To The Pointe: Put Your Best Foot Forward

At the beginning of the dance season my Sweet Girl received an invitation from To The Pointe! Dance Academy to join the Praise! competition group. She has been dancing with To The Pointe! Dance Academy for a few years now and was thrilled at the opportunity to spend more time on stage performing.
This Saturday will be the very first time she will be competing.  While we have been excited and a bit nervous, we have been so fortunate for all the preparation that To The Pointe! Dance Academy puts forth into their dancers and parents.  We have been taught how to do hair and makeup for the competition, we have been told what the judges look for, but most importantly, my Sweet Girl has been encouraged to smile, do her best and to have FUN. (which is a good life lesson, period.)
Recently, the girls were invited to a competition workshop.  (pictures below) To The Pointe! Dance Academy coached the girls on polishing their routines, did teambuilding activities as well as talked about good nutrition and healthy snack choices. I can't even begin to express the many things these dancers learn from being part of a To The Pointe! dance team.  My Sweet Girl is learning that practice makes perfect, that hard work and determination pays off, that it's important to work together as a team, to help each other out when one is struggling and to encourage and support one another.  She has made friends, built confidence, and learned the meaning of "team" all while having FUN.  These are all skills that, while learning at the young age of 7, will help her in years to come.

One of my daughters favorite parts of dance is the support of the older dancers that she looks up to.  Through To The Pointe! Dance Academy's mentorship program, my Sweet Girl has been encouraged by the very girls she inspires to dance like.  Nothing is more heartwarming than to see the older girls find their little mentorees at the recitals and shows and give them big hugs and good luck wishes before they perform. 
I know that every dance company is different, but I know in my heart that we are lucky to have To The Pointe! Dance Academy in our community.  Angela, TTPDA's owner, is 100% present, involved and invested in each dancer and family.  The instructors are absolutely wonderful, encouraging and supportive to all dancers. They choose age appropriate costumes, songs and choreography, which is so important to me as a mother. 
Want to learn more about To The Pointe! Dance Academy or to check out their upcoming summer classes?  Check out their website at www.tothepointedanceacademy.com or email them at tothepointedanceacademynp@gmail.com for more info. 
See the To The Pointe! Dance Academy competition groups perform this upcoming weekend (April 22-24) at the Encore Performing Arts Competition being held at the Chanhassen High School PAC.