THE BEAT
O A P R I L !
S A Y H E L L O
Ta to th Backsta
HOW TO REGISTER:
Register online through your Backstage Dance Studio Portal, HERE There is no tuition charge or registration fee associated with Dancing Dads.
TEACHER’S ASSISTANT PROGRAM
ist others in our classroom?
Our comprehensive Teacher's Assistant Program provides aspiring teachers with the training and skills they need to be employable and ensures dancers in our classrooms are supported along their dance journey! Our TAs complete educational coursework, gain hands-on teaching experience, assist weekly in the classroom, help foster student growth, engage in mentorship opportunities, and build relationships with our faculty.
We are looking for dancers (ages 10+ years old) with experience in at least two different genres of dance to join our 2025-2026 cohort If you're ready to become a TA, review the details on our website and complete our Interest Form prior to August 1st for a chance to join our program!
Dancers will return to regular classes after our Spring Show (on Monday, June 2nd) and continue through Saturday, June 14 These last weeks of classes will include assessments/evaluations, end-of-year celebrations and recognitions, and two weeks of “try-it” classes to explore new dance styles. Watch for an email in early May with more details about the schedule for the final weeks of our session.
Students who do not participate in our Spring Shows (including those in Creative Movement or Acro classes) will continue with classes under the same schedule as those who participate in our Spring Shows (with a session end date of June 14th). Students in Creative Movement and Acro classes (and those students in other classes who have opted out of Spring Show participation) will NOT have classes the week of May 26th, which is the week of our Dress Rehearsals and Spring Shows. Families with students in Creative Movement and Acro classes and those not participating in the Spring Show will receive a credit for one class on their May tuition billing.
END OF SESSION DATES
Creative Movement classes will have a performance for their families in the studio (during class) between May 17 and 21, and Acro classes will invite families in during the last 10 minutes of class the week of May 19 to show parents the skills they learned during the session! More details about our end-of-session schedule will be shared in the coming month!
TEAM UPDATES!
We’re so proud of our Signature and STARS team!
SIGNATURE TEAM
The Signature Team had a BUSY month of dancing in March! Starting with Footnotes, the Signature Team showcase early in the month, dancers subsequently attended the Encore, NRG, and Celebrity dance competitions the following three weekends! If you’ve been in the studio over the past month, no doubt you have seen the large stacks of plaques, trophies, banners and other awards that our Signature Team has earned. We’re so proud of the energy and passion these dancers bring to each competition/convention and can’t wait to watch them continue to shine
ur upcoming Spring Break y dance competition in h d k d d di i !
STARS TEAM
Our Stars teams did a fabulous job representing Backstage at their first competition of the season at the end of March! At the AMP Dance Competition in Seattle, the Stars 102 Purple Team received the Judge’s Award for their tap performance, the Stars 102 Red team received the Musicality Award for their hip hop performance, the Stars 103 Team received the Entertainment Award and 1st Place overall for their hip hop performance, and the Stars 104 team received 1st place overall for their contemporary performance. Congratulations to our Stars teams, and good luck with your next competition at the end of April!
DID YOU KNOW? BDS IS A MORE THAN JUST GREAT DANCING AFFILIATED STUDIO!
What does it mean?
MTJGD is a licensed affiliation of dance studios that subscribe to a higher standard of dance instruction and management principles
As part of a dynamic network of nearly 300 dance studios and 100,000 students worldwide, MTJGD transforms staff development and provides leadership training, quality programs and curricula to its affiliate studios.
MTJGD is a commitment to providing MORE than excellent dance instruction MTJGD dancers go beyond technique to develop important life skills, learning to be respectful, confident and conscientious young people who share their gifts and talents with the community.
MTJGD studios are diverse in their specialties, but united in their belief in the power of dance to change lives.
PROJECT
BELLEVUE CONSTRUCTION 12
The Washington State Department of Transportation is starting a project during the month April, which may impact your commute to and from the studio for the next several months. To learn more about the details behind the construction project, please visit: https://engage.wsdot.wa.gov/i-90-sunset-creek-fish-passage-project
How does the closure impact roads leading to the studio?
