the beat character
BUILDING CONFIDENCE, CHARACTER, AND COMMUNITY SINCE 1984!
FALL COLORING CONTEST WINNERS!
Thanks to all our talented artists for participati in our November coloring contest! It was a very tough decision, but we have chosen three winners + an honorable mention!
Ages6&under:LuciaPerez-Valverde(De
Ages7-12:NathalieTrescases(HipHop4
Ages13&up:PhilipTrescases(Signature
HonorableMention:PippinBahr(Signat
CONGRATULATIONS ARTIST
DRESS CODE CONTEST winners!
Weweresoimpressedbythenumberofclassesthatwereentered intoourDressCodecontestforhavingperfectdresscodeamongallmembersoftheclass! Thismeansthatsomanyofourdancersarecomingtoclassinproperdresscodeeachweek. Keepuptheawesomework,dancers!
The winning classes are:
Pre-BalletwithMissIsabelle(Saturdays,10:45)
HipHopBasics2withMissKellsie(Fridays,4:15)
Ballet1withMissMadison(Wednesdays,5:00)
TheseclasseswillreceiveanicecreampartyattheendoftheirclasstheweekofDecember 1st!Congratulationstothedancersintheseclasses!
ADAY INTHELandof Sweets
DECEMBER
22 11:00A-2:00P
ADayintheLandofSweetsatBackstageDanceStudio!
Joinusforamagicaldayofdance,music,andholidayfuninspired byTheNutcracker!
Monday,December22|11:00am–2:00pm
Cost:$90
Ages3–5withMissTomoko,Ages6-8withMissMadison
Dancerswill:
LearnaNutcracker-themedroutine
EnjoystorytimeandvisitsfrombelovedNutcrackercharacters
DecorateafestiveNutcrackerdessert
Performforparentsduringthefinal10minutesofclass
Spacesarelimited registersoonanddanceintothemagicof theholidays! join us!
SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY DURING THE HOLIDAYS –Seattle Angels!
As a reminder, we are inviting our Backstage community to help us brighten the holiday season for foster families who are supported by the Seattle Angels organization. Please note that our donation deadline is Friday, December 5th, so please make sure to turn in your items by the deadline. Seattle Angels will take our donations and put together what they call “Love Boxes” during the week of December 8th to make the holidays just a bit brighter for area foster families. If you haven’t picked up a card at the studio but would like to participate, note the following is a list of items Seattle Angels would like to include in their love boxes:
Movie tickets/gift cards for a fun family outing
Gift cards to local grocery stores, Target, Amazon and UberEats/DoorDash for families to get needed items/food for the family
Target and Amazon gift cards for older youth to purchase items for themselves
Squishmallow stuffies
Starbucks cards for a treat Games for family time
Local sports team items
Puzzles
Perler beads or other art activities for families
School supplies
Thank you in advance for supporting Seattle Angels and the local foster care community!
Please don’t forget to drop off your donations by Friday, December 5th!
Don’t Forget!
ShowParticipation/CostumeFormsdueMonday,December8th!
As a reminder, part of filling out the form includes taking your dancer’s measurements, which are very important for us to make sure the correct costume size is ordered for your dancer. Please view our HOW TO MEASURE VIDEO so that you ensure you are measuring your dancer correctly. Tape measures are available for use at the studio, please check in with a staff member at the front desk if you need to borrow one.
costume forms!
HOLIDAY SPIRIT WEEK
During this holiday season, we pause to reflect on the many things we are grateful for. Parents, we are especially grateful to you for giving your child the gift of dance. We understand the struggle can be significant at times, juggling multiple kids’ schedules and getting them to all their activities on time! We see you, and we appreciate you making the commitment to being part of the Backstage Dance community!
As our thank you to you for choosing to be part of our Backstage community, we are hosting a holiday warm beverage cart at the studio the week of December 15th! Stop into the studio Monday through Friday of that week from 4:30-6:30 and on Saturday, from 10:00 to 12:00 when we will have a barista on hand to serve yummy hot chocolate and warm apple cider drinks to our wonderful Backstage families!
