January Devotional: Begin

Written by Beth Jordahl

 “Always we begin again.” - St. Benedict

 I love the New Year. I love buying fresh calendars and new journals. I love dreaming about what the year will hold and all that I want to accomplish and learn. I make lists - lots of lists. Lists of goals, books, foods, plans, hopes, so on. I go through a whole process of reflecting back on the past year and then praying and hoping for the new year.

 It’s a fresh start. A chance to begin again.

As author L. M. Montgomery said in her book Anne of Green Gables, “Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?” and now ahead of us is a whole, fresh, new year. Just waiting to be filled up with new memories, mistakes, and beginnings!

Our verse for the month of January talks about how God is doing something new, something that has already begun.

 "For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland."

- Isaiah 43:19

This last year we faced things we never thought we would and dealt with new and difficult circumstances. We are now very familiar with zoom, masks, sanitizers, and changing plans at the last minute. As a studio, we have adjusted plans and pivoted. Our performances have looked different this year. Our classes have been flexible in new ways. And all of this while we continue to trust God’s plans and move forward to the best of our abilities.

In our wilderness of uncertainty, God made a new pathway.

In our dry wasteland of worries and anxiety, God created rivers.

Now here we are, at the end of this year and the beginning of the next.

For many, the end of 2020 may be a sign of hope, or a painful reminder of what is different this year, or just a day marking the passage of time.

For us as Christians, it can be a reminder of how God creates something new in us over and over again. After all, He is the God of new beginnings. From nothing, He created the universe. From dust, He created mankind. From our old, broken selves, He creates new fully alive hearts.

“ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

-       2 Corinthians 5:17

 So as we step into this New Year, and step into what God is doing, how do we begin?

I think there are a few things we can do as we begin this year.

●      REFLECT

Before we step into what’s new, let’s reflect back on what happened last year. We can look at everything, the bad and the good. Then list out all of the ways you saw God at work in your life last year.

●      DREAM

Now is the time! Dream all the dreams. Think about what might be happening this year for you, your family, your community. Then list out everything you are hoping will happen or hoping to accomplish. Maybe this year you want to grow in your flexibility as a dancer or as a person, or perhaps you want to learn a new language. Maybe you are hoping to grow as a friend, or do more volunteering. Whatever it is, list it out!

●      PRAY

Once you have your list, pray over it. Ask God to show you what things are from Him and where your focus should be. If you are doing this as a family, talk about everything and see where you all agree. Adjust the list if you need to.

●      BEGIN

The only thing left to do is start. Make a plan and then move forward. As Charles H. Spurgeon said, “Begin as you mean to go on, and go on as you began, and let the Lord be all in all to you.” (Read that again, if you need to.)

As you begin this year, remember...

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

-       Lamentations 3:22-23

Share with us what it is that you are beginning! Tag us in your instagram posts @turningpointedancecolorado. We are excited to see what is new in your lives!

Twirl Bible Study: December

Written by Beth Jordahl

 For December, all of our Twirl classes are talking about peace through the verse: Proverbs 3:5:

 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart."

 What do you think of when you hear the word PEACE?

 A quiet house? Being certain of something? A feeling that settles over your heart and soul?

“Peace” in the Bible is a little bit different than you may expect. In Hebrew, it is Shalom and in Greek, it is Eirene. These words usually refer to a wide range of ideas including totality or completeness, success, fulfillment, wholeness, harmony, security and well being.

 These are all things that we want and hope for. We all want to be complete, have success and a sense of security. The year 2020 has seemed to combat all of these ideas. The year has flown by, and now it’s Christmastime!

 Which may not seem like a peaceful time! There are gifts to buy and wrap, activities to participate in at school, time with family, school projects, and more to coordinate. But there is something so magical about this time of year in the eyes of a child! To them the Christmas vacation, extra family time, and anticipation create a memorable atmosphere. In fact, some of these memories will become ones they dwell on for their whole lives.

 Television and movies lead us to focus on gifts or parties or making this season as big as possible. Yet as Christians, this is the time of year where we focus on the birth of Jesus. We call this season Advent. (Advent marks the four weeks leading up to Christmas.)

