Recital for New Parents

So its time for your first Dancemakers recital. The Christmas Recital is a great first recital for new parents. Recital is a very exciting time but can be very overwhelming for the uninitiated. Hopefully these pointers will help you relax and enjoy the show.

The first thing and most important thing for you to know is the Dancemakers staff works very hard to present a smooth and organized show. From the stage you may never fully appreciate the organization and structure of what takes place back stage, but behind the scenes is a cool, calm, and collected staff that knows how to run a great presentation. Although it might not be clear to you, the order of dances and the time period given for dances to get into position is orchestrated to make sure that dancers are prepared and not too rushed.

So if this is your first time, be prepared to sit back, relax and enjoy the show. The dancers have worked hard to prepare an amazing and festive event and all of them are excited to show you what they’ve learned. You may only have one dancer in one dance, but the entire show is sure to entertain and better yet, will definitely put you in the holiday spirit. Please be patient, and courteous to all of the dancers on stage while waiting for your special little one to take the stage. Since this is the Christmas show, you may take pictures in the front row during your dancers presentation.

The night before recital is an excellent time to prepare and layout your dancers costume. Collect all the accessories that you will need and have them together with her costume. If you are in more than one dance, review the line up and make some plans for how you will need to adjust her costume and hair from number to number ahead of time. Make bundles for each costume and have a plan. If there are fewer than three numbers between a change, please let your teacher know. Prepare to be as dressed as possible for the first number when you leave the house. If you know you will have to change, have the other costumes bagged up and ready to transport before the morning of recital. This will allow you to concentrate on preparing makeup and gathering your family. There is nothing worse than getting to the auditorium and only then finding out you must return home for more supplies.

In order for you to truly enjoy the day, arrive early. If this is your little one’s first recital, they may already be nervous and everything you can do to take it easy during the morning will contribute to easing their nerves. Arriving early means you won’t have to rush your dancer into the dressing room and will give you some time to find a nice quiet spot with the rest of her class. Further, this will also give you a chance to find an appropriate location in the audience. Figure out ahead of time which number your dancer uses for placement on the stage and arrange to sit your family on that side of the auditorium so you will have the best view of your little dancer.

Since your little one may have quite a while to wait until their classes number is called, bring a bag full of activities to occupy them backstage. All dancers are to remain in the changing room during the duration of the recital, and this may prove lengthy to the uninitiated. Although there will be a class babysitter or mother who will provide assistance in going to the restroom, they will not necessarily be ready to fully occupy your little one. If you bring some familiar games and quiet activities, they will be prepared to patiently wait for their number or for curtain call. Although there may be snacks sold in the foyer, but you may also wish to have something for your dancer that can’t stain her costume or make a mess.

Finally, please be courteous, whether your dancer has one dance or ten, there are hundreds of girls looking forward to their time in the spotlight and they all have been working hard for this day for weeks and months. Be prepared to be dazzled and entertained, but also give each dance your attention. The dancers are excited to show you their moves whether you are their family or not. So sit back, relax and prepare for the greatest holiday show this year!

Survival Guide

We at Dancemakers are so excited to start the year, and if these first few days are any indication, it is going to be a very exciting season. For those of you returning, and for our new families, here are some helpful hints to to help transition to the busy times ahead.

Getting to class on time is very important. Our teachers have prepared an appropriate curriculum that begins with warm ups and stretching. Your dancer will have the best experience with the least chance of cramps or injury when she is there on time to get the blood flowing properly. 

One thing we recommend is having a dedicated dance bag. Pack it up the night before with shoes, a cover up for after dance, and if timing will be tight between school and dance, your leotard and tights. Also, don’t forget extra hair-ties and bobby pins! You can always change when you get to the studio. Also, please add a small nutritious protein packed snack, such as a granola bar or peanut butter crackers and a refillable water bottle. Since your dinner schedule will be impacted, nothing beats a quick snack to provide that extra boost of energy to make it through a tough rehearsal.  

If you are also bringing your dancer’s siblings to the studio, please bring something that will entertain them during their wait. Many of our students are balancing extracurriculars, school work, and a busy dance schedule. They often will use their time between classes to complete their homework in the lobby, so please be compassionate to their needs. Although it can get crowded and congested, please encourage your children to behave well and play safely.

Many of our faculty members teach several classes in a row, and our classes are scheduled with just enough time for students to move into and out of class. If you have a question for your child’s teacher, please be brief and understand that they have a responsibility to the class. Our faculty is always happy to answer your questions, and will be glad to give you a call at a later time if needed.

Please use caution and be aware of the other businesses in the area. Since safety is our top concern, please escort your child into the lobby and back out to your car. We discourage students from congregating outside the studio especially after twilight to insure their safety.

If you have any concerns, please bring them to our attention either directly to your teacher or through email and we will do our best to address them. We look forward to having an amazing year and watching your dancer grow throughout the season!