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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NMM: Jungle - Emma Louise

Today's New Music Monday tune is Jungle  by Australian singer  Emma Louise.  Enjoy!




I've been using the "TapeGun" remix below for my jazz and contemporary classes, which you can download here (for free!).  I like the intro of this remix and that it is a little faster than the original. We used it for a combination that only used the first minute or so. After the chorus it gets into the more "remixed" feeling and dubstep, which doesn't inspire my lyrical-leaning choreography, but you might like it!




Click here for all contemporary New Music Mondays

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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!

Music Monday: License-Free Alternatives

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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Our most popular post to date has been Dance Studio Music Licensing FAQ.  If you haven't checked it out, it's worth a read whether you're a studio owner or instructor - including the comments!

After seeing more comments pop up, I became interested in researching royalty-free music.  While there are not that many specifically for dance studios, I did come across some alternatives.

My favorite alternative for royalty-free class music is the use of live music!  However, when live musicians are not easily available (or affordable), you maybe looking for some options.

You will notice that the prices for license-free music is much higher than the 99 cent or $1.29 per track cost of licensed music.  Because license-free artists do not receive royalties, the prices are higher. Either way, here are the tracks which you can use in class or for performance without paying ASCAP, BMI or SESAC:

1) Lynn Stanford's Ballet CD collection - I love Lynn Stanford's ballet music - possibly because my ballet teachers used his CDs throughout my childhood and then again in college.

The only one available on iTunes is #8301 "More Music For Ballet Class" , but you can find the rest on danceclassmusic.com - The ballet music titles that are without license are: #8001, #8301, #8403, #8712, #9121, #9122 (prices range from $16.00-$30.00).

He also has Music for Modern Class ($26.00).

2011 Top Dance Blog - Please Vote!

It's that time of year again... the 2011 Top Dance Blogs Contest - held by Nichelle over at Dance Advantage!

Last year, I threw our hat in the ring more as an experiment to see if anyone was actually reading this blog - and I was pleasantly surprised by the number of responses! Ok, so it was only five comments, but five people is way more than I ever expected.

So let's see if we can beat that number this year--it's up to you!

If you enjoy reading this blog, VOTE for The Dance Buzz by leaving a comment below on this post. 

I am entering under Teacher Talk category since most of my posts are about teaching or would be useful for dance teachers (I hope).  I have a feeling this will be a tough category this year, but I am happy to just enter.  Thanks Nichelle for hosting this contest again! :)

Thank you for your support!  Comments are open until December 20.

~Cait