THE BEAT
M A Y !
S A Y H E L L O
TIMELINE
E N D C A L
DANCER ASSESSMENTS
We have enjoyed teaching your children this year, it has been a pleasure to partner with you!
Teachers are currently assessing student progress and making recommendations on class placements for next year Watch for this information to come your way in mid-May. Our teachers put a lot of time and thought into each dancer’s recommendations to ensure that dancers are placed in a class that is the best fit for their overall growth and development.
Please remember that most students spend at least two years in every level. Their first to second year, they are considered a learner; their second to third year, they are considered a leader!
Every dancer’s journey is COMPLETELY UNIQUE Your dancer may progress at a different rate than their classmates. What is MOST important to us is making sure your dancer is in a position where they are challenged, but not overwhelmed, to ensure the best chance for success.
As the end of our current dance season draws near, we are making plans for the upcoming season and will be rolling out our annual membership levels soon
MEMBERSHIP LEVELS FOR 2025-2026
We will offer TWO levels of membership for the 2025-2026 School-Year, Community & Premium levels. The Community Membership will cover the annual family registration fee, while the Premium Membership includes the annual family registration fee along with the Spring Show Media Fee, one free ticket to our Spring Shows, a summer camp credit, a costume credit, and a discount at Stage Left Dancewear. We will send an email prior to our dress rehearsals with all the details, along with a form where you will select which membership level you’d like to choose for next year The membership selection deadline is June 7, and fees will be charged in June based on the membership level selected. Class registration for 2025-2026 for Premium Members will open on June 14th; registration for Community Members will open on June 28th.
THE BEAT 11
TEAM UPDATES!
Signature Team Auditions
Planning for next year's Signature Team is underway! If you are interested in learning more about Signature Team and the audition process, visit the Backstage WEBSITE. Audition prep classes are June 2-13 and auditions are on Saturday, June 14. Deadline to register is June 1.
Stars Team Auditions
Planning for next year's STARS Teams is also underway! Your dancer may have received a recommendation from a teacher that STARS could be a good fit for them and that is great! Additional recommendations will be coming out in the next few weeks Please note that there is an audition process for STARS again this year, and that will take place on Saturday, June 14 For more information on the STARS program and the audition process, please visit the Backstage WEBSITE
Debut Team Information
Teachers are in the process of recommending dancers, ages 5 and 6, to our Debut program. There is no audition for the Debut program, however, there are summer class requirements that must be met in order to participate in the program. For more information about our Debut Team, please visit the Backstage WEBSITE.
ODDS & ENDS
June Schedule–”Try-It Free” Classes
After our Spring Shows (Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1) we’ll return to regular classes for the first two weeks of June The last day of classes for the 2425 School-Year Session is Saturday, June 14th Please note that because we are ending the session mid-month, family tuition charges will be for half the month of June
Classes after our shows will include celebrations, recognitions and assessments, as well as the opportunity for your child to try a different class(es), in addition to their regular classes. Attending different classes during this two-week period will be free of charge, and your child can try as many classes as they like. There is no need to pre-register for the classes, simply come to the studio on the day/time of the class your child would like to try, check in at the front desk, and we’ll give your child a nametag and let you know which studio room to go to
Trying a different class could give your child the opportunity to discover if they’d like to register for a class of a different dance style next year!
Creative Movement & Acro Class Schedule
Creative Movement classes do not participate in our Spring Shows These classes will, however, have a performance for parents during their regular class time, May 17th through May 23rd! Watch your email for more details. Note that these viewing opportunities usually take place during the last 10 minutes of class time.
Please also note that students who are enrolled in Creative Movement or Acro classes WILL NOT have class during Spring Show Dress Rehearsal Week (May 27th - 31st) As a result, your May tuition billing will be credited for the one class you will miss during dress rehearsal week We will welcome you back for our last two weeks of the session after dress rehearsal week, with classes ending on June 14th!
REGISTER FOR SUMMER 2025 TODAY!
We want to dance with you this summer!
If you haven’t already, please check the Backstage website for the list of classes we are excited to offer in our 6-week summer session!
Classes run from June 30 through August 7, and our camps run from June 24 through 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
SUMMER RAFFLE WINNERS!
