5 Ways We Make Recital Memorable for our Dance Families!

This year is a special year for Positions Dance Studio, and we must say, we are in our feels! Recital 2021: Celebrate Good Times is just a month away! Check out one of our past blog posts to learn about what we’re celebrating this year. Most notably, Positions Dance Studio turns 50, a milestone anniversary that makes us want to hit the dance floor! 

One thing we’ve learned after 50 Years is that Recital Season is the sweetest, most rewarding time of the year for both our staff AND our students. It’s the moment where all of our hard work pays off and comes to life. More importantly, it’s the time where our students break out of their shells and create memories that will last a lifetime. 

We know how exciting Recital Day is for our students, so we absolutely LOVE doing everything we can to make it special. After 50 years of recital memories (and many more to come!), we know it’s the little things that you’ll look back on and cherish forever. Memories are priceless, and we’re honored by the opportunity to create a memorable family experience! 

Check out the 5 Ways We Make Recital Memorable for our Dance Families:

1. Dad’s Dance

Recital is a family affair! A crowd favorite in our annual recitals, our Dad’s Dance is a golden opportunity to dust off your dance shoes and show us what you’ve got! Our adorable dancers LOVE watching their dads have their big moment too! It’s a precious dance each year that is ALWAYS a showstopper! 

2. Recital T-Shirts

Have you checked out our T-Shirt design this year? Recital T-Shirts are a great keepsake that your dancer will wear proudly even after recital is over! Be sure to pre-order yours today to be sure your child gets the perfect size. All pre-orders will be available for pick up at the Dress Rehearsal on July 2.

3. Professional Dance Photos

We know you’ll cherish your child’s dance years forever. That’s why we partner with Lasting Impressions Photography to provide adorable photos of your child in their costumes. Photos will take place on June 6th and June 13th and sessions are by reservation only. The reservation window has closed, but please contact us if you missed out and we may be able to accommodate. 

4. Flower Bouquets

If you’re looking for a special gesture to honor your dancer’s hard work, flowers are a classic post-show tradition for performers. We partner with The Commencement Group to offer bouquets for preorder that are available for pick-up on recital day. It’s the most convenient option for our busy dance parents. Pre-order your flowers here! 

5. A Live Stream Option (New This Year!)

Because of the challenges we’ve all faced this year, we are ready to adapt to make sure everyone gets to take part in the wonderful memories. Ticket sales will begin closer to the day of the performance to ensure that we are working with the most up-to-date capacity guidelines. Those who are unable to attend for whatever reason will have the option to purchase a live stream of the performance. 

From costumes, hair, and everything in between, we know a lot goes into getting your child ready for recital. But at the end of the day, the thing that matters most is the priceless joy on your child’s face when they step on stage. We know that feeling will stick with them and we love providing small opportunities to make it memorable. 

Don’t forget to check the Recital 2021 Page of our website frequently for all the most important information. We update it whenever new details take shape. We can’t wait for an AMAZING performance! 

4 Signs That Your Child is READY To Hit the Recital Stage!

Did you hear?! A celebration is in order! This year, our Positions Dance Studio recital theme is Celebrate Good Times. If you’ve recently visited the recital page on our website, you’ve probably marked your calendars for the big day on July 3rd! We thank you for your patience as we continue to confirm all the details.

Have you ever met a child that is a natural-born entertainer?! You know, the ones that take every opportunity to get all eyes on them! Many of our students are similar, and it’s rewarding to see them find their home on stage. What’s even MORE rewarding is seeing our shy students move out of their comfort zones and into the spotlight!

So how do you know if your child is ready for their big moment on stage? Throughout the end of the school year, you’ll notice the excitement start to build! It’s the most adorable thing and we absolutely LOVE sharing the hype with our students! 

4 Signs That Your Child Is Ready to Hit the Recital Stage:

1. They CAN’T Stop Peeking at Their Costume

Over the past couple of months, we’ve been sending our dazzling recital costumes home with students. Check out some of our beautiful costumes on our Facebook Page! 

Costume day can be pretty magical for our students, but what’s even MORE magical is the day they finally get to dress up and head on stage. We tell our students not to wear their costumes around the house to keep them looking fresh. But if you catch your little one peeking and begging to put it on, they are just itching to perform! 

P.S. Click here to check out some more costume care tips in our last blog post!

2. They Love Practicing Their Routine At Home

Are you seeing your child’s stellar moves every time you turn around?! For our older dancers, are their tik tok favorites being replaced by their recital moves? It’s official, they’ve fallen in love with their recital dance! 

