December News
It's December, which of course means Steppin' Out is decked out in festive holiday greenery and snowflakes! You can expect to see nutcrackers, snowflake wands, and more appear in the studio as our students begin working on winter inspired choreography this month. We would like to invite parents to stay and watch our holiday routines during Observation Week: December 16-21.
Steppin' Out will take a break from our regular class schedule from December 23rd through January 5th, but our fall semester runs through the end of January so make sure to come back and dance with us after the holiday!
Spring class registration
Our spring semester, which culminates in a recital performed by all students, will run February 1st - May 31st. The spring class schedule will be the same as our fall offerings. Families who are currently enrolled in classes will be given priority registration during the period of December 30-January 5, so mark your calendars. We will open registration for all newsletter subscribers interested in available spots starting on January 6th. Please note, during the priority registration period, currently enrolled families should plan to register for the same class day, time and level they were enrolled in for fall.
An email with the priority registration link will be sent to currently enrolled families via the email address on your Activity Hero account. A registration link for all families will be included in our January 6th newsletter. Please note that if you are on a waitlist for a fall class, those waitlists will not rollover into spring, and you should plan to register as early as possible to secure a spot in our classes.
Register now for Winter Camp!
Kids ages 6-12 are invited to join us for Winter Camp at Steppin' Out! Our magical winter camp days are packed full of delightful age-appropriate activities and surprises: dance, arts & crafts, baking, theater games, unstructured play time at the park, and more. This year, camp will take place on 12/30, 12/31, 1/2, and 1/3. Space is limited—register now!
Holiday show recommendations
Mark Foehringer's Nutcracker Sweets is a wonderful performance that is truly accessible for all ages! Teacher Emily and 12 students from Steppin' Out will be performing in this 50-minute family favorite at the Cowell Theater in Fort Mason, December 7-22.
San Francisco Ballet's The Nutcracker is really special, but we recommend this performance for children over the age of 5 who can sit quietly without disturbing anyone for two hours. We recommend waiting until your dancer is at least 7 to attend this performance.
Smuin Contemporary Ballet does a yearly production of The Christmas Ballet (December 13-24) that has a lot of classical ballet, but also jazz, tap, and if you come on LGBTQ+ night, a drag performance. Smuin is generously offering the following discounts for dance students: Students 25 and under may purchase tickets for $25 in the Silver, Terrace, Bronze, and Pewter sections. Students can also use the code DANCER to save 40% on all seats (excluding Platinum Orchestra seating and weekend matinees).
Winter Camp registration is now open!
It was awesome to see all your fun costumes at the studio last week! Thanks to those who were able to make it to Observation Week and if you were unable to attend, don't worry, we have another Observation Week scheduled for next month. During November, our classes will continue to work on technique, form, and musicality learned in previous months while also diving deeper into details and picking up the pace. Teachers will also introduce new steps and combinations as the month progresses.
Please note that Steppin' Out will be closed on the following November holidays:
Monday 11/11 Veterans Day
11/25-12/1 Fall Recess (Thanksgiving)
Registration is now open for Winter Camp!
Kids ages 6-12 are invited to join us for Winter Camp at Steppin' Out! Our magical winter camp days are packed full of delightful age-appropriate activities and surprises: dance, arts & crafts, baking, theater games, unstructured play time at the park, and more. This year, camp will take place on 12/30, 12/31, 1/2, and 1/3. Space is limited—register now!
Promotion: Birthday parties at Steppin' Out
Are you worried it might rain on your child's birthday? Does the thought of 20 kids in your living room sound overwhelming? Host your child's birthday party at Steppin' Out! You can rent the studio and hire your own entertainer or, if you want to make it a dance themed party, one of our teachers will come teach a dance workshop for up to 20 kids. Take a look at our party rental information for more details.
Dance in the News: The Velveteen Rabbit
Catch ODC/Dance at YBCA November 30th-December 8th for their 38th anniversary of the beloved Bay Area holiday tradition, The Velveteen Rabbit. Based on the beloved classic children’s book by Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit brims with wit, festive costumes, madcap characters, and the perfect amount of holiday cheer! More info + tickets.
Movement of the month: Grand jeté
A grand jeté is sometimes referred to as a leap or split leap. In ballet technique, a jeté is any type of jump that takes off from one foot and lands on the other. What makes a grand jeté is the large split shape that your legs make in midair. At the studio, many of our younger dancers practice this move over the mud puddle or the blue pond that we place on the floor. If you're practicing at home, younger dancers should focus making sure their grand jeté goes from from one foot to the other, while our more advanced dancers should practice extending the legs in a split and pointing their feet while in the air!
Halloween, Observation Week, and other October news
October is here and the studio is decorated for the season! Students in many of our classes have begun learning Halloween choreography and will continue to work on it throughout the rest of the month. Come see what we've been working on in the studio during Observation Week, October 24-30.
October 24-30 is also costume week at the studio. We love celebrating Halloween by dressing up and we would love to see you in costume during class! You can wear your Halloween costume from this year, a previous year, or any other costume you might have at home. If you want to make sure it's something you can move around in, perhaps try an old recital costume.
Please note that Steppin' Out will be closed on October 31st, so you can go and enjoy Halloween night.
Promotion: FREE class for ages 4-6!
Come any Monday in October from 4:00-4:45 to our Creative Movement class for ages 4-6! We know that you're going to love it—come on by and have some fun! Teacher Emily has designed an awesome curriculum that incorporates structured activities but also leaves room for kids to explore and express their own individuality as movers.
Please help us spread the word about this opportunity to take a free class in October! Please consider sharing this promotional offer with friends and consider mentioning it on a parent or neighborhood listserv if you're on one. We know there are kids out there that could really benefit from being a part of this amazing class. To reserve your spot, email Angela with the date you'd like to come in and your student's name and age.
