Whoever says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the RAIN!

Though Pancake Day didn't have the best weather (in fact, it was quite miserable), I speak for all three of us when I say that this was one of the happiest days at our studio.  The amount of love and support we felt from our parents and students was overwhelming.  Our decision to go ahead and perform on the stage in no way came solely from the three of us! We had students begging us to dance!! We did away with costume changes and dance shoes to ensure safety, as well as modifying the dances so the students didn't have to do the floor parts and get soaked! But did they listen? No! :) They in no way wanted to take away from the choreography or their performance by not going completely full out. Finally there is a chance for the community to see the dedication that we see in these kids every day at the studio.  They braved the rain, cold, and wet stage with huge smiles and energy despite their shivers.  I believe I only counted 3 slips during the entire performance.  The downpour held out until the second to last dance and our hip hop group didn't even flinch.

Spirits weren't just high on the stage! We had a huge audience for such a rainy day.  And for this we couldn't be more thankful.  Many weren't even holding umbrellas or sporting ponchos, and that shows true support!

Now on to the parade...
We definitely repeated over and over that in no way did we want to obligate anyone to do the parade on such a cold and wet day.  So to still have so many participants was amazing!  We figured our pom girls would have a little trouble being motivated to do their cheer for DXP throughout the entire parade route.  Turns out, Tara couldn't even direct them over their loud voices! :) And those loud voices never stopped!  Nothing made my Pancake Day more than looking over at those little faces and seeing them cheer their hearts out.

To all of our parents, volunteers, and students...Thank you for the boost of morale on a day with unfavorable weather.  It's hard to think about what our Pancake Days would be like without all of you.  We wouldn't want them any other way...rain and all! Somehow in all of the festivities we forgot our camera for the parade. Please feel free to e-mail pics to the studio's e-mail:  dancex-pressions@mchsi.com

Dance Hard...Play Hard

Last year we decided to start a tradition of having a Competition Team photo shoot at the beginning of every year. The pictures turned out so great last year that we didn't know if we could top them. However, this year's photos are just as amazing and we loved capturing how talented all of these girls are.  It was a typical hot summer day and sometimes it takes many takes before getting that perfect action shot, so it definitely shows their dedication as well!  We took over 500 pictures and I hand-selected around 100 that stood out to me.  You can see that whole album on our FACEBOOK PAGE.  Search for Centerville Dance X-pressions.  We hope you enjoy this little preview!

Tiffany Johnson

Elizabeth Sells

Addison Zaputil

Hannah Bailey

Maddison Kirkland

Katerina Banks

Leah Scott

Leah Scott

Maddison Kirkland

Tiffany Johnson

Elizabeth Sells

Chloe Zintz

Maddison Kirkland

Maddison Kirkland

Addison Zaputil

Alienna Boecker

Tiffany Johnson

Leah Scott

Morgan Schmell

Leah Scott

Ashlyn Boecker

Leah Scott

Non Stop Fun!

We have returned from our two week camping trip at the Iowa State Fair.  There was a great turnout at our performance on Sunday.  It was great to see so many new faces in the audience sitting with all of our dance parents, family, and friends.  Our dancers that performed in the Bill Riley Talent Show did a great job and had the opportunity to submit a video as an audition for America's Got Talent.  Our group, L.A. Girls, got a call back and we are very proud of them!

The highlight of our trip had to be finding out if Baby Schooley was going to be a boy or a girl!  And...IT'S A BOY!  Aunt Brittany is very excited to make him a star hip hop dancer!

We are back to work at the studio tomorrow and don't forget about Tuesday! From 4:30 to 5:30 you are able to see the Fall Schedule and pick up the Fundraiser Brochure, along with any Apparel and Shoes that you ordered for the new dance year. See you then!

No Stress...Just Dance!

Though recitals may be stressful for us, it never really seems to phase the kids.  Rehearsal is one of their favorite parts of the whole weekend.  They get to sit and watch all of the performances from some of the best seats in the house.  They have such a love for performing and so much enthusiasm, especially when the camera comes out! I loved capturing this moment that shows just how excited they are about DANCE!

Where did summer go?

     At the end of every summer there is always the usual question of Where did summer go?  Hosting Fall Registration these past two weeks is definitely another sign that summer is indeed coming to an end.  Let's not forget the other familiar saying of Time flies when you're having fun!  DXP has had plenty of fun this summer to keep busy...volunteer performances at long-term care facilities, The Continental, and other community events; Children's Art Festival; fundraisers for our performance on a cruise to the Bahamas; and attending TOP's National Dance Competition.

     There are some things that are just as much work as they are fun! Our students have been working extremely hard this summer to improve their dance skills.  Technique and Tumbling sessions were available all summer for students who wanted to push themselves to a new level.  Their dedication amazes us as some students just never need a break from dance! DXP also held a variety of summer camps and workshops such as, Princess Camp, Hip Hop, Tap, and Creative Movement.  We had the privilege of welcoming Grant Chenok to our studio.  Grant traveled all the way from California and the kids really enjoyed his enthusiasm and passion for dance.  It was great to watch our dancers have so much confidence, even in the face of a stranger!

     Even after all of that, our summer activities are not over! A handful of our students choose to participate in the Bill Riley Talent Search that takes place all over Iowa.  We currently have four acts that have qualified for the State Fair!  As Renae danced for the Bill Riley show when she was younger, it has become a tradition for some of our dancers as well.  One of our dancers has made it to the State Fair almost every year since she was six (she is now 11) and we couldn't be happier for all she has accomplished.  It is such a great experience for our dancers to represent Centerville in front of such a big crowd.  DXP also has their own showtime at the Iowa State Fair.  This year we will be performing at the Susan Knapp stage on Sunday, August 15th at 9:00am.  If you plan on attending our performance, stick around for the Bill Riley show that day.  Brynn Bailey will be competing in the Sprout Division that day. Our tap group, L.A. Girls, will be competing in the Junior Division, and our tap duet, Imma Be, will be competing in the Senior Division.  The next day, our soloist Maddie Kirkland will be competing in the Sprout Division.  (August 16th)

     As sad as we are to see summer coming to an end, we couldn't be happier for the new dance season to start.  Fall Registration was a blast and it was great to see so many new faces this year!  Judging from the huge order of dance apparel that we placed, our students will definitely be decked out and ready to go for that first day of class.

     We hope everyone has a great last few weeks of summer! If you happened to miss registration, please call 641.856.5954 for more information!