Northland School of Dance

Ballet and Dance School in Champlin, MN

Dance Studio | Champlin, MN
763-421-5443

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Are You Anxious About Your New Dance Class and Having the ‘New Class Jitters’?

August 9, 2022 by Northland School of Dance

Dancers at Northland School of Dance in Champlin, MN

It’s normal when starting nearly anything new to feel like the ‘odd man out’ or to have temporary doubts and feel nervous and anxious about something you were looking forward to. Even when something isn’t new – maybe you’ve done it for years – but now you are taking it up a notch, or are about to perform and have all eyes on you…it’s normal to feel jitters then, too.

We’ve compiled a list of common thoughts we hear expressed from time to time, and give you some advice to help you through.

Tips to combat those jittery new class thoughts:

“I have no idea what I’m doing and I just know they are all whispering about me.”

  • Every dancer – every single dancer – feels this way at some point. Even that girl with the long, lean legs who can développé up to her cheek with hardly any effort in ballet class. But when she is in her Hip Hop class she may feel out of place and afraid she can’t make her moves look funky. Instead, she thinks she just looks weird. At some point – everyone feels as though they are the clueless one. The ability to conquer fears is one that will aid you over and over in life. And success breeds success – the more you face your fears – the stronger  and more confident you become.

“I don’t understand all the words in ballet class…why does it have to be in French?”

  • Ask the teacher to explain what “Tendu” means. You can even ask after class in relative privacy at first until you feel comfortable speaking out. They’ll happily say, “To Stretch” which then will click with you right away when you think about the movement and connect it to the word.
  • Keep a Terminology Notebook and write down what they describe the words to mean in French.
  • Feel proud that no matter what country, what studio, what ballet class you take anywhere – you will know the language of ballet. Even in Russia – ballet class uses French words. Even in China – ballet class uses French words. Ballet is not just good for the body, it’s good for the brain.

“All the dancers already know each other, I feel so awkward standing here alone at the barre.”

  • First days are part of the journey through life for all of us. It starts with your first babysitter, first school elementary teacher, first date, first room-mate in college, first interview, and on and on. Life will continue to be filled with many firsts. Practicing these three things will make it easier:
    • If you are the new one, smile at the others and make eye contact
    • Ask their name
    • Use their name often – they’ll feel valued and you’ll have a new friend
    • When you see someone else is new, be the one who reaches out and makes them feel welcome in the way you’d like people to do for you!

“I think they promoted me to this class by mistake! I’m going to be so embarrassed any moment now when they realize it.”

  • Trust your teachers! Northland School of Dance has been teaching dance students for over 45 years, and our instructors are very good at knowing the right place for you.  If they see in you the things that are needed to place you on a certain line – be confident and know you earned it and you are where you should be. They know you aren’t going to have everything mastered right away, but they know you’ll keep working at it and they are confident you’ll get there.  Don’t waste a second of your life doubting yourself – your teachers didn’t doubt you and that’s why you earned the spot you did!

“I don’t have trendy dance clothes. My outfits are boring and not brand-name, and they’ll never notice me.”

  • It can be easy to get caught up in wanting to fit in with the same styles and brands as others, whether in dance, at school, or just hanging out. But as cliché as it may sound, it is 100% true that ‘clothes don’t make the man’ (or woman or dancer), Think about the strongest dancer you know at your studio. Think about their great performance in the last class you saw them in. What were they wearing? You might not even remember, at least not the details. Because it didn’t matter. You saw THE DANCER – not their clothes. People feel the same way about you. It’s your heart, soul, spirit, talent and determination they care about and are drawn to – not the logo on your jazz shorts or the style of your leotard.

“I am nervous and embarrassed to try those new leaps – what if I look dumb?”

  • It may sound odd, but in some classes there is a practice of applauding when a dancer falls onto the floor while attempting a difficult turn set or new leap. As in –  falls onto the floor – imagine applauding!! Why do we applaud? Because we recognize and celebrate that the dancer went for it! They were  ALL IN and gave it 100%! Yup, they may have fallen on their backside but they are a braver, stronger dancer already for trying. Next time – they’ll do it better.  That is what practice does – it takes you from a beginner to the point where you master a move.  And then you are a beginner all over again with the next turn set or leap sequence you learn. Remember – you’ll always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take! 