Dance in the News: See Teacher Claire perform
Catch Teacher Claire dancing onstage with RAWdance in their 20th Anniversary Home Season at ODC Theater, just around the block from Steppin' Out. Shows are October 24th-27th. More info + tickets.
Movement of the month: Wheelbarrow
Being born and raised in the city, I usually didn't see a lot of wheelbarrows around until October when we'd visit the pumpkin patch, so I love introducing wheelbarrows this time of year. To do the wheelbarrow exercise, start in a plank or push-up position with your feet on an elevated surface and your hands on the ground. From here, have a partner pick up your feet and hold them while you walk forward on your hands. As you travel forward, keep your back straight and hips low to most effectively work the muscles in your back, abdominals, arms, and wrists.
Fall classes start today!
Today officially marks the beginning of our fall semester! If you are a returning student, welcome back and if you are new to the studio, we can't wait to meet you!
All enrolled students were sent a welcome email with information about studio policies, student drop off, dress code, and recommendations for where to purchase dance wear and shoes. You can revisit much of this information on our studio policies webpage. One thing we'd like to draw your attention to is the requirement that all students must have their hair secured up and out of the face before class begins.
While many of our fall classes are already at capacity, some still have open spots. If you're thinking about joining any of our classes, you should register as soon as possible. If the class you're interested in is full, please join the waitlist. We tend to do a bit of rearranging in the first few weeks of class and there is a chance we'll be able to let you in eventually.
We want to highlight the two classes below because they each have a few spots still available. This means it's not too late to sign up AND there's enough room for you to sign up with a friend or sibling!
Open Level Creative Movement for ages 4-6
Mondays, 4:00-4:45, with Teacher Emily
Creative Movement is an imaginative and play-based dance class encouraging dancers to enjoy creative exploration and physical exercise. This class is for both new and returning dancers, and is designed to prepare students for a variety of techniques as they grow older.
Beginning IV Tap/Ballet for ages 7+
Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00, with Teachers Angela and Claire
This class is a great fit for an older student who hasn't danced before OR a 7-year-old who has some previous dance experience. This class features our two most popular dance styles, incorporating complex ballet and tap vocabulary that lead into longer combinations and rhythmic expression.
Promotion: free trial classes for new students age 12+
If you are a dancer age 12+ but are new to Steppin' Out, you're invited to try one FREE class any week in September. The classes that qualify for this promotion are the following Intermediate and Advanced teen classes:
Intermediate IV Ballet/Jazz Age 12+
Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30, with Teachers Erin Coyne and Claire Fisher-MendezAdvanced Teen Ballet/Modern Jazz Ages 14+
Wednesdays, 6:00-7:30, with Teachers Erin Coyne and Claire Fisher-MendezAdvanced Modern Jazz Age 14+
Saturdays, 12:30-1:30, with Teacher Erin Coyne
Please note that dancers are expected to have some dance experience already in order to join these classes. Email Angela with your student's name, age, and the class you are interested in to reserve a spot.
What to expect during the first week of classes
We realize that not everyone will have the required dance shoes by the first class and we want to assure that's fine. You will eventually need the proper shoes required for the style of dance you are enrolled in. Before you buy new, check out our shoe bin—we have over 60 pairs of used shoes to choose from and if you find a pair that fits, you can keep them for free!
Parents are welcome to stay and watch the first class of the semester, but please remember that after this week, we have a drop off policy for students ages 6 and older. Please note that we have two designated parent observation weeks during the fall semester: October 24-30 and December 15-20.
Quick tip: pack a dance bag
We understand that many of our students are coming to dance class right after school and just getting out the door in the morning can sometimes feel like a whirlwind. We recommend having have a designated dance bag that is packed and ready to go each week. It should include:
dance shoes
dance attire, including a lightweight long sleeve if it's cold that day
water bottle
supplies for securing the hair up and out of the face
Last year, Steppin' Out went through a record-breaking number of hair ties! It is our policy that every dancer come to class with their hair pulled back and out of their face. We keep our front desk stocked with hair ties in case yours breaks or you accidentally forget one, but please note that it's is ultimately your responsibility to have your own hair supplies.
Dance in the news: Film Crawl on Mission
The SF Dance Film Festival and Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema are partnering to bring a wonderful FREE program to the neighborhood this Thursday, September 5th. The 45-minute program includes 5 different short films, all unique and lovely in their own way! More information.
Fall registration is now open!
Fall class registration is now open! Check out our fall class schedule and when you're ready, head over to our registration page. We expect classes will fill up very quickly, so register as soon as you can to secure your preferred class(es).
If you are interested in joining a class but it's full by the time you go to register, make sure to join the waitlist. Students sometimes shift around during the first few weeks of classes and openings often occur. If a spot becomes available we will invite students from the waitlist and prorate the tuition accordingly. We also use these waitlist to determine class interest and, when possible, will open new classes to accommodate demand.
Our fall semester begins on September 3rd, the day after Labor Day, and will run through the end of January, 2025.
If you are a family that is new to Steppin' Out and you'd like to join one of our classes, take a look at our class selection guidelines to find a good fit for your dancer given their age and dance experience. If you need help choosing a class, email Angela.
Class highlight: Contemporary + Jazz
Contemporary and jazz continue to grow in popularity at Steppin' Out, and we're excited to announce that we are adding new offerings this year to keep up with demand. Erin's Open Level Jazz and Emily's Open Level Contemporary classes have been a huge success, so we are expanding our offerings this semester:
Open Level Creative Movement for ages 4-6
Mondays, 4:00-4:45, with Teacher EmilyOpen Level Contemporary age 7+
Mondays, 4:45-5:45, with Teacher EmilyOpen Level Jazz age 8+
Fridays, 5:00-6:00, with Teacher Erin
Read more about each of these classes on our class schedule page.
