How to know if your dancer is ready for a competitive dance experience

At Legacy Dance Project, we have three different programs... 

The Petite Program for 3 and 4 year olds to introduce newbies to the world of dance.  Our Sweet Petite Program consists of Tiny Tumble, Petite Ballet, and Petite Tap.  It's a fast growing program... so much so that we've created two Petite Ballet classes and all our Petite classes are quickly filling up. 

The second program is our Core Program.  This a structured program that is available to dancers with not as much previous dance training or would like to keep their dance experience on a more conservative side, taking 1-5 classes weekly.  Our core program is a wonderful foundation for any dancer between ages 5 and 18, wanting to gain more confidence and provides an avenue for dancers to explore their love of dance and performing. 

Our third program is our Concentrated Company Program.  This is a more intensive program that is designed for dancers ready to take their love for dance and transform that into a passion of the performing arts. Every Company Program is different at varying studios, so we encourage you to investigate what is required for the competitive company at each studio, to figure out which is best for you.  Our company classes are open to dancers 7 and up.  Really, once they can retain choreography and perform it without assistance, is when they are STARTING to be ready for company.  At Legacy, we require our company members to take technique classes during the summer to maintain their dance progress they have acquired during the regular season.  During the regular season, dancers are required to attend two technique classes during the week and attend choreography weekends, usually the 2nd weekend of each month to learn the choreography they will compete and perform.  They are also required to participate in other events like master classes with guest artists that are brought into the studio and will be required to be a part of Vet's Stories this year, a tribute to the veterans.  Ballet is not required, but HIGHLY encouraged of our dancers, as we have noticed those with ballet training progress to upper levels of companies quicker than those that do not enroll in ballet.  Also, ballet is the foundation of all dance, so if dancer's are serious about their dance education, than they should be enrolled in a ballet class.  We have 3 competitive teams this year... LDP Company (where dancers learn a lyrical/contemporary and jazz routine, with the possibly of a 3rd summer routine), LDP Tap (where dancers learn a tap routine), and the Goldsboro All-Star Dance Team (where they will learn hip hop, jazz, and pom routines to compete and perform around Goldsboro and Wayne County).  Each have their own set of placements/auditions attached to them. 

While many dancers have goals to be on a competitive team, it takes a lot and requires much commitment so I want to go through a checklist to see if your dancer is ready to join: 

• Is your dancer open to trying new styles of dance like jazz, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, modern, acro, hip hop, musical theatre and so on to help them become unicorns of dance?  Like a chameleon in all styles?
• Is your dancer ready for the lights, camera, and action of large crowds?
• Is your dancer eager to learn from other teachers on convention circuits? 
• Is your dancer motivated enough to practice, stretch, and work on their technique at home? 
• Is your dancer ready to be a team player?  To help other dancers, show up to mandatory rehearsals, and put in extra work for the sake of a team? 
• Does your dancer have the physical stamina, focus, and the attention span for long rehearsals with a lot of repetition? 
• Is your dancer ready to trust the process, hear a lot of corrections about their technique and ready to apply those corrections to help further their confidence?
• Is your dancer ready to be happy for the opportunity to dance, even when competition results don't go the way they'd like?
• Is your dancer ready to still push and be motivated when they are given a lot of praise and awards for their hard work?
• Is your dancer ready to go through a placement and/or audition process confidently where there is added pressure?  We do this so we know they are ready for the big competition stage. 
• Are you and your dancer ready for more hours at the studio?  It will often become their home away from home. 
• Are you and your dancer ready for more of a financial commitment?  Between extra costumes, competition fees, convention/workshop fees, and accessories and props, it begin to add up and if you aren't prepared for that, those given opportunities are often met with hostility instead of gratefulness. 

The attributes the performers gain from company are priceless! You'll find your dancer has more self-esteem, self-awareness, determination, perseverance, discipline, humbleness, and inspiration.  These kids often improve on study and time management skills.  It's an exciting program to be a part of but the dancers MUST be passionate about their classes and committed to their dance education.  

While, it may sound intimidating right now, I, the staff at Legacy, and the veteran competition parents, are here to help guide into this program so you can reap all the benefits.  

