The Dance Mom Thread

[Sleepy]

Well, DD didn't make the team.

I am sorry to hear that. This time of year is always stressful. My son's end of year exam is coming up. He is approaching the years when they are looking for the total package and expectatons are high. We just never know.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Well, DD didn't make the team.

So sorry Bet. But it sounds like she is handling it well.

Our tech, dress and recital schedule is starting to trickle down, and it will a busy several days for us. Our studio does 5 90-minute shows on Sat rather than 1 marathon show. This is great for the non-company dancers, but makes for very long days for company dancers since they are in just about every recital! The only recital I have off is the late one on Sat which I guess is the advantage to having younger dancers! 16 dances total between my two girls, and several of their company dances perform in multiple shows!

 

[undercovermom]

I'm sorry she didn't make the team, I'm sure she's disappointed.

 

[dreamer17555]

Bet- I wanted to say I am so sorry she didn't make the team. I am glad she is handling it well but I can imagine it still stings. Its so hard as a parent to watch them pour their heart and soul into something and then be passed over. My daughter tend to take rejection better than I do. Its so hard when as a parent you want the world for your child. I really feel for both of you.

Jessica- Wow that is one long day! Our Studio has three recital shows a Friday Night, Saturday Matinee, and a Saturday Night. Of course Company dances at all three and she still takes additional rec. Ballet and rec. Acro. So those are added on and by Saturday night she is exhausted. She would die if she had to do that many dances all day long. She would love it but by the last dance I think she would be half asleep!


I found out this week that the Studio is giving my Daughter's team a different teacher for over the summer (She would have had her next year anyway) And that she is going to rework their dance. The routines arent as strong as I think they should be (and the new teacher is a fab!) but still I think reworking three routines with a month to go until Nationals with a bunch of 6 year olds is asking for trouble. I am very nervous. She called me and asked if I could bring Cat in on Monday so she can test her skill set and see if they can showcase her in a part and I am excited about her getting a special piece but still.... major nail biting here!

-Becca-

 

[KirklandTutu]

Okay I have a question with Recital right around the corner what do you normally give your child's dance teacher(s)?

-Becca-

As a dance teacher...

Most of us love, love handwritten cards and photos, things that can go into a scrapbook easily.

Most teachers are hourly employees and don't get paid in the summer months, so gift cards are always appreciated. Prior to meeting my husband, I ate for a month on the starbucks cards I got one year, which was great since my income was cut in half.

While I don't want to speak for all teachers, I can say that most of us really do not enjoy getting 'things'....i.e. candels, body lotions, etc. There's only so many scented candels one can take, and every dance teacher I know has a closet full of unused fancy toilitries. Lucky for me, I have a friend who loves bubble baths, so she gets all of mine.

There are a few things that I've gotten from students that I do love, but that is because they were either handmade, or were from seniors leaving. I am starting to run out of room, though, I hate the fact that I can't display them all in a better way.

Bottles of wine are also great!

oh! and I had one parent who would always give us jars of her homemade jam, that was always a great present.

 

[bsnyder]

Thanks for the everyone.

Yesterday was a really down day, but last night and today, DD has been just fine. I think the worst is over. She's gotten a lot of postive feedback from the older girls, about how well she did in tryouts - they all told her she has the potential, she just needs a bit more experience.

She's also going to go to the first tryout practice for the flag team tomorrow. I told her it's totally her choice, if she wants to try out, but that she should at least go and see if she likes it.

They are making a big push to promote that squad (finally) and it does have the potential to be another great activity for the high school kids, if everything could just fall into place. This is only the 4th year of the team, and it has struggled to find acceptance, from the students and the school. The band director is leading the charge, and he ended up limiting both the dance squad and the flag team to 22 each, so that they will be on equal footing. On Friday they gave all the girls trying out for the dance team a paper thanking them for trying out, telling them how to check the results on the website, and then encouraging those who didn't make it to try out for their "sister" team, the flag squad. They can use their same application packet, with teacher recommendations, so they don't have to go through all of that again.

DD has her heart set on dance, and even if she ends up going flag as a freshman, she'll definitely try for dance again next year, but I hope, for the sake of the school, that they can get this new squad going strong.