Promotion: free trial classes for new students age 12+
If you are a dancer age 12+ but are new to Steppin' Out, you're invited to try one FREE class any week in September. The classes that qualify for this promotion are the following Intermediate and Advanced teen classes:
Intermediate IV Ballet/Jazz Age 12+
Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30, with Teachers Erin Coyne and Claire Fisher-MendezAdvanced Teen Ballet/Modern Jazz Ages 14+
Wednesdays, 6:00-7:30, with Teachers Erin Coyne and Claire Fisher-MendezAdvanced Modern Jazz Age 14+
Saturdays, 12:30-1:30, with Teacher Erin Coyne
Please note that dancers are expected to have some dance experience already in order to join these classes. Email Angela with your student's name, age, and the class you are interested in to reserve a spot.
Welcome Teacher Maya!
We are excited to welcome Maya Mohsin to our Saturday morning teaching staff this year!
Maya is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher based in Oakland, CA. In 2022, they received their BFA in Dance from Dominican University Of California with the Alonzo King Lines Ballet BFA program, along with a minor in Community Action and Social Change. During her time in university, Maya performed works by Christian Burns, Gregory Dawson, Carmen Rosenstraten, Nick Korkos, Sidra Bell, and Dexandro Montalvo. Since graduating, Maya has danced for Jocelyn Reyes for REYES Dance, Roseann Baker, Andrea Salzar, Jennifer Perfilio Movement Works, Addie Norman and Erin Coyne. In 2023, Maya was a choreographic resident with Bahiya Movement for their QueerSpace Believe In Self program. In 2022, they received the Give Em’ Hope Award from the SF Gay Men’s Chorus. Maya has been a dance teacher since 2016 and has taught at various schools around the Bay Area. Along with being a Pure Barre instructor, she now teaches at various Bay Area studios and is thrilled to be joining the Steppin’ Out team!
Performance videos
If you performed in our end of year performances in June, you were emailed a link to the performance videos a couple weeks ago. If you did not receive this link, please email Angela.
Announcing our fall class schedule!
As you may have noticed, we’ve spent the last month revamping our website and sprinkling in some lovely new photos from our June performances. Take a look and feel free to share our website with any friends who may want to join you in dance classes this fall: steppinoutsf.com.
We know a lot of you are charting out your after-school activities for the school year, and we are excited to finally announce our fall class schedule!
Every family that was enrolled in one of our classes this past spring will be getting a placement or class recommendation email from Angela, so please keep an eye out for that in your inbox. If you are a new student wondering which level would be best for you, we encourage you to contact Angela before registering.
Registration timeline
Please note that, while our schedule is now available to be viewed, registration doesn't begin for a few more weeks:
July 29–August 4: Pre-registration period for returning families
(you'll receive an email with a pre-registration link on July 29)August 5: Registration opens for all families
(registration link will be shared via our monthly newsletter and on our website on August 5)September 3: First day of fall classes
Class highlight: Contemporary
We are continuing to bolster our curriculum with new offerings each year and this year, we are thrilled to announce the expansion of our Contemporary program at Steppin' Out.
Open Level Creative Movement for ages 4-6
Mondays, 4:00-4:45Open Level Contemporary age 7+
Mondays, 4:45-5:45Intermediate I/II Contemporary age 9+
Thursdays, 5:00-6:00Intermediate III Contemporary age 11+
Thursdays, 6:00-7:00
Read more about each of these classes on our class schedule page.
Performance videos
Videos from our June performances are coming your way soon! Thank you for your patience. We are at the tail end of the editing process and will get these out to you shortly. Everyone who performed will receive a password protected link to the videos of all three shows.
In the community: Circus Bella
Get out in the sunshine and get inspired! Circus Bella is a small, kid-friendly circus that offers free park performances around the bay area! Circus in the Parks — Circus Bella.
Movement of the month: Take a walk!
There are many benefits to walking, and we live in a beautiful, walkable city. Walking helps your heart get stronger, your blood pressure get lower, and your bones get stronger. Walking also eases stress, helps you sleep better, and can boost your outlook on life.
Not only are there health benefits to walking, but there are so many things to see and explore! Here are some of Teacher Angela's favorites:
Start at the top of Golden Gate Park and walk all the way through the park to the beach. Just follow the sun.
Walk up Bernal Hill, swing on the tree swing overlooking the city, and then make your way down to the painted rock.
Take a walk in the Glen Park Canyon and be with nature.
Hike around Mount Davidson Park. At 933 feet, it's the highest point in San Francisco!
Performance photos + June news
Congratulations to all of our dancers for an amazing performance! This production was made possible by the combined efforts of all of the Steppin' Out dancers, teachers, staff and day-of parent volunteers. Thank you for making this year's performance a positive and memorable experience for all.
Congratulations to all of this years' graduating seniors! I hope to inspire you and the generations of students after you to find joy in movement and to discover an appreciation for the traditions dance has to offer. Dance teaches us teamwork and accountability and helps us with our confidence, grace and poise. I hope you take these lessons as you move through life. Dance for joy, dance for sorrow, dance to heal, and dance to feel free.
To all subscribers, stay tuned for our fall 2024/2025 class offerings. We will send the fall schedule in our July newsletter and registration will begin in August.
PERFORMANCE PHOTOS ARE READY!
Our photographer, Maximilian Tortoriello, captured some of the magic on and off stage and we can't wait to share it with you! All families that participated in the performance(s) on June 1st were sent an email yesterday with a link to view and purchase photos. If you did not receive this email, please email Angela to receive the private link.
Our videographer is still editing all three performances and we'll be sure to share them with you as soon as they are ready.
TEACHER CLAIRE PERFORMS + FREE TEEN WORKSHOP!
Teacher Claire is dancing June 14-15 at the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival in performances by RAWdance! All families are invited to catch this beautiful, outdoor, FREE performance. Learn more.
Teen dancers are also invited to join Claire and RAWdance for a free workshop on June 15th at 11am, before one of the company's performances. This is a great opportunity for students to get out of the studio, away from the mirror, and experience site-specific work, while getting a taste of RAWdance’s approach to contemporary choreography. A brief, informal, Q&A session will follow the class, giving students the opportunity to gain insight into three artists’ perspectives as professional dancers. Learn more and RSVP (required).
