Dance is the ultimate performing art, and dancing onstage at the concert serves as a powerful tool for building a child’s confidence in themselves—a confidence that easily carries over into a dancer’s home life, schoolwork, and friendships.
So how can one special event create such a big difference? Well, it’s not just about that day. It’s also about the process leading up to it, followed by the culmination of all that hard work.
In our experience at Studio 56 Dance Center, a rise in confidence begins with effort in the classroom. Our students begin learning new steps and choreography, and as they make the effort to execute those skills, their confidence builds. With compliments and corrections from the teacher, each dancer becomes more determined to improve.
In some dancers, this confidence boost comes easily over time, but in others, it can be more daunting. For example, sometimes there is a student who feels down on themselves when they aren’t learning a step or concept fast enough. We teach them that everyone learns at their own pace, and with their continued practice and perseverance, they’ll make progress. And when that student begins to see their effort paying off, their confidence soars! Overcoming that temporary “slump” actually helped them see that they can rely on themselves and be stronger for it.
As we get closer and closer to the concert and the choreography for the routine is complete, we will oftentimes see a spike in confidence along with their excitement for the big day. The more they practice, the more assured they become. They can also begin to picture themselves performing, and that visualization inspires them from the inside out.
Of course when concert day is finally here, sometimes shyness, nerves, or anxiety can make a child’s confidence waver. But if they’ve already built up their “confidence muscles” in class, they can quickly conquer those fears and dance onstage with no worries at all. We’ve seen many students over the years who’ve overcome their stage fright—and then never want to leave the stage!
One of the most magical confidence-boosting moments for a performer is hearing the audience applaud, knowing that family and friends are there! It tells the dancers hey are appreciated for dancing their hearts out. It is such a rewarding feeling to realize that your hard work has paid off and that the audience loved your performance.
The pride our students feel in themselves at that moment is well-earned. The sense of accomplishment after getting out there and performing is a triumphant feeling like no other, and it’s not an exaggeration to say we’ve seen it transform lives. The confidence our students develop is truly one of the most valuable benefits there is when it comes to the concert!
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WE NEED YOUR HELP WITH A FEW THINGS!
Use the restroom before class:This is for all ages, but especially the preschool classes!!
LATE!! We have had a lot of latecomers and late pick-ups. It is very disruptive to our classes when you walk in late, not to mention unsafe as to your student missing warm-up. Late pick-ups are preventing our next classes from starting on time, and our teachers from getting home to their families at night. As some of you know all too well, we will be charging a $5 fee for every 5 minutes you are late after 5min. Thanks for your attention to this manner.
Curbside Pick Up:Help us with the safety of our students by participating in our curbside pick up.
We are doing class walkouts for the majority of our classes.
If you are unsure if this applies to your child’s class please check with your child’s teacher.
For your convenience and safety, we have designed our studio to have a pull through-line. The safety of our students is our utmost important priority. We have created this little video to help everyone work together and keep the kiddos safe. West Murray CLICK HERE, East Murray CLICK HERE
Fun bun week is Nov 4-8th!!! Come to class with a fun bun or crazy hair (boys)!!! Turn that bun into a masterpiece… Maybe it’s a spider or a one-eyed monster!! We can’t wait to see your creations!
We have SO MUCH fun at our event called Parent’s Night Out! Mark your calendar for your NOVEMBER DATE NIGHT and we will take the kids…Friday, November 15thfrom 6-10 pm!! We have lots of fun activities planned for the kids and you can enjoy a night out child-free! Only $15 per child ages 3 and up (must be potty trained). We will be serving Pizza @ 6:30 pm.
Wear your Studio 56 Swag ALL DAY on Friday, November 15thto show your Studio 56 SPIRIT!! Take pictures and share them with us on Facebook or Instagram! #studio56dance
#Studio56SpiritDay
STUDIO 56 SWAG
Cooler weather means hoodie weather!! Pre-order your Studio 56 hoodie today! Sample sizes are available at the West Murray studio.
Order in our online store under Studio Swag.
Youth (unisex sizes) S M L
Women’s S M L XL XXL
MEN’S S M L XL XXL
These hoodies make GREAT Christmas presents!
Cost is Adult $50 Youth $40 due at time of purchase
Orders due by Nov 8th
Who is excited to see Frozen ll? I know so many of our little’s can’t wait to see Elsa and Anna take the big screen this November. So…Let’s have a party! We LOVE making memories with you! Join us at the theatre for a private showing!