Need the zoom links to follow along with their recital video? Email us! 

3. They Ask to Listen to Their Recital Song Over and OVER

Have you downloaded your child’s recital song on your devices? If your child can’t get enough and knows ALL the words, that’s when you know that they can’t wait to perform their routine. Pro tip: grab them a pair of headphones so the sound of their music doesn’t make you crazy before recital! 

4. They Can Perform Their Entire Routine For You With No Help!

The tell-tale sign of a performer who is stage-ready is being able to get through their whole routine without the help from teachers, videos, or classmates. That’s when you can be sure that they really know their routine. 

We strongly encourage all of our dancers to do mock performances at home. It’s one of the BEST ways to combat stage fright and engrain those dance moves into their muscle memory. Make it fun by creating pretend tickets, entering your living room theatre, and turning those stage lights on and off with the music! 

So… is YOUR dancer ready to hit the stage?! If you checked off any of those tell-tale signs, Recital 2021 will be a total hit in your house! We can’t wait!

If you’re loving these at-home recital prep tips, be sure to follow us on Facebook! Over the next couple of months, we’ll be busy posting our Recital Tip Series that is dedicated to helping parents out during recital week! 

We are SO excited to celebrate our students on the dance floor at Recital 2021! Continue checking our website for updates, as we’ll be updating our recital page with important details in the coming months. Happy at-home practicing!

Recital 2021: 3 Things We're Celebrating On The Dance Floor!

We’ve got BIG NEWS over here at Positions!!! We’re announcing our 2021 Recital Theme: Celebrate Good Times! 2020 didn’t give the world much to celebrate, which is why we are setting out to make 2021 the greatest dance party that you’ve ever seen! 

So what exactly are we celebrating? We can’t wait to share the news with our Positions families! 

3 Things We’re Celebrating on The Dance Floor This Year!

1. Positions Dance Studio Turns 50!!!

Can you believe it?! 2021 will be our 50th year in business here at Positions. What better way to celebrate this huge milestone than to hit the dance floor and spread the love?! 

Join us as we celebrate 50 years of stellar dancing, 50 years of building our Babylon community, and MANY more years to come! We are SO thankful for the support we’ve received through the years as it truly means the world. We can’t wait to continue the Positions legacy of being the best dance studio in Babylon, NY! 

2. An Amazing Return to the Studio

The year of 2020 has sure been whirlwind. We know the end of last season didn’t go as planned but things are ALREADY looking up here at the studio. We’ve returned to our facility for a safety-conscious kick off of our Fall 2020 Dance Classes! Our updated COVID-19 Protocols and our dedicated staff have made this year feel like a victory!

While we were dedicated to making the return happen, it’s our parents and students who made this comeback truly something to celebrate! Our students have entered the studio ready to learn and eager to dance. Dance parents have shown great amounts of cooperation and understanding as we work through this transition together. The smiles have been contagious. We invite YOU to join us for a victory dance at Recital 2021!

3. The Joy of Performing! 

While 2021 will be a year of GREAT celebration for us, we have to be honest… our end-of-year dance recitals are ALWAYS pretty festive. There is something about performing that makes a child feel special, and a dancer feel like they’ve accomplished something BIG! Getting the opportunity to perform means the world to our dancers and we can’t wait to share all the details as our plans for Recital 2021 take shape! It’s going to be an amazing show! 

Who will be celebrating on the dance floor with us?! It’s not too late to join the best dance studio in Babylon and save your spot for Recital 2021! Check out our Fall Dance Schedule and register today! Our 50th Anniversary show is going to be a celebration that you WON’T forget.

Positions Happenings: Take a Look at our March Newsletter

Now that our Positions dancers have finished LEAPING for Leap Day, it’s officially time to MARCH into March! Loving our cheesy puns? Don’t worry, we’ve got plenty more headed your way in the months to come! :) 

As we head into Spring, we’ve got TONS of fun coming up. Between Spring Musical, Recital 2020, and Summer Dance, Positions Dance Studio will be keeping you and your little ones busy for the next few months! 

Don’t miss a beat! We are sharing our March Newsletter to keep all the important and exciting details right at your fingertips! 

1. It’s Kindness Month at Positions.

During the whole month of March, we are celebrating kindness. Look for some special initiatives around the studio and activities in classes. It is our hope that our students know the value of kindness and continue to spread it within their community! 

