Prestige Dance Studio

Fostering Your Child’s Passion For Dance

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Fostering your child's passion for dance can be tough! This is great advice on HOW to do it when dance may not be your thing!

If your child won’t stop making up dances, performing for friends and family, or is constantly practicing steps in their room, they may have caught the dance “bug.” Don’t panic hehe! Although this may be a little unfamiliar to you, this “bug” can be an AMAZING thing! Finding a passion for dance is exciting and will do great things for them now and in the future. They will learn how to work hard, set and achieve goals, and have an emotional outlet when things get tough. Sound too good to be true? It isn’t! Dance can do all of those things for your child and much much more so it is time to join them in this excitement! You may be wondering how to support your dancer in this new journey and make sure you are truly fostering your child’s passion for dance, and we are here to help!

The first thing to consider is that every child is unique. Not every child is going to want the same type of support. Some will want to share every moment along the way with you and others will want you to wait outside while they rock it out in dance class. Luckily, you know your child better than anyone so try to respect their “style” and give them the space they need to flourish.

The second way you can foster your child’s passion is by finding a program that they can connect with. Really try to identify your child’s goals. Do they want to just have fun with their friends? Do they want to become a professional ballerina? Do they want to master their hip hop skills? How many hours at the studio can they handle? What sort of environment is good for their personality?  Find a program that compliments who they are and one that will help get them where they want to go. At Prestige, we try to identify what ignites each dancer’s passion and tailor our program to match, you can learn more about our program here.

Another great way to support your dancer is to be positive. Be excited when they share a new mastered step with you. Make a big deal when they perform or sign up for a new class. Even if you are not personally into the dance thing, be happy that is THEIR thing. Think about it, isn’t it so much better when you can share your passion with the people you love? Don’t let them figure out that you would rather have them doing what YOU are into. Instead, be happy they are into an amazing activity that will help them grow and prosper.

We may be a little biased but dance is a pretty great thing to get into and we are so happy your little dancer has chosen to share their passion with us! We know that with your support, they will grow into not only talented dancers but well rounded young adults!

Need help finding the perfect class schedule for your dancer?? Let us know! We would love to help get your dancer off on the right foot this Fall!

Your Musical Guide For This Summer

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Your musical guide for dancers in Cedar Rapids, IA

With summer comes some very well deserved time OFF. We think you should spend that time relaxing, trying something new, and of course devoting more time to doing what you love! We are PRETTY sure you and your dancer LOVE dance (hehe) so why not spend your summer catching up on a little art and culture in the form of musicals. We have rounded up a few ideas to get your musical exposure on. If you take us up on some of these ideas, let us know! We always love to hear opinions and experiences when it comes to dance and the performing arts. Have an exciting event already planned that isn’t on our list? We would love to hear about it in the comments!

Enjoy from your couch

  • The World Of Dance– Ok, this is not a musical BUT with a panel of AMAZING judges, this show is definitely building some hype! Dancers from all over the world compete to be named the best. We love that there are all different styles, there will be something for everyone in this show! We can’t wait to catch the premiere (May 30th, 9:00pm)!

In Cedar Rapids

  • Peter Pan- Perfect for all ages, this show is taking place at the Theatre Cedar Rapids from June 3-4
  • Billy Elliot The Musical – This show is for an older dancer (13+) but is a great story about following your dreams! Also hosted at the Theatre Cedar Rapids from June 30-July 22

In Des Moines

  • An American In Paris– The dancing in this musical is just amazing! Check it out at the Des Moines Civic Center from July 18-23

In Chicago

  • Disney’s Aladdin – Who doesn’t love a good Disney musical? Well worth the drive, this show is playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre until September 10
  • Hamilton– I’m sure you have heard of this one by now, catch it at The PrivateBank Theatre before it leaves Chicago!
  • Rodgers & Hammerstein’s THE KING AND I – The costumes in this show are so beautiful! It is taking place at the Oriental Theatre from June 14-July 2

We hope this list gets you excited to go experience a performance or two this summer! Make a trip out of it or just a fun night. We can’t wait to hear all about it!

Great Ways To Remember This Year’s Recital!

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Memories for dance recitals are so important! Make sure you remember this years!

Is anyone else completely blown away that recital is just a few weeks away?! Our teachers and staff are busy perfecting dances, finalizing lighting, and working hard to make sure the day goes off without a hitch. All the while, your dancers are busy remembering notes and perfecting their recital looks! With it being such a busy time of year (not only at the studio but also in your personal life), I’m sure it feels like you are going at 60 miles an hour just to get through it all. We want to make sure that when it comes to recital you are able to slow down and really enjoy the moment with your dancers.

