Kicking Off the New Dance Season!
Welcome, and welcome back to Dance Expressions! We're excited to kick off the new dance season, welcome returning dancers back, and meet new faces. The year has been off to an amazing start, with many dancers having their first day of class and leaving with big smiles on their faces. It’s the year of lots of firsts for so many of our students. For some new students- young, teens, and in between- they may feel nervous and not know what to expect for dance class. Our faculty and staff are here to help and ease their nerves as they learn how dance classes work and become familiar with new experiences, routines, and people.
For some of our youngest dancers, this may be their first venture into a classroom away from their parents and guardians. Our classes for younger movers emphasize creative ways of movement through imaginative play, engaging instruction, and fun dance exercises. Fear not if your dancer takes longer than usual to warm up to movement; they will still learn a lot by being in the studio amongst their peers. Confidence can take time, especially during the first few weeks of a new season. Our teachers and assistants are experienced at welcoming dancers, creating a positive classroom atmosphere, and helping each student feel seen, safe, and included.
Many students this year are venturing into their first “stand-alone” ballet class! This is an exciting time as their dedication to ballet grows, expanding into new learning opportunities and greater command of the dance genre. More time spent on ballet allows us to cover more of our curriculum and gives students more time to practice those skills. Students will typically begin class at the barre, where they will practice ballet positions, foundational movements like plie and tendu, and work on concepts like turnout and posture. From there, dancers may move to the center of the studio to work on body positions, jumps, turns, balance, traveling steps, and more. With the steady routine of ballet class and our DE curriculum, dancers are sure to learn and grow in their technique and artistry.
For dancers trying a new style for the first time, whether it is jazz, tap, hip hop, or modern, it is okay not to know all the terminology or movements right away. Dance is a learning process. Our instructors love to break down combinations, explain new steps with vivid imagery, and use repetition to help our dancers learn. The most important thing a student can bring to class is a positive attitude and a willingness to try. No dancer, whether beginner or professional, is perfect! We all start somewhere and learn to embrace a journey of continual improvement.
Across the board, a typical dance class often includes a warm-up, stretching, exercises that build technique, movement across the floor, and a short combination. These activities help dancers develop strength, stamina, flexibility, coordination, rhythm, and body awareness. Dance classes also offer opportunities to practice listening skills, taking turns, working with peers, and following instructions.
It is helpful for dancers to arrive at the studio early with the appropriate dancewear, shoes, and a water bottle. Being prepared allows students to settle in, use the restroom if needed, put on the correct shoes, and enter the studio feeling calm and ready to learn. If a dancer is nervous, parents and guardians can remind them that it is okay to feel unsure when trying something new. Our instructors and teaching assistants are there to encourage and build your dancers up!
Most of all, dance class should be a place for joy, creativity, friendship, and self-expression. At Dance Expressions, our motto is to “Inspire the love of dance,” and we truly mean it! We want our studio to be a positive, caring environment that welcomes our whole community. Whether your dancer is learning their very first dance steps in the studio or beginning a new chapter in their dance education, we are so proud of them for showing up and giving it a try. We cannot wait to watch every dancer grow, learn, and shine throughout the season!
Here’s to a wonderful year of movement, memories, and many exciting firsts at Dance Expressions!