There's a lot of controversy about the girls from last year's squad who didn't make the team this year. One of the two rising juionrs who didn't make it is the alternate, a position they basically created on the spot because the dance coach couldn't believe she didn't score high enough to make the team again. She's a fabulous dancer. She'll do everything with the team, (practices, pep rallies, special events, etc.) but won't be allowed to perform on the field or at competitions unless someone else is out, because the number is capped at 22.

 

[Xcited4Disney]

Bet, I also want to chime in and say that I'm sorry your dd didn't make the team. Her attitude towards it has been great. Many other girls (and adults too!) could learn from her, especially since she went straight over to her bff to congratulate her. It sounds that like the scoring was really tough. I wish her all the best if she does decide on trying out for the flag team.

Well, we are now in the hectic time of year. May and June means Recital time! We finally received all costumes (4). Now this week I need to dye shoes and tweak the costumes to fit her slim, long frame. Yesterday, the company classes performed at Six Flags' (Great Adventure) Dance Festival and Saturday is picture day. I'm so happy to be all paid up with tuition, preregistration, recital tickets, recital DVD, pictures, etc! She'll be in 5 different numbers for this year's recital. I am not looking forward to running back and forth to help with costume changes. Our studio has 4 recitals to accomodate all of the students: Sat matinee, Sat night, Sunday matinee, and Sunday night. Company classes will perform for the night shows and her other dances are in Sunday night's show.

 

[dreamer17555]

She'll be in 5 different numbers for this year's recital. I am not looking forward to running back and forth to help with costume changes. Our studio has 4 recitals to accomodate all of the students: Sat matinee, Sat night, Sunday matinee, and Sunday night. Company classes will perform for the night shows and her other dances are in Sunday night's show.

You might want to get with another mom and switch off shows that you will be changing costumes in. For Saturday Night you will change your daughter and hers and on Sunday she will return the favor.

At our Studio they hire backstage crew to help all the girls change. Parents are not allowed backstage during the show. Being Company DD has most of it down but being 6 she still has issues with her tights. I am going to let her try putting them on a couple of times this week and see how she does.

Its Recital week for us too. Dress Rehersal, gift baskets and all that Jazz. I really love all the feedback I have gotten about gifts. We decided to frame a bunch of pictures of her teacher with groups of her students. and DD made her a card and I attached a letter saying how much I have loved having her. She just got "outed" and wont be teaching Cat's dance team over the summer but Cat will still have Acro privates with her until July.

-Becca-

 

[undercovermom]

Bet, the flag team sounds like a wonderful idea.

The dance team at our school is the "prestige" team...my younger dd is on the dance team but my older dd...well, she didn't make the cut. She tried out for cheerleading two weeks later and made the JV squad, and found a home with the cheerleaders.

If your dd makes the flag team she may enjoy it so much she'll forget about trying out for dance again.

 

[Xcited4Disney]

You might want to get with another mom and switch off shows that you will be changing costumes in. For Saturday Night you will change your daughter and hers and on Sunday she will return the favor.

At our Studio they hire backstage crew to help all the girls change. Parents are not allowed backstage during the show.
-Becca-

That's a good idea. I'm going to try to work that out with another mom this week. My dd is old enough that I probably could have her do her costume changes herself, but it's so hectic and crowded backstage that I'm always afraid that something might get lost. Only one of her costumes is a little tricky to get on.

I wish we had a backstage crew like that! We have volunteer moms to watch the kids backstage but they are not responsible for changing your children.

 

[dreamer17555]

That's a good idea. I'm going to try to work that out with another mom this week. My dd is old enough that I probably could have her do her costume changes herself, but it's so hectic and crowded backstage that I'm always afraid that something might get lost. Only one of her costumes is a little tricky to get on.

I wish we had a backstage crew like that! We have volunteer moms to watch the kids backstage but they are not responsible for changing your children.

It is nice. The first year they did it I was SO worried! I mean strange girls (from the local college) with my DD! But I got over that quick. We label EVERYTHING and hope for the best that nothing get misplaced in the process. Its nice to just sit and enjoy the show, since at Competitions I have to run back to change her hair, make up and outfit. At Recital hair and makeup stays the same, which helps SO much.