Note that December 15-20 is also our Holiday Spirit Week, where dancers can wear their holiday or cozy winter pajamas to class to celebrate the season. In addition, our younger Foundations-level classes (Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet, Ballet Basics, Ballet/Tap, Pre-Hip Hop, Hip Hop Basics and Broadway Bound) will invite parents into the dance room for the last 5-10 minutes of class during the week of the 15th to demonstrate what they have been working on in class! Pleasejoinusforafestiveweekofcommunity!
DANCER birthdays!
HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS TO EVERYONE CELEBRATING THIS MONTH!
Lucia P-V December 2
Anyi L December 3
Jaia J. December 4
Siena J. December 4
Vanya M. December 4
Lisa Z. December 4
Danielle L. December 5
Mackenzie T December 6
Sophia R. December 7
Beatrice U. December 8
Eleanora L. December 9
Jenny Z. December 9
Inaya A. December 10
Elsa Z December 10
Piper L December 11
Kaitlyn C. December 12
Sakura S. December 12
Alexis M. December 13
Delanie S. December 13
Arloe C. December 14
Anji K December 14
Audrey K December 14
Rory M. December 14
Riley S. December 15
Durga V December 16
Julia N December 17
Sasha F. December 18
Luna O. December 18
Sophia Y. December 18
Hannah C. December 19
Harper C. December 19
Aria M December 19
Paige D. December 21
Catherine H. December 21
Marina S. December 22
Clara S. December 22
Gigi W. December 23
Lena I December 24
Juliana V December 24
Iris L. December 25
Alana A. December 26
Jessica C. December 26
Rowen G. December 26
Mackenzie P. December 26
Naomi X December 26
Riley H December 27
Penelope Y. December 27
Jessica S. December 31
kindness
Acts of... KINDNESS can make the world a happier place for everyone.
They can boost feelings of confidence, being in control, happiness and optimism. They may also encourage others to repeat the good deeds they've experienced themselves –contributing to a more positive community.
We hope all our dancers earn a KINDNESS
D E C E M B E R
character FOCUS
TEACHER SPOTLIGHT
Miss Madison is a Seattle-based tea and raised in San Diego, California studied under Nicky Lucia at Danc Nwosu at Scripts Performing Arts A she studied under Dr Victoria Wat of the Arts, where she studied balle and Gérard Théorêt, and modern w Brian Lawson, and Markeith Wiley somatics, creative movement, yout a variety of practical arts
In her professional life, Madison tea contemporary, and jazz in the grea Madison joined the Backstage team currently teaches Creative Moveme Debut Dancer Development, Ballet Ballet 4/5, Ballet 203, Hip Hop Basics, Hip Hop 1, STARS 103 Contemporary and STARS 102 Dancer Development. Madison is also the coordinator of our STARS Program!
Outside of the dance studio, Madison enjoys finding new running paths around the city and reading books recommended to her by friends and family. We’re so happy to have Madison as a member of the Backstage team!
miss madison
fun facts!
Miss Madison’s favorite food is Oreo cookies! Her favorite animal is an orca whale ��
AGAIN THIS YEAR, 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.
NotethatParentMapisnothostinganyvirtualparenttalksduringthebusyholidaymonthof December.Butpleasemarkyourcalendarsfortheirnextimportanttalkwhenwekickoffthe newyearinJanuary!
Inside the ADHD Mind: Tools to Help Your Child Thrive
WithDr.SashaHamdani,ADHDspecialist Jan.21,2026,noon–1p.m.PT
Betterunderstandingleadstobettersupport.JoinDr.SashaHamdani,board-certified psychiatristandADHDspecialist,foraninsightfultalktohelpyoudecipherwhat’sreally goingoninyourchild’sbrain.DiscoverhowtospotADHDsymptoms,choosetheright treatmentsandconfidentlysupporttheirmentalhealththrougheverydaychallenges.
Helpyourkidsthriveinachangingworld—jointheliveZoomwebinartoengage,learnand getyourquestionsanswered.ParentMapchargesasmallfeeforthesewebinars.Youcan reserveyourspotforjust$10andenjoyon-demandreplayaccessanytime.
congrats!dancer OF THE MONTH -
CONGRATS to our December 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!
Erika N.
Erika was nominated by her Hip Hop/Flip Flop teacher, Miss Chisako, for being a hard worker and always trying her best in class. Excellent job, Erika!