 Advent means “the arrival of a notable person, thing or event.” It is a season marked by waiting and anticipation, preparation for our Savior to come to earth. A reminder of how the world is still waiting for Jesus to return.

 It is essentially, a time of peace!

 It makes me think of that song, Silent Night:

“Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar;
Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!

 I don’t think that the night when Jesus was born was actually silent. There was probably a lot of noise! Yet, I think at some point, there was a hush. Jesus slept, the animals were still, and Mary and Joseph probably felt the peace of God all around them. They probably sensed fulfillment, wholeness, and security.

 In this month, we want to encourage you all to create moments of true peace for your family! Here are some ideas:

Worship
Play one of your families’ favorite worship songs. Ask your kiddos to dance along or sit and listen. Then afterwards, ask them what the song makes them think or feel.

Pray
Pick one night a week or more to specifically ask your child for their prayer requests. Be prepared! They might sound silly to you, but to them they could be very important. Then take time to pray as a family, thanking God for this season and all that He has provided.

Draw
Ask your child what makes them feel at peace. You might have to prompt or encourage them to help them identify this feeling. But as you share what makes you feel at peace, they will recognize that feeling themselves. Ask them to draw the feeling of peace, or what makes them feel at peace. You can even create a family peace list, full of things that help all of you feel at peace.

Get into Nature
Nature can be a very peaceful place! So try to take some time to get outside, weather permitting. Go for a walk, or hike. Maybe even take a picnic or a snack. Find a beautiful view. Admire it with your kids. Help them see the beautiful things around them.

Remember
Take some time to memorize this month’s verse! Maybe say it out loud at meals or before bed. Ask your kids what it means to trust God. And talk about how trust and faith can bring peace.

 May your holidays be merry and bright! And may this season bring a sense of peace amidst the uncertainty and difficulty that seems to have disrupted our year.

December Devotional: Believe

There’s something so special about this time of the year. The sights, the sounds, the smells — all reminiscent of family, traditions and memories of Christmases past. There are reminders everywhere that Jesus’ birthday is just around the corner... even the decor around town is adorned with this month’s devotional word: Believe.

 American Christmas traditions offer plenty to believe in — Santa Claus delivering presents, flying reindeer, and a snowman that comes to life at the touch of a magic top hat, to name a few. The same can be said for the holiday’s true meaning — that God sent His only son (born to a virgin in a manger, no less) to atone for our sins. Not only that, but that Jesus would live a perfect life, be crucified, and resurrected from His grave three days later. Even His disciples had trouble believing that last part (Luke 24:11).

 ‘Tis the season to believe the unbelievable.

Which brings us to this month’s memory verse (Mark 11:23-24):

 “I tell you the truth, you can say to the mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”

 There’s a scene toward the end of the movie “Elf” where Santa’s sleigh has crashed, and with engines damaged, the only way to assist the reindeer in getting it off of the ground is by running the vehicle on Christmas cheer. Efforts to restore belief around the city ensue, but each time someone doubts (or refuses to sing), the sleigh once again comes crashing down, runners to mud.

 Stay with me here.

 In Matthew 14 (beginning with verse 22), Jesus walks on water. Here again, His disciples’ belief was put to the test, and Peter asks the Lord to prove Himself by bringing him to do the same. With strong belief, Peter walks atop the waves. But as he pauses to consider the elements, fear overwhelms faith, and Jesus reaches out to save him from the waters beneath their feet.

“‘You of little faith,’ He said, ‘why did you doubt?’” (Matthew 14:31)

Is there doubt in your heart this holiday season? Is anything pulling the runners of your sleigh from the sky? With all the uncertainty in the world around us this year (even the protocols for our class Christmas programs changed just days prior), it’s easy to consider the elements and feel like we’re drowning instead of walking with God.

But good news: We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]. We believe.

 Whatever this difficult year throws your way—be it fear, doubt, or simply faith overwhelmed—take heart. Just as He was there to pull Peter from the water, He is there with each of us, arms outstretched, hands open to save us from our unbelief. Be encouraged. “I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”

Favorite Things: Gifts for Dancers

Put together by Tina Cook and Beth Jordahl

‘Tis the season!
We know that you are already dreaming of things to give your dancer for Christmas. So we wanted to help out by giving you some ideas! Here are our favorite things this season that would make excellent gifts for dancers of any age.