If you are interested in joining the Goldsboro All-Star Dance Team, you are invited to the interest meeting this Saturday at 4 at the studio and auditions that are this Sunday at 4.  You can rsvp here. 

If you are interested in joining the LDP Company, you are invited to interest meeting May 21st and placements May 22nd-24th.  You can rsvp here. 

If you are interested in joining the LDP Tap Company, you are invited to the Tap Placements in August.  You can rsvp here. 

Got questions? We got answers!  We can't wait to get started dancing with you!

Until next time,

Megan

LDP

The Story of the Studio

Hello there! Don't mind me... I'm just here with my right knee propped up on pillows, wrapped in a neon pink (uh, duh) sports bandage, icing my swollen joint.  No kidding, its the size of a softball.  Not attractive and it doesn't feel like rainbows either.  I don't do well when doctors say words like "rest" and "take it easy" and "stay off it".  Uh... okay.  But while I am just sitting here and can't dance, I figured I do something else I love... to write. 

I love my studio and I constantly have to work hard at it every single day.  Owning your own business is a monster yall... but it's a monster, I'll happily take on.  My #ldptribe pretty much knows about my story but I just wanted to let the readers of our blog know a little about it too.

I've danced my whole life and have taught about half my life now. Whew!  I love teaching the littles, the bigs, the in-betweens and sharing my knowledge and passion of dance with all.  I always knew I loved to dance.  I performed with my studio as a competition kid growing up and danced on my high school and college dance teams.  I graduated with a Dance Performance Degree from East Carolina University and have danced and performed in New York City, New Jersey, and across the nation.

I've been that struggling dancer in the back not getting a step and getting frustrated.  I have been the underdog having to fight my way to the front line.  I have been the dancer that took private lessons just to further my ballet education.  I was the one who loved hip hop and tap and suffered through my technique classes.  I have been so proud when I made the audition or tryout!  And I have also been so disappointed when I didn't get the gig or wasn't on the list.  I've been told "You're not flexible enough", "You were our first pick", "You need more ballet", "You've been accepted", "You're just not tall enough", and probably anything else from the good, to the bad, to the ugly.  And let me tell you, I feel it tenfold for my students.  I KNOW how hard they work and how bad they want to be successful because I've been there.  And now more than ever with my own little girly, twirly, twinkling tutu wearing toddler, I see dance in a whole new perspective.  It's fun, engaging, and empowering.  My hope for my daughter, like it is for all my students, is that dance brings her some joy, some confidence, and some salvation from a very cruel world that's hard to understand and to explain.

Before I started my own studio, I witnessed a wide array of situations in the industry:  Instructors playing favorites, studio owners lacking knowledge in this field, teachers giving exceptions to rules and regulations for particular students, and even teachers just not teaching or copying other choreographers' work.  It seemed weird to witness parents paying for dance  education (which we all know dance isn't a cheap after school activity) and seeing the end result.  It also seemed strange to see children and kids who loved to dance but were shoved to the back to be scenery just because they were on a different level, in terms of technique, than other dancers in their age/grade.  But was that fair?  I didn't think so.  So these little thought buds were planted in my brain and later they developed into policies at my own studio. Like how at Legacy we place children in levels, not necessarily classes corresponding with their age and grade... like how we stay motivated as educators with a syllabus, meetings, and still continuing our own education... like how we strive to keep class size small so every child gets to feel valued, appreciated, and progressing. 

Our students have gone on to do many wonderful things... I've had core dancers take the leap into the concentrated company program... I have former students that are now on university dance teams, dancing in collegiate programs and students that earn amazing awards like dance scholarships.  I even have some dancers that have aspirations to be teachers themselves.  MOST IMPORTANTLY, I hope my dancers gain a sense of appreciation for the art, understand everything worth having requires extremely hard work and intense focus, and go on to use the life lessons learned in dance to help them achieve whatever it is that they want.

