Dolphin!

My Beg/Int. Musical Theater class has acting training. This week we're working on animal characters (dance movements, sounds, expressions, etc.)...Here, my student is showing off her "dolphin" sounds. Too hilarious to pass up. I can't watch it without laughing! It's so cute because she's totally serious.

Where to take Class?

If you're not in L.A. and able to go to the Millennium Dance Complex or Edge dance studio, it's hard to find a good place to take class (for a professional level dancer). OC has Jimmie de Fore Dance Center and Focus Dance Center . Both places are a great place to take dance if you want to keep in shape, keep up with fresh choreo, and get in the studio and TAKE class for once, instead of teaching it. It's important for dance teachers to be aware of what's happening in the industry and to be getting in classes so they always have well-rounded dance curriculum for their students.

Danny Hochman, teaches on Tuesday nights @ De Fore's. He is a great instructor, talented choreographer, and his resume is ridiculously good. He is one of the FEW instructors who will break down moves and explain them step by step in adult classes - usually you'll be given a set of choreography and start dancing right off the bat (which is also really fun)...go take his class.

My friend, Kristle, and I went up to take his class for fun ~ We couldn't make it in time for the advanced hour, so this is the Beg. Adult HH class. As you can see, no matter how difficult or easy choreography is you ALWAYS can have a blast and learn something.

Int. Contemporary, "Slow Dancing..."

The lyrical classes I'm teaching have recently taken on a more contemporary form. It's because of the hip hop and urban influences in my dance education and life. I'm looking forward to growing the jazz/contemporary program next season; the girls right now are learning to really pull through all of their movements - and they are rocking at it, of course.

Choreo by Sara Flynn, final counts improvisation by student dancers. Copyright, SaraFlynnPhoto.

Ladies - in case you want to run over this one at home or if you want to incorporate some of the moves into your own student choreography. Great work, and in just one class! :)

DT Auditions

Dance Team Auditions :: May 2, 2010 :: All Day :: Be there, Dressed to Impress

Audition times can be found HERE. Click on it, and sign up at the studio!

Shortage!

Items Dancers Seem to Always be "Looking" for, even though we buy them all the time:

• bobby pins
  
• socks (folded down for jazz and lyrical, full footed for hip hop)
• water bottles
• lash glue
• blank CD's
  
• empty CD cases
• lighter (for burning the ends of ribbon on pointe shoes, not for anything else!)
• iPod headphones
• deodorant
  
• leotards

Like they say about show business: there's no business like it!

My Mermaid's Name Is...

My 3 ½ year old student, Caroline, made it through her first class today without hysterically crying because of separation (from her mom). She did a fair job participating, although strong listening skills are still absent. I love having her in class and watching her grow each week; not to mention that toddlers are adorable. She, her mother and I were talking after class. Caroline looked up and shared that her little mermaid at home (a toy that I’m sure is her walk-around-the-house/sleep with/ride-in-the-car with regular) is actually named ‘Miss Sara.’ I looked at her mom, who nodded at me to confirm, and my heart just about melted.

As leaders, teachers, mentors, siblings, parents or authority, it’s easy to forget what a high standard we’re held to. Being trusted day in and day out with these students is a blessing, a ministry and a responsibility. This doesn’t mean we have to be perfect. Perfection is solely of the Lord; so there is grace in the midst of our mistakes. Having said that it’s important to behave above reproach when working with impressionable gifts such as children. A little girl’s mermaid/doll/cabbage patch kid/Barbie/plastic baby is one of her most prized possessions. “My little mermaid’s name is Miss Sehwa,” She whispered with immense joy and pride – her eyes sparkled. Forget about it being cute and flattering; the point is that it was a bold reminder of how important it is to be a trustworthy role model. Kids don’t miss a beat, and they take to heart the words we say and the things we do.

“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2)

I'm thankful to be trusted with all of my classes; as a choreographer, dancer, teacher and leader. I’m so excited about dance. I’m so excited about ministry. I’m so excited that, for me, they fall onto the same page.

10 Things We (Female HH Dancers) Have In Common

There's taking hip hop classes and enjoying dancing (which is perfect if you're looking for recreational dance), and then there's being a true-blue-to-the-bone-live-it-feel-it female hip hop dancer.

If you're a female hip hop dancer you...

1. Have a weakness for shoes. This is one is non-negotiable. Something about boots, sneaks, kicks, heels, pumps, wedges, flip flops, gladiators, tennis, stilettos, dance shoes, gym shoes, beach shoes, traveling shoes, and flats draws you in! (My shoe addiction isn't something I'm proud of, but I do really really love shoes...)

2. Love all kinds of music.

3. Can't ever decide whether to wear your hair up or down in class. Up is out of the way (convenient), down looks sick when you whip it around (but not convenient).

