What’s in a name?

PI – for Pilates. YO – for Yoga. LET as in Ballet. PIYOLET is a low impact fitness regimen for all ages, designed to diversify and keep the mind, body and soul refreshed and fit.

Creator Roslyn Bazzelle has been dancing since she was a young child. She continued her studies at Hampton University while getting her bachelor’s degree and then went on to study law here in Texas. She is a certified group fitness instructor with training and certifications in Yoga and Pilates. In addition to producing and directing her own fitness DVDs for the PIYOLET program she’s developed, Roz is a singer, songwriter, and a practicing attorney in the areas of real estate, corporate, and entertainment law. Believe it or not, she had a moment free to talk to Dance Advantage about dance, fitness, and source of her tireless motivation.

Dance Advantage: You are a busy lady! Why has it been important to you (or what drives you) to pursue growth and development in so many different areas?

Roslyn Bazzelle: To someone else, they appear to be completely different and so far apart, but, for me ….. they are all connected and allow me to serve my purpose on this earth. Growing up I was always involved in different activities. My mother figured if she kept me busy, she would keep me out of trouble (smiles). Piano for 11 years. Dance for 13 years. Choir in church and school, for as long as I can remember. All while maintaining good grades. Mom was a teacher so I had to represent well in school! Initially, I had a one-track mind – law – once I got out of law school in 1999 but, after practicing a few years, I found that I needed to be more and do more to live the life God planned for me. As a lawyer, I assist businesses and individuals with their legal needs. As a fitness instructor, I help individuals create a stronger and healthier body. As a singer I hope to motivate others to get through whatever situation or issue they are dealing through the joy of song, and I just fell into the production side of the fitness business through my creation and development of PIYOLET.

DA: Tell us a bit about your experience with dance growing up and what discoveries you made in your transition to college with the study of modern dance.

RB: Dance was a wonderful and amazing outlet for me to grow and learn. It was not just about the routines and choreography. It was the people, the students, the environment, the recitals, the teachers, the discipline — the experience over-all was such a huge part of my life growing up. I wouldn’t change a thing! I have to applaud my mom for selecting dance studios with directors and instructors who were kind, beautiful (inside & out) and who cared about ALL of the students. Transitioning to Modern was a little hard at first due to the structure I was used to, but, I found it invigorating and it really opened my eyes to the freedom you can have as a dancer.

DA: Why are Yoga and Pilates worthy, and perhaps essential, companions for dance technique?

RB: Yoga and Pilates, in my opinion, are absolutely essential in advancing a dancers technique and skills. The basic elements of Yoga allow you to grow mentally, spiritually, and the benefits to your body are phenomenal! Pilates is simply one of the quickest and easiest methods to strengthen your core which helps you with everything you do, whether you are sitting, walking or dancing, Pilates can take your body to the next level.

DA: Your DVD is for all ages, but what about skill level? Would even experienced dancers feel challenged by your DVD?

RB: The Original PIYOLET DVD was created for intermediate to advanced level dancers and fitness enthusiasts who were currently taking my Pilates and Yoga classes. I have received comments from personal trainers, dancers and fitness professionals who enjoy my workout and were absolutely challenged. After receiving many inquiries from those who had zero experience or training in Yoga, Pilates or Ballet, I decided to film the Intro to PIYOLET DVD a beginner level workout which is now available for purchase. The third addition to the PIYOLET DVD series is Body by PIYOLET which is the second level to the original PIYOLET DVD, and allows those who are experienced with PIYOLET to enhance their skills.

DA: How is PIYOLET different from other fitness fusion programs?

RB: PIYOLET is different because, it combines Pilates, Yoga & Ballet in a unique way which does not require a leotard, fancy footwear, a barre or any specific equipment. PIYOLET was created to allow people to experience and learn sequences and poses based on a combination of all three formats and gain the benefits, which include, core strength, improved posture & balance, flexibility, lean muscles and mind, body & spirit integration.

PIYOLET Giveaway!

THREE Dance Advantage readers will win a PIYOLET workout DVD. Winners may choose one of the following to add to their workout library: Intro to PIYOLET (beginner level), Original PIYOLET (intermediate), or Body by PIYOLET (advanced).

This giveaway is now closed! Winners announced soon!

How to enter

If you are in the U.S. and 18 or older, place a comment on this post. That’s it! The three winners will be randomly selected via random.org. Please make sure you use an email address at which I can contact you should you be a winner. The giveaway will close to new entrants at Midnight on Sunday, March 28. The winners will be drawn and will have 48 hours to respond and claim their prize. If you have questions, check our giveaway policy.

Wasn’t that easy?

You can follow Roslyn on Twitter or become a fan of PIYOLET on Facebook. Doing so will not affect your entry in the contest, however, let’s thank her for offering DA readers a chance to win!

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2010. | Permalink | 19 comments | Category: Blog, Dance Library, Dance Media, Giveaways, In the Spotlight

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So, when Jessica approached me about reviewing her products on Dance Advantage, I was eager to try them out for myself and share my findings with you.

A Palette For Every Palette

Though on the website, individual colors, pencils, liners, foundations and more are sold separately, I sampled some of JAM’s most popular products: the Prima Diva Essentials Kit, the Stage Siren Palette, the JAMglam Recital Palette, and the 7 Piece Brush Kit. The palettes themselves are not drastically different. All three contain a blush, a creamy lip pigment, white highlighting shadow, one or two neutral eye colors, and (with the exception of the recital palette) a black shadow eyeliner. These colors have been selected for their versatility – they are designed to work for all skin tones and can be used in a variety of stage looks. The advantages:

1. Groups can purchase the same self-contained kit and it will work for every member of the company and for any dance number.
2. No need to carry around a ton of loose compacts and makeup tools – everything you need will fit in one little makeup bag.
3. Stress-free selection… the professionals have already done the work and chosen suitable color combinations for all.

The Essentials Kit, in addition to the palette of your choosing (Prima Diva, Stage Siren, or Mod Squad) comes with a lip pencil, a white highlighter pencil, a professional and attractive tapered half-lash set by Elise, Duo eyelash adhesive, and a free makeup bag. The silver and black palettes are attractive, with foam construction protecting the contents inside, and they have no clasp but seal magnetically. They are a good size for holding with one hand and can be refilled when one item is used up.

You can visit the JAM Cosmetics website for further details about the palettes and kits, just “Choose Your Look” or, if you aren’t sure, select from the How-To Videos for Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop etc. and the appropriate kits will be listed with each video.

Quality and Cost

Let’s talk value. A lot of you out there are using street makeup for the stage and aren’t even really sure of the value of “stage makeup” in the first place. I’ve been dancing among professionals in the modern/contemporary dance world for more than 10 years now and, believe it or not, many of these folks are using street makeup too. Growing up as kind of a theatre brat, this has always kind of bothered me but I understand that a lot of it has to do with the feeling that greasepaint is just too heavy to wear for recitals or intimate venues.

Investing in makeup that doesn’t need constant reapplication is a better value and looks better on stage. What I liked most about JAM is that it is lightweight like street makeup but “reads” well onstage and doesn’t absorb or sweat off as easily as street cosmetics. The pigments are much stronger than street makeup, meaning you need less to pull off a more intense look. Even after reading the clear instructions that come with each kit stating “less is more” and that one can always build and increase color, I was heavy-handed with the blush on my first use. I was just so used to much weaker street cosmetics.

Sometimes less really is more. Are these the cheapest kits available? Not necessarily. Some of the big names in professional stage makeup like Ben-Nye and Mehron tend to throw color options, cosmetic tools, brushes, and sponges into their kits. However, I’ve been a long-time user of “greasepaint” kits for stage and its inevitable that there are colors and extras I simply don’t use because they don’t look good on me. The JAM kits may not include a ton of extra stuff, but they’ve got what counts. I can’t say how long each palette would last, as it depends on how often you are performing but, I’m pretty confident one palette would easily sustain you through competition and recital season.

I'm no master but even I can follow instructions.

Healthy skin is in. It is important to note also that JAM cosmetics are mineral-based, hypoallergenic for sensitive skin and non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog pores. They are completely talc and paraben free and, as a company that does not test on animals, the company is on the PETA “friends” list. Technical jargon aside, it just feels better on my skin. I’m prone to breakouts. I’ve used greasepaint and suffered the consequences. After using JAM’s products and not feeling like a wax sculpture about to melt, $25 – $50 seems like a great investment. Even if you can’t afford the additional gear, $25 for the basic recital palette is a good start.

Instruction and continuing education. I first became aware of JAM Cosmetics about two years ago while writing and reading blogs over at Dance.com. Jessica was providing instructive articles that were authentically and specifically educating dancers (and dance moms) on makeup and application. That effort caught my attention, even then, as being a unique and refreshing way to utilize a blog for business. She continues these efforts. The JAM website is overflowing with crisply done videos like the one below that cover makeup application for a variety of dance styles (not for actors, or for Halloween costumes… for dance), tips for everything from applying false eyelashes to finding the right foundation shade, and blog posts on recital makeup for students of every age, making it an informative resource (i.e. a must-visit) for dancers, parents, and teachers even if you don’t buy JAM products.

