Gift Ideas for Every Dancer on Your List

Most of our children are experts in compiling long lists of items they would love to find on Christmas morning. It’s always a joy to see them unwrap that ONE thing they’ve hinted about for months! But it’s also fun to find some unexpected surprises, and we think dance-related gifts are the best under the tree!

After a quick survey of our instructors, former dancers, and a few of our favorite elves, we compiled our own list of gift ideas for your dancer. There is something for every dancer (at every level), and we hope it inspires a few fun surprises for your Bloom dancer this Christmas.

Please note: Items with an asterisk (*) were specially recommended by our Cultivate Instructors for dancers in Bloom’s Ballet & Cultivate classes.

DANCE BAG EXTRAS

Statement Makeup Bag

A fun statement makeup bag that captures our 2023 dance vibe! It is available in two colors, and it’s a great way to keep bobby pins, hair ties, and chapstick in one convenient place.

*Ballet Bun Making Kit

This little kit ensures our dancers are ready for class, rehearsals, and stage productions. Available in shades to match every hair color, this is a great stocking stuffer - and makes it easy peasy for parents and dancers to create a perfect ballet bun!

rechargeable lighted makeup mirror

This sized-to-fit-in-your-dance-bag mirror has SO many features that are great for rehearsals and recitals. The 1X and 10X magnification attachments are both equipped with 3 modes of lighting, making it a cinch to easily apply lipstick, eyeliner, and hairpieces. The handy USB cord easily recharges the lights within an hour, so this must-have recital accessory is always ready to help dancers get on stage!

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DANCE CLASS EXTRAS

Body Wrappers Leg Warmers (27”)

Stirrup leg warmers are the perfect solution to keep dancing legs warm during stretching, barre work, and class rehearsals. They’re also a great option for wearing over tights traveling to/from the studio during cold winter months. We love these Body Wrapper leg warmers as they are extra long for additional coverage, and they come in a wide selection of colors. For even LONGER leg warmers, check out the leg warmers below - perfect for older dancers and full-leg coverage.

*Long Leg Warmers (36”)

Leg warmers and sweaters are great items to have in your dancer’s bag to keep muscles warm during stretch, barre, and technique classes. For Cultivate classes, we strongly recommend BLACK as your color choice for warmers.

*ADULT WRAP SWEATER

*YOUTH WRAP SWEATER

Available in pink, blue, violet, and black

*Pullover Sweater

All three of these sweaters are great items to have in your dancer’s bag to keep warm during all types of classes, but especially stretch, barre, and technique classes. For Cultivate classes, we strongly recommend BLACK as your color choice for dance sweaters.

*Bloch Warm-up Ballet Boots

These cozy Bloch insulated slipper boots are a favorite for to/from the studio on dance days, or wearing between classes to keep precious feet warm! We suggest purchasing the puffer booties at least one size larger than your dancer’s typical size, as they will last for years, and they are great to wear OVER ballet shoes. They are available in child and adult sizes and will quickly become your dancer’s must-have dance item!

*Dance Journal

This dance-specific journal walks through 52 weeks of goals, growth, and gratitude. It’s a great way for dancers to track their progress, note corrections, and reflect on accomplishments.

Sequins duffle dance bag

Fashion meets function with over-the-top cuteness! A super sparkly duffle dance bag with flip sequins and a pom-pom silver pull tab - plus lots of room for ballet, tap, and jazz shoes. It’s a win/win dancer gift!

*Ballet & Jazz Shoe Deodorizers

These little charcoal packets help keep stench and moisture at bay for your dance shoes or bag. They also extend the life of ballet and pointe shoes by absorbing sweat - which would otherwise break down the shoe.

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DANCE KEEPSAKES

Personalized Christmas Ornaments

Many of our instructors and former dancers mentioned annual traditions - tree ornaments, Nutcracker dolls, and snow globes - that their parents gave them every year. Now they have homes of their own and their Christmas decorations are full of childhood dance memories and stories to share with their own children. It’s never too late to start a tradition for your dancer!

Personalized Dancer Storybook

This adorable story can be personalized with your little dancer’s name and recital year. It’s even more fun to hear a story when YOU are the star of the show!

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DANCE-INSPIRED JEWELRY

Personalized Initial Ballet Necklace

We love that this dance-inspired necklace comes in so many length - 14” (for our little dancers), up to 18” - so it fits dancers at every level. It’s available in gold-tone or silver and is a pretty way to show our love of dance when we are outside of the studio!

Rhinestone Performance Earrings

These 8mm rhinestone stud earrings are perfect for a little bling in dance class, and appropriate for most of Bloom’s stage performances (clear stone/silver only). The CZ stones are SUPER sparkly, and at such an affordable price, it’s fun to try several colors to match every leo!

"&5678” Adjustable Bracelet

The oh-so-familiar countdown to dance! This sparkly, adjustable bracelet is available in silver and rose-gold tones. An affordable, fun option for a surprise piece of jewelry this Christmas!

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NUTCRACKER MEMORIES

Personalized Nutcracker Makeup Bag

This makeup bag is a perfect match to our 2023 Bloom Christmas Sweatshirt! It is available in two different sizes, and is a great way to keep bobby pins, hair ties, and lip color all together in one convenient place.

Personalized Nutcracker Charm Necklace

Nutcracker Cylinder Pencil Bag

Nutcracker FUN Socks

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AT-HOME PRACTICE

*Portable Ballet Barre

Easy to adjust and move, this ballet barre will last your dancer for many years of pliés and relevés.

Stretching Band Set and Guidebook

Regular stretching at home helps our dancers increase and maintain their flexibility for class. This simple kit comes with multiple band lengths and a stretching guide to help with form and alignment.

Therapeutic Foam Roller

A great at-home tool for rolling out tired, sore, and tense muscles. The textured surface is great for reducing lactic acid buildup and improving flexibility. We love that it’s lightweight, durable, and easy to store when not in use!

*Two8 Band

This band is part stretch strap, part thera-band, making it a wonderful resistance tool to use at home!

*peanut roller

The Peanut Roller is a great portable massage tool that has a wider surface than a single ball - allowing deep tissue massage for dancers’ shoulders, back, hamstrings, and calves. We think it’s an awesome recovery tool!

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JUST FOR FUN (who knew….dance pasta?)