SUMMER CAMP
Steppin' Out is on a break from our regular class schedule, but if you are looking for a little fun this summer, come join us for camp! We still have a few spots available but they'll disappear soon! Our summer camps are for kids ages 6-12 and include dance & Yoga, arts & crafts, popsicle making, and much more. Choose either or both weeks:
Week #1: July 8-12 (including a field trip to Yerba Buena Park)
Week #2: July 15-19 (including a field trip to The Randall Museum)
Camp will consist of a structured activity each day but we will also take daily trips to the park for fresh air and free time. Other than playing in the playground, some of our other favorite things to do at the park are playing soccer, hula-hooping, and cartwheels in the grass.
Performances are coming up soon!
We are a few weeks away from our end of year performances and all newsletter subscribers are invited to see our students perform! Our students have been distributed into three different shows:
Saturday, June 1 at 11am
Saturday, June 1 at 2pm
Sunday, June 2 at 5pm (Advanced Dancer Showcase)
Shows take place at Riordan High School Theater (175 Frida Kahlo Way, San Francisco).
PERFORMANCE INFO FOR ENROLLED FAMILIES
On April 29, we sent every currently enrolled student an important email with a lot of performance details including
Performance schedule
Onsite rehearsal schedule
Costume + performance fee
Parent volunteer request
Playlist of music for practicing at home
If you did not receive this email, please contact Angela. Stay tuned for costume information, call times, hair and makeup guidelines, and more in the coming weeks. Also, you can expect to receive an invoice (via an email from Square) for your costume/performance fee sometime in the next week.
Additionally, we'd like to remind all our students of the importance of attending all your classes leading up to the performance. Classes function like a team when executing their choreography, particularly in regard to spacing, timing, and partner work. We rely on each other in many ways.
Our teachers work diligently to prepare our students for a positive performance experience. We make sure they know their choreography really well so they can go onstage with confidence. We practice closing the curtains and practicing without the mirror as well as performing for each other in the studio. All of this preparation is dependent upon students continuing to show up for class every week.
TEACHER EMILY'S SHOW + WORKSHOP FOR STUDENTS
Teacher Emily is choreographing and directing an exciting new show, Study Hall, which takes place May 16-18 at the iMPACt Center for Art & Dance (1625 Bush St, SF). She is also hosting a free workshop for kids ages 7-12 before the 3:00pm performance on Saturday May 18th. Come at 2:00pm to get a special theater tour from Emily, meet the performers, learn about the different elements of the theater, dance on the stage, and even try out some choreography from the show!
If you’d like, stick around for the 3:00pm performance of Study Hall, which has kid-friendly content and a runtime of 1 hour. All Steppin' Out students and their friends are invited! RSVP is required, and only a few spots are left: emilyhansel.me/studyhall/kids
SUMMER CAMP
This year, we will be offering a two week summer camp for kids ages 6-12! Join Angela & Pearl for a fun filled summer camp experience with some dance & Yoga, arts & crafts, popsicle making, and much more! Choose either or both weeks:
Week #1: July 8-12 (including a field trip to Yerba Buena Park)
Week #2: July 15-19 (including a field trip to The Randall Museum)
Camp will consist of a structured activity each day but we will also take daily trips to the park for fresh air and free time. Other than playing in the playground, some of our other favorite things to do at the park are playing soccer, hula-hooping, and cartwheels in the grass.
Summer Camp Info + Registration
MOVEMENT OF THE MONTH: TAKE A BOW
After a performance, dancers bow while they receive applause from their audience. Your bow can be a sign of gratitude to the audience for witnessing and enjoying. With your feet together, bend forward at the waist. For our youngest dancers, who are still a little top heavy, we ask that they keep their faces front looking at the audience. Our older dancers can drop their heads during their bow.
It's Spirit Month at Steppin' Out!
April is here and we are gearing up for our end of year performances on June 1st and 2nd. We will be sending out lots of important performance information to enrolled families soon, including a link to music that allows you to practice at home.
Throughout the month of April, students will be trying on costumes at the studio to make sure we've got the right size. Once all of the costumes are finalized, we will send an invoice to all currently enrolled families. We do our best to keep costume prices low (between $40 and $60 per class under the age of 10 and slightly higher for older students) and are intentional about ordering costume items that students can wear again, whether to dance class or outside the studio.
SPIRIT MONTH
With all the excitement over costumes lately, we thought it would be fun to have a spirit month at the studio! For each of the remaining weeks in April, students (and their teachers, of course) are invited to dress up for the following themes:
April 9-13: Wear your favorite color
April 16-20: Shimmer, shine, and sparkle
April 23-27: Dress like an animal
SF TAP FESTIVAL: APRIL 13-14
This weekend at the San Francisco Tap Festival, check out some amazing tappers including one of San Francisco's finest, Sam Weber! If any of you are inspired to give tap a try, Sam teaches tap classes for adults on Tuesday and Wednesday nights at Steppin' Out. For more information, you can contact Sam directly at sweberful@gmail.com.
SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
This year, we will be offering a two week summer camp for kids ages 6-12! Join Angela & Pearl for a fun filled summer camp experience with some dance & Yoga, arts & crafts, popsicle making, and much more! Choose either or both weeks:
Week #1: July 8-12 (including a field trip to Yerba Buena Park)
Week #2: July 15-19 (including a field trip to The Randall Museum)
Camp will consist of a structured activity each day but we will also take daily trips to the park for fresh air and free time. Other than playing in the playground, some of our other favorite things to do at the park are playing soccer, hula-hooping, and cartwheels in the grass.
Summer Camp Info + Registration
MOVEMENT OF THE MONTH: LEAP!