View on YouTube

You Know You Want One

For reviewing JAM cosmetics on the blog, Jessica has offered to give away THREE Prima Diva Petite Kits to Dance Advantage readers.

This giveaway is now closed. Winners announced soon!

From the website: This classically gorgeous stage makeup look is recommended for Ballet, Jazz, Dance Team, Cheer, Recital, Ballroom, Belly Dance and even Theatre or Vocal performances. Easily go from good girl to glamorous in no time flat! Prima Diva Petite Kit includes:

Prima Diva Palette (see Prima Diva Palette description below): Warm Brandy Lip Pencil NEW silver REFILLABLE Prima Diva Palette includes: One (1) Mineral Lip Stick: Fierce One (1) Mineral Blush: Superstar Three (3) Mineral Eye Shadows: Innocent Me, Elegant Me, Fear Me One (1) Mineral Eye Liner: Double Dare Me MISTAKE PROOF APPLICATION with easy to follow face charts/instructions and FREE online how-to videos.

Here’s How You Enter

If you are in the U.S. and 18 or older, place a comment on this post. That’s it! We would love to hear how badly you want the kit, or your most embarrassing stage moment, or a horrific makeup tale. Just know that winners are randomly chosen so it won’t help you one little bit. And please make sure you use an email address at which I can contact you should you be a winner. (If you are under 18, tell your parent about the giveaway and have them enter). If you have questions, check our giveaway policy.

Additional entries:

Tweet about this giveaway (you can use the tweet button at the top of the blog post) and make sure your tweet contains @danceadvantage (this is how I’ll verify you’ve done it). Then – this is important – add another comment on this post telling me you tweeted the giveaway and put your twitter address (ex: http://twitter.com/danceadvantage) in the website field.

Reblog (see below at right) or blog about this giveaway and add another comment on this post telling me you blogged it and – this is important – put the link to your post in either the website field or the body of your comment.

Additional entries are completely optional. You can do one or both for up to three entries per person but you must comment for each entry… three entries = three comments, capiche?

Also my apologies to faithful fans of Dance Advantage on Facebook. I’d throw you a little extra entry love if it weren’t against Facebook rules.

This giveaway will close at Midnight EST on Wednesday, March 24!

Let’s JAM!

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2010. | Permalink | 24 comments | Category: Blog, Dance Bag, For Everyone Else, For Parents, For Parents of Competitors, For Students, For Studio Owners, For Teachers/Studio Owners, Giveaways, In the Spotlight, Performance, Product/Website Reviews, Toolbox

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Dancer Therapy

Many dancers utilize hot and cold therapy packs to relieve sore muscles and injury pain, not to mention dancers and teachers who suffer from chronic conditions. So, on Tammy’s recommendation, I did a bit of investigation and discovered two more great reasons to share Relax Pack with you.

1. Support of Small Business and Female Entrepreneurs — I like sharing products by folks who originate and believe in their own products. Tiffany developed Relax Packs to fill a need, she offers personal attention and has created a community of support for others like herself.
2. Organic Options — I appreciate Earth’s ability to provide what is often the best solution for its inhabitants. It just makes sense to me to reduce use of chemicals (particularly in products that come in contact with our skin) whenever possible. Each family and individual does what they can, but I believe in supporting companies’ “green” efforts whenever possible. Relax Pack, in addition to producing an organic product, makes an annual contribution to CarbonFund.org to help offset the company’s emissions.

So, encouraged by my initial investigation, I approached Tiffany about a possible review of her product on Dance Advantage. She generously offered several products for review and, in addition, has agreed to give away some Relax Packs to readers.

Three Packs, Four Formulas

Relax Pack produces three different packs, including a Neck Wrap, Body Pack, and Eye Pillow. Each of these are manufactured in four formulas: Pain Relief, Relax & Soothe, Revive & Awaken, and All Natural Unscented. I sampled all three of the packs and the three aromatic formulas.

For complete details on the ingredients of each pack and formula, please see the Relax Pack website.

My impressions

Construction – The stitching on each pack is consistent and seems quite durable. It appears to me that one would have to abuse these packs to destroy them, and each is packaged with clear and simple instructions for how to heat and cool the packs. The organic cotton feels soft, yet sturdy and is color-coded in fresh, solid colors according to the ingredient formula inside.
Revive and Awaken – I received a Neck Wrap in this formula. The design rests easily on my shoulders and I’ve quickly popped it in the microwave for heating on those early mornings when I manage to rise before my little one to get some work done. The aroma really does have an invigorating yet calming affect, and helps me focus my foggy morning brain for writing.

Pain Relief – The peppermint, spearmint, lavender, ginger, and eucalyptus in this formula is a really pleasing combination. I’ve used heat therapy “beanbags” that cool way too quickly. I tried the heated Body Pack for some soreness after dancing and was pleased to find that the flax seed inside the Relax Pack held the heat for a long time.

Relax and Soothe – I received this formula in both the Body Pack and Eye Pillow. For someone who stares at a computer screen a lot, the Eye Pillow is welcome relief. It is recommended for cold therapy and can be kept between uses inside a resealable plastic bag or container in the freezer. Again, it keeps its cool. This formula contains linden leaf and flower which, according to the handy cards packaged with the order, is said to ease painful cramps. I used the Body Pack on a day that I experienced cramping (of the female variety) and the heated pack did offer relief. The fragrant ingredients are a pleasant and comforting feature.

Cost – Organic does not always mean more expensive. I was pleased to discover that Tiffany’s Relax Packs are comparable (and sometimes less expensive) than other heat and cold therapy packs available even at WalMart and other big stores. They would make a great gift for yourself, for a teacher, or anyone else you know with aches, pains, or stress.

The bottom line: I cannot offer any negatives. I am very pleased with the packs and continue to use them regularly.

The Giveaway

This giveaway is now closed!

Tiffany is offering prizes to three winners on the blog. To enter the contest, all you need to do is comment on this post using the “Speak Your Mind” comment form below this article. Be sure to include the email address at which I can contact you, should you be a winner.

In your comment, tell us which formula you would most like to try (detailed descriptions can be found at Relax Pack) and why.

If you are a Dance Advantage email newsletter subscriber, be sure to write “I’m a subscriber!” in your comment and use the same email address with which you subscribe to the newsletter (they need to match, this is how I verify that you are a subscriber). For this contest, email subscribers (sorry no RSS feed subscribers this time) will receive an extra entry. If you are not already a subscriber, you can sign up before the close of the contest, enter with your comment, and still receive the extra entry.

Winners will be drawn from all entries using random.org. This contest is open only to those in the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam. My apologies to those in other locations.

The grand prize, offered to the 1st winner drawn will receive:
- 1 neck wrap
- 1 body pack
- 1 eye pillow (in any combination of formula)

Winner #2 will receive:
- 1 neck wrap (in any formula)

Winner #3 will receive
- 1 eye pillow (in any formula)

Entry comments will be accepted from now until midnight (EST) on Friday, March 19. At that point the contest will close, the drawing will be conducted, and the winners will be contacted via email. Winners will have 48 hours to respond or I will have to move on to the next name drawn. When all winners have been contacted and confirmed, I will update this post with the announcement. Further information can be found in the giveaway policy.

Update!

The awesome thing about reviewing products is that sometimes I find items that I like or use so much that I want to endorse them beyond the review. Occasionally I’m also able to earn a little something in return for my efforts. And so I’m pleased to let you know that now if you navigate to RelaxPack from Dance Advantage, any purchases you make will help support my efforts to keep free content flowing on this blog!

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2010. | Permalink | 48 comments | Category: Blog, Giveaways, In the Spotlight, Product/Website Reviews, Toolbox, Wellness

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My Favorites

Freeze Dance

Move and, when the music stops, freeze! Educators can get very specific, asking students to move and freeze in certain ways. However, it’s a fun activity for parents and other caregivers as well because anyone can play.

This app by Bombing Brain Interactive retrieves the music you already have on your phone (or iPod Touch) for use in the game. Its creator Tim told me that he created it for his 4 year old daughter. He says, “She loves to dance (in her 2nd year of lessons) and has a lot of fun playing with this.”

Drawing from your playlists, artists, or albums, you start by choosing a song. The app will stop the song at random intervals for a period of seconds and then continue the song. A nice feature of Freeze Dance is that you can turn the automatic stop and/or the restart on or off (if for some reason you want to be in control), adjust the random interval between stops, and tweak the length of time frozen. My toddler finds it hard to freeze for very long so I love that I have some choice with the app. I also love that I don’t have to be holding the device for it to work (meaning I get to dance with my son) and, since it pulls songs from my library, a huge list of songs are available to play Freeze Dance.
Verdict: Great app for anyone working with kids of all ages and you can’t beat 99 cents!

