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Dance Parents (Inspired by the "Gym Moms" thread, not the TV show)


Jenny in Florida
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I'm sitting here for another hour or so this early morning waiting around to see if I'm needed for my online job, and I could use some distraction. So, I figured I'd see if we can get a conversation going.

 

Any parents of dancers want to chat about how the new season/dance year is getting underway?

 

What kind of dance does your child do? Is he or she in a pre-pro-type program, competitive or a recreational one? With what goals?

 

Any kids starting a new schedule? New classes or styles?

 

Anyone changing schools or programs?

 

Anyone--either parents or dancers--especially excited about any aspect of the new year?

 

Anything cool on the horizon in terms of scheduled performances or master classes or other experiences?

 

I'll post my answers to my own questions in a minute. Nothing like talking to yourself at 5:00am to make the time pass!

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What kind of dance does your child do? Is he or she in a pre-pro-type program, competitive or a recreational one? With what goals?

My son started dancing at a very serious, pre-pro school when he was six, but left when he was 12 and certain that a career in classical ballet was not his life plan. He bounced around for a while before landing almost accidentally at a small dance studio that has turned out to be a nearly perfect fit for him. He started with just one tap class a couple of years ago, then added ballet back into his life in the second year. Something about the combination of teaching style, personalities, environment has served him extremely well. Over the course of that second year, he fell back in love with dancing and now plans to pursue dance in college and as a career. His focus now is more musical theatre than classical ballet, but he's working hard and taking it very seriously.

 

The studio does compete, but it's not their focus.

 

Any kids starting a new schedule? New classes or styles?

Anyone changing schools or programs?

My son is very drawn to the committment and discipline involved in pre-pro schools, and we did a lot of research this past spring and over the summer into local options, but he is unwilling to leave his current studio. So, in consultation with the director/owner, we've opted to try and create his own, personalized program where he is.

 

We signed him up for their unlimited class plan and formally registered him for every class available at his level. But the unlimited thing means he may also attend lower-level classes as he wishes for additional practice and to work on specific skills.

 

Over the summer, he decided to try hip hop for the first time and is adding that to his regular class schedule this year, too.

 

Between regular classes, extra classes and the two or three tap classes for which he will be an assistant, he should be at the studio for anywhere from two to six hours a day, Monday through Friday. He's happy as a clam.

 

Anyone--either parents or dancers--especially excited about any aspect of the new year?

Anything cool on the horizon in terms of scheduled performances or master classes or other experiences?

My son is thrilled to be taking more classes, generally, and also to be in more numbers for competition (since it means more rehearsal time). He's especially excited that, after experimenting with it last year, they are planning to prepare and perform musical theatre-style "production numbers" for their holiday performances and for recital.

 

And he's very much looking forward to becoming more involved in assistant teaching the tap classes for younger kids.

 

I'm happy that the longer stretches of time he'll spend at the studio make it reasonable for me to drop him off and go home for a couple of hours, rather than hanging around in the parking lot or manufacturing errands to do in the area. Also, my daughter, who worked at a different dance school last year, will now be working the front desk at my son's studio two afternoons/evenings a week and teaching acting classes there on a third day, meaning we can more effectively combine commutes.

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Dd8 is taking ballet, modern, and jazz. She is best at jazz, loves modern best, and tolerates ballet. Dd5 is in the intro levels of ballet, tap, and jazz. We're at a small but rapidly-growing pre-professional school; however, I will be greatly surprised if dd8 pursues dance beyond a recreational level. She's in it more for exercise and fun recitals and friendships. Dd5 wants at least to make it to pointe, which thankfully our school doesn't allow until the girls are through growing!

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My older dd has switched schools. I am not thrilled. The new place is more competition focused and less technique. But her old school had too few returning to offer classes at her level. The girls at the new place are so sweet and my dd is happy. She might minor dance, but not pursue a professional career. She wants to help out at shows with dance or maybe teach for extra income. My other dd has moved up a level in her company. She is excited. However she does not love dance like my other dd. I always leave it up to her from year to year and she always wants to return to it. She starts modern this year. I get to drive to two studios! They are only three mile apart and a carpool is underway.

 

I am also tutoring a lot more - pointe shoes!

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dd15 is in ballet. The school specifically does not do competitions. She's just finishing up 4 weeks of their summer advanced intensive (35 hours of class a week). After Labor Day the regular schedule begins with 12+ hours a week of classes.

 

A few girls each year go on to professional programs or conservatories. Right now, there's we know someone at Miami City Ballet and someone in the Mariinski Ballet (the first American ever, she studied at this studio 14 years before going to St. Petersburg). Dd is not seeking a professional career in dance. One thing I like about this school is that they seem to do well with all kinds of dancers (all shapes and sizes, with recreational through professional goals). They find parts to showcase each dancer. My dd took a couple years off to do competitive cheer and returned to ballet. The studio owner has taken time to work with dd privately, just as she takes time to work with dancers who may pursue ballet beyond high school. She helps everyone find their place to enjoy the art. The only dancers who do not do well are ones with really interfering pushy parents. (eg there is an 8 year old who's mother has been bringing her to activities exclusively for older adv students, simply to get "in" in the moms of adv dancers. It is just weird and creepy. The mother has also purchased pointe shoes for her even though she is not ready and the school director would never allow her in a pointe class). 

 

The school is considering offering jazz this fall. They have in the past, but currently do not have a jazz teacher. DD may do this. dd, attends public high school and takes dance as her fine arts elective. She gets a smattering of hip hop, jazz, and contemporary there. We don't tell ballet school she takes this class. dd feels a bit guilty about that, but among the arts electives it is the best class for her. 