Ballet Cookie Cutters

Hinged Makeup Palette

Dance a Latte Tshirt

Triple Ballerina Pillow

Pasta Dance Shapes

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We hope this collection of dance-inspired gifts helps spark ideas for the dancer on your Christmas list this year. If you need help finding specific dance items, please let us know - we love to help! More than anything, we hope you find fun, memorable ways to celebrate the holiday season with your family this year and cherish the gift of time spent together.

5 Tips Every Dance Parent Should Know

Label Everything

Bloom’s ballet, jazz, tap, and hip hop classes have color and style requirements for footwear, so dancers often have shoes that are identical. Since many of our dancers are grouped by age, the chances of those shoes being about the same size are also very high. With this in mind, grab a Sharpie and label your dancers’ shoes and gear. You don’t want your dancer’s new dance shoes accidentally going home in someone else’s dance bag! 

**We recommend labeling shoes on the inside, as marking on the bottom can easily be worn away (and sometimes leaves marks on our beautiful floors).  

Review Class Dress Code

Bloom has specific attire colors that indicate class levels, and details can be found HERE. Proper attire is important for dance classes and sets the tone for a positive learning environment. It’s also important to have your dancer’s hair pulled back into a bun or ponytail. We want our dancers to be safe, comfortable, and distraction-free so they can learn important skills and techniques in dance class. Arriving to class in the correct dance attire ensures your dancer is ready to learn!

Arrive on Time

Bloom’s dance classes are designed in a particular order so that a dancer is “warmed up” and prepared for the more challenging work toward the middle and end of class. Missing the first exercises/stretches leaves the dancer unprepared for the learning and movement that lies ahead. Even in our preschool classes, arriving a few minutes early allows the dancer to settle in at the studio, get their shoes on, and enter class together with their group. This is far more comfortable for your dancer than rushing into a class that’s already in progress. Students who come in relaxed and happy have a better class experience every time.

Use the Bathroom Before Class

The golden rule of leotards is that as soon as you put one on, you need to use the bathroom. Tiny dancers are no exception! Be sure your child uses the restroom before pulling on her leotard and tights so that the likelihood of having to interrupt class with a bathroom break will be minimal. Tiny dancers can have trouble getting out of their leotard in time when the urge strikes, so it’s important to plan ahead. Also, when little ones are engrossed in the class, they can sometimes wait too long before asking to use the restroom. A little planning can go a long way!

Read Newsletters, Emails, and Texts 

An informed parent allows for a relaxed and prepared student. Important information will be provided many times throughout the dance year, so be sure to read Bloom’s newsletters and emails. If you feel out of the loop, check with your Studio Host to be sure you are receiving all information and we have your correct contact details.  

If your child is enrolled in dance, then you probably already know how amazing dance is as part of a well-rounded education. Dance helps the student with coordination, balance, math, memory, social skills, spatial skills, and so many other things. Following the above tips will help ensure that your child gets the most out of their Bloom dance year!

6 Reasons Why Bloom Has a Dress Code

The start of a new dance season is always exciting - new classes, new instructors, and learning new skills!  

The new dance year also brings up many questions from parents regarding class attire and dress code. 

We know that this information can be overwhelming, so we wanted to review the importance of wearing the correct attire to dance class.

Safety

As with any sport, having the appropriate gear is critical to safety, mobility, and mental focus.  A dress code ensures that dancers can move freely during class. Improper clothing can impact mobility, precision, ability to grip the floor, and visibility. Safety is a priority in our studios, and wearing the correct attire ensures that dancers can move comfortably in class and minimize injuries.

Increased Focus

Each class’ dress code is chosen so the dancer can move to the best of their ability and focus on their steps, not on what they are wearing. Dance clothes that are the wrong color, loose-fitting, or non-dancewear can be distracting to others. Even in an ideal situation, it can be challenging to keep young children and adolescents focused; a dress code eliminates unnecessary distractions. 

REspect

Following the dress code takes effort and shows that dancers are serious about improving and developing their dance skills. This is especially true for young dancers. Wearing proper dress code helps signal that they are ready for a more structured class, not just playtime. Adhering to the dress code also demonstrates that the dancer shows respect towards the dance style they are studying.

Body Positioning

When dancers wear proper dance attire, it helps them understand how their bodies move and what muscle groups are involved in each movement. Body awareness allows dancers to create mental connections between themselves and dance technique. Our instructors are also able to accurately view and assess dancers’ movements when the correct attire is worn to class.  

Confidence and Attitude

The right clothes in class make a dancer feel confident in the style they are dancing. Merely putting a dancer in proper dance attire can completely change their posture, and in the right dancewear, a dancer feels more confident and willing to take on the challenge of any new step or skill.

Community

By wearing specific attire colors for each Age Group class, dancers feel they are part of a special team in the dance studio. Color levels create inherent goals for our dancers to master skills and advance into higher-level classes. Dress code colors also allow our instructors to easily identify a dancer’s age, ability and skill level so they can teach appropriate techniques and dance curriculum. 

Key Dress Code Reminders for a Successful Dance Season

• You can select dancewear styles from our Age Group lists by clicking HERE: Attire Requirements

• Make sure your dancer’s hair is pulled back into a bun or ponytail. A 1/2 ponytail is acceptable for short hair.

• Be sure to wear the required shoes in the appropriate color/fit for each style of dance class.

We are so excited to start another year of dancing with your children, and we trust the dress code information on our website helps your family prepare for this new dance season. Please let us know if you have any questions about your dancer’s attire requirements at support@danceatbloom.com. Our goal is to make getting dressed for dance class a quick and easy process!

4 Tips for Taking Care of Your Dancewear

What’s the best way to extend the life of your favorite leotard, ballet skirt, and tights? Aside from fabric quality, it largely comes down to what you do on laundry day.

1. Keep it Cool

Cold water is always the best option for stretch fabrics.   Warm is usually okay, but hot water should always be avoided. Why? Heat can damage the fabric’s stretchy elastic fibers and fades bright/deep colors.  Stay with cold-water and mild detergent for your dancewear to maintain beautiful colors and keep the stretch in your dancewear.

2. Regular vs. Delicate Cycle

Most leggings, shorts and activewear can be laundered on a regular cycle. Tights, leotards and anything that’s delicate - especially lace or lightweight mesh - should be set aside for a delicate cycle or handwashing.  Also, be mindful of hooks, sequins, or zippers which can easily get caught and damage other items. Turn those pieces inside-out and keep them separated in a lingerie bag.

