Earlier this year, my daughter attended 24seven dance convention and competition at the Meadowlands Hilton in New Jersey. As anyone that has been there knows, standing on the Starbucks line near the lobby is an exercise in patience. So rather than wait while all of the teen and senior dancers (and their caffeine-seeking mamas) were grabbing a refreshment before classes started, I figured I would wait until the sessions began.  Well, what seemed like a smart idea at the time turned out to be a bust. During the third class of the day, I headed to get some goodies for me and my girl. Much to ..read more

Depending on your child’s career and/or college plans, he or she may want to attend a high school that is tailored to their needs and interests. For the developing dancer, actor, singer, musician, etc., a performing arts high school might offer more appeal and opportunity than a traditional high school. If there is one available, take the time to do some research to determine whether it is a viable option for your child. In December of 2022, I started looking into the local performing arts high school for my twins, Jayden and Jocelyn. At the time, both were competitive dancers and performed in ..read more

Back when my daughters were just little nuggets, we had our first experience at Star Dance Alliance’s World Dance Championship (WDC). Since we’ve been involved with dance, this event has been held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey. During the WDC, I would occasionally hear the emcees talk about the World Dance Pageant (WDP), but I really had no idea what it was really all about. I didn’t know it then, but my girls would participate in the pageant in a few short years. What Is the World Dance Pageant (WDP)? According to their website: “The World Dance Pageant is a sp ..read more

In 2011, residents of central Jersey were treated to the opening of the indoor amusement park iPlay America in Freehold. Having worked in Monmouth County for years, I had heard all about it from the news and my students. The buzz surrounding its opening reached far and wide back then, and iPlay continues to be a destination for those that want a day of fun. With four acres of indoor amusements, a TopGolf Swing Suite, and fine dining, many locals and tourists plan a visit when their schedules allow. Dance Competitions Take Center Stage Over the years, iPlay’s Event Center has hosted celebrity m ..read more

Veteran dance moms may seem like they’re on cruise control, but it takes years of experience to know everything you’ll need to do to prepare for competition day. For a rough idea of how to get ready for the big event, follow this timeline (and take some deep breaths)! PS – To download and print the timeline graphic, scroll all the way down! Months in Advance Lodging – When the event is taking place far away from home, your best bet may be to book a room for an overnight stay. But experienced dance moms know that availability can dry up quickly (especially if a discount is being offered by the ..read more

Whether they’re catalog or custom, your dancer’s costumes might be starting to take over your spare closet, attic, or whole house! Let’s not kid ourselves – we might feel actual PAIN when we have to throw away something like this. After all, we’ve made a significant investment in it (whether it be financial or emotional).  So rather than tossing them in the trash, I decided to do some research on alternatives to garbage day. Our Facebook community came through in fine style when I asked them what they did with their used costumes! You’ll find some unique suggestions below. Thanks to every ..read more

Conventions offer great opportunities for dancers to grow their skills by immersing themselves in a range of classes taught by master teachers over a short period of time. While many traditional conventions span a weekend or several days, the Wild Dance Intensive condenses the experience down into a single day! According to the Wild Dance Intensive website: “At WILD, our main priority is offering your dancers a one-of-a-kind dance experience in an encouraging, fun, and creative environment. Our faculty is made up of world renowned dance choreographers and educators who are committed to the fu ..read more

Imagine this:  One day at pick-up, your child races to the car and yanks open the door, jumps in, and slams it closed with an energy that could rival a nuclear power plant. Bubbling with excitement, they yell, “I got a solo invitation!”  For many dance kids, this is the moment they’ve been waiting for their entire dance career. For others, it may create an internal conflict (“Do I really want this?”). And for still others, it’s more of a “meh” experience. No matter where your dancer falls on this spectrum, you need to consider several factors before you say “yes.” Who Gets It? So, h ..read more

When your child has been offered a place on a competitive team or company, pre-professional program, or some other dance-related group, you might be asked to sign a contract. Knowing what to expect can help you to better understand the terms that you are agreeing to. Plus, it can prevent misunderstandings in the future. Ideally, the studio owner or manager should include language that outlines the responsibilities of both parties.  In a recent Facebook poll on The Dancing Dance Mom page, 49 out of 56 dance moms (or 87%) said that they were required to sign a contract before their child co ..read more

Once your dancer starts competing in more than a couple of routines, you might be ready to buy one of those dance bags that you see other families toting around. Or maybe your current bag is showing its age, or you’re unhappy with what you’ve already got. When you start researching your options, your head could spin with all of the different features, designs, and other factors that you’ll need to consider. Recently, I solicited our Facebook community of dance moms for their feedback on their dance bags. As usual, they came through in fine style and offered their opinions on eight of the name ..read more