Our "Frozen-Inspired" Dance Camp: Crafts

"Do You Wanna Dye a T-Shirt?" (sung in the melody of "Do You Wanna Build a Snowman")

This is part of our "Frozen" (inspired) Dance Camp Series.

We spend about 30-40 minutes on crafts, but always have a back-up plan for those who lose interest fast (some of the 4 year olds are more interested in the process, than the final product) or who are very detailed (need to place every piece of grass just so).

Good ideas of back-up plans are coloring pages (link to free printable Frozen coloring pages) / activity sheets or clips from the movie, if you have a TV or screen.  I actually made a YouTube playlist of Frozen clips on our computer just in case, but we never had to use it.

Now... onto the crafts!

My Camp Director and I pulled a lot of the craft and activity ideas off of Pinterest, so I will try to credit our original inspiration when possible.

Happy New Year & My Favorite Smoothie

Happy New Year, people of the Internet!  Hope you all had a wonderful holiday.  Mine was filled with traveling and family and friends and a nice break from the studio.

A lot of us make resolutions this time of year that have to do with healthier living, eating better, and creating habits to lead to wellness.  I've been wanting to share my favorite smoothie with you all for a while and I thought this was the perfect time!

My first instinct in the morning is to grab some cereal or toast or something bread-y and this is a quick alternative that still tastes good and starts my mornings off with some fruit.  Hope you enjoy it!


Here's what you'll need:

Yogurt - I like plain, but you can use any flavor you'd like - the husband likes strawberry
Fruit - I like frozen raspberries and blueberries, husband likes a half of banana thrown in there
1/4 cup baby spinach, ripped up
Orange juice - to help everything blend and taste delicious
Ground cinnamon - this is my secret ingredient!

Ceramic squirrel cookie jar is optional.

Halloween Playlist

Looking for some new songs to add to your Halloween playlist?  Here are some suggestions to spice up your playlist.

All links open in iTunes - The Dance Buzz is an iTunes affiliate

Tap

Superstition - Stevie Wonder - classic with a moderate tempo

Love Potion No. 9 - The Clovers

Sympathy for the Devil - The Rolling Stones

Devil With the Blue Dress On - Mitch Ryder - keeps those toes a-tapping

Headless Horseman - Kay Starr - tells the story of the Headless Horseman in a cheery sort of way

Little Demon - Screamin' Jay Hawkins- a fun 50's rock-sounding tune

Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical

Howl - Florence + The Machine

I Put a Spell On You - From "Hocus Pocus" soundtrack, or Nina Simone, and the cover by She & Him is particularly haunting

Howlin' for You - The Black Keys - we've been using this for across the floor combinations in my jazz classes this week - works good for turns and battements

Strange and Beautiful (I'll Put a Spell on You) - Aqualung - a melancholy melody in 3/4 time

Other Fun Songs

Dinner With Drac, Pt 1 - John Zacherle

What's A Girl To Do - Bat For Lashes - basically the plot to Twilight summed up in a song

Grim Grinning Ghosts Remix - (link opens to YouTube - couldn't find a link) could maybe use this for hip hop?

And of course, you have to add The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?) - Ylvis just for fun!

Looking for more ideas?

Pumpkin-inspired creative movement and our Halloween playlist from 2011.

Happy New Year 2013!

Happy 2013!   I hope everyone had a great break!

Over Christmas break, my husband and I moved into our new house.. and have been living without internet (or cable or phone) for the past two weeks... #darkages

While it was nice to have some time to focus on other things without the distraction of screens, our internet-less world was starting to drive us nuts!  I felt like I was back in school, going to the library to use the wifi...

Anyway - the start of the New Year is always a great time to look back at last year, look forward to the new year and set some goals.  Last year, I shared my favorite way to set goals for my business and blog.  The biggest problem is that we don't always keep those resolutions or even think about them after we make them in January.

Did you set goals for 2013?  

It turns out writing them down might be the first step to achieving them!  Check out this infographic from onlineeducation.net about setting goals (click to make bigger) and keeping them:

 

Did you have a nice break?  Did you get the plague like all of my students (and I) did?

Do you make New Year's Resolutions?  How do you keep them?  Tell me in the comments!

Our Elf: Izzy!

When I read Maria's post asking her readers about their elves, I knew I had to share!

Our studio Elf on the Shelf, Izzy, has made a lot of friends at dance school!

First we got an official letter from Santa telling us why our elf was so special:

Like the Santa stationary?  I got it from here

Then Izzy lit up our dance studio with some lights, which put everyone in a festive mood!

Izzy showed off her split skills at the Split Wall.

She even signed her name!

And then got into the sticker supply....

Christmas colors of course...

And made herself a tutu out of tulle...

Izzy, I don't think that's what the measuring tapes are meant for!

I guess she decided the kids were behaving and decided to watch the parents in the waiting room instead... :)

I don't know what she'll do next!