-Becca-

 

[Xcited4Disney]

It is nice. The first year they did it I was SO worried! I mean strange girls (from the local college) with my DD! But I got over that quick. We label EVERYTHING and hope for the best that nothing get misplaced in the process. Its nice to just sit and enjoy the show, since at Competitions I have to run back to change her hair, make up and outfit. At Recital hair and makeup stays the same, which helps SO much.

-Becca-

Yes, I want to just sit and watch! Oh well...at least hair and makeup stays the same for recital too. This year I might change it up and give her a wild ponytail for hip hop and caribbean.

 

[dreamer17555]

Nothing special just felt like posting some of Cat's dance pics. The group shot are a few girls from Acro. Cat is in the black outfit. The other is her warming up for Itsy Bitsy at Showstoppers (She is the one with the glasses) and the last is her ballet picture for this year.

 

[belle&sebastiansmom]

Hello Dance Moms! First year dance mom here. My dd4 is in her first year of ballet and tap, with her recital at the end of this month.

The teacher wants their tap shoes spray painted pink. Several of the moms have not had good results - dripping, not sticking, etc.

So before I attempt it, what are some tricks / tips for spray painting the tap shoes?

Thanks so much.

 

[Xcited4Disney]

Hello Dance Moms! First year dance mom here. My dd4 is in her first year of ballet and tap, with her recital at the end of this month.

The teacher wants their tap shoes spray painted pink. Several of the moms have not had good results - dripping, not sticking, etc.

So before I attempt it, what are some tricks / tips for spray painting the tap shoes?

Thanks so much.

We go to a recommended shoe repair shop that sells spray paint. We have the option of having them dye the shoes but I usually just buy it and dye them myself.

 

[Xcited4Disney]

Nothing special just felt like posting some of Cat's dance pics. The group shot are a few girls from Acro. Cat is in the black outfit. The other is her warming up for Itsy Bitsy at Showstoppers (She is the one with the glasses) and the last is her ballet picture for this year.

Your daughter is very pretty and photogenic! I love the ballet pic!

 

[missypie]

Bet, so sorry your DD didn't make the team. She sounds very resiliant!

I'm serious that over the course of the school year, y'all need to investigate the idea of changing over to choosing the team by natural break rather than a set number. Start talking to people at the school after school starts (so it won't seem like sour grapes doing it now.) Try to get the support of the dance instructors AND the parents of some girls who are on the team. If you like, you can pm me and I'll give you the emails of some of our dance coaches and administrators who are very sold on the natural break method.

 

[missypie]

I just have to share an idea that one of the other company moms had for a company director gift. The company is going to give the director a charm bracelet with a charm reresenting a dance from each company-like an umbrella for "Soakin' Wet", a dollar sign for "Viva Las Vegas", etc. A single company could do that, too, with a charm for each dance they compete. When you divide the cost among all members, it isn't much at all, and it can be added to every year.

 

[dreamer17555]

I just have to share an idea that one of the other company moms had for a company director gift. The company is going to give the director a charm bracelet with a charm reresenting a dance from each company-like an umbrella for "Soakin' Wet", a dollar sign for "Viva Las Vegas", etc. A single company could do that, too, with a charm for each dance they compete. When you divide the cost among all members, it isn't much at all, and it can be added to every year.

I actually do a charm braclet for my daughter. We add a dance charm to it at recital every year one for each of her routines. Its already getting full though so at one point we will need to invest in another.

-Becca-

 

[cabanafrau]

Bet, I feel for your DD, caught in the midst of a situation where it sounds like the school has good intentions and good reasoning behind making a change to the way things have been, but that's cold comfort to kids like your DD who's opportunities get sacrificed for the change. I do agree that it wouldn't hurt to speak to someone about tweaking the idea for the future, but I realize that is such a balancing act so you don't sound like the bitter stage mom. Best of luck to you and DD.


To the PP who asked about painting shoes, I've never had any issues whatsoever w/ using the shoe paint another poster gave you the pic of -- although I can't vouch for it on the softer leather gore boots. On tap shoes, it's pretty amazing how nicely it covers & how durable it is.


The charm bracelet idea is wonderful!