Lawrence City Lifestyle Feature "Bloom Through Dance"

Exciting News: Sunflower State Dance Featured in Lawrence City Lifestyle Magazine!
We are thrilled to share that Sunflower State Dance has been featured in the January issue of Lawrence City Lifestyle magazine! This exclusive feature highlights our commitment to exceptional dance education and fostering a supportive dance community in Lawrence.

“Keeping kids happy, healthy and safe is the mission of Sunflower State Dance. The studio offers classes for students ages two and older and ensures everything is age-appropriate regarding music, costumes, and moves. It is also a non-competition studio, focusing on learning new skills in a supportive atmosphere rather than kids competing against each other.”

Check out the article below on page 18!

Featured Writer On TYKES About W-Sitting

Miss Rachel had the opportunity recently to write an article for Tiny Kansans Early Supports (TYKES) as a featured local expert. One area of dance Miss Rachel is hugely passionate about, is preschool aged dance. The preschool age group is so fascinating because they are developing such important skills and hitting such big milestones that are needed to progress on. Dance can help children develop those skills whether it is motor skill, sensory processing skill, emotional skills, and logical skills. One thing we see time and time again is w-sitting. In fact we have seen it become even more prevalent since the pandemic and in even older students, we can only guess this is due to staying home more, doing activities on the floor rather than a desk at school, and lack off being around early childhood teacher who could potentially change the behavior. In this blog for TYKES Miss Rachel dives into what w-sitting is, when it is a problem, and how to combat it.

https://www.tykesdc.org/learn/all-about-w-sitting

Summary

Rachel Weitekamp, owner and director of Sunflower State Dance, shares information about w-sitting and how caregivers can address it with their child if needed. 

What is W-sitting?

W-sitting is a seated position with knees rotated in and feet out to the side of the body. Essentially it is a collapsed version of sitting on the knees. It is called “w-sitting” because if you are looking down from above the legs are making a “W” letter.

When is this problematic?

W-sitting is extremely common in children during their crawling stage and is completely fine since children under two years old tend to switch positions often. However once children start spending a longer period of time in the same position is when the w-sit becomes more problematic.

Just because children can do something, doesn’t mean it is good for their developing bodies. RACHEL WEITEKAMP, SUNFLOWER STATE DANCE

Why shouldn’t my child sit in this position? 

Children’s bones are very malleable as they are growing and developing which allows them to be able to do this position and may actually find this position very comfortable because their muscles have very little to do. I bet if you, an adult, tried to do this position, it would be very difficult or not possible and it would hurt. This is because adult hips have fully developed and we do not have that hyper-flexibility that young children have. Just because children can do something, doesn’t mean it is good for their developing bodies. Here’s why:

• The w-sit hinders the core from working. Since the knees are stabilizing the upper body, the core gets to take a break and not do its job. It is also preventing the trunk from being able to rotate and the child to move across the midline.

  • Core development in early childhood is very important for balance, coordination, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, and and even potty training.​

• Promotes internal rotation of the hips and plantar flexion (pointing of the toes).

  • Internal rotation of the hip joints can cause pigeon-toed walking which can lead to balance issues and problems with walking in general.

  • Plantar flexion for a long period of time can cause tightening of the leg muscles and tendons which leads to toe-walking.

What can you do?

Often if I see a student sitting in the W position, I remind them of what position they are supposed to be sitting. As a parent you can simply remind them to fix their legs. There are great alternative ways that help promote core development: 

• Criss-cross applesauce

• Elevate the surface to put the child in a high kneeling position with a lower table or an easel

• Straight leg sit

• Tummy position

• Mermaid sit or side sit with legs bent out to the side

• Using a chair and table instead of the floor

Other ways to promote motor skills and core strength for those kids who habitually like the w-sit:

• Any animal play- bear crawls, frog jumps, crab walks, bunny hops all promote balance and core strength.