 Books- All of these books can be found on Amazon, or give your favorite local bookshop a call and see if they can order it in for you.

• Bunheads by Misty Copeland

                        From prima ballerina and New York Times bestselling author Misty Copeland comes the story of a young Misty, who discovers her love of dance through the ballet Coppélia--a story about a toymaker who devises a villainous plan to bring a doll to life. With beautiful illustrations by Setor Fiagzigby, this book would grace any ballerina’s bookshelf.

• Katarina Ballerina by Tiler Peck & Kyle Harris

            A young girl lives out her big ballerina dreams in this graceful start to a new series from New York City Ballet principal dancer and international prima ballerina Tiler Peck and Broadway and television actor Kyle Harris. Suggested for grade levels 3-7.

•  Dreaming with God by Sara Beth Marr

God knows the desires of our hearts--he put them there. And he calls us to trust, to lean on him, and sometimes . . . to wait. Weaving together her unique perspective as a professional ballerina with profound truths drawn from Scripture and the life of faith, Sarah Beth Marr reminds us that we are not dreaming alone. If God has given us a dream, we can be sure that he will come alongside us as we work toward realizing it. Using her own story as a catalyst, Marr encourages women to surrender their plans to God, to stay in tempo with his Spirit, and to step into a deeper relationship with Christ. When they do, she says, they will be able to move confidently into the future, knowing that their dreams and God's desires are aligned in perfect harmony. This beautiful book will encourage any middle grade to college or beyond dancer!

•  Dancing Through It by Jennifer Ringer

Jenifer Ringer, a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, was thrust into the headlines after her weight was commented on by a New York Times critic, and her response ignited a public dialogue about dance and weight. Ballet aficionados and aspiring performers of all ages will want to join Ringer behind the scenes as she shares her journey from student to star and candidly discusses both her struggle with an eating disorder and the media storm that erupted after the Times review. An unusually upbeat account of life on the stage, Dancing Through It is also a coming-of-age story and an inspiring memoir of faith and of triumph over the body issues that torment all too many women and men. Another encouraging book for high school, college and beyond dancers!

 Dance Gear- Every dancer loves having some new gear to keep them warm, enhance their class time, or practice at home.

•  Leg warmers

           These handy little things keep a dancer's muscles, bones, and ligaments warm as they begin their class. They can be found in any color and style! Find them at amazon, at your favorite local dance store, or even at some other boutiques.

•  Bloch Kids Warm Up Boot/Slipper

Worn by dancers worldwide, Warm Up Booties keep feet warm without the need to remove one's ballet shoes. Encasing feet in a softly padded, durable rip-stop nylon, the booties not only protect the foot but offer longevity to ballet shoes. A velcro strap secures the booties whilst the padded outsole is covered in a non-slip PVC. These can be found at Amazon or at any ballet store in town.

•  Theraband

We specifically suggest the “Plumband Stretch band for dance and ballet” search for it on Amazon. There's a reason people are in love with the PlumBand! It's a strong, elastic stretch band made from one continuous loop of premium grade natural rubber with the perfect thickness and resistance for the strength and flexibility training required in ballet and dance. And its loop design lets you focus on position and proper technique while stretching with your arms and upper body free. This is helpful for intermediate to advanced dancers.

•  TP Logowear

What better way to support our studio and get awesome dancewear than buying Turning Pointe gear! We have t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, and more. Head over to https://turningpointeschoolofdance.com/logowear-1.

Dance Lessons - Give the Gift of Dance Sale- Dec 7-12 only!

*Twirl Gift Bundle= tutu + summer mini camp= $60 ($80 value)

*Purchase a $100 giftcard for $80, a $50 giftcard for $40, and $25 for $20 (valid Jan 1, 2021-Dec 31, 2021 and limit to 1 per family per value)

*20% off in stock TP merch

Hopefully these ideas will help you as you start to look for meaningful gifts this season.

