A Night Out At The Ballet

Living in Calgary we really are so fortunate to have a number of pre and professional dance groups that perform regularly over the course of the year.  Whether it is the Alberta Ballet, Decidedly Jazz or En Corps Dance Collective, I am always trying to encourage my dance students to get out and watch live dance performances.  These experiences educate them on everything from music to history to current events and will give them a much stronger complimentary education to their studio training than any episode of Dance Moms.  That being said, going to these performances are not always affordable and often conflict with dance classes, competitions and the like.  It is hard to get those who should be the biggest supporters out and into the seats.

Absolute Dance has recently made the effort to organize outings to see one live dance performance a year and it has always been a very positive experience.  I am always surprised at what children and teens find interesting during a performance.  In January we attended The Alberta Ballet's Up Close series which featured company members performing shorter, locally choreographed pieces to an in-studio audience of only 100 people.  It was such an opportunity for the dancers to see how much could be done with minimal costumes and set pieces.  It was also great for them to realize how long and hard these dancers had to work to deliver a strong performance for the length of each piece.  Every single person in the audience could see every little detail.  Hopefully our dancers gained some perspective on where they stood with their own training and returned to the studio with renewed inspiration.  This performance was also great for young dancers because it was contemporary ballet and a wonderful demonstration of how classical shapes and movement can be reworked to become something entirely new.  Following the performance some of the company members took part in a Q and A with the audience.  The students were able to gain some insight on what the concepts for the pieces were and how it feels to be dancing a contemporary piece as a dancer who is more accustomed to dancing classical repertoire.  I had to laugh (to myself) at when one of the dancers strongly emphasized the importance of barre work and repetition.  It was so nice to hear and coming from a professional who just gave his everything for 60 minutes I think those words had much more meaning coming from him rather than myself.

In March, the Alberta Ballet went on to perform Giselle.  A stark contrast to the previous production, the company members returned to the classical "box" and did a great job.  With the Calgary Philharmonic playing that famous music it made for a great night out.  What was also nice about this performance is that it was the perfect length for the average theatre goer who maybe didn't have too much interest or knowledge when it comes to dance.  As it usually is with most ballets, the storey line took a backseat to the dancing.  The Peasant Pas de Deux was performed to a tee.  The gentleman, in particular, did a stellar job with some very difficult jumps and turns.  In the second act the patterning of the corps was stunning.  The dancers floated effortlessly around the stage and moved as one.  It was beautiful and thank goodness the lighting did a great job at making the 27 year-old costumes look great on stage.  All in all it was a great night out.

Since the Alberta Ballet is nearing the end of its season they have very recently announced their upcoming season.  It features a great line up of ballets I always seem to make reference to in class but haven't been performed in Alberta in recent years.  I really hope that many of my students will be able to make it out.  Some of the ballets I am most looking forward to are Don Quixote, La Bayadere and Carmen.  Seeing at least one of these classics is a must and as hard as it can be to get organized enough to make it out, once you are in that seat you will be glad you made the effort.

Snack to Success

Well competition season is upon us but, wouldn't you know it, before our first competition comes March Break!  Of course a change from the usual routine and, for some, a chance to get away, is always welcome.  It is still funny that we get a holiday right before the most challenging time of year.  We should embrace the holiday knowing that the rest will hopefully leave us in tip top shape once things start up again.  We do have to be careful, however, that in resting we we still maintain our fitness and nutritional habits that we have kept since September.

Take care of your body and make sure that any physical activities you do do not come with too much risk of injury.  Downhill skiing, for instance, is a wonderful sport but I always advise dancers not to do it right before any important performance simply because the chances of getting injured are fairly high.  It is great to stay active by trying different things like swimming, running, or participating in a yoga or cross training class at a gym.  Swimming in particular is considered great complimentary training for dancers because it works the entire body, has no impact on joints and does not leave a build up of toxins in the body the same way that higher impact activities will do.  It is a fantastic way to ensure that your cardiovascular fitness is maintained.

