Summer Camp ROAR!

Summer Camp is so much fun! Here are some lovely students from our Stars of Broadway full day camp! Their musical was The Lion King!

Synchronized Swimming

With summer in full swing, one can't help but long for the cool respite offered by swimming pools. I was certainly daydreaming of swimming this morning as I racked my brains for something to blog about, when suddenly it dawned on me: synchronized swimming. What a lovely way to combine physical artistry with the cool blue swimming pool!

Synchro Swimming USA has this to say:

"Spectators have been awed by the grace and power of synchronized swimming since the inception of the sport in the early 1900s. Synchronized swimming requires a unique combination of overall body strength and agility, grace and beauty, split-second timing, musical interpretation, stamina and dramatic flair.

The inaugural synchronized swimming U.S. National Championships were held in 1946, just one year after the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) first recognized the sport. A few years later, the 1955 Pan American Games included synchronized swimming events, and the World Aquatic Championships soon followed. After almost 40 years of concerted effort, synchronized swimming was at last included in the Olympic Games in 1984, with the United States winning the first solo and duet Olympic gold medals.

Three events are currently recognized internationally in synchronized swimming: solo, duet and team (eight swimmers). The competitive rules and manner of judgins are similar to such sports as figure skating and gymnastics. In the 1996 Olympics, the team event replaced solo and duet competition, which had been a part of the Olympic program since 1984. However, the overwhelming demand for tickets and braod television appeal of the 1996 team event prompted the IOC to reinstate the duet event for 2000."

Friday Performances at Ballet Petite

Fridays during the summer are always such exciting days at Ballet Petite! Our full-week camps (except for the itty bitties!) perform the pieces they have worked so hard on all week long for an audience of family and friends! Many camps use costumes, props, and sets, some even handmade! The above set is from our Tappin' Toes camp this week. They are all geared up for their performance of "Hit the Road Jack" this afternoon!

Summer Classes at Ballet Petite

Well, I taught my first summer class at Ballet Petite yesterday afternoon -- a Classical Child class with 11 3- and 4- year olds! Young dancers are always a little nervous on the first day of classes (some moreso than others!), and so I felt EXTREMELY grateful when I saw what our story was that day: The Little Mermaid!

I can't think of a more wonderful way to break the ice with a new group than with a familiar story. Just mentioning the title to the children brought cheers, conversation, and even a physical sigh of relief from parents and students alike! All-in-all, a wonderful way to get the summer classes started!

The Dilemma of the Ballerina Bun

I've heard the struggle many parents have with taming and de-tangling their daughter's locks to make that perfect bun - even teachers have problems getting all those wisps in a hair net. The classic image of the ballerina includes a tight, perfectly placed bun with not a bang in site, but in today's studio there are all sorts of hair cuts!

The New York Times recently put out an article on the whether or not a bun or bob was acceptable in ballet. Ballerinas like Jenifer Ringer love and embrace the bob, and instead choose to wear wigs or hair pieces for performances that require them. There are falls (half-wigs), switches (pony-tail pieces), and full wigs to turn the bob into a bun.

What do you think? As a dancer who just cut her hair, I definitely prefer the short! I can tuck my bangs behind my ears or wear a hairband when I'm teaching class. However, a perfect ballet bun is always beautiful!

Summer Camp!

We would like to welcome all of our Campers who will be dancing with us this summer! We are so excited to share in part of your vacation, and we hope you are excited too!

Here are some tips to make summer camp an enjoyable experience:

- Try to arrive on time! We wouldn't want you to miss any part of camp!

(but, if you will be late, please call the office so your teacher can be notified!)

- Wash your hands! We don't want to spread any germs, so when

the teacher asks you during bathroom break, please wash them!

- If you are in an afternoon camp, please bring a peanut-free lunch!

- Don't forget to fill out your emergency info form at the beginning of the week!

- And most importantly, be ready to have some FUN!

Meet Miss Natalie!

Miss Natalie started dancing at the age of 5 with some beginning tap classes. After a short break, she resumed dancing with ballet classes at age 13. Her work at a day care center inspired her love of teaching children, and so she decided to combine her passion for dance with her passion for children, beginning at Ballet Petite in 2008. Upon completing her training at Ballet Petite and taking on her own classes, she decided to pursue a degree in Dance at Montgomery College.
Miss Natalie has been a beloved Ballet Petite teacher for countless students. She has a number of very devoted students who have followed her between different locations and changing days of the week to accomodate her ever-changing school schedule.