3. The Dryer Debate

Using the dryer for plain activewear usually isn’t a problem, but if there are embellishments, lace, or mesh on your dancewear, air-drying is best.  The heat of a dryer can loosen or melt rhinestones and vinyl designs on your attire. For Bloom dance dresses, we always recommend air-drying so the rhinestone logo stays in place on the leotard. Tights should always be hung to dry as the knit is very delicate - drying can cause pulls, snags and runs.

One way a dryer can HELP with (non-embellished) dancewear:  If your leotard is looking saggy, the dryer’s heat can help the elastic in stretch wear “spring back.” And if it’s a synthetic fabric, shrinking usually isn’t an issue.

4. Tights:  Handle Separately

Don’t ever wash your tights with anything that has color.  Most dance tights are made with nylon—a magnet for dye. If there’s anything else in the washer that has color, and even a tiny bit of that color escapes, the tights will grab that color and never let it go.  Always wash tights in a mesh lingerie bag (or handwash) to avoid snags - and again, hang to dry.

More Helpful Tips for Dancewear: 

Handling the Stink and Sweat

Odor in clothing is usually due to bacteria, and bacteria will only grow if you give it time to get started.  After class, don’t throw your damp clothes in your hamper, or let them sit in your dance bag for more than a few hours. Salt from sweat can wear down stretch materials, so wash promptly if you can.

If you’re not washing your dancewear right away, let them air-dry before you add them to the laundry basket. And if you’re worried about the lingering stench, soak it in cool water with a little baking soda for 30 minutes before washing it.

 Tights:  Size up!

If you find that your tights get frequent snags, tears, and runs, try going up a size or two.  Reducing strain on the material can often extend the life of tights and avoid accidental mishaps.

 Undergarments

Dance is a sport, and supportive garments are a must. Choosing undergarments that offer good fit and support is essential to being comfortable in class and on stage.

•   Some leotards and dance dresses include an extra inner lining - for example, a built-in shelf bra or a skin-toned fabric layer. You may still prefer to wear something underneath for added support and coverage, such as a sports bra or nude leotard. Remember, sports bras don’t have to stay hidden under your leotard! Show some style with a floral, patterned, or contrasting print under your dance leotard.

•   Dancers do not need to wear underwear under their dance leotards and costumes, just like they do not wear any under a bathing suit. If they are wearing tights, these perform the same function as panties and socks. This is a personal preference that we always leave up to the discretion of our dancers.

•   Underwear with patterns (polka dots, stripes, characters) sometimes shine through leotards, so take an extra look in bright lighting when getting ready for class.

We know that managing dancewear–from purchasing to washing–can be a challenge. With a few simple steps, you can extend the life of your dancer’s attire and keep it studio ready. And stay tuned–we have some exciting ways to make dancewear shopping even EASIER in 2023!   

We are always here to help with your dancewear questions - do not hesitate to ask!

5 Health Benefits of Dance

At Bloom, we love to dance!

Need some exercise to boost your immunity and health right now?

We got you covered!

In light of our new reality, it’s more important now than ever to stay active.

Moving is so beneficial for our mental and physical health.  At Bloom, we are committed to helping our dancers keep developing their skills from home!

Our team has been busy developing fun, dance videos for our students to enjoy! There will be an email update soon.

Keeping active is so important!

Here are 5 evidence-based benefits of dancing regularly….

1.     Dance BOOSTS IMMUNITY! iT’S Heart Healthy and Improves Our Respiratory System 

Regular aerobic activity increases cardio-respiratory fitness, meaning that regular activity helps to make our heart and our lungs work more efficiently! 

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends that students ages 6-17 years old engage in moderately intense aerobic activity for 60 minutes or more per day, 3 times a week.

As dance is typically a moderately intense aerobic activity, it is a perfect way to help young students avoid sickness and have healthy hearts and lungs! 

2.     Dancing May Slow the Aging Process 

Do you ever think about how old you might be in 10, 20, or 50 years, and wonder if you will be able to remember things the same way? 

A study from 2017 by Dr Kathrin Rehfeld reported that senior citizens who danced in 90 minute classes 1-2 times a week had an increase in the mass of their hippocampus! The hippocampus is an instrumental area of the brain that contains our memory and learning abilities, as well as our balance. This area typically decreases with age, which contributes to conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.  

Aging doesn’t start when we hit 65 years old; it starts now! Turn up your favorite song, grab your favorite person (preferably who likes to dance), and get grooving!

3.     Dance is Beneficial to Our Mental Health 

The combination of music and dance can do incredible things for our mental health! Engaging in dance has been shown to release the “feel good” neurochemicals, otherwise known as endorphins.

On top of this, when we listen to music, we get to experience the benefits of our reward center in the brain being activated. These two--endorphins and our reward center--are the power duo for having a boost in disposition! 

Dance has also been shown to reduce depression and anxiety! In a study done with teenagers, dance was shown to improve their feelings of happiness, and to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Dance really can serve as a healthy release, both physically and emotionally!  

4.     Dance May Increase Your Overall Well-Being 

A famous health psychologist named Martin Seligman introduced the idea of “flow” in his life’s work (the field of positive psychology). Flow is more commonly known as being “in the zone” or “locked in” to a practice, art, or skill. When we are in “flow”, time seems to slow down, and our minds are completely centered on the task in front of us. 

Of course, many dancers experience “flow” on a regular basis, especially when they are working on or performing a dance number they know well and enjoy executing! Seligman proposed that experiencing “flow” regularly is an important step towards helping us reach our maximum potential of well-being!

5.     Dance Reduce Chances for Injury and Helps to Build Strength Through Flexibility 

As our bodies’ flexibility increases, so does our ability to bear physical impact and stress. Flexibility also aids in correcting muscle imbalances, which if left uncorrected can lead to injury.  

Having loose muscles and lengthening them regularly (e.g. stretching) can also help to prevent muscle soreness and aches. Additionally, stretchy muscles create more room for improving strength and physicality. Our teachers know the importance of stretching and incorporate it into each and every class to give our students the most opportunity for growing and thriving through dance!

So the next time that you are tempted to think that dance is only for fun, instead, remember these five ways that dance benefits your health!

