February marks Black History Month, a time to honor the contributions and legacy of Black people and culture. In the dance community, there is a lot to honor as famous dancers such as Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Josephine Baker, and Alvin Ailey (to name a few) have left a memorable impact on the dance world. With that, we want to share some local artists and dancers that are making an impact on the arts and dance community today. We enjoy having these folks on our Instagram feeds, including watching them dance! Tyrell Black - @btyrell Tyrell is a performing artists and educator who specialize ..read more

Many of us are feeling the winter blues, on top of many other stressful things happening in our world right now. As we do our part to stay safe, it’s also important that we take care of our mental health in 2022. While it may seem hard to stay positive all the time, that’s okay! There are some small things that you can do to remain resilient during hard times. Here is a list of some of our favourite things to help lift our spirits. Walking Walking is not only great exercise, but it’s something everyone can do even in the winter. Whether you go for a walk alone in silence, take your dog out, ph ..read more

Your ankles and feet are some of the most important tools you have when you’re a dancer. Whether you’re doing ballet, hip hop, or gymnastics, having good strength and mobility in your ankles is essential to good dance health. It is also beneficial to do exercises to improve ankle strength so that you can avoid and prevent injury from happening, as ankle and foot injuries are one of the most common injuries for professional dancers. Your ankles and feet do a lot of work – so it’s important to keep them in the best shape possible! Here are some of our favorite simple, but effective, ankle streng ..read more

There’s nothing better than crisp Fall air and all the Fall fashion that goes along with cooler weather. As we take out our cozier, comfier dance gear, it’s also a great time to grab a few new stylish items. Dance is in full swing finally, and dancers everywhere are back in the studio working on their routines and skills. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite products for Fall, ones that mix timeless style with stand-out Fall fashion. Fall Favorites: Adults Mirella Ladies Black Label Cap Sleeve Leotard – MB7226 This leotard is so elegant and effortlessly chic, with an open back, high necklin ..read more

A lot has changed in the last year and a half, and many of us are excited to get back to our regular routines. There’s nothing better than being in the studio with your fellow dancers, feeling the music and dancing as a group. Also, connecting with fellow dancers at class and after class is a huge part of many dancers’ social lives. It’s nice that we can all get back to dance – even if things might be a bit different! As much as it’s exciting to get back to the dance studio, some dancers might feel unsure of what to expect. Thankfully, dance studios are following public health guidelines and d ..read more

Butterflies in your stomach, sweaty hands, racing heart – we have all felt these kinds of feelings before we do something in front of others. Everyone experiences performance anxiety in many ways, some more than others. Dancers, especially, often feel performance anxiety. Whether it impacts you or it doesn’t, it’s normal to feel nervous before a big show! Anxiety can be a feeling in our bodies, or it can be thoughts in our mind – or sometimes both! However it effects you, the good news is that there are some techniques you can do to either make it go away or at least ease a bit. Here are our t ..read more

It’s so exciting that dance studios are finally fully open again and dancers are hitting the dance floor to get back to doing what they love most. Whether you’re new to dance or a seasoned dancer, getting back into dance after a long break can be a little daunting. Whether you feel rusty with your skills or technique or are feeling shy after being away for so long, coming back to dance may feel like a mix of excitement and nerves. Either way, there is a few things you can do to prepare to get back into dancing. Try a drop in class If you’re nervous about your first day back at dance class, g ..read more

Dancewear is as unique as the dancer wearing them. The great thing about dancewear is that there is so many stylish options, so every dancer can find the perfect piece for them. It is also fun to try new trends and step outside of your regular dancewear! Wearing a new piece can make your dance routine feel energized and fun, just as much as it can also make you feel confident. Want to find a new outfit or try something new? Here’s a list of the five dancewear trends we’re noticing this year. A pop of color While black and white leotards are classic, it is always fun to give your dance routi ..read more

It’s no secret that self-care is something we all need to be working into our schedule. It can be hard to find the time to do self-care, which is why it’s important to find something that gets you excited to work into your schedule. Dance is a great self-care tool. Not only is it a workout that’s good for your body, but it’s also good for your mind too. Here is why we think everyone should use dance for self-care – whether you’re a professional or not! Dance is great for your mental health Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your mental health. Exercise has been proven to help ..read more

This month we’re taking time to reflect on the important of the dance and the arts. It’s no secret that the last year and a half has taken a toll on all communities all over the globe. Dance and the arts have been no exception – dance studios are empty, theatres have closed their doors, and many dancers have had to find new ways to keep their dance skills practised. “Across the world, theatres are on the verge of collapse and the professionals who fill their stages and work behind the scenes are facing widespread unemployment,” Bloch writes on their #savethearts page. “The effects of the pande ..read more