the beat
BACKSTAGE DANCE STUDIO
BUILDING CONFIDENCE, CHARACTER, AND COMMUNITY SINCE 1984!
FOOTNOTES SIGNATURE TEA showcase!
Are you interested in our competitive program or just want to see some GREAT
Support our Signature Team on March 1st at Renton High School's IKEA Performing Arts Center during Footnotes, showcase featuring all our signature competition team dances, from dancers ages 6 to 18 Our Debut Team (ages 5 showcase their competition dances, and some of our STARS Teams (ages 7 to 9) will be featured as well More info available soon on the Backstage website Showtime is 1:30pm, tickets are $27 (plus ticketing service fee) and will g February 5th at 11:00am Purchase your tickets through our ticket vendor, Dance Recital Ticketing, beginning on Fe
the annual 5 to 7) will also rmation will be o on sale on ebruary 5th
Photos by Nigel Cooper
4, to
provide a fun-filled introduction to music and movement
Students in Creative Movement classes will not participate in our Spring Shows at the theater; however, they will have a performance in the classroom at the end of the schoolyear session! This gives our youngest dancers the opportunity to do a mini-performance and show off what they have learned during the year to their families!
Creative Movement families, watch for an email in the coming months with details about your dancer’s in-studio performance this spring, as well as end-of-session information
creative movement!
VALENTINE SPIRIT WEEK
Wear your red, pink or special Valentine's flair to classes the week of Valentine's Day! Make sure you are able to move and groove freely in your spirit wear of choice, though!
Share your Valentine's joy in classes, February 9th through 14th!
Spreading
the “self-love”!
As February is a month for celebrating love, we are promoting self-love in the studio this month! Self-love is a key component of building self-compassion. Self-love helps us take care of ourselves, lower stress, and strive for success.We will have heart cut-outs in the studio (at the front desk and on studio tables) along with pens/pencils, and we encourage our dancers (and their parents) to share what they love about themselves by writing it on a heart. We’ll also have tape available for dancers to hang their heart on our display wall in the studio. We hope everyone takes the time to express their self-love this month!
DANCER birthdays!
HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS TO EVERYONE CELEBRATING THIS MONTH!
Paris L. 1-Feb
Siena M J. 2-Feb
Atlee M 2-Feb
Jennifer S 2-Feb
Isabella C. 3-Feb
Annabella H. 5-Feb
Amelia B. 6-Feb
Sonya G. 6-Feb
Wari J 8-Feb
Lana S 9-Feb
Nora H. 10-Feb
Venna H. 10-Feb
Ashley W. 11-Feb
Amber S. 12-Feb
Emma S 12-Feb
Chloe Z 13-Feb
Leena M. 15-Feb
Brynn P. 17-Feb
Jane C. 19-Feb
Allison L 19-Feb
Katelyn W 19-Feb
Ellie Z. 19-Feb
Hera M. 20-Feb
Genoveva H. 22-Feb
Aya R. 22-Feb
Erin W 23-Feb
Gabriela M 26-Feb
Arielle R. 26-Feb
Mason Y. 26-Feb
Aria Z. 26-Feb
Mila S. 27-Feb
Maria Z 27-Feb
Owyn C 28-Feb
tenacity
Our character focus for the month of February is TENACITY. Tenacity is defined as "persistent determination." A person with a tenacious character will achieve a goal they set despite any difficulties encountered while achieving that goal. We hope everyone will earn a card for working on their TENACITY this month!
The benefits of developing tenacity include:
You will not let obstacles stop you from getting what you want.
You will increase your desire to achieve things im
F E B R U A R Y
charac FOCUS
TEACHER SPOTLIGHT
Miss Alyssa began her dance journey at the age years old in Southern California She is trained i styles including Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Contempor Hip Hop Alyssa’s passion for dance took her to with various teams including Dynamix Dance A The Dance Gallery, Upland High School’s Expre Varsity Cheer, and finally the University of Oreg Dance Team (Go Ducks!) Alyssa holds a Bachel Psychology from the University of Oregon and a Science in Behavioral Psychology from Pepperd
After undergoing a spinal fusion to correct her returned to dance with a renewed passion to m Alyssa has had the pleasure of coaching for the University o Oregon Dance Team, coaching the Henry M Jackson High School Dance Team, and judging Dance/Drill competitions for the WIAA. Alyssa joined the Backstage staff three years ago and currently directs our Teacher Assistant Program and our Acrobatic Arts Program, and she also teaches a variety of Signature Team and Acrobatic Arts classes. Alyssa connecting with her dancers, helping them achieve new sk fueling their passion for dance! She is excited to continue inspiring, educating, and advocating for the next generation of dancers.
miss alyssa
fun facts!
FUN FACTS: In her free time, Miss Alyssa loves to read, go to the beach, and spend time with her family Her favorite animal? Cats!
PA ED ta
AGAIN THIS YEAR, BACKSTAGE WOULD LIKE TO PARTNER WITH YOU ON YOUR PARENTING JOURNEY! WE WILL INFORM YOU OF PARENTING WORKSHOPS AND SPEAKER SERIES THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST TO YOU AND HOPE TO BRING YOU SOME OF OUR OWN EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
From Blowups to Breakthroughs: A New Way to Navigate Anger in Kids
WithReneeJain,parentcoachandpsychologist Tuesday,Feb.10,2026,noon–1p.m.PT
ReneeJain,founderofGoZen!,thebelovedplatformthathelpskidsbuildemotionalstrength, joinsourliveParentEdTalkonFeb.10tohelpparentsrethinkeverythingtheythoughtthey knewaboutanger.She’llsharehowtoshiftfromyellingandfrustrationtoconfidenceand claritywhenyourchilderupts—andexplainhowanger,onceunderstood,canbecomea powerfulsourceofinsight,communicationandconnection.
