Recital is such an exciting time of year, and it’s my favorite time of year at Dance Connection and I’m lucky enough to experience both sides of recital, as a staff member and as a parent. I absolutely LOVE getting to see all of our classes taking the stage for their dress rehearsals and getting that first rush of realization that the lights, costumes, and audience bring. Dancers that I’ve seen in our studio all year long get their chance to shine in front of friends and family, and I’m always amazed by the progress they all make throughout the year.

Besides being exciting, recital can also bring some jitters, maybe even some anxiety about making sure everything is just right, which is also totally normal. As parents sometimes I think our first instinct is to tell our dancers that there’s nothing to be nervous about because we think it will calm their fears. I have tried to fight that instinct a bit and acknowledge my daughter’s jitters and let her know that they are perfectly normal. I ask specifically what is making her nervous, and at the very least it gives her the opportunity to talk about it and voice her fears. If a solution can be found (a tutoring session for a sequence that she doesn’t feel confidant with, a quick couple of stitches to really get a good fit for her costume) we’ll make it happen, but if it’s just your general performance butterflies I like to remind her that every day you will dance differently than the last. The most you can ask for is your personal best on any given day whether it is in class or on stage performing. Miss Mary is always quick to remind everyone that as long as you know you’ve done the very best you could, you should be really proud of yourself.

When your dancer comes off stage, they deserve a ton of praise and applause! Sometimes they forget that just getting out there and dancing even a few steps is more than many of us would have the courage to do at any age. They may have wound up on the opposite side of the stage (it happens more than you think!) or their cowboy hat may have flown off mid routine, but as long as they kept dancing and did their best they should be really proud of themselves.

A couple of final thoughts for all of our fellow dance parents – If you have a Terrific Twos student, Miss Mary usually suggests telling them that she is having the studio cleaned, so they’ll be dancing at different place for one class and making it a very casual, easy-going thing for them. It helps to keep them calm and they are easier to get set up on stage! If you are a first-time recital parent keeping things casual and not making to big an event out of it may be a good idea as well. You can always shower them with all kinds of praise and attention after the recital is over. However, there are some dancers who love recital from start to finish and don’t mind everyone being excited about seeing them up on stage. You know how best to make sure your dancer has the best experience possible, and if we can help in any way please let us know!