Backstage Dance Studio-May 2024 Newsletter

THE BEAT

T A KE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SPRING SHOW TIMELINE

CHARACTER FOCUS

TEACHER SPOTLIGHT

RAFFLE WINNERS!

REGISTER FOR SUMMER 2024

SIGNATURE & STARS AUDITIONS

2024/2025 REGISTRATION

MAY BIRTHDAYS

PARENT EDUCATION

ODDS AND ENDS

DANCER OF THE MONTH & SKILLS OF THE MONTH

40TH ANNIVERSARY CORNER

UPCOMING EVENTS

ers should sheet piece, and all families wnload of all These

REGULAR CLASSES AT BACKSTAGE: May 6 - May 11

SPRING SHOW

FOCUS

EXCELLENCE

We are encouraging our ancers to focus on ELLENCE during the month of May! 's all strive to work rd one of the 8 keys cellence this month!

INTEGRITY – Match behavio FAILURE LEADS TO SUCCESS – Le SPEAK WITH GOOD PURPOSE – Spe THIS IS IT! – Make the most of COMMITMENT – Make your d OWNERSHIP – Take responsib FLEXIBILITY – Be willing to do t BALANCE – Live your b BACKSTAGE!

Miss Maddie joined the Backstage faculty last year and has loved being

Miss Maddie started dancing seriously in high school, then decided to continue her passion in college and received her BA in dance at Western Washington University. While in college, Maddie led an all-inclusive hip hop club where they performed around campus and created a loving and accepting community of people who loved dancing. She also performed and choreographed numbers in many shows through her degree program. Maddie continues to explore her passion for dance by dancing with Empire Dance Seattle, DITO Dance Collective and recently danced with The Royal Family Dance Crew. In the classroom, Miss Maddie hopes to create an atmosphere that is accepting and positive to ensure everyone feels welcome! She adores how unique every dancer is, which is why she makes sure she structures her classes so that they are well-suited to the students in each individual class She enjoys breaking out her goofy dance moves and making jokes to keep it fun!

MADDIE

FUN FACTS:

Fun facts: A perfect night for Miss Maddie includes sitting on the couch, watching her favorite shows with her dog and cat snuggled next to her (and, of course, a giant pile of nachos to munch on!) When she’s not dancing, Maddie likes to paint and write and also loves when she has the opportunity to go out to the movies!

DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER FOR SUMMER 2024!

PERFORMING ARTS CAMPS

Campers earn their crown when the Royal Queen grants three sparkling jewels to dancers who show that they are confident, friendly, and kindhearted! Your princess or prince charming will love this royal ballet and jazz adventure dancing through the magical Backstage Kingdom

Tiny dancers will be transported through rainbows and clouds as unicorns to a whole new world in this sweet dance camp! This enchanting camp is full of all things unicorn, ballet, jazz, glittery crafts and even Rainbow Rewards (aka FUN PRIZES)! It’s sure to be a magical time!

Ever wanted to have a slumber party in Barbie’s Dreamhouse with your favorite doll? This dazzling jazz, creative movement and ballet dance camp offers just that! From exciting games, cute choreography and pink crafts, tiny dancers will make memories with their doll friends doing all things slumber party!

RAFFLE WINNERS!

Congratulations to our SUMMER RAFFLE WINNERS! Sophia Dosanjh, Natalie Kuo, and Ellie Yu 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!!

Backstage is offering 7 weeks of classes and 6 weeks of camps, June 24 through August 9. There are also three weeks of intensive workshop offerings for experienced dancers. Register TODAY on the Backstage website!!

DANCE/MUSIC VIDEO CAMPS

Join us for a Backstage Hoedown Throwdown and boot, scoot, and boogie to trendy country music! Campers will spend their week learning hip hop, jazz, and choreography for a music video filmed at Backstage Dance Studio!

2-IN-1 CAMPS

Come on dancers, let’s go party! Barbieworld brings fun for all campers as they become their own barbie and dance along to all of the recent movie's top tunes Campers spend the week learning hip hop, jazz, and choreography for a music video filmed at Backstage Dance Studio!