Get It On

Ballet Lite/Ballet Index

This app by Australian software developper, Cannonade is a ballet dictionary. Ballet Lite (the free version ) was already in my iPhone arsenal when I began my app research so I’m focusing on this version. It is my understanding, however, that they are identical except that Ballet Index (99 cents) is loaded into your device. That means it A) requires no network to work and B) can retrieve definitions instantly, with no delay.

At best count, the app looks to have over 200 terms. Some have photos but it is a pleasant surprise to come across one (you don’t know until you open it). There is also a flashcard feature that pops up a random term. State the answer to yourself (unless you want to turn a few heads) and then push the reveal button to see if you were right. It appears that the dictionary uses an assortment of sources including the Wikipedia Ballet Glossary page. The author of the app goes into more detail in this forum thread.

Pros:

• A relatively large and useful index of terms.
• Cross-referenced terms (links from one definition to another) are a plus
• Often includes a literal translation and a description of the movement
• On the info page you can trade the hot pink border for black

Cons: None really – you can always try the free version and if you like it and use it a lot, buy the 99 cent version!
Verdict: No hand-held, fit-in-your-pocket dictionary is going to be perfect for everyone – there are thousands of ballet terms and definition sources vary. This works and is often being tweaked by the developer. More photos or video would make it more useful for students I think, but it is a handy reference for those who are somewhat familiar with the terminology. Can’t go wrong at this price!

Get It On

P.S. Cannonade also offers Tap Index –
and Tap Lite –
. I’m not enough of a tap aficionado to know how useful or accurate this dictionary is. Keep in mind that tap terminology is highly variable from region to region and the developer is Australian so there may be differences. But again, Tap Lite is free to try!

Nifty Notables

Say Ballet

Say Ballet is a glossary of over 140 ballet terms that includes video or photographs for at least half of the definitions. What is unique about this app, however, is that voice recognition can be used to search the glossary. Browse the alphabetical list of terms, watch the accompanying video or listen to the pronunciation. It also has a quiz feature that requires answers via voice recognition. The app is based upon flash cards developed by a dance teacher from Carmel Academy of Performing Arts and features two of its students in the videos and photos. [more in this news item]

Pros:

• A large list of terms
• The voice recognition feature is unique among dance apps; speaking a search term comes in handy for those unsure of spelling
• The movements on video are performed clearly and accurately
• Quiz results can be saved with a name to keep track of scoring for multiple players
• Items with video are noted with an icon

Cons:

• The voice recognition (like most voice recognition programs I’ve found) is finicky – I sometimes had to try repeatedly and copy the accent and inflection of the speaker exactly to get the correct term to come up and occasionally one syllable words were a problem – this affects getting an accurate quiz result as well;
• At $9.99 it is a bit pricier than most dance apps;
• Some users may prefer video of a professional dancer performing the steps;
• Some of the terms are pretty rare (faire le tiroirs, anyone?), and others are a bit redundant (sauté, sauter, sautillé).

Verdict: The voice recognition works about as well as I would expect but not as well as I would like. This is still a pretty solid app and could be useful for students to practice terminology on the go. With video included, this is one of the more useful dance dictionary apps out there. Worth the price? A $10 pricetag would be outrageous to some and minor for others. Too individualized to call it – you’ll have to decide for yourself.

Get It On

Shop4Dance

This is a unique and quite specialized shopping organizer. The developer, John Sepulveres says “The app was developed after my daughter’s Spring Dance Performance. My wife was making endless lists of tight colors, the exact lipstick color, and packing of accessories, etc.!” They say necessity is the mother of invention… in the case of iPhone apps, however, it seems the fathers are the ones giving birth.

There is a detailed feature list at John’s website, but basically you can add a dancer by name with the plus/add icon, then under that dancer’s name you can add dance-specific supplies from an exhaustive list or create your items and categories for inclusion. Once you’ve added items you can add other info like brand, size, color, etc., save it add notes, alter your needs and “haves” as needed, and add notes or reminders.

Pros:

• Convenience – no need to scribble down or carry around your dancer’s instructions. For families with multiple children competing in dance this might be a must if for no other reason than to keep track of brands and ever-changing sizes throughout the year.
• Versatile – you can create fully customize your own categories and items. Who says you can’t put your son’s sports team requirements in there too? Come recital time, teachers may also be able to keep track of each of their classes’ required accessories and costumes this way too.
• Low cost (99 cents)

Cons:

• The application is so simple that it needs a tutorial or instruction page. Sounds crazy but it’s true. I had to play around with this a while to know when to hit the ‘add,’ when to hit save, and on which screen I needed to push what. I’m pretty intuitive and it was still confusing at first.

Verdict: Not everyone will find this essential, but because it is customizable, you may find additional uses for this shopper’s helper.

Get It On

Room for Improvement

Dancer QuickQuotes

Quotes for, by, and about dancers and dance. You can add favorites to a list, search for keywords, and share via email. What’s missing is sharing via social networks and/or the option to copy a quote to your clipboard. Also some quotes are not exactly noteworthy – more like a random sentence torn from a paragraph. Verdict: Eh! Still waiting for a really good dance quote app. The cost isn’t bad (99 cents) but I am just not that impressed.

Ballet News

A pre-loaded feed aggregator of dance blogs. For someone who has no desire or who has no idea how to set up their own feed reader, this might be really useful. Unfortunately, I haven’t had much luck with this particular app. It’s pretty buggy. Upon opening, it updates the feeds but I found at least one of the feeds was causing the whole thing to stall. I removed it (you can add to or delete the feeds available) and that helped but I’ve also noticed that some feeds get misplaced. For instance, Dance Advantage happens to be second on the list but often my posts will show up under other blogs. Verdict: This would not replace the dance blog smorgasbord I’ve created for free via Google Reader, which I access easily on iPhone with the Google services app. If it weren’t for the glitches, this 99 cent app might be worth it to someone who wants a ready-made list of dance blogs to follow.

American Tap Dance

This app lists 15 tap steps including waltz clog, bombershay, and buffalo which are demoed with a foot diagram and tap sounds. Using your finger, you can tap out the rhythm and receive a score. The goal of this may be more tap game than teaching gadget for tap dance, however it does make an attempt at showing actual tap steps. The game has a very short time lapse between each repeat – a very spastic experience. Verdict: If you want to see how fast your fingers can tap you could give it a try. The cost ($2.99) is more than I would pay for a game like this.

More Dancer Goodies

Pilates for Dancers

Get It On

Video guide featuring 24 Pilates exercises including the hundreds, bridge, and double/single leg stretch. A clear and well-executed introduction to pilates for anyone. This series is not super challenging but if you are new to pilates or need a handy primer, this provides DVD quality video that can travel with you. You can watch the videos in sequence, play random installments, or organize your own “playlist.” Verdict: Good for beginners and not a bad price for a video app ($1.99). You might also want to check out other dance apps by Nexstudios such as Learn to Dance Swing –

So You Think You Can Dance Vote

Get It On

I haven’t had the chance to try this out yet since the new season of SYTYCD has not started. If you are a serious voter this app keeps you updated on when voting begins and ends in your time zone. The point is go anywhere voting: the contestant’s names and photos are listed and during voting time, you tap your favorite’s image and the correct number will be displayed for you to call and cast your vote. During voting the app also shows the current voting tally among users. I have checked out the Tropic Apps‘ American Idol (AI) Vote – – and the app has worked well. Verdict: If you can’t bear to miss your chance to vote, 99 cents is definitely not too high a price.

When downloading apps for your iPhone or iPod Touch, be sure to check their compatibility. Not all apps are made for or work best on all devices!

**All the little buttons are indeed affiliate links. You’ll notice I didn’t add them to the ones for which I gave a poor grade (doesn’t seem right). However, purchase one of the others via this link and it’s a little 5% tip for the referral. No extra charge for you. Thanks in advance!**

What are your favorite dance apps?

Which non-dance apps make your dance life easier?

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2010. | Permalink | 4 comments | Category: Blog, In the Spotlight, Product/Website Reviews

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Here’s how you can S.T.E.P. your way to social media success!

#1. Share

Retweet other people’s posts, quote and link to great blog posts by others, share what you are reading, let people know information that could benefit from.

Be a connector.

Social media is about making connections.  One of the things we do with our dance studio fan page is to post about local theatre productions and community events.  Why?  Because we know that the hours of dance lessons that our young dancers have has a potential impact on local theater. We want to spread goodwill to our sister arts organizations.  See yourself as part of the thread woven between your arts community.

#2. Teach

Post favorite quotes, share your expertise, add value, be generous with your knowledge it does make a difference.

A crossroads for dance studios. Many dance studios today are still very protective, not only their class schedules, but tuition fees, competition schedules, studio policies and more. It’s the fear that the studio across town will take or steal information that would cause that studio to lose students. I completely understand the worry.

Here’s the reality. I also represent a demographic I like to call ‘busy mom’. I’m the target market for many dance studios, I have two young kids. First thing in the morning, I don’t read the local paper. But I do read the newsfeed on Facebook and I certainly check trending topics and updates on Twitter. Text messaging is the best way to reach me.