 May your holidays be merry and bright!

Happy Thanksgiving from Turning Pointe Dance!

This month we’ve emphasized thankfulness on our social media channels, in our classes and with our Twirl students, sharing things throughout each week to create a thankful mindset in our studio and our homes. This week, even though the studio doors are closed, our hearts are open and full! As we spend time with our families and prepare for the holidays ahead, here are just a few of the things WE’RE thankful for at Turning Pointe!

 “I am thankful for people who are always there for me!” — Ms. Lyla

 “I am thankful for all the sunshine! I am also very thankful that both my husband's and my employer have worked so hard to keep their employees working during this difficult time!” — Ms. Sara

 “I am grateful for a workplace that allows me to put my family first. This allows me to have a great sense of family-work balance. AND I am grateful for amazing Turning Pointe kids who show up when we need them year after year!” — Ms. Tonya

“This year I'm thankful for a 15 minute drive to Thanksgiving dinner instead of a 15 hour drive!” — Ms. Tasha

 “I am thankful for all of the little surprises and blessings the changes of COVID has brought. I’ve been pushed to get creative and some of those ideas will outlive this moment of disruption.” — Ms. Melissa

 “I am grateful for the arts. They are what keep me sane during this time of chaos and confusion.” — Ms. Anna

 “I am thankful for parents of students who truly care about the whole child!” — Ms. Lauren

 “I'm grateful to work with people who share my passion for the arts and for Jesus!” — Ms. Sarah

 “I am thankful for all the people God has placed in my life who are willing to support me any way they can.” — Ms. Angela

 “I’m thankful for technology that keeps us connected to loved ones far away.” — Ms. Jenner

“I’m thankful that my University has been able to stay in-person, and I am thankful for my community(Work, School and Family).” — Ms. Abby

 “I’m thankful to be able to see this season through the eyes of my kids. They see everything as a gift!” — Ms. Jennifer

“I’m thankful for the extra time I’ve had with my family as we all work from home this year!” — Ms. Mimi

“I am thankful for my amazing family who support me and love me unconditionally. I'm thankful for our staff and teachers who are the dream team and inspire me daily!! I'm thankful to our families and students and my friends who send me encouraging emails and words of life to help me keep going and remind me why I do what I do.” - Ms. Tina

 Most of all, we’re thankful for the staff, students and families who make Turning Pointe so special! Enjoy Thanksgiving break this week… we’ll see you Monday, Nov. 30!

Twirl Bible Study: November

This month, all of our Twirl students are talking about thankfulness through Psalm 107:1:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.”

 With Thanksgiving coming up next week, we want to share a few of our favorite ways to embrace the season with your Twirl student!

Make it a Habit

Set aside some time each day to count your blessings! So often we’re caught up in what we need and what needs to be done that we don’t look around and find peace in what we have. It’s exhausting! Make time to be thankful and work it into your daily routine. Talk with your Twirl students about what makes their hearts happy first thing in the morning, over lunch or even before bed, then pray together to thank God for each of the things on your hearts each day. Making a habit of thankfulness is a great way to cultivate a heart of gratitude!

See the Good

Practice turning moments of frustration into moments of gratitude. Didn’t understand a step at dance? Didn’t stand on your usual dotty spotty in class? Maybe you’re out of your favorite snacks, your favorite outfit or blanket is in the laundry, or you’re back to e-learning for a few weeks. Whatever your Twirl student is struggling with, practice finding gratitude in each moment. As the seasons change, rather than being sad it’s dark so early or too cold to play outside, be thankful for a warm house to keep you safe, warm drinks and blankets, or the beautiful colors and smells in each day. God gives us reasons to be thankful in every season! After all, without winter, we wouldn’t have spring.

Try some Activities!

Use play or craft time to practice being thankful as a family! Here are some ideas to get you started:

●      Make a thankful turkey: Make a body with some construction paper, then cut out some feathers in all different colors. Each day, have your family write something they’re thankful for on a feather, then add it to the turkey’s tail.