Don’t get us wrong, it is still going to go fast but we hope there are a few precious moments in there that you will really remember. Maybe you will remember helping your dancer get ready or seeing them shine during their favorite number on stage.  Or maybe when you got to meet them after the performance to finally tell them how amazing they were. Whatever moment sticks for you, hold on to that! Write it down in a journal and tell your friends, you’ll want to remember that for years to come!

Another great way to hold on to those memories is to make a keepsake from this year’s recital. We found a few great ideas that you can start this year! A great one for first-time recital dancers is to make a shadow box filled with a recital photo, shoes from this year, ticket stubs, program, and maybe even a dried flower from the show. For those long-time dancers, we love the idea to keep a ballet/tap/jazz shoe from every year and create a display with yearly pictures for your dancer’s room. We think this one is adorable! Make sure to write the year, recital theme, and the name of their favorite dance in each shoe. Finally, for those dancers with a TON of old costumes, make a quilt! What a great way to remember all those years of dance at Prestige Dance Studio! This would make an amazing gift for those seniors going off to college. Queue the water works, right?!

However you decide to commemorate this year’s recital, we are so excited to show you all that your dancers have accomplished this year. We know you will be beaming with pride and will have a blast!

Check here for more recital information, we can’t wait to see you there!

Getting To Know Addy!

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One of the things that sets Prestige Dance Studio apart from other dance studios is our AMAZING staff. Our staff does their best to provide outstanding customer service and it shows! I’m sure at this point in the year, you have met Addy but we just wanted to give her a little shout out because we just love having her on our team. Addy is our full-time office manager and assistant to Miss Jess. She is a great person to contact for any questions or concerns you have while Miss Jess is with her students.

Addy A Few Fun Facts

Favorite TV Show: Teen Wolf

Favorite Movie: Harry Potter

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Restaurant: Zeppelins (She is a regular hehe!)

Favorite Season: Fall

Hobbies: Long-boarding, Surfing, Traveling, Attending Music Festivals, Graphic Design

We sat down with Addy and asked her a few more questions about her background and dance memories. Interested in learning more? Be sure to catch Addy at the studio. She loves getting to know all of the wonderful dance families at Prestige Dance Studio!

Where did you grow up? Cedar Rapids – I graduated from Prairie High School.

Where did you go to school and what did you study? Iowa State University for Biochemistry and Business Management and The University of Iowa for Entrepreneurial Management

What has been your most rewarding dance experience? Competition weekends with our Prestige Competition Teams are my favorite. I get to step out from behind the desk and help make sure the kids are where they need to be and prepared for their performance/s. I was a competitive gymnast growing up, competitive dancer through high school and coached Junior Olympic Gymnasts during college so the high energy, fast paced atmosphere makes me nostalgic.

What was your most embarrassing Prestige moment? One time I went tanning before coming into work. At the end of the night, I walked into the studio and saw my lobster-red face staring back at me in the mirror. I had talked to clients ALL night with a bright red face.

Why do you like working at Prestige Dance Studio? I love watching the students develop their talents and reach their goals. Getting to know the dance families and share excitement in their successes is the most rewarding feeling.

Thanks for all you do Addy!

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!

 

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!

Dress Down To Support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

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Dress Down For Dance

Have you decided to join in for Dress Down for Dance?? We could not be more excited about this fun week of classes happening at our studio from February 20th-26th. As you all know, our teachers can be pretty strict about our dress code hehe. During this week of normal dance classes, we give students the opportunity to FINALLY wear what they want to wear! It can feel amazing to express your inner self through dance clothes. And to make it even MORE fulfilling, all the proceeds are going to an incredible organization, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Paying $5 the night of your regularly scheduled dance classes will allow your dancer to participate in the dress down for one whole night of dance. The best part? It will help support the LLS.

In case you need any more convincing to get in on the fun, let me tell you a little about the LLS and the important work they do. Their main focus is to find cures for blood cancers. They also provide patients the information, support, and tools necessary to access treatment and care. The LLS is one of the leading organizations for blood cancer research putting in over $1 billion since it’s creation to this effort. They also provide free information, support groups, financial support, and much, much more for patients and families.

We are so honored to be sending the proceeds from our dress down to the LLS. We want to do our part in helping them continue to do the amazing things they do. Our family at Prestige always goes above and beyond with helping others. There are no words to express how inspiring it is to watch young students get behind the “giving back” message. I cannot wait to see all of the participants for Dress Down for Dance and of course the outfit choices!

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.

Bright Lights, Big City

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At Prestige there is definitely a buzz in the air, it is recital season! We could not be any more excited for this year’s annual recital and want to make sure you are in the know. Make sure to mark your calendar for our production of “Bright Lights, Big City!” on June 4, 2017. 

Recital packets will be available for pick up at the studio on March 1, 2017. While you wait for more information, check out our AMAZING costumes by clicking on the gallery below!

We can’t wait to see your dancers SHINE on stage!

 

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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!