Now is your child’s chance to be one of Taylor Swift's backup dancers as they shine through the many eras of her biggest hits! Campers spend the week learning hip hop, jazz, and choreography for a music video filmed at Backstage Dance Studio!

Session 1

June 24 - 28, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, ages 6-11

Session 2

July 15 - 19, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, ages 6-11.

Session 3

July 29 - August 2, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, ages 6-11.

ALL Sessions

Early Bird Pricing: $780 if registered by June 1, $800 after June 1. Non-refundable deposit of $75 due upon registration

AUDITIONS!

+ S T A R S SIGNATURE TEAM AUDITIONS

S I G N A T U R E

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 3-14 and auditions are on Saturday, June 15 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! Please note that there is an audition process for STARS this year that will take place on Saturday, June 15. For more information on the STARS program and the audition process, please visit the Backstage WEBSITE.

DANCER ASSESSMENTS

We have enjoyed teaching your children this year! After our Spring Shows, teachers will assess student progress and make recommendations on class placements for this year. Watch for this information to come your way late in 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.

2024/2025 SCHOOL-YEAR SESSION REGISTRATION IS COMING SOON!

As we prepare for the next session, we are working to include some of our fees in a membership level (previously known as the annual registration fee) to make things easier for families who know their child will participate in next year’s shows We will offer TWO LEVELS OF MEMBERSHIP for the 20242025 School-Year, a Basic Membership (which covers the annual family registration fee) and a Premium Membership (which includes the annual family registration fee, a two-week priority window to register for classes, and also includes the Spring Show Media Fee, one free ticket to our Spring Shows, and 10% off merchandise 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 1, and fees will be charged in June based on the membership level selected. Registration for Premium Members will open on June 10th; registration for Basic Members will open on June 24th.

DANCER

B I R T H D A Y S !

Karenna S. May 1

Ariana B. May 2

Grace M. May 2

Lily K. May 3

Grace A. May 6

Chloe M. May 6

Andrew W. May 6

Millie W. May 6

Maria L. May 7

Charlotte R. May 7

Caden T. May 7

Marissa W. May 7

Azusa Y. May 7

Justine E-P. May 8

Lilyanna B. May 9

Beatrice K. May 10

Ava Y. May 10

Keira C. May 11

Elena P. May 11

Finn A. May 12

Calvin P. May 12

Isabella C. May 13

Sarah D. May 14

Amelia W. May 14

STAFF BIRTHDAYS!

Miss Sofia May 4

Miss Elise May 10

Miss Grace May 18

Miss Kelly May 29

Leah L. May 15

Cynthia R. May 15

Caroline A. May 16

Lucy O. May 16

Avery Noelle P. May 16

Carina G. May 17

Cora D. May 18

Lesa F. May 18

Ellie W. May 19

Ava Z. May 20

Tessa K. May 21

Elisa R. May 22

Jenny M. May 24

Clara C. May 25

David M. May 25

Muyan S. May 27

Cameron G. May 28

Noam B. May 29

Ashleen D. May 30

Avreen D. May 30

Lyanna L. May 30

Cyrielle T. May 30

Jordyn O. May 31

EDUCATION PARENT

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.

PARENT MAP PRESENTS: Nurturing the Nurturer: Self-Compassion Tools for Moms

May 1, 2024, 1:00pm

REGISTER NOW

Whether you're in the midst of your child’s meltdown in the grocery aisle or managing your own crash and burn, it’s true what they say: Put the oxygen mask on yourself first The answer to cultivating a healthier, happier, less stressed, more connected relationship with our kids is simple: It starts with self-compassion.

Learn how to:

Prioritize your well-being

Regulate your nervous system

Feel and process your emotions

Unlock your wisest self

Foster a sense of safety and belonging for everyone in your home

ends odds and

WINDING DOWN THE SCHOOL-YEAR SESSION!

