As sorry as we always are to the summer go away, there’s nothing as exciting as the fresh start at the beginning of the school year.  We are filled with new ideas, new schedules, and new goals—and we have the whole year to make those goals a reality.  Here are a few tips to make this year the most successful yet, whether you are a child, a teen or an adult, a dancer or a dancer’s mom or dad, a beginning student or a pre-professional:

1) Start with a clean slate. You may be meeting a teacher or classmates for the very first time, or you may be returning for your 10^th year together, but we all deserve a fresh start!  Show your teachers the dancer you want to be this year, not the dancer they remember from last year.  If you have a specific goal you wish to accomplish, tell them what it is and ask for advice—your teachers are there to help!

2) Set a goal. All students, young and old, perform better when they have something to strive for.  CAPA’s youngest students are always looking forward to the prize they receive when they have ten stickers on their sticker cards.  Their sticker cards are teaching them how to set goals, and how good it feels when they achieve those goals.  Five years later, a dancer may be working to perfect their triple pirouette, and ten years after that, they could be striving to get into a particular college.  Learn to set goals constantly—what you wish to accomplish this week, this month, this year, and on into your future.  Rejoice when you accomplish your goal, and stay determined if it doesn’t happen as quickly as you wish.

3) Remember the joy dance brings you. Sometimes when school or work gets busy or you’re just having a bad day, staying home and resting sounds so nice.  Try to remember why you were so excited to go back to dance this week.  Focus on your very favorite part of your classes, including the pride you feel at the end of a great class.  There will always be a million reasons to stay home or to take a break, but there is only one way to accomplish those goals you set for yourself—dedication, perseverance, and plain hard work!  When July rolls around, you will remember the accomplishments and good times, so try to stay excited for those throughout the year!

Welcome to all our new students here at CAPA and welcome back to all our returning students—we are so very happy to have each and every one of your families here with us!