How will you serve this demographic by decreasing your presence, hiding a class schedule, or making registering for classes a challenge? Dance studios want more students; they want their current students to be loyal raving fans. Social media is a great way to achieve this if done well.

#3. Engage

Talk to people! Reply to them, help them, connect people, be social, have fun. Be yourself, let your personality shine through.

Take it one step at a time. Social media is not a race with a winner crowned at the end. You’re missing the point if your approach to social media for your business is all about getting more followers as fast as you can. Soon enough it will become commonplace for every business and brand to have some sort of social media outlet to connect with their clients, customers, and students. We all started with one fan or one follower.

If you are a studio owner (or are going to be), I highly recommend Dance Studio Owner. It’s membership includes studio owners from 44 of the United States and countries all over the world including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, People’s Republic of China, and Norway.

© Suzanne Gerety for Dance Advantage, 2010. | Permalink | 16 comments | Category: Blog, Featured, For Studio Owners, For Teachers/Studio Owners, Giveaways, The Internet, Toolbox

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This giveaway is now closed. Winners have been contacted!

The holidays are coming and I’ve got a gift for you!

‘Tis the season for giving, and giving big. So this time I’m bundling four great giveaway items. Each one presents a unique strategy for inspiring children to investigate different movement forms, including ballet, creative dance, and yoga. Great for families OR teachers, these products encourage creative ways for kids and adults to explore movement together and are sure to spark a child’s interest in the physical practice, art, and delight of moving.

TWO lucky readers will win the “Let’s Get Moving!” package which includes the four products featured below. Parents, teachers, all are invited to participate. All that is required for entry into the contest is a comment on this blog post. Scroll down for additional details.

Up, Down, and All Around

Up, Down, & All Around is structured like a creative movement class and feels very much as if creator Stacey Pepper Schwartz is leading a class in your living room. Over a period of about 30 minutes, Stacey directs her participants and viewers through warm-up, fundamental skill practice and movement exploration. She provides time for students to slow down with some yoga-inspired breathing and balancing, allowing the movers to refocus while building head-tail awareness in the spine and length in the body. The movement in the DVD is accessible to all experience levels. There is nothing pretentious about the material, the environment, or the contributors. There is even a bonus, create-a-dance activity which demonstrates choreography building through chance as the children pick out a random sequence of movements which are then performed and practiced to spirited accompaniment. Read the full review!

Creative Yoga Games for Kids

“Flash cards” for yoga and pilates are not new. However creator, Edna Reinhardt from Over the Moon Yoga & Dance Studio in Victoria, Australia, has created a unique educational kit, pulling the best from both yoga and creative dance practices to allow children to explore and create movement. The colorful set of 48 cards are big and bright with pictures of adorable children doing the described poses. Four of the cards offer activities to try, but Reinhardt has also packed a wealth of information and games into the accompanying booklet. She blends creative movement ideas with yoga in ways I never would have considered, yet they make a perfect pairing. Parents and kids will love the challenge and long-term benefits of combining yoga and dance in such a creative way. Teachers will love the clear instruction on incorporating these into their lesson plans.

My First Ballet Collection

My First Ballet Collection is a great choice for those wishing to nurture enthusiasm for ballet among children of all ages. Younger children will enjoy being introduced to colorful characters and beautiful dancing. Older children will benefit from the opportunity to sample a mélange of ballet specimens. Twenty-six ballet excerpts are introduced with a caption indicating the ballet’s title, music composer, and excerpt heading. The DVD also conveniently offers the option to view by chapter for easy navigation among the selections. The excerpts are highly accessible and are well-chosen to stand alone. Read the full review!

My Mama Had a Dancing Heart

This book is a personal favorite. I haven’t been asked to review it but I am happy to share it with you. I particularly love the earthy toned images of Raúl Colón’s etched watercolor illustrations. They dance on the pages to the musical “tip-tapping, song-singing, finger-snapping” text. The author, the late Libba Moore Gray, is a respected poet, actress, dancer, and high school teacher from Knoxville, TN. A mama herself, Gray’s children and grandchildren are accomplished dancers who continue to make their mark in Eastern Tennessee. In My Mama Had a Dancing Heart, a young ballerina fondly recalls how her mother’s unique energy and outlook has inspired her dancing. However, this frolic through the seasons feels universal in its celebration of the bond between a parent and child. A poignant reminder that we experience life through movement as much as any of our other senses, the lilting rhythms of Gray’s verse honor the everyday moments which shape and give meaning to our lives.

How to Enter & Contest Details

1. Leave a comment on this post and tell me how you or your family get moving (It doesn’t have to be dance-related. Just describe what gets you up and active. If you are not as active as you’d like to be, you can talk about that too!)
2. Be sure your comment is linked to a valid e-mail address (very important if you want to win!) – Your email will NOT be stored except for the purposes of this giveaway. It will be seen only by the site administrator and you will not be contacted unless you are a winner (no need to place your address in the comment itself, just put it in the mail field when you leave your comment!
3. You have until Monday, December 7 at Midnight (Eastern Standard Time – U.S.) to enter.
4. I’ll do a random drawing, contact the winner, and make an announcement here on Dance Advantage on Tuesday afternoon, December 8.
   
5. I’m afraid I must limit winners to those within the U.S. My sincerest apologies to loyal readers beyond!

Dance parents, teachers and students, if you are new to Dance Advantage, I encourage you to look around. The posts found here are great starting points or just use the navigation bar at the top to find articles of particular interest to you. Contact me if you have any thoughts or questions and subscribe via RSS feed or email!

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2009. | Permalink | 58 comments | Category: Ballet/Pointe, Blog, Dance Library, Dance Styles, Giveaways, In the Spotlight, Product/Website Reviews

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A brand new video, released in September, would be a wonderful addition to their dance library. My First Ballet Collection is exactly what its title indicates, a treasury of excerpted performances which are particularly suited for introducing children to the world of ballet. Youngsters will immediately recognize some of the better-known tales; Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Cinderella are all included in the compilation. However, ballets such as Coppelia, Giselle, Sylvia, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and La Fille mal gardée, present characters and moods that will appeal to all ages.

My First Ballet Collection offers high-quality film and sound production, however the DVD is not frilly. Played straight through, each of the 26 ballet excerpts are introduced with a caption indicating the ballet’s title, music composer, and excerpt heading. The DVD also conveniently offers the option to view by chapter for easy navigation among the selections. The excerpts are highly accessible and are well-chosen to stand alone. The video even captured the attention of my two-year-old. He was motivated to move to the energetic music and particularly enjoyed imitating the dancers as they jumped and balanced.

Image by Thomas Hawk via Flickr

A collection such as this would ideally inspire further investigation of the ballets, their stories, their choreographers or dancers, and the physical movements of which they are made. Parents hoping to plop their child in front of the TV or expecting the DVD to connect all the dots, may be disappointed in its lack of interactivity. My First Ballet Collection goes as far as bringing a variety of real ballet performances into the home or studio in one tidy package, providing the opportunity for parents or teachers to assist children in their continued exploration of ballet. This may be scary for some parents who feel they don’t know much of ballet or the dance world. However, exploring together is fun and encourages enthusiasm for learning.

Bottom Line: My First Ballet Collection is a great choice for those wishing to nurture enthusiasm for ballet among children of all ages. Younger children will enjoy being introduced to colorful characters and beautiful dancing. Older children will benefit from the opportunity to sample a mélange of ballet specimens.

For more info visit www.myfirstballetcollection.com. The website features additional info about the Royal Academy of Dance training program, where to find instructors, and a listing of North American dance companies. Purchase the video here.

Teachers, My First Ballet Collection works as a classroom tool as well. Skip easily among the snippets to illustrate a step, try on a variation, or to visually aid a discussion of ballet history.

In Detail

• My First Ballet Collection is the result of a collaboration between Naxos of America, Opus Arte, and the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD).
• The DVD features excerpts from 10 different productions with performances by ballet stars such as Darcey Bussell, Carlos Acosta, Patricia Barker, Maria Kochetkova, and more.
• Showcased are four different ballet companies from both sides of the Atlantic: The Royal Ballet, The Paris Opera Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet.
• San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker, Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (performed by PNB), and The Nutcracker (The Royal Ballet), feature performances by children and student dancers.
• Diverse locales and archetypes are explored on the DVD: woodland creatures, mythological landscapes and beings, pastoral settings such as an 18th century farm (complete with dancing chickens), a toy shop with life-sized dolls, enchanted kingdoms, and 1930′s Hollywood (via Nureyev’s updated Cinderella).
• The 26 excerpts range from dramatic to romantic to comedic.

