SETTING THE STAGE FOR SUCCESS

Dance is the ultimate performing art, and getting back into the studio after months of summer holidays, preparing for class, developing technique and skills during  the school year and reaching the long goal of  dancing onstage at the year end showcase serves as a powerful tool for building a child’s confidence in themselves—a confidence that easily carries over into a dancer’s home life, schoolwork, and friendships.
So how can we prepare in shifting from summer schedules to fall routines and how do we help our children  succeed?  For the tweens and teens, it’s about the process starting now and followed by the culmination of consistency and  making small improvements over time.  We all thrive with consistency of routines and the comfort of learning in a safe and caring environment.
In our experience, a rise in confidence begins with setting the stage for success. Choosing the best classes, understanding and knowing  how to be at the youngest end of the class as a ‘learner’ learning new skills  and then continuing in a class where they are the oldest, as a ‘leader’ building confidence and strength of technique.  
Our students begin learning new skills, steps and choreography, and then with consistent effort to execute those skills, their confidence builds.  In a nurturing environment with caring, compliments and corrections from the teacher, each dancer becomes more determined to improve.  We all worry if we will fit in, find the best supportive group to connect with and grow with.  So taking teachers' recommendations on which class and style will be the best place for a successful year is a great place to start.  Trying new things can be scary and a bit intimidating at first but this is part of the process of reaching outside our comfort zone in a supportive environment.  Our children need a place with other adults to help nurture and support them.  Pegasus Dance Studios is a place to start and a place to grow.
In some dancers this confidence boost comes easily over time, but in others it can be more daunting.  For example, sometimes there is a student who feels down on themselves when they aren’t learning a step or concept fast enough.  We teach them that everyone learns at their own pace, and with their continued practice and perseverance, they’ll make progress.  And when that student begins to see their effort paying off, their confidence soars!  Overcoming that temporary “slump” actually helped them see that they can rely on themselves and be stronger for it. The first  day and week of classes there is often shyness, nerves, or anxiety that can make a child’s confidence waver. Part of the process of the first few weeks of class is to help build up their “confidence muscles”, to connect with old friends and make new friends. 
Two programs that we offer can often help with this transition back to class.  Our Intensive Summer Dance Program which takes place in August (see our Intensive page here on the website for details) and our STEPP (Student Teacher Education Pegasus Program).  We also offer private and semi-private sessions with our teachers, before classes begin or any time during the school year.  Our caring faculty can design an individual program for your child.  You can book one or a series at a discounted rate that can be scheduled throughout the year. 

We will be in the studio the next few weeks giving tours for new families, fitting dance wear and accepting and swapping used dancewear, so please come and visit us.