It was a scary thing to have faith and believe I had something to offer to kids in Goldsboro.  I mean, let's face it...  I don't have family here... its just me and my husband and my little ballerina. I didn't get a business and/or studio handed down to me.  Nothing was already built up for me and there was nothing to build upon, as far as a reputation.  This is and still will be my ultimate underdog moment.  So I posed myself this question... When will I feel successful?  And honestly, I already do.  My terms of success may not be the same as other studio owners and that's okay.  I don't (won't) have 20+ students in a class, I don't (won't) put on 4 shows a year, and I don't (won't) focus on our trophies and medals.  If my students feel a boost in self-esteem, have enough confidence to go for their dance dreams, and becoming decent human beings that have a good work ethic behind them... then by all means, I'm successful... and so are they.

So that's my story in a nutshell.  I hope you can see my passion for dance runs deep and all I want is to share it with every dancer that walks through the doors.  I want to give inspired teachers a dance home where they too can keep expanding their desire for dance.  I want my students to feel proud at the fact that they worked hard no matter the end result because at least they'll be able to say "I came and I tried my very best". 

I hope your dancer will at some point get to experience the Legacy difference.  Summer at studio is great way to see what were all about it.  More summer info will be released very soon and we can't wait.  To make sure you are in the know with Legacy updates contact us here or like our Facebook page here.  We CAN'T WAIT to get started dancing with you.

Until next time...

Megan Hoyle

LDP

My Spiel about Ballet

Hmmm, let's see where should I start...

I've always had a love/hate relationship with ballet.  I remember loving it when everything came easily and sank into my brain quickly.  But I also remember hating it... would rather have banged my head against the wall than do one more combo at the barre that I just wasn't getting.  I think most people probably feel that way about anything that takes some time learning.

I went to the Boulder Jazz Dace Festival in Colorado and absolutely loved it because well, the emphasis was jazz, but in every class I realized I was lacking because I just hadn't been taken my ballet education seriously and I knew I needed a swift kick in the backside.  Back home, I spent hours in the studio and took privates with a ballet teacher to better prepare myself before the college audition/placements at ECU.

I went in that intimating, mirrored studio a little more confident because of my hard work and low-and-behold I placed into level III ballet... something I wasn't expecting to do.   I came out with a wide smile and even wider shoulders because I was proud of what I had accomplished.  Even still in collegiate ballet classes with Joe Carow and Galina Panova, I found ballet to be... mundane, rigid, very structured and... I came to love the feeling of it in my body.  I mean, I didn't love ballet, this I knew, but I found comfort in the routine of it all.  And I also knew all this labor would pay off in other dance classes.  I would have much rather been tapping, jazzing it up, or almost anything else than one more degage but I knew it was what I had to do.

I push ballet and technique so much because I want my students to know its the fast track to understanding dance better and pushing to the next level.  I don't expect prima ballerinas or principle dancers to walk out of my doors but I do want them to one day smile just as big of a smile as I did that audition day.  Remember, whatever you put in, you get back in return... even if it does seem dull, slow, or tedious.  One day you'll be shining, proud, and exciting to watch on stage.

And we're starting off on a great foot here at Legacy... our Petite Ballet class is currently closed as is our Ballet I class due to full enrollment.  There is still some space in Ballet II, Ballet III, and Pre-Pointe/Pointe.  And that's so exciting! To know were spreading the love of tutus, tendus, and technique to a younger generation of dancers.  If you are interested in joining any of those ballet classes or any other genre of dance, request our schedule here or call 919-738-3772.  Remember, this is the last week to join so get your requests in before the registration window closes for good this 2017 year!

Until next time,

Megan

LDP

Dress for Success

This girl is about to go shopping!  For some new dance clothes that is!  Because it's summer and NOBODY wants to be sweating up in the studio more than they have to.  I want to take a second to explain why Legacy and other studios have particular attire requirements. First of all, I require all my dancers to either be in a leotard, sports bra, or tight fitting tank with booty shorts, skirts, or leggings.  Loose fitting t-shirts and sweatpants have a place in hip hop class, but not so much for classes that require so much technique training.  And here's the reasons why:

1. To train dancers, you must be able to see body lines and see how a dancer's placement is affecting them while they are moving.  And loose fitting attire hinders that progression of training.  I can't tell you how many times I've reminded a student to straighten their knees when they were wearing loose fitting pants and I see that dancer get so frustrated.  When I ask them what's going on, they explain to me how they are trying so very, very hard to do what I'm asking them to do.  I tell them to roll up their pants so I can see their knees and do the exercise again... and lo and behold... there they are with their knees straight, but I simply couldn't see them because they were not in the proper attire.  That's only one example.  You wouldn't go swimming in your snow bibs right? Then why would you wear anything but dance attire to dance? 