I enjoy sharing Izzy's adventures on our studio Facebook page and Instagram so everyone can see what she's been up to!

Do you have an Elf at your school or home?  Is he or she mischievous or well-behaved? Share in the comments!

Holiday Playlist Update

Our 'happy elf' at the studio!

Does your holiday playlist need some updating?

Here are a few songs that you can add into the usual rotation to spice things up a bit this year (links open in iTunes):

Jazzy Tunes

The Happy Elf - Harry Connick Jr.

Cool Yule - Louis Armstrong

I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (Stuhr Remix) - Kay Starr

(Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man With the Bag - Kay Starr

A Little More Mellow

The Christmas Waltz - She & Him

Christmas Lights - Coldplay

Snowfall - Ingrid Michaelson

Somewhere In My Memory - Home Alone Soundtrack (I actually recommend the entire Home Alone Soundtrack by John Williams for some fun music that has a Christmas-y feel to it - I especially love the track "Holiday Flight"")

And a few more...

Hurry Home - The Good Lovelies

Bring Me Love - Marie Digby

Last Christmas - Taylor Swift

March of the Toys (Instrumental Version) -

From 2011:  Holiday Music Round-up
From 2010:  NMM: Holiday Music

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!  The Dance Buzz and hubby traveled to Western New York for the holiday to visit Mr. Dance Buzz's family.

I can't believe how quickly the end of 2011 is rapidly approaching... I spent the day at the studio preparing recital costume orders, gathering up lost and found items to donate and rehearsing some of our performance team kids who came in over break.  Trying to tie up some loose ends before we begin the start of our busy season filled with competitions and recital preparations.


TOP DANCE BLOGS 2011
Thank you for everyone who commented on our 2011 entry into Top Dance Blogs - we didn't make the finals for Top 20.. but go on over to Dance Advantage to vote for the blogs who did!  I'm excited to find some new blogs to add to my blog reader.

If you want my advice (and why wouldn't you?), The Dance Buzz's favorite blogs on the list are Maria's Movers and Adult Beginner.  If you don't know who to vote for, I recommend one of these blogs!  But don't take my word for it, check 'em out!

SURPRISE COMING SOON... GET READY!
I have somewhat of a surprise for other bloggers to be revealed this week that I hope will inspire some dance bloggers to participate!  Sorry, can't tell you now... you'll have to check back later this week.

Think of it as a virtual Christmas / New Year's present to you from me :)

Monthly Recap

Are you on Pinterest yet?  If you were, you wouldn't have
missed this awesome picture!

Yes I am aware that monthly re-cap would make more sense at the end of the month, but its been a busy month! And at the end of the month we have to have yearly recaps... so here is December's (a bit early) recap.

What You Missed From The Dance Buzz

• Vote for us for Dance Blog 2011!
• Dance pinspiration over at my pinterest page
• Things I tweeted
• Dance Teacher Survival Kit gift idea
• Tons of music inspiration (holiday, license-free music, new music mondays)
• Blank Wall Makeover

Dance Happenings Around The Internet

• I am so excited about the Jacob's Pillow "KNOW DANCE" project inspired by the Never Stand Still dance documentary (directed by Ron Honsa). You can participate by creating a response by answering this question in a video: "what do YOU want people to know about dance"!  I can't wait to see people's responses and would like to involve my students in creating a response of our own.
• Economics behind the Nutcracker
• Top Dance Stories from my dance blog friends at Twitter
• Stephen Colbert features (and participates) in the Nutcracker:

And if this doesn't spread some holiday cheer, I don't know what will...

And did I mention, vote for us for Dance Blog 2011!?

Oh, I did?  Well then, why haven't you voted yet!   Tuesday is the last day for comment voting for Round #1

Holiday Gift Idea: Teacher Survival Kit!

Need a fun and unique gift for your dance teacher? Create a "Dance Teacher Survival Kit"!  Make a list of items your dance teacher likes and create individual baskets for each teacher.  Stick it all in a cute basket or bin and wrap it up in a nice bow and you are set to go!  Since you're customizing it, you can spend as much or as little as you'd like.

Practical Gifts To Include:

• Hair ties or bobby pins if she has long hair
• Aspirin
• Mini-sewing kit
• Small screwdriver if he or she is a tap teacher
• Small massager tool (for sore muscles or feet)
• Foot lotion or bath salts (although I'm guessing she already has a closet-full)
• Pack of stickers (if they use stickers in class)

Funny Gifts To Include (you will need to add an explanation for each one):

• A marble... for when you've lost yours
• String / paperclip... to keep it all together
• Sponge... to help clean dances
• Rubber band.. to keep you flexible
• Lifesavers... because you are one!
• Stars (could be Starbursts, or an ornament)... you inspire your students to reach for the stars!
• Candle... you light up people's lives

More ideas like this from Angel's Corner

Other Gifts

• iTunes gift card
• Bottle of wine (for after a long night of teaching!)
• Gift card to his or her favorite restaurant (or to the coffee shop/sandwich shop nearby the studio)
• Christmas ornament
• Cookies or chocolate
• Gum or mints

Share your own ideas: leave a comment!

