ISSUE 06
THE BEAT BACKSTAGE DANCE STUDIO
FEBRUARY 2024
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TABLE OF CONTENTS • 1 MID-WINTER BREAK CAMP & • 2 SUMMER SCHEDULE: COMING SOON CHARACTER FOCUS • 3
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TEACHER SPOTLIGHT • 4 SPRING SHOW NEWS & TIMELINE • 5-6
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POP-UP CLASSES • 6 VALENTINE SPIRIT & PARENT • 7 WATCH WEEK TEAM UPDATES • 8
CONTENTS
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FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS • 9 PARENT EDUCATION • 10 CREATIVE MOVEMENT • 11 PERFORMANCE DANCER OF THE MONTH & • 12-14 SKILLS OF THE MONTH 40TH ANNIVERSARY CORNER • 15 UPCOMING EVENTS • 16
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We are excited to offer a fun-filled opportunity for dancers to join us during mid-winter break for a BEACH PARTY! Our mid-winter break camp, for dancers ages 5 to 9, will be filled with beach-themed songs, dancing, crafts and more! We hope your dancer will join us to create a little SUNSHINE at BACKSTAGE BEACH! Tuesday, February 20 - Friday, February 23 9:00am-1:00pm. COST: $365 Register at backstagedance.org!
SUMMER SCHEDULE: COMING SOON! We are finalizing our summer class schedule as this newsletter goes to print! Stay tuned for summer updates and summer class and camp registration details within the next two weeks! We plan to offer seven weeks of classes as well as our 2-in-1 Dance/Gymnastics camps with Gymnastics East and our BDS Performing Arts Camps! We can't wait to dance with you this summer!
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FEBRUARY CHARACTER FOCUS
TENACITY We hope everyone will earn a card for working on their TENACITY this month! Tenacity is defined as "persistent determination." A person with a tenacious character will achieve a goal they set despite any difficulties encountered while achieving that goal.
The benefits of developing tenacity include: You will not let obstacles stop you from getting what you want. You will increase your desire to achieve things important to you. You will not quit easily. You will develop greater self-confidence. You will have a positive attitude in tough situations.
BACKSTAGE!
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Grace is co-coordinating our STARS Competition Team this year, along with teaching Ballet/Tap, STARS Ballet 101, Tap 1, STARS Ballet 102, Jazz 3-4, STARS Contemporary 103, Ballet Basics, Hip Hop 1, Pre-Pointe, Ballet 2, Ballet Tech 4, Ballet 202, and Hip Hop 2!
A Montana native, Grace began her professional training with Premiere Dance Company under the direction of Charlene White. She received her BFA from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle in May 2021. While at Cornish Grace has had the opportunity to dance for many choreographers, including Beth Terwiliger, Alana Isiguen, Wade Madsen, and Amy J Lambert. Most recently, Grace has been dancing with Coriolis Dance Collective under the direction of Madeline Gregor in addition to a new dance collective, DITO. Along with performing, Grace has found a passion and skill for choreographing new works. Her choreographic style strives to find humor, weirdness, and oddities in everyday life. She makes a comment on the political state of the world through satire, and reflects that in her material. Grace’s work has been featured most recently in Bloom, an Exit Space production, as well as in New Moves, an adjudicated choreography showcase in 2018, 2019, and 2020. While at Cornish, Grace received the Pat Hon Endowed Scholarship Fund in recognition of her academic achievement as well as the Terpsichore Dance Writing Award in 2020. Grace has been teaching since the age of 6 when she taught her younger sister everything she was learning in her dance classes. She developed her passion for dance education at Creative Arts Center in Helena, Montana and at Cornish College of the Arts, where she studied the Brain Dance Method under Anne Green Gilbert. Grace is currently teaching at Backstage and is also the Manager of Tutu School in Seattle and Bellevue.
Teacher Spotlight
GRACE
FUN FACTS: Grace’s favorite food is mac and cheese! Her favorite animals are pigs, sloths and dogs!
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SPRING SHOW
NEWS + TIMELINE! Dancers are working hard in their classes to learn choreography for our Spring Shows! As a reminder, our ballet theme is The Little Mermaid and our overall show theme to celebrate our studio’s 40th anniversary is Part of Your World Since 1984. We recommend that dancers practice their show choreography at home! Check out the following blog about the importance of practice, why doing your "homework," even for extracurricular activities, is beneficial. Find out HERE.
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ISSUE 06 / 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, February 27th through Tuesday, April 2nd 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 this pre-ballet class. 6-week session, Fridays from 4:15 to 5:00pm Friday, March 1st through Friday, April 5th COST: $180 for the 6-week session
POP-UP
CLASSES COMING SOON!