●      Start a thankfulness jar: Have your family write things they’re thankful for on small pieces of paper, fold them up, and sneak them into a jar throughout the day. Open the jar at Thanksgiving dinner and take turns reading each note aloud to share in each other’s hearts.

●      Write some thank you notes: A little effort goes a long way! Ask your Twirl student to write a note of gratitude to someone they’re thankful for. Write it together, encourage them to write it themselves or simply draw a picture instead.

●      Add on to Turning Pointe’s Gratitude Chain: The lobby might be closed, but students can still share their hearts! Stop by the front desk and add a link to our gratitude chain. Grab a strip of the paper provided, write down what you’re grateful for, then use the tape to loop your link and attach it to the chain. Watch as it grows to remember just how much we have to be thankful for!

‘For Such A Time As This’

“I'm excited to see the Lord at work. What a privilege to be a part!”

 As Ms. Tina spoke those final words into the discussion that led to Fidèle Youth Dance Company’s 2020 production story, hearts were at peace. The company was gearing up for its 2019 production. The arts were alive and packing auditoriums. Businesses were open. No one had heard of Zoom and there was plenty of toilet paper and hand sanitizer on the shelves.

 “We trusted the Lord and His direction for the next production, knowing each student would be chosen ‘for such a time as this,’” FYDC director Mimi McKinnis said. “But I don't think any of us could have predicted how ‘this’ would actually look.”

 They chose two Biblical stories, Ruth and Esther, and brainstormed a way to tie them together — something to bring continuity to the performance. After pouring over the scriptures and covering each concept in prayer, it was clear. These were women of faith. This was their theme, divinely chosen as the centerpoint for the 2020 season. After all, Fidèle is French for “faithful.”

 Turns out, throughout this remarkable season, they’ve all needed an extra dose of faith. Faith that they could even hold auditions. Faith that they could rehearse and perform at all. Faith in His provision over their health and safety as they saw this season through. As they faced unpredictable obstacles in an unprecedented year, in their own ways, they were all called up to follow Him in faith, just like the heroines of this year’s production.

 “Thank you to our students for showing up week after week, having faith in this process, and trusting His plan for our season,” McKinnis said. “And thank you to our families for having faith in our company, and for their patience and grace as we've navigated uncharted waters.”

 One day members of FYDC can look back on the challenges they faced this season—the doors that closed, the countless unknowns and the variances, mandates and state requirements that changed almost daily—and smile, knowing their faith was strengthened through the stories of faith told.

 “While it all looks a lot different than what we first envisioned, I can see His hand in every detail,” McKinnis said. “I see it in the verse we chose for our t-shirts, in the cast and choreography that came together, and even in our eventual performance venue, which turned out to be the home of Turning Pointe’s very first recital. We are so blessed by our amazing members. Rather than getting lost in the noise, we came together and stayed true to the company’s name.”

 In a year as crazy as 2020 has been, FYDC has truly seen the Lord at work. What a privilege to be a part!

 See FYDC’s production of “Women of Faith: Ruth & Esther” two ways:

1. In person performances (limited seating, socially distanced)

Watch a live performance at Noon, 3 or 6 p.m., Saturday, November 14, at CSCS

Tickets are limited and available here.

2. Watch the performance from the comfort and safety of your home or church

Purchase a BlueRay or digital download of the production, or rent the link for 24 hours.

 Want to create a theater experience at home? Host a Women of Faith Watch Party! Enjoy a performance of “Women of Faith: Ruth & Esther” from anywhere as you share these gospel messages with your church, small group, coworkers, friends and family. Choose one of the digital options above, then head to the FYDC website for printable programs, performance-inspired recipes, intermission devotionals, and ways to inspire change.

November Devotional: Because

Exodus 9:16: "But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth."

For the month of November, students are studying the word “Because” while reading Exodus 9:16: “But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” (Look for a blog post on the November verse for the Twirl program in a few weeks!)

This verse comes in the middle of the story of Moses. Moses had been chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He was nervous, but God gave him strength and help through his brother, Aaron. Together, they confronted Pharaoh. However, this did not go well. When Pharaoh chose not to let the Israelites leave. His heart was hardened. God had a plan, and his plan was to get the Israelites out of Egypt so He sent plagues. Even after a few of the plagues had hit, Pharaoh would still not let the Israelites leave. God still had a plan. So He sends Moses with a specific message to Pharaoh.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning, confront Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me, or this time I will send the full force of my plagues against you and against your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth. For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. You still set yourself against my people and will not let them go.”

