Lawrence City Lifestyle Feature "Bloom Through Dance"
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Congrats on being awarded 2018 Business Appreciation Month Award of Merit by the Kansas Department of Commerce
"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.
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. Read more to learn the difference!
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.
Now Enrolling For Summer and Fall!
At Sunflower State Dance we pride ourself in providing classes for students ages 3-18 that are always appropriate in choreography, costumes, and music. Our curriculum is specifically formulated with student emotional, physical, and logical development to make sure we are challenging them to increase mobility without damaging their growing bodies and to promote what they are learning in school and at home!
It's that time of year again when we begin enrolling for summer and the next full season! Some of our regular season classes fill up quickly so be sure to secure your spot soon.
We have two one day dance parties this year for summer, a fun mermaid themed ballet party and 80s themed hiphop dance party!
As always we pride ourself in providing classes for students ages 3-18 that are always appropriate in choreography, costumes, and music. Our curriculum is specifically formulated with student emotional, physical, and logical development to make sure we are challenging them to increase mobility without damaging their growing bodies and to promote what they are learning in school and at home!
Congrats to our competitive team on a great competition season!
Congratulations to all of dancers who have participated in our competitive dance program this year! You made us all very proud of your hard work and dedication! Check out this post to read more about our competitive dance team this year.
Congratulations to all of dancers who have participated in our competitive dance program this year! You made us all very proud of your hard work and dedication!
This year our competition team attended Cathy Roe Ultimate Dance Competition where they competed at the intermediate level (based on number of technique classes per week). They also attended NUVO Dance Convention where they took master classes from some of the industries top instructors and choreographers including Denise Wall, Ray Leeper, Mark Meisner, Anthony Morigerato, and much more! These dancers got to dance with and compete against other passionate dancers from all over the midwest.
About our competition team:
Our competition team is comprised of our more advanced dancers passionate about all styles of dance. They are required to take a specific number of technique hours per week to work on their dance skills in addition to rehearsing routines specifically for the competition season. These dancers also participate in our annual production of the Nutcracker.
Why Dance At Sunflower State Dance?
There are many choices when it comes to your child's dance education. Check out this blog post to see what makes Sunflower State Dance stand out!
Current student or parent? Comment below your favorite thing about Sunflower State Dance!
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