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Part 3 in How to Have an Amazing Dance Recital Experience in 5 Easy Steps

Part 3 in a 5 part series

Step #3 Talk

Another very important part of making the recital a great experience is to talk about the recital often! Remind them that the stage is at different location than the studio.Mom is preparing her dancer by talking!

Interact with your dancer, ask them questions! Questions help the young dancer remember what they learned in class. Some of my favorite questions:

  • What will you do when you get to the theater?
  • Do you play back stage?
  • What is acceptable to do, what do you think is not acceptable?
  • What kind of voice do you use?
  • Where do you put your belongings?
  • What will you be doing in the show?
  • What letter do you stand on when you are on stage?

Come back next week for step four in helping your child make a wonderful memory and have an amazing dance recital experience!

Seasoned, mom’s and dancers: We need your help! What are some questions you would ask, or things you would discuss with your child if this was your very first recital? Please, join in the conversation!

Part 2 in How to Have an Amazing Dance Recital Experience in 5 Easy Steps

Part 2 in a 5 part series

Step 2: Volunteer Backstage

One of the easiest ways to have a great dance recital experience is to volunteer your time and help back stage! It is fun to volunteer as a backstage dance class helper and see your little performer through the preparation for their time on stage to taking their final bow. As a helper, you are right by your child’s side to soothe any situation that may arise. In addition, it is an exciting time as you get a close-up view of your child performing from backstage. But the most rewarding part is the joy you get when your dancer performs successfully and runs off the stage and directly into your arms!

Things to Bring Backstage

If you choose to make a memory by volunteering backstage, here are a few things to bring with you that will help to make the time backstage even more fun!

Activity Items:

Blankets to set up a play area so the kids can spread out and sit down while backstage.

This little one reminds the other kids to be quiet when backstage.

Bring some simple, quiet, activities to keep them entertained. Remember that you want to keep any items away from the children that could cause a stain on their lovely costume!

  • Crayons but no markers!
  • Coloring books
  • Activity books
  • Cards
  • Board games
  • Wikki sticks

 

Other unique and quiet activity ideas can be found on these blogs: Money Saving Mom and I Can Teach My Child.

Practical Items:

  • Bobby pins, Hairspray, Hairbrush
  • Lipstick, Mascara, other make-up.
  • Baby wipes (to fix makeup mistakes or dirty hands);
  • Safety pins (for emergency costume repairs);
  • Invisible/clear Band-Aids
  • Clear nail Polish (to repair minor holes/runs in tights when there isn’t time to change them).

Finally, if you prefer to go into something new with a friend, join with another mom of one of your child’s friends and work backstage together!

Come back next week for step three in helping your child make a wonderful memory and have an amazing dance recital experience! Find out more information on San Elijo Dance and Music Academy in San Diego North County Coastal area, or 4S Dance Academy in San Diego North County Inland area.

Part 1 in How to Have an Amazing Dance Recital Experience in 5 Easy Steps

It will soon be that very special time of year for all dance students and their families; the dance recital. The dance recital showcases all the hard work of dance lessons as soon as your child hits the stage! As an accomplished dance instructor, I have seen many children in our dance classes do well in recitals, and the key to an amazing experience is preparation. I am happy to report that with just five easy steps, you and your child will have a wonderful recital experience.

Step 1:  Good Attendance

The number one thing you can do to prepare your child their big moment is by having good attendance! Starting today set a goal for your child to have perfect attendance at their dance studio for the rest of the year.  The repetition of practicing their dance is important for all levels of dancers from toddlers to professionals!

Dance Studio, Dance Lessons, Dancing Lessons, Ballet, Kids Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Dance Instruction, Dance Studio

Practicing for the Recital

In addition to practicing their dance, is especially important for little ones and first timers to go through the motions of what will happen at the theater. The more your child practices all aspects of the recital, the more secure they will feel.

There are many things I do to prepare my younger dance students.  We walk from one room to another pretending to go from the “dressing room” to “the stage”. I teach them how to make their train and walk quietly.  Together, we try sitting with the lights off and finding our letters “in the dark.” There are some youngsters that get a bit nervous in the dark, but if they have done it before, it is less worry-some once at the theater. Students also practice in front of people by performing for other students, and periodically for parents. This way the kids can feel what it is like when they are being watched in addition to the sound of thunderous applause!

As you can see, attendance is very important!  Practice will allow you to see your star performer shinning on stage!

Part 1 in a 5 part series. Come back next week for step two in helping your child make a wonderful memory and have an amazing dance recital experience! For more information of excellent dance classes in the North County San Diego area go to www.SanElijoDanceandMusicAcademy.com

What Every Parent Ought To Know About Preventing Eating Disorders in Dancers

A Balanced Dance Education
Dance lessons encompass so much more than just training the body. Yes, as a teacher, I spend hours lecturing on how to perform the perfect tendu and how to maintain perfect body alignment at the barre, but there is so much more to a complete dance education. Along with the technical and artistic parts of being a dancer there is a lifestyle that many in training neglect. In addition to the physical demands on a dancer’s body, the rigorous schedule they keep can cause psychological and physical stress too. Students, and their parents, need to understand the importance of dancers fueling, resting, maintaining strength, and keeping their mind operating in a positive and healthy way.

