Engaging Preschoolers with Puppets

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 Puppets are powerful to young children. They are magical, which could be why I like them so much too! A few years ago, I had to face it. I am not as cool as a puppet. It’s fine, really. Who wouldn’t like a colorful, soft animal that moves and talks? I have been incorporating puppets [...]

Celebrating The Arts: Decorating The Dance Room While Connecting to Class Content

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If I had a studio space to call my own I would have a lot of fun decorating it. Big empty walls and mirrors, windows and doors at my disposal. I would be in dance studio heaven. Since I don’t have my own walls, my refrigerator is decorated with splashes of color and drawings of [...]

5 Tools That Streamline Your Dance Studio’s Office Management

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Would you like to manage your office remotely, improve intercommunication, and more easily process tuition, gather feedback, and market your dance studio? If so, give these 5 tools (many of them free) a try.

Does Your Devil Wear Dancewear? Dealing With A Rude Coworker

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Like Anne Hathaway’s character in The Devil Wears Prada, you may occasionally find yourself working with an Emily: someone rude, intimidating, undermining, or downright mean. Learn how to stand up for yourself and be worthy of the respect you want and deserve. And if it’s time to address the issue with your employer, discover how to make your approach like the professional you are.

Give The Gift Of Dance In Your Community

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Before your big performance day (and after), add some informal performances to your schedule. Not only is it good practice and experience for your students, it’s great advertising, and most importantly, a wonderful gift to the community. Stacey suggests ways to encourage parent involvement and how to make the most of your outreach come recital time.

Presenting Hip Hop In a Positive Light

[Photo] Dancers from World Hip Hop Championship in red and black

Back then, hip hop wasn’t about derogatory comments, threats, and how much money you made. It was about family and belonging. It was about taking your world and making sense of it…through dance (b-boying), through music (DJing), through art (graffiti), through words (MCing). THAT is where your philosophy needs to come from.

How Do You Define “Dolly Dinkle” Dance Instruction?

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Most of you have an idea about what it means to be a “Dolly Dinkle” (or Dolly Dingle) dance instructor or dance school. Weigh in with your definition of insufficient dance education.

Who Wants To Rock The Vote In These Online Dance Contests?

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The winner will score the ultimate prize of rehearsing with Kate Champion to bring his/her unique performance to life at the screening of Footloose on September 26. In addition to the thrill of performing live at Sydney Opera House, the winner will receive $2,000, a SONY HD flash Handycam camcorder, as well as a SONY ‘Bloggie’ HD snap camera.

Leveraging Your Dance Studio’s Identity To Grow Your Business

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Evaluate your current venues for getting the word out about your studio, your students, and the joy of dance. A personal testimonial or recommendation is priceless. People speaking highly of you, your staff, and your programs has power no tangible method of advertising could ever produce.

When Is Too Much Not Enough? — The Truth About Well-Rounded Dancers

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Experience and exposure in a variety of dance styles is important for creating versatile dancers and may even be a necessity for aspiring professionals. Being well-rounded in dance is a good thing. Exposure to different dance forms, starting at a young age, is a great thing. So where’s the myth? It lies in the misplaced emphasis on experience and omission of training.

It’s Easy Being Green

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Buy Organic, Recycled, and Eco-Friendly Products. From the snacks you offer, to the paper towels you use, to the cleaning products you put on your floors, there are plenty of options for going green. There are six more, really excellent (and really easy), suggestions for going green in 12 Steps To A More Eco-Friendly Dance Studio