Every year we open the doors of the studio with the anticipation of the fantastic dance year to come. We look forward to the fun of the party weeks, finding out what the songs are for recital this year, what the costumes look like, what the opening number will be, Dad’s Company, and much more! Sometimes though it may be easy to forget that this year is also about your experience as a dancer or dance parent, and what you are looking to get out of it. Here are some ways to make sure you have the dance year you are looking forward to.

Envision the Year Ahead: The first thing to do is decide what it is that you are looking to get from your dance classes this year. Is there a certain goal in each of your classes that you are looking to achieve? A step or leap you have yet to master? Maybe you are part of our Teacher Training Program and are looking to move to the next level, or you are ready to audition for our Recital Company or our Ducks Performance Team. Whatever it is that you are hoping to achieve this year you should clearly define what you are working toward.

Make a Plan: Once you set your goals, the best thing to do is to break down the steps that will allow you to get there. It’s always easier to reach a goal when you split it up into smaller, progressive benchmarks. You should also remember to celebrate each time you get one step closer to your final goal. When you are figuring out the best way to get to your goal a great person to guide you would be your teacher. Our teachers are amazing at helping to figure out what is a realistic goal for the year and to help you gauge how to reach it safely.

Be ready to Make the Effort: Have you ever heard the old saying “You get out what you put in”? It’s completely true. If you are coming to class with a goal, a road map to get there, a positive attitude, and a real dedication to reaching your goal there will be nothing that can stop you. Remember that you are not comparing yourself to your classmates. They have varied skill levels and goals of their own, and the only accurate comparison you can make is whether or not you are improving from last week’s class.

Patience is Key: Dance is an art form that takes a lifetime to perfect, and most professional dancers and choreographers will be quick to tell you that they will never feel like they have completely mastered it. They will continue to learn and grow as performers until they stop dancing, and even then they will be able to continue to learn through experiencing dance as an audience member. Don’t rush yourself through development. It can leave you open for injury and you won’t be giving yourself the space to truly experience what makes dance so extraordinary. Enjoy every class and every performance.

Communicate: This is for both our dancers and parents. There are a lot of times when you may not understand why or how certain decisions are made throughout the year. It’s incredibly difficult to gauge the dynamics of a class through the studio lobby windows. If you ever have a question or concern or just need a little guidance or reassurance, please utilize the resources that are our teachers and reception staff. We are here to make sure you understand everything that is happening throughout the year and we are happy to make sure you have all of the information and answers you need to make this the best possible dance year.

We are so happy that your family is part of the Dance Connection family, and we look forward to another wonderful dance year ahead!