Tickets can be purchased in our online studio store and will be sent home when they arrive.
HERE ARE THE DETAILS:
When: Wednesday, Nov 27th, seating begins at 9:30 am, show starts at 10 am.
Where: Cinemark Movie Theatre 7670 S, Union Park Ave, Midvale, UT
Cost: $15/person, price includes general admission ticket, Jr Popcorn, and Sprite. All attendees MUST have a ticket, please no unaccompanied children.
*To purchase tickets: Click on “Parent Portal” on the studio website. Click on “Online store”. Tickets for the show are available in the “Tickets” category. Please make sure you get enough tickets for all the people attending!
*Space is limited; availability will be a 1st come 1st serve, no refunds or exchanges.
FOR PARENTS OF SCHOOL AGED TUMBLING STUDENTS| Wall Sit – Back/Bridge
We want you to join us in our monthly strength and stretch challenge! Each month we have a new challenge we are working on. You can print it out and track your progress at home. In the last week of the month, we will “test” our students in class and see if they can meet the goals for their age!
We are excited to have a new section each month just for preschool dancers! This month our theme is “E I E I O“ We will be singing and dancing to fun barn animal songs while working on our routine for the holiday show. We encourage you to get involved and have them practice their skills at home! This month we are focusing on marching and port de bra arms!
Our STAR, Company and Preschool Dancer are embarking on an amazing journey as part of our holiday show titled The Grinch That Stole Christmas. We have started our holiday routines and will be performing at Dance For Life on December 14th at Viewmont High School. We are super excited to see these darling kiddos take that step out onto the big stage!!
Dance for Life is an amazing event hosted by Studio 56 Dance Center. The proceeds from this event go to the Utah Foster Care Foundation. More details on how you can get involved along with Performance details for your dancer visit our website. All the details can be found at www.studio56dance.com by visiting our parent portal and clicking concert info! Or simply CLICK HERE
Cast announcements were emailed out in October, please reach out to the office at info@studio56dance.comif you have questions on your cast.
Reminder: We have a Holiday Show installment processing with tuition on Nov 1st.
HOLIDAY CHARITY PROJECT
We are so excited to be hosting “Dance For Life…and make a difference” a benefit concert in support of the Utah Foster Care Foundation and other local Utah Charities. We are going to be collecting PJs and books at the studio and at this year’s benefit concert to donate to those in need of a comfy new pair of jammies this holiday.
Get your student involved by watching for PJ’s at a good price. All the proceeds and PJ/books collected will be donated right here in Utah. CLICK HERE for more details on how you can get involved, from hosting a drive at your office to volunteering the day of the event.
We have the best idea!!! We are going to open up our Scholastic book program to ALL of our studio families just in time to order books for the benefit concert. Scholastic is an amazing resource with GREAT books at a GREAT deal!! You can order $1 books for the drive and they will be shipped right to the studio. Visit Scholastic’s https://clubs.scholastic.comand using our activation code K4VKN and take advantage of this convenient way to donate to our book drive. Orders will be due by Friday, November 15th. In the student, name put Dance for Life so we know that order is to be donated!
You’ve heard us talking about it. You’ve seen it mentioned on our website and in our emails. You know there’s a lot of excitement around it … but what exactly IS the concert?
Just as soccer players have tournaments, football players have games, and gymnasts have meets, dancers have performances! More than a year’s worth of planning goes into our annual performance at Studio 56 Dance Center—better known to most people as “the concert or the recital.”
The concert is a memorable opportunity for our students to showcase their talents onstage. From learning the first eight-count of choreography in class to the final bow onstage, the concert is definitely one of the highlights of a dancer’s year!
Consider this blog post your “concert primer,” where we break down a few key elements of what to expect these next few months—and why it’s all so important.
Choreography
Each class learns a particular routine to perform at the concert. The choreography is the series of steps, patterns, and formations the teacher creates for each unique routine. Your dancer will be learning and practicing this choreography during class time leading up to the recital. This repetition allows our students to grow their confidence as well as their skills.
Costumes, Hair, and Makeup
Because dance is a performing art, this is where the “performance” aspect truly comes together! As you’ve seen, each class will have a costume to wear onstage for their routine. We will also be communicating specific instructions regarding their hairstyle and stage makeup. These three things are the finishing touches that complete a performer’s look!