2. Register for Summer Dance Today! 

Have you had a chance to check out our summer schedule? We have a FUN mix of classes, workshops, intensives, and camps on the schedule. Between our Positions Poppin’ Positions Summer Camp, our 6-Week Class Session, and our Rockettes Workshop, there is something for every child this summer!

Promo Alert: Use the code EARLYBIRD20 Get 10% off Summer Tuition when you register before April 30th! Don’t miss out on a summer of FUN! Get registered here today!

3. Spring Musical Tickets are On Sale Now!

Positions students will be presenting Frozen Kids at the Argyle Theatre. We are excited to see Elsa and Anna’s adventures come to life in this production! Our students have been working hard to put it all together and would love to see you in the audience.

Join us on April 26th at 2pm! Purchase tickets online today! 

4. Don’t miss our most recent Recital 2020 updates.

Have you added Recital 2020 to your calendar yet? We can’t wait to see our dancers take the stage on June 28th! Tickets go on sale March 15-18. 

We know our dance parents have a lot to remember! So we’ve created a Recital Info Page that keeps all the important info in one place. Below are some of the latest updates we’ve added to our website:

Show Order Details
Photo Day Schedules
Dress Rehearsal Schedule

5. Reserve your spot for Spring Meditation and Mimosas on March 22nd.

Join us for a special workshop on March 22nd at 12:30pm. During this relaxing class, guests will enjoy meditation, healthy snacks, and mimosas. 

Spring Mediation & Mimosas
Sunday 3/22 12:30-1:30pm
$30/ person (non-refundable)
Call 631-669-8612 to reserve your spot today!

6. Reserve your spot for our Foam Roll, Stretch, and Myofascial Massage Workshop.

Got aches and pains? Join us for this special workshop on March 27. Class will feature guided foam roll massages, stretches, and techniques that release stiff muscles. 

Foam Roll, Stretch, and Myofascial Release Workshop
Friday 3/27 8:15-9:00pm
$40/ person (non-refundable)
Foam rollers will be provided!
Call 631-669-8612 to reserve your spot today!

7. Spring Break is April 11-17.

The studio will be closed April 11-17. Enjoy your break! Be sure to make some time to rest and recharge before we head into recital season! 

8. Don’t miss Babylon Village’s 9th Annual Chinese Auction.

On Wednesday, March 11th at 6pm, join the community for a fun night of raffle, coffee, tea, and desserts! Learn more and purchase tickets here. 

9. Hurry in! The Everything Long Sleeved Sale ends on March 15th!

Be sure to stop by our dancewear store to take advantage of this awesome sale. All long-sleeved items are 35% off through 3/15. This is a great time to stock up on dance wear!

10. You’re Invited to a Hydrafacial Party on March 25th!

Deep Blue Med Spa has created an exclusive event for Positions parents and we could not be more excited! Add a little pampering to your life. At this event, guests will enjoy mini HydraFacial treatments, raffle baskets, demos, and exclusive offers. 

See you at Deep Blue Med Spa on March 25th at 7pm! Be sure to RSVP here. 

What an exciting list! We absolutely love offering such a wide variety of events, promotions, and opportunities for our dancers. Happy March, everyone. Don’t forget to spread kindness around the studio this month! 

5 Benefits of Performing

Positions families! We are SO close! Recital is coming right up and we really think that this could be the best dance recital in Babylon yet! Our dances are starting to look fabulous and the students are beginning to feel the pre-show excitement. We can’t wait!

Aside from all the excitement, we also get a little sentimental around recital time. Our staff at Positions Dance Studio all treasure the memories of their dance recitals growing up. It is SUCH a special time for kids and families. We really value our Spring recital because it gives our students the chance to perform. Performing has SO many benefits for children, so today on the blog we wanted to share our 5 favorites!

Benefits of Performing:

1. Self-Confidence

Once you get on stage, the lights are shining, the music is playing, and the audience is watching. There is NO hiding. Performing is a great tool for teaching kids how to step out of their comfort zone and be confident in themselves.

At our dance recital, we see sparks light up in our kids every year. If they have insecurities, they are forced to leave them behind on recital day in order to shine on stage. Knowing your loved ones are in the audience cheering you on is a great feeling. And strutting off-stage after nailing a 3-minute dance routine is an even greater feeling. Performing builds our kids up and teaches them that they are capable of incredible things.

2. Goal-Setting

We love recital because it gives our kids something big to work towards all year. Everything we teach in class becomes a whole lot more meaningful to them when it means they will look AWESOME on stage. We work on setting goals throughout the school year in class and we love seeing them reach those goals on-stage.