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2009. | Permalink | CLICK HERE to comment | Category: Blog, Dance Library, Giveaways, History of Dance, In the Spotlight, Product/Website Reviews, The Dance World

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Up, Down, & All Around is structured like many creative movement classes and feels very much as if Stacey is leading a class in your living room. After, a short introduction, the program begins with a seated warm-up that isolates and builds awareness of individual body parts, gradually bringing the body to a standing position. Over the next 30 minutes, Stacey directs her participants and viewers through fundamental skill practice and movement exploration. She provides time for students to slow down with some yoga-inspired breathing and balancing, allowing the movers to refocus while building head-tail awareness in the spine and length in the body. Stacey ends things on a high note, allowing each child to pick and show their “favorite thing.” There is even a bonus, create-a-dance activity which demonstrates choreography building through chance as the children pick out a random sequence of movements which are then performed and practiced to spirited accompaniment.

The movement in the DVD is accessible to all experience levels. There is nothing pretentious about the material, the environment, or the contributors. The children involved are eager and having fun, they readily express their own ideas just as children do in class. With the true spirit of a teacher, Stacey validates their ideas and moves on toward her goal without breaking stride. The adults are game too, enjoying the playful opportunity to get active. Real-life moms and dads of some of the child participants, these grown-ups wiggle, gallop, and roll with it.

Musician Steve Blunt plays live throughout the class and two of his recordings are featured as bonus music videos on the disc. His bouncy tunes support the various activities yet stand-alone with singable melodies and lyrics. In fact, you may be humming them long after the DVD ends.

The dance studio is carpeted and the movers fill a space that is also accommodating cameras. Tight quarters do not detract from this particular video, however. Instead, this attribute functions as evidence that the material really can be adapted for any location, including a family’s living room. A few varied camera angles keep the production from becoming static, while bright, colorful costumes and decor create a setting that appeals to both boys and girls.

My husband, son, and I had a wonderful time getting active with the movers in this presentation. My little guy is an active two-year-old. He was able to copy and participate with a bit of encouragement and assistance from us, and it was easy for him to continue moving in his own way to the lively music even when the directions were geared to older children. Versatility is the real strength of Up, Down, & All Around. Parents (or educators) with little experience can pop in the DVD and get every member of the family or classroom up and moving in no time, yet there are opportunities for new discoveries and learning with repeat viewings. Stacey also offers additional program notes (a free download) and other resources at her website, LeapingLegs.com, which help facilitators expound upon and supplement the seed of knowledge and experience planted with this program.

Preview the Video on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daJJFv2RC18

Leaping Legs Creative Movement Programs was honored with Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products 2009 Award and 10 Best Active Products 2009 Award. If you would like to purchase Up, Down, & All Around for your family or classroom, visit the Leaping Legs website.

Also, stay tuned here at Dance Advantage!! I was so pleased with Stacey’s video that I asked her if she would be willing to give away some copies to my readers. She generously agreed, so be on the lookout for that giveaway – it’s coming soon!!

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2009. | Permalink | CLICK HERE to comment | Category: Blog, Dance Library, Featured, For Parents, For Parents of Young Children, In the Spotlight, Product/Website Reviews

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Twitter is a great way to discover emerging websites, services, and businesses within the dance world. It was on Twitter that I first encountered DanceSignUp, a web-based application designed to bring together dance competition organizations and dance studios to simplify many of the tasks that are cumbersome when it comes to competitive events, like registration, scheduling, payments, and communication. (Click here to visit DanceSignUp on Twitter) A lot of work goes into preparing for competition season. So, with a sneaking suspicion that you might be interested in something that could help streamline the process, and because I see a lot of potential in this this newly developed site, I chatted recently with Bret Robertson. His design company, Honu Studios, is responsible for bringing DanceSignUp to life.

Bret, you are a web designer and developer. Do you dance, too?

I’m proud to say I don’t dance, and if you ever saw me try you would be proud that I don’t dance either. My wife does hula and my business partner Brian and his wife took a dance class over the summer. Overall, we enjoy watching much more than we actually participate. We have a respect and appreciation for those who dance and dedicate themselves to the craft.

What has been like to find yourself in the “world of dance?”

It really amazes us how large the dance community is. Whenever we mention DanceSignUp to someone we’re surprised how often the response is “Hey, I used to compete” or “I’m a teacher”. We think it’s great that many are so enthusiastic and willing to share their passion for the art form. We’ve met some really great people, thanks to social networking sites like Twitter, who have been really encouraging and helpful with great advice and a wonderful spirit. We look forward to meeting more, as we feel like we’ve just started to scratch the surface.

Even I feel sometimes that I’m scratching the surface of a very large community, one which I’ve observed has grown tremendously online since I began Dance Advantage a year and a half ago. The culture that surrounds dance training and education, in particular, is broad and varied. Competitions are currently a big part of that culture, which brings me to your project and how it serves the dance community.

In a nutshell, how might the competition registration process improve for dance teachers and studio owners who register for competitions through DanceSignUp?

The biggest improvement is centralized management, everything is in one place.

Studios maintain only one roster of students for all the competitions they want to sign up for. Age eligibility is automatically calculated as are routine prices, so there’s no math involved! All registrations, schedules, and payments for every dance competition are kept in one place. There’s no longer the need to copy or print off each registration form for each routine then try and remember where you put each one six months ago when you registered. We also make it easy to change a routine in case a dancer gets hurt or needs to be swapped out, there is no need to call or email the competition.

Finally, we make payments for studios, groups, individuals, and competitions really easy. We’re using Amazon’s Amazon Payments service. The great thing is that most people already have an Amazon account so there’s no need to open a new one. Plus, neither DanceSignUp or any competition sees your credit card information. Amazon is known and trusted and completely PCI compliant. If the issue of a refund does come up, they can be issued just as easily in full or in part by the competition back to the studio’s account.

Without actually exploring your application, it can all sound pretty complicated. Let’s see if I’ve got this right. Studio owners/teachers can add students to a single roster (complete with details on their age). Then when registering for whichever competitions are of interest, dancers can easily be pulled from the roster to routines which are then submitted for registration. And studios pay the competition’s fees through Amazon, all from DanceSignUp. You must be charging a service or convenience fee, right?

No, teachers/studios don’t pay anything to use DanceSignUp. They only pay competitions to register routines within the application.

We do charge the competitions a small fee for each transaction. A transaction can include one or more routines. We looked at two pricing models, subscription and pay-as-you-go. Ultimately since dance seasons don’t last the entire year the subscription model didn’t seem too practical being that there are months where registrations may not be submitted. With pay-as-you-go small or large competitions have a level playing field, neither pay anything until they have registrations coming in.

I have had the opportunity to explore the site, and one of my favorite features is the “Coming to Your Area” section which appears on a studio’s dashboard when they login. Can you tell me more about this?

Sure, the “Coming to Your Area” section shows a list of upcoming dance competitions that will be hosting events near you. This is a great way to learn about new competitions, maybe sign up a few small groups, and check them
out.

The cool thing about this feature is that it levels the playing field, so to speak. It gives the smaller competitions a chance to compete with the larger ones. Now, we understand that there might competition and politics in the dance world. Naturally, you have large competitions and small competitions, large studios and small studios. It can seem like an uphill battle for smaller competitions to get their events out in front of studios and for smaller studios to make their mark at larger competitions. With “Coming to Your Area” there are no large or small competitions, just competitions.

We’ve talked about the advantages for studios but what are the benefits for competition organizations that get involved?

The benefits for competition organizers are numerous. The biggest of these are the savings of time and money. We eliminate the need for paper since everything is online. We’ve even done away with the need for Copy and Paste. On the registration side, you will no longer have to deal with illegible faxes, or attached email PDF’s coming in from all over the place.

Payments are handled securely and immediately online and give studios or individuals the option to pay with any credit card. No merchant account is needed, competitions only need an Amazon Business account. All payment records are kept for reference along with current event and season totals. Routine scheduling is quick and easy, routines can be sorted and ordered by any criteria. So if you want to view Small Group routines only, you can. Once scheduled and posted the schedule is completely online and available to studios, teachers, and parents. We’ve even formatted the schedule for mobile devices like the iPhone® so that it can be followed in real time during the event.

Finally, we understand that event programs are a fun keepsake but often are a pain to produce; especially when last minute changes come in and a deadline is looming. To remedy this, we’ve created the ability to export an event’s schedule that can easily be imported into your page layout application like Adobe InDesign or given to your graphics person.

For brevity’s sake we’ll just stick to these, but there are numerous small benefits and advantages, and many more in the works.

Speaking of what’s up your sleeve, I’ve got some other stuff going on at the site too. I’m pretty sure I saw that you are offering desktop wallpapers on your blog. What other fun things are you planning to add to the site?

“Fun” can be subjective; we find code fun, so for us it’s all fun. We do offer desktop wallpaper which is hopefully more fun than code; it’s just our way of expressing our creativeness and giving back to the dance community. We’re planning on offering a new wallpaper each month and would love to hear from the dance community through picture submissions. Otherwise we’ll have to resort to pictures of us dancing. Details can be found on our blog about how the images will be used, how credit will be given, as well as where to send them.