FEBRUARY/MARCH: Students continue to learn new choreography and skills throughout the months of February and March. Attendance is important so dancers don't fall behind! Costumes begin to arrive and are organized and sorted by class.
APRIL: Costumes continue to arrive and are passed out in class. Dancers continue to rehearse their show piece, as well as the Grande Finale Bow! Media Fee of $80 per family (covers photo and video digital downloads) charged on April 15. Ticket sales open on April 19th. Show Picture Week (pictures in costume during class) are April 29 - May 4.
MAY: THE FINAL COUNTDOWN! Ticket sales continue through May 16th. Dress Rehearsals at the studio, May 13-15. SHOWTIME! May 18-19
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VALENTINE SPIRIT WEEK FEBRUARY 12TH - 17TH
Wear your red, pink or special Valentine's flair to classes the week of Valentine's Day! Make sure you are able to move and groove freely in your spirit wear of choice, though! Share your Valentine's joy in classes, February 12th through 17th!
PARENT WATCH WEEK FEBRUARY 12TH - 17TH Teachers are inviting parents to come into class for the last 5 to 10 minutes to see what your child has been learning in class this year! Students may show you part of the choreography they have been learning for the Spring Show, or demonstrate technique they have been working on, or maybe perform a fun Valentine’s-themed dance they put together. Each class will have a little something different to share. We hope you can join us for this quick check-in!
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Competition season is in full swing, and our dancers have been leaving it all on the dance floor! Our Signature Team attended their first competition in January (seen here) and received top overall scores, “Judge’s Choice” awards and the “Well-Rounded Studio” award! The months of February and March are jam-packed with Signature Team competitions at Revive, Dancemakers, Encore and Celebrity! Best of luck to our Signature Team!
Our STARS Team is working hard to prepare for their first competition at Just Dance in early March! They will be doing Show and Share performances the week of February 26th to a few selected classes at Backstage. Be on the lookout!!
TEAM UPDATES
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BIRTHDAYS!
DANCER Paris L. February 1
Clara G. February 16
Presley A. February 2
Emmaline M. February 16
Sasha B. February 2
Brynn P. February 17
Siena J. February 2
Oliver E-P. February 18
Atlee M. February 2
Jane C. February 19
Senya S. February 2
Allison L. February 19
Yuna K. February 4
Katelyn W. February 19
River G. February 5
Ellie Z. February 19
Sonya G. February 6
Anais C. February 20
Josie L. February 7
Sophia D. February 20
Wari J. February 8
Genoveva H. February 22
Ella A. February 11
Amely R. February 22
Anna G. February 11
Erin W. February 23
Olive B. February 12
Remy K. February 24
Amber S. February 12
Kira Z. February 24
Emma S. February 12
Alana P. February 25
Valeria W. February 12
Emery L. February 26
Sua C. February 13
Gabriela M. February 26
Chloe Z. February 13
Aspen B. February 27
Adi B. February 14
Melody D. February 27
Katerina S. February 14
Maria Z. February 27
Leena M. February 15
Owyn C. February 28
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PARENT
EDUCATION PARENT MAP PRESENTS: Conscious: Curious, Connected Discipline Strategies for Happier, Healthier Kids February 6, 2024, 1:00pm REGISTER NOW Have kids, they said. It’ll be fun, they said. And it is, but every parent knows parenting is not for the faint of heart. Learning to lead with more openness, more connectedness and more joy in parenting is possible. Join ParentMap on Tuesday, February 6, at 1 p.m. for an empowering and transformative talk with parenting expert Julietta Skoog, Ed.S. as she shares insights on the power of positive parenting and conscious discipline. Learn: The science behind positive parenting and its impact on kids and families Practical strategies for building healthy relationships in your home The simple steps you can take to promote resilience in your child Whether you’re a new parent or an experienced caregiver, you don’t want to miss this. Skoog is a highly sought-after parenting educator, and her compassionate and evidence-based approach has helped countless families find greater joy and connection.
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Our Creative Movement classes are designed for our youngest dancers, ages 2 to 4, to provide a fun-filled introduction to music and movement. Students in Creative Movement classes will not participate in our Spring Shows at the theater; however, they will have a performance in the classroom at the end of the school-year session! This gives our youngest dancers the opportunity to do a mini-performance and show off what they have learned during the year to their families! Creative Movement families, watch for an email with details about your dancer’s in-studio performance this spring, as well as end-of-session information.
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HIP HIP
OF THE MONTH
HOORAY!
