ISSUE 04
THE BEAT BACKSTAGE DANCE STUDIO
DECEMBER 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS • 1
AK!
TAK
E
DRESS CODE CONTEST WINNERS! • 2
A
SEATTLE ANGELS • 3
A
PE
AK!
AK! TAKE
TAKE
PE
A
PE
GIFT OF DANCE • 4 CHARACTER FOCUS • 5 TEACHER SPOTLIGHT • 6 COLORING CONTEST WINNERS! • 7
PE
AK! TAKE
A
POP-UP CLASSES • 8 LOST & FOUND: OVERFLOWING • 9 DECEMBER FAQS • 10
CONTENTS
TABLE OF
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS • 11 PARENT EDUCATION • 12 SPRING SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT • 13-14 SPIRIT WEEK: HOLIDAY PAJAMAS • 14 WINTER BREAK CAMP • 15 DANCER OF THE MONTH & • 16-18 SKILLS OF THE MONTH 40TH ANNIVERSARY CORNER • 19 UPCOMING EVENTS •20
/ THE BEAT
ISSUE 04 /
DRESS CODE CONTEST
WINNERS! First, we must acknowledge that we had over 70 entries for our Dress Code contest, which means we have SO many dancers coming to class in proper dress code each week. Keep up the awesome work, dancers! The winning classes are Pre-Hip Hop with Miss Ally (Wednesdays at 4:15), Ballet 2-3 with Miss Grace (Thursdays at 6:30) and Ballet/Tap with Miss Lauren (Saturdays at 1:00).
/ 02
03 /
INTENTIONAL GIVING
SEATTLE ANGELS This holiday season, Backstage is hosting a holiday essentials drive for several families served by Seattle Angels Alliance. The mission of the Seattle Angels is to walk alongside children, youth and families in the foster care community by offering consistent support through intentional giving, relationship building and mentorship. We are working with the Seattle Angels through INTENTIONAL GIVING–giving thoughtful and personalized resources, gifts and care packages that meet the real needs of the foster child and their entire family. During the month of December, we invite our Backstage community to help us brighten the holiday season for four families in the foster care community. Please consider participating in our drive to gather essentials and gifts for these families by taking a tag from the giving tree in our main studio, purchasing the item listed on the tag, and returning it to the studio (unwrapped) by Friday, December 15th. Backstage will deliver all donated items to the Seattle Angels on Monday, December 18th.
/ THE BEAT
ISSUE 04 /
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 a thank you for our appreciation for all you do, please stop by the front desk in the main studio building to pick up our gift to you! Gifts will be ready for pick up December 11th through 16th!
GIFT OF DANCE / 04
05 /
DECEMBER CHARACTER FOCUS
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.
BACKSTAGE!
/ THE BEAT
ISSUE 04 /
Danielle began dancing when she was just three years old. For fifteen years she studied dance under the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) certified instructors, taking annual examinations in ballet, modern, and tap. Danielle received honors and high commendations in all examinations over the years. Danielle has also studied jazz, lyrical, and contemporary styles outside the RAD and ISTD curriculum.
While at British Dancing Academy, Danielle auditioned and performed soloist lead roles in The Little Princess, Peter Pan, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and The Little Mermaid. After graduating from high school, Danielle continued her dance education at the University of Washington, where she received her BA in the Creative Studies of Dance in 2015. While attending the university, Danielle became a member of the Husky Dance Team, performing jazz and hip-hop routines at sporting games and various events around the campus. Danielle also participated in the dance concerts and performances put on by the UW faculty dance company. She also had the opportunity to take master classes taught by Ann Green Gilbert. Since graduating, Danielle has taught at various studios in the Seattle area, teaching many styles, all ages, all levels, and students with special needs. Danielle has also become certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), Strength Training and Injury Prevention, Choreography and Composition, Intro to Preschool Dance, Creative Movement, and Matwork Pilates. Additionally, while choreographing for competitions, Danielle has received multiple choreography awards.
Teacher Spotlight
DANIELLE
FUN FACTS: Miss Danielle’s favorite animal is a panda! When she is not dancing, she enjoys taking yoga and pilates classes.
/ 06
07 /
loring o c ontest c
w
! inn rs e
Thanks to all our talented artists for participating in our November coloring contest! It was a very tough decision, but we have four winners! Rinta T. in Miss Sofia’s Hip Hop/Flip Flop class, Charlotte L. in Miss Lauren’s Jazz 1 class , Reese L. in Miss Alyssa’s Hip Hop 2 class , and Elise T., one of our Signature Team dancers! --- CONGRATULATIONS ARTISTS! --Pick up your prize at the front desk in the main studio!