• Get out and play at a playground- climbing is great at promoting trunk rotation and core strength.

• Get involved in a sport or dance that will help promote good posture, stretching, and help develop those muscles.

Miss Rachel can be found in Lawrence, Kansas at Sunflower State Dance. Additional reading and resources used for this article include:

• When to worry about w-sitting

• What is w-sitting

• The brilliance of w-sitting

Miss Rachel Is Rhythm Works Integrative Dance Certified

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local Dance Studio Goes Above & Beyond to Help Those With Special Needs

Lawrence, KS – (January 2022) – Sunflower State Dance, announced plans to expand their program for people with special needs and individual learning differences. “We’ve noticed a lack of opportunity for those with special needs in our community to experience the benefits of dance. ,” said studio owner, Rachel Weitekamp

In January 2022, Miss Rachel, became a certified instructor through Rhythm Works Integrative Dance. Rhythm Works Integrative Dance is a clinically based hip hop dance program that utilizes sensory processing, kinesiology, and behavioral analysis as a foundation to build customizable classes for the students. “The purpose of such a comprehensive program is to provide our certified teachers with the tools and education necessary to effectively make a difference in their student’s lives,” said Tricia Gomez, Global Director of Rhythm Works Integrative Dance.  “Emerging research is showing that movement, music, and rhythm, when combined, light up the brain in ways that create new neuropathways. Dance is a powerful modality that offers an opportunity to build social, emotional, cognitive, and motor skills. Plus it’s tons of fun!”

“We’re excited about the opportunities this program will offer our community,” said Weitekamp. “Right now we are looking for students who are interested in participating in this program, before we announce a start date. If you are interested in this program please reach out to us through our contact information below.”

About Sunflower State Dance

Sunflower State Dance believes that dance can empower students in and outside the studio. We proudly offer the best in performing arts education in a state of the art facility.  Serving children ages 2 and up in Lawrence Kansas and the surrounding areas. We believe that dance for kids should always be age appropriate and family friendly in costuming, music, and choreography. We are the only Youth Protective Advocates in Dance certified studio in area. 

http://www.sunflowerstatedance.com            www.facebook.com/sunflowerstatedance

About Rhythm Works Integrative Dance  

Global Director Tricia Gomez is the creator of Rhythm Works Integrative Dance, Hip Hop In a Box, and the Hip Hop Made Easy programs offered in over 2100 studios and schools worldwide. Gomez is considered a pioneer in the youth hip hop dance field.  Her unique hip hop teaching methods have landed her on the “Dr. Phil Show,” and as the head judge of the TV show “Dance Revolution.” Tricia is now a consultant for the Disney Performing Arts Program where she has the honor of working with dancers from around the world.  Previously, Gomez has worked in the studio setting as a teacher and studio owner for over 20 years.

http://www.rhythmworksid.com       www.facebook.com/danceinaboxrhythmworks

Contact: Miss Rachel Weitekamp owner and director of Sunflower State Dance

Phone: 785-690-7200

Email: admin@sunflowerstatedance.com

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How to choose a dance studio? And why choose Sunflower State Dance?

When it comes to choosing a dance studio that is right for your family, there are a lot of things to keep in mind!

Here are just a few major ones and we include how Sunflower State Dance stacks up to this and why we are unique in this way.

1. Facilities- is there a waiting area of parents? Do they have the proper equipment and flooring? Is the building in a safe location or do they have safety measurements in place? Is the location easy for you to get to and to get to on time?

   At Sunflower State Dance our facilities are state of the art and equipped with at or above industry standard equipment. Our flooring is sprung marley vinyl. Proper dance floors are something that can be easily over looked when looking for a dance studio, but it is the number 1 thing that can help prevent injury, aside from having educated instruction. Our mirrors have been installed by local professionals and our ballet barres are the top of line. We are located of K-10 and E 23rd. We always have a front desk person on staff and if we are not able to monitor people coming in and out of the door, we always lock the front door for safety purposes. Our lobby has ample room for parents to wait during class. Coming soon! We will have a live stream of classes broadcast of tv monitors in our lobby area, so you can see how your child is doing without interrupting the learning environment.