A leap is most simply defined as a jump off of one leg and onto the other. With our young students in the studio, we use the image of jumping over a wide puddle to encourage the power and momentum needed for a big leap. At the height of your jump, try to reach one leg forward and the other behind you to make a big split in the air. In ballet, we call this big leap a grand jeté.
Costumes, observation week, summer camps, and more!
This March, all of our classes will continue working diligently on choreography that will be performed in our annual recital on June 1st and 2nd. The entire studio will be divided into two groups to perform in either the 11:00 or 2:00 show on Saturday, June 1st. Our older dancers will also have the opportunity to perform again on Sunday, June 2nd at 5:00 in the Advanced Dancer Showcase.
It's important that students make an effort to attend every class from this point forward. As we focus more on choreography, our dancers practice relying on each other. Whether it's for partner choreography, formation changes, or canons, it's crucial that every dancer be present for the their own sake as well as the class's. Please note, we have class every week between now and the end of May without any holiday closures or breaks.
COSTUMES
During the month of March, Teacher Angela will be measuring every student for costumes. These costumes will be worn onstage in the end of year recital, so please let us know as soon as possible if your dancer is not able to participate in the performance in June. We do our best to keep costume costs low and offer financial assistance to families in need so that cost is not a barrier to participation.
PARENT OBSERVATION WEEK
During the week of March 12th-16th, parents are invited into the classroom to observe class. We are excited for you to come and see the beginning of our recital dances! We'd like to take this opportunity to remind parents that, except for this designated observation week, our classes are drop-off classes for dancers ages 6 and up. We find it can be very distracting to students if their parents stay and watch. We have a harder time keeping their focus when someone they know and love enters the room, so if you arrive more than five minutes early for pick-up, please wait until the end of class to enter the classroom.
SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
This year, we will be offering a two week summer camp for kids ages 6-12! Join Angela & Pearl for a fun filled summer camp experience with some dance & Yoga, arts & crafts, popsicle making, and much more! Choose either or both weeks:
Week #1: July 8-12 (including a field trip to Yerba Buena Park)
Week #2: July 15-19 (including a field trip to The Randall Museum)
Camp will consist of a structured activity each day but we will also take daily trips to the park for fresh air and free time. Other than playing in the playground, some of our other favorite things to do at the park are playing soccer, hula-hooping, and cartwheels in the grass.
Summer Camp Info + Registration
QUICK TIP: TUCK IN YOUR BUNNY EARS
When tying your ballet slippers, we recommend tying a bow or even a double knot. Then, take all the loops and strands and tuck them into the shoe. This will prevent them from coming untied during class and help students avoid tripping on long elastics.
Spring Classes + February News
February officially kicks off the beginning of our spring semester! We are excited to continue dancing with our returning students while also welcoming some new students to the studio.
Thinking about joining one of our classes? It's not too late! As things have shifted around during this first week of class, a few classes that were initially full now have a spot or two available. If there's a class you were interested in that previously appeared full, take another look at our registration page to see if there's now an opening.
Here are a few classes that currently have openings:
Tap/ballet/tumbling for ages 6-8 Wednesday 3:00-4:00
Contemporary for ages 10+ Thursday 5:00-6:00
Jazz for ages 8-12 Friday 5:00-6:00
END OF YEAR PERFORMANCE
During spring semester, our students will learn choreography that they will eventually perform onstage in a recital complete with costumes and lighting. All Steppin’ Out students will have the opportunity to perform on June 1st. Our intermediate and advanced dancers will have the opportunity to perform on the 1st as well as the 2nd for our advanced dancer showcase. Please put the weekend of June 1st-2nd in your calendars now!
FACULTY HIGHLIGHT: WELCOME TEACHER AMBER!
We are excited to welcome Amber Gott to our Saturday morning teaching staff this semester! Amber is originally from London, UK and is a recent graduate of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. She feels lucky to have received excellent dance teachings, choreographic opportunities and learn pedagogical practices while training at the Conservatory. Since moving to San Francisco she has been dancing with Kinetech Arts and MFDP|SF. She is very excited to be joining the Steppin’ Out team for the season.
PROMOTION: PARTIES
Have your birthday party or celebration at Steppin' Out Dance Studio! From do-it-yourself to turn-key, from themed to classic to design-your-own, you can have the party you want at Steppin' Out. We strive to keep our parties affordable and to offer unique options that you can choose from. Learn more.
Register Now for Spring Classes + January News
We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! Classes are back in session this week and we look forward to dancing with you during the last few classes of the fall semester.
Registration is now open for spring classes! During our spring session, which runs February 1st - May 31st, our dance students continue to expand their technique while meeting new challenges posed by our outstanding faculty of teachers. Additionally, much of the spring semester will be spent learning choreography that will be performed at our end-of-season recital. (Participation in the performance is not mandatory, but it's a lot of fun!)
WAITLIST
Our spring classes will reach capacity very quickly. If you are interested in joining a class but it's full by the time you go to register, make sure to join the waitlist. If a spot becomes available we will invite students from the waitlist and prorate the tuition accordingly.
MOVEMENT OF THE MONTH: DANCE PARTY!
Dance is a natural part of every culture and there's a reason for that. According to neuroscientist Julia Christensen, "Dance is an antidote to stress, a way to combat negative emotions, an elixir for the body, mind, and brain.” Dance can sometimes be just the thing to get us out of a funk, especially if we’ve spent too much time staring at a screen. Christensen says, “When we dance, the pleasure centers in our brains light up.” These benefits highlight why dance is so important from an evolutionary perspective, why we mark major life events like weddings with dance, and why dance can play such a helpful role in the lives of kids. Turn on a danceable playlist and see what happens. Chances are, someone will start grooving.
QUICK TIP: POST-CLASS PLAYDATES
We know that signing up for dance class with friends is a great way to build friendships, especially for many of our younger dancers. Remind your young dancer that, while it's exciting to take a dance class with friends, our priority when we're in the studio is learning the art form of dance. Try making a playdate with your friends after dance class with a visit to In Chan Kaajal Park or Whiz Burger for a milkshake.
