10 Things to Remember for Recital

In honor of our show tonight, here are the top 10 things to remember for recital

1. Yes, you need makeup. Dancers need to wear heavier than usual makeup on stage so the bright stage lights don’t wash out features on the face. Pre-school age dancers don’t need a full face of makeup; just eyeshadow, lipstick and a little mascara. Dancers 10+ are old enough to wear false eyelashes to really make the eyes stand out all the way to the back of the auditorium.


2. Secure that hair. Wispy hair, fly away pieces and loose buns do not project a professional image on stage. Use gel and a bristle brush to slick down hair and finish with hairspray. Ponytails need at least two tight hair ties and buns need dozens of bobby pins and should be finished with a hair net.


3. Label your things. With the chaos of quick changes it is important to stay organized before and during the show. Put your name on all of your shoes and the tag of your tights before the show to reduce confusion backstage. Bring a laundry basket to hold your used accessories, costumes and shoes after your performances.


4. Stay hydrated. A three-hour recital is a marathon and your body needs water to perform. Drink regularly throughout the day and bring a large water bottle to keep near your costumes during the show.


5. Breathe. Your teachers have prepared you for your performances tonight and you are ready. Take a moment to take a deep breath before you go on stage, relax and enjoy it.


6. Smile! – An audience will enjoy your performance if you look like you are having fun on stage.


7. Bring extra everything. Your tights may run, you’ll need extra bobby pins, you'll loose your lipstick, someone will need to borrow your hairspray. Be prepared and pack more than you think need to help keep calm under pressure.


8. Take advantage of volunteers backstage. They are there to help you. Be polite, but if they ask what you need, let them know, and thank them.


9. Thank your parents. They drove you to classes, sat a competitions, paid for your costumes, bought your shoes and tights and think you are amazing. Remember to tell them you appreciate all they have done to make tonight a success for you.


10. Have fun! – You’ve been working so hard since September. Remember to enjoy your time tonight. It will go by quickly.
    

Have any other helpful suggestions? We'd love to hear them. Share them in the comments section.

Why am I a dance teacher?

By: Shannon Barrett

I am a big sister, role model, educator, voice of reason, drill sergeant, motivator, second mother, cheerleader, supporter, confidant…I AM A DANCE TEACHER!

Back in 2004 when I was coaching Crestwood’s JV Pom team, a friend asked me “Did you ever think you would see yourself as a Coach when you grew up?” My reply was “I always thought I would start much earlier than I actually did.”

Why did I always want to be a Dance Teacher? The answer can be summed up in 2 words…Cathy & Jill.

Ever wonder why I say “Tell me what the steps are, don’t do them…say them! If you cannot say the steps, the message will never get from your brain to your feet for you to actually do the steps.” Well, that’s what my dance teacher told me when I was your age.

I still remember the day Cathy said those words to me. There she was, sitting against the mirrors on her leather stool. There I was, standing in my ribbed pink (yes, pink) leotard, tan tights & black character tap shoes…in awe because what my Dance Teacher was telling me actually made sense!

How many times have I told you “I cannot go out there and do it for you, you have to do it & do it well!”? Those were words my Pom Coach, Jill told us during our last practice before State Competition in 1998. Those few words seemed to bring us all together for a winning performance. So simple, yet deep enough to make us all realize, she was right!

Were all of my dance memories positive? Absolutely not!

I still remember the day that my Mom called me at my Aunts house and told me to come home. I was 13, it was May…and it was a long bike ride home. I knew something was wrong because at that age, my parents did all they could to get me out of the house. What was wrong? Did she find out that I failed my math test? Did I forget to clean the litter box? Unfortunately, it was none of the above, and nothing could prepare me for what I was about to hear.

“Cathy died….”

“Oh” was my reply. I don’t really remember much after that. The next thing I knew, my Mom asked me if I was OK. I said “Ya”…and walked up to my room.

I sat in my room for an hour or so while I let it all sink in. She was only 36…she’s dead? Is that possible? 36 really isn’t old, and besides, she was a dance teacher…she was indestructible…or so I thought.

It was about 2 months after her passing that her death finally hit me. I cried for days on end, swore I would never dance again and transformed from a happy-go-lucky kid to a sad closed of little girl whose life was crumbling around her. How does one dust herself off and go on after such a blow?

I still think about Cathy all the time. As wild as it sounds, I still see her in my dreams very now and again. I think it’s her way of saying she is proud of me for passing on her words of wisdom to another generation.

I have had some amazing Dance Teachers & Coaches in my life. I think the reason why they were so great, is because they pushed us and never accepted less than what we were capable of. They were tough and demanding, but sensitive and caring at the same time. Everything they did or said was done for good reason, and even though at the time we may not have understood what those reasons were, we knew that it was in our best interest to follow their direction. After all, they had the final say.

I think that’s what makes me the Dance Teacher that I am today. I am a hard teacher, that expects A LOT out of her students. Why? Because I know that my students are capable of anything! I may have high expectations of you, but I would never ask you to do something that I didn’t think you could handle.

Why do I yell, growl or grind my teeth at times during class? Because I care…plain and simple! I know what each and every one of you can do if you open your minds, close your mouths and put your heart into your dance! If you reach deep into your soul, beautiful things can come out in your performance.

Think of the excitement that you feel when you conquer a goal, master a skill, or face your fear. Well, I have news for you! That level excitement is nothing compared to what I feel when I see you conquer goals, master skills or face your fears. You all amaze me every day. You make me so proud to call you my kids (yes, I refer to you guys as my “kids”).

In the future, many may go onto college to study dance, some may have professional dancing careers, a few may become dance teachers, maybe even a choreographer on So You Think You Can Dance…and some of you will never put on a pair of dance shoes again. Whatever the future may hold for you, remember that you can do anything you put your mind to.

Why am I a Dance Teacher? Simple…it’s what I do & what I love!

Last week of our 08-09 dance season

"Enjoy the little things cause one day you might look back and realize they were the big things." -Robert Brault


Tomorrow starts the last week of our 2008-2009 dance season. Our 44 recital dances are finally complete, Regional competitions are over and I am finishing up the details for our annual end of year recital while Todd designs the recital program.

I've been the owner/director of Metro Dance Company for 3 years now and each year we seem to get more sentimental. Last June we started a tradition in Company to take time to reflect on our experiences together over the past 9 months and everyone shared their favorite dance moment from that year. Last Monday instead of dancing our Company members spent class side by side sitting in a circle. Each took a moment to update everyone on the status of their dance, school and personal goals they set in September, followed by applause (sometime thunderous). Each dancer then took a turn or two to share with another dancer something they were proud of them for. It didn't matter whether it was a big or small feat, hearing the kids tell their fellow dancers how they were proud of them was moving. There was clapping, laughter and some tears. All of the dancers have grown in their own way since the start of the season and it was a wonderful experience to hear them tell one another exactly how. We then finished class with an impromptu dance party with the Ms Shannon's Combo II girls. It was the absolute perfect way to wrap up our year.

This kids always mean so much to me but something about them this year and the energy in the studio has me more excited than usual to start work on our 09-10 year. Thank you for all of your hard work and laughs this year. I can not wait to see your beautiful performances in the recital next week, then on to Nationals and our 09-10 season!!