2. Instructors- do instructors hold degrees in dance or have professional experience? What certifications do the instructors have?

   At Sunflower State Dance all of our instructors hold degrees in dance, are obtaining degrees in dance, or have years of professional experience. All of our staff are Youth Protective Advocates in Dance Safety and Wellness certified, which includes successfully passing a background checks, over 20 hours of education of best practices, and CPR, First Aid, and AED certified through the American Red Cross. We believe education is key to having great instructors who can in turn inspire and teach the next generation. You will never find minors teaching at Sunflower State Dance. We do however have student teaching assistants help with some of our younger classes. This is a training program for older students who wish to one day become a dance teacher or work with children in some capacity.

3. Attire- is there a dress code or uniform? What is acceptable attire? What approach does the studio take when it comes to costuming?

   At Sunflower State Dance we have a dress code which includes for ballet, tap, modern, and jazz classes a leotard (any color), tights (ballet pink, black, or nude), and skirts are optional. For hip hop classes are attire is athletic clothing such as leggings and a t-shirt. All shoes must be purchased from Sunflower State Dance. Not all dance shoes are created equally. In order to protect our speciality flooring we require all dance shoes to be purchased and fit by us. Proper fit makes the world of a difference when it comes to developing the proper muscles. No bare midriffs are allowed and no booty shorts without tights on underneath.

   We take a conservative approach to costuming. You will see tasteful and age appropriate costumes. We want our dancers to feel comfortable on stage so they can dance their best and feel beautiful!

4. What kind of dance studio?- are they a competition studio, recreational, ballet studio etc?

   At Sunflower State Dance we have a performing company, that is not competition based. While competitions are one way to gain more performance opportunities, going into our 2022-2023 season we decided to Trash the Trophies to create our own performance opportunities that better align with our beliefs and vision as a studio, and that is to create a wholesome family-friendly environment that focuses on technique based dance. We are excited to show our students that there is much more to the dance world than competition, by creating meaningful opportunities to perform on stage, by sharing their talents with the community, and by being impactful young leaders. Check out more about our performing company HERE.

These are just a few main points in choosing the right dance studio for your family. Most often you can find out this information from the dance studio website. Any website or social media page should be a great first look at any studio. Remember all dance studios try to put their best foot forward on both their website and social media pages, so if something doesn’t meet your expectations on there, then they are probably not the right fit.

Also if not listed on the website this is a chance to ask any questions on pricing. Pricing is important but remember like with many other thing quality might go up and down.

Another great way to try out a studio after preliminary research is a trial lesson. Most studios do new student trial lessons at a minimal or free cost. This is a great way to see the facilities in person and have your child see if they like the class. At Sunflower State Dance we offer new student trial lessons at no cost. Check out www.sunflowerstatedance.com/new-students to schedule a class with open availability.

Resources, source material, and further reading:

https://danceparent101.com/dance-class-near-me-school-studio-how-to-choose-the-best/

In the news!

In the LJWorld

Sunflower State Dance was highlighted in the TownTalk section of the LJWorld!

“I’ve had many dancing partners who I am sure would have enthusiastically endorsed the idea of a “virtual dance.” While their feet may love the idea, it is not an ideal arrangement for a dance studio, yet many studios found themselves in such a situation during the height of the pandemic. 

“It was very rough,” Rachel Weitekamp, owner and director of Sunflower State Dance, said of the pandemic business environment for her studio. “We did online classes during the quarantine period. We are seeing a slow increase in students coming back. 

“I’m hoping that increases as younger students are able to get vaccinated. I think a lot of younger families are ready to get out and find some normalcy again.” 