Attendeeswillgain:
Simple,science-backedstrategiesforself-andco-regulationtouseduringmeltdowns Scriptstoguidekidsfromreactivitytoreflection
Aclearapproachtorepairingafterconflicts,buildingemotionalresilienceand strengtheninglong-termcommunicationwithyourchild
Angerdoesn’ttransformjustbycalmingitdown—ittransformswhenwechangeour relationshipwithit.Signupnowforjust$10.JointheliveZoomconversationorwatchthe recordinganytime.
congrats!dancer OF THE MONTH -
CONGRATS to our February Dancers of the Month!
These dancers were nominated by one of their teachers for going above and beyond in class! Each dancer of the month will receive a certificate of recognition and a gift card to Stage Left Dancewear!
WAY TO GO, DANCERS!
Nora Haight
Miss Madison nominated Nora for her contributions in Hip Hop Basics class. She said that Nora is a great leader, is kind and helpful to her classmates and is so much fun to have in class! Nora’s positive attitude and hard work make Miss Madison excited to teach her each week. Way to go, Nora!
Clara Shook
Clara was nominated by her Contemporary 3 teacher, Miss Rebecca, who says that Clara is super motivated to improve her skills! Clara often inspires her peers to practice choreography before class or during water breaks Awesome job, Clara!
Izzy Angriawan
Izzy is a member of our STARS Team and was nominated by Miss Lauren for being such a hard worker and always giving 100%. Miss Lauren says that Izzy has such great focus when learning choreography and is doing an awesome job at being an excellent classmate. Amazing work, Izzy!
Each month of our school-year session, dancers in Acro, Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz and Tap classes will be working on particular skills. We will list these skills, along with a description (and sometimes links to additional information about the skills) in the newsletter. Practicing these skills outside of class is beneficial, so we encourage you to ask your dancers for demonstrations at home!
february Seethenextpageformore>>>
acro CARTWHEEL
Definition: A circular sideways handspring with the arms and legs extended.
Proper stacking, straight arms with fingers forward, straight legs, wide split, transfer of weight softly bending through the knees and clean ending position, straight line of direction, balance, stretched feet, posture at start and end, clean tendu starting/ending position.
Beginners can work on monkey jumps or pre-cartwheels where they’re in a support in the middle so they don’t have to reach as far.
Advanced students can work towards ariels or other variations.
VIDEO: How to cartwheel!
skills of th
mon
ballet
ÉCHAPPÉ
Translation: To escape.
Definition: An échappé is a level opening of both feet from a closed to an open position. There are two kinds of échappés: échappé sauté, which is done with a spring from the fifth position and finishes in a demi-plié in the open position, and échappé sur les pointes, or demi-pointes, which is done with a relevé and has straight knees when in the open position. In each case échappés are done to the second or fourth position, both feet traveling an equal distance from the original center of gravity.
VIDEO: How to échappé!
VIDEO: How to échappé on pointe!
GRAPEVIN
Definition: An alt second and fourt the feet; one foot sideways on a st other foot going posterior fourth p vice versa. Dating back all t early 1900's, it wa used in Ballroom However, over th dance move tran different types o and different era Hip Hop/Street d
VIDEO: How to g
february nth!
FAN KICK
ternation of th positions of t traveling raight line, the from anterior to position, and he way to the as originally m dancing! he years, this nslated to f dance styles as, including the dance era. rapevine!
Definition: The leg makes a sweeping arc through space. It crosses in front of the body, then sweeps to make a half circle before touching the ground. The sweeping leg can be either straight or in attitude; ideally the leg should be at hip level.
The supporting leg can be in plié, relevé, or relevé with a bent knee (called plié-relevé).
VIDEO: How to fan kick!
tap CRAMP ROLL
Definition: A tap step that is performed by doing two steps (right then left or vice versa), followed by two heel drops (right then left or vice versa), releasing the first heel immediately upon completion. Can do reverse cramp rolls - heel dig R heel dig L toe drop R toe drop L for more advanced. Can do “around the world”step R step L, heel drop L heel drop R for more advanced.
VIDEO: How to cramp roll!
We are finalizing our summer class schedule as this newsletter goes to print! Stay tuned for summer updates and summer class and camp registration details within the next several weeks! We plan to offer six weeks of classes as well as our 2-in-1 Dance/Gymnastics camps with Gymnastics East and our own BDS Dance Camps! Themes include K-Pop Demon Hunters, Swiftie, Princesses and more!
We can't wait to dance with you this summer!
SUMMER SCHEDULE -
COMING SOON!
UPCOMING events!
Footnotes Ticket Sales OPEN
Valentine’s Spirit Week
Parent Map Webinar
Mid-Winter Break (Studio Closed)
Summer Schedule Released
Footnotes Team Show
Shamrock Spirit Week
February 5, 11:00am
February 9-14
February 10, 12:00pm
February 16-21
February 28
March 1, 1:30pm March 16-21
THANK YOU FOR DANCING WITH US!
