Dance Mom Life

2024-2025 was a real rollercoaster ride in our house with dance. Our daughter decided she needed to "do it all", and I mean I wouldn't have changed it for the world.

Now, not only am I her dance mom, I am also one of the teacher's we have at the studio. So all things come to having those titles. The craziness of getting her to and from class on time - which sad to say we were late a few times, but still made it! Choreographing pieces for different age groups - I didn't have too many this year, and then just being there for the studio owner during competitions and recital - this i greatly enjoyed and found out I thrive backstage with those kids.

Some amazing things that we got to do this year, other than just dance and do competitions. Our dancers got to perform during a Halloween pyro-musical in our community. What does this mean you ask? Well pretty cool actually, as the dancers were performing they had fireworks going off behind them to the music. Did I tear up because I was so proud of them, SURE DID!! It was really a great start to what turned out to be an amazing year for our dancers!

Performing during the Halloween Pyro-musical

Now, when I start talking about the hard work and dedication our dancers put in day after day, isn’t always noticed by people who aren’t involved with dance. And this will probably strike a strong nerve with a lot of people, but dance is one of the hardest sports a kid could do. And I know what some of you are thinking “but Kayla dance isn’t a sport” insert eye roll here please! HELL YES ITS A SPORT!! So let’s get into just a little bit. Dancers require flexibility, coordination, strength, endurance, agility, and balance.

• Flexibility:

  Dancers need a wide range of motion to perform intricate movements and avoid injuries,

• Coordination:

  Dancers must be able to coordinate multiple movements simultaneously, such as synchronizing with music or other dancers,

• Strength:

  Dancers need muscular strength to execute jumps, lifts, and other powerful movements,

• Endurance:

  Both cardiovascular and muscular endurance are essential for performing long routines and maintaining precise positions,

• Agility:

  Agility allows dancers to move quickly and precisely, changing direction and executing movements with ease,

• Balance:

  Balance is crucial for maintaining stability and control while performing various movements,

• Mental Conditioning:

  Dancers also require mental focus, discipline, and resilience to overcome challenges and perform under pressure. 

Now let’s talk of some of the biggest names in sports that took dance to help with training…maybe you’ve heard of some.

Lynn Swann – Former American Football player

Herschel Walker — Football legend and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter

Rio Ferdinand -English Former Football player

Steve Mclendon – American Football Player 

Evander Holyfield — Four time heavyweight boxing world champion

Willie Gault – Former American Football player

And lastly

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the epitome of ‘the manly dude’ did take ballet classes

Sure I could go on about things like that, but it’s time to talk about the achievements that our little studio brought home in one season.. their FIRST real season of competition! The below is what we brought home from a total of 4 competitions:

8 overall trophies

5 scholarships

13 special awards (these were chosen by the adjudicators)

Not too bad for just starting out I say!

But really when you get into it, dance is so much more than a sport.

In the dance world, you form bonds and friendships you didn’t know you needed. You get the feels you didn’t know existed when watching not just our own kid, but your kids friends up on that stage. You become the best most dysfunctional family ever! You learn to be you and you grow with people you never thought you would want to.

Myself and our studio owner Patty-Jean after a whirlwind of a recital and dance year (yes we need that champagne!)

Our performance team doing their big group piece at competition for the first time

Now May has come and pretty much gone, so one would think that the dance season is over.. and for the most part it is, except for the spring classes my daughter signed up for and that I wanted to help teach. Then the camp in July, oh and did I mention I’m already planning for the new season!?!

Once you start getting into things it really just becomes second nature. I love seeing the excitement on the kids faces each day when they run into the studio.. and of course the seniors wonderful teenage attitudes!

One of the best parts about our crazy dance family.. is we all accept each other for who we are!

To all my dance mom and dads, I look forward to the years ahead, the memories we will continue to make, and our bonds that continue to grow! And well.. if you don’t want that, then here’s your kite and start flying high and away!

As always, until next time!

Kayla