Sunflower State, in fact, is betting on it. The business has recently moved and expanded. The company in recent weeks moved from its longtime home in Eudora to 2004 E. 23rd St. in Lawrence. The space — it occupies a building that for a short time was a funeral home and before that was a spa store — is about 800 square feet bigger than the business’ former location. 

The reason for the move also is related to a pandemic lesson learned: “I just kept finding that businesses that own their own space are doing a little bit better,” Weitekamp said. “My goal was really to own my own space.” 

Weitekamp did strike a deal to purchase the building, and she plans to use the extra space to accommodate more dance students and to create a new arts program that she hopes to offer to children. 

The business focuses on teaching students 2 to 18 years old a variety of dance styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip-hop and others. The studio teaches students ranging from those who are just looking for a fun activity to those who want to dance competitively. Plus, the studio hosts an annual performance where every student gets a chance to dance in a presentation of “The Nutcracker.”

With a strong base of clients in Eudora, Weitekamp said she is hoping she can keep those customers and draw from a larger region in Lawrence, which she said will be one of the drawing cards of the studio. 

“We want to be kind of a melting pot for the surrounding area,” she said. “We want students to have a chance to meet people outside of their normal niche and make some lifelong friends.” 

••• Article by Chad Lawhorn

https://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/town_talk/2021/oct/19/dance-studio-opens-along-23rd-street-lawrences-middling-ranking-in-small-cities-report-art-gallery-reopens-downtown/

Let's Give Back Together This Holiday Season!

Bring hygiene items to the front desk on or before December 14 to be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to be used in January! Items will be donated to the Eudora Bird’s Nest and Lawrence School Foundation Community Closet.

COVID-19 Procedures, Protocol, and Masks

Sunflower State Dance is committed to providing a safe learning environment in adherence to the Lawrence Douglas County mandate of August 19, 2021.

Masks: With more detailed information from the health department, all students 2-11 are required wear a mask while in our studio, exceptions for those students with medical and mental conditions and disabilities. We do recommend that others wear a mask as well, especially those unvaccinated or when unable to social distance.

Other procedures: We continue to be vigilant in our cleaning and disinfecting. We provide multiple areas in the lobby and in each dance classroom with hand sanitizer. We also social distance throughout class as much as possible. Our new studio amenity of drinking fountains will only be available to refill water bottles or cups.

Guests: We do ask that families try their best to not bring non-dancer siblings with them during their dancer’s class. We do understand that sometimes that is not possible due to childcare reasons. We request that only one parent be present in the lobby during their child’s class. We also are asking that no guests be brought to the studio without permission, unless that guest is there to pick up or drop off a dancer. We value having a family-friendly atmosphere where families can make friends during classes, however during these unprecedented times we feel it is best for everyone, especially for the safety of our dancers to minimize the amount of people at the studio.

Illness: Dancers, teachers, parents, and siblings are not allowed to attend in the event that they are not feeling well, have symptoms of illness including covid symptoms, flu symptoms, and/or cold symptoms, or have been told to quarantine. All dancer’s are welcome to make up classes in the same class on a different day, in a lower level class, or a class they get permission to attend for a makeup lesson.

We understand everyone has different feeling in regards to keeping themselves and their families safe, and we thank you for your patience and understanding during this time. In the event this mandate changes or updates we will update our enrolled families.

Our New Home- A Letter From The Owner and Director

We are so excited to announce that we bought our very own building and we are moving!
I think it is every business owners dream to get to own their very own space and I am so excited to have this great opportunity in an amazing location.
Don't worry it is still close by, only about 5 minutes away right on the edge of Lawrence!
This means that parents can drop off their dancers and run errands (did someone say Target run??), grab some dinner at one of the many great restaurants near by, grab a coffee, take a walk through Venture Park or near by Baker Wet Lands and so much more!
When I saw this location come up for sale, I knew it was perfect because it was in a prime location that would still be easy for our current families and not to mention the space is absolutely beautiful!

