The Dance Mom Thread

[tinker_stinker06]

She is 18 and just finished her freshman year at the University of Arizona. She is a very talented dancer, but her level of confidence hasn't always matched her abilities. This past year has been one of tremendous growth for her.

oh thats great i would say it probably has something to do with being in college and part or growing up. i hope she continues to have great success in her career

 

[luvflorida]

Update on SYTYCD audition: Ahhhh...she got cut right before the solo round in front of the judges. She was SO disappointed.

DD18 attended the auditions in Phoenix with two of her dance friends. One got cut late in the first day, and my daughter and other friend made it to the second day.

For callbacks on the second day, they actually got to dance in front of the judges, again doing improv. So, she got to improv in front of Nigel, Mary and Mia. She was in a group of ten, and six got cut and four went through to the solo round, the round that determines whether or not the dancer goes through to Vegas.

All in all, the girls had a fun time, and were glad to audition just for the experience. My daughter said they got their picture taken with Cat Deely, and danced for the tv cameras while waiting in line. Maybe they'll be on the Phoenix audition show in the fall. My daughter said it was exciting and fun to be with so many other dancers all hoping to advance as far as possible.

For me, like I said before, I am so proud of her for auditioning. She never would have done anything like this a few short years ago. Her confidence in her abilities just wasn't there. Of course, I felt terrible when she called me right after she got cut. She was in tears and so upset. My biggest fear was that it would cause her to backslide in self-confidence. I talked to her later in the day, and she was fine. She and her friends were sitting poolside and just relaxing. I told my daughter that she had to realize just what it took for her to audition and how much she has grown in so many ways. Hopefully, she will see it, too.

 

[missypie]

Update on SYTYCD audition: Ahhhh...she got cut right before the solo round in front of the judges. She was SO disappointed.

DD18 attended the auditions in Phoenix with two of her dance friends. One got cut late in the first day, and my daughter and other friend made it to the second day.

For callbacks on the second day, they actually got to dance in front of the judges, again doing improv. So, she got to improv in front of Nigel, Mary and Mia. She was in a group of ten, and six got cut and four went through to the solo round, the round that determines whether or not the dancer goes through to Vegas.

All in all, the girls had a fun time, and were glad to audition just for the experience. My daughter said they got their picture taken with Cat Deely, and danced for the tv cameras while waiting in line. Maybe they'll be on the Phoenix audition show in the fall. My daughter said it was exciting and fun to be with so many other dancers all hoping to advance as far as possible.

For me, like I said before, I am so proud of her for auditioning. She never would have done anything like this a few short years ago. Her confidence in her abilities just wasn't there. Of course, I felt terrible when she called me right after she got cut. She was in tears and so upset. My biggest fear was that it would cause her to backslide in self-confidence. I talked to her later in the day, and she was fine. She and her friends were sitting poolside and just relaxing. I told my daughter that she had to realize just what it took for her to audition and how much she has grown in so many ways. Hopefully, she will see it, too.

Proud of her for taking the risk...if you watch any of those shows, you know that chances are slim for even the best dancers to make it through...they have to keep a balance by gender, race, etc.

She will have a great story to tell, no matter what!

 

[mbw12]

What an awesome experience for your daughter!!!!!!!

 

[missypie]

Tomorrow is Nationals and DD16's last comptition with her dance company.

I wonder if either of us will be sentimental. The company director has been horrible to the girls the last few months, but she is leaving, too. At regionals of this competition, our girls got second overall, but I still worry that they won't make it to finals. They've had only a couple of very short rehearsals since school got out - you can tell the director has "checked out." If other companies are practicing extra and we are hardly practicing at all, it can't be good.

The end of an era. I cried last year at the other D's last ever gymnastics meet. Wonder if I'll feel the same about this.

 

[jen0610]

Just got DD's finalized schedule for this year. It was looking like we were gonna be there 3 days a week, but they moved her hip-hop class, so we are back to 2 nights.