10 Simple Rules for Dance Class Etiquette

Everyone wants to excel and dance and have fun! Here are 10 simple rules of etiquette to help you bloom into your full potential!

1.      Always arrive on time. If you can’t avoid being late, make eye contact with the teacher prior to entering class and wait for their permission to enter.  When possible, notify your instructor if you will be late or absent.  After class, be sure to apologize for your late arrival.

2.      Be prepared for class: Avoid In & Outs. Students should arrive early to use the restroom or do it at the very beginning of class. Remember everything you need for class prior to heading into the studio.  Unless its an emergency, which can happen, avoid disrupting class to use the restroom. Dancers going in and out can be distracting to your peers, as well as for the instructor. You may also miss something important if you are not in class.

3.      Be quiet and listen while your dance teacher is giving instructions. That means no talking when your teacher is talking. Try to listen for the answer yourself, before interrupting class with a question that has already been asked and answered.

4.      Pay attention at all times and stand like a dancer always. You should always present yourself with good posture and show that that you are ready to learn. Dancers shouldn’t sit down in class (unless instructed to do so) or hang on the barre.  

5.      Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  Your dance teachers are there to help you become a better dancer!  Be sure to ask for clarification when necessary. Ask questions by raising your hand and waiting for the teacher to call on you. This will help when you are confused to improve and progress as a dancer.

6.      Demonstrate good spatial awareness. Be aware of your body as you are moving through the movements. This includes giving the instructor space and not crowding other students.   

7.      Be courteous and respectful. At the end of class, applaud and thank the instructor. Show them your appreciation for the planning and preparation that went into class.

8.      Stay for the entire class. It’s always best to stay for the entire duration of the class, but if you must leave early, talk to the teacher beforehand and make your exit as quickly and discreetly as possible.

9.      Try your best. Give 110% always. If you realize you are in a dance class that’s above your skill level, never walk out of a class or sit down in frustration!  Hang in there and try your best!  No one will fault you for that. Practice makes PROGRESS!

10. Parents make sure you allow the dancer teacher to do their job! If you have a question or comment, feel free to talk to the teacher after class (not during). Viewing windows are for viewing and not communicating with your child during class.  If your child is being disruptive, allow the teacher to make behavior corrections first. We will always come get you if need be.

At Bloom, we want to help grow creative, confident dancers who courageously impact their world!

3 Tips for How to Celebrate the Success of Others

As parents, we recognize and celebrate our children’s hard work and accomplishments in school and activities on a daily basis.  

Rewarding your child for a job well done is normal, and helps to instill a strong work ethic in them early in life! 

However, sometimes we overlook the importance of teaching our children how to celebrate the success of others.  

Although it can be challenging, especially during the younger years, learning how to be truly happy for other people is an important life lesson to learn. This is necessary in school, at home and in your child’s after school activities, such as dance! 

Here are some tips to keep in mind when teaching your child how to celebrate another’s success.

1. GRATITUDE: Remind your child that we are all created differently with unique gifts and talents. It’s natural for a child to feel jealous when someone else is being celebrated or has accomplished something that they are also working toward. We all learn at different speeds, and that is okay! 

A great way to help your child practice gratitude is to walk them through some questions, asking them to identify three or four things in their own life where they are successful, and can be thankful. It will likely be easier for your child to be happy for someone else’s success when they realize all the great things they themselves have already achieved!

2. PRACTICE AT HOME: Celebrate successes of your child’s family, friends and peers. Celebrating the success of someone who your child loves and already has a strong relationship with, such as a sibling, classmate, or teammate, may help. They will be able to truly experience feelings of excitement for others when they already have an emotional connection to them.  

The next time a close family member or friend experiences success, walk your child through expressing to that person directly how happy they are for them!  

An example would be, “I am so happy you got 100% on your spelling test!  You worked hard for that. Good job!”

3. COMPLIMENT A CLASSMATE: Look for opportunities to shine the spotlight on someone else. As parents, it’s easy to find things to praise your child for. It’s also important to focus your attention on someone else, such as another dancer in your child’s class, to show your child that everything is not always about them. 

Encourage them to be observant during their next dance class, looking for something good another dancer is doing.  During or after class they can compliment their classmate on doing a skill really well, or take an opportunity to tell someone, “good job”!

Dance is a great opportunity, not only to develop skills and get exercise, but to grow as a person, and to bloom into a kind and thoughtful person!  

These are skills that children will take with them well into adulthood, their future relationships, and their careers!

She Believed She Could, So She Did

Ten-year-old Alexa was born without an ulna, the bone extending from the elbow to the wrist on the side opposite to the thumb.

“From the very beginning, as a parent, you worry,” Rebekah, Alexa’s mom, said.

“But because of her determination, and her big brothers, she didn’t need occupational or physical therapy.”

Therapy sessions became needless because Alexa always exceeded the requirements at every age level. Playing with her older brothers was her physical therapy! “My older brothers challenge me,” Alexa said. “They push me to do my best.”

While some brothers might be overprotective and hover, Alexa’s brothers encourage her to try new things. Every park with new equipment has to be conquered, and every wrestling match won.

“What they do, she does,” Rebekah said. “If they are going to play soccer, she will play soccer. If they play dodgeball, she will play dodgeball.”

Alexa started dancing at the age of 5 with a group of friends. When she came to Bloom and saw an acro dance at the recital she had to try it too!

“I thought, wow, that is cool,” Alexa said. “Then I started to try some stuff at home and liked it.”

“One hand in acro is not easy,” Miss Jocie said. “Alexa is one determined little girl.”

Alexa is in her second year of acro, and continues to surprise everyone with her ability to overcome.

Miss Jocie said, “She comes to class full of joy and ready to work. She’s just a lot of fun.”

Alexa doesn’t let her short arm stop her. Instead of a two-handed cartwheel, she jumped straight to one-handed. Bridges? No problem! She does it with one arm. Alexa can even bridge walk with one arm!

“She is always trying new ways to figure things out,” Miss Jocie said. “I’m always so impressed with how hard she works, her willingness to try new skills, and her ability to find a way to accomplish them.”

Rebekah’s hope for her daughter is that through challenges, Alexa would not be resentful, but that she would exude joy, and that people would see that there is something different about her, beyond her arm.

Stories like Alexa’s inspire us! They inspire us to live with a sense of hope, a spirit of determination, and a courage that refuses to be shaken.