 

In Jan we will have to decide about summer program auditions. dd couldn't have done that this year because of the time she took off (last year was her first year back). Cost will be a factor. So, she may audition just to get the audition experience. I may consider asking the ballet school about auditioning for a short program (2 week) at a local university, because dd could live at home and attend. It is not exclusively ballet. I think the high school dance teacher would actually help dd with that audition. 

 

Even though she doesn't plan a performing arts career, dd loves studying ballet and I suspect she will take dance classes through out her adult life. 

 

 

ETA; younger ds will also be dancing. He'll be in a program for persons with intellectual disabilities run by a dance therapist. He loves it. The instructor has moved into her own studio space and is having an open house Sat. Can't wait to see it. 

 

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My daughter started dance at 5, and just turned 9 this summer. She goes to a technique/performance based studio that does not do competition. This will be her 2nd year in their "performing arts ensemble", which is the group that takes all disciplines and does more performance. She will be at dance 4 nights a week and she will be doing ballet, tap, jazz, floor acrobatics, composition. They will be doing a mini nutcracker in December. We absolutely love this dance studio and it is a fabulous, non-competitive and supportive community. Some kids come out of that studio and go on in dance. She was young for the group last year, and I suspect this year with more of her peer group coming up, she will love it even more!

 

My 12 year son is into musical theater. He started voice this summer (he's taken piano for 7 years, so has a good musical base). Acting and singing tend to go great for him given his age and experience level. Dancing is a whole different thing and definitely not his strong point! I'd like to get him into some kind of dance class this fall (and he does want to improve in this area). But he also wants to keep his schedule open enough to have the ability to audition and do theater (which means keeping evenings from like 6 to 9 open). So I'm hoping I can find something that works out. Even better if it were at my daughter's studio.

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DD has cut way back this year. Last year she was being pushed to go competitive and was dancing 4 nights a week, and the studio director was really high-pressure and, I think, just plain burned her out. She loved her ballet teacher, but he took a touring position this year, and she has no desire to start with someone else. She's focusing on cheer and tumbling, although she is taking one street jazz class a week because her best dance friend is doing it.

 

I'm kind of bummed about it-but I do have to say that it will be kind of nice to only have one costume/hairstyle to deal with at recital this year.

 

 

 

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Not looking forward to the new dance year. I have to go back to driving an hour twice a week.

 

Dd does ballet (5 classes over 4 days), modern, tap, jazz. Those are what I know of so far. There may be another. The studio(s) are not competitive. She is doing more than recreational dance, but isn't going to NY. At least not at this time. Who knows what the future holds. At present her goals are to major in dance in college, open her own dance studio.

 

Not so much changing schools as adding in the other school the director owns. The local branch is open two days a week, then we have to drive an hour to the other studio. Hopefully there will be carpooling.

 

It is too early around here for performance schedules. Give it a couple more weeks.

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DD10 dances at a pre-pro school.  She takes ballet, tap, jazz and modern.  Her studio is not a competition studio, however within the past few years, they have started taking a small group of girls to compete in the Youth America Grand Prix.  My daughter will compete there for the first time this year.  

 

This year, she will be dancing 10 hours a week (7 hours for ballet) for her regular classes.  This doesn't include her practices and privates for the YAGP, nor does it include practices for the Nutcracker.  She is going to be very busy, but she loves it!

 

I'm not sure whether she would want to pursue dance professionally yet, but I feel fairly certain that she will minor in it in college, at the very least.  I think dance will be a lifelong love for her. 

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DD8 is starting her 6th year of dance, and will be taking jazz and lyric. She's dabbled in a bit of everything and has found that she greatly prefers jazz. She is a purely recreational dancer - both by natural ability and level of interest. However, we're at a studio that focuses heavily on competition and moving up the ladder. I'm frequently floored by the investment of time and money that some families make to dance.

 

This studio is not a great fit for DD, but we keep going back because of convenience, comfort, and the fact that she knows and likes so many of the other students. I think if I tried to switch studios, DD would just decide not to dance, and I don't want her to give up the exercise and camaraderie. As the children grow, the gap between recreational and more serious dancers is becoming more of a chasm. This may be her last year.

 
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What kind of dance does your child do? Is he or she in a pre-pro-type program, competitive or a recreational one? With what goals?

 

Both of mine have said since they were three and two that they want to be professional ballet dancers as their ''first'' careers, and they still maintain that. They're eight and six, though, so I'm certainly not holding them to it. They attend a program that at these ages isn't specifically recreational or pre-pro, but is pre-pro at the more advanced levels. Students from this school are at NYC Ballet and the Bolshoi, so students who work hard stand a chance at going pro.
 

Any kids starting a new schedule? New classes or styles?

 

Both were promoted this summer, and times of classes are changing but not days.

Anyone changing schools or programs?
No, we're very happy where we are.

 

Anyone--either parents or dancers--especially excited about any aspect of the new year?

 

Both are excited to start their new classes, but nothing much has changed for me. ;) They'll likely have the same Nutcracker parts that they did last year, because they haven't outgrown the costumes. So on that note, this year will be a bit *less* exciting for me, because I've already seen them in these roles. Next year they'll probably be in the same classes that they were just promoted to, because it's a smallish school and instead of the standard six or seven levels, there are four levels, with students spending more than one year per level starting with the second level. Also, my daughter's been promoted ahead of her age group two summers in a row (so she's now with students two years older), but she can't just go en pointe at eight or nine, so she's going to need to be parked somewhere for a while. Her teachers felt it was better to park her at the higher levels where there'll be more for her to do while parked, than to keep her with her age group and not learning anything new.