Tech Rehearsal
Prior to the concert, each class will have the chance to participate in our tech rehearsal. The tech rehearsal is almost like the concert itself, except it’s just for practice. It allows us the chance to rehearse our sound and lighting cues from backstage and helps us make sure the dancers are familiar with their new surroundings.
Performance
This is it! After all the preparation and practice, this is each dancer’s moment in the spotlight in front of their family and friends. The buildup of excitement is huge. It’s like when an athlete performs at the Olympics … our students perform at the concert!
We understand that the thought of choreography, costumes, rehearsals, and being onstage in can be intimidating at first, so we’re here to show you what an awesome experience this journey can be. Stay tuned here to the blog for more valuable insight as we approach the big day!
It’s a common question to hear from dance parents and students alike: What purpose does the dress code actually serve? We’re glad you asked! Studio 56 Dance Center’s dress code was established for a few very important reasons:
Safety
The number one factor in establishing a dress code is for all students’ safety in class. A basic leotard and tights, along with hair pulled back and the appropriate shoes, ensures that there are no extraneous clothes or jewelry that can become hazardous. The dress code also helps teachers see that students are using the right muscles and alignment in order to learn the correct movements in class.
Modesty
At Studio 56 Dance Center, we want every student to feel good about trying his or her best in class. Following the dress code helps us make sure that everyone is appropriately covered … but not so covered that their movement is restricted! We know that kids can sometimes feel self-conscious, and we want to encourage their confidence by helping them feel comfortable with what they wear in the studio.
Respect
A dress code is one way students show respect for their peers and their teachers. It demonstrates an understanding of how a dance class operates, with minimal distractions and the ability to move easily for any combination of steps or choreography. It shows that the students are prepared to learn and are willing to save their fashion statements for outside of class.
Practicality
Because leotards and tights also often serve as a versatile base layer for costuming, it makes sense that students become accustomed to them during class time. Just as swimmers wear swimsuits and basketball players wear jerseys, dancers wear leotards and tights to have the freedom of movement required to practice correctly and efficiently.
Everyone benefits with the dress code in place: dancers can learn comfortably and instructors can teach efficiently! At Studio 56 Dance Center, we take pride in our dress code and are happy to help you with questions at any time.
It’s that time of year again! School is back in session and after-school activities abound, meaning “I’m too tired” can become a frequent refrain from the backseat of your car.
It’s not uncommon for us to hear about young dancers who fall asleep on the way to class during the first month or so of school. Getting used to a new schedule is not easy! Some children won’t be shy about stating how tired they are after school is out; others just feel a little grouchy by the time dance class rolls around.
What can you do to help turn this feeling around (and end your own exasperation)? In our experience at Studio 56 Dance Center, the suggestions included here have the potential to completely bust those back-to-school blues!
Create a fun “going-to-dance” ritual. Whether it’s the music you jam out to on the way to class each week, or a family pizza night afterward, a special ritual can always perk up the day. The routine built around attending dance class can have a tremendous impact on your child’s ability to adapt to their new schedule.
Offer gentle, consistent reassurance. While we all know that logic doesn’t always fly with children, sometimes they feel better just knowing you understand and are there for them. Remind them that feeling tired after school is normal, and that the feeling will get better over time. Let them know that you’re proud of them for making an effort.
Be prepared with water and snacks! Children who are well-hydrated and who’ve had a light snack before dance class feel more refreshed and ready to move. They have the energy they need to enjoy the experience and retain what they’ve learned.
If there is a “best part” about the back-to-school blues, it’s that they are temporary. At Studio 56 Dance Center, we know that this period of time will soon become a distant memory, one replaced with the refrain of “Is it time to go to dance class yet?” Consider yourself warned!
Dance lessons can be an awesome way to encourage your child’s personal growth! At Studio 56 Dance Center, we’re not just teaching dance steps in our classrooms—we’re developing curious, compassionate young leaders and equipping them for success.
We know that it can be a challenge sometimes to know what to do to offer support and encouragement for your dancer—especially if you are still new to the world of dance! Here are four of our best tips for making the most out of your child’s class experience at Studio 56 Dance Center:
Talk about dance at home
Although many of our young dancers take just one or two classes per week, dance is usually on their minds every day! Read dance books together or listen to music and try some dance moves in the living room. This helps keep your child’s mind engaged about dance in an extra-fun way—because they can share it with you!