Tues - 4:45 - 45 minutes of ballet, then 30 minutes of tap at 6:15,, finishing with 45 minutes of hip-hop at 7:00. She'll be able to work on what ever homework she may have during the 45 minute bread between ballet and tap.

Thur - 7:15 - 45 minutes of jazz.

Hopefully we find out soon, what the jr production group number is going to be this year. Oklahoma was so much fun for the girls last year.

 

[mjantz]

We're up to 3 days/week. Ballet, character & an hour of tap/jazz. She's doing summer intensive right now at her academy & it looks like our Nutcracker schedule may get a bit more hectic. The past few years she's been a mouse & an angel but in one of the SI classes they spent a bit of time working on bon-bons so we may be very busy starting mid-October.
I just love Nutcracker & everything surrounding it. Yes, it means long nights & our crockpot gets a lot of use so we can actually have a hot meal but watching the kids & the company members come together to consistently put on a great show is just wonderful to watch.

 

[MELSMICE]

Just wanted to say that I have probably been to classes this week with many of your children's instructors. I just finished classes at the DMA Teacher's Training School (actually they are still going on - I just skipped the last one!) What an awesome training school it is. If one of your instructors attends this feel blessed that they are being trained properly to instruct your children.

Next week I head to Orlando for the DanceLife Teacher Conference - what a perk - it's at the Dolphin. My DD & I are staying at the Boardwalk Villas though!

 

[Fionasmommy]

Yay, other dance moms!

My DD is 8 now and we just moved back to dance after two years of all star cheerleading. Prior to that she danced for 3 years, one of those was competitive. I'm really excited for her because she seems so happy to be dancing again, and at this age she's learning so much faster!

She is doing company, and will be going 12 hours a week for now, more later when they have to add in Saturday rehearsals. She's taking ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, acro, musical theatre, and turns & leaps. I believe they'll compete about 4 times locally, and then travel for nationals. We don't know where we're going yet, and of course I can't wait to find out. C'mon Orlando!

 

[HomeschoolMama]

Does this thing still have a pulse?

I found this thread when I was googling Dream Duffle reviews. I should have known my beloved DIS would have a dance mom thread.

So, anyone still out there?

Just in case, I wanted to say "Hi!" and introduce myself. I'm Dawn and I have two girls (and one boy, but her doesn't dance) who are on competitive dance teams. We've been doing this for about 5 years now. My oldest, B, is 12 and my younger daugher, C, is 8.
We're looking forward to the dance season, especially now that my oldest is able to dance again. We were in a car wreck in October and she's been side-lined. This week she's finally able to do the kick routine without pain.

Say "hi" if you're still around, mommas!!

 

[Sleepy]

Does this thing still have a pulse?

Paddles......CLEAR!

I am still here. Actually sitting in the car waiting for my kiddo to get off the train.

My son had a summer intensive in NYC this year and he had an absolute blast. The ballet technique was so opposite of his method at home, but he learned so much. Those lessons and experiences will stay with him for a lifetime. He especially enjoyed being around American teens. He has lost touch with his own culture and all that American teen stuff was very strange to him, but he had fun while staying in the dorms. One thing he remembers is that one of the instructors told them that as a professional dancer you will never be rich and able to afford that Porsche, BUT, you will be rich in CULTURE. It was funny to my son becasue he has always wanted a Porsche.

2 weeks ago his dream came true. He finally got to see Baryshnikov dance. I was told Baryshnikov was greatly loved by the audience. When he went on stage, he was applauded. He removed his jacket and was applauded. He sat in a chair and again, applause. My son had forgotten how old this man was and went expecting to see high leaps, etc that he sees on DVDs. The performance was less impact and it was obvious he was in pain, as he grabbed his back between combinations. Overall, my son enjoyed it. I told him it was a rare opportunity to see him.....and luck that he was here in Naples. One really neat dance was done with the backdrop screen showing old film footage of him performing as a young person. My son used his cell phone to record it and later show me (tickets were too costly for all of us to go). It was moving to see the contrast. I think it was well done.