Anything cool on the horizon in terms of scheduled performances or master classes or other experiences?
Just Nutcracker. I'm looking forward to the other opportunities that will open up as they advance.

 

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rents or dancers--especially excited about any aspect of the new year?[/size][/font][/color][/b]

. Also, my daughter's been promoted ahead of her age group two summers in a row (so she's now with students two years older), but she can't just go en pointe at eight or nine, so she's going to need to be parked somewhere for a while. Her teachers felt it was better to park her at the higher levels where there'll be more for her to do while parked, than to keep her with her age group and not learning anything new.

Anything cool on the horizon in terms of scheduled performances or master classes or other experiences?[/size]

Just Nutcracker. I'm looking forward to the other opportunities that will open up as they advance.

I think the level thing is interesting at different studios. Our studio does have 6 levels (and then "company"). Level 4 is where pointe begins, so if you start early and are precocious, sometimes you spend a while at level 3. My daughter danced last year at level 3 at 8. She's likely to stay there until 11 or 12 (a few 11/12 years she danced with last year are moving up). Which I have no problem with. I'm glad we aren't at a studio that pushes pointe early. My also had a growth spurt last year and is growing into her limbs again. After watching for a few years, it's interesting watching different kids grow into controlling their bodies at different stages. I've seen some long/tall kids flounder for a while, and then suddenly click a little later than their peers. Our studio has diverse body styles too.

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As the children grow, the gap between recreational and more serious dancers is becoming more of a chasm. This may be her last year.

Exactly. That is why my son ended up leaving the pre-pro school when he did. While he loved certain things about it -- and still misses Nutcracker with the Company every holiday season -- he had come to the conclusion that a career in classical ballet was not his deal. The dance school was less than accomodating when he needed flexibility for theatre rehearsals and demanded more stridently every year that dance take priority over everything else.

 

So, he left that school, spent a year just tapping twice a week (once with his original tap teacher, whom he met through the ballet school, and once at a typical neighborhood, strip-mall-type studio), took some time more or less off from dance while waiting for a new performing arts school owned by his then-voice teacher to open, continued tapping once or twice a week when he could and doing lots of community and youth theatre . . . Then, about the same time we learned that the opening of the new studio was being delayed by at least another year, we happened to hear about some master classes being taught one afternoon at a dance studio about half an hour from our house. They sounded like fun, and he signed up and went. The classes were taught by a Broadway performer who happens to be friendly with the studio owner, but over the course of the afternoon, we just got such good vibes about the school that my son wanted to come back and try their tap classes.

 

He's still there, beginning his third year, and has gone from being almost burned out on dance in general to enthusiastically planning a future.

 

One of the things I love about his current studio is that they appreciate and accomodate all of their students, meeting each one where he or she is. So, for my son who doesn't think he's had enough dance until he's falling down from exhaustion, they work with us to figure out how to place him in as many classes as we can afford and how to challenge him with competitions and extra performance opportunities, as well as conventions and master classes. For students who want to dance recreationally, they offer teen beginner classes and a full slate of classes completely off the competition track so those kids can come in and dance once or twice a week, prep for the recital and go home feeling good about the experience.

 

I wish there were more such places out there.

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I've seen some long/tall kids flounder for a while, and then suddenly click a little later than their peers.

My son struggled with this for a few years. Flexibility has always been his biggest challenge. He just isn't naturally one of those kids who can bend and twist comfortably. He would work like a dog stretching to improve his splits or whatever and finally feel like he was making progress, only to grow an inch or two seemingly overnight and have all of his muscles pull taut again.

 

He also just never seemed to be able to keep track of where his arms and legs were going.

 

Now that his growth is slowing significantly, he's made tremendous improvement just in the last year or so, both in flexibility and in grace. He's still stick-thin, which makes it difficult for him to achieve gentle curves with his arms and hands, but his technique is good, and at least he doesn't feel like he's losing ground every six months.

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My youngest is starting at a new pre-pro ballet studio soon. She did a summer intensive, and is driving herself crazy waiting for the new season to begin.

My son did a four-week intensive at the community college, then had a break of about four weeks--during which he "only" took three dance classes a week--before the one-week intensive for competition teams at his studio began. I thought he was going to crawl out of his skin while he endured the long wait . . .

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I answered in the gym thread, but my dd is also a dancer.

 

Any parents of dancers want to chat about how the new season/dance year is getting underway? We start classes the Wednesday after Labor Day, but we have competition meetings next Monday and Tuesday. I'm excited to see what competitions we'll be attending this year.

 

What kind of dance does your child do? Is he or she in a pre-pro-type program, competitive or a recreational one? With what goals? My dd does competitive dance in jazz and tap. She also takes ballet. She's young so right now our goal is to improve dance technique and have fun.

 

Any kids starting a new schedule? New classes or styles? New schedule and we've thought about adding acro.

 

Anyone changing schools or programs? No

 

Anyone--either parents or dancers--especially excited about any aspect of the new year? I don't know yet.

 

Anything cool on the horizon in terms of scheduled performances or master classes or other experiences? I won't know until Tuesday.

 

I'll post my answers to my own questions in a minute. Nothing like talking to yourself at 5:00am to make the time pass!

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I'm sitting here for another hour or so this early morning waiting around to see if I'm needed for my online job, and I could use some distraction. So, I figured I'd see if we can get a conversation going.

 

Any parents of dancers want to chat about how the new season/dance year is getting underway?

 

What kind of dance does your child do? Is he or she in a pre-pro-type program, competitive or a recreational one? With what goals?

 

Any kids starting a new schedule? New classes or styles?

 

Anyone changing schools or programs?

 

Anyone--either parents or dancers--especially excited about any aspect of the new year?