If you are staying in the city, I would also encourage you to get into the kitchen and experiment with some healthy, fuel-providing recipes that you'll be able to throw in with your competition gear when the time comes.  Days at competition can be very long and quite often the cafeteria food on hand is not a great option.  To get you started, here are some of my favorite lunch/snack recipes.  They have become go-to options for me and I encourage you to try them out.  If you have special dietary requirements online sources like Pinterest will leave you with many fun options.

Sweet and Salty Granola-Nut Clusters (from Grazing A Healthier Approach to Snacks and finger Foods.  By Julie Van Rosendaal)

Ingredients:                                                         1. Preheat oven to 350
1 cup mixed nuts and seeds
1/2 sesame seeds                                                  2. Spread nuts and seeds on a baking sheet and
1/4 cup ground flax seeds                                    toast for 8-10 minutes until pale golden.  Set aside.
1/4 cup honey
2 Tbsp water                                                       3.  In a medium saucepan, combine the honey,
1 tsp canola or flax oil                                         water and oil.  Bring to a boil over medium heat.
1 cup low-fat granola                                          Stir in the nut mixture.  Reduce heat to medium-
2 Tbsp sugar                                                       low and cook, stirring, for another 2 minutes.  Stir
1 tsp coarse sea salt                                             in the granola, sugar, and salt and cook for
                                                                            another minute.

                                                                             4. Spread the mixture in a thick layer on a baking
                                                                             sheet and allow to cool.  Once cooled, break into
                                                                             clusters, or shape it into balls while it is still warm.
                                                                             Store in a tightly sealed container.

                                                                             Makes about a dozen clusters.

Crunchy Kale Salad (Posted on Pinterest and found on www.userealbutter.com)
(This salad takes a bit of extra work but is well worth it.  If you are not a huge fan of kale, chop it in fine pieces to make it incorporate with the other ingredients a bit better)

Ingredients:
4 cups kale, washed, trimmed, and shredded
2 cups red cabbage, shredded
2 cups green cabbage, shredded
1 Granny Smith apple, diced
1 avocado, diced
1 cup almonds (or walnuts)
1 cup dried black currants

Maple Orange Tahini Dressing:
1/2 cup orange juice
1 Tbsp maple syrup (I have used table syrup as well)
3 Tbsp tahini
pinch of salt
1/3 cup olive oil
lemon juice to taste

Make the Dressing: Place the orange juice, maple syrup, tahini and salt in a medium bowl and whisk together until blended.  Slowly drizzle the olive oil into the bowl in a steady stream while constantly whisking.  Add lemon juice to taste.
In a large bowl, combine the kale, cabbage, apple, avocado, almonds and dried black currants.  Pour the dressing over and toss to coat.  Enjoy!

Of course I have several other recipes that I make week after week.  In addition to Grazing - A Healthier Approach to Snacking, I would highly recommend 5 Easy Steps to Healthy Cooking - 500 Recipes for Lifelong Wellness by Camilla V. Saulsbury.  I have likely tried 30 recipes from this book and have had success with every single one.  None of the recipes are overly complicated.  The author has a way of coming up with great ingredient combinations that are unique and delicious.

Good luck in the kitchen this month.

That's all for now,
Madame Jete

How to Train Like an Olympian

With the upcoming competitive dance season and the Winter Olympics just around the corner, what better way to tackle a dancer's physical and mental preparation than looking to the practices that the country's most elite athletes use?  From March through to June dancers really need to meet their maximum in terms of fitness and technical ability.  They have, after all, been training intensively since August.  When it comes to perfect execution of a group or solo performance on competition days, the mental component of things comes into play.  When dancers are going to one competition after the next, it becomes a bit of a marathon where they need to be absolutely on top of sleep and nutrition in order to perform at their best for the duration of the competitive season.