Miriam Perkins
Miriam is enrolled in Tap 1 and was nominated by Miss Kellsie for being focused in class! Miss Kellsie says that Miriam is great at making connections and is kind to her classmates Way to go, Miriam!
Erin Wong
Erin is a member of our Signature competition team and was nominated by her ballet teacher, Miss Jenae, for giving 100% in class. Jenae says that Erin always pushes herself, keeps practicing difficult steps, and strives to perfect her technique. Amazing work, Erin!
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!
december
skills of th
mon
acro HANDSTAND
Definition: An act of balancing on one's hands with one's feet in the air or against a wall.
Balance with control, elbows straight, legs straight and together, stretched feet, fingers spread and engaged, eye focus forward, no walking, lunge with long back into kick up (Acrobactic Arts).
Beginners can do L - stands or just practice kicking lower leg to meet the other in the air. Advanced students can practice other variations into it, straddle up, pike up, tuck up, or balancing for as long as they can.
VIDEO: How to handstand!
ballet BALANCÉ
Translation: Rocking step.
Definition: A balancé is a beautiful rocking step where a dancer moves while alternating balance between their feet. It is a three-step combination, and the rhythm is typically in three counts like a waltz. It has the motion of going “down, up, down” with the legs.
Technique: The dancer extends one leg to a degagé to the side, fondues and transfers weight onto that foot while crossing the other behind the ankle in coupé position, piqués on the back foot while slightly lifting the first, then fondues once again on the first foot.
VIDEO: How to balancé!
Definition: Down grooves emphas the music with d rocking motions
Can add up (or li emphasize the b music with moti upwards and bo grooves to invol bouncier type of usually adding in jump or hop. And essential to combos.
VIDEO: How to d
nth!
december
jazz BALL CHANGE
n (or low) size the beats in downward s. ifted) grooves beats in the ons that lift unce (or jump) ve a lighter and f movement, n some form of all hip-hop down groove!
Definition: A quick change of weight from the ball of one foot to the other.
A ball change uses the balls of the feet to shift the dancer’s weight from one foot to the next. Like the pas de bourrée, you can use a ball change to transition between dance moves. Dancers transfer their weight to the ball of one foot, and then step forward with the other foot.
VIDEO: How to ball change!
tap STOMP AND STAMP
Definition: A stomp places the flat foot on the floor, lift foot off floor (no change of weight).
Definition: A stamp places the flat foot on the floor with a change of weight. Foot stays on floor.
Both can be incorporated into routines with ease!
VIDEO: How to stomp and stamp!
Can I add or change classes?
Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school-year session will close on December 1 Acro, Creative Movement, and tech classes will continue to be available to enroll in throughout the year, space permitting, as those classes do not participate in the spring show. We will also continue to offer short-session “pop-up” classes throughout the remainder of the session, so watch your email for details on those!
Am I required to participate in the Backstage Spring Show?
NO! If you do not wish to have your child participate in our show, that is not a problem Your child is welcome to continue coming to class, learning technique, new skills and choreography that will be performed in the show
What if I forget to turn in the Show Participation Form by the deadline?
Spring Show Participation/Costume Forms are due on December 8th. Forms turned in between December 9th and 14th will incur a $25 late fee. FORMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER DECEMBER 15th.
If my child misses a class, can they do a make-up class?
Make-up classes are available through the end of December. Beginning in January, classes begin to learn choreography for the Spring Show and regular attendance is very important. Because classes are learning choreography unique to their class, we no longer offer the option to make up missed classes from January through the end of the session. Please note that this does not apply to our Creative Movement classes, who do not participate in our Spring Show.
FAQ
DECEMBER
UPCOMING events!
Enrollment closes for 2025-2026
Last day to bring in items for Seattle Angels
Spring Show Costume/Show Participation Forms due
Holiday Spirit Week (Holiday/Cozy PJs)
Hot Cocoa/Hot Apple Cider Bar
Winter Break (Studio Closed)
Studio Spirit Week
Martin Luther King, Jr Day (Studio Closed)
December 1
December 5
December 8 Decembe Decembe
December 22-Ja Janua Jan