I-90 travelers and users of local roads can expect:
Long-term HOV lane closures on both directions of I-90 between 142nd Place Southeast and I-405 to create work zones in the median of I-90.
A six-month full closure of Southeast Eastgate Way between Seattle Humane and Polaris at Eastgate scheduled to start in mid-April, for bridge construction
A detour for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians will be in place for the duration of the closure using Richards Road, Southeast 26th Street and 139th Avenue Southeast
King County Metro bus stops on Southeast Eastgate Way will relocate to Richards Road and 139th Avenue Southeast during bridge construction.
Local access will be permitted to the east and west of the closure on Southeast Eastgate Way.
Construction will primarily occur during the day between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Bridge construction on Southeast 36th Street over Sunset Creek finished in late February 2025 Utility work will continue in the area through spring 2025
I-90 bridge construction is slated to finish in early 2026 Lane shifts on eastbound and westbound I-90 between 142nd Place Southeast and I-405 for construction of new freeway bridges over Sunset Creek
Streambed and habitat restoration in Sunset Creek will begin in 2026 and continue into early 2027.
SUMMER CLASSES AND CAMPS
We are excited to announce that our summer class schedule is open for registration! Backstage is offering 6 weeks of classes (June 30 - August 7) and a variety of camps, which start between June 24 and August 4 Backstage families, check your portal account and search under “Future Enrollments” to find the summer classes your dancer’s teacher(s) have recommended for them.
REGISTER TODAY through your Jackrabbit portal account or the Backstage website!
Y DRAW
RAFFLE!
RAW raffle for $50 OFF summer registration is So, if you haven't yet registered your child for w is the time! Current Backstage families who class, camp or intensive workshop before April ntered into a raffle for $50 off summer tuition.
3 winners--we hope YOU are one of our families!
PERFORMING ARTS CAMPS
Tuesday-Thursday / 9:00a to 12:00p / Ages 3-6
July 8-10: Princess Ballet
Join us for a magical Princess Ballet Camp, where dancers can explore the enchanting world of ballet!
July 22-24:
Trolls Rock Hip Hop
Get ready to rock and roll at our Trolls Rock Hip Hop Camp for kids!
July 29-31: Fairy Ballet
Step into a world of magic and grace at our Fairy Ballet Camp!
Early Bird Price (register by June 1): $180/week
After June 1: $200/week
Non-refundable deposit of $50 due upon registration
2-IN-1 & 1/2 DAY DANCE CAMPS
Monday-Friday / 9:00a to 5:00p for 2-in-1 / Ages 6-11
Monday-Friday / 9:00a to 1:00p for 1/2 Day / Ages 6-11
June 24-27: Wicked
Unleash your inner witch or wizard at our Wickedthemed camp! (*NOTE: this is a 4-day camp)
July 14-18: Swiftie Summer
Get ready to shake it off at Swiftie Summer the ultimate camp!
August 4-8: Zombies, Werewolves & More!
Get ready for a spooky and thrilling week of dance at our Zombies, Werewolves & More camp!
egister by June 1): $700/week ($560 4-day camp) week ($600 4-day camp)
eposit of $75 due upon registration. mps:
Early Bird Price (register by June 1): $380/week ($305 4-day camp)
After June 1, 2025: $400/week ($320 4-day camp)
Non-refundable deposit of $50 due upon registration
S U M M E R C A M P S
Our character focus for APRIL is...