Here's a list of tips and tricks that are used by Canada's olympic athletes that dancer's can apply to their own routine as they prepare for the exciting season ahead:

1) Diet and Hydration: High performance athletes must eat every 3-4 hours and within 90 minutes of working out.  Start each day with a nutritious breakfast of complex carbohydrates (like steel cut oatmeal) and lean protein (cottage cheese, egg whites, nuts, fish or chicken).  Drink plenty of water throughout the day and hydrate during your classes with either water or sports drinks.

2) Sleep: Try to get to bed before 11pm and sleep for 8 - 10 hours in a very dark environment.  Avoid watching TV or being on the computer 30 minutes before bed.  This will give you optimal hormonal release while you sleep.

3) Warm-up and Recovery: Be sure to warm-up prior to class with at least 10 minutes of light jogging or skipping rope.  You can even try reverse lunges to improve body awareness and co-ordination.  After your class, cool down with gentle stretching, foam rolling or massage to avoid soreness and injury.  You want your body to feel good the next time you take class.

4) Mental Preparation: Dancers and athletes have a range of techniques to ensure that they are mentally present on the big day and during their performance.  Do some research and find out what might work best for you.  Some things include finding inspirational quotes or mantras, watching videos of other professionals for motivation, finding a "pre-game day" and "game day" ritual.  In the moment when you are attempting challenging steps, find out which visualizations work best for you.  Of course, there is the power of repetition.  Do challenging sequences over and over again in rehearsal until your body can do it without even thinking.  Finally, don't forget to breath!

5) Your Team: Teachers should be there to push you to meet your maximum potential.  Hopefully they are able to assess whether a "tough-love" approach or more gentle encouragement works best for each individual.  Competitive team members also need to be there for one another in class and at competition.  Telling each other that they are capable of achieving a difficult step and pushing one another when things get tough is very important.  A positive team atmosphere is essential.
Olympic athletes are known to train together even though they may compete against one another.  Training with a friend increases your accountability and your commitment to your dancing will go up.  

6) Complimentary Training: Any additional exercise you do outside of class should be varied.  This means that you shouldn't always go for a jog at the same pace for the same amount of time on the same path.  An athletes body will grow accustomed to that kind of repetition quickly and improvement will cease.  Instead, vary your cardio with things like jogging, jumping rope, biking, or going on an eliptical trainer.  Find different ways to strengthen abdominal muscles and switch it up from one work out to the next.  Lastly, don't forget to strengthen your back!  Dancers get pre-occupied with abdominals and legs often forgetting that leg lines and turns will become so much stronger with increased strength across the back.  Do push ups, use a swiss ball or thera-band to get your back in tip-top form.

Best of luck to our competitive team as we gear up for the exciting season ahead.  Hopefully these tips will help everyone surpass their expectations and goals for the year.

Sincerely,
Madame Jete

The Domino Effect

Well 2014 has arrived and I have decided to kick it off with one of my favourite topics.  It is one that is a huge part of a dancer's training from start to finish and grows in complexity as a dancer develops their technique.

Understanding turn out IS the key to strong technique.  I often wonder how much stronger I would have been as a young dancer had I known more than just the basics of turning out the leg and had a bit more knowledge in anatomy.  As an adult putting what I learned on the subject to use, not only did it improve the successful demonstration of classical steps and movements but it also changed the tone and shape of my instrument for the better.

Now the trick is, for you the dancer to come to the same level of understanding.  I have no doubt that you will be met with success.  I often talk to students about the domino effect in Ballet.  When one thing is misaligned, then it usually leads to other things being misaligned and, consequently, steps not being executed the way they should be.  When properly aligned, all of a sudden it becomes easier to hold correct placement further down the line and before you know it, you are achieving the desired movement and placement we are after!

