Tag: dance instruction

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February 2020 Recap

As we wrap up the month of love let’s show some love to all we have accomplished:

We started the month out with Buddy Boogie – a free and fabulous party for our 2-7 year old students and friends!  Due to space constraints half the students were invited to this one and the other half will receive an invitation to the one in June.  Check out a few pictures of the great time we had!

Our Sparkling Stars had another exciting month with sweet treat themed music.  We also incorporated bean bags as our small prop this month.  Bean bags can help with body identification (e.g. put the bean bag on your head), hand eye coordination (toss and catch the bean bag) and working to cross the body’s mid line as we toss with one hand and catch with another.

 

We also brought back out the crooked balance beam and hula hoops for our large prop.  It’s always exciting to see what shape we will put it out and practice our 2 footed jumping in multiple patterns.

Our large motor activity –  Exercise game #1 saw us moving all over the studio jumping, marching and crawling to name a few.

And lastly for our littlest friends we started working on cartwheels with our 4 and 5 year old students.  Some of them have gotten the coordination down nicely and are really kicking their legs up there!

All classes have been working diligently on their recital dances and I am happy to report most are 2/3 of the way done.  Costumes have been tried on and are currently extras put together along with packaging so they are ready to go home March 9th as long as March tuition has been received.

Our dancers that are going to Disney have started rehearsing their two numbers for their performances there. With a group of 9 dancers that spreads over 4 classes they have come together and worked so well and we couldn’t be prouder of them.  I cannot wait to see them shine down there.

Last but not least – a giant thank you to all who came and danced with us during Dance With Your Love week.  I hope you enjoyed getting a different peek at what we do every week in class and I know the kids truly enjoyed having you there.

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To Sign Up or to Drop In?

You may be looking at the offerings of our studio or other studios and see an array everything from a drop in class to classes that run a full year.  It’s enough to make your head spin!  So we are here to break down the difference between the two in our studio in order to make your decision easier.

 

Drop In Class Regularly Scheduled class
Commitment No commitment- come and go as you please. Typically a month to month commitment with the expectation you are going to try for the entire 10 months.
Lesson Plan Can vary depending on age of participants, will usually fall into a middle age category. Researched curriculum with a clear progression through the program, and consistent themes and prop rotation.
Participants Can vary from 1 to 10 depending on the week, so interaction and socialization amounts can vary. Set number of participants which helps foster connections, interactions and socialization among peers.
Price Is slightly cheaper, but there are no discounts for other events, no birthday party discounts, no free events or “fun weeks” that we have studio wide. Is slightly more expensive but includes discounts on studio events, discounted birthday parties, early registration for classes and events, free events for students, small appreciation tokens, and fun weeks at the studio.
Performance No Optional but all dancers age 3 and up are invited to be a part of recital.

To sum up drop in classes are meant to be a once in a while option when you are looking for something new to try, something to do or can not make a long term commitment, not in place of a regularly scheduled class.  Either way we hope you make it in and dance with us soon!

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Why do we perform

Dance is classified as a performing art since a big part of the art form is performing it for others.  But I’m not aiming to be a professional ballerina you may say, so why should I perform?  Read on and learn how performance can help everyday life.

Performing any art, not just dance, can help build confidence.  Nailing a routine, hitting the perfect pitch, finding the right cord can give anxious performers a much needed boost of self esteem. Couple that with an active audience that shows their appreciation through applause and cheers, and you have a winning combination.

Performing can help develop quick thinking.  Rarely does a performance go as planned.  Headpieces can fall off blocking routes on stage, music systems can fail in the middle of the song, another performer may not hit their mark, but as they say, the show must go on.  Performers must asses the problem and quickly adjust and find a solution all the while keeping the performance going.  This can translate into quick thinking during real life problem solving.

Performers who start at a young age do better with presentations and oral reports when in higher learning or at a job typically. Because they are used to presenting for a crowd, they remain calm and collected (at least on the outside!) when needing to speak in front of people.

Performing can provide another outlet to express emotions.  Giving your all to a performance that is emotionally demanding can be cathartic, helping those who may not be able to find the words to express what they are going through.

Tell us:  what is your favorite dance performance?

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4 Reasons Why it is Important to Warm Up

Before we attempt any strenuous activity we are always told we should warm up. But why?  Here we give you 4 reasons why it is so important to not miss your warm up in class:

  1. Warming up gently gets the heart rate up.  Walking, marching and jumping jacks are all a great way to start.
  2. Warming up increases the blood flow to the muscles.  This helps to get the muscles prepared for more vigorous movement as well as helping to loosed the joints.
  3. Warming up helps warm the muscles so they are ready to stretch.  You never stretch a cold muscle.  When muscles are warm they are much more pliable and stretch easier.
  4. Warming up can lessen the risk of injury and muscle soreness.  If are joints are looser and muscles more pliable the chance of moving wrong and overextending them leading to injury greatly lessens.

Tell us:  How do you like to warm up before an activity?