We’re also thinking about doing some giveaways, maybe something like a discounted fee event. And also bringing in some guest blog posters to write about what’s happening in the dance community.

Above all, I’ve found DanceSignUp easy to use. Like other familiar “Web 2.0″ applications, there’s a drag and drop feature and cool little windows pop up. Studios can also subscribe to a competition’s season feed, which means they can sort of “follow” them to easily discover when new events are added. Plus studios and competitions have their own profiles. They can “see” each other in a way that perhaps isn’t possible when dealing with a paper trail or other online registrations. Do you envision this going further? Will studios and competitions be able to rate or talk about the different venues? Will there be opportunities for teachers to offer feedback regarding competitions? Interact profile to profile? Hmmm, am I getting ahead of myself here?

Image by PBoGS via Flickr

We absolutely envision DanceSignUp going further. It is a web application which means it’s web-based software so there’s no downloading or updating that needs to take place on the user’s end. Consequently, updates can happen frequently, at any time.

Without giving too much away about our future plans, I can say that venue comments or ratings has been discussed and has a good possibility of showing up in a future update. One upcoming feature that we’re excited about involves enhancements for the judging process itself (for example more immediate posting of scores, and the upload/download of judges notes, as opposed to the old cassette tape system). In an effort to keep the application focused and simple we don’t have any plans to integrate any “social” features. Mostly because there are sites that do that already.

The site is fully functional right now but just went live in September. I’m sure you are looking for feedback from studios as well as competitions. Sign up is free so it’s easy to go in and look around. Can folks contact you with feedback or get support?

Absolutely, we’re completely open to feedback and looking for companies to collaborate with on existing and potential features. We’re constantly tweaking and adding features which is why we look forward to hearing from our users. We want to talk with competitions and studios. We want to find out what they want and need and build off of that.

Support is offered in several ways. Once you have an account we have a support ticket system that allows users to submit requests directly. We also have a growing library of help articles and screencasts that will walk a user through step-by-step how to do something. Finally, we have a special Twitter account to announce software updates and system status.

As I mentioned, DanceSignUp is brand new. There are advantages for both competitions and dance studios to use the service but organizations from both sides have to come to the party. Currently, Bret and the folks at DanceSignUp are making connections and spreading the word. You can be a part of that by sharing the site with colleagues and competitions. I encourage you to visit DanceSignUp.com and have a look around. If you have thoughts or suggestions, you can contact Bret via the site or simply leave comments below.

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2009. | Permalink | CLICK HERE to comment | Category: Blog, Dance Media, For Studio Owners, For Teachers/Studio Owners, In the Spotlight, Product/Website Reviews

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A portion of the links below are affiliate links. You can recognize these links as they are marked in PURPLE, whereas other links are in the usual DA red. You can learn more about my affiliations and why I participate here. Thanks in advance if you choose to support Dance Advantage by purchasing items via these links.

Also below, there are links and tips for homemade props as well as other products that I find unique and interesting. Products marked with a star are products which I own or have received for review.

Improvisation

Nylon Juggling Scarves (pk/12)

Great for movement explorations (fast vs. slow; sharp vs. smooth; free vs. bound), balancing, or body part activities. Dancing with this simple prop can sometimes bring an inhibited dancer out of their shell. You could also make your own using chiffon fabric (I’ve been told nylon tricot, which does not fray, or polychiffon, which will need hemming or fray glue, are best — tulle which is cheap just doesn’t move well).

Spectrum™ Ribbon Wands 36″ long (pk/6)

Ribbon wands can be useful for improvisation and choreography. Not necessarily an every-week activity but a fun treat! You can also get a six-pack of Multi Colored Ribbon Wands (each wand has 2 colors of ribbon instead of one color) from the same company as above. If you’re feeling industrious, here are some excellent instructions for making your own. Or, for if you are in a pinch you could use crepe paper (minus a wand is okay). It is inexpensive and the kids can take it home (tip: with little ones who might try tasting the paper, get light colors or white).

Visual Aids

Releve dance posters - Position in Perfect ballet posters; Are You Ready For Class? studio posters; and more at www.instructdance.com

Four large posters displaying the elements of dance at www.danceware.us

Sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words. Growing up, my dance instructor had hand-drawn images on the wall describing alignment/posture and movement concepts. Fortunately, she was a quite capable artist. There are, however, a few ready-made resources out there for those who have not the time or ability to decorate their studio walls with visuals.

Markers

Spectrum™ Poly Markers, 9″ Circles

For children’s classes, having some sort of space or spot marker is essential! S&S Worldwide has some really cool markers that could be used in a variety of imaginative ways. There are stars, feet, hands, arrows – straight, curved, a little funky. Or, get their Super Spot Marker Easy Pack.

Once again, there are creative homemade alternatives. PE Central suggests mouse pads or silicone pot holders (they also have some other ingenious ideas for movement activities – I like their ribbon wrist band idea). For spots, I’ve used the rubber foam waffle/mesh material used for shelf lining – you can sometimes find pre-cut placemats in this material. You could also try carpet squares/remnants.

Spectrum™ Half Cones (Set/6)

Cones come in handy for leaping activities (including leaping courses), for marking boundaries, to line up behind, and to dance around. Different sizes or colors can be used for different things. Use your imagination! Around the holidays, my cones become decorated trees and we bound over them like reindeer. The link above is for half cones but here is a link for 12″ cones.

Putting it Together

Creative Yoga Games for Kids

This colorful set of 48 cards is a beautifully designed resource for teachers that want to incorporate the challenge and long-term benefits of yoga into their dance classroom. “Flash cards” for yoga and pilates are not new. However creator, Edna Reinhardt from Over the Moon Yoga & Dance Studio in Victoria, Australia, has created a unique educational kit, pulling the best from both yoga and creative dance practices to allow children to explore and create movement. The cards are big and bright with pictures of adorable children doing the described poses. Four of the cards offer activities to try, but Reinhardt has also packed a wealth of information and games into the accompanying booklet. She blends creative movement ideas with yoga in ways I never would have considered, yet they make a perfect pairing. If you have experience with teaching creative dance, you’ll be off and running with these cards, easily expanding their usefulness. However, parents and kids could also use these cards independently or in other social settings (pre-school, day care, parties, etc.)

Inflatable Dice

These dice would bring a level of fun to creating chance choreography, choosing words and improv suggestions. With the write-on and erase feature the sky is the limit.

If you’re not into inflatables, DanceDice.com offers ten sets of dice – Ballet, Jazz, and Tap in beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, and one Creative Dance set. I’ve featured them before in my Holiday gift list.

Stretchy Stuff

Materials like jersey, lycra, and even ordinary elastic, are useful when working on energy qualities in movement. Simple loops of these fabrics can encourage experimentation with bound flow, sustained force, and strong movements (fast or slow). There are lots of possibilities. Even therapy bands can have dual purpose.

And More

There are so many props you can incorporate into your classroom, from musical instruments, to hoops, to beanbags. I encourage you to think outside the box and come up with some of your own creative uses for even the most ordinary of items. Props such as the ones above can enrich the focus of your classroom, taking it beyond pretend play and games to true educational movement experiences.

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2009. | Permalink | 3 comments | Category: Blog, Dance Media, For Classroom, For Teachers/Studio Owners, In the Spotlight, Product/Website Reviews

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To top it off, he agreed to donate nine CD’s to give away to nine lucky Dance Advantage readers!

Music for Movement and Imaginations

Ballet Class & Creative Movement (for children ages 3 and up)

I’m not currently teaching preschool ballet, but this is a CD I wish had been around a few years ago when I was teaching younger children! Dance teacher and collaborator, Kelly Jones-Hart has developed a class structure that effectively blends the conceptual exploration of creative dance with basic ballet technique. And with over 40 tracks, there is plenty of material and alternatives to spread over many classes. The disc provides brief notes on each track explaining its possible uses in class. The notes are not a how-to manual. Some familiarity with creative dance methods would certainly increase the variety of ways you could use the musical material. However, plié, tendus, relevé, ballet walks, sauté – it’s all here – forming a cohesive lesson format whether you are comfortable with creative movement concepts or simply looking for a way to enliven your children’s ballet classes.

Musically, the selections are simple but engaging. Composer, Richard Maddock knows when to keep the beat “readable” so that young dancers can stay in time with the exercise. And, he is playful, adding flourishes and fun when trying to inspire little imaginations. There are a variety of “freeze” dance selections with random pauses, and a group of compositions designed for Enchaînment (combination of steps or concepts). These often switch tempo or meter and could be applied many ways to whatever you are working on with your students. Also included are seven “Dance-a-Story” arrangements. In these, the music changes and progresses in a way that suggests a plot or sets a scene. Two sample stories are included in the album notes and a general outline is offered for the others but, the music itself will encourage your own creativity.

Although this is most certainly music for young dancers, I appreciate that the musical cues and changes are subtle and that the compositions have an elementary sophistication compared to some of the “baby ballet” albums out there. Because of this, the CD could be functional for children’s classes well beyond the preschool years, extending the usefulness of this album.

