Port Orange Dance Classes – Are You Ready for Pointe?

How do you know if your dancer is ready for pointe shoes? 

Dancers all over the world dream of the day when they get their first pair of pointe shoes! The image of gliding across the stage in beautiful satin shoes, complete with ribbons and a tutu, looms large for young ballerinas. But for parents of dancers in Port Orange dance classes, how do you know when it’s time for your dancer to begin pointe?

There are many assessments that can be done for dancers to determine pointe-readiness, but these are just a few that parents can begin with before approaching the teacher for more in-depth evaluations. Check these off your list before you head to the dancewear store!

Continue reading

Port Orange Dance Trends

dance at port orange dance

This dance season, Port Orange dance trends range from the traditional to the eclectic! There are many options available at your local Port Orange dance store, as well as specialty brands online. Here are just a few hot trends to check out now!

Traditional Class wear

Nothing says “I’m a dancer” like traditional black leotard and tights. In fact, the tradition is so long-standing that most Port Orange dance studios require leotard and tights for most of their dance classes.

But don’t fear being boring or uninteresting in your outfit choice. Brands like Bloch and Capezio are always coming out with new twists on old favorites, like mesh inserts in leotards to new, more comfortable waistbands on tights. One of my favorite Bloch pieces is the Lana Mirage Scoop Neck Leotard in black with pretty cutouts at the back. Capezio offers the tried and true Ultra Soft Transition Tight with a self-knit waistband in 18 different colors so you are sure to find one that you love!

Continue reading

Fix your dance competition mistakes and stand out!

Dance competition tips

Do you want to know how to stand out at dance competition? Even seasoned competition dancers can forget a shoe every now and then, but that’s only one small mistake that can happen before or during a dance competition! Here are the top 10 dance competition mistakes that can occur, and how to fix them!

  1. Not rehearsing away from the mirror before competition!

One of the best things dancers in Port Orange can do before competition is rehearse facing away from the mirror. It’s surprising how beneficial it can be to do a few runs of your dance facing multiple directions.

Dancers often ask in the studio, “Which way will the stage face?” before competition, and the answer is, “Wherever it faces!” It’s a difficult concept for kids to grasp, but if you can rehearse the dance facing every possible direction, they will begin to understand that the routine won’t change regardless of which direction the stage faces.

 

  1. Entering your routine in the wrong category!

This is a mistake that is mostly made by the dance instructor, but still relevant because category placement can affect how a dance scores! The majority of the time, this mistake happens when the lines are blurred between categories like lyrical or contemporary. Take the time to really analyze the dance routine for specific technical elements that live in one of those categories. It might even help to make a checklist of skills for each category so you can really see where a routine belongs.

Continue reading

Sore muscles after dance class

Dance Class

If you’re a dancer, chances are you’ve had your fair share of sore muscles after a particularly difficult dance class. Sore muscles don’t mean you’ve overdone it, though, they just mean you’ve worked hard! However, soreness can interfere with your day-to-day life and there are some tried and true methods to get through it!

To treat and care for sore muscles, remember to warm up before you dance, cool down after class, and practice self-care.  Use techniques like massage, foam rolling, taking Epsom salt baths, and resting!

Sore muscles may sometimes be the result of an injury or overuse. If soreness persists for longer than a couple of days, you may want to consult a medical professional. The advice you read here is no substitute for actual medical care.

The advice you read here is no substitute for actual medical care.

Continue reading