2. When cleaning dances for competition, showcase, or any other performance, it's much easier to do when all the dancers are in proper dance attire.  Teachers and choreographers have a very trained and sensitive eye when it comes to dance.  I may get distracted by a dancer wearing a flowy white shirt in the right side of the formation and completely miss a dancer to the left with a timing mistake.  And if the dancer to the right is a habitual flowy-shirt wearer, it may take me a very long time to catch the left dancer's mistake... which helps no one in the end.

3. Fabric actually matters a lot too. Jeans are a huge no-no because you cannot move in any dance class when you wear jeans! So that means no plies, no stretching, no nothing.  And dance wear is specifically made with material to help the dancer move.  Some dance attire even has that cool wicking material... you know... that stuff that helps let the skin breathe even when you're sweating up a storm.  And that helps because dancers have more energy because they are not overheating and feeling exhausted. 

4. When you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, you'll dance good... err, I mean, you'll dance better than if you weren't properly dressed.  But if you decide to roll out of bed in your pj's and come to dance you are probably going to be tired and will be counting down the minutes before you can get back in bed.  Be ready and prepared to work.

5. Discipline.  It's what makes dance so beneficial.  In the petite preschool classes, we do exercises and drills over and over again.  In core classes, we talk about plies and tendus all the time.  In concentrated classes, repetition of dances and technique is imperative.  In any style of dance or age range, there is no shortage of the life lessons of perseverance, determination, and yes, discipline.  Doing the same thing over and over again may seem boring and monotonous but having a routine and structure for children is laying the foundation for success.  When children get old enough to pick out their own dance attire, they then have to remember to put them in their dance bag, to remember which dance shoes to take that day, and perhaps put it in the car before they leave for school because they will be going to the dance studio right after.  Everything from the warmups we do, to the exercises/drill we perform in class, to even our attire is all in the name of discipline and putting our best foot forward... always.   

Now with all that being said, we don't have a too terribly strict dress code at Legacy.  You can choose whatever color for your attire and can be as unique as you are.  I encourage dancers to have fun with their dance clothes because it just another extension of their personality.  Listed below are some of my favorite places where you can purchase dance attire pretty affordablely.  I've seen leotards well into the hundreds of dollars and I would purchase and use those only in performance aspects.  Children grow so fast so it only makes sense to get dance clothes as reasonable as possible.  Check these out below and let me know what all you purchase.

All About Dance

California Kisses

Dancewear Solutions

Discount Dance Supply

Jo and Jax  

Just for Kix

Purple Pixies

Sugar and Bruno

Until next time,

Megan

LDP

#dancelife is my life and it's awesome

It's my birthday! Waaahooo and I'll give you three guesses as to what I'll be doing at some point today... You'd be right if you said

1. Eating sushi

2. Catching up on some of my DVR shows

aaaand...

3. DANCING, TEACHING, AND CHOREOGRAPHING!

As far back as I can remember, I've looooved the #dancelife.  And for more reasons I can probably count.  As we grow, the things we hold near and dear to our hearts take on a new role or new meaning in our life.  Dance was fun and cool in the beginning then it was interesting and let me be self-expressive.  There were times when it was a challenge and inspiring but was always my most reliable outlet and tool.  Tool? Yes. I often say the most important lesson you learn when you are dedicated to dance isn't dance steps at all but rather they are life skills.  Here are the lessons I consider that the #dancelife has taught me:

1.  NO ONE CARES. haha. Inspiring right?  As a tween and teenager, I think there is a lot that your peers judge you on... your clothes, what brand they are, what you drive, what part of the neighborhood you live in, what your parents do for a living, so on and so forth.  I loved being in an activity where none of that really mattered.  My dance teacher never cared about those things nor did my dance mates.  And ultimately I learned whatever I considered a "disadvantage" in life didn't really have room to fit in my dance bag with me.  As I got older, I realized the ONLY things that were going to help me excel in dance (or whatever my personal goal is at the time) was my focus during my classes and leaving whatever drama I had going on elsewhere outside the studio.  I think that can be applied everyday.  Most of the things we complain about or let ruin our day don't have a whole lot of merit in the big picture of things.