Winter Camps + Spring Classes + December News
The studio is decked out in festive winter decor and our students have begun working on winter inspired choreography! We would like to invite parents to stay and watch our holiday routines during parent observation week: December 15-21.
Steppin' Out will take a break from our regular class schedule from December 22-January 5 but don't forget to come back to class after that! We still have classes in January for all students currently enrolled in the fall semester.
SPRING CLASS REGISTRATION
Our spring semester, which culminates in a recital performed by all students, will run February 1st - May 31st. The spring class schedule will be the same as our fall offerings. Families who are currently enrolled in classes will be given priority registration during the period of January 2nd-7th, so mark your calendars. Please note, during the priority registration period, currently enrolled families should plan to register for the same class they were enrolled in for fall. We will open registration for all newsletter subscribers interested in available spots starting on January 8th.
REGISTER NOW FOR WINTER CAMP
Kids ages 6-12 are invited to join us for winter camp at Steppin' Out! Our magical winter camp days are packed full of delightful age-appropriate activities and surprises: dance, arts & crafts, baking, theater games, unstructured play time at the park, and more. This year even includes a special field trip! Two weeks of camp will be available (December 27-29 and January 2-5) and you're welcome to sign up for one week or both. Register soon, both camps are already filling quickly!
HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES
Mark Foehringer's Nutcracker Sweets is a wonderful performance that is truly accessible for all ages! Teacher Emily and 11 students from Steppin' Out will be performing in this 50-minute family favorite at the Cowell Theater in Fort Mason, December 1-23.
San Francisco Ballet's The Nutcracker is really special, but we recommend this performance for children over the age of 5 who can sit quietly without disturbing anyone for two hours. Teacher Angela recommends waiting until your dancer is at least 7 to attend this performance.
ODC's The Velveteen Rabbit is colorful dance production based on the classic children's book by Margery Williams. This show is great for the whole family!
MOVEMENT OF THE MONTH: RESTFUL SAVASANA
Take a moment during this busy time of the year to rest your body and mind. Lay on your back and relax your muscles. Let your feet flop to the sides and arms rest by your sides with palms facing up. Take deep breaths as you relax your mind and body and let go of any tension. Students are likely familiar with this action because tumbling Teacher Angela offers a variation of Savasana to her students that we call "the sleeping bear."
Try a Free Jazz Class + November News
We were pleased to have so many parents attend observation week last week. And we loved seeing all the kids perform their Halloween choreography in costume! As we move into November, students will continue to learn new skills while building on technique established in previous months. If you missed our parent observation day last week, don't worry, we will plan another observation day in December.
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY CLOSURE
Steppin' Out will be closed for the week of November 20-27.
PROMOTION: TAKE A FREE JAZZ CLASS BY NOV. 17
Calling all Taylor Swift, Beyonce, and pop music fans ages 8-12 year old! Come join Teacher Erin on Fridays from 5:00-6:00 for a jazz class we're sure you're going to love. This is an open level class, so no previous dance experience is required to join, you just need to meet the age requirement and be ready to have some fun! You can even plan to try the class with a friend. If you love it, you're welcome to join the class for the rest of the semester! Promotion ends November 17. Email Angela to sign up for your free class.
COMING SOON: WINTER CAMP
Kids ages 6-12 are invited to join us for winter camp at Steppin' Out! Our magical winter camp days are packed full of delightful age-appropriate activities and surprises: dance, arts & crafts, baking, theater games, unstructured play time at the park, and more. This year even includes a special field trip! Two weeks of camp will be available (12/27-12/29 and 1/2-1/5) and you're welcome to sign up for one week or both. Registration opens soon!
QUICK TIP: BRING LAYERS
After the heat wave we had recently, it's hard to imagine cold weather is approaching. But it's important for students to pack a long sleeve top or extra layer in your dance bag as we move into fall. Once dancers start moving around in class, it's likely they'll warm up and need to remove their extra layer. Reminder to all contemporary students: wear or bring long pants to allow for sliding on the floor in class.
FOLLOW STEPPIN' OUT ON INSTAGRAM!
We recently started an Instagram page as another means of providing helpful updates to parents and showing off our lovely class offerings to the public. This newsletter is still the best place to get thorough updates from Steppin' Out, but if you'd like to see more photos and get reminders about closures, observation days, promotions, etc. follow us here: @steppinoutsf. Thanks to our Saturday teens for suggesting this idea to keep our fans and families connected.
October News
We've had so much fun working with your dancers this past month! As we move into October, we'll begin learning some Halloween-inspired choreography in most of our classes. These Halloween dances will combine dance steps we learned in September while incorporating the added challenge of memorizing a longer sequence. With set choreography that repeats each week, students will experience the benefits of practicing something and feeling confident once they get it.
OBSERVATION + COSTUME WEEK
Come dressed in your Halloween costume (or any costume you want) the week of October 24-29. This week is also parent observation week, where parents are invited to stay and watch class. We are excited for you to see what we've been working on, especially our Halloween-themed choreography!
HALLOWEEN CLOSURE
We anticipate many of our students will want to get an early start trick-or-treating, so we will be closed on Tuesday, October 31st. Don't worry, this class was already excluded from your tuition fees.
PROMOTION: TAKE A FREE JAZZ CLASS
Calling all Taylor Swift, Beyonce, and pop music fans ages 8-12 year old! Come join Teacher Erin on Fridays from 5:00-6:00 for a jazz class we're sure you're going to love. This is an open level class, so no previous dance experience is required to join, you just need to meet the age requirement and be ready to have some fun! You can even plan to try the class with a friend. If you love it, you're welcome to join the class for the rest of the semester! Promotion runs October 27-November 17. Email Angela to sign up for your free class.