/ THE BEAT
ISSUE 04 /
CREATIVE MOVEMENT FOR 2 TO 3 YEAR OLDS! Join Miss Danielle for a fun-filled introduction to music and movement! Creative movement classes are designed to encourage a child’s imagination and exploration through guided movement exercises. We hope your tiny dancer will join Miss Danielle for this playful pathway to dance! 6-week session, Tuesdays from 3:30 to 4:15pm Tuesday, January 9th through Tuesday, February 13th COST: $180 for the 6-week session
PRE-BALLET FOR 4 TO 5 YEAR OLDS! Introduce your little dancer to the beautiful art of ballet! This class will enhance your child's coordination, balance and flexibility with the teaching of basic ballet positions, steps, and terminology. Miss Shandie will also incorporate fun exercises in creative dance and music exploration in the pre-ballet class. 6-week session, Fridays from 4:15 to 5:00pm Friday, January 12th through Friday, February 16th COST: $180 for the 6-week session
POP-UP
CLASSES COMING SOON!
PRE-HIP HOP FOR 4 TO 5 YEAR OLDS! Introduce your little dancer to the exciting art of hip hop dancing! This class will enhance your child's coordination and musicality with the teaching of basic hip hop steps to upbeat music. Join Miss Sofia for this fun 45-minute, high-energy class! 6-week session, Saturdays from 10:45 to 11:30am Saturday, January 13th through Saturday, February 17th COST: $180 for the 6-week session
/ 08
09 /
OVERFLOWING:
LOST AND FOUND!
Parents, please come into the studio and do a quick look through our Lost and Found! Lots of water bottles, coats and assorted clothing have been left behind. We will donate all unclaimed items at the end of December!
/ THE BEAT
ISSUE 04 /
Can I add or change classes? Enrollment for the 2023-2024 school-year session will close on December 2. 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 to 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.
DECEMBER FAQS
/ 10
11 /
BIRTHDAYS!
DANCER Hannah M. 12/1 Esha S. 12/1 Nina E. 12/2 Lucia P. 12/2 Alex C. 12/3 Evelyn L. 12/3 Anyi L. 12/3 Siena J. 12/4 Lisa Z. 12/4 Danielle L. 12/5 Alison C. 12/6 Muyan L. 12/6 Charlotte C. 12/7 Ari I. 12/7 Olivia N. 12/7 Beatrice U. 12/8 Elsa Z. 12/10 Piper L. 12/11 Kaitlyn C. 12/12 Audrey L. 12/12 Sakura S. 12/12 Christa E. 12/13 Alexis M. 12/13
Arloe C. 12/14 Anji K. 12/14 Audrey K. 12/14 Riley S. 12/15 Iris S. 12/15 Durga V. 12/16 Emi K. 12/17 Julia N. 12/17 Harper C. 12/19 Amelie K. 12/19 Aria M. 12/19 Paige D. 12/21 Gigi W. 12/23 Lena I. 12/24 Juliana V. 12/24 Maya G. 12/25 Jessica C. 12/26 Riley H. 12/27 Lily H. 12/27 Daniele J. 12/27 Juliette B. 12/30 Jessica S. 12/31 Prisha Y. 12/31
s ’ t e L ate! r b e l Ce
/ THE BEAT
ISSUE 04 /
PARENT
EDUCATION Parent Map Presents: Unplug and Rewire: Raising Screen-Savvy Kids in the Tech Era Free webinar with veteran teachers Joe Clement and Matt Miles December 6, 2023 1:00 p.m. PST REGISTER NOW It doesn’t take an expert to know how damaging technology overuse and misuse have been for Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids. Ask any parent, educator or kid and they’ll tell you that something’s not right. Rather than becoming better problem solvers, kids look to Google to answer their questions for them. Rather than deepening students’ intellectual curiosity, educational technology is too often cumbersome and distracting, causing needless frustration and greatly extending homework time. Rather than becoming the great equalizer, electronic devices are widening the achievement gap. Learn how to: Spot the signs that your child’s school is using too much tech Prepare your kids for a more well-rounded approach to social interactions IRL Protect your kid from pro-tech corporate technology purveyors infiltrating your childrens’ schools Find simpler, smarter, more effective forms of teaching and learning
/ 12
13 /
SPRING SHOW
ANNOUNCEMENT If you've been in the studio over the past week, you have no doubt seen our display wall announcing our SPRING SHOW theme. We are so excited to present our ballet, The Little Mermaid, and hip hop, contemporary, tap and jazz performances in our show, Part of Your World Since 1984, as we celebrate Backstage Dance Studio’s 40th anniversary! Our six shows will take place on Saturday, May 18th and Sunday, May 19th at IKEA Performing Arts Center at Renton High School. Show Participation/Costume Forms have been distributed in class and via email for all classes performing in our shows. Please reach out if you have any questions and be sure to turn yours in by the December 4th deadline!