Congratulations to our SUMMER RAFFLE WINNERS!
Mackenzie Stier, Siena McCaslin, and Zara Bach registered for a class prior to April 15th and are our lucky winners! They will receive $50 OFF summer class tuition!
We can't wait to dance with you this summer!!
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
THE BEAT
CHARACTERFOCUS
Our character focus for MAY is...
EXCELLENCE
We are encouraging our dancers to focus on EXCELLENCE during the month of May! Let's all strive to work toward one of the 8 keys of excellence this month
INTEGRITY – Match behavior with values FAILURE LEADS TO SUCCESS – Learn from mist k SPEAK W/ GOOD PURPOSE – Speak honestly & THIS IS IT! – Make the most of every moment COMMITMENT – Make your dreams happen OWNERSHIP – Take responsibility for actions FLEXIBILITY – Be willing to do things differently BALANCE – Live your best life
DANCER BIRTHDAYS
Ariana B. May 2
Grace M. May 2
Lily K. May 3
Angela W. May 3
Roy Z. May 4
Vika V. May 5
Grace A. May 6
Millie W. May 6
Maria L. May 7
Charlotte R. May 7
Caden T. May 7
Azusa Y. May 7
Justine E.-P. May 8
Beatrice K. May 10
Ava Y. May 10
Sofia R. May 12
Isabella C. May 13
Sarah D. May 14
Amelia W. May 14
Caroline A. May 16
Lucy O. May 16
Carina G. May 17
Lesa F. May 18
Zoe G. May 18
Alaina C. May 20
Ava Z. May 20
Tessa K. May 21
Leila D. May 22
Elisa R. May 22
Allison W. May 22
Clara C. May 25
David M. May 25
Nora B. May 26
Josie H. May 26
Violet L. May 26
Ella E. May 27
Muyan S. May 27
Lyanna L. May 30
Cyrielle T. May 30
Natalya F. May 31
London F. May 31
Jordyn O. May 31
STAFF BIRTHDAYS
Miss Elise May 10
Miss Kelly May 29
TEACHERSPOTLIGHT THE BEAT 17
MADISON
Madison is a 24-year-old Seattle-based teaching artist born and raised in San Diego, California In her youth, she studied under Nicky Lucia at Danceology and Miah Nwosu at Scripts Performing Arts Academy In Seattle, she studied under Dr Victoria Watts at Cornish College of the Arts, where she studied ballet with Alana Isiguen and Gérard Théorêt, and modern with Wade Madsen, Brian Lawson, and Markeith Wiley She also studied somatics, creative movement, youth pedagogy, and a variety of practical arts
In her professional life, Madison teaches youth ballet, contemporary, and jazz in the greater Seattle area. She teaches creative movement to children aged 3-6 and she most enjoys teaching ballet to dancers aged 3-18. Madison joined the Backstage team this year and currently co-teaches Ballet Tech, Hip Hop Tech, Hip Hop/Flip Flop and Stars Dancer Development classes. Beginning in May, Madison will be the new coordinator of our Stars program and will take over Miss Danielle’s classes on Thursdays and Fridays (Miss Danielle is moving to Texas–she will be missed!)
Outside of the dance studio, Madison enjoys finding new running paths around the city and reading books recommended to her by friends and family
FUN FACTS:
Miss Madison’s favorite food is Oreo cookies! Her favorite animal is an orca whale ��
PARENT EDUCATION
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.
Join ParentMap and self-proclaimed “freerange” mom and parenting advocate, Lenore Skenazy, on May 6 for our next ParentEd Talk Discover how to raise confident, responsible kids, all while doing much, much less. We know it sounds too good to be true. We promise it’s not.
Let Go and Let Grow: Raising Confident, Independent Children with Lenore Skenazy, author of “Free Range Kids”
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 • 12-1pm PT
Parent Map Q&A-style webinars are now $10. Register here and you’ll also receive access to the event recording to watch anytime.
Join ParentMap for a live ParentEd Talk with relationship expert Dené Logan Explore how cultural conditioning pushes us toward overfunctioning and codependency often at the expense of personal fulfillment Logan will dive into the emotional labor gap many parents face, the cycle of resentment and why relationship ruptures over “who does more” are so common.
