My name is Triany Nicolas. I am 16 years old, and this will be my 5th year dancing at the Legacy Dance Studio. After dedicating myself to gymnastics for eight years, I decided it was time for a change. In my first year at the dance studio, I was shy and did not know many of the girls. But through working hard and training every week, I acquired many values that have shaped who I am today. I have gained communication skills, confidence, and discipline through dancing at the studio. Mrs. Shannon has created a loving, body-positive, and motivating environment for young dancers and I am forever grateful for her. Not only is she my dance teacher but she is someone who I can always count on.
I joined the Legacy Stars competition team during my second year at legacy and immediately fell in love with competing. Dancing is my biggest outlet outside of school and it aids with my emotional expressions. I am able to demonstrate my stage presence and talent, which has tremendously boosted my confidence while also teaching myself that it’s acceptable if things don’t go according to plan. As a dancer, I have learned that perfection is impossible. There is always room for corrections.
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.
The effects of poor attendance at school have been well documented over the years. Students from pre-k through high school are at risk of developing low self-esteem, missing important social milestones, and falling behind their peers simply because of poor attendance. In our Port Orange dance studio, attending up to dance class consistently and on time contributes to the positive culture that dance studios wish to achieve.
When considering dance classes for your child in Port Orange, even at the recreational level, you’re making a commitment to attend regularly. Good attendance in dance class promotes discipline, respect, and retention of information.
At The Legacy Dance Studio in Port Orange, owner and director Shannon Thomas strives to promote a culture of positivity, inclusivity, and integrity through dance education. Dancers and families at The Legacy Dance Studio can expect to be welcomed with open arms from the very first dance class to the final bow.
Our positive dance studio culture embraces four core values that our staff follows in each interaction with students and dance families – Positivity, Leadership, Integrity, and Education.
But we can’t do it alone! Dance parents, guardians, and students all have a role to play in creating a positive dance studio culture so that everyone involved has a great experience.
Florida is known for its beautiful weather year-round. But, that also means that dancers are often taking dance classes at dance studios in temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit! At a Port Orange dance studio like The Legacy Dance Studio, dancers are encouraged to stay hydrated during dance classes.
In order to stay hydrated during dance class, you need to be sure to hydrate both before and after dance class, as well as eat foods with high water content.
Staying hydrated during dance classes is part of being a healthy, safe, and smart dancer. The Legacy Dance Studio in Port Orange takes dancer health seriously, and always strives to keep dancers safe.
Dancers of all kinds are always looking for more ways to improve their dance technique, from ballet dancers hoping to get just one more pirouette, to tap dancers who work tirelessly to execute the perfect wings. In this article, we will focus on dance technique as it relates to ballet and jazz dance, but these suggestions will undoubtedly help all kinds of dancers!
In order to improve your dance technique, you should focus on your core strength, continue to stretch daily, and importantly for many dancers, stay in ballet class!
While ballet isn’t the end-all be-all of dance techniques, it certainly does help to know and practice the basics to improve in styles like contemporary and jazz.
Choosing a dance studio for your child can be an overwhelming experience if you don’t know what to look for. From recreational dance classes to a more competitive environment, there really is something for everyone in the dance studio world, and specifically here in the Daytona Beach area.
When choosing a dance studio for your child, there are several types of environments. Daycare dance classes, recreational dance studios, ballet studios, and competitive dance studios are all options to consider.
By doing some research ahead of time, you can make the process of choosing the best dance studio for your tiny dancer easy and fun!
Improving split leaps is a something dancers work on consistently in ballet, jazz, and contemporary/modern dance classes. Whether you are practicing grand jeté or saut de chat, below are a few tips to get you flying in the air looking fabulous!
Preparation
Be sure to build momentum into the preparation. Whether you are starting the leap with a glissade, chasse or a step – there should be a large amount of energy expanded into the preparatory step. Pushing through the floor with a strong core and body alignment is sure to start you off on the right path for a strong leap. Articulating the foot before AND after the jump is vital to success.
Effort – The definition is a vigorous or determined attempt.
How can we instill qualities in students to ensure they are putting forth their best efforts with a growth mindset?
Below are examples taken directly from class room and stage experiences. Utilizing these qualities in the class room will guarantee your students are on the way to becoming a dancer that can see their growth potential and use hard work to reach their goals.
Understanding Patterns:
Giving students opportunities to identify patterns in daily class work is imperative. During ballet barre, incorporate specific patterns that replicate those same patterns that will be seen later in center work. Mention the intention and purpose for the use of the pattern given. Give as many examples as possible.
This will allow the dancer to retain the information, and memorize it more efficiently. Comprehension of patterns will increase speed, coordination and help with reversing the movement in different directions.
Spatial Awareness:
Spatial awareness can be incorporated in the very beginning of dance training at a young age. Dancers as young as 3 learn about spatial awareness as they are required to stand on their designated spot, follow the leader with out bumping other dancers and how to stand in line with out squishing their neighbor.
As they progress, they learn to stand in windows and take turns across the floor with a partner. All of these things requiring spatial awareness.
Spatial awareness is the ability to be aware of oneself in the space around you. Knowing the body positions and stage directions to travel freely while dancing and moving is the ultimate goal. As students progress in their training, this concept is imperative when performing or auditioning.
Thinking Ahead:
The famous quote, “dance now, think later” couldn’t be further from the truth. Dancers spend most of their young dance life thinking. And thinking some more.
Dance technique and body alignment are concepts that start with your thought process. Learning the correct muscles to use and even visualization exercises to help try to achieve the right look of a dancer.
Anticipation is the act of thinking ahead of oneself. When a dancer is performing ballet barre exercises, the brain must be faster than the pace of the music to relay the message to the body.
Dance is intellectual.
You are not only thinking of the steps, you are thinking of the technique behind the steps that will enable you to execute them correctly. When preparing for rehearsals and auditions; anticipating trouble spots will help you think on your toes and be ahead of the game when under stressful situations.
Understanding Different Techniques
A strong foundation in Ballet and Tap is a great start for young dancers! At 8 years old, the dancer is physically and mentally ready to introduce additional styles of dance to their training. Dance Classes in jazz, contemporary, hip hop and other dance techniques are highly encouraged to be the most well rounded dancer.
It is important that dancers educate themselves on the history that has impacted dance and paved the path as we know it today. Studying as many styles of dance will get you out of your comfort zone and give the knowledge needed to perform your best in class, on stage or at an audition.
Learning to be an effort oriented dancer takes time and constant training inside and outside of the studio, you too can achieve this if you put in the effort!
Pageant Dance Choreography is a common talent choice among contestants in pageantry. Choreography can be interpreted in many different ways depending on the age of the performer, audience and judges observing the routine. Some dancers have very competitive, stylish and entertaining routines and others are more classical and technical with their performances.Continue reading
Improving split leaps is a something dancers work on consistently in ballet, jazz, and contemporary/modern dance classes. Whether you are practicing grand jeté or saut de chat, below are a few tips to get you flying in the air looking fabulous!
