Welcome Letter for Parents and Children.

Dear Parents and Children, welcome to Imperial Ballroom Dance Family.

In this letter you will find guidance for New Parents of our Dance Studio!

Dear Parents and Kids,

We would like to welcome you to Imperial Ballroom Dance Company! Today you are starting a new, exiting experience in the world of ballroom dancing. We are looking forward to educate you and for you to be a part of our dance family.

“Teddy Bear” Class is a unique class, specifically designed for younger children 4+. Kids will be learning ballroom dancing through games, exercise and music. Every class will start with an appropriate “welcome bow”, warm up exercise, educational games and activities that will all lead to learning dance steps. Music is part of ballroom dancing; it helps kids express themselves much easier and feel the rhythm. Every class will be accompanied by music.

“Teddy Bear” February’s Focus:

Our first course is a month long. To see how kids are improving. Its very important to make this class a commitment. Ballroom dancing requires muscle memory and repetition. More we do - Better we get!

Please, encourage your kids to come to every class and help them build discipline from a very young age. Within the first month/course, our children will get physically stronger, learn music/rhythm, create friendships and learn up to 3 different dances. We will be having open class on the last class of the month, where kids will do a little performance to demonstrate what they have learned and you will be able to see their progress.

Benefits of Ballroom Dancing:

Ballroom Dancing is one of the most beautiful activities for Children and Adults. Not only is it fun and exiting, but also carries many important benefits that make a big impact on the lives of children. Discipline, brain development, communication, physical activity, teamwork, sensitivity, focus, strength, sportsmanship, leadership, presentation, commitment, musicality, partnership, friendship and more…

Parents!

We need your support and teamwork! Please encourage your children, give them compliments, make it a fun and exiting trip every time. Ask questions before and after class about Ballroom Dancing and how they feel about that? Even if they can’t do it right, just tell them “good job” and to try again. When our children were learning how to walk, they were falling a lot, but no one told them to quit; we kept saying '“do it again”. Ballroom Dancing is no different! They will learn how to “fall” and how to “get up” and be even more motivated, as long as we build a strong team around them. Positive, encouragement, inspiration and motivation - this is all they need to hear!

You are welcome to watch the classes. However, every kid is different and some may perform better if no one is watching them. Talk to the teacher on that matter for the best advise. If you choose not to watch classes encourage your kids at home to show you what they have learned at the class.

Future Events:

Young children love to perform! As a part of your child’s dance education, they will be invited to participate in many exiting events both inside and outside of the studio. These events will include:

• Showcase Performance

• Ballroom Dance Competition

• Examination

• Private Dance Lessons

• Parties

• Special Performances

Dress Code:

Boys:

Black Ballroom or Dress Pants

Solid. Single Color T-Shirt or Long Sleeve Shirt

Black Dance Shoes

Boys Dress Code

Girls:

Black Skirt

Solid. Single Color Leotard or Tight Fitted Shirt

White Socks

Tights (Optional)

Latin Dance Shoes

Girls Dress Code

Schedule:

Tuesday and Thursday 4:00pm - 4:45pm

Drop In $15

Monthly $69

February 2020 $34

45 Minute Private Dance Class $55

WWW.IMPERIAL.DANCE

480-201-5726

Ballroom Dance Dress Code for Children

Parents Checklist for Competitions

Dance Competition Checklist for Parents / Competitors

A Seasoned parent’s perspective…

Child: It helps to keep a “ competition bag “ stocked with these items that can be replenished as you run out. Its better to have these on hand than to be scrambling to find someone who can lend you something.

• Competition clothing ( Dress, White Socks, Onesie, Pants, Black Socks, Bowtie )

• Competition shoes, backups if you have them

• Safety pins, shoe glue ( super glue or gorilla glue for leather ), shoe brush

• Hair accessories, hair spray, gel, hair-ties, combs, pins, blow dryer or make an appointment for hair to get done

• Tanning lotion of some sort, perfume, deodorant ( for the boys )

• Makeup for Juniors and older, or makeup appointment schedule

• Comfortable shoes or Uggs for long breaks in dancing so feet are comfortable and stay warm

• Robe or jacket to keep warm and protect clothing

• Band-Aids, blister band-aids, liquid bandage

• EmergenC or sort of electrolyte drink

• Healthy snack

• Water bottle

• K tape, Icy hot, Arnicare for injury

• Anti-inflamatory / Pain killer / inhaler and vitamins as needed

• Clothing to change when you done

Parents:

• Go to competition website and familiarize yourself with the venue, schedule and everything there is to know about the competition

• Print out heat sheet as soon as they will be available ( normally competition post heat sheets the week of the competition on Monday, some day earlier or day later ). This will help you to know when your child is dancing. Be at the competitions minimum 1 hour before schedule time to dance, FULLY READY, some of competition running 30 min ahed of schedule. However as a parent, i would be there the night before to check the ballroom and get familiarize yourself and your child with where they will be dancing. With kids, no one needs the added pressure of showing up last minute. Always confirm times with Professional Instructor or Imperial Ballroom representative.

• Heat sheets are subject to change, so make sure you get the heat sheet from your dance instructor at the competition. Those sheets will be the latest update.

• Put your heat sheet on a clipboard and have a pen. If your child is dancing Pro-Am, instructor is generally aware of when your child need to dance. However, if your instructor is dancing with different student back to back, it helps to know when your child will need to be on-deck as your instructor may not have the time to come get them. Drop your child off at on-deck and leave.

• Make sure your son has their number pinned to their back. ( numbers, usually Imperial Ballroom dance instructor have them )

• If your child is amateur, always know when your child is supposed to dance and make sure they are on-deck, for there dancing. Again, drop them off at on-deck aria and stay back. There are usually an Imperial Representative but, alway pay attention to where your kids needs to be.

• When your Kids have breaks… offer hydration and snacks and keep them from running around the hotel and playing between rounds, be back to the ballroom at least 30 min. before next heat .

• When awards happening, take your clipboard and listen to the heat numbers being called. They will call out child name and place. Write down placements on the heat sheet next to the heat number. You will have to listen closely. Your child will be out on the floor with the partner or instructor. If you miss placements, you can alway check out placements online at the competition website within a day or two after competitions is over. Kids usually pay close attention because they ant to know how they placed.

• Have a favorite drink, whether its chocolate milk or a glass of wine. Sit back and relax… or pace while you watch your kids dance. Cheer them on or off the floor and enjoy the process.

• What to wear… look nice and be comfortable. It isn’t a fancy dress up day, but you are reflective of your children. Always layer, as the ballroom usually is set at a cooler temperatures for dancers. Basically, you will freeze:)

• Celebrate dance no matter the outcome, because it was a lot of hard work for everyone involved. Make your before and after dance competition traditions for your family. We have We have Shirley Temples the night before the kids dance and go out for dinner as family after the competition with partners, friends. Come up with what means something to your family. ENJOY!

This is simple guidance for dance competition for Parents to know.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call our front desk 480-201-5726 or email us.

Thank you and happy Dancing!