Let’s Celebrate Dance!

National Dance Day is July 30th so let’s celebrate!

Dance existed in America long before Europeans came to this continent, as Native Americans incorporated dance into spiritual rituals. Throughout the colonial period, settlers from different parts of Europe brought their folk dances to their new homes and Africans preserved their traditions as well. Eventually, all these sources combined and mixed in new ways and added the influences of our changing society. Today, American dance includes ballet, modern dance troupes, jazz, and hip-hop. Social dancing ranges from the waltz to the fox trot to the jitterbug and beyond to the forms that grew up with rock and roll.

Whatever it looks like, dance is a form of emotional expression. Dancers may be moved by sorrow, religious fervor, or the joy that Friday has come at last. Children are natural dancers. Think of a toddler’s response to music. There’s a lot of jumping and jigging and spinning going on. While it’s not structured, it’s dance.

Dance Classes

Children old enough to participate in a group benefit greatly from dance classes in a variety of ways. The physical benefits may be obvious: increased range of motion, coordination, strength, and overall fitness are among them.

Dance involves movement patterns, and one of the most important benefits for children is an awareness of these patterns. Why? The ability to recognize patterns is an inherent part of learning such academic skills as arithmetic, reading, and spelling. Remember your early lessons of “cat, bat, rat, sat”? That’s a pattern, as is counting by twos, fives, and tens.

As with gymnastics classes, dance sessions also allow kids to work on their social skills, although they don’t see it that way. They think they’re having fun as they listen to instructions and interact with peers. Learning how to cooperate in a group here will help with those group projects in school and, later, on the job.

Emotional Expression

Perhaps the greatest benefit of participating in dance classes has to do with emotional expression. Even in a structured class and dance routine, each dancer brings their own interpretation to the performance. For kids who have trouble managing their feelings, dance can provide an appropriate and constructive outlet for that emotional energy.

So be sure to celebrate dance on July 30th as we honor the contributions to our cultural heritage made by America’s dancers and choreographers!

Tutus & Bows: What Every Dance Parent Should Know Before Your Child’s Recital

It’s almost here! Our annual Tumblebees dance recital is just around the corner, figuratively speaking. Of course, it’s actually at Greensboro College. In all the excitement, it’s easy to forget some details regarding what is expected of you and your child. You might want to bookmark this post as a handy reminder.

The recital experience actually consists of three separate events: dress rehearsal, the recital itself, and a photo shoot. The photo shoot will take place during your young dancer’s regular dance class the week after the recital. Trying to squeeze it in at either the dress rehearsal or the recital is just too much for everyone to handle!

Makeup

Please be sure your child has her complete makeup applied and ready-to-go for each of the three events. The dress rehearsal is not only about wearing costumes; it’s also a chance for you, as a parent, to do a run-through of your preparation for the recital. Specifically, it’s an opportunity for you to learn how much time to allow for makeup application. Plan on a practice session at home before the dress rehearsal.

Costume Prep

Make sure your dancer’s costume is ready for each of the three events. Dance costumes are often made of fabrics that may melt under the high heat of an iron, so please use steam to remove wrinkles. Make sure that you have the entire costume when you leave your home! Organizing it all the night before is a good idea, with the main part on a hanger, if applicable, and shoes, stockings, and accessories packed in a clean bag.

Accessories

The only accessories your dancer needs are those that are officially part of her costume. In general, no jewelry is allowed because it may detract from the dance itself, but if your child has pierced ears, talk to her instructor about appropriate post earrings.

Also remember that colored nail polish is not acceptable, although clear polish is okay to add just a little flash.

Details

Be sure to read your May newsletter and/or any handouts you receive from your child’s dance instructor. These will feature details such as the times not only of the recital, put when your child will need to report for both the dress rehearsal and recital. Be sure to keep directions to Greensboro College handy to make sure your child arrives on time.

Finally, remember to relax and enjoy this experience!