Cha Cha Slide

The Cha Cha slide is a fun dance that children and adults both enjoy!  If you're looking for a way to get moving this weekend, but don't want to get out in the rain, why not put on this delightful song and have fun with your kiddos!

Dance "Art"

We thought it would be nice to show you famous art inspired by dance.  Here are just a few wonderful pieces from the mater Edgar Degas:

Three Ballet Dancers

Blue Dancers

The Dance Class

If you do a search for dance images by Edgar Degas you will find many more beautiful pieces of art!

How to Stretch for Greater Flexibility

One goal of most dancers is to increase their flexibility.  Being limber helps a dancer to avoid injury and also allows them to accomplish more technical moves.  Being more flexible allows a dancer to kick higher, touch their toes in a toe touch, do the splits, and many more moves. 

So how does a dancer increase their flexibility?  In order for the muscle to lengthen, a dancer must hold their stretch for 30 seconds to 1 minute.  Pulsing a stretch, or bouncing in a stretch may be fun to do, but it actually teaches the muscle to contract and decreases flexibility.  When a dancer holds a stretch they should remain still like a statue.  Holding a stretch for less than 30 seconds will not lengthen the muscle, so make sure to watch the clock while you're stretching.

Frequency will also help you increase flexibility.  Finding 8-10 minutes a day to stretch can have a huge effect on your flexibility.  Stretching while watching T.V. is a great way to relax and lengthen your muscles at the same time.

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

With the holiday season approaching, you can't really think of dance without thinking of, The Nutcracker.  The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, music by Tchaikovsky, is one of the most beloved by young dancers.  Here is a great new variation on a classic piece.  We're sure your dancer will enjoy dancing around to this brilliant piece of music.

New: Drop Off Creative Arts Program for 3-5 Year Olds!

Dance Arts is excited to tell you about a new program we will be offering, beginning in January 2012!  Our new program is a Creative Arts Drop Off Program.  Each uniquely designed class includes instruction in dance, drama, music and art.  The 2.5 hour program consists of a 45 minute dance class, paired with 30 minutes of drama, music and art instruction.  This is a great way to get in several extra curricular activities in one convenient place, for an affordable price.  Best of all, you get to run errands, or get things done at home while your child is having fun! 

For currently enrolled Dance Arts students the 2.5 hour program is only $75.00/month.  If your child is not enrolled in classes, the program is $100.00/month. 

Beginning in January, the Creative Arts Drop Off Program will be offered on Tuesdays from 9:45 am to 12:15 pm.  The program is for ages 3-5, and children must be potty trained.  We will additionally provide a light snack during the class. 

First month’s tuition is due to reserve your space.  Space is very limited, so be sure to save your space soon!  You can contact us through phone, email or in person to save your space.  Feel free to share this information on your Facebook page to help us get word out about this amazing new program!

Walking Like a Dancer

One of the key elements to dancing is correct alignment.  When you see people who have danced for many years, you notice there is something different about the way they stand.  They keep their spine nice and long, their chin is lifted, their shoulders are rolled back.  Their posture looks strong and confident. 

It is important for us to teach correct posture and alignment from a young age to avoid forming bad habits.  Our modern life has us sitting much of the time, and slumping is at an all time high.  Good posture helps bring about a healthy spine, as well as a healthy attitude.  As many of you already know, bad posture and back problems that may develop are never fun. 

Here is a trick used in class at Dance Arts, to help young students develop the balance and grace when walking, of a dancer. 

Stand across the room from your child and place a small stuffed animal on your head. 

Walk across the room very slowly, trying to keep the stuffed animal balanced on your head. 

When you get to your child give them the stuffed animal and return to the other side of the room. 

Now it is your child's turn to walk the stuffed animal over to you.

The students had a great time with this activity.  We hope you enjoy it at home!

Support Northwest Harvest & Fusion this Saturday!

Warming up backstage!

Looking for a great family event to go to this weekend?  Look no further!  Dance Arts performing team, FUSION, will be performing at Rock Creek Elementary this Saturday, December 3rd at 6pm.  This is a benefit to raise food for Northwest Harvest.  Your admission?  Simply bring a canned food donation, and watch FUSION perform!

This is a great way to support the girls dancing and prepare them for competitions by providing an opportunity for them to perform in front of a crowd.  Both dancers and non dancers enjoy watching their friends perform, and young children (especially those that dance) are sure to be excited to watch the "big girls" dance! 

So bring your canned food donation to Rock Creek Elementary, this Saturday, December 3rd.  Show starts at 6pm! 

Rock Creek is located at:
25700 Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast
Maple Valley, WA

We'll see you there!