3. Overcoming Fears

Performing teaches kids that they can do anything in life, even when it seems scary. It’s no secret that performing in front of a theater of people can be a little intimidating! All eyes are on YOU, which can stir up nerves and anxiety in many kids. We absolutely LOVE giving pep-talks backstage to nervous dancers before they step out. It is amazing to watch as they work through those emotions and get on stage despite their fears. Performing teaches them to let go, trust themselves, and just GO for it!

4. Teamwork

At Positions Dance Studio, we emphasize the importance of working together when performing and perfecting dance routines. We tell our students that the goal is to look like ONE dancer on stage by dancing perfectly in sync with one another. We use counts, music cues, and breath to help our kids stay together and work as a team. Teamwork is an essential part of life! Performing is a valuable tool for teaching kids to step outside of themselves and into something bigger.

5. Sharing Joy

This one is probably our favorite! Performing (and dance in general!) is FUN! It often lights up joyful feeling in kids. We tell our students that the stage is their chance to share their love of dance with others. When a kid learns that they have the power to entertain an audience or put a smile on someone’s face with their dancing, recital becomes so special. It is important for kids to learn that what they give to the world matters.

Putting together this list has made us even more hyped for the big day. Recital is so much more than just another day at the studio, and we hope this list helps our families see how special it is. Performing is fun, but what our kids gain from it is just priceless!

Tickets for this amazing show are available online now! We can’t wait to see all of our dance families in the audience cheering the dancers on. Be sure to check out our recital page to stay on top of important dates and info! See you at the theater!

Recital Traditions: Etiquette and What to Expect

We know it's hard to believe, but our annual dance recital is right around the corner! As we finish and perfect all of our dances, the excitement definitely begins to buzz around the studio. We can’t wait to see all of our kids’ hard work come to life on June 22nd. Performing is a special time for dancers and their families, so today we want to talk about 5 performance traditions.

From theater etiquette to fun show-time rituals, we’ve got you covered on what to expect for the big day!

Etiquette Tips:

1. Give your dancers a round of applause at the end AND during impressive moments!

Most of us know that it’s tradition to give the performers a round of applause at the end of a dance. And take it from us dancers, the LOUDER the better! One of the most rewarding parts of recital weekend is hearing our younger dancers say, “did you hear how loud they clapped for us?!” as they rush off the stage for the first time.

Another great way to show your support is to applaud during impressive moments that you know your dancer has worked hard to achieve. Feel free to clap for long turn sequences, big jumps/lifts, or fabulous solos. It will send their dancing hearts through the roof, we promise!

2. Don’t enter the stage from the theater house. It’s bad theater etiquette!

We don’t blame you if you didn’t know about this one! It’s kind of an unspoken theater rule! We like to keep the theater house (the section with the seats) completely separate from all the backstage buzz. If your dancer has to get backstage, walk around to the backstage entrance. When you're in the house, the stage is off limits!  

3. A beautiful ballet bun and glowing makeup is a recital must-have!

Your dancer will definitely feel the excitement as you take the morning to the get their glitz and glam on. For parents who feel a little lost when it comes to ballet buns (we understand, it is difficult!), here’s an online tutorial to get you started. Be sure to use hairspray for a sleek look that will stay put for the entire performance.

4. No flash photography at the theater.

This one is important not only to keep our audience members free of distractions but also for the safety of our dancers. Believe it or not, when the dancers step on stage they can see almost NOTHING in the house. So when a camera flashes, it can really shock a dancer’s eyes and ruin their focus. We know you want to capture the big moments, but we encourage you to put the cameras down! There is nothing like a live performance from your child! Also, don’t forget you have the option of purchasing a professional DVD keepsake. Lean back and enjoy the show knowing that you can revisit the memories later!

5. Flowers are the classic post-show gift to make your dancer feel loved and supported!

Ask any dancer, there is nothing better than adoring all your beautiful flowers after a big performance. It’s a performance tradition and it gets those warm and fuzzies going! We will have flowers available for purchase in our lobby for your convenience!

6. Don’t forget to say “Break a Leg!”

It’s tradition… dancers DON’T say “good luck.” Hearing these words of support before the big day is a great way to get the excitement brewing. We love making our students feel like they are a part of a dance community with special rituals and long-lasting memories.

Now that you’re officially “in the know” about all of our dancer traditions, it’s time to get ready for the big day! Be sure to read up on all the recital details, dates, and times. Our Photo Days will be happening at the studio on June 5th & 8th. And don’t forget about our Mandatory Dress Rehearsal on June 20th.

