reduce waste and keep your dancer hydrated at the same time. Check out your local Target for some great options.
  • Dance Journal. As rehearsal directors, we LOVE to see dancers using a dance journal! All you need is a basic journal or notebook designated for dance. It is a great place for dancers to keep track of goals, class notes, and new choreography. It can be really tough remembering all that goes on in class week to week. Using a dance journal will ensure your dancer is ready for what is next.
  • A First Dance Class Of The Year Photo. OK, we know. This one is a little cheesy BUT just like the first day of school each year, it can be SO MUCH FUN to look back and see your dancer grow each and every year. It can be the perfect opportunity to get the younger students excited and although you may get an eye roll or two from your older dancers, they will be so glad you did it years from now.

Now that you have the extra bonus steps to get ready for fall, we can officially get excited! We cannot wait to see all that your dancer accomplishes this year in class. Still need to register? You can do so online or contact the studio for more information.

Is Your Child Ready For More?

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Knowing to add another dance class is tough! The article will walk you through the decision for those dance studio parents.

Knowing when your child is ready for more can be a tough decision. Juggling activities with school and family time is a struggle with every family and each and every one has different needs. Some kids are able to do it all without breaking a sweat and others have a more difficult time balancing all that is going on. As a parent, you know your dancer best. You know when they get overwhelmed or bored and you know how to calm them down and challenge them. Nevertheless, deciding to put more on your dancer’s plate is not going to feel totally great until you give it a try and see the results. Luckily there are a few things you can do to make the transition a little bit easier for everyone.

Does your child constantly bug you to add another dance class? If yes, it seems they are hooked on dance and are loving every minute of class. Asking for more is often the first sign that your child may be ready to take another class at the studio. Once they start asking, it is important to evaluate how they are handling their current load. Do they spend enough time on homework? Are you happy with their grades? Do they often get overwhelmed? Are they getting enough sleep? If in any of these areas, things are not going so well, it may be a good idea to delay things a bit. When breaking the news to your dancer, talk about an action plan. What can they work on to add another class? This may help them understand your expectations and give you the opportunity to sit down and talk about how you can accomplish it together.

If everything is going ok with your dancer’s current work load, go ahead and give it a try! Before you start the newly added class, it is a great idea to talk to your dancers about a plan. When and where are they going to do homework, eat dinner, sleep, relax, etc. The more you can talk through a strategy that works for both you and your dancer, the better chance they will handle the transition positively.

If you are unsure about adding another class, please feel free to talk to us! We can give you a little perspective on what we see in class from your dancer and help you weigh the perks and drawbacks of adding more to your dancer’s plate. Adding more can be a challenging decision to make for parents. At the end of the day, I’m sure all you want is your dancer’s happiness. Luckily, that is what we want for your dancer too! We make sure to support ALL of our dancers, whether they are taking 1 class or many. We recognize that not every dancer is the same and we think that is one of the things that makes our Prestige Dance Studio family so great!

Still need to register for Fall?? Check out our schedule and register today!

How To Be A Star Student

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Great advice on how to be star dancer in class.

By now, most of us have mastered the in’s and out’s of how to be a star student in school. Students should do their homework, study for tests, follow directions, etc. Even if school isn’t your child’s “thing,” if they follow those simple rules they will do just fine. Luckily, dance class is very similar. It doesn’t take much to be a star student in dance class. The best part is that it has nothing to do with your dancer’s abilities, it’s all about the attitude! We encourage you to talk with your dancer about this list, either now or at the start of a new session. Although some things may seem obvious to you, it may not be to your dancer.

  • Practice at home. This could mean stretching while watching TV, going over new choreography before bed or having an all out dance class in the basement. At Prestige, we don’t expect our dancers to practice all day and night but if they are really wanting to nail a new step or learn new choreography, they may have to do a little “homework” from time to time.
  • Practice corrections. When a teacher gives a correction the most typical response is to say “OK” and that is great! To take things one step further, we love when dancers start practicing that correction right away. Dance takes practice and to just visualize the correction doesn’t always work. To physically apply the correction will help make sure that the correction sticks.
  • Work hard. This may seem like a no-brainer but sometimes working hard takes an extra little push. The kids that aren’t afraid to sweat, shake, and be tired are the ones to get the most out of class.
  • Have a good attitude. What does that mean? To stay positive, to be nice to classmates, and to be excited to be there.

That wasn’t so bad, was it? As you can see, it doesn’t take much to be a star student in dance class. In fact, all of our students at Prestige are star students in our book! We are so lucky to have such a great group of dancers!

We can’t wait to see them all in classes this fall. Still need to register?? Check out the schedule here!

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!