 

Anything cool on the horizon in terms of scheduled performances or master classes or other experiences?

 

I'll post my answers to my own questions in a minute. Nothing like talking to yourself at 5:00am to make the time pass!

 

Dd (newly 17) does ballet, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, modern, tap, and musical theater.  

 

This summer she has taken several master classes and workshops, including one with Victor and Angel from Dance Moms Miami, a week-long contemporary workshop at Peridance (NYC), and a 3-day intensive with numerous choreographers, including KC Castellano from Born to Dance.  This one came with acro and contortion along with the regular stuff.

 

She does 15 hours of ballet and modern each week at her performing arts high school (4 periods/3 hrs each day).  She will be auditioning for various conservatories this season as well.  Thankfully, her school's mandatory senior curriculum includes Career Management.  

 

She left her studio this past March, where she did competitions for 9 years.  She still competes here and there but she choreographs her own solos and competes as an independent.  (She won top student choreographer at Legacy when she was 15)

 

Her schedule this year will be the ballet & modern at school (with various performances), master classes, and various workshops.  She goes to Broadway Dance Center often and prefers contemporary and hip-hop.  

 

Her goal is to be a commercial dancer and choreographer.  Already she is in 1 music video (comes out soon), is scheduled to be in at least 2 more, and in June she danced backup for Wyclef Jean and Wocka Flocka Flame at BB Kings in Times Square and was front and center in a hip-hop showcase at the Alvin Ailey Theater (NYC).  I'm excited for all the things that are coming up this year along those lines.

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My girls are just starting dance this year at 5 and 3yo. They took a simple little class at the Y last year and have been asking daily to have class again. We are going with the simple rec program to see how it goes. There is a nearby school that gets good reviews from friends but I don't want to jump in too fast either. Hoping the rec program will provide enough for now.

 

So probably a bit different than those dancing a while or more seriously but my girls are very excited about it.

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My daughter is only 5 but is starting in a more serious ballet school this year. She went last year to a local strip mall type place and while we were happy enough with it the studios were very cramped and the kids didn't have room to really move. Plus I hated not being able to see in and see what she was doing. She really likes ballet and the place she had been at was ballet/tap/acro combinations until 2nd grade which really didn't suit her. They did the recital last year in tap and she was so disappointed she didn't get to do ballet.

 

DS may start as well. He's still really young (only 3) but loved the class he took twice a week over the summer, and I was surprised at how well he followed along. I had thought he only wanted to dance because his sister did, but he really seemed to enjoy it on his own. I'm still thinking about enrolling him. The times don't mesh up as well as I would like for them to both be in class 

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DD13 just started her 7th year of dance.  She takes ballet, jazz, tap, and modern. The studio does offer pre-pro classes but DD is strictly recreational. She is happy taking the one ballet class each week and has no intention of ever doing pointe.  Modern is her favorite but she really seems to enjoy taking a variety of styles. We are pretty happy with the studio so are not looking to change.

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I'm sitting here for another hour or so this early morning waiting around to see if I'm needed for my online job, and I could use some distraction. So, I figured I'd see if we can get a conversation going.

 

Any parents of dancers want to chat about how the new season/dance year is getting underway?

Skipped summer session due to severe shortage of $$$

 

What kind of dance does your child do? Is he or she in a pre-pro-type program, competitive or a recreational one? With what goals?

Diamond: Serious Recreational (Ballet is 90mins 2x/week).  Ballet/Pointe, Tap, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Para Para, ballroom. Goal is to get degrees in business and dance, and have a dance company that puts on major productions with Christian/Historical themes that will appeal to all, not just church people

SwetChild: Serious Recreational, Ballet & Tap, also Show Choir & ballroom. Will audition for public high school's musical. Goal:  Broadway or other venue for musical theater. Also plans to get cosmetology license to do backstage work in hair/makeup.

babyBaby: Clog dancing at our homeschool co-op. hipHop summer sessions due to schedule conflict in the school year.No major goals in this area.

 

Any kids starting a new schedule? New classes or styles?

Diamond moved up to the adult division, will take just Tap & Ballet. Continuuing ParaPara as a drop-in student, same with Ballroom.  Plans to learn belly-dance

SweetChild: Starting pointe!  Just got fitted for shoes today!

babyBaby hopes to take hiphop at our regular studio- will depend on time and money.

 

Anyone changing schools or programs?

Diamond is now an adult student...  she also plans to take drop-in classes at several other studios as time and money permits

 

Anyone--either parents or dancers--especially excited about any aspect of the new year?

Pointe is the big news here for SweetChild!

 

Anything cool on the horizon in terms of scheduled performances or master classes or other experiences?

Our regular studio only strted offering guest teacher classes last year- hopign they will do more. Diamond's friend opened up a studio (recreational/competitive) and she is hoping to do some teacher assisting and go to competitions/conferences/workshops through her studio.

 

I'll post my answers to my own questions in a minute. Nothing like talking to yourself at 5:00am to make the time pass!

 

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What kind of dance does your child do? Is he or she in a pre-pro-type program, competitive or a recreational one? With what goals?

 

Dd does Irish Dance. This is her 3rd year. Classes just started again this week. She is at a very small school which seems to covers the gamut from learning for fun to competitive dancers (a couple of whom danced in this last round of world competitions).

 

When dd started, she said (& I guess still says) she would like to compete at worlds. However, even though she completely loves it, she's not super-dedicated to her dancing & seems to enjoy it more as a fun hobby than anything super-serious. Also, she didn't start dancing until she was 12, so age-wise, she's behind the curve (so to speak). She enjoys competitions & does those two or three times a year, as well as various outreach/community service dancing the group does (senior centers, elementary schools, parades, etc...).