Turn out - what IS IT??  Proper use of turn out varies in every body and unfortunately comes much more easily to some than to others.  That being said, I've known many dancers to have spectacular range of turn out in the hip socket but lack the muscular strength and body awareness to put it to good use.  I am a firm believer that we should not use the physical limitations we were born with as an excuse but rather work to build the strength and understanding so that every person is using their turn out to its absolute maximum at all times.  In its simplest form, turn out means turning the entire leg outwards starting in the hip socket and holding an equivalent range of turn out in the knee, lower leg and foot.  Both legs must use equal amounts, otherwise forced turn out is happening in one leg while the other leg is actually turning in on the pelvis.  Unequal placement of turn out creates an imbalance in the placement of positions and also effects a square alignment of the whole body.  See what I mean by domino effect?  And we've only just begun!

For the very novice dancer it is really important that healthy use of turn out is understood right from the start.  We must understand that it is easier to turn out the leg when the knees are bent so when finding our range of turn out it must be done with the legs stretched and thighs pulled up.  Some people think that good turn out is when the feet in 1st position have the widest angle (sometimes more than 180 degrees).  Yikes!  This is a complete myth!  Proper understanding of a turned out position starts on top of the legs with proper placement of the pelvis.  By engaging the abdominals, hamstrings (backs of legs) and gluts we need to find a neutral (level) placement of the pelvis.  Imagine if you had a platter tutu on - it would have to be parallel with the floor throughout all movements where the torso is held in an upright position.  The abdominals help to hold the hips high in the front and the hamstrings help to anchor the pelvis in the back.  Gluts and hamstrings help rotate the thighs but what will make it even easier is if there is also a sense of lift of the pelvis up and away from the legs.  If the weight is placed properly with 2/3 on the ball of the foot, then the hamstrings and calves are more easily activated.  There are numerous visualizations that one can use to find the correct placement of the pelvis and use of turn out.  What is important to understand is that whether in motion or holding a stationary position the use of turn out is always active.  Irene Dowd uses the word "spin" to refer to the "visceral spheres" that exist in the head and torso and also to describe the use of turn out in the legs.  I think it is the perfect word since it implies a never ending motion that remains in one spot.  

Turn out is quite involved but if you are new to dance please don't get ahead of yourself!  What I typically expect a novice dancer to understand is level placement of the pelvis and then appropriate and consistent use of turn out in the thighs, calves and feet.  Remember how there is more turn out when the knees are bent?  The idea in classical training is that we maintain the same level of turn out when the legs are extended or bent.  Take a plie for instance, with the legs turned out to the front corners and the pelvis held level, bend the knees and make sure that they stay aligned over the feet.  The feet must also remain flat to the floor with the toes long.  Do not go into a more turned out position or allow the toes to go further outwards.  The domino effect here: if the pelvis is tilted forward, then the knees are more likely to fall inwards and then the feet would pronate or "roll in".  This is the obvious way to do a plie incorrectly.  However, be aware that it is also common (especially in 2nd position) to have just the foot turned slightly inwards and to have a slight lift on the inner border of the foot.  This is a sickled foot without having any stretch to the foot and is a less obvious example of how turn out must extend all the way down to the toes.  

So the first step in using turn out is holding the outward spin and level pelvis with the legs extended and bent.  Parents of young dancers: you can watch for proper use of turn out by taking note of an upright pelvis and knees and toes always going towards the front corners.  When the leg is extended to the front (devant) the heel must point to the ceiling, when in second or to the side the heel must go forwards towards the audience.  It is good to think of the heel because it is at the end of the leg.  If the heel is free and pointing in the right direction then it means that the rest of the leg must be in the right position (make sure the pelvis is held too and not twisting!) and the weight is forward on the foot.

The next step from there would be to practice the same plie but to actually engage the backs of the legs as the knees bend so that the hamstrings gain strength and actively take the thighs to a more turned out position.  Be careful not to lift that inner border of the foot or to change the initial position of the foot.  Because we know that it is easier to turn out when the knees are bent, as we stretch up from a plie increase the amount of spin so that when the legs reach their extension, they are turned out to the same or more degree.  Suddenly, a plie has become much more than just bending and stretching the legs and is now a tool to strengthen rotators and improve range when the leg is extended.  Now think of battement fondu.  Here we are doing the same movement only on one leg and training proper use of turn out for take off and landings on one leg.  Of course in ronds de jambe a terre the primary focus is turn out and as the dancer gets more familiar with how it is done, the increased hold of turn out becomes more active and challenging as we experiment with changes in weight placement, speed and variations on the standing leg.  

