Just Married...

Please excuse the brief hiatus... I was off tying the knot!

Now it is "back to reality"... dance school opens in four weeks - look for many new posts for fall!

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

SOBuzz: GetListed.org

A follow up on our online Dance Directory post...

Check out getlisted.org to see which of the major search engines you are and aren't listed to make sure your studio and business is out there!

And if you're not listed... well... get to it!

Recital Crunch Time!

To all my N. American studio owners and dance teachers... are you ready for recital yet?  At my studio, the recital is four weeks away!  Some of my dances are ready, others... ehhh it will be interesting to see how they pull together. 

How do you stay organized for the big day?

Here is my quick list for what I prepare as a teacher:

• I type up all of my baby dances to have them on hand.  Why is it that the simplest dances are the easiest to forget?
• A list of all of my students for each class as well as their line-up if they are too young to remember where they stand.
• My 'backstage kit': filled with bobby pins, safety pins, shout wipes, band-aids, extra makeup and a little sewing kit
• Extra props, headpieces, tights and accessories
• Gifts for my assistant teachers
• A comfortable outfit for setting up and then a dress to change into for the show
• A back up CD of my music
• Snacks and lots of water (and usually a large coffee in the morning)
• My camera!

I am sure I am forgetting some things...

What do you pack when getting ready for recital day?

Link Love: Exercises to Target the Core

Great articles and sites for building core strength!  I will definitely be adding some of these exercises to my teen and tween jazz classes (and my own personal workouts).

4 Great Core Exercises:  Click on the title of each exercise to see a video demonstration.

Max Capacity Training: Designed for body builders, this site has a bunch of great exercises for strengthening your core (and arms.. and legs...).  There are 12 exercises per week and exercises change every three weeks, so click on Weeks 1, 4, 7 and 10 to see all the exercises.