For further detail or to preview some of the tracks, click the image above.

Ballet Studio Inspirations: Volume Two and Volume Three

Richard creates from a colorful palette of musical hues. His compositions for dance classes are expressive. It is easy to find inspiration in the material for the choreography of exercises because he paints attractive landscapes of sound. But, it is the lyrical quality of the songs that also make these tracks enjoyable to dance to. They encourage the student to perform the exercises rather than just complete them, which makes a teacher’s job easier in the long run.

Volume Two includes 14 compositions, beyond the 31 barre and centre selections, which are recommended for pointe work. And overall it has rather lengthy tracks, particularly for barre. As a result, this CD is probably more appropriate for advanced students than beginners. Containing an hour and 20 minutes of music, the disc offers plenty of selections to mix and match for different lesson plans. What I found unique about this album was its delicate orchestrations. Though the piano is the focus, there are textures added beneath which suggest the richer dynamics of an orchestra without overpowering the dancers during class.

Volume Three, on the other hand, is special for its purely piano sound. Recorded on a Concert Series Grand while corresponding class exercises were performed, this album more closely resembles the experience of having a live musician at your disposal, a luxury that few dance studios enjoy. Though in the notes it suggests that the music was composed to compliment a pre-professional level ballet class, I feel that this CD might be more adaptable to varying levels than the previous disc. The shorter tracks have much to do with this. The compositions, consistently featuring 64 bars of music, also seem more symmetrical overall.

On both discs, it is helpful that the selections are ordered and titled according to how they might be utilized in a class. However, the compositions could be easily rearranged (perhaps on your iPod or mp3 player) according to preference. I also appreciate that the liner notes include the time signature of the piece, how many bars (measures) are available, and note changes or breaks in pattern. Knowing these details can make choreographing exercises a much smoother process.

For further detail or to preview some of the tracks, click the images above.

As Creation Unfolds: Part Three and The Garden Within

While the first three albums are definitely designed for class use, these two albums include longer compositions more suitable for creative or improvisational dance, or composition. Again, I visualize landscapes as I listen to Richard’s work. Most tracks have a contemplative quality.

As Creation Unfolds Part Three is the shorter (i.e. fewer songs) of the two albums. However most of its tracks are well over four minutes long. A favorite on the disc is “The Newborn Fawn.” Its skipping rhythms make it the most dance-y of the compositions and, as the shortest track, it could certainly be used for a lilting ballet in your next recital. “Woodland Nymphs” is another standout. I instantly recognized this one as a great fit for a creative dance class. Beginning with gentle pauses and gradually increasing in tempo, I picture children making shapes and exploring in a scarf dance. Incorporating several changes in texture, the music seems to have “events” that could easily be turned into a story dance.

On The Garden Within, the selections “Oh What Wonders” and “Gently Guiding,” in particular, produced movement images and motifs in my mind as I listened. Their lyrical melodies and slightly more stirring tempos make them relevant for phrases or class choreography. My most pleasant surprise came at the end of this body of work, however. The final track, “Moving Forward” is underlined with percussive elements. This, coupled with its Asian-inspired gongs and chords, give the song a Cirque du Soleil vibe. What I find most compelling, however, is the tempo fluctuation in the piece. Of all the tracks on these two albums, this is my favorite.

The Garden Within and As Creation Unfolds Part Three are both filled with lovely compositions. They are a pleasure to listen or meditate to, making them ideal for relaxation, yoga, or stretching (inside or outside of class).

For further detail or to preview some of the tracks, click the images above.

All CD cover images are the photographic work of Kim Fiocca.

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♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫

Richard Maddock Compositions
Inspiring CDs for Ballet Class and Choreographic Work
www.richardmaddock.com

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2009. | Permalink | 2 comments | Category: Blog, Giveaways, In the Spotlight, Music, Product/Website Reviews, Toolbox

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Contrast & Continuum — Music for Creative Dance Vol. I-IV

by Eric Chappelle

Designed specifically for creative dance, this set works well with curriculum ideas offered in Anne Green Gilbert’s Creative Dance for All Ages: A Conceptual Approach. However, the rich variety of styles, sound textures, and tempos offered here could be used for any creative dance curriculum. The album liner notes also offer movement ideas and uses for each track. These are also available as pdf files on the site below. As I tend to mix and match tracks depending on what I am teaching, I cannot make an “if you can only buy one” recommendation. You can sample the music and decide for yourself or purchase the whole set at Ravennaventures.com.

Rhythms on Parade

Click on image to purchase on Amazon

by Hap Palmer

This collection of songs are beneficial for teaching rhythm. The songs are designed for use with musical props like rhythm sticks, shakers, bells, or tambourines – great additions to preschool movement classes. However, most could be adapted for movement-only classes by encouraging children to put the rhythms in their body. Songs include explore tempos, meters (how many kid songs are in 5/8?), rests, and instruments. And there is even a class “transition song” that encourages children to “come up and choose an instrument to play.” You may also want to check out Hap Palmer’s other selections including his Holiday Magic album.

Sweet Taps

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by Rosemary Boross with Bruce Stephen Foster

This truly sweet collection of candy-coated songs is great for covering tap fundamentals like cramp rolls, shuffles, heel drops, and more. The vocals provide combination choreography and rhythms that are geared toward older preschool and young elementary/primary students (CD notes recommend its use for children 4-8). However instrumentals are provided. My only complaint is that these are not separate tracks as on Boross’s Fantasy Garden Ballet Class series, also found at Kimbo Educational.

Soulville

Click on image to purchase on Amazon

by Little Monsters

Sometimes even the little ones just want to rock. Little Monsters covers classic soul tunes like ABC, Dancing in the Street, and Mustang Sally on this album. Adults provide lead vocals while children provide back-up. Unlike big-name compilations that similarly cover pop songs, the production is slick and the vocals don’t have that nails on a chalkboard affect! I’ve used these in class for a fun free dance, across-the-floor, and recital music. You can purchase the CD at Amazon by clicking on the image or at the very cool Little Monsters Records web site where you can keep an eye out for new music.

Positio

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Whitefeather Productions

This CD’s short tracks and clear and even tempos have proven helpful in pre-ballet classes. All of the 29 music selections are classical favorites, providing plenty of music for introductory barre work, center, jumps, and traveling movements. Whitefeather has a number of ballet CDs for various levels. These can be purchased on iTunes® or at their website www.whitefeatherproductions.com.

Update!

Not long after this post was published I reviewed some CD’s by composer Richard Maddock. After using his Music for Movement & Imaginations CD for some children’s classes, I have to mention, I’ve added this to my list of favorites for the little ones. Click the photo to check out the music at his site.

What are your favorite albums for children’s dance classes?

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2009. | Permalink | CLICK HERE to comment | Category: Blog, For Classroom, For Students, For Teachers/Studio Owners, In the Spotlight, Music, News and Events, Product/Website Reviews, The Dance World, Toolbox

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As I mentioned in my review, other dance studios are using Qlubb in order to improve communication among their students, parents, and organizers. Qlubb has recently distributed a press release, highlighting this use of their service with quotes from actual studio owners. The release has even quoted the review of yours truly! Check it out below!

Also, do any of you already use Qlubb? If so, what are your thoughts?

Did the review inspire you to take a closer look at Qlubb and/or how you handle communication within your studio?

QLUBB HELPS GROUP OF PEOPLE IMPROVE COMMUNICATION,  INCREASE COLLABORATION AND REDUCE EMAIL

Web 2.0 social collaboration solution helps dance academy improve organization, efficiency and reduces email overload among staff and parents

(Burlingame, CA). Qlubb, a social collaboration solution for real-life groups, provides a free service for any group of people to get online in just a few minutes and be able to share, collaborate and get things done quickly and easily. Qlubb is being used by thousands of groups worldwide to improve the flow of communication, organize group activities and reduce overall email overload.

Nichelle Strzepek, a performer and dance instructor who taught at private studios, community colleges and one major University, recently reviewed Qlubb on her Dance Advantage blog.  She says, “What makes Qlubb distinct is its simplicity. Whereas some websites offer mind-boggling options which could be daunting for those with a) little time to waste, or b) little experience/confidence with computers, Qlubb allows for an extremely quick set-up. This makes the site an attractive solution for “real-life” groups that meet in person and want to organize themselves in a simple, no-fuss, fashion.”  Her full review is available at http://danceadvantage.wordpress.com/2008/11/25/go-qlubbing/.

“It’s great to see Divine Dance Academy and the greater dance community using Qlubb to engage and get organized,” said Sophia Chiang, CEO of Qlubb.  “Whether your organization is a playgroup, a scout troop, family, club or dance studio, Qlubb is the easiest way to get online, organized and on the same page.”

About Qlubb

Qlubb is a Burlingame, CA-based provider of Web-based social collaboration solutions for real-life groups. Whether it is a playgroup, classroom parent group, sports team, family, club or hobby group, Qlubb helps most any group of people connect, share and get things done. Qlubb strengthens ties within the group while also helping groups increase participation, be better organized and be more efficient.

