We know one thing for sure. Regardless if it is via zoom, watching recorded videos, in a parking lot, OR in-person at the studio; the arts STILL matter. It is more important than ever for kids to have an artistic outlet. Our dance classes are able to fill some of the gaps that children are feeling as they adjust to their new reality. 

Sick of changing news updates and disappointing cancellations? Today on the blog we are highlighting some of the things that you can ALWAYS count on at Dance Unlimited. Here are 4 things that haven’t changed through all of the shifts we’ve made over the past few months: 

1. Our students still get a creative outlet!

There is a reason why this is number one on our list! Creative expression has always been at the forefront of everything we do, but we know it is especially important during a scary and stressful time.

In-person OR online, we strive to give kids a fun outlet that breaks them out of their shells! We’ve been watching our students dance their hearts out in their living rooms. They may not have a mirror or dance floor, but their joy and creativity have not gone anywhere! 

2. Our dance classes give kids consistency and structure that they look forward to each week!

Before quarantine, your children were used to a schedule. They went to school, they went to dance, and they enjoyed family fun on the weekends. During a time when all normalcy and stability seem to have disappeared, we are proud to provide a consistent activity that you are able to pencil in. 

Our virtual dance classes on Zoom were built-in fun for your long days at home. When our dancers’ faces pop on the screen, we watch their smiles fly! They have adapted to our new classroom setting SO well and are ready for class each and every week. And we are ready to teach them, no matter what the world throws at us! 

3. Dance classes help kids feel connected to their peers and community.

Since we opened our studio 20 years ago, our classes have never been just about the dance steps. They are about building community. Ask any of our teachers and they will tell you that dance friends become best friends. 

Our online dance classes have been a source of social interaction and personal connection during a time when we were ALL lacking it! We LIVED for the times on Zoom when we called on a student and they just burst with stories and life updates! Waving to their friends and getting personal attention from their teacher was SO valuable. They are ready to continue building on the connections they’ve made as we transition back into the studio!

 4. As always, the show must go on!

This is something we say to our kids ALL year-round. During class, we constantly remind them that if you forget your dance on-stage, you bounce back and KEEP dancing. If your hairpiece falls off, you keep dancing! And when a pandemic hits the entire world, you guessed it, KEEP dancing!

We’ve loved having the opportunity to teach our kids this lesson in real-time. We didn’t stop teaching, and they didn’t stop dancing. We hope they remember to be this resilient the next time life throws them a curveball!

As you can see, we truly believe in the power of dance, now more than ever! The arts will ALWAYS matter, and Dance Unlimited will ALWAYS be here serving our community. 

To our dedicated DU parents, thank you SO much for your continued support. Thank you for always being there for your young artist. Seeing our dancers’ faces at our recent costume parade was a wonderful reminder of why we do what we do. The arts are worth fighting for. 

Let’s continue to close out our 20th season stronger than ever!! We can’t wait to welcome you back to our studio home! 

ps. Are you a NEW dance family looking to join us? Priority registration for the 2020/2021 school year is OPEN to new families! Register HERE. 

The post You Can You Can Count on DU: The Arts STILL Matter and our Programs are STILL Here for You! appeared first on Dance Unlimited, LLC.

Want to know three things that make us smile over here at Dance Unlimited? Our students, our supportive parents, and… yep, you guessed it… DANCE! Dancing releases endorphins. So even though it may seem harder than ever before, now is the MOST important time to make sure our students KEEP dancing. 

We’ve been hard at work these past couple of weeks, rolling out an AMAZING set of resources for our dance families. Our Virtual Classroom is packed with videos, live classes, and extra fun. Have you checked it out yet?

We have also been busy running FREE community dance classes on our Facebook page. Grab your kiddos, clear some space, and jump on in! Feel free to revisit these classes as often as you like and share with anyone that may need a little movement in their life.

On TOP of what WE’VE put together, we have been totally thrilled by the number of professional dance companies, studios, and individual dancers who have banded together to create virtual resources for dancers. From live online classes, to at-home workouts, we’ve compiled a list of amazing resources! We also threw in some general resources for our parents who are suddenly expected to be teachers AND parents! We’ve got you.

Check out these awesome resources for dancers and parents during COVID-19:

Exclusively for Dance Unlimited Families:

DU’s Virtual Classroom – Divided up by class levels, our virtual hub has everything you need to bring DU’s AMAZING class right to your home. What’s inside?

• • Class Schedule for DU’s Live Zoom Classes
  • Exclusive Access to CLI Studios
  • Links to Pre-Recorded Classes
  • Links to Recital Videos
  • Extra Fun!

I think it’s safe to say that we’ve thought of it ALL! For the safety of our dancers and staff, our classrooms are password protected. Be sure to check your email to gain access to the passwords! 

General Dance Training:

Ballet Class with Elite Classical Coaching – Be sure to follow Elite Classical Coaching on Facebook as they live stream daily ballet class!

Ballet Class with the Pros – A list of professional Ballet dancers that are offering virtual classes via Instagram/Facebook Live.

CLI Studios – The industries leading online class outlet is offering FREE classes during this time with your favorite choreographers. Visit the website for a complete schedule and get moving!

DANCIO – Take class with the stars of dance from the comfort of your own home. They are offering a free 2-week trial!

Dancing Alone Together – A day-by-day guide to all the live classes happening around the world! You will also find creative prompts and videos.

@FreeDanceTraining – Instagram account of free dance classes organized by @DoctorsForDancers

Flexibility and Stability Classes – Follow Acrobatic Arts on Instagram to take advantage of their live classes and other resources for dancers. 

GAGA classes – Donation based Gaga classes through Zoom multiple times a day!

STEEZY – Explore different urban dance styles like house, breaking, and popping. Free 7-day trial!

Sugarfoot Therapy – Injury prevention workouts for dancers designed by a physical therapist

Staying Active:

BOKS – Free online fitness program for kids.

CorePower Yoga On Demand – Parents this is for you! CorePower has released their online classes for free.

Cosmic Kids Yoga – Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation designed especially for kids aged 3+

GoNoodle – Keep your tiny dancer moving with these fun, free dance videos for the whole family!

LES MILLS On Demand – Another great resource for parents to experience over 800+ workouts from home. They’re offering free trials!

Exploring Art:

BroadwayHD – You can experience the magic of Broadway from home! They offer a 7-day free trial!

Google Arts & Culture – Google has partnered with over 500 museums and galleries around the world!

Met Opera – Every evening enjoy a FREE night at the opera from your couch! 

Virtual Learning:

ABC Mouse – Reading, math, science, and art for ages 2-8.

Kahn Academy – Free online learning and lesson plans for kids of ALL ages.

LUNCH DOODLES with Mo Willems – Mo welcomes you into his studio at home and guides you through drawing activities using one of his favorite characters as inspiration!

Raddish Kids – Healthy meal prep activities for families

Scholastic Learn at Home – Day-by-day projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing.

Wild, FREE & Crafty – Free art lessons for kids and adults.

Stay informed:

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Stay updated and informed! The CDC recommends also following your local and state health agencies for additional information.

Whether you’re homeschooling kids, trying to work from home, or doing your best to keep your dancer active, we hope that you find these links helpful! 

Have anything to add to the list? Let us know! We are always looking for more resources for dancers.

From all of us here at Dance Unlimited, we are sending you warm and healthy thoughts. Together we will make it through this time, and we can’t wait to see you all back at the studio. Happy living room dancing to all of our students! 

The post COVID-19 Resources for Dance Families appeared first on Dance Unlimited, LLC.