Blog Archives

Community Service Dance Team

9/29/2014

I'd like to take a minute to share something with you that I am particularly passionate about - our community service dance team. I think it is important to give back to your community and what better way than through dance? Last year, students of South Shore Dance Academy performed at a number of community events, including: Nutcracker variations at a holiday fair and at a nursing home, performing at Columbian Square, volunteering at a library, and helping with a Halloween 5k. This year, I'd like to give back even more!

It is free to join our community service dance team - there is no tuition or costume fee. All I ask is for your time and energy. If you would like more information about the community service dance team, please do not hesitate to contact me. We will have our first "rehearsal"/meeting on Friday, October 10th from 6:30-7:45. This team is open to all dancers, even those who are not SSDA students. Please spread the word and let's all give back through dance.

-Miss Sara

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Wedding choreography

9/17/2014

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In addition to offering regular classes for children and adults, we also offer wedding choreography here at South Shore Dance Academy. Over the past year, I have had the privilege of working with a number of couples and have helped them create their first dance as newlyweds. I've choreographed traditional waltzes, incorporated the occasional foxtrot, and have even choreographed some high energy jazz inspired routines for couples to wow their guests with!

Here is what to expect if you decide to come to South Shore Dance Academy for wedding choreography:

I usually will ask the couple to let me know their music selection by the day before our scheduled appointment. Once I know what song we'll be working with, I begin creating the choreography. Typically, I will teach the couple a handful of traditional ballroom steps (usually waltz and/or foxtrot). Many couples have expressed some anxiety around memorizing an entire routine, so what I have found to be helpful is to repeat the same combination of steps throughout the dance. Once the choreography is complete and the couple has attended their lesson, I always email a copy of the choreography that they have learned. This seems to be especially helpful when couples are practicing at home.

One of the couples I have worked with, performing their "dip!"

If you have attended South Shore Dance Academy for wedding choreography, I'd love to hear from you! And to anyone who is planning a wedding, please keep us in mind for your first dance!

-Miss Sara

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Tutorial Tuesday - No Sew Tutu

9/9/2014

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I don't know too many baby ballerinas (and sometimes even older ballerinas!) who don't love tutus. So for today's tutorial, I've decided to show you how you can make your own tutu! You'll only need a few materials:

ribbon or elastic
tulle
scissors

You can either use elastic or a ribbon for the waist band for your tutu. If you decide to use elastic, you'll need to measure the dancer's waist and then sew the elastic together to make a band. You don't need to worry about sewing the ribbon if that's what you decide to use - you can tie it in a bow instead.

Before you start, it's helpful to cut all of the tulle you'll be using. To figure out the length of the tulle, first you'll need to decide how long you want your tutu to be. Measure from the dancer's waist to wherever you'd like the tutu to end, then double that number (i.e. you want it to be 10 inches from the dancer's waist to the end, so you should cut 20 inch strips). Each tulle strip should be approximately 3 inches wide. Sometimes you can find tulle on a small roll (which is really convenient because you won't need to cut it into 3 inch wide pieces). For example:

After you've cut all of your tulle strips, it's ready to start your tutu. You want to fold one strip of tulle in half and loop a knot around your elastic or ribbon waistband. It looks like this:

Repeat this step with every piece of tulle, tightening your loops as you go.

If you're feeling particularly crafty, try adding different strips of fabric to your tutu. Or try different colors. Make it unique!
And that's it...your tutu is done! Hope to see some hand made tutus this year at the studio :)

-Miss Sara

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Dance Fusion Fitness!

9/8/2014

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Some of you may have noticed a new class listed on the schedule - Dance Fusion Fitness. So, I figured I'd tell you a little bit about the class and what to expect. A lot of moms have asked about adult dance classes, but have been apprehensive to sign up for an hour long class that focuses on just one dance style. Hence, dance fusion fitness has been created. This hour long class includes a variety of dance "styles," as well as some stretching, conditioning, and toning exercises. The class will consist of elements from ballet that help to develop long, lean muscles and some aerobic elements like you would expect in a jazz or hip hop class to help burn calories. The stretching and conditioning will focus on flexibility and strength. To simplify the idea, think of this class as a dance workout - it's not about technique necessarily, but it's about combining workout elements from various dance styles into one class. Come by and check it out some time!

Dance Fusion Fitness classes begin this Thursday, September 11th, from 6:30-7:30. The cost is $10 to drop in or you can purchase a 10-class card for only $75.

-Miss Sara

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Tutorial Tuesday - Proper Posture

9/2/2014

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Correct posture and alignment is essential for all dancers. It improves balance, coordination, and body control. Additionally, good posture gives the appearance of confidence and poise (for dancers and non-dancers). Poor posture, on the other hand, not only gives the impression of hesitation or doubt in oneself, but also is bad for your body.
Here are some tips for proper posture:

stand with your body weight towards the balls of your feet
make sure your body weight is distributed evenly between your feet
stand up tall, as if someone is pulling a string out of the top of your head
shoulders should remain square
lengthen your neck
display your collar bone (but be careful not to stick your ribs/chest out)
pull in your belly button toward your tailbone

Here are some pictures to help demonstrate:

-Miss Sara

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Community Service Dance Team

Wedding choreography

Tutorial Tuesday - No Sew Tutu

Dance Fusion Fitness!

Tutorial Tuesday - Proper Posture

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