4. Care for the well-being of others. HH creates a family feeling among dancers; just something about it.

5. Can somehow make ridiculously baggy sweat pants not only look ADORABLE, but totally feminine without trying. LADIES - YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING. Quintessential girl look: Ugg boots (no matter how hot it gets), majorly huge cotton sweats, booty shorts or really cute full coverage undies underneath, but you have to sag the pant a little bit to show the top lining of course...baggy tee/tanks/whatever kind of shirt. If you're in class, the Ugg boots can be swapped out for some kicks or high tops.

6. Eat inconceivable amounts of food because you dance so much, and need the cals.

7. Love watching other (good) hip hop dances/dancers.

8. Love dressing up when you go out - this doesn't mean fancy, but it at least means cute and feminine. Ladies HH dancers can look ghetto and all in class, but we love to make it up during the rest of the week. You can pull off the best of both worlds!

9. Have a taste for mixing music.

10. Live out of your car in a sense - between work, class, gym, friends, family, life and getting stuff done, you have to keep so much "stuff" in your car that sometimes you feel like you're living out of it.

In-dust-ry

The industry has endless options for work. Teaching; choreographing; assisting; modeling; filming; speaking...and of course the favorite: performing. Here's a pic post hair/make up on a job in Anaheim. The job: dancer for KC and the Sunshine Band. So fun.

Little known fact about me: I typically won't let anyone do my hair/make up (even while professionals are on set). This performance was no exception; I did this on my own, and ladies, when performing work the lashes!

Dear High School Girl,

Dear High School Girl,

It's okay - there will be another 'him.' Right now it seems like your world is falling apart and bursting at the seems. Things don't look the same, you have no appetite, and you're confused about weather or not you should have i.m.'d him 2 nights ago about how amazing you thought his tee shirt looked that day. You're wondering, how could he be texting her? "He said 14 days, 3 hours and 12 minutes ago that he likes me!" You love the way his shaggy hair brushes over his pimple-ridden forehead, and you totally don't mind that all of his jeans are frayed at the bottom because he doesn't get them tailored...not to mention the fact that he wears girl jeans - you know it's true.

Here's the truth: He liked you, he really did, but lucky for you he is distracted by anything that walks and has long hair right now. You didn't do anything wrong. The truth is that he doesn't even like his cell phone that he got 2 months ago because someone else has some other cool phone with more apps and faster texts - he changes his mind about a lot of things right now! Don't worry, it will change when you're older (I know you hate hearing that). Moreover, at 15, his emotional capacity to be your so-called 'bf' is that of a tree stump. He is smart; I know, I know...but he's not yet ready to be your knight in shining armor. The only shining armor he has right now are his braces; and don't be fooled, those don't help him ride white horses or anything.

Don't show him that you're jealous, heartbroken, teary eyed, and longing for him to so much as breathe in your direction. It will not only make him feel like he owns you like a stuffed animal, but he DEFINITELY won't go for you if you do those things. Don't be needy, don't jump through hoops to make him happy - because you'll set the precedent that you'll always be willing to act like a circus seal to see him smile. You are beautiful You. You are stunning, smart, lovely, funny, personable You. It's better for someone not to like you the way you are, than for him to like you for something you're not and have to keep 'trying' to be.

Lucky for 'Mr.Right' (who will get his chance in the future) this Mr.Lame-o has moved on. Chin up, girlfriend. You are independent and have a lot going for you; you don't need a guy. Throw yourself into your school work, sports, arts, dance (I'm biased), and of course spending time with the fam.

Remember: If he isn't treating you like a princess now, he won't ever really treat you like a princess. You ARE a princess, and you ARE worth pursuing...just give it some time, and right now focus on being the best possible You that you can be.

With Love,
Miss Sara
p.s. When your mom keeps asking you in the car what's wrong, stop telling her you're fine - she knows by your snappy response that you're not ;)

L.O.V.E.

Valentine's Day is coming up, and love is in the air!

Things dance teachers love:

Candles (I am totally hooked on these soy candles by ARCHAEOLOGY; they are made with non-toxic materials, smell great, and burn beautifully)

Movies while in bed with tons of blankets and pillows

Girl time to dish out

Soft, warm slippers

Jewelry (Let's not lie ladies, we love it - I'm not even saying from a guy, you can get yourself some jewelry and love it!!)

Sweet Songs and Letters (Our lives revolve around finding the right music and ways to express our thoughts...what's better than receiving a song or a note dedicated to yourself?)

Bathing Suits (Sound crazy? Yes, I agree...but there's something just something about...)

Professional Massage (yep)

Pedicures!!!

"Happy" by Leona Lewis

Soy Chai Latte (or hot beverage of choice in place of 'soy chai latte')

SOME FREE TIME OFF...even half a day!

Warm Jackets/Ugg Boots/over-sized, fashionable purses/huge sun glasses/jeans (dance teachers have so many pairs of jeans)

Pictures (you can never take enough pics with the peeps)

Water!

How adorable is this "love" locket?