Practice Makes Perfect + April News

Spring has officially arrived. Whether you've already finished your spring break or are eagerly looking forward to its arrival, Steppin' Out wants you to know that we hope spring treats you right--and that we look forward to seeing you at the studio whenever you're in town. Steppin' Out will be open this entire spring so please come and dance with us.

Now is the time for all dancers to really focus on learning their performance pieces. Please attend class whenever possible and practice, practice, practice. Also, keep an eye on your inbox. Currently registered families will receive a special email with details and information about this year's performance on Monday, April 10th.

MOVEMENT OF THE MONTH: GROW

Now that spring has sprung, we're all attuned to the image of seeds beginning to sprout. This image can help our dancers better understand extension while also having fun. Have your children start as tiny seeds all curled up and then begin to grow and expand from their centers outward, eventually reaching arms, fingers, legs and toes into as great a stretch as possible. Tell your dancers that this is what they should feel when extending an arm or a leg in a dance routine--as if they couldn't stretch even another millimeter! 

WORLD MUSIC & DANCE TAKEOVER AT SOTA
Treat yourself to music and dance while supporting SOTA! Friday and Saturday, April 21st and 22nd, at 7:30 p.m., the Dan Kryston Memorial Theater will showcase Taiko drumming, Afro-Brazilian, Afro Cuban & West African drumming and dance, senior compositions, Tahitian/Taiko crossover, a Mariachi performance and a Middle Eastern music ensemble debut. Learn more here.

DANCE IN THE NEWS: GAY IN BALLET
We at Steppin' Out were inspired by the story of two out ballet dancers, James Whiteside, a soloist with the American Ballet Theatre, and Parker Kit Hill, a performer who has also been cast on tv. Their perspectives about being "male, but not the correct male" and their honestly about the discrimination they've faced make for powerful and important reading. Read Gay in Ballet: Two Men are Defying Traditions in the Dance World.

QUICK TIP: PRACTICE TOGETHER
Younger dancers learn best when their grown ups practice along with them, so why not learn your child's dance too?