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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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.

Why Dance At Sunflower State Dance?

Current student or parent? Comment below your favorite thing about Sunflower State Dance!

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Sunflower State Dance  104 W 20th St Suite 4 Eudora, KS 66025  785-690-7200

Why are educated instructors so important?

Why are educated instructors so important?

In so many sports and extra curricular activities, coaches and instructors are not educated at the college level or certified in whatever they are teaching. In most cases this is completely completely fine and the norm in such things as "little league" sports or even some competitive sports. However in dance this should never be the case. Education is extremely important and just as importantly is continuing education and training to always be on top of the game.

Damage can be done to children's developing bodies. 

• Many parents will stop and think, "well how much damage can an inexperienced, uneducated dance instructor do to my child, she is only 7," unfortunately lots of damage can be caused by simply not being educated on what is proper placement and what is executable for the young still developing body.
• For instance, teaching of the splits should come a bit later in dance education, specifically after age 7. Several things should be taken into consideration before executing the split, as to not cause injury. First other stretches should be used to create flexibility and range of motion. For instance simple hamstring stretches are essential to preparing for the splits. The hamstrings often become tight in children as their legs grow longer when they become taller. If the child has difficultly with simple hamstring stretches then the splits should not be attempted until more flexibility is gained in the hamstring. Secondly the ability and maturity to follow directions is critical for more intense stretches such as the split. Thirdly is understanding the right time to do the more "extreme" stretching. Never should splits be done at the beginning of class when the body and muscle are not properly warm. Any qualified teacher should know that the splits should only be done after a proper warm up. In a ballet class this would go after pliés, small leg warm ups, and hip warm ups such as rond de jambes. In another style class such as jazz or modern splits should only be done after properly getting warm and other stretches such as hamstring stretches and lunges. One huge thing that should never be done to a dancer in the splits is pushing them down forceful or quite frankly pushing them at all!
• Other damage that can be done to children's bodies because of uneducated teachers includes early formation of bunions and chronic knee problems. Many of these can be cause by an instructor telling students to forcefully turn out or not correcting improper usage of the feet, knees, and body placement. Simple bad posture or incorrect body alignment can cause tons knee issues.

Improper training leads to stress down the road

• To give you a better picture of how this can be stressful, I will tell you a personal story to shine light at the problem. When I was five I began taking piano lessons from a elderly lady for a mere $25 a month. (Yes that is ridiculously inexpensive). It was great (so I thought), I was learning notes and how to play songs in knew from show tunes or movie theme songs. It was all great until I started high school where I was in a high prestigious music program and taking private voice lessons, and eventually private piano. What I never realized and neither did my parents smitten with the fact that they were getting a great deal on piano lessons and that my instructor was easily located in the back of my neighborhood, was that I was missing a huge part of musical education, music theory. Music theory incorporates a vast number of things including how to count specific time signatures, identifying what key you are playing in through the circle of fifths, and much much more in which a intermediate to advanced student must know to fully grasp the music. Needless to say this was extremely stressful, because I had to go back to square one and relearn much of what I thought I had already mastered in the 8 years I had been taking piano from the little old lady in the back of the neighborhood. This is completely true for dance.
• Technique in dance is the fundamentals of dance and how a specific step in correctly executed. Dance technique is the proper way to do anything in dance. Dance technique is essential to the success of any dancer. But technique must be taught because not everything in dance is viewable and understandable by just watching. Technique is important in all types of dance from ballet to tap dance. If proper technique is not taught muscles can be developed incorrectly causing bulky muscles rather than the long lean muscles dancers strive for, injury can cause irreversible damage to the dancers body, and if the dancers get far enough to pursue dance further in life huge amounts of stress can be caused due to having to correct incorrect training. Unfortunately technique is not taught at every studio, in fact doing things on the right and left side is becoming less and less common, due to lack of trained instructors.

Our promise at Sunflower State Dance (est. 2015) is to only provide well-educated teachers who are continually being trained in technique, injury prevention, and much more. All of our teachers have degrees in dance or are pursuing degrees in dance at the college level. Be sure to check out our blog What We've Been Up To This Summer to see what continuing education our instructors have been doing!

References: 

http://www.bbc.com/news/education-35130914?SThisFB

http://www.danceadvantage.net/stretching-splits/

Recipe for a great recital.

The end of the season recital.

Recital performances can seem stressful for both parent and dancer!  But at Sunflower State Dance we strive to make our end of the year recital as stress-free and enjoyable as possible, for everyone.

Here is our recipe for a great recital:

1. Start preparing your recital costume/attire early- we are now one month away from our recital on June 24. Now is the time to start thinking about having everything ready. Do you have a good pair of tights in the right color? (Extra tights are always recommended!) Will your shoes last through the recital? Do you have enough hair products, ties, bobby-pins? Is your costume in good shape? Does it need ironed or steamed?
2. Practice routines regularly- the more your dancer knows the choreography, the more comfortable they will be on stage. At Sunflower State Dance we record practice videos for all our younger and recreational classes. All you need is a smartphone or computer to practice right along with your teacher! 
3. Know your schedule- plan out your preparation time before so you will have adequate time to get ready on recital day. Make sure you know where to drop off and pick up your child before and after the recital. Talk to your child about what will happen recital day. 
4. Practice hair and makeup before the day of the recital- there is nothing worse than having to start over while doing makeup. Save the tears and the irritated skin for a different day! Practice your child's stage makeup days before the recital. Be sure to follow directions your studio provides on what to wear for stage makeup. Stage makeup is very important in making sure your child's features do not get washed out by the very bright stage lights!
5. Have fun!- remember to have fun! Performing should be an enjoyable experience for all dancers. It's a performance where they get to show off their new dance skills to friends and family. Be sure to take pictures with family and friends after the show!

Now Enrolling: 2017-2018 Dance Season

It's that time of year again when we begin enrolling for the next season! 

Save your spot today in a class that best fits your schedule.

We will be doing a open house demo day and show fittings July 29. Hope to see you there!

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