2. IF IT'S WORTH DOING... DO IT BIG.  There was many times in my life when I was lukewarm about something.  Sorta' there, sorta not.  A tale as old as time with any tweenager right?  But as a dancer, once I realized, "Ok, this is what I want", nothing or nobody could stop me.  I was determined to win convention scholarships.  Did I receive them all? No.  Did I get some? Yes.  I was determined to place in overalls with my solos.  Did that happen every competition? No.  Did it happen sometimes? Yes.  I was determined to dance on the ECU Dance Team and Major in Dance Performance.  Was it easy? Never. Was it worth it? Definitely.  My point is this... I applied the "go big or go home" aspect in all areas in my life and as an adult I landed jobs more, reached goals, and use my time wisely.  And I always find even if things didn't work out my way, the work I put in was awesome.  I learned something.  I was better prepared for my next goal.  I learned how to humbly accept defeat and graciously accept earned rewards. 

3. BEING FLEXIBLE.  Ok, not what you think.  Metaphorically speaking, I think dancers are the most flexible, pliable people ever.  To live out the dream to perform on stage is a wonderful one but it's not always smooth sailing.   There are have been times when I was staring a a 12 by 12 platform stage trying to figure out how this was going to work.  There have been times when the power has went out in the middle of a performance but the show must go on so it did.  There were times when the music didn't start till 3 counts of 8 into a song and yet everything went off without a hitch.  I remember finishing school projects in the nick of time because I had been at dance all week.  Dance helps you think fast on your toes (the pun is intended haha).  And as a dance instructor, I think I make more split decisions to benefit a child's dance experience and education than a brain surgeon.  Ok that might be an exaggeration.

4. IT'S OK TO GET MAD.  Do it.  Get mad.  Get mad with yourself for not being able to do a move.  Get mad that you had wanted to be in the front and center but instead you are in the back corner (been there, done that!)  Get mad!  Then use that as motivation, not a crutch.  My students always know what I ask them when they get off stage and I can always tell on their face if they are happy with their performance.  Case Study #211 haha.  I have a student that is a beautiful dancer... elegant, poised, always keeps her cool... At the first competition of last year, she wasn't up to par.  And she knew it.  Her turns were wobbly, her tricks weren't on solid ground, and half way through I could see it in her confidence that she had thrown in the towel.  After she took her halfhearted bow she went off stage, eyes glaring at the floor, walked right past me and I knew to just leave her alone.  She was beyond mad.  She was disappointed in herself because she knew what she was really capable of doing.  She came back dressed in her 2nd costume for her tap solo.  I asked if she was ok and she responded with a quick and sharp yea.  I then asked "Are you mad?".  She then said "YES, I am mad.  Did you see that? Ugh" with such disgust.  I said "Then use that! Go and redeem yourself".  She was 2nd overall with her tap solo.  And you best bet if she ever felt like that after a test, a breakup, or any disappointing situation... she will pick herself up with the same gumption and remember that feeling.

5. DOING WHAT YOU LOVE, DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN YOU'LL LOVE DOING IT.  Say wha? Do me a favor and ask your dancer, "Raise your hand if you like ballet class?".  Did you see how that hand never moved? haha As a dance instructor, I am always going to say that ballet is the foundation of all dance and that will help you grow as a dancer 10 fold.  As a dance studio owner, do I like doing the books?  Nope.  But I do it because it helps me do what I love!  I love my 2 year old to the moon and back.  Do I like it when she's throwing a fit in the middle of the grocery store because she can't eat cookies right then.  Nope.  I hear a lot of dancers moan and groan at the aspect of improv, or ballet, or core work, or floor work, or partnering work (do you see a pattern of work being a key word haha) but I'm here to tell you, you don't have to like what you are doing right now, just do it, because I promise it will help you to do what you love later.  Enjoy it.

I hope you've enjoyed this read and let me know what #dancelifelessons have stuck with you. 

Until next time

Megan

PS just for fun... this was our first mannequin challenge at the studio...