Ask your child to teach you what they are learning
Since dance lessons are built on structure and repetition, teaching someone else can be a fun way to practice. Even if your child is still working on remembering their steps, this can help exercise their memory! (Plus, it can be pretty cute.)
Find out what your child likes best about class, or what they find challenging
Gain insight into what your child loves about dance—and what they think is hard—by asking them about their class. Do they have a favorite step? Have they made some new friends? What do they like about their teacher? These answers can help you understand what your child’s experience is like.
Voice your support
The way you praise your child can be very useful in helping them get the most out of dance class! Use phrases like, “I love watching you dance!” or “I can tell you’ve been working hard.” or “Did you try your best? That’s what’s most important.” Your child’s confidence and enthusiasm will continue to grow with this kind of encouragement at home and at class.
We hope these four tips come in handy as your child progresses through our dance season and of course, we’re always happy to help with any class curriculum or programming questions you might have. We’re so thankful you’ve chosen Studio 56 Dance Center for your child’s education in dance!
With the date fast approaching for concert, we thought this would be the perfect time to share with you our tips for awesome audience etiquette! Following these tips will help us ensure an enjoyable concert experience for everyone involved.
Tip #1: When entering the theater take a quick note of where the exits are, just in case of an emergency.
Tip #2: Plan to turn off or silence all of your devices prior to the start of the show. The sounds and screens are very disruptive. There is no need to use your phone during the performance, because we have a professional photographer and videographer attending the show! Sit back and relax while you enjoy watching your child perform live instead of through your phone screen!
Tip #3: It is courteous to applaud after each routine in the concert, but please avoid shouting or screaming as it can be distracting to both the dancers on stage and to other audience members.
Tip #4: There may be some high-energy routines where you are encouraged to clap along in time to the music; we invite you to do so. (Just remember: no hollering!)
Tip #5: Avoid entering or exiting the theater while there are dancers performing onstage. A good rule of thumb is to only move from your seat in between routines, if necessary.
Tip #6: Following Tip #5, if you have a baby or young child who is sitting with you and they become disruptive, please exit with them quickly and quietly between routines.
Tip #7: Refrain from talking or whispering with other audience members while the dancers are performing. Quick comments in between routines are OK!
Tip #8: Don’t litter. Please take care not to leave any belongings or trash behind so we do not incur an unexpected cleaning fee.
Studio 56 Dance Center has an excellent reputation for being well-organized, gracious, and respectful of our venue so we will be welcome back! As members of our concert audience, your cooperation is much appreciated in helping us maintain this good standing! If you will be inviting other family members and friends to the show, please share these tips with them too.
As you enjoy the show, don’t forget that our students are dancing their hearts out for you, the audience! Show them your appreciation by following these tips and recognizing their hard work.
Please let us know if you have ANY questions before the big day!
Chances are you’ve heard this saying many, many times in your life. (We sure have!) It’s one of the most well-known proverbs, with roots that go all the way back to the 16th century. And while we appreciate its intention, here at Studio 56 Dance, we much prefer to say “practice makes progress.”
Why? Because we don’t teach perfection as a goal. Especially when it comes to the concert, we strive for every dancer to showcase their knowledge and skills, and to express their joy. We want the performance to be their opportunity to celebrate achievements big and small, public and personal. And a focus on perfection detracts from all of those things.
We do need to be clear that although we don’t teach perfection as a goal, we do teach excellence. Excellence, to us, is different than perfection. Excellence means we are holding our students to a high standard yet still giving them room to grow, to be themselves, and to develop at their own pace. Excellence is realistic; perfection is unachievable.
We know all too well from personal experience that perfectionism can be a difficult mindset, one that takes years to overcome. For dancers, perfectionism can result in frustrations and tears because they do not see any other path forward. We’re working to change that mentality! Part of our mission is to uphold an environment where every mistake is actually a learning experience, and every disappointment leads to a stronger work ethic.
Live performances, too, always have some measure of unpredictability. Sure, we plan and rehearse (and plan and rehearse!), but we do so with the understanding that the concert is still a live event, which means there may be moments where a dancer forgets a step, stumbles, or freezes. And the power of that moment is in their ability to keep going and finish strong, not in the anguish of missing the target of perfection. They can only find that power if we instill it in them.