 

I'm happy w/ her being a 'hobby' dancer.

Any kids starting a new schedule? New classes or styles?

 

Similar schedule & style. Just ramping up skill level & continuing to work on hard shoe dancing. She loves soft shoes (& the music for the soft shoe dances) more than hard shoes at this point. Her classes have her working in both skill areas as to move up in competition levels, she needs to do more hard shoe dancing.

Anyone--either parents or dancers--especially excited about any aspect of the new year?

 

As as parent, the entire week around St. Patrick's Day is crazy busy for the dancers, but really fun. Lots of places to go dance, participate in the parade, etc.... And, I always love seeing the group of dancers because it amazes me how these kids (all different ages, all different heights, & different combos of kids depending on the event) can dance w/ military precision, regardless of the circumstances.

Anything cool on the horizon in terms of scheduled performances or master classes or other experiences?

 

A student (now grown-up) who went to the school works for a professional Irish Dance program & comes back & does dance workshops a couple of times a year. And, one of the current students completed a Jr. Riverdance program this summer, so I'm looking forward to hearing about her experiences.

 

As a funny aside, for any Irish Dance parent, I have to howl with laughter over this "Irish Dance" clip. My ds & I think this guy & his son must be an Irish Dance Dad & Brother who have spent way too much time hanging around waiting at feiseanna (competitions). Just our guess, of course, but I know I have Irish fiddle or accordion music in my dreams (nightmares?) for days after being at a feis.  :nopity: :lol:

 

 

It should really be closer to this ;) ....

 

http://youtu.be/B718RsboGEI
 

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A student (now grown-up) who went to the school works for a professional Irish Dance program & comes back & does dance workshops a couple of times a year. And, one of the current students completed a Jr. Riverdance program this summer, so I'm looking forward to hearing about her experiences.

Have you seen this?

 

 

 

It might be fun for your young dancers to watch.

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We just wrapped up our summer intensive week and have a month off while our studio is completely gutted and re-built.

 

We had a lot of drama this past spring when our studio closed unexpectedly... there's a very long and horrid story there, but I won't go into it.  A very good studio in a nearby city decided to move into our city to fill the void our closed studio left.  This is the amazing part of the story- because they also hired on our beloved teachers.  On top of that, they bought our same studio space, they just need to make it their own.

 

So we're dancing for a new studio, but with the same teachers and many of the same friends, as most have signed on with this new school.  We do dance competitively.  DS competes at the highest level for his age, DD competes at the second highest- so DS has more competitions than she does.

 

DD is competing this year in tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, and hip-hop and she's also doing a tap trio.  She'll also take ballet 3 hours a week, and we're considering adding a third day of ballet.  She was supposed to go en pointe this year, but the beginner pointe class is on Wednesday when we're at church, and we just can't do that.  She's pretty bummed about that.  I'm also thinking about signing her up for tumbling classes at a local gymnastic school to see what they can do with her, as the tumbling classes are also on Wednesday.

 

DS is competing this year in tap, jazz, lyrical, modern and hip-hop, and is also doing a second small group hip-hop.  He has advanced quickly to the same ballet level as his sister, so will have ballet 3 hours a week as well.  I really want to get him into the gymnastic school too as I think he could power tumble quickly, but we're having schedule issues there. 

 

DD is new to hip-hop this year, DS is new to tap.  The studio we are dancing with does have a pre-pro program for ballet students, and she has had many graduates go on to successful dance careers.  DD wants to teach dance at this point, DS wants to dance professionally.  DS did a summer intensive with tWitch from SYTYCD and it totally rocked his world.

 

Our schedule right now is heavenly.  After such awful scheduling the last year, this year we are only at the studio three nights a week.  But like I said, I'm looking heavily at the gymnastic school to see if we can squeeze something in there.

 

We'll be missing a Nutcracker this year as the new studio doesn't do one.  There will be some kind of Christmas show, but we'll have to see how heavily we want to be involved this first year.  They do put on the show to raise money for charity, and I love that aspect of it.  I'm hoping the practice schedule for it will be fairly easy-going and then we'll tackle it.

 

I'm just excited to see what happens this year.  The new choreography coming from our teachers is absolutely amazing- they've really been inspired and unleashed this summer, and I credit that to our new studio owners who are some of the most incredible people I've met.   Our goals for the year are really simple actually.  In addition to growing and doing their best, DS is hoping to find a girl to partner with in the future, as he lost his partner and best friend when our studio closed.  DD wants to level up so that she can compete at the same level as her brother next year.  I do want that for her, though this year I'm pleased with where she ended up, as she is still with her closest friends, and it's a little easier on the dance budget.

 

 

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I've barely dipped my toe in with Sylvia.  Right now, it's one combo class a week for fun and physical activity.  I had her in one place from Jan-June and I was put off by a dance they had their 5-7 group do.  Luckily, Sylvia's dance was completely appropriate, but I had misgivings.  I heard from her BFF's mom what dance studio she was at, so I moved Sylvia so she can dance with her BFF.  They are so cute!

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My dd finished up two intensives this summer and taught at another.  She returns to college and her professional ballet company both, in the next couple of weeks.  Oh, and she got married August 9th.  LOL

 

She is now paid to dance, I don't have a tuition bill, and I will never have to buy another blasted pair of pointe shoes again!! :D

 

There is also a thread on dance schools on the General Ed board right now.

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It might be fun for your young dancers to watch.