/ THE BEAT
ISSUE 04 /
SAY CHEES
E!
Come take a photo with our Part of Your World Since 1984 backdrop! Share your photos with us by tagging -IG: @backstage.dance.studio FB: @backstagebellevue
SPIRIT WEEK
COZY HOLIDAY PAJAMAS! Take a break from regular dress code clothing and celebrate the holiday season by wearing your holiday-themed pajamas to class during Holiday Spirit Week, December 13th through December 19th! Show us your spirit by wearing your favorite cozy holiday pajamas, as long as you can dance and move in them!
/ 14
15 /
lar o e p x
press
WINTER BREAK CAMP! Unfortunately, Polar Express Camp has been canceled due to low enrollment. We hope to offer it next holiday season! Please contact the studio with any questions.
/ THE BEAT
ISSUE 04 /
AUDREY LIU
OF THE MONTH
HOORAY!
Dancers
HIP HIP
DECEMBER Audrey is in Miss Lauren’s Ballet/Tap class. Miss Lauren says Audrey is eager, polite, a very fast learner and that she has beautiful technique! Awesome job, Audrey!
Kaylee is a member of our Signature Team and was nominated by her Tap Tech 205 teacher, Miss Marty. Marty says that Kaylee’s work ethic has been excellent this year! She is really stepping up and outside her comfort zone. Keep up the great work, Kaylee!
Skills
OF THE MONTH
SIENA JOHNSON
KAYLEE FEATHER
Congratulations to our December Dancers of the Month! These dancers will receive a gift card to Stage Left Dancewear! Please stop by the front desk to pick up your prize. HOORAY!
Siena is in Miss Alyssa’s Jazz 2 class. Miss Alyssa nominated Siena because she is so kind and focused! She always encourages others and tries her best. Super job, Siena!
Acro = Handstand Ballet = Balancé Hip Hop = Down Groove Jazz = Ball Change Tap = Stomp and Stamp SEE DETAILS ON NEXT PAGE >>>
/ 16
17 /
december
SKILLS OF T ACRO
BALLET
HIP
HANDSTAND
BALANCÉ
DOWN G
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. https://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=LZT4hWVFErs
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. https://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=BtnTNnT0QdM&t=30s
Definitio grooves in the m rocking Can add grooves in the m that lift (or jump a lighte of move in some And ess combos https://w atch?v=
THE MONTH
P HOP
JAZZ
TAP
GROOVE
BALL CHANGE
STOMP AND STAMP
on: Down (or low) s emphasize the beats music with downward motions. d up (or lifted) s emphasize the beats music with motions t upwards and bounce p) grooves to involve r and bouncier type ement, usually adding e form of jump or hop. sential to all hip-hop s. www.youtube.com/w =moaDQnapE4k
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. https://www.youtube.com/w atch?v=yONQJFdvE8Q
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! https://www.youtube.com/w atch? app=desktop&v=-1Ious59qPo &t=10
/ 18
19 /
40th
ANNIVERSARY CORNER DID YOU KNOW ...
Backstage Dance Studio’s first holiday performance was at Factoria Square Mall in December of 1984, featuring toy soldiers, a ballerina doll and a fairy princess! They performed Alice & The Toy Book and spread holiday joy!
McKimson Roberts Dance Studio’s holiday show at Factoria Square Mall, 1984.
/ THE BEAT
ISSUE 04 /
coming p ev s u t en DECEMBER 5TH • SHOW PARTICIPATION/COSTUME DEADLINE DECEMBER 15TH • SEATTLE ANGELS GIFTS DUE DECEMBER 11TH - 16TH• GIFT OF DANCE PICK UP DECEMBER 13TH - 19TH • HOLIDAY SPIRIT WEEK! DECEMBER 20TH - JANUARY 2ND • WINTER BREAK: STUDIO CLOSED
Follow Us:
y a t S cted! e n n o C
@backstage.dance.studio @backstagebellevue @backstagedancestudio
/ 20
FT. SHERAYA HUZAIR
NK Y HA O T U
T
H
A
N
K
Y
OU
!
SIGNATURE TEAM
!
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING
BACKSTAGE!