There is beauty in the real-ness of the concert, the true reality of it. In no other way can you see—up close—the courage, vulnerability, strength, and pure emotion that dance brings to your child. It will take your breath away to see all of this onstage!
So when you watch your child onstage at the concert, we want you to rejoice in their growth. Witness their joy. Tell them how proud you are of their effort and confidence onstage. Show them you see them. And celebrate their path to progress!
Performing in the concert is a brand new experience for most of our young dancers. And while some will find it exciting, others might be a little nervous! In our experience, one of the keys to concert success is encouraging your child to do their best and reassuring them that you are proud no matter what.
So, what’s it going to be like when the big day rolls around? What’s reasonable for you to expect from your child? We’ve put together some of our best advice for a rewarding recital experience with your little one!
Remember that ….
Dancing on stage in front of hundreds of people is a pretty big deal! Some dancers are shy and others ham it up. However they react, all of our young dancers are gaining a tremendous amount of confidence by performing in front of a crowd. Through this process, they are learning about self-expression, demonstrating their skills, and gaining a sense of accomplishment.
Strong emotions might occur, and that’s totally OK! We’ve seen dancers who are so excited to perform they can hardly stand still, and others who suddenly become worried that they can’t see mom and dad way out there in the audience. In our experience, most of these big emotions dissipate after dress rehearsal. But we do have a few special tactics to calm and comfort our littlest performers when needed, so rest assured they are always in good hands!
Live performances can be unpredictable—and often in positive ways. But you may wonder whether your little one will forget the dance routine or if they’ll have a case of stage fright. Though those things do happen sometimes, they don’t mean your child’s future in dance is over. (In fact, far from it!) We know we can’t predict exactly what will happen, but we can guarantee that we are as proactive and prepared as possible.
Our curricula are designed to focus on gross motor skills and dance fundamentals. Our students are being taught age-appropriate movements that align with their physical development. Don’t expect your little one to perform with the same knowledge and skills of a dancer who is older or more experienced! Technical progress comes over time as each dancer moves through our class levels at just the right pace.
Success come in many forms, and we do not promote perfection as one of them! Instead, we talk in class about the dancers trying their best and having fun while they perform. Success is both the child who comes off stage beaming with joy AND the one who shyly admits she enjoyed it; it is both the child who remembered every step AND the one who forgot a few but worked super hard. We want to celebrate every version of recital success!
We hope you enjoy watching your dancer onstage at the recital and seeing how far they’ve come this year. All of us at Studio 56 Dance Center are super proud of our young dancers’ progress!
There’s nothing else quite like a dance costume—it carries the excitement of the performance yet to come, and of course, there are all those sparkles! For many children, wearing a costume brings out the confidence and poise they’ve been working so hard on in class, and it is one of their most favorite parts about dancing on stage.
Because dance costumes are made from specialty fabrics, they can’t be treated like regular clothes. From stretchy lycra-blended leotards to the embellishments of sequins and beading, costumes are made from finicky materials. For this reason, we do not recommend washing them, but a little extra TLC can go a long way!
Taking care of your child’s costume can be simple if you keep these Dos and Don’ts in mind:
Do encourage your dancer to find a safe place at home to keep their costume. Help them understand that this will keep it in tip-top shape for photos and performance time.
Don’t allow playtime in the costume. If something spills on it or it rips, it is too late to purchase a new one! Save the dress-up time for after the recital.
Don’t allow your child to eat messy foods or drink anything but water when wearing the costume for photos or the performance. This helps prevent irreversible damage that can be caused by the dyes and enzymes in food and drink.
Do keep tutus upside down on the hanger, unless otherwise specified by your child’s teacher. This helps keep the tutu fluffy!
Do purchase a nude leotard undergarment for your child if they complain that the costume is itchy. These undergarments can be worn at all times for comfort and modesty; ask us for recommendations.
If the costume is wrinkled, Do allow it to “rest” outside of the garment bag. Using a steamer is OK too if you are experienced with one.
Don’t forget that costumes are made-to-order but not custom-made, so small alterations (such as tacking straps or hemming pants) may be needed to ensure the fit is just right.
Do make sure the costume is ready to go when needed! Make sure it is not crumpled or missing anything, and bring it with you in its garment bag.
If you ever have a question about the best way to store or care for a specific dance costume, please ask! We understand that costume care can feel like completely new territory, so we’re happy to help anytime.