 

Ah, thanks. :thumbup1:

 

We've seen some other videos of Irish Dance flash mobs, but not this one. Dd will enjoy seeing it. (But, I already know she will comment/be appalled at 1. the dancer's arms move way too much and 2. thumbs not being tucked inside fists, held very firmly at sides.) LOL. I can appreciate the difference between competitive dance (which has rigid rules as above) & a mix of skill & entertainment (which is more like Riverdance, the flash mob, etc...), but I just always laugh at how dd points out stuff like that. (Of course, I'm not a dancer who has to compete, so it's easy for me to laugh. :tongue_smilie: :laugh: I was pretty much the dance flunkie as a kid so I just totally enjoy watching those who CAN dance with skill, competitive-level or not....)

 

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Ethan is starting Hip Hop classes next week. They are given in a ballet studio. :) It's actually a really nice family owned Jazzercise studio. The daughter was a professional ballerina for nine years and she stopped dancing professionally, had a baby and opened a ballet studio within the Jazzercise studio. It is a non-competitive studio. They do a recital at the end of the year and the studio provides the costumes.

 

He'll be taking the class once a week. The studio goes to local schools to do free classes and they let our hs group come to one in the studio. Ethan just loved it.

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Dd is starting her 9th year of dance after Labor Day. For her it's strictly recreational. She loves to dance, but her career plans are in another direction. This year she taking her usuals: ballet, jazz, and lyrical. She wants to do pointe as well, but we don't know yet if there are enough for the class. She's not worried about it, though. If not this year than she'll do it next year. She is planning to be a student helper this year; she wants to work with the little ones just starting out in ballet and jazz. She gets a credit for each hour worked toward her own classes, which will certainly help out!

 

. 

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My 11 yr old takes ballet pretty seriously. There is no pre-pro studio within 5 hrs or so... But we have a great school (1/2 hr away) that has sent out a fair number of kids to professional careers. And I've seen a lot of progress with my daughter and all the kids, and she loves it - so I'm happy.

 

She started pointe last January and they're starting to do more work in center, so she's feeling good.

 

She'll be taking 5 ballet classes (1.5 hrs) plus 1 jazz class (45 min) and 1 pointe class (45 min). Nutcracker auditions are next month and I know she's hoping to get Clara. There are a couple of other great kids, so who knows.

 

She'd love a professional career. I've agreed to fund and encourage her, but I don't think it's very likely, given the thousands of other talented kids out there. Also, she's 5 '0 now and I'm doubtful she'll grow much more than 5'2 or so. But I think she has an beautiful graceful body that looks great doing ballet and I'm awfully proud of her.

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Dd13 is taking an extended break from theater and filling the void with 3 competitive dance teams. It is the typical life of every other weekend on the road to a different competition. But it is a welcome break for her. Theater took up 20 plus hours a week. Competitive dance should only take about 12.

 

For my excitement, I get to shop for cool stuff like this

 

http://www.dreamduffel.com/

 

And this

 

http://www.amazon.com/NYX-Makeup-Artist-Lights-Silver/dp/B005JRTDMA/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1377156887&sr=8-11&keywords=Lighted+vanity+table%2C+portable

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Wow! See, this is one of the joys of having a male dancer: I make sure his costumes are cleaned and pressed, and then he tucks them into a normal garment bag. (At the moment, he's using one his dad got free from some convention somewhere.) He grabs his backpack full of dance shoes, and we're on our way.

 

I am considering treating myself to a hand-held garment steamer, so I can quit using the iron on his costumes.

 

And, in honor of the new dance year, I did buy him a few snarky t-shirts from Zazzle, like this one: http://www.zazzle.com/tap_dancer_deadly_ninja_by_night_shirt-235628064041380908

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I can appreciate the difference between competitive dance (which has rigid rules as above) & a mix of skill & entertainment (which is more like Riverdance, the flash mob, etc...), but I just always laugh at how dd points out stuff like that. (Of course, I'm not a dancer who has to compete, so it's easy for me to laugh. :tongue_smilie: :laugh: I was pretty much the dance flunkie as a kid so I just totally enjoy watching those who CAN dance with skill, competitive-level or not....)

My son surpassed my ability to discern these kinds of details years ago. Even after all of the time I have spent observing classes and hanging around backstage, watching from the wings, I'm pretty much at the, "I liked that dance. It was pretty," stage. I;m always floored at how precise and technical he gets in discussions with other dancers, the things he notices after simply watching a dance through one time.

 

He has also taken to grabbing videos and DVDs of his own performances as soon as they come into the house and insists on watching them by himself a couple of times she he can critique before he allows anyone else to watch them.

 

It's an amazing thing to watch your own child become adept or even expert at something with which you have only a glancing familiarity.

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My dd finished up two intensives this summer and taught at another.  She returns to college and her professional ballet company both, in the next couple of weeks.  Oh, and she got married August 9th.  LOL

 

She is now paid to dance, I don't have a tuition bill, and I will never have to buy another blasted pair of pointe shoes again!! :D

 

There is also a thread on dance schools on the General Ed board right now.

 

CONGRATS to her!

 

Diamond works in a dance retail shop...  they carry LaDuca shoes, starting at $225!  <<< NOT a typo!  The LaDuca website won't show a direct link, but they carry a t-shirt that says "WILL WORK FOR LADUCAS!"

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CONGRATS to her!

 

Diamond works in a dance retail shop...  they carry LaDuca shoes, starting at $225!  <<< NOT a typo!  The LaDuca website won't show a direct link, but they carry a t-shirt that says "WILL WORK FOR LADUCAS!"

 

LOL  Her company requires Freed shoes, and they pay for them, so I'm completely off the hook.  She can have 10 pair per month.  Woo hoo!!! :D

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  • 3 weeks later...

