Tag Archives: BlogChallenge

January Challenge: What’s in Your Bag?

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Did anyone ever have any of the bags above? (The first one is a vintage bag from Etsy)

A dance bag is a dancer and dance teacher’s most valuable possession.  Back when we used to use CDs instead of iPods, my bag weighed 50 lbs from the giant CD case I lugged around… now it still is pretty hefty, because I filled the empty space with water bottles and props. #notthesharpestpointeinthebag

January’s Blog Challenge Mission:

So for the first Blog Challenge of the new year, I want to know:

What’s in your dance bag?

 

Grab this snazzy badge for your post
if you’d like to  be-dazzle your blog!

How to Participate: 

If you have a blog:

1) Take a picture, make a video, write a post or find one that fits the theme (it doesn’t have to be a new post if you’ve already written something that answers the question).


 2) Then make sure you leave a comment below with a link to your post so we can all read it!

Don’t have a blog? 

No problem!  Participate by leaving a comment below, tweeting @thedancebuzz or posting to our Facebook wall a picture of your dance bag, or comment with your favorite item in your dance bag.


I’m getting my post ready to go and am looking forward to taking a peek inside of everyone’s bag! 🙂

November Blog Challenge: 10 Things You Are Grateful For

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New blog challenge badge for your blog!

Just in time for Thanksgiving, here is November’s Blog Challenge.  Talking or writing about things you are grateful for can make you happy, more optimistic and less stressed (I can back that up).

I was inspired by this post by Marie Forleo, who is my business idol / inspiration / mentor!  In this post, Marie talks about gratitude and the positive aftereffects (if you have a chance, check out her video – its worth a watch). Also check out this article by the NY Times about the positive effects of keeping a gratitude journal.

November’s Blog Challenge Mission:

Write a list of ten things you are grateful for.

Then let the happy feelings wash over you 🙂

How to Participate:

If you have a blog:

1) write a post sharing your ten things, then share or link to your fall post (it doesn’t have to be a new post if you’ve already written something that fits with the theme).

2) Then make sure you leave a comment with a link to you post so we can all read it!

Don’t have a blog? 

No problem!  You can participate by leaving a comment below, tweeting @thedancebuzz or posting to our Facebook wall your list of ten things!

I’m getting my post ready to go and am looking forward to reading all of your thankful things 🙂

October Blog Challenge: Fall Class Ideas

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Happy Fall!

For me, fall means changing leaves, shorter days and Halloween!

Grab this baby for your blog!

What does fall mean to you and your dance classes?

October’s Blog Challenge Mission:

Last month’s challenge was to share an inspiring video.

For October, your mission is to share an idea for a fall dance class.   

It can be about leaves, pumpkins, Halloween, apples – your choice!  If you’re a student, tell us how or if your studio has any fall traditions that you enjoy.  If you’re a teacher – how do you incorporate the changing season into your classes?

How to Participate:

1) If you have a blog, share or link to your fall post (it doesn’t have to be a new post, since I’m a little late in getting the challenge up this month).

2) Then make sure you leave a comment with a link to you post so we can all read it!

Don’t have a blog? No problem! You can participate by leaving a comment below, tweeting @thedancebuzz or posting to our Facebook wall with your Fall dance class idea!

Can’t wait to see all the good fall traditions 🙂

September Blog Challenge: Inspiring Video

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Participating in this month’s challenge?

Feel free to this bad boy to your post

so you can be official!

Back to School, Back to Dance

For many dancers, parents, teachers, September means one thing: Back to School!

While I’m sad summer is ending, a new dance season is always exciting and my time off has made me anxious to start teaching again.

I’ve spent the last few weeks searching for some new music and watching dance shows and performances for some inspiration.

September’s Blog Challenge Mission:

Last month’s challenge was to share the inspiration from books. For September, your mission is to share a video that inspires you.

Your video that you share can be a dance performance you find inspiring on YouTube or just you vlogging about why you dance, teach or just love dance. (Just don’t go all eharmony cat lady on me about your love of pointe shoes or something!)

How to Participate:

If you have a blog, share or link to your inspiring video and post a few words on why you like it.  Then make sure you leave a comment with a link to you post so we can all read it!