Plans and new amenities: With this new building we are going to be creating a black box theater which will hold our own in house productions!
We are hoping to start new programs including ideas for an art program and possibly music... all works in progress.
We will have more restrooms for bathroom breaks or changing.
And drinking fountains!

But you're leaving Eudora? Yes we are sad about that part, because we love everyone here, our landlords, neighbors, and fellow Eudora business owners. Unfortunately, there just were not viable opportunities or spaces here in Eudora for us to own our own space. But this is not goodbye at all! We will still be an active part of the Eudora community. There is always a possibility that we will add a smaller satellite location in the future.

We will be sharing more on social media as we continue our moving process... we can't wait put our Sunflower State Dance flair on 2004 E 23rd St!

Until later,
Miss Rachel
and
Sunflower State Dance

Sunflower State Dance becomes first area dance studio to earn safety certification

Sunflower State Dance has become the first dance studio in the region to achieve Youth Protection Advocates in Dance certification. The certification marks its commitment to keeping kids happy, healthy and safe in dance. 

YPAD is the nation’s only dance certification program focusing on both safety and wellness for dance students. To earn the designation, studios must complete two training tracks. The first track centers on dance safety and educational best practices. It focuses on background checks, CPR and First Aid, abuse awareness and prevention, injury prevention and response, and safety and emergency preparedness. The second focuses on the wellness and development of youth dancers and covers social media, social media safety, today’s dance culture, developmentally appropriate artistry, body image, nutrition, disordered eating, bullying, and conflict resolution. Only studios that complete both tracks are eligible for certification.

“We are so excited to become a YPAD certified studio. After completing the program myself earlier this year, I knew I wanted all of the staff at Sunflower State Dance to become certified because the modules are so informative and really exemplifies what vision I have for our studio. At Sunflower State Dance we already had a strong passion for providing dance that was always age appropriate in choreography, music, and costuming, but YPAD helped make our beliefs even more concrete and gave us all more knowledge and empowerment to put behind those beliefs,” said studio owner Rachel Weitekamp.  “We want to help develop healthy, happy dancers with an environment that focuses on the well-being of kids. Of course, this also helps us contribute to a sustainable, safe future for dance overall.”

Sunflower State Dance was founded in 2015, after serving the community as Amanda’s Dance Academy for many years prior. Sunflower State Dance teaches dance to children from preschool all the way through high school. Sunflower State Dance has teachers passionate about sharing their love of dance through many different styles including ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hiphop, and pointe.

YPAD was founded in Los Angeles in 2012 by hip hop professional Leslie Scott Zanovitch and her husband Joseph Zanovitch as a response to negative trends toward commodifying and exploiting youth and adults in performing arts. In 2014, industry professional Misty Lown became its visionary sponsor. YPAD leadership transitioned to Lown in 2019. The Zanovitches today continue to serve on YPAD’s advisory panel.

Enroll Now

Open House 6/15/19

Stop by this Saturday after the city wide garage sale! Get a personal studio tour, meet the owner, see private lessons in action, and much more! We are currently enrolling for summer classes (July 15-18) and the 2019-2020 regular dance season (starts August 12). Get fit for shoes and dance wear!

One stop, to get your questions answered, get enrolled, and get geared up for classes!

Of course you are always welcome to enroll online for summer classes >>>click here and 2019-2020 class >>>click here.

Subscribe to our e-newsletter below to stay up to date about new classes, open enrollment, events, and more!

Sunflower State Dance 104 W 20th St Suite 4 Eudora, KS 66025 admin@sunflowerstatedance.com

Featured in Dance Teacher magazine

After receiving a business award in 2018 from the Kansas Department of Commerce we were contacted by Dance Teacher magazine to be featured in their upcoming edition of their magazine. Miss Rachel jumped at this opportunity as she loves reading their articles since becoming a studio owner in 2014. The article we asked to contribute to was all around community engagement. Three different studios and studio owners, including Sunflower State Dance and Miss Rachel, were featured and all studios are of varying sizes from 500 to 75 students. We shared about how the studio is involved with community activities such as the annual Eudora Trunk or Treat and Miss Rachel being active in the Eudora Chamber of Commerce serving as a board member. Miss Rachel and Sunflower State Dance are always excited to form new partnerships with local business and love to continue be engaged in our community.

