The Dance Mom Thread

[PeterPansMum]

Another dance mom here. DD 10 has been dancing 5 years, she takes ballet, tap, and jazz. No competition through this studio, DD probably wouldn't do that anyhow (DS is the competitive one) They did a short winter performance this year (first time) and they do an end of year performance. Our family always says they can't wait for the end of year show- The teacher normally makes a whole story out of the show instead of the old one number after another.

 

[Sleepy]

M son is also in a pre-pro ballet program. He is nine and has been dancing for a little over two years. He has ballet three hours a week. He also goes to a local dance studio for tap once a week. He loves ballet and tap but he hates Jazz and Hip-Hop.

Where does your son take ballet?

 

[mom2rb]

Where does your son take ballet?

Houston Ballet, It's great because he gets to see so many older male dancers. The last studio he was at had three boys total. Here he has a boy's class.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

My DD12 is a dancer, too--purely recreational at this point, she may join a team later. She's pretty serious, but likes lots of other things, too,so we're kind of seeing how it goes for her. She takes lyrical/tap/jazz in our town, then goes to another studio for prepointe/tap/jazz/hiphop. She's undecided about going en pointe at this time. She hasn't finished her growth spurt, so she won't be eligible until she's 14. She has classes 4 hours a week, plus she helps out with the younger classes a few hours a week. She also dances in plays, etc. In addition, there will be extra rehearsals as the recital gets nearer--she always gets picked for the big opening number and there's a finale as well.

In addition, she runs cross country and track. She finds that they build her endurance for dance. Again, I'm not sure how long she'll be able to keep up this schedule--we're following her lead. And she wants to be a cheerleader (only done at the HS level in our district). Yikes!

It's funny you should mention boys, her prepointe class at her newer studio is her first encounter with boys dancing and pairs and such. She enjoys the lifts, but as soon as they're done she goes running for the big jug of Purell. Because boys still have cooties, don't ya know!

 

[AboutTheMouse]

I'm a dance mom, too!

DD (9) takes ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop and company classes. We are in our 5th year of dance and 4th competitive season. She competes about once per month in the spring / summer in jazz, tap and company. We don't have levels at our studio. She dances 6 - 9 hours per week.

We just finished our first competition of the season yesterday and the girls did really well! Some of their numbers placed in the top 5. Not bad for a girl who just Tuesday came out of 4 weeks in a "boot" for a bone bruise.

 

[missypie]

DD15 took classes as a little girl, but devoted herself to soccer through 4th grade. She tried out for company in 5th grade and made it. She was a bit behind the girls who had devoted themselves solely to dance since toddlerhood. She's now in Senior Company (the highest level) at her studio. She does tap, ballet, modern and jazz and also takes technique. The studio also has a hip hop company but that's not her thing.

She's also a JV drill team officer. Drill team is a double blocked class at her high school, so she dances there 90 minutes a day. With Company, that makes about 15 hours a week, plus competions.

The drill team had its first competition on Saturday. Out of 53 teams that competed 3 or more dances, they came in 5th in technique and 6th overall. That is FANTASTIC, because they beat most of the varsity teams.

 

[taximomfor4]

Taximom4: what's your feis schedule? Maybe we can meet up sometime.

That would be so fun! We are signed up for W. Va on 4/5, and of course Cleveland on Memorial Day weekend. That one is BIIIIIIGGGGGG.

We will probably try to get into Akron, same weekend as Cleveland...but it caps very early.

We did Detroit last year, and Dayton and Cincinnati, and Columbus but I don't know if we'll do them again. Detroit, the venue was tooo hot. Dayton we just didn't enjoy. The girls' favorite feis is Cincinnati in June but it's about a 5-hr drive. Might or might not do it this year. We didn't travel to feis at all, till last summer. Now, I kind of want to, because my oldest earned a solo dress. Want her to use it!

Our school is big on team-dancing, but our kids sort of are at a disadvantage in solo dancing. We are slowly muddling through the levels.

What's your feis schedule like? Ever fly, or head east toward Ohio?

Beth

 

[coinkc]

We are going to Cleveland and Akron this year for the first time! Maybe we'll see you there

We are also planning on Dayton and Cincinnati in June. Dayton is actually on my daughter's birthday and she said she would love to be at a feis on that day. We were there two summers ago and liked both feis's.

We do fly to a couple a year and really like the back-to-back weekends as it helps justify the expense

What age/level are your daughters? Congrats on the solo dress...what does it look like?

 

[taximomfor4]

We are going to Cleveland and Akron this year for the first time! Maybe we'll see you there

We are also planning on Dayton and Cincinnati in June. Dayton is actually on my daughter's birthday and she said she would love to be at a feis on that day. We were there two summers ago and liked both feis's.

We do fly to a couple a year and really like the back-to-back weekends as it helps justify the expense

What age/level are your daughters? Congrats on the solo dress...what does it look like?

First of all, to the pp who mentioned the first competion of the season for her dd, congrats!! My kids love dancing, and competing is so exciting for them! I wish your dd a great competition season!!

coinkc, YAY! I am so glad you are coming by us!! My oldest is U15 Novice/OPW. My second dd is all U10 Novice. They started Irish Dance in Sept 2004. We've always waited till Jan 1st to move up a level. So far, that has been a level per year. But apparently Novice is going to be a little longer, lol. My DS tried Irish Dance, but didn't like it. My youngest dd (age 5) will be U6 First Feis at Cleveland!!

