Spring Shake-Up
“Instead of fighting the seasonal shift, why not lean into it?”
Shake Things Up: Easy Ways to Refresh Your Dance Classes This Spring
As I sit down to write this, the Midwest is currently experiencing what some call “fake spring.” After a long, bitterly cold winter, we’re getting brief glimpses of warmer weather, and everyone is buzzing with excitement (and relief!). The warmer days boost our energy, improve our moods, and get us up and moving outdoors more. But, of course, it’s not the full-blown spring we’re hoping for—just a tease, with winter weather popping back in every few days. The back-and-forth between winter and spring weather can be exhausting and can make it challenging to keep our dance classes focused and on track. Instead of fighting it, however, let’s channel that energy and shake things up in a way that keeps everyone focused and moving forward.
Whether you're struggling with class participation or recognizing that your classes are feeling stale or stagnant, sprinkling in something new on top of your current class objectives may be just what you need to keep your dancers excited about working on the same ol' dance steps. From toddlers to tweens and everything in between, here are some ideas to shake things up this spring and keep your classes fresh and focused.
Shake-Up Ideas for Spring
Could you…
Add a prop to your choreographed warm-up
I like to incorporate noodle sticks or bean bags into our floor stretches. I also pull out the parachute as we work on pliés, sautés, and chassés as a group.
Create themed playlists
A sing-along Disney ballet barre or glow-in-the-dark disco jazz class would be a fun surprise!
Make a solo activity a partner or group activity instead
Rather than going through an obstacle course individually, could you create two side by side obstacle courses so dancers can travel together with a partner?
Switch studio spaces with a different teacher
Sometimes being in a different studio, even just for one day, is enough novelty to shake things up.
Do a teacher swap
If another teacher’s schedule lines up with yours, can you swap for the warm up portion of class? You can swap back to your class to continue working on your recital dance. Or, even better, have the other teacher clean your recital dance for you. Having new eyes on your choreography may make your dancers work a little harder as they try to impress their “new” teacher.
Take class outdoors
This may not be possible for all, but if your studio allows it and you have a space where you can safely take your dancers outdoors for some fresh air, do it! This may take a little more planning such as making sure dancers bring gym shoes to class, but with a little preparation, this could be a great shake up, especially for older students.
In Conclusion
Hopefully these ideas get your wheels turning on how you can easily shake up your classes to harness that excited spring energy while still getting work done. After all, recital is just around the corner! With a few simple shake-ups, your classes can be fun and focused, all while ensuring your students will be performance ready.
Support Beyond the Studio
Looking for more fresh ideas, tools, and community support? The DanceLife Teacher Conference is a perfect place to connect with other studio owners and dance educators who understand your challenges. From energizing classes to inspiring seminars, you’ll walk away with renewed motivation and ready-to-use strategies to keep your studio thriving year-round.