 

 

What kind of dance does your child do? Is he or she in a pre-pro-type program, competitive or a recreational one? With what goals?

 

My 9yo daughter dances ballet, lyrical, tap, jazz and new this year, hip hop. She is at two schools, a pre-pro ballet (although still at there pre pre level) and a competition school. And she is going to be doing private hip hop lessons. She claims she wants to dance professionally but we shall see.

 

Any kids starting a new schedule? New classes or styles?

 

We are all new this yr. we just moved towns, 3 hours from her last school so we are trying new things and shaking things up. New classes for her this yr are lyrical and hip hop. Her schedule is all new. She dances M-Thursday now.

 

Anyone changing schools or programs?

 

Yes, we are at a new competition school and she is trying a ballet school for the first time.

 

Anyone--either parents or dancers--especially excited about any aspect of the new year?

 

We are excited about possibly doing Nutcracker for the first time and dd may attempt to do a duet or trio for competition this yr if she can get another girl at her level to do it with and find a choreographer.

 

Anything cool on the horizon in terms of scheduled performances or master classes or other experiences?

 

Right now I'm just trying to keep up with the new schedule. My son, 11, also dances but for fun. He is at the ballet school and will be doing Nutcracker.

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My dc is in the full swing of hours and hours of ballet, and she is back to being a joy to parent. Dance 'vacations' are bad news. I've got a very happy girl. Tired, but happy. Like a puppy who gets the activity she needs. :)

 

Yep, I was thinking the same thing of my son earlier this week. (Well, I wouldn't go quite so far as to say "a joy to parent," but . . . )

 

He's not at a ballet-focused studio, but he's taking or assistant teaching between two and seven hours of class Monday through Friday each week, and the difference in his attitude about life is just amazing to see. Two weeks ago, I took him to an event where he got six 90-minute master classes in two days. All he had time or energy to do at the end of either day was to shower, eat dinner and sleep, and he was so happy.

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My daughter worked up the nerve to ask her teacher if she could do a jazz duo with a friend and the teacher said yes.  She and her friend will be practicing an additional 1/2 hr at 830pm.  Thank goodness she homeschools.  Not sure what her friend is going to do but mom said they could do it.  My son will be sound asleep by then.  She's also taking an additional hour of hip hop for the next month or two.  

 

She is now in full swing and is loving the dancing.  She is finally getting sweaty after classes.  She has never worked this hard in class before and I can see the diff in her tech.  

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Ah, thanks. :thumbup1:

 

We've seen some other videos of Irish Dance flash mobs, but not this one. Dd will enjoy seeing it. (But, I already know she will comment/be appalled at 1. the dancer's arms move way too much and 2. thumbs not being tucked inside fists, held very firmly at sides.) LOL. I can appreciate the difference between competitive dance (which has rigid rules as above) & a mix of skill & entertainment (which is more like Riverdance, the flash mob, etc...), but I just always laugh at how dd points out stuff like that. (Of course, I'm not a dancer who has to compete, so it's easy for me to laugh. :tongue_smilie: :laugh: I was pretty much the dance flunkie as a kid so I just totally enjoy watching those who CAN dance with skill, competitive-level or not....)

 

 

Speaking of kids pointing out flaws in other Irish Dancers, my kids did ID for 4 years.  When we went to see River Dance at the Fox, the older one would point out which members of the chorus were off time.  :001_rolleyes: Also, when we saw the touring company of the Rockettes, she was horrified at how bad their lines looked (not entirely even in spite of spikes on the floor marking their places), pointing out that the ID kids can come out on an unfamiliar stage and place themselves perfectly WITHOUT spikes -- and those Irish Dance kids are young amateurs (although the teams at our old studio compete at World's, so they're not exactly slouch teams).

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DD 7 dances 3-4 afternoons a week, ballet and jazz. Jazz is new to her this (calendar) year & she loves it, she has her first exam in seven days. Ballet is her passion though. She's been dancing since 2.5 (in pre-ballet obviously) & has proclaimed her desire to dance ballet professionally constantly since then. She did her first Summer programme in January (obviously we are in the Southern hemisphere ;) ) & came out begging to dance full time. There are programmes here & there around the country from 13/14ish but obviously nothing at her young age. She is currently doing the most she possibly can at her studio. Next year we will have to change studios in order to a) meet her immediate need for MORE ballet and b) meet her longer term goals of getting into a full time pre-professional programme as soon as she can. I'm not looking forward to that. She has built a solid relationship with her current teacher.

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What kind of dance does your child do? Is he or she in a pre-pro-type program, competitive or a recreational one? With what goals?

 

Chipette does ballet. I'm not sure what kind of program she's in. There's not a lot of choice in our small town! The studio does do competitions but my dd doesn't. Her teacher used to dance professionally and is currently working on her doctorate in dance through the Royal Academy of Dance.

 

Any kids starting a new schedule? New classes or styles?

 

Chipette is continuing in her Level 5/Pre-Pointe class. She was the youngest kid to ever be put in that class last year at the age of 8.

Anyone changing schools or programs?

 

Nope. There would be mutiny if I even suggested it!

Anyone--either parents or dancers--especially excited about any aspect of the new year?

 

Chipette's teacher alluded to the fact that she would let her get pointe shoes after Christmas break. I'm not sure how I feel about that. She seems so young!

Anything cool on the horizon in terms of scheduled performances or master classes or other experiences?

 

They do the Nutcracker every winter, but I've not heard what the spring recital will be this year.

 

I'll post my answers to my own questions in a minute. Nothing like talking to yourself at 5:00am to make the time pass!