Qlubb is very easy-to-use and takes just a few seconds to start a fully-functioning site that includes a fully integrated private collaboration site, group email, shared calendar, signup sheets, automated reminders, photo sharing, public Web page and much more. Users are not required to register, requiring just their email address and a password set by the Qlubb creator. Qlubb is available for free at www.qlubb.com.

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2008. | Permalink | CLICK HERE to comment | Category: Blog, Dance Media, In the Spotlight, Product/Website Reviews

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Communication S.O.S.

Many dance studios rely heavily on parental involvement to car pool to rehearsals or events, volunteer throughout the year, and help keep things organized at performances or competitions. What perhaps was once handled through phone lists and paper mailings, is now typically taken care of via bulk e-mailing. E-mail, overall, has offered an ease and speed in the communication between people. For groups, however, e-mail alone is not always sufficient. Here’s an example:

A studio sends a reminder to all of the parents in an e-mail group, asking them to sign up for various duties. The parents receive the e-mail and “reply all” to the whole group, stating “I’ll take care of this,” or “I’ll do this from 2 o’clock to 4 o’clock,” etc. At the same time, a parent asks a question about what their child needs to bring to the next competition, sending her query to the entire group list. Some respond, some check but ignore the e-mail once they’ve realized it does not apply to them. Before you know it, the entire group has received thirty (or more) e-mails, and whichever poor soul has been selected to organize the details must sift through and decide who is doing what, which tasks remain, and make sure people received answers to their questions. The problem, as you can see, is that e-mail works best when communicating from person to person. It is not interactive enough to deal with multiple people “talking” all at once.

Qlubb to the Rescue!

Qlubb is not unlike a number of sites on the web in that it seeks to solve this issue, creating an interactive “home base” for groups to interact. What makes Qlubb distinct, however, is its simplicity. Whereas some websites offer mind-boggling options which could be daunting for those with a) little time to waste, or b) little experience/confidence with computers, Qlubb allows for an extremely quick set-up (as they state on the site, “It only takes 2 clicks to create a Qlubb, and 1 click to join a Qlubb,”) and intuitive methods of adding and editing events, messages, tasks, and more. This makes the site an attractive solution for “real-life” groups that meet in person and want to organize themselves in a simple, no-fuss, fashion.

Only a year old, Qlubb is still a work in progress. It was developed by an active community member who saw a need among real-life organizations and set out to provide a solution. Thus far, groups at Qlubb have been small in comparison to larger websites offering similar services and is utilized by many types of groups, including book clubs, playgroups, and families. I am told that a number of dance groups already utilize the site.

Getting Started

As stated above, creating a Qlubb is easy, and it is free. All that is required to set up a Qlubb is your e-mail address, chosen password (which will act as the password for the entire group), and a simple name for your group. This name will become part of the group’s URL, or web address, as well as the group’s e-mail address. For instance, I created a group, using the name dancetest, which resides at http://dancetest.qlubb.com, with the e-mail address dancetest@qlubb.com. Once the group was created, I was immediately able to start editing the group’s web pages. Groups are kept secure and invisible from the general public with the use of a shared password. Although, creating a “public” page for the group (here is *dancetest’s public page) is an option, only members with the password can visit or send e-mails to this group.

Features

Qlubb offers several pages within the group website on which members can access various features. Pages are easily accessed with a tab system at the top of the site. Each page and its features are described below.

HOME

• Group description (html, videos, widgets, and more can be added here, in fact most text areas on the site accept html code, allowing the addition of links and more)
• A slideshow of photos added by members
• Event listing
• “Useful things” like reminders or links
• “Blurbs” (short messages or comments for high visibility on the front page)

Probably the most important feature accessed here is the event listing. Events can be quickly added with a simple form that collects the vital information such as date (multi-days is an available option), time, event name, and location. As with most forms on the site, most of this information is not mandatory – only the event name is required. Once the event is created, other options (found below) are available by clicking on the event name.

Event Page

• Add a description of the event
• Send an invite to the entire group to notify them of the event
• Choose to include the rsvp option for the event for a quick tally of who will attend
• Set automatic reminders which can be sent to all members or only members with task assignments
• View the “task” list.

Task List – Tasks are like a “to do” list and sign up sheet for the event all in one. Like events, tasks are added via a simple form. Those organizing the event may ask for a particular number of volunteers or assign a group member to the task. Other members can easily click on the “Me!” button to volunteer for the task and have the option of removing themselves, as well. Each task may be marked completed for a quick idea of what is left to accomplish. Events can be listed without tasks.

MEMBERS

• Displays member information, much like a business card (no fussy profile pages!) – name, photo, e-mail, and other relevant info.
• Each member can decide if their picture and name are to be displayed on the “public” homepage, visible to anyone. E-mail addresses and other info are displayed only to group members.
• Members can choose how much or how little information to reveal. The only member information that is mandatory and disclosed (to group members) is the e-mail address.
• When one edits their member card, members may choose to receive e-mail messages from the group, a feature that may be turned off or on.

PHOTOS

• 

  Members can view the gallery or upload photos from a home computer to the website. These photos can be made public (i.e. visible on the “public” page) or private (visible only to group members).

• Photos may be associated with a particular event or date (photos that correspond with these will appear in a separate album on the photo page).
• Clicking on each photo, takes the group member to a page in which the photo information can be edited and comments on the photo can be added.

FILES

• Files may be added in exactly the same manner as photos, with all the same options. (This is an excellent place to put permission forms, costume order forms, and more.)
• All files are available to members for download.

MESSAGES

• Uses a familiar message board format.
• “News” can be added through the site or by sending an e-mail to the group address (yourgroup@qlubb.com).
• Replies can also be added using either method, allowing users to respond just as they would to a normal e-mail.
• Those posting a message from the website have the option to send it to the entire group. Any member of the group that has chosen to receive e-mail updates (see MEMBERS) will receive these messages in their inbox. Messages posted/replied to via e-mail are automatically sent to the entire group.

ADMIN (UPDATE!! 3/23/09)

Qlubb seeks to allow all members administrative access to everything on the site. Whereas some websites require a “moderator” to add content to the site, forcing one person to be responsible for the upkeep of a group, Qlubb allows group members to be responsible for themselves and all content on the site. Overall, this makes group participation and interaction extremely easy and is a positive feature. However, having access to everything means, EVERYTHING, including the ability to change the group’s access password. (this feature has changed!)

My Two Cents

As I stated previously, I truly think that what Qlubb.com offers is unique in its simplicity and real-world application. The task feature in particular is one that I think could streamline an organization’s processes immensely and I believe the effects would be noticed and appreciated immediately among group members.

One feature I feel is missing from the site is a calendar view of events. Although one can see a mini calendar when editing/adding an event, currently events can only be viewed in a list format. Viewing dates on a calendar is, for me, helpful in visualizing upcoming items in a way a list is not. Some of you may prefer the list view, but I believe there are probably enough people like both you and I to consider offering both options. An attractive aspect of the site is that suggestions such as these are welcomed at Qlubb and help is always an e-mail away. In fact, I found that my inquiries to Qlubb’s help e-mail address were answered very promptly, with a friendly tone, and contained applicable information.

Perhaps like many of you, the very open administrative access is the one area of the site about which I have some misgivings. Drama (in case you haven’t noticed) has been known to occur among dancers, parents, and studios. While I would hope that most people would handle themselves in a mature manner, I have witnessed episodes of surprising childishness among grown adults. In correspondence with a Qlubb representative, I brought up the potential problems of across-the-board access. I felt reassured to know that Qlubb recognizes that as the site and its groups grow that further options may need to be added to the administrative aspects of the service. In the meantime, I think groups and organizations can benefit from what the site has to offer. Tampering with the group’s password or other features is likely to remain a rare occurrence among most users of this site. For the most part, I think the benefits of starting a Qlubb outweigh the risks.

UPDATE – 3/23/09

The calendar feature was an addition made in December of last year and has improved the event aspects of this site. Also just recently Qlubb has restricted password and other controls to just the group creator (and members appointed administrators). You can read more about this feature here, on the Qlubb blog.

Join the Qlubb!

Although there is not a specific “dance qlubb” group, I placed mine under sports team. The features are the same, regardless of this label. If you want to see samples of how different groups might use the site, these are accessible from the Qlubb homepage. If you feel this may be a good solution for your particular group, I encourage you to try it out. Of course, as with any site, please make sure that the terms and privacy policies are acceptable to you. You can learn more by visiting the Qlubb website, the QlubbHouse Blog, and by checking out the FAQ.

I hope you found this review of the site helpful! If you have experience with Qlubb or similar sites, or if you would like to ask questions, please post a comment!

*this page will not be available after 12/13/2008

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© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2008. | Permalink | 2 comments | Category: Blog, Dance Media, In the Spotlight, Product/Website Reviews

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