CHARACTERFOCUS GRATITUDE
We are encouraging our dancers to focus on GR this month! Let's all earn a card for having an ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE during the month of
Gratitude means thanks and appreciation. It's the warm feeling you get when someone helps you figure out a great solution to a difficult problem that you've been trying to solve You can show gratitude through kindness respect, grace, appreciation, empathy and by being grateful
Gratitude turns what little you have into abundance Gratitude is so much more than saying thank you your world
DANCER BIRTHDAYS
Zoey D. April 1
Soline R. April 1
Sophia S. April 1
Logan T. April 1
Jordan B. April 2
Brea B. April 2
Lenora H. April 2
Gia M. April 2
Jane R. April 2
Stella Y. April 2
Andrew P. April 4
April W. April 4
Priyanka T. April 5
Josie H. April 6
Ella K. April 6
Andrew L. April 7
Stella S. April 8
Cindy C. April 9
Nathaniel L. April 10
Natalie S. April 10
Adrianna Z. April 10
Alison S. April 12
Charlotte L. April 14
Sophie K. April 15
Jacey L. April 15
Lily M. April 15
Iris N. April 15
Hermione Z. April 16
James G. April 17
Brooklyn B. April 18
Athena H. April 18
Penelope C. April 19
Addison F. April 22
Stella M. April 22
Violet P. April 22
Nirav K. April 23
Virinchi K. April 23
Sydney S. April 24
Taylor A. April 25
Mark P. April 25
Ramona R. April 25
Sonny R. April 25
Amy Z. April 25
Heather T. April 26
Devin W. April 26
Gabriella W. April 26
Ellie Y. April 26
Ashley F. April 27
Stella S. April 27
Rei Y. April 27
Quincy C. April 28
STAFF BIRTHDAYS
Miss Ann April 2
Miss Tomoko April 5
TEACHERSPOTLIGHT THE BEAT 17
KELLY
Kelly has been dancing since the age of five and teaching movement to children for over 20 years She grew up in Minnesota, where she competed with her local dance studio in jazz, tap, lyrical, and ballet She was also a member of her high school dance team, which won the state championship her senior year She began her journey in teaching with her first job as a gymnastics instructor at age 15 She continued dancing in college as a member of the University of Minnesota Duluth and Montana State University dance teams while also teaching classes at a local studio. She fell in love with choreography and has shared her love of movement and expression with students at Backstage for the past thirteen years. She teaches ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary, and choreographs for the signature team.
Though she earned her degree in Graphic Design and continues freelance work in design/illustration (including the Backstage Costume Coloring Book), she loves saving time for dance and can’t imagine life without it. She has danced and taught across multiple states and studios around the greater Seattle area and chooses Backstage as her home for its technical excellence, integrity, community, and family feel She’s particularly excited that her daughter Pippin joined the Signature Team this year!
FUN FACTS:
Outside of dance, Kelly likes to craft, sew and ski
Check out her children’s illustrations: kellyraebahrcom
PARENT EDUCATION
Backstage would like to partner with you on your parenting journey! We will inform you of parenting workshops and speaker series that may be of interest to you, and hope to bring you some of our own events throughout the year.
Experienced parenting coach and “Raising Lions” author Joe Newman offers valuable insights on how to transform distracted and defiant children into kids who are motivated, respectful and attentive. Newman explores the deeper purposes behind conflict and what parents can do to spark change and work toward a calmer home
From Chaos to Calm: Compassionate Discipline for Spirited Kids With Joe Newman, author and parent coach April 1, 2025 • 12:00–1:00pm PT
Register now for the live Q&A-style webinar for just $10. By signing up, you’ll receive access to the event recording to watch anytime, anywhere.
H E M O N T H
THE BEAT 19
D
A
N C E R
O F
CONGRATS
to our April Dancers of the Month! These dancers were nominated by one of their teachers for going above and beyond in class! Each dancer of the month will receive a certificate of recognition and a gift card to Stage Left Dancewear!
Way to go, dancers!
Ella Emmel
Ella is enrolled in Pre-Hip Hop and Pre-Ballet classes at Backstage Her teacher, Miss Shandie, nominated Ella for always working hard and asking great questions in class! Excellent job, Ella!
Leena Mozden
Leena is enrolled in Jazz 3 and Ballet 4 classes at Backstage Her ballet teacher, Miss Rhonda, nominated Leena for being such a wonderful student! She appreciates that Leena is always polite and friendly to everyone, that she is engaged in class and always tries her best. Way to go, Leena!