At the more advanced level the challenge becomes using turn out to initiate absolutely everything.  I am not kidding.  You take a step forward and it is led by the stepping heel while the second leg works into that nice fondu position that was rehearsed at the barre.  The pelvis remains lifted and square.  Seriously.  All in one step.  And that step becomes proper placement into a 5th position en pointe, a proper preparation into a temps leve or a turn.  And the domino effect continues.  Turn out is held in the preparation and the steps that follow is more successful thanks to a good preparation and, hopefully, turn out is maintained in the following step and it goes on and on.  Turn out is used to initiate changes in alignment, promenades on one leg, it leads the way in pirouettes in both directions, it contributes to cleaner jumps, in particular any beaten allegro movements.  It effects everything!

As we venture into the season of resolutions, I really encourage everyone to take a few moments to consider the use of turn out at whichever level they may be and then to take those thoughts (or questions) to class and put them to practice.  Continue to consider this concept in all sections of your class and continue to focus on it in every class.  Turn out will never go away, will never be fully conquered and will always remain to be something that must be maintained.  Though it may seem daunting I promise that the more you work at it the better dancer you will become.  

Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Madame Jete

Sleigh Bells Ring...

It's official!  Winter is here to stay.  The first Tuesday of December turned Calgary into a winter wonderland keeping everyone housebound and off the messy roads.  Lucky for the dancers at Absolute Dance the storm was late and left us with pleasant weather to make it through our holiday production of The Wizard of Oz on December 1st.  

Throughout the month of November 72 dancers along with the staff of Absolute Dance worked hard to prepare for the annual event.  Costumes arrived from the US while others were custom made.  Of course there were many finishing touches to be done to make everyone look their best.  Accessories were added and costumes bedazzled from top to bottom.  With the help of Muge Performance Wear our leads resembled the characters from the movie but had a modern and unique design that enabled them to dance.  Set pieces were built and painted and as usual everyone pulled together to make the show come together in time.  Show day went off without a hitch.  Our dancers put on three wonderful performances.  By the end of the day everyone was exhausted but excited that all their hard work had paid off.  Most impressive was the fact that our 4-6 year olds were able to hold it together till the end of the third performance.  Congratulations to all of our dancers! 

There is no doubt that what makes an event of this scale possible is teamwork.  Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped with our load in and out, supervised dancers backstage, or took care of the pre-show events in the lobby.  Our silent auction was held prior to the 12 and 4 pm shows with 100% of the proceeds going to support the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation.  We had many great items donated and are happy to have raised $2500.  Way to go everyone!

Overall, the day was a hit, a positive and memorable experience for everyone.  Stay tuned for photos of the show to be posted on our website.  We were also happy to have Open Call Films shoot the 4pm performance.  We will contact those who ordered a video when they are ready for pick up.   

As if our dancers didn't have enough on their plates with preparation for The Wizard of Oz some of our more senior dancers also took a vocational level ballet exam in November.  Congratulations our Intermediate and Intermediate Foundation dancers who put their best foot forward and went through with the examination process.  Vocational level exams are not easy and require many hours of preparation in addition to strong technique and a broad vocabulary in classical ballet.  Our candidates had been studying the work since last winter/spring so finally having completed the exam really is an accomplishment to be proud of.  Now onwards and upwards into the next level!  

December promises to be a busy month of year-end wind ups, concerts and will continue with exciting studio events. Our fall preschool tour with Early Discoveries Nursery Schools is wrapping up and will resume full force in the New Year.  

We are also in deep preparation for our upcoming viewing week here at Absolute Dance!  Monday December 16^th through to Saturday December 21^st, parents and family are invited to come and watch the last 15 minutes of their dancer’s class. This applies to all classes at the studio.  Photography and video are allowed at this time, however please take footage of your dancer only.  We hope that parents will enjoy seeing what we have been up to over the last few months!