If you have read Exodus, or see The Prince of Egypt, you know what happens next. Pharaoh does not relent and refuses to let the Israelites go until the plague of the first born. Yet even in Pharaoh’s disobedience, God’s plan succeeded and God’s glory and power were proclaimed. Whoa.

God has had a very good plan from even before the beginning. His plan was to create people, lots of people. All of whom, He loves dearly. He wants his people to love Him and love each other.

This is God’s “because”:

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - Hebrews 12:2-3

That joy set before Him, was all of us. His people loving Him and loving each other.

This then is also our “because.”

We have been created to love God and love His people. What does that look like in your life?

“I think God could untangle your soul, your story, your gifts, your people, your place, and your passions, and begin to weave it into purposes that you haven’t been brave enough to imagine.” -Jennie Allen

This year has looked very different than any of us could ever have imagined. Yet despite all of that, God’s plan is still in place. How has God used this year in your life to create a new purpose or to continue one that was already in place?

If you open your eyes and look for God’s purposes, you may not see it right away. Sometimes our humanness, pain, sorrow, or sin can make it difficult, but keep looking! God’s purposes and plan will continue.

“Now let me tell you what I know. Our God is real. Our God is coming. Our God has plans for us. Our lives are short. We must get after it. Because heaven is coming fast. And what we are about to do here is urgent. It’s more urgent than we could ever imagine. We get to play little parts in the epic story of a God who put this whole universe in motion with a word.” - Jennie Allen

 This month, as we gather in our homes to celebrate a time of gratitude, take a moment to talk about how you have seen God at work this year.

 Maybe even start a new tradition! Grab some paper and list out the many blessings God has given your family this year. Younger family members can even draw these blessings in creative ways. Save these lists and pictures for next year. If you do this every year, you will have a whole collection of reminders of the way God has continued his plan in your lives.

 On social media, we are inviting everyone to post pictures of what they are grateful for every Sunday! Check our instagram and facebook to see what we are thankful for, and then share your own gratitudes. Make sure you tag us! Let’s all create an atmosphere of gratefulness in our studio, homes, and communities.

Five Fun Facts about Jazz!

Did you know “jazz” originally referred to any dance done to jazz music? Trademarked by rhythm, clean, strong lines and isolated torso movements, jazz dance has risen from relatively non-existent in the U.S. to one of the nation’s most visible disciplines. To pay homage to this unique style this week, here are five things you probably didn’t know about jazz...

1. Jazz dance originated from African folk dances. It began as a social dance with roots in African slave dances, and over time, developed a clearly defined technique. Unlike the early Europeans (more about them in our Five Facts about Ballet), African people believed in using the whole body as a means of dance expression, hence the rib cage isolations and hip movements you practice in class today!

 2. Jazz has influenced the elements of several other dance styles. While jazz is a dance all its own, dances from the Charleston and jitterbug to the twist and disco all evolved from jazz movements. Even the elegant ballroom foxtrot borrowed European style dance steps and set them to traditional jazz rhythms. Nowadays, jazz elements can be seen on Broadway, in modern dance and even as an influence in modern ballet.

 3. Jazz is one of the youngest styles of dancing. Widely known as a foundational staple in dance studios today, jazz dance was popularized less than 100 years ago in the 1930s. It paralleled the birth and spread of jazz music, made famous by the big bands of the swing era in New Orleans, Chicago and New York City.

 4. Americans lost interest in jazz less than 10 years after its rise in popularity. Because it began as a social dance, when the U.S. entered World War II in the 1940s, the social dancing and jazz club scene diminished. It wasn’t until the next decade that the style came roaring back by making its way to the forefront of theatrical stages. To this day, jazz continues to be heavily influenced by culture, music, and society as it changes.