Quincy Charles
Quincy is a member of the Signature Team at Backstage Her ballet teacher, Miss Leta, nominated Quincy for dancer of the month. Leta says that Quincy has improved her focus on her ballet technique in class, and she is always kind to everyone. Wonderful job, Quincy!
SKILLS OF THE MONTH
Each month of our school-year session, dancers in Acro, Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz and Tap classes will be working on particular skills. We will list these skills, along with a description (and sometimes links to additional information about the skills) in the newsletter. Practicing these skills outside of class is beneficial, so we encourage you to ask your dancers for demonstrations at home!
See the next page for
A P R I L SKILLS OF T
ACRO HEADSTAND
Definition: Is a pose that is an inversion posture of standing head down. The technique is used in different settings such as yoga, breakdancing, acrobatics and beginner gymnastics.
Balance for set time, lengthened back, neck long, head and hands in triangle, shoulders pressed away from ears, abs engaged, knees bent, feet stretched, toes point up.
Can practice different variations with legs.
VIDEO: How to headstand!
BALLET CHAÎNÉ
Translation: Chains, links.
Definition: A series of rapid half turns on demi-pointe, or if wearing toe shoes, en pointe in a straight line or in a circle.
Technique: The dancer lifts onto relèvé (either demipointe, or if wearing toe shoes, en pointe), and then pivots from side to side, crossing the stage. Arms are typically held in a nice, round first position.
Chaînés are almost always performed on the diagonal, and as quickly as the dancer can move! The most common place for a chaînés turn is at the end of a phrase in choreography: typically, to help move the dancer from the center of the stage off into the wings.
VIDEO: How to chaîné!
Definitio helicopt basic br down on on your on eithe knee. Ot on the f the leg t avoid be leg; you and put then use of your b your sw and repe
VIDEO: H grinder!
THE MONTH 22
HOP
E GRINDER
on: Also known as the ter, is one of the most reakdancing moves. Go n one bent leg standing toes with your hands er side of your bent ther leg is lying flat out loor beside you. Swing that’s on the ground. To eing hit by your swing u pick up your hands them back on the floor, e them to pick the rest body up lifting it over wing leg. Drop your body eat.
How to do a coffee !
JAZZ
PIVOT TURN
Definition: A general classification for dance turns in which the performer's body rotates about its vertical axis without traveling. The performer may be supported by one or both feet, which swivel in place.
Stepping forward on one foot, quickly change direction of your body to face the opposite. Both feet remain on floor. To make a full pivot turn, step forward again, but in a line opposite from the original direction. Continue the pivot to end up facing in the original direction. Remember to spot.
VIDEO: How to pivot turn!
TAP
RIFFLE
Definition: A fast, rhythmic step that typically involves a quick succession of toe taps and heel scuffs, creating a rapid, percussive sound, often considered a combination of shuffle and riff elements within a tap sequence. It usually involves quickly touching the toe to the floor, then scuffing the heel, sometimes with a slight weight shift to the standing leg, and spank back. Also known as a 3 count riff or a 3 count shuffle.
VIDEO: How to do a riffle!
23
THE BEAT
ROLLOVER REGISTRATION/ MEMBERSHIP
Information about our registration for classes for our 2025-2026 School-Year Session is coming soon! We are working on our membership levels and priority registration for current families and will have this information available in our May newsletter Our goal is to have the class schedule ready for viewing in early June!
SPRING FEVER SPIRIT WEEK!
It’s April, and while Spring weather may not have officially arrived in the Pacific Northwest, we have Spring Fever!
Dancers can celebrate Spring during Spring Fever Spirit Week, April 14th-19th, by wearing their floral, pastel-colored or Easter-themed clothing to class to celebrate the season of Spring Just make sure it’s something that is comfortable for your dancer, so that it doesn’t impede their ability to participate fully in class!
Happy Spring to all!
FT. JOSIE HARNISH SIGNATURE TEAM
BACKSTAGE DANCE STUDIO
BUILDING CONFIDENCE, CHARACTER, AND COMMUNITY SINCE 1984. THANK YOU FOR DANCING WITH US!