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How to Recycle Tutus This Halloween

It is every performer’s favorite holiday: H A L L O W E E N!

If you’re anything like me, you’re already stressing about what this year’s costume is going to be. Not to worry! Here are ten different ways you can recycle old dance costumes for a new Halloween costume!

Tooth Fairy (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/340444053052430267/)
Unicorn (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AX0ryle9V357I7hP4-BXSGHxGPiNHAqNNIjVosDLzeg_FzQaacCGihk/)
Superheroes (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/242912973631328664/)

Princesses (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/109071622197667418/)
Peacock (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/221943087866808673/)
Ghostbusters (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/110197522105944743/)
Woodland Creatures (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/621215342326089564/)
Wind Up Dancer Doll (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/508484614162540607/)
Minions (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/219972763023110613/)
Shopkins Character (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/154389093460337258/)
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New Year New Beginnings

Can you believe it – another year has just started. I am so grateful to announce this as Shooting Star Dance Center’s 4 year in existence and the 70th year for the studio, combined with the years it was Miss Roseanna’s.

With a new year comes new beginnings. Maybe it is the 2 year old reluctant to leave a caregiver for the first time. Maybe it is the 6 year old who just discovered her passion for dance and can’t wait for the next moment she can lose herself in the movement. Maybe it’s the teenager who has a fire in her soul and is ready to hear the sweet music her tap shoes make. Maybe it’s in the teachers who have been planning all summer and making playlists that they just can’t wait to debut.

Maybe you have ventured on to a new activity and decided to move on from your dance home. That is exciting as well. I hope wherever your path takes you that you don’t forget to stop in and see us and say hi every so often.

Make sure you check our website often. We are launching some amazing programs this year including drop in dance classes for ages 2-9, new events, a new performance company and some new partnerships we know you will be excited about.

Have a great year to all that are reading. We hope this new beginning is everything you dreamed it would be.

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Back to School Shopping: Dance Themed

Just in case your child needs any last minute dance-themed school supplies . . .

 

NOTEBOOK
https://www.amazon.com/Eat-Sleep-Dance-Repeat-Notebook/dp/172211407X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1533704115&sr=8-1&keywords=dance+pens

 

BACKPACK

 

LUNCHBOX
https://www.etsy.com/listing/613168333/id-rather-be-dancing-lunch-bag-box?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_d-bags_and_purses-food_and_insulated_bags-lunch_bags_and_boxes&utm_custom1=86431945-e862-48ed-9028-d7c741946e7c&gclid=CjwKCAjwhqXbBRAREiwAucoo-_DkLgLtrl-JUn1m7e1-UCdqm1dulFCuP6yC63C0iGcwqTiz363ZRxoCrnoQAvD_BwE

Last but not least . . .
CLOTHES!

Rep your favorite local dance studio in a tee, tank, or sweatshirt!
Here’s my personal favorite: https://www.customizedgirl.com/design/3710026/Dancer+shirt

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Kids in Bloom

This year, Miss Katie decided to start a community of child-centered businesses in the Bloomfield area, with the hopes that these businesses could all work together to serve the children of Essex county. She has named this community: Kids in Bloom. For the very first Kids in Bloom event, Shooting Star Dance Center will be hosting an Activity Fair at the studio on August 25th from 10am-2pm!

The Kids in Bloom Activity Fair will show off businesses that range from art activities to computer coding! Join us to meet representatives from Shooting Star Dance Center , Kokusai Karate Dojo ,  Bloomfield Public Library , Leap-ei , Jessica Cino (music lessons) , Coding for Kids , Powerflow , Yoga Kids , Lovlee Art Studios , The Lit. Nanny and Tinkergarten !! We hope to see you there!

Visit Kids in Bloom on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kidsinbloomnj/
RSVP to our Activity Fair: https://www.facebook.com/events/1515297438593482/

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My Favorite Workout Videos

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is MOVE! An easy way to do that in the comfort of your own house is through workout videos. Here are all my favorite workout videos that tackle different parts of the body:

Arms

Abs

Shoulders

Back

Thighs

Butt

Legs

Enjoy the last month of summer and make it count with some healthy movement!!

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Kids in Bloom

This year, Miss Katie decided to start a community of child-centered businesses in the Bloomfield area, with the hopes that these businesses could all work together to serve the children of Essex county. She has named this community: Kids in Bloom. For the very first Kids in Bloom event, Shooting Star Dance Center will be hosting an Activity Fair at the studio on August 25th from 10am-2pm!

The Kids in Bloom Activity Fair will show off businesses that range from art activities to computer coding! Join us to meet representatives from Shooting Star Dance Center , Kokusai Karate Dojo ,  Bloomfield Public Library , Leap-ei , Jessica Cino (music lessons) , Coding for Kids , Powerflow , Yoga Kids , Lovlee Art Studios , The Lit. Nanny and Tinkergarten !! We hope to see you there!

Visit Kids in Bloom on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kidsinbloomnj/
RSVP to our Activity Fair: https://www.facebook.com/events/1515297438593482/