Don’t have a blog? No problem! You can participate by leaving a comment below, tweeting @thedancebuzz or posting to our Facebook wall a link to your favorite dance video and why!

Can’t wait to see your inspiring videos!

Reading List

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I started titling this entry “Summer Reading List”, but then realized that it’s already August!  Yikes!  So I will call this my Late-Summer / Early-Fall reading list and hope I get through most of the books by the time the leaves start to fall.This is also my response to August’s Blog Challenge – what are you reading?

And p.s…. Happy National Book Lover’s Day!  Total unplanned coincidence!

Dance Books

The Human Alphabet by Pilobolus – can’t wait to use this one in creative movement class in the fall!

The Souls of Your Feet by Acia Gray – a tap book!

Twyla Tharp: The Creative Habit – I have been meaning to read this book for ages…

Creative Dance for All Ages by Anne Green Gilbert – this was recommended to me by a colleague as a springboard for developing creative movement ideas


Business Books

The Fire Starter Sessions by Danielle LaPorte – I started reading this the other day and so far it is a nice change of pace from usual business books – it’s like a breath of fresh air!

Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon – a nice little book that promises to be full of inspiration, if its anything like his blog


Quick word about my affiliate relationship with Amazon so we’re all clear:  If you click the links above and end up purchasing a book, I get a teeny percentage of the sale.  If you don’t want to do this, you can search for the book on another site or use Amazon without clicking the links.  Yay freedom of choices! 

August Blog Challenge: What Are You Reading?

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Happy August!

Wait.  That should read: What? It’s August?  What do you mean there’s only five weeks until classes start? Ack!

For me, August is the last chance for some time off from teaching (our summer classes only run until the end of July), which is when I do things like… go to the ballet, read dance books and catch up on SYTYCD.   A.K.A. dance inspiration time!

So in honor of the inspiration that comes from the written word, and in honor of all the college students heading back in for a new year of reading and learning, August’s Blog challenge is to post about what you’re reading now, what you’ve read this summer or even just your favorite dance book, business book or children’s book.

Don’t have a blog? No problem! You can participate by leaving a comment below, tweeting @thedancebuzz or posting to our Facebook wall!   Also follow my “Worth a Read” pinterest board, if you’re obsessed with Pinterest like I am into that kind of thing.

I’ll post my summer reading list shortly and I look forward to reading yours!

Dance Photos On The Beach – Tips & Blog Challenge

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July’s Blog Challenge was to dance “outside and share a picture of it”.  Here is my contribution to this month’s challenge!  

Hubby and I went to Maine for a few days and one of the days we got up before the sun to go down to the beach and take photos of the sunset (and dancing!).

The beach at 4:55am.  ::yawn::

If you’ve never seen the sunrise at the beach, I so highly recommend it!  This was our first time and neither of us are “morning people”, but it was still so worth it.  (And we went back to our hotel and took a nap after, so it didn’t cut into our sleep.. haha).

Flying with the seagull.  
More photos and tips for taking beach sunrise (or sunset) photos after the jump!

Continue reading →

June Challenge: Confidence & Humility

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Right click + Save As and use

on your blog if you participate!

It’s that time again!  Blog Challenge time!  June’s writing prompt is this (writing prompt? I feel like an English teacher now):

Dance is both confidence building and humbling… write about a time you experienced either.

Not sure what to write? Here are a few ideas to get you going.

  • Teachers… share how you inspire confidence in your students
  • Students… share a time you felt confident after a class or performance
  • Is it possible to feel both confident and be humbled at the same time?
  • Is there a good balance?
No matter what you decide to write about, make sure you come back and leave a comment below with a link to your post.
No blog?  No worries!  Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Performance Pinspiration

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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!

April Blog Challenge: Dance Imagery

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“Flip the pancake!” my ballet teacher used to say as we did our fouettes (jumps not turns).  “Pretend your pelvis is a bowl of soup… don’t spill the soup!” was another one of her favorite metaphors.

This month’s challenge is to share your favorite dance imagery–either sayings that you use as a dancer or teacher, or favorite visuals your teachers use.

Share a your dance sayings on your blog and then come back here and leave a comment with a link to your post so we can all share!

If you don’t have a blog, you can still participate!  Just leave a comment below.

Click here to see past blog challenges.