warm ups | The Dance Buzz

Happy (End of) Summer! Keep the summer vibes going as we move towards fall and update your playlists with fun summer tunes! Here is a list of songs I’ve mixed into my classes to keep them feeling updated. Most links open in iTunes store – The Dance Buzz is an iTunes affiliate. All opinions are my own.

Is This Love (LVNDSCAPE & Bolier Remix) – Bob Marley: Instant beach vibes remixed into a good 3-minute warm-up song. (Link to YouTube)

Believer (Kaskade Remix) – Imagine Dragons: A fun twist on this summer hit.

Thunder – Imagine Dragons: Another one from Imagine Dragons, love this song right now

Someone Who Can Dance – Icona Pop: Another good steady beat for warm-ups

Most Girls – Hailee Steinfeld: My middle school classes love this song

LovE is LovE is LovE (Benji Schwimmer Edit) – LeAnn Rimes: Great message, fun song – have been using it for leaps and turns class (link to YouTube)

Celebrate (feat. AJR) – Ingrid Michaelson: A nice laid-back summer tune

Told You So – Paramore: Have been using this for tap warm ups in my senior classes. Has a good steady beat.

Switch (feat. Anitta) – Iggy Azalea: Would be fun for a tap, jazz or hip hop combo.

Location – Khalid: A nice groove for cool down and slower warm-ups. I also used it in tap with my seniors for a nice mellow

Link to Open in Spotify

Enjoy!

It been a while since I’ve done a New Music Monday post, so I thought I’d share my updated music from my contemporary classes.

I’m teaching a beginning contemporary class this year of ages 10-14, instead of just my usual 15 and up class, so it has been a challenge to find some music that is relatable to a 10-year old. In fact, when I tried playing the slower, lyrical-type music for the younger class, they asked if I had any faster or “fun” music.

So far (third week in), I have found a balance of “fun” and “serious” music keeps everyone happy – we are working on emotions in combinations, but then we keep it more upbeat during technique portions. What do you find works best for this age group?

Songs For Contemporary Combinations

All links open in iTunes

A Thousand Years – Christina Perri – used this song in both classes
Youth – Daughter – my younger class said this was too boring… haha! Teens loved it.
Us – Regina Spektor – used this in my younger class
Love The Way You Lie – Ariana Grande – younger class
On The Nature Of Daylight – Max Richter – teen class

Songs For Contemporary Class – warm-up, across the floor

Two Dots (Nic Fanciulli Remix) – Lucine – great steady beat for grande battements, chaines, etc
Dance My Pain Away – Wye Oak – use for warm ups
Too Close – Alex Clare – I just love this song right now!
Up Up Up – The Givers – used in my younger classes for warm-up (I also use it in my modern classes) – it is a happy song!
Home – Phillip Phillips – the Olympic USA Women’s gymnastics unofficial theme song
Collide (feat. Avicii) – Leona Lewis – another nice strong beat for across the floor
Into the Wild (Live) – LP – I am obsessed with this song right now, I use it for warm-ups or cool down in my teen class