Check out the article here:

https://www.dance-teacher.com/what-community-recognition-can-do-for-your-studio-2629623614.html

Tickets On Sale Now!

Join Sunflower State Dance in celebrating this holiday season with one of the most beloved ballets! Clara and the Land of Sweets: A Nutcracker Story features Act II of the Nutcracker, where Clara dreams of a magical land called "the Land of Sweets." There candies, angels, peppermints, chocolate, the sugar plum fairy, and more welcome their guest with dances. 

This children friendly show is the perfect length for young children. 

Join us on the journey through the Land of Sweets December 16, 2018 at 2:00pm. The show will take place at Eudora High School's Performing Arts Center.

Tickets Available Now!

Thank you to our sponsors so far Keith Nowland State Farm and SERC Physical Therapy Eudora, KS. We are still looking for a couple more sponsors for our 2018 show. Please contact Miss Rachel at msrachelweitekamp@gmail.com for more information.

Congrats on being awarded 2018 Business Appreciation Month Award of Merit by the Kansas Department of Commerce

Congratulations to Sunflower State Dance!

On behalf of the Kansas Department of Commerce, Sunflower State Dance has been awarded a 2018 Business Appreciation Month Award of Merit. 

"Every year, Business Appreciation Month gives us a chance to recognize businesses and entrepreneurs for their leadership which keeps our state and local economies strong. Thanks to businesses like your, Kansas continues to be a land of opportunity for both businesses and our citizens. For that, we cannot thank you enough." - Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. 

We are honored to be recognized during the 2018 Business Appreciation Month by the Kansas Department of Commerce. Small businesses are extremely important part of helping communities thrive. When you support local small businesses, not only are you supporting your community, but you are supporting someones dream and passion. You help make that dream and passion continue to be a reality. Here at Sunflower State Dance our dream continues to be to provide high quality dance instruction in a family environment. With passion we strive to make art education apart of our community and are thrilled to be recognized for creating those opportunities. Remember to shop local!

Why Choose Sunflower State Dance?

When it comes time to put your child in dance, there are many factors that should contribute to your decision when choosing the right dance studio for your family. At Sunflower State Dance we are different than you average day to day dance studio.

Our Core Values

1) Educated Instructors: At Sunflower State Dance you can rest easy knowing that all of our instructors are college educated in dance or a pursuing a higher level education in dance. Injury prevention and technique are huge priorities to them. Not only have are teachers received education through college but they are also trained right here at Sunflower State Dance on our curriculum and beliefs.

2) Always Appropriate: All of our class content from music to dance moves are always appropriate. We believe kids should stay kids as long as they can. Here we will never have our students wear anything provocative or suggestive in anyway. We keep our costumes and choreography tasteful for everyone in the family! 

3) Family-friendly environment: At Sunflower State Dance you will find a home away from home. We love having siblings and parents hang out in our lobby while classes are in session. Your dancer will be encouraged to be the best they can be inside and outside of the studio. 

Are you and your child interested in coming in for a new student trial class? We would love to have you try out a class! Click the button below to claim you trial class pass gift.

Do's and Don'ts of Dance Performances

Whether it is your first dance recital or you are a dance recital pro, here are some important do's and don'ts for dance performances.

Some other things to consider:

• Have your dancer use the restroom before dropping them off backstage.
• You may want to consider bringing a change of clothes for after the recital.
• Always have a pair of backup tights, just in case they snag while getting ready.
• Do bring a bottle of water for backstage.