Angelina Ballerina Visits!

We've had a wonderful National Dance Week here at Ballet Petite! All of our Ballet Petite classes read Angelina Ballerina stories, and even some recital and YPAS classes took a little break with games and face paint! Our guest of honor made a few appearances, inspiring dancers to grow up to be real ballerinas some day, just like Angelina!

A little impromptu performance

Share your pictures with us! Post to our Facebook wall, Tweet at us, or hashtag #balletpetite on Instagram! We'd love to see them!

Happy Dancing!

Angelina Ballerina and National Dance Week

April 22nd begins National Dance Week across the USA. Come help us celebrate National Dance Week with Ballet Petite's Angelina Ballerina Bring a Friend Week! Classes from Baby Dance to Primary Ballet I are invited to bring their friends along to introduce them to their dance classes, teachers, and friends the week of April 22 through April 28. All of our classes will have fun and games, even recital classes!

We're busy setting up the studios and passing out the invitations this week, and we can't wait to meet all of your friends! So get those dance shoes ready, pick out your shiniest leotard, and get ready for National Dance Week celebrations with Ballet Petite!

Find the event on Facebook or share your thoughts below!
We'll see you soon!

Why do we choose dance?

Spring is officially upon us. Well, honestly, it feels a little bit more like summer today. But in essence, and in feeling, it's definitely spring. The flowers are peeping out; the birds have come back (in Washington, do they ever really migrate?). And Spring session has started at Ballet Petite & Youth Performing Arts School. With the coming seasons, everyone has a lot more options for extracurriculars, including a lot of activities that are most appealing due to their access to the sunshine! It's baseball season, lacrosse season, and soccer season. Picnics, beach trips, hikes, and 5Ks are popular. It's also the time for school musicals, exams, and graduations. Spring break, summer planning, so much is going on right now.

And yet, we keep dancing. So many students continue to choose dance class instead of or in addition to their other activities. Everyone has a different reason for wanting to dance, and no one's reason is the same as another's. We wanted to hunt down a few good reasons to dance.

I choose to dance because...

"It's fantastic!" -a Ballet Petite student

"Dance makes me feel free and happy." -Miss Stephanie

"I love being on stage." - a Ballet Petite student

"It gives me an out." -Miss April

"Dance makes me smile." - a Ballet Petite parent

"Dance requires creativity and strength. It forces me to work hard and have fun at the same time."
-Miss Sarah Elizabeth

Got your own reasons? Share them with us!

And if you find yourself in the McLean studio, grab a flower and decorate it with your own reasons to dance! 

Meet Your Teacher- Miss Amanda

How well do we know one of our favorite teachers? Let's find out!

Miss Amanda, we have some questions for you!

How long have you been dancing?
Thirteen or fourteen years. I started in middle school and danced all through high school and college, and I still haven't stopped.

Where are you from?
I was born in Richmond, Virginia, but I grew up  mostly in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Buffalo, New York.

How big is your family?
My dad has 3 brothers, and my mom has  2 brothers, so I have a lot of cousins, aunts, and uncles! But my immediate family is small: just my mom, dad, and one sister.

Have you ever performed?
I've performed lots of times. Growing up, I did dance competitions and recitals, and I performed in plays and musicals at school. As a musical theatre and dance student in college, I performed in department and student-run productions. Since graduating, I've also performed in a few shows in the DC area.

What's your favorite place?
It's not where you go, it's the people you're with. I think I can have a great time anywhere in the world!


What's your hidden talent?
 I play piano, guitar, and ukulele; and I sing. I also love to bake in my free time (please feel free to share your favorite recipes with me!).

What is something you'd like to learn?
 I like learning to play new instruments-- I think my next attempt will be the harmonica.

What's your favorite hair accessory?
Absolutely scrunchies.

Story-Tea Time in McLean

 There is no denying that Ballet Petite and Youth Performing Arts School is a big presence in the Washington area! With classes in four studio locations and outreach at smaller venues throughout DC, we live to keep Washington dancing. But despite our breadth, we still love that neighborhood feel. Each studio has a different ambiance, a different neighborhood, and a different group of dancers.

For the past couple of weeks at the McLean studio, Ballet Petite has hosted Story-Tea Time for the neighborhood. On a quiet Tuesday morning, dozens of excited children and their families joined the lovely Miss Ellen for some tea, snacks, and Ballet Petite signature storytelling. 
It's been a great way to meet new friends and introduce families to their dancers' studio. Stay tuned! We're sure to host another Story-Tea Time again soon!