We are SO excited to see our dancers on stage.  Tickets are available online now! Our dancers have been working so hard, and we know your support will mean the world to them. See you there!

Top 10 Things To Know Before Recital

Can you feel the energy in the air?! It is recital season! We know all the information can be overwhelming so we thought today we would streamline the process. In this post, we have listed the top 10 things to know before recital. We hope that you use this list as a refresher course after you have read through all the recital handouts. All of the recital documents can be found on our Spring Recital page.  

1. Recital photos are taken at dress rehearsal: Group photos will be done on stage as they rehearse. If the parent wants to order individual photos, they may then go down the hall and take individual photos. Lasting Impressions Photography will be present to take orders the day of rehearsal AND the day of the recital.

2. When/where to report the day of the show: About a half hour prior to the show start time (12:30 pm for 1:00 pm show, 4:00 pm for 4:30 pm show), students should report to the cafeteria backstage.

3. Dress rehearsal information: The dress rehearsal is at 5:00 pm on June 4th at West Babylon High School. This rehearsal is mandatory and dancers should arrive in full costume. Hair and makeup should be done just like it will be done for the recital.  You can find the dress rehearsal schedule here.

4. What to do with costume issues: With any costume issues (wrinkles, static cling, itchiness, snags, etc.), please alert your dancer’s teacher to determine the appropriate course of action. We always recommend keeping your costume hanging in a safe place in your home, free from pets or mess.

5. Students are expected to stay for the duration of the show: Our show will be approximately 2 hours. The dancers will be backstage with ample supervision and will get to watch the recital with live streaming while they're backstage! IF THE PARENT NEEDS TO PICK THEM UP BEFORE THE END, it must be arranged with me ahead of time. We have security at the door and parents will not just be able to randomly pick up their child.

6. Each student will receive 2 programs: Additional programs can be pre-ordered on the ticket website.  Recital t-shirts can also be pre-ordered here.  

7. No photography or videos allowed at the recital: Photos can be taken at dress rehearsal. Flash photography is dangerous for performers on stage. We want you to relax and enjoy the show and that's why we have a professional videographer! You can order your DVD of the spring recital here.

8. What else can you get the day of recital: You can purchase snacks and water, flowers, and t-shirts (if you didn't already pre-order) the day of the performance.

9. Last minute necessities: Nude leotards, extra tights, shoes, hair accessories (bun maker, bobby pins, etc), dance bras/undergarments & clear straps can be purchased at the dance studio. Do you still need to learn how to make your bun? Check out this great tutorial!

10. We have class the week after recital: Make sure you don’t miss our last week of the session! We always have a great time celebrating all the hard work that went into the show! The last day of classes is June 17th.

If you have any questions about any of the recital happenings, please let us know! We can’t wait to see you at the show!

What To Know If This Is Your First Recital

Recital is right around the corner and it is sure to be an amazing show! Whether this is your first recital or your 20th, you will be blown away by all your dancer has accomplished in one year. For those new dance parents out there, you may be wondering what this recital thing about. Although there are so many moments you will cherish throughout recital week, there is a lot of information to process beforehand. Use these simple tips to prepare so that you and your dancer can have a magical time come recital week.

• Read everything. Twice. Recital is a big production. It is a multi-day event including dress rehearsal, and of course the big show. Like we mentioned earlier, there is a lot of information to process so we recommend reading everything twice. All the recital handouts are available on our website. There is important information relevant to your dancer on every handout.  

• Highlight dates, times, and locations that are relevant to your dancer. It’s a great idea to go through the dress rehearsal, picture, and recital schedules in order to highlight the call times, dates, and locations for your dancer. There are a lot of numbers in our show. By highlighting your dancer’s classes, you will ensure there won’t be a mix-up. These schedules will be posted and emailed home at the beginning of May so keep your eyes peeled for them!

• Check the website for questions. As information becomes available to parents, we will be updating the spring recital page on our website. If a question pops up, our website is there to help and is available 24/7! Need more help? Feel free to contact the studio or stop by the front desk next time you are in.

Above all, we want all of our dance parents to enjoy the moment! Recital is the perfect time to take a step back and appreciate your dancer. They have worked so hard all year and they will be so proud to show you what they have learned. Remember that this is what recital is all about! As a dance parent, you get to sit back and enjoy seeing your dancer shine on stage, what could be better than that?!

We can’t wait to see all of our Positions dancers on stage for our recital on Sunday, June 10, 2018, at West Babylon High School.