COSTUMES, LEOTARDS, AND TIGHTS SALE
Come to Steppin' Out on Sunday, October 8th between 11am-2pm to shop our substantial inventory of leotards, tights, and dance costumes. You can expect to find items from $3-$15 with lots of options for kids sizes 2T-12 plus a few larger sizes and accessories. Many families build their Halloween costumes around what they find here! We know there are some bumble bees, super heroes, and witches in need of black leotards. Or maybe some fairies who need a pair of wings and a tutu dress. This sale is not just for Steppin' Out families—everyone from our greater community is invited.
DANCE IN THE NEWS: THE CONCEPT SERIES
Teachers Mia and Claire will be performing October 7-8 in The CONCEPT Series at The Green Room. Claire will be dancing in a piece by RAWdance and Mia in her own choreography. The CONCEPT Series is a salon-style show that includes short works by several different companies/choreographers in a lavish but comfortable setting. We recommend this show for audience members age 6 and up. Learn more and get tickets.
Classes Begin Today + September News
We are so excited to welcome you back to class this week! For those of you who are brand new to Steppin’ Out, we can’t wait to meet you in person. Everyone enrolled in classes received an email last week with important information about our dress code, parent observation policy, and where to purchase dance wear. Please make sure you've reviewed that information.
If you haven't enrolled yet, it's not too late to join! We still have a couple of spots left in the following classes:
Saturday 9-10 am Tap/Ballet for ages 7+
Wednesday 3-4 pm Tap/Ballet/Tumbling for ages 6-8
Thursday 5-6 pm Contemporary for ages 8+
Friday 5-6 pm Tap/Ballet/Tumbling for ages 6-8
At Steppin' Out, our dance classes builds teamwork, encourage creativity, and teach discipline. We can't emphasize enough how beneficial dance classes can be for our students' mental, physical, and social health.
For a full list of our offerings, check out our fall class schedule.
PROMOTION: TRY A CLASS FOR FREE!
This month only, we are offering a promotion to new students who are interested in trying one of our classes that is not currently full. This promotion does not apply to classes that are at capacity and does not apply to students who are already enrolled. Simply email Angela to reserve a spot in one of our classes. Space is limited and this promotion expires September 31.
QUICK TIP: GIVE A PAIR, GET A PAIR
We collect shoes your dancers have outgrown and pass them along to other dancers. Bring your old dance shoes to the studio when classes begin, and while you're there, take a look in case we have your new size!
MOVEMENT OF THE MONTH: POINT AND FLEX
Point and flex is an exercise usually done during a circle warm-up in our younger classes, but all of our dancers use point and flex in a variety of dance forms. Sit on the floor with your legs out in front of you and your knees straight. Flex your feet by pulling your toes up toward your body. As your toes lift to the ceiling, don't worry if your heels rise up off the floor. Pointing is the opposite action of flexing. Point your feet by stretching your toes away from your body and down toward the floor. Hold each position for a few seconds.
Fall Registration is Now Open! + Steppin' Out August News
Fall class registration is now open! Check out our fall class schedule and when you're ready, head over to our registration page. We expect classes will fill up very quickly, so register as soon as you can to secure your preferred class(es). If you are interested in joining a class but it's full by the time you go to register, make sure to join the waitlist. Students sometimes shift around the first few weeks of classes and openings often occur. If a spot becomes available we will invite students from the waitlist and prorate the tuition accordingly.
Our fall semester begins the week after Labor Day and run through the end of January, 2024. We have one class that's an exception to this: Friday 5:00 Jazz for ages 8-12 has a late start date and won't begin until October 27th. You can register for this class by scrolling through the registration calendar until you reach the week of October 27th, or you can use this special link.
If you are a family that is new to Steppin' Out and you'd like to join one of our classes, take a look at our class selection guidelines to find a good fit for your dancer given their age and dance experience. If you need help choosing a class, email Angela.
FALL CLASS HIGHLIGHTS:
Contemporary continues to grow in popularity at Steppin' Out, and we're excited to announce that we are adding new offerings this year to keep up with demand:
Contemporary for ages 8-10 on Thursdays 5:00-6:00
Contemporary for ages 10+ on Thursdays 6:00-7:00
Advanced teen classes this year feature more flexible enrollment options:
On Saturdays this year, our advanced teens will have the option of signing up for a combination of Tap + Modern Jazz or for Modern Jazz alone.
On Wednesdays, teens and tweens will be able to sign up for the combination class of Tap + Ballet + Jazz or for Ballet + Jazz without the Tap component.
Jazz classes are always a big hit, so we're adding this brand new class to our schedule this year:
Jazz for ages 8-12 on Fridays 5:00-6:00
This class begins on October 27th. You can register for this class by scrolling through the registration calendar until you reach the week of October 27th, or you can use this special link.
FACULTY HIGHLIGHT: WELCOME TEACHER MIA!
We are excited to welcome Mia J. Chong to our Saturday morning teaching staff this year! Mia is a choreographer and dancer from San Francisco who currently collaborates with Post:ballet while freelancing throughout the Bay Area. Her work has been performed by Post:ballet, BODYSONNET, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, UC Berkeley’s Chamber Chorus, and more. Mia has danced with ODC/Dance, Robert Moses’ Kin, Dance Theatre of San Francisco, and Concept o4. She received a Princess Grace Award, Chris Hellman Dance Honor, and Jacob’s Pillow Ann & Weston Hicks Choreography Fellowship, among other honors. Mia earned a BA in Social Sciences with a concentration in Organizational Behavior and Change from New York University and is currently pursuing an MS in Arts Administration and Cultural Entrepreneurship at Northeastern University. As a dance educator, she has taught classes for Alonzo King LINES Dance Center, ODC, Jacob’s Pillow, Shawl-Anderson Dance Center, Berkeley Ballet Theater, Westlake School for the Performing Arts, and more.
Fall Class Schedule + Steppin' Out July News
We hope you're enjoying your summer!
We understand many of you are already planning fall activities and we are happy to announce that our fall schedule is now available for viewing. Registration will open at the beginning of August and fall class will begin on September 5th.