Behind the Scenes at the Bloom Staff Retreat

Before the Bloom doors opened for the Fall Season, our wonderful team of instructors and administrative staff gathered at Camp Rivercrest in Fremont for 36 hours of training, vision casting and team building.

Each of our lead instructors led breakout sessions to discuss how best to instruct the specific age levels. Great discussion ensued including setting goals for the upcoming school year.

Can you guess which teacher had the following goals for their dancers? 

• “Progress (gaining skills and seeing improvement) and EXCITEMENT (excitement in coming to class and learning, making friends).”

•  “I want my students to feel brave and secure in who they are. That they belong and are part of the Bloom fam and they matter!”

•  “Being a family: honesty, looking out for each other, and loving each other through hard times…”

• “I want my students to be confident and comfortable enough to have fun and enjoy dance. NO STRESS!”

The afternoon was spent with fun team building activities out in nature. Picture your dance instructor ziplining through the trees, rope climbing over tall walls, and doing back flips off the high dive. Yes, they are a very active group outside of the dance studio!

Our evening session was a time to dive into our Bloom vision, mission and core values. We broke into teams and diagrammed what each of our core value looks like at Bloom!

Bloom’s Core Values:

• Encouraging Environment

• Excellent Instruction

• Commitment to Modesty

• Informed Parents

After a short night’s sleep, with some dancing late into the night, we enjoyed a morning barre class, followed by a sweet time of praying for our new dance year.

We left the retreat closer as a Bloom family, and ready to welcome all our amazing dance students for the start of the new dance season!

Announcing Bloom's First Nutcracker Performance

Bloom Dance Studio is bringing a holiday classic to life in December!

The upper level ballet classes will be presenting “Nutcracker, Land of Sweets” the weekend of December 4th-6th.

Ms. Remmi, one of our ballet instructors, came to our studio owner with the vision last month.

Ms. Remmi shared, “My amazing students inspired me to put together a Nutcracker for Bloom.

Some of my favorite memories from my dance career involve Nutcracker rehearsals and performances.”

She also said, “I really wanted our dancers at Bloom to have the opportunity to dance one of the most magical classical ballets. I am so excited to see them shine!”

All dancers in “level four” ballet and above were invited to audition for special roles. Five of our Bloom instructors served as the judging panel, while the 19 dancers learned and performed combinations from The Nutcracker. Three casts were selected for the solo parts and each will have a chance to perform, along with the class ensembles.

A special trip was made to Revolution Dancewear in Chicago to hand select the costumes for the show. Special Saturday rehearsals have begun and will continue through November.

Bloom owner, Erin Jensen, hopes this will be the beginning of a Bloom tradition!

“This year we are only going to perform Act II, ‘Land of Sweets’, with the hope that we can expand the show next year to include a wider age range of dancers. This will give us a chance to learn what it takes to do The Nutcracker, and then do a larger show next year with both acts at a bigger facility,” Erin said. 

LOCATION: The performances will be held at Tribe Church, located at 8206 Blondo Street in Omaha, NE

WHEN:

• Friday, December 4th: 6:30 pm

• Saturday, December 5th: 2:00 pm and 6:30 pm

• Sunday, December 6th: 2:00 pm and 6:30 pm

TICKETS: Tickets are $10 for general admission seating. Due to the current COVID situation the “in person” performances will be limited this year to cast member families and close friends. Tickets will go on sale November 4th for the cast.

LIVESTREAM: So that the rest of our Bloom family can enjoy the show this year, we will be live-streaming the Saturday 6:30 pm show, and the Sunday 6:30 pm show! The link to view the show will be on our website Nutcracker page. This year you can enjoy this Bloom holiday treat from the comfort of your home, of course with hot chocolate and sweets!

We Can Do Hard Things

“This is hard, but this is fun” is a chant some acro students say during Miss Lindsay’s classes at Bloom Dance Studio.

“Acro isn’t easy. Sometimes we can’t do a skill right away and that can be frustrating,” Miss Lindsay said.

“But my kids are overcomers and can do hard things.”

Carrie, 6, knows first hand how hard work and determination can improve her skills.

She started acro at Bloom last summer after she watched her sister take a class. When she first started, Carrie had never tried any tricks. But a year later she is doing basic acro skills with excellence and working on second level acro skills.

“She practices at home all the time,” said her grandma Bobbie. “It’s made her confident to try other new things, like riding a bike, until she gets it.”

Carrie was determined to ride her bike without training wheels. But it didn’t happen overnight. It took practicing every day and getting back up after falling down.

“She’d have a good day, and then a hard day,” Bobbie said. “But she practiced a lot and now she can do it.”

“It’s more than just teaching acro, although I love acro,” Miss Lindsay said. “It’s about helping my students develop a growth mindset so they can face life’s challenges with confidence and grace.”

Carrie’s mom, Jamie, is encouraged to see her hard work carry over into other areas of her life, especially her confidence.

“Once Carrie gets a little taste of success after she gets over the hump of feeling discouraged, that inspires her to go until she masters that skill,” Jamie said. “That is something Carrie can draw on and remember later in life.”

Perseverance is a big word for any six year old. But Carrie, whether she knows the Webster definition or not, is living out its meaning. Never giving up while pushing through fear and pain.

“When my body wanted to break, I kept telling my body no no no! Not now, not today,” Carrie said. “I feel really good about myself.”

Bloom’s BBoy

Breakdancing, a form of street dancing and the oldest known hip-hop style of dance, started as a way for gangs to fight without violence.

“There is a lot of physical ability and activity in breakdancing,” Mr. Jesse said. “But there is also a lot of respect. We are not here to fight you, but to beat you in dance.”

Miss Erin feels incredibly lucky to have Mr. Jesse on staff, and from the beginning, when Jesse heard Miss Erin’s vision for the studio, he was all in.

“Jesse is the premier B boy instructor in Omaha, if not the region!” Erin said. “He’s been doing it the longest, and he knows the b-boy style better than anyone else I’ve ever encountered.”

Jesse was 20 years old when he was introduced to breakdancing. He saw some kids spinning on their heads in a park and thought it was cool. He watched for a while before they asked if he wanted to learn.

“Later that day, my friend and I went back to his driveway, pulled out some cardboard, and started learning how to breakdance” Mr. Jesse said.