So, how was the summer and current school year going for everyone else?

 

[Darsa]

DD14 finally gets to learn to dance en pointe starting in January! She's really excited. They won't be in the recital in May until the following year, but they're going to start building up the muscles needed.

The end of this month, the week after Christmas, her dance instructor will be posting pictures of the costumes chosen for the recital; WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THEM!! It's gotten so that we're more anxious to see those than for Christmas when December rolls around

 

[missypie]

He finally got to see Baryshnikov dance.

Note to self: Put The Turning Point in the Netflix queue. My kids have never seen him dance. My, I certainly had a crush on him back in the day!

 

[JeannieNM]

He finally got to see Baryshnikov dance.

What a great opportunity.

I was very fortunate that in college I worked at the Kennedy Center in DC and was able to see Baryshnikov dance night after night. He cemented my love of ballet.

I am so glad your son was able to see him in person even though he has aged.

 

[missypie]

It's interesting to consider that in the second half of the 70s, ballet was "in." Everyone knew Baryshnikov and Nuryev, Gelsey Kirkland...they were stars, outside of the ballet world. I'm sure there were others deserving of fame that didn't get it, but it certainly was great for a time when popular culture thought ballet was cool.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Well, we're still here, still dancing, but the focus has changed somewhat.

DD14 still fits in 7-8 dance classes a week, and also managed to letter in cross country this year. Not bad for a freshman! Up until now, she's been a dancer who runs--that may be changing. however, she won't do track in the spring because it interferes with recital season.

DS12 quit tap.

DD6 is in dance, and will ahve to choose her "styles" this spring. No idea which way she'll go, but she'll definitely stay in dance.

And then there's the rising star of the family--DS3! He started dance this fall, and it's the highlight of his week. He does pirouettes and arabesques all over the house. He broke his elbow last week, needed surgery and pins and has a cast on his arm--still, he wouldn't miss dance class for anything. I have no idea if this is something he'll stick with, but for now, it's the real joy in his life.

Sleepy--What a great opportunity for your son! How poignant to see Barishnikov.

 

[disneygals]

and we're back!

Sleepy...so cool about Baryshnikov!

My girls are still busy..

DD senior (yikes!) just finished Joseph and the Amazing Tech Dreamcoat in high school. She had the lead, but boy did she pay her dues in previous years! She also has the lead in the spring musical Titanic. She'll be the stepmother in spring ballet at dance school.

dd sophomore has community Nutcracker in 2 weeks, she's Snow Court. And she has the lead role in Cinderella in the spring.

dd 8th grade is in a holiday show this weekend with older sister. Because of budget cuts jr high and high are combining which is nice for them to be together. Also in Fiddler at the jr high in the spring.

 

[disneygals]

About paying your dues, etc.

I hope my post didn't sound braggy, but how nice for a change to post some really good parts! We've had many years of tears and sucking it up when not getting good roles.

I'll admit to being a closet stagemother and a partial helicoptor mom, but I have to say over the years my girls have learned a lot about life and disappointment being in the ballet and theater world.

 

[cabanafrau]

Still here, girls still dancing, but we're trying to dial it down. Younger DD may be heading towards giving up ballet after this season to make room for other activities. She enjoys it, but doesn't live & die for it so it's probably better to seek & follow a passion. Oldest stepped out of competing this season & overall is very glad she did. She's of course paying for it at the studio, but pretty much is learning to let it go.

Right now it does feel dance is consuming our schedule because both are in our upcoming benefit performance of Nutcracker. Oldest is dancing in Chinese & Waltz of the Flowers, youngest is part of Waltz of the Flowers also, just not a flower as she is not on pointe.

 

[madmom1030]

Dance Moms--

I am thinking about getting a Dream Duffel for my dds to use for competitions, and was wondering if any one had one and if they liked it.

Erin