Performance Pinspiration

In honor of May's Blog Challenge, Performance Pics, I scavenged Pinterest for some great pictures that made me think of those exciting minutes leading up to a great performance!

Check out these photos and follow me on Pinterest while you're at it!

Hair and make-up first...

Source: Pinterest

Russian State Ballet - Photo by: Helen Maybanks Photography

Warm-up before the show

Russian State Ballet - Photo by: Helen Maybanks Photography

Peeking to see if your special audience member arrived yet:

Azra Šahinović Photography

Photo by Natalie Frigo

The busy dressing room, everyone rushing to make sure everything is perfect.

Source: Tumblr

Finding your way backstage, calming your nerves and getting ready for the show to start. 

Source: Pinterest

One more run-through before going on stage...

Source: Tumblr

Waiting for the cue..

Source: Tumblr

 Follow The Dance Buzz on Pinterest for more awesome dance photos!

Do you have a pre-performance ritual or a favorite part of the performance?  Share below in the comments!

10 Hair & Make-Up Tutorials For Recital

Recital season is upon us in the US, and with it comes lots of parents and kids who have never done stage hair or make-up before!  I used to do demonstrations for some of my classes, but it is difficult to find the time when everyone is available, so I have switched to emailing YouTube links.  My students' parents love it when I point them to a YouTube tutorial - and I have learned a few tricks myself!

Here are some of my favorite tutorials for applying stage make-up and doing hair.  And be sure to share your favorite tips and tricks in the comments!

MAKE-UP TUTORIALS
For older students:
  (JAM Cosmetics)


For children:
  (JAM Cosmetics)

From start to finish w/little explanation, just her applying make-up:


More specific tutorials

• Stage Make-up for Male Dancers (in my opinion, a little too detailed for my pre-teen guys, but great for my older competition male dancers)
• Foundation and Blush by Fit For a Feast
• False Eyelashes by Kandee Johnson
• Applying Mascara on Children

Dance Imagery, Illustrated

Finally got around to posting this for the April Challenge - favorite Dance Imagery!

I was reading Moira's response to the challenge about Irish Dance imagery (or lack thereof) and realized that all of my imagery happens when I teach modern, jazz or ballet... not too much in tap class.  I am going to pay attention in the next few months and see if I can't come up with some tap imagery.

In the meantime, here are my favorite images, which all happen to be in ballet.  Probably because my youngest students are my ballet class and I try to use a lot of imagery to help concepts stay in their minds and bodies.  Enjoy... and please don't laugh too much at my drawing skillz :)

Balloons on the ears!

Balloons tied to your ears:  To keep necks long, and ankles, knees, hips and shoulders over toes in releve, I ask my students to pretend they have balloons tied to their ears to keep them lifted up.

May Blog Challenge: Performance Pics

Many of us are getting ready for their recitals or spring performances this time of year.  The weeks leading up to the big performance are exciting and stressful, but are worth it in the end.  For studio owners and teachers, you may be wishing it was over sooner -- check out our mantras for surviving recital season.

To keep things stress-free, this month's challenge is easy peasy... it's a photo challenge! Share a picture that relates to a dance performance--it can be part of the preparation, dress rehearsal, backstage, final performance... it's up to you!

Share one, three or a hundred photos!

Blog Participants
Irish Dance Recital Pics from Rince Go Bragh
Performance Pinspiration (TDB)
Irish Dance Recital from Moira

Post a your dance photo(s) on your blog, and then come back here and leave a comment with a link to your post so we can all share!

Don't have a blog? You can still participate!  Just leave a comment below with a link to your picture, or post your picture on our Facebook wall.

Click here to see past blog challenges.

Mantras for Recital Season

Sometimes recital season makes studio owners and teachers want to pull their hair out!  Here is a list of mantras to keep you going, keep you positive, or make you smile, even through the most stressful days.

I think I can, I think I can!

It's almost over... It's almost over...

Tutus... sequins... and glitter... OH MY!

One step at a time.

When in doubt, fade the music.

Dress the part.  Act the part. 

No words, just the sound of a cork *popping* out of a wine bottle in X weeks...

When in doubt, just take the next step.

Keep your head up.

No one reads handouts or signs.  Just accept it.

You can do it!

Keep calm and carry on.

No matter how good or bad the current situation is, it will change.

GAHHHHHHHHHHH!

Hairspray, duct tape and safety pins will fix anything.

It's not brain surgery, it's dance.

I am strong. I am awesome. I will succeed.

Best wishes for your recital this year!
~ Cait