Since our Spring Shows are earlier than normal this year, we’re finishing out the school-year session AFTER our shows There will be two weeks of classes in May (20th - 31st) and two weeks of classes in June (1st - 14th) AFTER our shows The LAST DAY of CLASSES for the 23-24 School-Year Session is Friday, June 14th

Classes after our shows will include celebrations, recognitions and assessments, as well as the opportunity for your child to try a different class than their normal class (during the two weeks in June). 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! Please note that because we are ending the session mid-month, family tuition charges will be for half the month only

CREATIVE MOVEMENT & ACRO CLASS SCHEDULE

Creative Movement and Acro classes do not participate in our Spring Shows. Students who are enrolled in Creative Movement or Acro classes WILL NOT have class during Spring Show Dress Rehearsal Week (May 13-18th). 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 four weeks of the session after dress rehearsal week! Creative Movement class performances and Acro parent watch week will be during class the week of June 3rd through 8th! Watch your email for details

MONTH ers

HI P HIPHOO R !YA

Kaibrie is e s to our May Dancers of the Month! will receive a certificate of d a gift card to Stage Left Dancewear the front desk to pick up your prize!

Caroline is a member of our STARS 102 Team and was nominated by Miss Grace, her Tap 102 teacher Miss Grace says that Caroline has shown so much growth in class and on stage this year and is a great friend to her teammates! Congratulations Caroline! C A R O L I N E A R O R A

Skills

OF THE MONTH

Lyanna was nomina teacher for her phe proud of Lyanna for throughout the yea

Acro = Bridge

Ballet = Gran

Hip Hop = Ba

Jazz = Lindy H

Tap = Maxi Fo

SEE DETAILS O

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ACRO BRIDGE KICKOVER

Definition: a type of back bend performed in gymnastics and cheerleading. It involves getting into a back bend and then using momentum to kick your legs over your body and land on your feet.

The bridge kickover is the basis of a back walkover. You can either start standing up and lean backwards into a bridge, or start from a bridge on the ground.

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SKILLS OF T

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.

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Definiti where o while b ninety d their he and lift often in with th with th resting elbow.

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on: A type of freeze one stabs one elbow ending the other at a degree angle, resting ead on the ground, ing both legs up, nto a forked position e knee on the side e stabbed arm on the opposite

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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.

Definition: A tap dance step consisting of four movements: step, shuffle, leap, toe. Max Ford was known as a “Buck and Wing” dancer, a

40th

ANNIVERSARY CORNER

We’re celebrating our 40th anniversary at our Spring Shows this year! Thank you for being part of the ackstage community, some of you for a quarter or more of that time, either through dancing yourself or because you now have children or grandchildren dancing at Backstage. We appreciate you all and are grateful to be elebrating 40 years of contributing to the overall growth and development of wonderful dancers and humans!

One of our teachers has been with Backstage since the very beginning! First as a student, then as a teacher, and l as her daughter, Ashley, danced at her life and is currently a Seahawks al shout out to Miss Rhonda for her Backstage from our earliest years!

Top: Miss Rhonda wit

Bottom (left): Former now a current Seahaw

Bottom (right): Miss R Backstage at a compe

upcomingevents

ES IN CLASS

PARENT MAP PARENT ED SESSION, 1:00 PM

DRESS REHEARSALS AT BACKSTAGE

SPRING SHOWS AT RENTON IKEA PAC

CLASSES RESUME AFTER SPRING SHOWS (LAST DAY OF CLASS IS JUNE 14)

STUDIO CLOSED - MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

PRIORITY REGISTRATION BEGINS/PREMIUM MEMBERSHIPS

LAST DAY OF CLASSES FOR 2023-2024 SESSION

AUDITIONS: SIGNATURE & STARS TEAMS

SUMMER DANCE INTENSIVE WORKSHOP (4:15-8:15 EACH DAY)

SUMMER SESSION BEGINS/REGISTRATION OPENS FOR BASIC MEMBERSHIPS

T H A N K !UOY