 

I feel sorry for my daughter sometimes. She dream of being a professional ballerina and she has AMAZING natural talent. Even her teacher has commented more than once that she knows professional ballerinas who would kill to have the arch in her feet. One big problem: MONEY! My dd needs to be taking at least two classes a week, probably more. And I would love to be able to pay for her to have private lessons with her teacher as well, but we can't afford it. We can send her to one class a week and that's it. I have a feeling that what holds dd back from her dreams will be our finances. It makes me very sad.  :crying:

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LOL  Her company requires Freed shoes, and they pay for them, so I'm completely off the hook.  She can have 10 pair per month.  Woo hoo!!! :D

 

Ahhhh Freeds. Not many people who shop where Diamond works use them, but the few who do... well, they're picky & Freeds are tricky, so they just bring out the entire box in their size range and let the customer try them all on, and help as needed. Can't imagine having to fit an entire company with 10 pair/month! :laugh:

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I'm sitting here for another hour or so this early morning waiting around to see if I'm needed for my online job, and I could use some distraction. So, I figured I'd see if we can get a conversation going.

 

Any parents of dancers want to chat about how the new season/dance year is getting underway?

 

What kind of dance does your child do? Is he or she in a pre-pro-type program, competitive or a recreational one? With what goals?

 

Any kids starting a new schedule? New classes or styles?

 

Anyone changing schools or programs?

 

Anyone--either parents or dancers--especially excited about any aspect of the new year?

 

Anything cool on the horizon in terms of scheduled performances or master classes or other experiences?

 

I'll post my answers to my own questions in a minute. Nothing like talking to yourself at 5:00am to make the time pass!

 

My 12 yo has started her 4th year of Irish dancing. They only get a month off in the summer.  Actually, dance camp was the last week of July, so it was a bit less than a month.  Dance camp was 6.5 hours x 5 days, and it was hard, but her dancing dramatically improved.  She also turned 12 in July, and I think some things came together developmentally for her.  She's dyslexic and has really struggled with timing; but she's doing much better with that; and she had a huge growth spurt in the past year, but I think she's "grown into" her new body now.

 

Also, a year ago, we got a new dance teacher from England who has won multiple championships and toured for 3 years with Riverdance, and he has really kicked up the standard for our school.

 

So, after a couple years of progressing slowly but surely, my daughter competed in Savannah in August and placed in 5 out of 6 dances!  She is on the verge of moving up to the next level of competition.  She has 3 competitions in October, and we're hoping that her placements will be sufficient to bump her up, but if not, there are 3 competitions available in November within driving distance.  It would be nice to be done competing in October, though, and then take it easy until spring.

 

DD's goal is to make it to worlds in a few years.  She has a friend who goes to a different dance school who went to worlds this year, so dd knows it's possible with lots of hard work, although only 2% of Irish dancers ever make it to worlds.  She also told me that she wants to go to a college that has an Irish dance team, and she wants to be an Irish dance teacher when she grows up.  She is truly passionate about dancing.

 

Our school is just starting to compete in ceili (set or group) dances, and dd is going to those classes now.  Her teacher wants her on the competition team next year, and they will definitely go to Regionals. Our school has also just acquired new space which is an exciting step up from renting studio space from other dance schools.  We are growing and earning a reputation for being a winning school.  It's exciting to be part of these changes and improvements.

 

When dd moves up to the next level, she will be able to get her first solo dress (as opposed to wearing the school costume).  She loves looking for dresses online and the prospect of having a solo dress is a strong motivator.  I'm slightly less excited than her since I have to pay the bill :ohmy: but I'm happy to see her being successful at something she loves.

 

My oldest dd has "accused" me of becoming a real dance mom, lol.  What's funny is that dd originally wanted to do Scottish dancing, but the only Scottish dance school was an hour away, so I said she could do Irish instead since there's a school nearby, cuz I wasn't going to drive an hour away for class.  Well, our school has multiple locations, and as dd has advanced, she needs to go to class more than once a week; she's up to four days a week now, and only one of those days is at the closest studio.  The other days, I'm driving her an hour away for class, and not only that, I'm driving her out of town for competitions.  I never would have pictured myself being the mom of a competitive dancer, but the things we do for our kids...  :tongue_smilie:  Fortunately, there is another family close by that shares the driving.

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CONGRATS to her!

 

Diamond works in a dance retail shop...  they carry LaDuca shoes, starting at $225!  <<< NOT a typo!  The LaDuca website won't show a direct link, but they carry a t-shirt that says "WILL WORK FOR LADUCAS!"

 

Wow, my dd's hard shoes are $150 and I thought that was bad.  Soft shoes are available for as low as $45, but her dance teacher is particular. The ones he wants her to get next are $72.  To make it worse, the vendors who come to the southern feisanna don't carry the brand we're using now, so i have to pay shipping, too, and if the size isn't right, I have to pay shipping on exchanges.

 

I can't really complain, though.  With her old hard shoes, she had blisters all the time. Since we switched to Pacellis, she hasn't had a single blister. Her skin kind of rubs off, but it doesn't get raw and sore like it was with the old shoes.

 

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My almost 19 yo dancing dd is off at college.  She is majoring in dance (ballet focus) and also taking all the prerequisites to get into Physical Therapy school.  This will be her 15th year dancing.  I am kind of in withdrawal at the moment.  She didn't get her driver's license before she left (no time!) so I was the ballet chauffeur and I worked a lot at the dance school, costumes and front desk.  I haven't been at the studio since dd took her last open class before leaving for college in the middle of August. Plus she was last kiddo. So no homeschooling and no dance.  I can't say I miss it exactly.  I like the big blocks of time to get projects done.  But it is QUIET around here.  And it is the time of year for Nutcracker auditions . . . :001_smile:

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