Registration for our Winter session is on-going and available in online or in person during office hours.  Monday to Thursday 4:00-8:30pm or Saturday from 9:00am-2:00pm.  As usual there are many different options for children and adults to choose from and our Adult class pass makes for an affordable opportunity to participate in dance and fitness classes and even take advantage of free childcare during our daytime classes.

The beginning of another month also means a new Student of the Month.  Congratulations to Malia Kerr for being nominated!  Malia is a hard-working and dedicated dancer.  Her attention to detail and effort has contributed to her success in her classes.  We hope that her work ethic can act as inspiration to her fellow dancers and help them build their skill and enthusiasm for dance.  

           

We have just launched out new website and encourage you to take a peek www.absolutedanceinc.com

You may even see some familiar faces in the promotional pictures of dancers you see around the halls here at the studio! 

Our last day of classes before our holiday break is Saturday December 21^st.  We will resume in the New Year on Monday January 6^th 2014. 

Absolute Dance staff would like to wish everyone a happy, safe and restful holiday season.  We are so looking forward to what lies ahead in 2014.

Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,

Madame Jete

Dance Dance Dance

Now well into our regular season of classes, I would like to start this months post by giving a "kudos" to all of our participants in our adult dance and fitness classes.  There has been a real eagerness for learning and positivity when it comes to staying fit amongst our participants.  It is so nice to see that attending the adult classes at Absolute Dance have become a regular part of a weekly schedule for many.  When it comes to getting our sweat on, getting out the door and off to class can be a huge challenge.  It takes real commitment to attend a class regularly as an adult when A) Nobody is making you go B) You have likely spent the entire day at work and/or caring for your family and C) There are probably many other things that you could be checking off your to-do list during that hour you are at class.  What has been so great to see this year is that two months in, attendance in our adult programs is holding strong and it really feels like the content in these classes can gain some momentum.
Most people have tried some sort of gym-related regimen whether it be getting their cardio in on a machine or attending a group class.  Attending an adult dance class, however, is not something that many adults have tried.  People without dance experience as a child have many reservations about starting up and it really does take some serious courage (and maybe a friend to join you) to try your hand at dance in adulthood.  So, if you have found yourself at the ballet barre or working on your "swag" in a hip hop class - congratulations, it takes guts to put yourself out there and be open to learning something new.
As a teacher, instructing adults is a whole different ball game but it is always refreshing and fun.  You have to keep in mind that often people are attending your class for a variety of reasons whether it be fitness, to get out of the house, to learn something new, or because they want to relive the experience they had as a youngster.  Whatever the motivation might be it is a welcome challenge to find the balance where you can offer a bit of each to your class.  It is also a reminder of the benefits of dance in adulthood.  When I was a teenager I remember leaving to go to dance after having an argument with my parents (oh the joys of hormones!) and starting off the class in a full-tilt mood swing but then feeling like whatever was bothering me wasn't really that big of a deal by the time the class ended.  There is no doubt that dance is a great stress-buster.  Dance builds body awareness which can extend into our daily routine.  Learning about posture, placement, and gaining awareness of correct alignment teaches non-dancers to rethink how they are using their bodies throughout the day and can often help out work out the kinks, improve flexibility and ease mobility.  Now that I spend much more of my time conducting class rather than taking one when I do take a dance class I am reminded of the intellectual aspect of dance.  The musicality, the co-ordination, the patterning and sequences take a lot of brain work.  It is most definitely a learned skill that needs to be maintained.  I'm sure most people have heard of the benefits of dance in combating serious illness like Alzheimer's.  Dance exercises the mind and body.

We're Off To See The Wizard!

It is officially Fall here in Calgary and our classes are in full swing.  Last week Absolute Dance hosted "Bring a Friend to Class" week and it was a lot of fun to see the dancers show off their skills in the studio and invite their friends in to see how they spend their time after school.  Hopefully our special guests left having had a little exercise and a lot of fun.