 5. Today, jazz is one of the most popular and visually widespread styles of dance. No longer contained to the social scene, jazz choreography now highlights the stage in popular shows like Hamilton and West Side Story, while jazz routines are performed on popular television shows like So You Think You Can Dance? and even in the ballroom on Dancing with the Stars.

 Want to learn more about jazz? Take some time to research these jazz dancers—they helped shape the steps you learn in the studio each week!

 ●      Jack Cole — Known as the “father of theatrical jazz dance,” Cole’s choreography developed a mode of jazz-folk-ballet that prevails as the dominant dancing style in today's musicals, films, television commercials and music videos.

●      Katherine Dunham — Best known for incorporating African American, Caribbean, African, and South American movement styles and themes into her ballets, Dunham influenced dancers like Alvin Ailey and made way for jazz-infused styles to be taught and performed around the world.

●      Bob Fosse — A professional dancer by age 13, Fosse is best known for his choreography, which mixes the elegance of Fred Astaire with the comedy of vaudeville. Fosse turned a spotlight on jazz by incorporating his unique style into popular shows such as The Pajama Gang, Cabaret, Sweet Charity and Chicago.

●      Gus Giordano — Creator of The Jazz Dance World Congress, Giordano earned jazz fame in the 1960s with his infusion of freestyle movement and head/torso isolations. While his techniques are still being taught today, Giordano is also credited with pushing jazz dancing to be recognized internationally as an acknowledged form of art.

●      Jerome Robbins — Originally a ballet dancer, Robbins merged his talents in ballet and jazz to cement his place among Broadway’s all-time greats. His choreographic collaborations with Leonard Bernstein led to the creation of iconic performances in On the Town, West Side Story, The King and I, Gypsy, Peter Pan, Call Me Madam, and Fiddler on the Roof, among many other Broadway, film and ballet productions.

Twirl Bible Study- October

Every month, all of our classes will study a specific verse to encourage them to grow in their faith. All of the Twirl classes study a verse that accompanies a different Fruit of the Spirit.

For October, they will be talking about kindness and Ephesians 4:32:

“Be kind to one another.”

 We want to encourage your family to make learning about this verse and kindness a family activity! Here are a few ways you can do this all week long.

Memorize
Just like last month, your dancer’s teacher will be talking about this verse each week and trying to encourage them to memorize it. This is something easy you can do at home too! Try saying the verse together at the same time each day. Maybe you can say it before bedtime, or at breakfast. For students who are learning to read, you could also make a simple puzzle by writing each word of the verse on a sticky note, then helping them to put the words in the correct order.

Read
If you want to further your family’s discussion about kindness, try using a Bible app or concordance to see what other verses you can find. You could try looking for verses that use the word kindness or kind. Or even look for stories of characters who are kind to others. Then ask questions that encourage them to think about how to be kind in their own life.

Who are we supposed to be kind to? What does it mean to be kind? Who in your life, is kind to you? Why do you think God wants us to be kind?

Practice Kindness
The best way to learn is to practice! So for this month, try and find a way to practice kindness together as a family. Here are a couple of ideas to get you started: 

●      Together, make a list of ways to be kind to your family (take turns, pick up, help with chores, etc.), and then when you see them doing one of those things, let them know that they are being kind and you are grateful.

●      “Fill someone’s bucket” or bowl or cup or whatever you have around the house. Do this activity by sitting together as a family and taking turns saying nice things about one person. You can say things about how they are helpful, creative, brave, etc. and try to give examples for them. Have someone write these things down so that you can go over them again later.

●      Find someone who maybe needs some kindness. Maybe it’s a neighbor, friend, or someone at your church who is going through a tough time. Together you can make them a sunshine kit. Just take a box and fill with things meant to brighten their day. This could be kind notes, something yummy to eat, pictures drawn by the family, or even something more specific to that person. You never know how much this might encourage someone!

Learning kindness is an important aspect of being a Christ-follower. We can show His love to others by extending kindness and thoughtfulness at each opportunity. Even our youngest dancers can be impacted by learning how to be kind to their family and friends. We pray that our studio will be known for it’s kind and loving dancers and that it will be a studio culture. This is something that even the littlest dancer can take with them wherever they go!