Costumes Are Coming + Steppin' Out March News

We're happy to announce that your dancers have begun learning their choreography for the spring performance. Dances are starting to take shape and the teachers ask that students avoid missing any classes from this point forward. This month we will also be measuring students for costumes! All students are encouraged to take part in the performance, but if you don't want to or can't, please let us know as soon as possible so we don't order your child a costume (not all costumes are returnable and some take weeks to arrive). Estimated costume costs run from $30-$60 per costume, and we will make every attempt to keep the costs down. Should you need assistance with costumes, please contact Angela.

Steppin' Out will be open for spring break as different schools observe different breaks, so please come to class if at all possible.

DRESS REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE DATES

• Sunday, May 20th: Dress Rehearsal, 2-8 p.m. (each class will be called for a 30-45 minute window during those six hours and teen dancers will be called in the later part of the day).
• Saturday, June 2nd: Shows at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (full announcements about which time your dancer will perform will be made at the start of April)
• Sunday, June 3rd: Advanced Showcase, 5 p.m.

The dress rehearsal and all shows will take place at Everett Middle School. More details coming soon.

HAVE A (DRY) BIRTHDAY!
We're so happy the rainy season has finally started to arrive, but if you have an upcoming birthday in the family, you might want an indoor option. Steppin' Out offers fabulous and fun movement-themed birthday parties of any kind, from basic to turn-key, at can't-be-beat pricing. Reserve yours now.

MOVEMENT OF THE MONTH: BALANCE & ALIGNMENT
Dance requires the ability to balance, and not just during a relevé or arabesque. The start of good dance balance is really alignment. This means that we stack our major joints in relation their neighbors, knees over ankles, hips over knees, shoulders over hips, and so forth. A great way to find balance is to experiment with losing it. Have your dancers move their joints out of alignment and note whether they feel "balanced." Then have them try to realign and stand nice and centered with their tummies lifted. The old "walk with a book on your head" method (while harder for those with silkier hair!) can help our dancers develop a better sense of alignment as well.

DANCE IN THE NEWS: DOUBLE DANCE
We really enjoyed reading about how American Ballet Theater principal dancer Isabella Boylston became Jennifer Lawrence's dance double for the movie Red Sparrow.

QUICK TIP
Encourage your dancers to practice good studio etiquette by watching their classmates while waiting for their turns and clapping at the end of class.