Candy Alternatives for Halloween Class

Posted in Pinspiration, Studio Life, Teachers by Cait (The Dance Buzz)

As Halloween approaches, we often do special activities at my studio or allow students to wear costumes. Many teachers like to reward their classes with a special treat, which historically has been candy. I feel that as dance teachers, we have a responsibility to celebrate healthy choices and I like to search out alternatives to candy–especially with all of the food-allergies and preferences that my students have.

Coloring Pages
Such an easy and low-cost “treat”

Glow Bracelets
This is my choice for this year – trying something new and potentially something that they kids can take with them on Halloween. I found glow bracelets on Amazon for $8.79 for 100 bracelets, so for under $20 I was able to get enough to cover my 16 weekly classes.

Stickers, Stamps & Temporary Tattoos
My elementary-aged kids love stickers, stamps and tattoos. Not sure if their parents love them as much, but its fun to do a grab-bag of these items.

Rolls of 500 Halloween Stickers: $9.99
72 Glitter Halloween Temporary Tattoos: $5.50
24 Halloween Stamps: $7.95

“Haunted House” Class Picture
This one is fun to do with the older kids or students who love social media… the “Haunted House” class picture – take a group picture but tell your students to make a face like they are going through a haunted house – leads to lots of funny faces!

Slap on a filter/background and send to your students and watch them share 🙂

More Ideas For Those Blessed in the Craftiness Department (THANK YOU PINTEREST)

Do you do something special with your classes for Halloween? Do you hand out any treats? Share in the comments!

4Aug2014

Our “Frozen-Inspired” Dance Camp: Crafts

Posted in Pinspiration, Studio Life by Cait (The Dance Buzz)

“Do You Wanna Dye a T-Shirt?” (sung in the melody of “Do You Wanna Build a Snowman”)

This is part of our “Frozen” (inspired) Dance Camp Series.

We spend about 30-40 minutes on crafts, but always have a back-up plan for those who lose interest fast (some of the 4 year olds are more interested in the process, than the final product) or who are very detailed (need to place every piece of grass just so).

Good ideas of back-up plans are coloring pages (link to free printable Frozen coloring pages) / activity sheets or clips from the movie, if you have a TV or screen. I actually made a YouTube playlist of Frozen clips on our computer just in case, but we never had to use it.

Now… onto the crafts!

My Camp Director and I pulled a lot of the craft and activity ideas off of Pinterest, so I will try to credit our original inspiration when possible.

Continue reading →

9Apr2014

Light Dancing

Posted in Pinspiration by Cait (The Dance Buzz)

Happy Wednesday!

If you’re super crazy this time of year like I am, here is a short video to give you a break from the chaos and to just enjoy the dance and cool visual effects.

Talk about theater tech and dance coming together. So cool!

Hope you enjoyed 🙂

20Jan2013

Performance Pinspiration

Posted in Blog Challenge, Pinspiration by Cait (The Dance Buzz)

In honor of May’s Blog Challenge, Performance Pics, I scavenged Pinterest for some great pictures that made me think of those exciting minutes leading up to a great performance!

Check out these photos and follow me on Pinterest while you’re at it!

Hair and make-up first…

Source: Pinterest

Russian State Ballet – Photo by: Helen Maybanks Photography

Warm-up before the show

Russian State Ballet – Photo by: Helen Maybanks Photography

Peeking to see if your special audience member arrived yet:

Azra Šahinović Photography

Photo by Natalie Frigo

The busy dressing room, everyone rushing to make sure everything is perfect.

Source: Tumblr

Finding your way backstage, calming your nerves and getting ready for the show to start.

Source: Pinterest

One more run-through before going on stage…

Source: Tumblr

Waiting for the cue..

Source: Tumblr

Follow The Dance Buzz on Pinterest for more awesome dance photos!

Do you have a pre-performance ritual or a favorite part of the performance? Share below in the comments!

2May2012

Mantras for Recital Season

Posted in Pinspiration by Cait (The Dance Buzz)

Sometimes recital season makes studio owners and teachers want to pull their hair out! Here is a list of mantras to keep you going, keep you positive, or make you smile, even through the most stressful days.

I think I can, I think I can!

It’s almost over… It’s almost over…

Tutus… sequins… and glitter… OH MY!

One step at a time.

When in doubt, fade the music.

Dress the part. Act the part.

No words, just the sound of a cork *popping* out of a wine bottle in X weeks…

When in doubt, just take the next step.

Keep your head up.

No one reads handouts or signs. Just accept it.

You can do it!

Keep calm and carry on.

No matter how good or bad the current situation is, it will change.

GAHHHHHHHHHHH!

Hairspray, duct tape and safety pins will fix anything.

It’s not brain surgery, it’s dance.

I am strong. I am awesome. I will succeed.

Best wishes for your recital this year!

~ Cait

April Pinspiration: Leaps & Jumps

If you’re not on Pinterest – don’t join, it’s too addicting! If you are – add me to see all the lovely dance things I find around the web.

This week I was looking for some inspiration in the way of leaps and jumps and I found some lovely unique leaps I’d like to share so you can feel all warm and fuzzy inside too.

Now if only I could get my students to look like this…