Preparations for Wizard of Oz are also well under way.  All classes have learned most, if not all, of their first scene in the production.  Even though it is a ballet, it is fun to see how surprised kids become when they see how we figure out ways to tell the story through movement.  It is not uncommon to hear at least 1 person ask, "this is ballet?"  We are using a blend of music from the movie and musical which makes for a really catchy soundtrack.  Our Holiday Productions aim not only to show technical skills, but also to entertain even the youngest of audience members.  The most senior classes in the production have now had four years experience in doing productions of this kind and last week they slipped into their character/acting roles like it was old hat.  It was impressive to see how far they have come not only in their dancing but in their ability to very quickly figure out how their character was going to move, how they should fill "down time" in scenes where they are not given specific choreography, and contribute ideas to find signature movements to suit each character.  It was also fun to talk to the littlest group of Munchkins and attempt to explain the story of Dorothy to them.  They may have not gotten all the details but as things start to come together it will start to make sense.  It is always such a fun process!

Parents and dancers please keep in mind that we will be hosting a silent auction during our December 1st show day with all proceeds going to support a local charity.  Auctions will take place before each show and will open one hour prior.  We will hold three performances at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm.   It is not too early to start gathering items for this event.  Last year we raised a record $4350.00, all of which went to support the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation.  Let's work together to top that amount!

Way back when, it was very common for parents to put their child in dance not only to learn the art form but also to learn discipline and etiquette.  Although times have changed and dance may be part of the routine more for fun and fitness, Absolute Dance is still adamant about teaching dancers behavioral skills that will extend beyond the studio.  Our teachers are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and are encouraged to remind students of the little things that show respect for their instructors, peers and art form.

Here a few things for dancers to keep in mind when participating in class:
- Be a clever dancer.  Upon entering the studio be quick about getting your shoes on.  If the class has not yet started, warm up by reviewing elements or combinations from the previous class.
- Be properly attired for class!  Not only will you look and feel the part, teachers will be better able to assist you when they can see what you are doing.
- If you are late for class wait until the music has paused before entering the room.  When you do go in be mindful to make as few interruptions as possible.  A quick apology for being late after the class has finished is always appreciated by the teacher.
- If you are in a dance class, you are there to dance!  Get into the habit of repeating a movement after you or the class has been given a correction.  It is one thing for you to understand a correction in your mind, but another to understand it in your body.  If the instructor is giving time for individual practice and has not given specific corrections to you, listen to what she/he is saying to other students and make those corrections on yourself.
- There are always times in a class where something is being discussed and it is not appropriate to dance but rather stop to listen.  Don't allow yourself to hang off the barres - practice your stationary posture!  Stand with weight equal on both feet and be sure not to hold your arms in a way that could interpreted as a poor attitude.
- Yawning, looking at the clock or asking how much time is left in class are considered bad manners.
- Always raise your hand before asking or answering a question.  Be mindful of the time of the teacher and students in the class and remember to keep questions focused only on what is being discussed in class.
- Watch your fellow dancers and learn from their successes or challenges.
- Do not comment on your peers technique.  That is the job of the teacher.  Do not be afraid to tell one of your peers if you thought they did something well.
- Always finish each class with a bow or curtsey and a thank you to the teacher.  The teacher will also thank the dancers.

As we venture into October we'd like to take a moment to acknowledge Stephanie Rha, our Student of the Month!  Stephanie started the year off with a great attitude and a lot of determination.  She has had great focus in all of her classes.  With her great work skills she is sure to make some wonderful improvements in her dancing this year.  Keep it up Stephanie!

Absolute Dance would also like to wish all parents and dancers a Happy Thanksgiving.  The studio will be closed from Friday, October 11th to Monday, October 14th.  All classes will resume on Tuesday, October 15th.  Enjoy an extra long weekend and a few days of relaxation.

Until next time!

Sincerely,
Madame Jete