He continued to meet up with the B boys from the park, and they introduced Jesse to the entire B boy scene. He entered his first battle a year and a half later, and to this day continues to practice and get better.

“I watched a lot of videos,” Jesse said. “I am always trying to push myself to not necessarily be the best dancer out there, but to be the best dancer I can be.”

Jesse believes breakdancing is a cool, unique way to express energy and to be yourself. 

“It provides a way for young men and women to express themselves, be energetic, and have that comradery and aggressiveness in a very caring and expressive environment,” Mr. Jesse said. “It’s a way to be an artist with your body.”

Breakdancing isn’t about being the best in the class, or trying to do a move someone else can do. Breakdancing is about getting better at what you are good at, and working on the things you’re not so good at.

Mr. Jesse says of breakdancing, “the more you put in, the more you get out of it! It will give you a lot of self confidence and satisfaction in dance.”

While breakdancing can help with self confidence, body control, and even build solid friendships, it’s also about having fun and feeling the music.

“B Boys and B Girls are real,” Jesse says. “We don’t wait for someone to say “5, 6, 7, 8!” ... we go when we feel it!”

A lot of the boys in Jesse’s class love breakdancing, but more than that, they love Jesse.

“He has the ability to connect with boys like no one I’ve ever seen before,” Miss Erin said. “His ability to call out what's inside of them has been so huge. A lot of parents have their son in Jesse’s class not necessarily for B Boy style, but just because they want their son to be influenced by Jesse.”

This summer, Mr. Jesse is again holding a B Boy camp for 6-10 year olds at Bloom! This is a great opportunity for any boys that have thought about trying breakdancing out.

ONE DAY CAMP (3 hours): Saturday, June 20th (click to learn more)

At Bloom, we’re thrilled to have Mr. Jesse--and so many other great teachers like him as a part of our team!

A Dynamic Dancing Duo

Simon and Miles, both 10 years old, became friends three years ago during one of Mr. Jesse’s break dancing classes. Each of their moms had put them into the class for different reasons.

“When I was six years old,” Miles said, “I would just dance with my feet around the house. My mom was friends with Miss Erin, so she signed me up for dance.”

“And my mom thought it would be good for me to take dance because I have a ton of energy,” Simon said. “Dance helps get that energy out, and I like the movement!”

Last year, Simon and Miles again took breakdancing together with Mr. Jesse, and Tap with Miss Erin. This year, they are again taking Tap with Miss Erin, and are also branching out into Jazz with Miss Brooke, and Musical Theater with Miss Brittany.

Miles

“It feels good to have Simon around because it makes me feel more comfortable,” Miles said. “Sometimes I feel like I can’t relate to girls, so it’s really nice having another boy in my class.”

Miles has seen a change in himself since starting dance at Bloom. Being around a group of safe people each week has encouraged him to open up.

“Before dance, I didn’t really want to be around people,” Miles said. “I never hung out as much. But once I started dance, I started to talk with the people inside of my class.”

Simon

“I don’t know if I’ve really changed [since starting dance] … I am still obnoxious from time to time” Simon said, with a wink.

Obnoxious or not, Simon’s mom, Michelle, has seen change in her son’s confidence, as well as an improvement with his agility in football!

Miss Erin, Miss Brooke, and Miss Brittany believe Miles and Simon add a lot to their classes.

“These are two hard working dancers who really bring a lot of fun and joy and inspiration to the classroom,” Miss Erin said. “I would like to see them grow up and teach tapper classes!”

Becoming a dance teacher is in Miles’s plan.

“In the future, if I could, I would probably bring this dance into a career and teach,” Miles said. “I love moving around and expressing myself, and I would love it if I could help others do the same!”

At Bloom, we love hearing stories of how dance has changed the lives of our students! And what we love even more is seeing how our excitement to share what we love--dance--with our students rubs off on them, and encourages students like Simon and Miles to share that excitement with others too!

Costumes: It’s All About Perspective

Have you heard the latest buzz of excitement at Bloom? No! Well here it is: Recital costumes have been revealed! 

For most students, this is one of the most exciting parts about dance--after all, who doesn’t love sparkles?

At Bloom, there is a great deal of thought put into each and every costume. We have staff members dedicated entirely to costuming, to make sure that each and every costume chosen is fitting for the class, flows with the rest of the recital show, and to make sure that each costume looks perfect by the time it reaches the student’s hands. 

Though costumes are an exhilarating part of dance, sometimes, the costume chosen for a class may not fit with a student’s expectations, or may leave a student feeling disappointed or frustrated.

Thoughts that may be circling a dancer’s mind in this situation are: “why this costume?”, “why was this chosen for my class?”, “do I really have to wear that?”, or “that’s not what I wanted”.

Sometimes we as dancers don’t understand why a costume was chosen for us, and we wish we could have chosen it ourselves. 

This month, we asked some of the instructors of Bloom to share with us a costume from their dancing days that they weren’t thrilled about, and how that experience shaped them as a dancer and a person. 

Miss Jocie

Miss Jocie shared: 

“Sometimes we can’t see the bigger vision and we are just focused on what’s right in front of us!

This costume, although I thought it was hideous up close when I was younger, looked amazing on stage, and made our dance complete. This was for an acro dance, to a song titled Topsy-Turvy. 
As we were flipping across the stage, our colorful costumes were a crowd favorite!! Your costume, the song, and choreography are each equally important to the overall performance.”

Miss Ali

Miss Ali shared this photo, and explained:

“This was a costume for a ‘story book’ dance. I was Little Bo Peep and these were my sheep. We won nationals with this dance, so we decided to compete it for a second season. By the end of the year, I had to be sewn into my costume!”

Miss Michelle

Miss Michelle shared:

"When we (my classmates and I) first saw this costume, we were all shocked and confused because, quite frankly, we felt like a colony of rainbow fish, not sassy jazz dancers! It only got worse as the accessories were piled on--gloves, hair pieces, hairstyle, and more. 

When we later on received awards at competitions for this dance, I realized that it didn't really matter what the costume looked like — what mattered was that we were able to execute skillful dancing, and show the passion on our faces!

And, it also brought a lot of laughter as all 30 of us were miserable together!" 

---

Stories like these remind us that when it comes to costumes, it’s all about perspective!

While we may not be able to choose our costumes, we can choose our attitude about it! It seems that regardless of how much we did or did not like a particular costume chosen for us, the experience we had performing in that costume actually had very little to do with the costume itself, but rather, it had everything to do with our perspective.