From Conflict to Connection: The Hidden Forces Harming Your Marriage with Dene Logan, marriage therapist and author of “Sovereign Love”
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 • 12-1pm PT
Parent Map Q&A-style webinars are now $10. Register here and you’ll also receive access to the event recording to watch anytime.
H E M O N T H
THE BEAT 19
D A
N
C E R O
F
CONGRATS
to our May 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!
Jacey Lin
Jacey is in Miss Chisako’s Hip Hop/Flip Flop class Miss Chisako says that Jacey has amazing focus in class. She is such a good student and classmate and is a gift to have in the class. Wonderful job, Jacey!
Charlie Kaplan
Charlie was nominated by Miss Kellsie, her Hip Hop 2-3 teacher. Miss Kellsie says that Charlie works hard, is a good listener, is constantly improving and, most importantly, she is kind! Congratulations, Charlie!
Jordan Belcher
Jordan is a member of our Signature Team and is enrolled in numerous classes at Backstage Her Dancer Development teacher, Miss Rhonda, nominated Jordan for always cheering on her team! She says that Jordan is also an excellent performer and a hard worker Awesome job, Jordan!
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 more >>>
SKILLS OF T
ACRO BACKWARD ROLL
Definition: A gymnastic or acro roll that is performed with the feet going first and the rest of the body and the head following.
Push hands into ground to create space for head (does not roll on head), round back, head tucked, lands on feet with feet and knees together, balance, posture at beginning and end, knees do not touch the floor
VIDEO: How to backward roll!
BALLET GRAND JETÉ
Translation: Big throw.
Definition: a broad, high leap with one leg stretched forward and the other back like a “split” in the air.
Technique: a broad, high leap with one leg stretched forward and the other back like a “split” in the air.
What is the difference between saute de chat and grand jeté: in a saut de chat the front leg will développé to reach the split position whereas the front leg of a grand jeté brushes the floor and stays straight.
VIDEO: How to grand jeté!
VIDEO: H HIP BABY F
Definitio where o while be ninety d their hea lifting bo forked p on the s arm rest elbow.
THE MONTH 22
HOP FREEZE
on: A type of freeze one stabs one elbow ending the other at a degree angle, resting ad on the ground, and oth legs up, often into a position with the knee side with the stabbed ting on the opposite
How to baby freeze!
JAZZ
LINDY HOP
Definition: A fast, energetic dance popular during the late 1930s and 1940s, that includes some steps with a partner and some improvised steps.
Lindy Hop started in Harlem, New York, when local dancers added to the popular Charleston with fast spins, cartwheels and jumps.
Single gallop (chassé) to the right, take your left foot behind crossing back for a ball change, and repeat on the left.
VIDEO: How to Lindy Hop!
TAP
MAXI FORD
Definition: A tap dance step consisting of four movements: step, shuffle, leap, toe.
Max Ford was known as a “Buck and Wing” dancer, a dance style inspired by African and Irish influences and popularized on New York stages during the 1880s. Can do as flap, shuffle leap, toe for more advanced. Can do with a single pick up on the leap for more advanced.
VIDEO: How to Maxi Ford!
DID YOU KNOW?
y g who teach Acro classes are certified throug
Acrobatic Arts, a comprehensive training program for dance educators to safely teac AcroDance? The Acrobatic Arts curriculum was developed with input from over 100 experts in related fields and is the most we researched program of its kind in the indu
Our teachers completed over 16 hours of training to gain their certification, and they are working to refine our Acro skills-buildin and assessment processes to benefit our dance community!
Coming soon!
Spring Show Ticket Sales OPEN
Parent Map Parent ED Session:
Show Pictures (taken during classes)
Parent Map Parent ED Session: 12:00pm
Memorial Day Weekend (Studio Closed)
Dress Rehearsals at Backstage
Spring Shows at Renton IKEA PAC
Last Day of Classes for 24-25
AUDITIONS: Signature & STARS Teams
First Week of Summer Camp Summer Classes Begin
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THE BEAT
BUILDING CONFIDENCE, CHARACTER, AND COMMUNITY SINCE 1984. THANK YOU FOR DANCING WITH US!