Who is at Risk for Eating Disorders
Studies have shown that over one-third of female dancers and athletes reportIn Black Swan, the Character struggles with Eating Disorder attitudes and symptoms that place them at a high risk for an eating disorder. Education about nutrition and healthy eating habits are key for the prevention of eating disorders which are very common amongst dancers. It is my great passion to produce a well-rounded dance education experience – no matter if a student plans on dancing professionally, in college, or just for fun. It is my desire that parents of dancers, and the students themselves know what they can do to prevent eating disorders, and how to make healthy meal and snack choices.

Experts in Eating Disorders Free Seminar
In order to educate families more on these subjects, Healthy Within, a wellness and integrative treatment center, will be at San Elijo Dance and Music Academy to talk about nutrition and the prevention of eating disorders. There will be two seminars: an interactive and educational seminar geared to students age 11 and older; and another for parents, specifically on what parents need to know about keeping their dancers healthy. Special guest speakers are from the Healthy Within San Diego. It is such a passion of mine we have opened this seminar to the community! Please bring a friend — this seminar would work well for students and parents of athletes too!

 

Seminar Details:
Dates & Times:
SEDMA Student Seminar: (ages 11+): Friday, February 10th at 6:00-7:30pm
Open to the Public Parent Seminar: Saturday, February 11th at 1:00-2:15pm

Location: San Elijo Dance and Music Academy, 1635 South Rancho Santa Fe Rd #201, San Marcos CA (corner of Melrose & Rancho Santa Fe Rd)

Guest Speakers: Guest speaker: Divya Kakaiya, Ph.D., CEDS – Program Founder and Clinical Supervisor of Healthy Within, Other guests include; Norma Flood, Nutritionist; Kourtney J. Klepfer, Program Director of Healthy Within’s Intensive Outpatient Program Director, Intake Coordinator & Therapist; and Kate Henry, Program Therapist. Healthy Within is a Psychological Wellness and Integrative Treatment Center.

How to Audition like a Pro!

Summer in January? Yes! If you are a pre-professional dancer, it is already time to think about your summer plans. Summer ballet intensive course auditions are just around the corner. Here are some tips that should help guide you through your audition season and lead you to a summer of full of dancing and fun!

Investigate. Talk with your family and teachers about schools that would be good fit for you because each school offers different experiences. Don’t put all of you eggs in one basket by only auditioning for your number one school. The audition experience is an important part of the process, so go ahead audition for several schools.

Research. Check online for the schools registration requirements. Most auditions have a fee and require a specific form of payment; some schools ask for preregistration and prepayment. Be sure you are aware of what each school needs and have it with you on the day of the audition. Many schools ask for a photograph of you in specific positions. It is always wise to have professional pictures taken like the one above; if that is not an option then have someone take multiple snapshots of you in each position and carefully select the one that best represents you and your technique.

Prepare.

Step 1. Pack your bag. On the day before the audition, make sure that your dance bag is packed with all the items you will need for your audition including any specific registration requirements, and the essentials such as extra bobby pins, hairspray, and the like.

Step 2. Fuel your body. Fueling your body for a difficult ballet class is so important. Be sure to eat something that will give you the energy and essential nutrients you will need to perform your best. And don’t’ forget to hydrate your body with plenty of water (just not too much right before the audition, you don’t want to have to leave to use the restroom).

Step 3. Dress to impress. Wear one of your best leotards that represents you in a professional manner; do not wear your green and pink tie dye leotard. Plain black is always a great option. Wear pink tights (without holes), clean pink ballet shoes, and pointe shoes. Even if you have only been on pointe for a short while always have your pointe shoes with you. Most often teachers will be aware of how long you have been on pointe, but to show them you have begun your training on pointe is important for your correct level placement in the program. Wear your hair as if you are performing and wear your makeup as if you are getting your school pictures taken. Too much makeup is too much! The goal is to look your best but to still look like the beautiful dancer you are.

Perform. At the audition be EARLY! There are many students at each audition so expect to wait in line. You’ll turn in your paper work and receive your number. Once you have taken care of your registration be sure to stretch and familiarize yourself with your number. Dancers will be called to show each combination by order of number and you don’t want to miss your chance to impress those at the school. Most importantly, DON’T STRESS! If you are overcome with worry it will show in your face and in your dancing. Simply smile, do your best, and don’t forget to POINT YOUR FEET!

To learn more about becoming a pre-professional dancer in ballet, and other dance styles such as lyrical, jazz, hip-hop, tap, contemporary take dance lesson’s at North County’s premiere dance studio that serves Carlsbad, San Marcos, San Elijo Hills, Encinitas, Leucadia, Rancho Santa Fe, Oceanside, and Del Mar come and visit San Elijo Dance and Music Academy.





   
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