Handstand Queen

As a child, Miss Jocie would handstand-walk to the dinner table, and she often made up dances to perform for her family.

“They were really amazing dances,” Miss Jocie reminisced.

When she wasn’t showing sheep and horses, or playing with ducks and riding her pet pig on the family farm, she danced and did gymnastics. After spending years in studio dance and gymnastics, Jocie became a proud member of her high school dance team. After high school, she then made the Colorado State dance team, but instead transferred to Creighton and pursued the dance team there.

“I was still dating Josh (who is now my husband), and didn’t want to be away from home,” Jocie said. “I knew he was the one I was supposed to marry.”

She graduated from Creighton in May of 2005 with a degree in Exercise Science and Nutrition, while also dancing on the dance team. That October, she married her highschool sweetheart (Josh) and soon after, had her first baby. 

Now, five kids later, she might not be hand-stand walking dinner to the table, but Miss Jocie can still beat her acro students in a good, old-fashioned handstand contest! 

“Handstands are my thing! I can still walk across the floor on my hands if I really wanted to!” Miss Jocie said, with a wink.

Miss Jocie shared that one of the reasons she loves teaching is the opportunity she has to be a positive influence in her students’ lives. 

“I love impacting kids in a positive way,” Miss Jocie said. “It’s fun when you can be someone positive in a kid’s life, especially if that is for someone who may not have a ton of positive around them.” 

Dancers can feel confident coming to Miss Jocie’s class, regardless of whether they’ve been dancing or doing acro for years, or have never stepped foot in a studio. Miss Jocie has a passion for dance and acro that spills over into the instruction she gives to her students. She not only loves to teach, but she loves to encourage and support her students.

“Because of my own kids, I understand the importance of influence,” Miss Jocie said. “Skills are important, but I also want to teach my students how to be a good person at the same time.”

At Bloom, we are immensely grateful to have some of the best teachers, who, like Miss Jocie, not only work hard to teach their students excellent dance and acro, but who also want to teach students how to become creative, confident people, who courageously impact their world. 

How to Get Your Spark

If you look down an empty Costco aisle, there is a good chance you will find 12-year-old Catherine, pirouetting and doing the splits.

“I think twice about taking her to stores with wide open spaces,” Catherine’s mom, Cyndi, said with a smile.

While Catherine would describe herself as shy, her mom says dance brings out a different side of her personality.

“It’s like her alter-ego ballet personality,” Cyndi said. “There’s Catherine, and then there is this ballet/dance girl!”

Catherine started to dance when she was two-years-old, but took two years off when she was nine, to do USA Swimming. She couldn’t do dance and swim, and the dance studio she attended was fading out. Because Catherine is both a teachable perfectionist, and hard worker by nature, she became very good at swimming. But she grew tired of looking at the bottom of the pool.

“Swimming was great, but it stopped being fun for her,” Cyndi said. “And I could see that a little light went out inside her.”

Last year, Catherine decided dance was where she wanted to be, and dove head first back into classes. Again, because Catherine is both a hard worker and a teachable perfectionist, she quickly gained back the ground that she had lost in dance during her swimming break. She is currently in eight different classes, spending a total of six hours a week in dance class. 

“One thing about Catherine is she hones in on her craft; she will immerse herself in dance and watch Youtube videos on how to do turns,” Cyndi said. “She eats, sleeps, and drinks dance and she loves it.”

Catherine’s internal spark is back, and when she isn’t at Bloom, she is dancing or stretching anywhere she can. The kitchen counter acts as her home ballet bar.

Miss Ali, one of Catherine’s current teachers, met Catherine during a Summer Intensive Camp, and she stood out to her immediately.

“She has a natural talent, as well as a strong work ethic,” Miss Ali said. “Catherine is also very passionate in her movement, and that is a valuable quality that you can’t teach!”

“Dance is really good for me because I like to really dedicate myself, and dance is one thing I feel like you have to do that for,” Catherine said.

“It’s not the competition of dance that I like, it’s the challenge of bettering myself.”

At Bloom, one of our very favorite things is helping to provide an opportunity for students like Catherine to grow--to better themselves. When one does the hard work it takes to hone their natural talent and passion, he or she ignites their internal spark, which allows the creativity, confidence, and courage inside of their own heart to come out, to bless and inspire the world around them.

Sometimes, Quitting is the Answer

Miss Emma loved dance, until she didn’t.

At the age of 14, she loved ballet and danced every day in the studio. Her teachers believed she would become a professional ballerina because she was young, able, and extremely talented.

“I remember that being a ballerina wasn’t always what my eyes were set on,” Emma said. “My goal was to eventually become a teacher.”

But meeting others’ expectations began to wear Emma out, and she lost sight of why she was dancing. She questioned what she wanted out of dance and started to resent going to the studio. The environment became toxic for her, and her health started to decline.

Emma took a year and a half off from dancing. Much of that time was spent resting and figuring out who she was and what she enjoyed doing, apart from dance.

“It was also a time where God needed me to step back,” Emma said. “He had given me this talent and gift to use for others, not just for my own pride of being on stage with my solos.”

One day, Emma realized she missed dancing.

“I know God brought dance back into my heart,” Emma said. “It was like I woke up and felt joy again.”

That day, Emma knew she had to dance again. In January 2017, a week before Emma’s 17th birthday, she sent an email to Miss Erin asking for a job.

“I didn’t even care what the job was,” Emma said. “I told her I’d clean. I just needed to be around dance again.”

Emma had met Miss Erin right before quitting dance, and knew that she had opened Bloom. A few days later, she sat down with Miss Erin, and within hours, was told she could start off by helping with classes.

“I knew right away that Bloom was where I’m supposed to be,” Emma said. “I met so many amazingly talented teachers.”

At first, Emma felt intimidated and battled with self worth. She struggled with being the youngest on staff, and thought she wasn’t good enough to work at Bloom.

But as the weeks and months passed, Emma realized those were lies.

“I never felt sick or stressed,” Emma said. “All these people and workers at Bloom feel like family.”

Bloom is Emma’s first job, and her dream job.

“If you would have told me a few years ago, I’d be living my life’s dreams now as a teenager, I would have laughed in your face,” Emma said. “I didn’t believe I was capable of these things.”