Looking for more gift ideas?  Check out our ideas from last year.
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And there's only a few days left to VOTE FOR US for Top Dance Blog of 2011 by commenting on the post (click this link). Thank you!

NMM: Holiday Music Round-Up

 If you enjoy this post, take a moment to VOTE FOR US for Top Dance Blog of 2011 by commenting on the post (click this link). Thank you!
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My students performing "Winter Song" (2010)

I started writing a post about holiday music, but I realized:

1. I did that last year and I still use the songs on the list.

2.  Other dance bloggers also have some great suggestions.

3. It's not Monday, so I guess this isn't a "New Music Monday".

So instead, I'm pointing you in the direction of some already awesome posts about holiday music! Ok, so one of them is my own post, so technically I just called myself awesome.. but let's let it slide, ok? 'Tis the season!

• The Dance Buzz Holiday Music - Full albums and individual track recommendations

• Dance Advantage: Nutcracker... With a Twist
• Dance Advantage: Holiday Head Start (scroll down for music recommendations)

• Dance.net:  Christmas Music to Highland To
• Dance.net:  Holiday Show Music 

And because I can't resist, here are a few more "winter" and holiday tracks to keep your playlists updated!

New Music Monday: Halloween Playlist

Tired of the playing the Kidz Bop version of "The Monster Mash"* or "Who Let The Ghosts Out"* for your halloween class yet?  Here's a fresh group of creepy and spooky songs just in time for the spooky season!

* Here's the link to that album in case you're not tired of it!


PRESCHOOLERS
Boogie Monster - Recess Monkey - your kids won't be able to sit still when this song starts playing
Harry's Haunted Halloween Circus - Ralph's World
Looking for Dracula - Charlotte Diamond
Dressing Up - The Wiggles

Happy National Tap Dance Day!

May 25th is International Tap Dance Day - get out there and celebrate!


Some great tap dance sites:
International Tap Association
The Tap Dance Blog
History of Tap
The Tap Source

Holiday Craft: Personalized Ornaments

I wanted to share a gift I made for my youngest students (ages 5-7) that was easy and fast to make...and it was cheap!

24 Shatter-proof Ornaments - $3.50
Permanent Paint Marker - $2.00
Spray Glitter - $2.99
Ribbon or pipe cleaners - $1.99
Cost per student: Around $0.40

If you have more students, the cost per student only goes down because the paint makers and glitter will be able to be used again.  I already had the silver paint marker, spray glitter and leftover pipe cleaners so my only cost was the ornaments - and my students were so excited to see their name on an ornament and moms were appreciative that they weren't getting a sugar-high before dinner.

'Tis The Season

Ever wanted to know how to create a giant, paper mache nutcracker?

Kathy Barbro has the answer: www.artprojectsforkids.org...

New Music Mondays: Holiday Music!

Sick of playing 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy' for your classes each December?

Here are some fun holiday albums to keep your spirits high!

Boogie Woogie Christmas - The Brian Setzer Orchestra
These tunes will keep your feet tapping along to holiday favorites.
Standout Songs: "Sleigh Ride" and "Jingle Bells" are great up-tempo songs, "Winter Wonderland" is medium tempo, and the "Nutcracker Suite" would be great as a large production number!

Merry Mixmas - Classics Remixed
An eclectic mix of classic songs performed by classic singers (Ella Fitzgerald, manipulated to have a new beat!
Standout Songs: The latin-styled "Rudolph The Rednose Reindeer (Malibu Mix)", Psapp's updated quirky version of "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm", and the jingly classic "Sleigh Ride (Ralph Myerz Remix)".

Now! That's What I Call Music Christmas 4
Great for tweens and teens - but you will need to listen to they lyrics on a few of these tracks.
Standout Songs: Sheryl Crow's "Merry Christmas Baby", "What Child is This" by Carrie Underwood and Sean Kingston's "Drummer Boy"

Joy To The World - Pink Martini
Many unique takes on the traditional favorites - this album is self-labeled as 'globally minded' and it deservingly so. Unique beats, it offers a lounge-feel without the yawns. Would be great for a modern class.
Standout Songs: "Schedryk" (their take on Carol of the Bells), "Little Drummer Boy", the fun tango-feeling "Ocho Kandelikas" and the celebratory "Auld Lang Syne".

Christmas With The Puppini Sisters
The Puppini Sisters with their three-part harmonies are this generation's Andrews Sisters. A great idea for swing classes.
Standout Songs: "Mele Kalikimaha", the swingy "Step Into Christmas" and "All I Want for Christmas"

Single Tracks
Mistletoe - Colbie Caillat
Boots - Killers
Santa Claus Is Comin to Town - Jackson 5
Last Christmas - Ashley Tisdale
Do You Hear What I Hear - Kristina DeBarge

Happy Holidays!