Dancers
EMILY MAIMAS
ISSUE 06 /
FEBRUARY
CHARLIE KAPLAN
Emily is in Miss Lauren’s Pre-Ballet class. She was nominated for her wonderful attitude, kindness, and consistency with following directions. Excellent work, Emily!
MARIA ZELENIAK
Congratulations to our February Dancers of the Month! These dancers will receive a certificate of recognition and a gift card to Stage Left Dancewear! Please stop by the front desk to pick up your prize!
Maria is a member of our STARS 101 Team and was nominated by Miss Kellsie for practicing at home (even over break!), having a positive attitude every week, and consistently working to improve her technique. Awesome job, Maria!
Skills
OF THE MONTH
Charlie was nominated by Miss Maddie, her Hip Hop 1 teacher. Maddie says that Charlie is eager to learn, applies all corrections and is kind to all of her classmates. Congratulations, Charlie!
Acro = Scorpion Balance Ballet = Échappé Hip Hop = Grapevine Jazz = Fan Kick Tap = Buffalo SEE DETAILS ON NEXT PAGE >>>
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february
SKILLS OF T ACRO
BALLET
HIP
SCORPION BALANCE
ÉCHAPPÉ
GRAPEV
Definition: Full Scorpion: Both hands holding foot (or leg), supporting leg straight, still balance although a set time is not required, control, body upright and square. Definition: Half Scorpion: Balance for set time, torso squared to the front, working knee at 90 degrees, working thigh parallel to floor, straight supporting leg, posture, head lifted. Definition: Baby Scorpion: Balance for set time, torso squared to the front, working knee behind supporting leg, straight supporting leg, posture, head lifted, working arm straight. https://www.youtube.com/wat ch?v=6k62sGL2vP8
Translation: To escape. Definition: An échappé is a level opening of both feet from a closed to an open position. https://www.youtube.com/wat ch?v=v-gaUt2NXhQ&t=60s Échappés on pointe: https://www.youtube.com/wat ch?v=CTX0O4CmFys
Definiti second of the f travelin straigh going fr posteri and vic Dating the ear origina dancing years, t transla of danc eras, in Hop/Str https:// atch?v=
THE MONTH
P HOP
JAZZ
TAP
VINE
FAN KICK
BUFFALO
ion: An alternation of and fourth positions feet; one foot ng sideways on a t line, the other foot rom anterior to or fourth position, ce versa. back all the way to rly 1900's, it was lly used in Ballroom g! However, over the this dance move ted to different types ce styles and different ncluding the Hip reet dance era. /www.youtube.com/w =E_Jr38dEq28
Definition: The leg makes a sweeping arc through space. It crosses in front of the body, then sweeps to make a half circle before touching the ground. The sweeping leg can be either straight or in attitude; ideally the leg should be at hip level. The supporting leg can be in plié, relevé, or relevé with a bent knee (called plié-relevé). https://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=mBPu0mNaOjY
Definition: A tap step consisting of a step, shuffle, and a small jump (with shuffling foot going behind). A.K.A. Shuffle Off To Buffalo, was created by vaudevillian jig and clog dancer Pat Rooney in the 1880s. Advanced students can do flap shuffle leap. https://www.youtube.com/w atch?v=kPMiv_srRwg
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40th
ANNIVERSARY CORNER We love these flashbacks to the early 80s! What’s not to love about the fashion and obvious love for dance displayed in these photos! Miss Marty is 80s fashion-forward in her headband and stirrup pants, and Miss Rhonda and friends are rocking their leg warmers in ballet!
ABOVE: Miss Marty, staging photos for show pictures, 1984. RIGHT: Miss Rhonda and dance friends in class, 1984.
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coming p ev s u t en FEBRUARY 6 • PARENT ED: CONSCIOUS: CURIOUS, CONNECTED DISCIPLINE STRATEGIES FOR HAPPIER, HEALTHIER KIDS , 1:00PM FEBRUARY 12 - 17 • VALENTINE’S SPIRIT WEEK & PARENT WATCH WEEK FEBRUARY 19 - 24 • MID-WINTER BREAK: STUDIO CLOSED FEBRUARY 20 - 23 • MID-WINTER BREAK CAMP: BACKSTAGE BEACH BASH! FEBRUARY 27 • SUMMER SCHEDULE RELEASED FEBRUARY 27 • NEW CREATIVE MOVEMENT 6-WEEK POP-UP BEGINS MARCH 1 • NEW PRE-BALLET 6-WEEK POP-UP BEGINS
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SIGNATURE TEAM
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