Every year our students take the stage to showcase their talent and progress in our annual recital performance, but you may not know that there are a bunch of other performance opportunities throughout the year with our studio!

We just wrapped up auditions for our second annual production of “Step Into Christmas”, our holiday show in the tradition of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, the proceeds of which benefit Gavin’s Got Heart, a charity that provides support and financial assistance to the families of local children born with congenital heart defects. It is a fantastic opportunity to build holiday cheer as well as your dance skills while helping local families in need. The performance will be at CM Performing Arts Center on Sunday, December 15th at 11:00 am.

The Islip Holiday Parade in December is another way for you to help show your DC Spirit by marching with our Performance Team Members as they make their way down Main Street spreading holiday cheer for the community. We have a great time, and last year our float won an award! Keep and eye out for the email with the sign-up link!

Recital Company auditions will be January 12th, 2020 and open to any dancer currently studying Ballet and Jazz. Miss Mary and her team are already thinking of what this year’s recital opening number will be! Being a part of the Recital Company allows dancers to really develop a sense of what to takes to put together a large scale performance. The rehearsal process is designed not only to promote dancer development and confidence, but a sense of belonging and team that they can carry through into the next dance year. The best part is the reaction that our company receives from the recital audience. Every year the company has managed to grow, improve, and really delight our Dance Connection families!

Dad’s Company signups begin on March 2nd at 6:00 PM, and if you are a dance dad looking to have a lot of fun with a great group of guys, you should definitely watch for the signup email! The most anticipated act of the show, no recital would be complete without our fantastic dads giving it their all to entertain the crowd and make their dancers proud.

Every year for the last 10 years, Dance Connection has performed before a Long Island Ducks game around the 4th of July. This performance caps off a year of memorable moments helping to use our love of dance to brighten the community around us. The auditions are usually around April or May and are also open to any dancer currently studying Ballet and Jazz. This truly is a family experience that builds a sense of DC pride, as we get to cheer our dancers on and then settle in and enjoy the game with each other. We always try to perform at a game with fireworks afterward, which makes for a magical end to the evening.

Finally, if your dancer is looking for the ultimate performance opportunity, they should consider joining our Dance Connection Performance Team. The team is open to all students ages 7 and up, and class requirements vary depending on whether a dancer is on the Mini Performance Company or the Full Performance Company. Company members are involved in all of the events above (excluding Dad’s Company), plus they will perform in our annual “Making Wishes Grow” fundraiser which brings in actors, dance companies and singers from all over the tri-state area and benefits Make-A-Wish of Suffolk County. As part of our long standing relationship with Make-A-Wish of Suffolk County our Performance Company also contributes entertainment to their Annual Gala and Holiday Party. The Performance Company will also take part in the Stars of Tomorrow benefit for Dancers Responding to AIDS this March as well as both Regional and National Competitions. Every few years these amazing and dedicated dancers get the opportunity to dance in Disney World (happening in our 2020-2021 year!) or to perform publicly on board a cruise line! Both of these experiences include a master class with professional performers that brings a wonderful educational aspect to the trip. Miss Mary always focuses on how to be a good teammate, a good neighbor, and how to use your passion for dance to improve the lives of those around you.

There are so many ways to be a part of the performances that Dance Connection offers every year, and each offers dancers a way for them to build their skills, their confidence, and to make memories with their friends and teammates.