July Footnotes

Summertime is here! Time for sun, sand and surf! And of course........Dance class!

 

While most California girls are working' it out on the beach, Dance Co. Girls are working it out on the dance floor!  Why you ask? There are several great reasons.

First, because they are inspired at recital.  Perhaps inspiration comes by means of another dancer, a particular choreographers piece, or the sheer excitement of live performance. Whatever it is that motivates a dancer to sacrifice a few extra hours by the pool, it's worth it!

 

Next, class size is smaller, therefore students get much more correction, attention from the instructor and opportunity to explore new movement and attempt new steps.  It's a great time to drop in on other classes and try new styles. New Hip Hop teacher or Contemporary class? Go for it!

Lastly, we all know that children flourish during the summer months.  They are growing right before our eyes. All their youthful energy can now be poured into their dance training.  Subsequently the dancer we knew in June somehow accelerates their progress and transforms through July and August.

 

With that being said, we would like to congratulate you on a fabulous recital and wish you an incredible summer full of sun, sand, surf and of course...... Dance!

 

June Footnotes

June is the best month of the year for many reasons. It's the end of another school year, a long awaited summer vacation is looming large and most importantly.......it's recital month!  Now if this is your first recital, you may wonder why this event merits equality with your Hawaiian vacation.  If  this is not your first recital, you know why.

Now that you have a young dancer in your home you may have observed her (or him)  playing dance teacher on her playdate or seen her twirling down the grocery store isles.  You may have picked her up after 3 hours of dance and wondered why 2 hours later she is still dancing in your living room.  You may have overheard her deep discussions about pirouettes and pointe shoes, stretching and turn out or some new split leap.

The truth is, your dancer is about to reap the rich rewards of a years worth of hard work and discipline.  She or he is looking forward to  the thrill of being backstage as fellow dancers warm up, whisper excitedly and twirl in the twinkling rhinestones.

She will get caught up in the rush of excitement as the curtain rises and the music begins.  She will wait anxiously to take her turn under the stage lights and give finest performance thus far.  Each class will present their best efforts, eyes twinkling, legs flying, sequins flashing and finally receive the thunderous applause of the ones who love and support their dreams of dance.

Backstage it's hustle and bustle and hushed ooooh's and ahhhh's as the train of dancers hustles off stage to the whispers "good job"! Your child experiences the rush of pride at having pleased the audience, her peers and teachers. It's indescribable really.  It's a big deal.

To a dancer it is a precious thing to perform. It's a gift you give to the audience and yourself at the same time.

Recital is a marker of progress.  It is the  measuring stick of  your dancers accomplishments and abilities. It is an annual event that is eagerly anticipated by your talented children, their dedicated teachers, and all the backstage crew.  We hope you are as excited as we are.

That is just a glimpse into why the recital month of June ranks up there with your summer vacation.  We at The Dance Co. wish you a wonderful recital and a spectacular summer!    

           

May Footnotes

Our 2013 competition season is over! There is both a sigh of relief and a twinge of sadness as the season closes.

Our students experience the joy of performing, the excitement of being with new and old friends,  the endless lineup of  contemporary, jazz and musical theater dances, the tension of the awards ceremonies and the happy exhaustion, trophies, medals and pins in hand as the day ends.

Our Teachers experience the backstage rush as students arrive and warm up,  the tension that grips you as  your dancers take the stage, the hopefulness that leaves you breathless as awards are announced and the fatigue that knocks you out at the end of the day.

Our Dance moms experience the nervousness as they prepare costumes, shoes, pins, and headpieces the night before,  the dread of being late because the competition is an hour and a half early, the pride that swells as their children complete their pieces with a smile, the deep yearning that their children get the highest overall award and the complete sense of relief and joy at her successes as the competition closes.

We count this season as a huge success, collectively and individually. Congratulations on the achievements of our students; you have made parents, teachers and most importantly yourselves proud! We love our Dance Co. Dancers!

Photos are from Nuvo, Showstoppers, Hall of Fame, Move and West Coast Dance Explosion competitions. A special congrats to all scholarship and finalist winners!

 

 

April Footnotes

We are well into the new year and half way through competition season. We attended Showstoppers Competition at The Disney Hotel in Anaheim and Hall of Fame Dance Challenge at Redondo Performing Arts Center.  All our Company Members competed their group numbers as well as Solos, Duets and Trios.  In addition Ms. Sonia's Summer Production piece "Neverland" attended giving other students the opportunity to participate and experience competition.

We are very proud to announce that our Junior and Elite Company members competed in the highest level possible and not only received Platinum and Double Platinum awards but placed in the top 10 Overalls!  This is a credit to their dedication, hard work and excellent technique. Congrats to all!!

Our Children's and Mini Co. also  received Platinum Scores as well as overalls!  What an outstanding accomplishment. 

While competition weekends can be stressful and time consuming we are impressed with our students level of professionalism and focus during these long days.  We are very proud of your many accomplishments!

Remember Competition teaches numerous life  lessons.  Besides the obvious thrill of winning,  it exposes us to the bigger world of dance, it shows us where we fit in as dancers and performers, and it allows to reach, strive and dream even  bigger!  We grow everytime we step foot ont he stage and we reveal who we are to the world.

 

Enjoy some of our competition memories below......Miss D