Returning families will be given priority registration, so look out for an email with instructions pre-registration on August 1st. If you are a returning family with a dancer age 7 or older, you should have recently received an individualized email with a list of suggested classes. (Please remember that it is common for students to stay at the same level for a couple years before moving up a level.)
If you are a family that is new to Steppin' Out and you'd like to join one of our classes, take a look at our class selection guidelines to find a good fit for your dancer given their age and dance experience. If you need help choosing a class, email Angela. Registration will open on August 7th.
As you browse the fall schedule, please note that classes marked with an asterisk (*) require placement or audition to enroll. Also note that space is limited, and if you receive an email with placement/class suggestions, know that this does not guarantee you a spot in the class. We recommend you register as early as you can to secure a spot in your preferred classes.
FALL SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS
Contemporary continues to grow in popularity at Steppin' Out, and we're excited to announce that we are adding new offerings this year to keep up with demand:
Contemporary for ages 8-10 on Thursdays 5:00-6:00
Contemporary for ages 10+ on Thursdays 6:00-7:00
Furthermore, we are making enrollment for our advanced teen classes more flexible:
On Saturdays this year, our advanced teens will have the option of signing up for a combination of Tap + Modern Jazz or for Modern Jazz alone.
On Wednesdays, teens and tweens will be able to sign up for the combination class of Tap + Ballet + Jazz or for Ballet + Jazz without the Tap component.
Finally, we know our jazz classes are a big hit, so we're adding this brand new class to our schedule this year:
Jazz for ages 8-12 on Fridays 5:00-6:00
PERFORMANCE VIDEOS + PHOTOS
Last week, we sent out the video from the performance to enrolled families. We hope our dancers enjoy watching their performance. Earlier today, we sent out an email with the photo gallery from the performance. If you did not receive the video and/or photo link please email Angela.
DANCE IN THE NEWS: FREE STREET FAIRS
Admittedly, this news is not entirely dance related...but it's still worth sharing this list of FREE street fairs in the city during the month of July. Get out and get inspired by all the arts and culture offerings this wonderful city has to offer!
Congratulations! + Steppin' Out June News
Congratulations to all our students for an amazing performance last weekend! Our Steppin' Out teachers hope to inspire our students to find joy through movement and an appreciation for dance traditions. We understand that the education and creative process leading up to the performance is just as important as the final product. We are so proud of all of our students and hope that you feel confident and proud of what you have accomplished. It was a fantastic year!
The performance video is being edited and, as soon as it's ready, we will send all currently enrolled families the link to download and share. Our photographer is also in the midst of the editing process, so stay tuned for an opportunity to view and purchase the photos that she took during the performance.
For those who are wondering, our fall class schedule will be made available in July and registration will take place in August.
SUMMER CAMP: JUNE 19th-30th
Kids ages 6-12 are invited to join Angela & Pearl for a fun filled summer camp experience including dance & Yoga, arts & crafts, popsicle making, and much more! Choose either or both weeks: June 19-23 + June 26-30. Know any friends who might be interested in summer camp? Forward this email to them to help us spread the word!
Summer Camp Info + Registration
DANCE IN THE NEWS: SFDanceworks
Teacher Emily is performing in SFDanceworks' annual season June 30-July 2 right around the corner from Steppin' Out at ODC Theater. Emily will be dancing in high intensity contemporary works by nationally and internationally renowned choreographers. More information + tickets.
MOVEMENT OF THE MONTH: CARTWHEEL
With the summer weather and many of us flocking to the park, the grass is a perfect place to practice cartwheels! For an added challenge, if you already have the general mechanics of the cartwheel, try pointing your feet and keeping both legs strong and straight.
Performance Info + Steppin' Out May News
Our end of the year performance is right around the corner! Family, friends, and community are invited to join us on Saturday, June 3rd for three performances at the Riordan High School Theater (175 Frida Kahlo Way). Show times are 11:00-1:00, 3:00-5:00, and 6:00-7:00 (Advanced Dancer Showcase).
Steppin' Out families will receive a private link to a professional recording of each performance. If you have family or friends that aren't able to make it to the show, you will be able to share the video with them.
CLASS UPDATES
Regular classes will continue throughout the month of May. Please note there is no class on June 1 & 2. Nearly all of our performance choreography has been taught and this month we will work on details like spacing, memorization without the teachers' help, and performance quality. Part of this preparation includes an onstage rehearsal. All performers are scheduled for an onsite rehearsal during the week of May 22-25. Enrolled families, please check out this onsite rehearsal schedule and plan to attend. We want to make sure that every student feels prepared and confident so when the big day comes they can enjoy themselves and have a wonderful performance experience. Additionally, please note that your costumes will be available for pick-up at the studio (once you've paid your invoice) throughout the month of May.
REGISTER NOW FOR SUMMER CAMP!
This year, we will be offering a two week summer camp for kids ages 6-12! Join Angela & Pearl for a fun filled summer camp experience with some dance & Yoga, arts & crafts, popsicle making, and much more! Choose either or both weeks: June 19-23 + June 26-30. Camp will consist of a structured activity each day but we will also take daily trips to the park for fresh air and free time. Other than playing in the playground, some of our other favorite things to do at the park are playing soccer, hula-hooping, and cartwheels in the grass.
Summer Camp Info + Registration
DANCE IN THE NEWS
National Tap Dance Day is May 25th! Perhaps you can celebrate by practicing your tap dance at home. We recommend tapping on a hard surface that can get a little scuffed up, like a concrete garage floor or wooden tap board.
MOVEMENT OF THE MONTH: TAKE A BOW!
After a performance, dancers bow while they receive applause from their audience. Your bow can be a sign of gratitude to the audience for witnessing and enjoying. With your feet together, bend forward at the waist. For our youngest dancers, who are still a little top heavy, we ask that they keep their faces front looking at the audience. Our older dancers can drop their heads during their bow.