PM me, and we can try to set up a meet at Cleveland! (And maybe I will book Dayton/Cincy! my girls love Cincy's feis, in that giant convention center in Covington. The escalator in hard shoes scares me, but the girls love it.

 

[taximomfor4]

Congrats on the solo dress...what does it look like?

Oh Yeah, the solo dress is grape purple, with bright pink soft cape. There are silver-sequined designs, too. And the underskirt is white/light purple swirly, as are the bloomers.

Here is a picture. We lucked out, got it brand new and although it doesn't fit perfectly, it fits well enough to NOT pick apart seams!!

http://imageevent.com/rincepix/2007pittsburghwinterfeis/saturdaypm?p=1260&w=4&c=4&n=0&m=99&s=0&y=0&z=2&l=0
OK, it's the back, but I don't have a decent picture of the front yet. What age group/level does your dd compete?

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

Dance Mom here..DD 1 (Autumn) has been dancing since the age of 2. We are doing it just for fun right now. She will be 6 in October. She does ballet, tap, and some tumbling. DD 2 (Kassondra) danced for one year and decided she didn't wanna do it anymore. She likes watching her sister instead. Recital in June for us here.

 

[NHdisneylover]

It is nice to see other moms with boys who dance on here. DS9 is in his 6th year of dance. He takes Ballet, tap and jazz and loves it all. He had to drop Hip Hop this year becasue it conflicted with theatrical rehearsals, but he misses it. He is hoping to add lyrical next year. There are about 10 boys at the studio he dances at these days and one recently decided that if Rio can be in ballet then he will have the guts to do it too
DD11 took two years of dance when she was little, but it is really not her thing (karate is!).

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

So I am doing today. Why is it that 1/3 of my laundry basket if full of dance clothes?!?!

 

[missypie]

So I am doing today. Why is it that 1/3 of my laundry basket if full of dance clothes?!?!

Every Saturday morning I do the "drill team" load. They are supposed to be hand washed but I use the hand wash cycle on the washer, then hang them to dry. They have a separate dance outfit for every day of the week. The girls will continue to wear the same clothes all through high school (assuming they don't outgrow them), so there is a lot of motivation to keep them nice.

 

[ash&abby'smom]

Another dance mom:
I have
dd7, this will be here 4th year of dance. She takes ballet, tap & jazz. This is also her first year of competition. We have our first competition this weekend. We had dress rehearsal yesterday and they are so cute. I have to say, her level of dance has improved so much this year with company classes. We go for 4 hours of classes a week, plus rehearsals on Sat. It is definately a commitment. We are not going to nationals this year.

dd4, this is her first year of dance taking ballet and tap. I'm not sure how long she will do it.

Their recital is at the end of May, so I am curious to see how dd4 does.

I'm so glad to see this thread. Sometimes you need support.

 

[taximomfor4]

OK, my littlest Irish Dancer (started about 5 months ago) did her first performance last night. A Womens Club booked our Irish Dance school to perform at their meeting. I was very nervous, because dd5 is very well-behaved, but definitely an independent thinker. I had NO idea whether she'd actually go out there and do her thing. She was the only beginner to sign up for this show, and let me just say.....she stole the show. For real!! My second dd (age 9.5) was the next least-experienced dancer, and she's been dancing for 4.5 yrs.

Anyway, just wanted to share. I was sooooo relieved!

 

[UMTerp]

Another dance mom checking in!

DD age: 9 (will be 10 in a month)
Dancing for: 6 years
Level: 2 in Jazz, 2/3 in Ballet,2 in Tap
Is DD Competitve: Yes, she competes locally (Northern VA area)
How often if DD competes does she compete: 1-2 times a month in the spring
How many hours a week: 4

DD made the Junior dance team at her studio last year and competed with the team in poms and jazz. This year she will be competing for the first time in a jazz duet! Her studio decided to compete in a production number with all FOUR dance teams this year. DD will be participating in tap, poms, and jazz portions of the production number with her junior dance team members.

First duet competition is this Saturday! Fingers crossed!

UMTerp

 

[clori]

My dd's go to a completely non competitive dance school. They basically do the yearly recital in June plus in December they dance at nursing homes.

dd7 is in her 5th year of dance for ballet/tap, 4th for hip hop and this is her first year taking Irish Step which is new to her studio.

dd3 is in her first year of ballet/tap class. I can't wait to see her on stage since she was sick during the nursing home dances.

dd7 takes learn to skate ice skating lessons with a recital. DD7 finished basic 2 and is now just working on a routine for the March recital. She could advance quicker if she just did lessons but I think the performance aspect is just as important to her. I can't see dd becoming competive in anything. DD3 is just starting to skate but not really ready yet so mostly fun skating with me holding her up.

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

So where do all the dance mom's purchase their leotards for dance class?

 

[CraftyMouse]

So where do all the dance mom's purchase their leotards for dance class?

www.discountdance.com
We use them for EVERYTHING!