NOW REGISTERING FOR THIS FUN MASTER CLASS IN AUGUST!

 

This is a great class for students in acrobatics, tumbling, gymnastics and dance!

Master Teachers will be teaching beginner to intermediate level skills depending on the age and level of the students.

 

5 yrs and up!

 

LIMITED ENROLLMENT!

The Value of Dance Classes by Rhiannon McGinnis Tuck

We have another guest BLOGGER today. Former student Rhiannon McGinnis Tuck shares with you what dance meant to her and how it has empowered her life as a public educator and parent of twin girls:

My name is Rhiannon McGinnis Tuck and I have been teaching Kindergarten for 11 years. I have always loved dance and I started dancing when I was just 2 years old and continued formally dancing until my freshman year of college. Dance has taught me so much in life and one thing that it has taught me is dedication. To be a dancer you have to be dedicated- to practice, stay healthy, stretch, etc. Through my dedication that I had towards dance I have learned to keep trying in all that I do. I know that practice makes permanent and I have carried this over into my classroom to teach my students. I have taught them to practice things that are taught and it will get easier. It has also helped me out being a mom and helping my girls. I have taught them and shown them to have dedication in all that they do in life whether it be sports, dance, or school.

Dance has taken me many places in my life. Some of my very fondest memories involve dance in some way. I actually did things through dance that I never dreamed I would get to do. Some of these include: dancing in the halftime of the Citrus Bowl Game, dancing on a cruise ship, dancing during high school football games, and being on a competitive dance team. What fun learning experiences I had from being in dance.

As an adult a way that I still incorporate dance into my life is every morning in school I dance with my Kinders. It is a great brain break and they LOVE free dancing and me teaching them dances. It is a bonding experience for us all. It also helps keep up fit and active in a very fun way. I also take a ZUMBA class and since I grew up being a dancer I catch onto the dances very easily and I love dancing to stay in shape! It is so fun it doesn’t even feel like exercise.

I am a mother of twin 8 year old girls. One of my highlights of being a mom is that now my girls are taking dance class. I get to see the love and passion of dance through their eyes. Since I grew up dancing I can properly help them with their dance routines. I then get to see them on stage dancing and having the time of their life! I can honestly say that dance has made one of the biggest impact on my life!

Skills and Values From Dance by Krista Smith Asbell

Note* Dear readers, I have asked some former students, that are now grown and parenting their own children , to write as a guest blogger on what skills and values they received from taking dance classes, that they now realize have carried over to their adult life. My hope is that this will be fresh, first hand information that new families to dance or other classes will find helpful in supporting their child's effort. I believe you will find great value in the perception of these young mothers.

 

Our first Guest Blogger is Krista Smith Asbell :

 

I have always loved to dance.  My parents used to take me to a Mexican restaurant that had a mariachi.  When I was 18 months old, I would climb out of my seat and dance to the mariachi's music.  Today, 28 years later, one of my favorite things to do is to go dancing with my husband or dancing in the living room with my 18 month old daughter.  Dance taught me so many things.  It taught me how nothing comes without hard work, to live a healthy lifestyle, and if you’re having a bad day – get moving!  I can not wait for my daughter to start dance lessons, so I can watch her grow, not only as a dancer, but as a person. 

            I began dance as an activity when I was in the third grade.  When I was in the fourth grade, I begged Miss Mary to not take ballet.  However, I disappointingly enrolled for tap, jazz, and the dreaded ballet.  See, I did not understand that ballet is the foundation for ALL types of dance.  I had no idea the great things ballet, alone, was doing for me.  Ballet, in my opinion, is the hardest type of dance.  It is more structured, requires more technique, and requires more muscle control and conditioning than the other forms of dance.  Without ballet, you can be a good dancer, but you can not be a great dancer! From this experience, I learned you will not get any where in life, unless you do the work first.  To achieve anything in life, there is always lots of sacrifices and hard work to first be completed. 

            Dance established the basis for me to be healthy.  I wasn't just going to dance lessons; it was like going to therapy every week.  I may have walked into dance with four tests at school that week, drama among junior high girls, and life in general, but not when I walked out.  When I left dance, I felt like a whole new person!  Dance lets you express yourself in a healthy way, when sometimes, there are no words to express what you are feeling.  It was also intense, low impact exercise.  It was great cardio, especially with Miss Mary’s tap routines! Even though ballet wasn't my favorite, it was excellent conditioning, and I grew to appreciate ballet. To this day, I keep active to minimize stress, support muscle tone, also it makes me feel good.   

           I also gained an appreciation of all types of music.  Dance helps in so many aspects of life, especially a young person's life.  It increases athletic abilities, engages both right and left brain thinking, creates excellent posture, and builds confidence. I can’t think of a better activity for children to keep their mind, body, and soul healthy. I am still reaping the benefits of dance today.  Dancing made me happy and still does.  Anytime I catch my toddler dancing, I encourage her – whether we are in public or at home – because I know it makes her happy.  That is the most wonderful thing about dance, it makes people happy.  If the music makes you want to move, then get moving!

Krista Smith Asbell

Public Educator