Now, Emma dreams of working with kids in the inner city and traveling to other countries to teach dance.

“Everyone tells me my job is not reality,” Emma laughed. “But it’s a dream come true. Thanks to Bloom, I get to live the dream I had back when I was a little girl.”

4 Big Benefits of Dance Recital Participation

Recitals are always a highlight of a dancer’s experience each year!

Although the prep leading up to the actual performance can be overwhelming, participation in the recital is an incredible opportunity that provides many benefits for our dancers!

Though there are many, here are 4 of our favorite benefits of Recital! 

1. Recitals Promote Creativity, Courage & Confidence!

Participating in a recital or performance helps dancers to overcome shyness, fear, anxiety and stage fright. It gives students a chance to showcase all of their hard work, dedication, and progress from throughout the year. The self-confidence gained from participating in a dance recital is beneficial to dancers in all aspects of life! 

2. Recitals Provide an Opportunity to Set Goals & Develop New Skills!

The weeks (or months) spent preparing for a recital is helpful in teaching students how to work towards a goal! Dancers take pride in learning new steps and being able to show off their moves at their recital gives them motivation to work hard!  Preparing for a recital is also a way for dancers to work on skill retention and memorization, as well as rhythm and technique.  

3. Recitals Promote Teamwork!

By working with their fellow dancers on a group performance, dancers learn all the positive benefits of working together to create a masterpiece! They develop camaraderie and friendships, which can last a lifetime! Recitals provide a wonderful opportunity for dancers to learn that there is no “I” in TEAM. Working as a team with one’s classmates also makes it easier for dancers to celebrate the accomplishments of others, a skill that will be beneficial as they go through school, future careers, and life!  

4. Recitals Create Memories!

Recital memories will last for a lifetime. Costumes become treasured keepsakes, recital pictures become the highlights of photo albums and scrapbooks, and the lessons learned are remembered for years to come! For families, recital is a time to celebrate their dancer’s achievements, and for dancers, recital instills a passion for the art of dancing and performing.  

All of us at Bloom consider it a highlight of the year and an honor to be a part of providing each dancer with a beneficial, memorable and FUN Recital experience! 

You can find information about our upcoming spring recital at www.danceatbloom.com/recital!

This Mom’s Dream: Steward Her Talents and Build Confidence

When Brittany first met Miss Erin at a women’s brunch, she loved her right away. Erin had just returned from living in Afghanistan, and spoke on being a steward of your talents.

“I still have her notes,” Brittany said. “And when Erin asked me later to teach dance, her words popped back into my head.”

Brittany comes from a family of dancers. Her mom danced, her sister, Brooke, dances and is a teacher at Bloom, and her seven-year-old daughter, Amory, takes dance classes. 

Brittany started to dance at the age of 6, and continued dancing through her senior year of high school. She danced on her highschool dance team, and danced competitively with her studio.

“I was a pretty shy kid,” Brittany said. “But dance gave me a lot of confidence I don’t think I would have had otherwise.”

One of Brittany’s greatest memories from her dancing days was the community of friends she made. Fifteen years later, those girls--now women--are still some of her dearest friends.

“You spent so much time together,” Brittany said. “There was a bond, and we shared such fond memories.”

Besides teaching at a studio in college, and helping with choreography in high school, Brittany didn’t teach much before starting at Bloom when it first opened. But 4 years in, she is now teaching six classes. Her newest endeavor is Musical Theater, which she loves. 

“There is a performance aspect to dance, and it’s important to think about the story you want to tell and convey to the audience,” Brittany said. “The kids really come out of their shells and we have so much fun.”

Brittany loves story-telling and words, and she believes that dance is a great tool to communicate.

“Dancers are real people with real emotions, connecting with their audience,” Brittany said.

Brittany also counts it a privilege to spend time with other people’s children. As a mom, she understands what it is like to know that your child is with a safe adult, where they feel loved, strengthened and encouraged.

“Hopefully they are learning a lot about dance, and growing in their skills,” Brittany said. “But it’s so cool to have that time with little girls to give them encouragement, which might build their confidence. You can’t have too many voices in their life being a source of encouragement and love.”

Dance brought confidence to Brittany as a young dancer, that still impacts her as an adult. She is excited to help her students build confidence, make life-long friends and use their talents!

Finding Hope and Finding Oneself

At the age of 11, Elly nearly quit dance. She came home many nights from her old studio in tears not wanting to finish.

“There was a lot of inner competitiveness and hierarchy,” Elly said. “There was a lot of favoritism, and that felt stressful.”

After a couple of breakdowns surrounding recital, Elly decided to leave her old studio and try a summer class at Bloom. While Miss Amanda was tough, she balanced her corrections with love.

“Miss Amanda pushed us,” laughed Elly. “But she balanced it out with compliments and encouragement because she’s trying to make you better.”

That summer, with the help of Miss Amanda, Elly got over some of her perfectionism and competitiveness. The atmosphere at Bloom created a safe space for Elly to be herself.

Through the years, Elly’s love for dance increased, and she also found deep friendships at Bloom.

“It’s really a great place to make friends because there isn’t that competitiveness between dancers,” Elly said. “You are friends trying to help each other, rather than beat everyone.”

In high school, teens start to move more towards their peers and every parent hopes they find solid friendships.

“It’s hard to find people you want to be around your kids and to pour into them,” Elly’s mom, Heather, said. “They’ve been a great group of girls for her to move towards.”

Heather believes if it wasn’t for Bloom, Elly wouldn’t be dancing now. 

Last year, Elly joined Seeds, a class that grows dancers in their dance skills while allowing them to experience the power of worshiping God through movement. A portion of the class is a mentorship program, and a few times a year, dancers participate in a local outreach or performance.

Now, at the age of 15, Elly is doing more of her own dance outreaches this year. She is choreographing a performance for her church’s Christmas program with the little girls, as well as some performances for her homeschool co-op.

“In a world that’s working to be good enough, she can rest in being the best Ellyanna Faith that God has made her to be,” Heather said. “Bloom, with her encouraging instructors and sweet friends, has been a huge blessing for influencing her to be confident in who she’s made to be, and not worry about the commentary the world seems to want to make on her life.”

At Bloom, we want to have a part in growing creative, confident dancers who courageously impact their world! We are inspired by stories like Elly's, where a dancer has had the opportunity to become just that!