“I am just not flexible! I give up, I’ll never catch up with the girls who clearly have rubber bands for muscles”

  • Ever seen the Grand Canyon? Pretty big huh? Pretty deep? Guess what – it took an extraordinary amount of time to cut through all the rock and make the canyon through which the river flows. And it started with a tiny stream of water. But year after year, decade after decade, century after century and so on and so on – that water flowed through and got bigger and stronger. Over time – it cut through the rock. It happened because it never gave up and it was willing to do the work – every day – even when it was just a little stream with a dream. Your splits can be flat, your turns can be solid, your leaps can be high. But not in one class, or one week or it might even take months or longer. If you decide you’ll get there no matter what – you’ll get there. Sheer force of will is stronger than any tight muscle! Be a stream with a dream! And don’t worry about catching up with others who are at a different point in their quest to be more flexible.  Just keep at it, strive be more flexible today than you were yesterday, you’ll get there! 

Filed Under: Dance Life

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That’s a wrap on the 2023 regional season❤️C That’s a wrap on the 2023 regional season❤️Congratulations dancers on an amazing last competition! BravO to you all!!! #nsodrocks 

Now off to year end production and nationals in Orlando!

#nsod #northlanddance #compeitionseason #mndance #minnesota
It’s that time of year! YEP prep time. Our dance It’s that time of year! YEP prep time. Our dancers can’t wait for you to see the routines they’ve been working so hard on all year. Call 763-421-5443 or email Nsodbarb@gmail.com to reserve your seat.
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3.. 2.. 1.. pose 📸 But NSOD style! #nsodrocks 3.. 2.. 1.. pose 📸

But NSOD style!

#nsodrocks #nsodance #dancepose #mndance #minnesota #competitionpictures
A little review of this past weekend as we had the A little review of this past weekend as we had the best time at @legacydancechampionships ❤️🖤 #nsodrocks

#nsoddance #dancecompetition #dancefriends #mndance
TRIBUTE RECAP❤️ So proud of all our NSOD dan TRIBUTE RECAP❤️ 

So proud of all our NSOD dancers that took the stage last weekend❣️ Thank you @tributenationaltalent for an incredible time! 
#nsodproud #competiondance #tributenationaltalentcompetion
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Ricci Milan and our 2020 Seniors!

New on Instagram

Registration at NSOD is now open! Join us and embr Registration at NSOD is now open! Join us and embrace your passion for dance. Secure your spot today!❤️🩰

✨programs for all ages 
✨competition & recreation 
✨technique classes
✨Hip hop, tap, jazz, ballet, and more!

Visit our website for more Information 
🔗 LINK IN BIO
Lights, camera, action! Don’t miss your chance t Lights, camera, action! Don’t miss your chance to grab a front-row seat to Northland School of Dance’s Paparazzi Production! 
Get your tickets now! 🎟️📸

Visit our website or call today!
That’s a wrap on the 2023 regional season❤️C That’s a wrap on the 2023 regional season❤️Congratulations dancers on an amazing last competition! BravO to you all!!! #nsodrocks 

Now off to year end production and nationals in Orlando!

#nsod #northlanddance #compeitionseason #mndance #minnesota
It’s that time of year! YEP prep time. Our dance It’s that time of year! YEP prep time. Our dancers can’t wait for you to see the routines they’ve been working so hard on all year. Call 763-421-5443 or email Nsodbarb@gmail.com to reserve your seat.
Instagram post 18015098209605492 Instagram post 18015098209605492
3.. 2.. 1.. pose 📸 But NSOD style! #nsodrocks 3.. 2.. 1.. pose 📸

But NSOD style!

#nsodrocks #nsodance #dancepose #mndance #minnesota #competitionpictures
A little review of this past weekend as we had the A little review of this past weekend as we had the best time at @legacydancechampionships ❤️🖤 #nsodrocks

#nsoddance #dancecompetition #dancefriends #mndance
TRIBUTE RECAP❤️ So proud of all our NSOD dan TRIBUTE RECAP❤️ 

So proud of all our NSOD dancers that took the stage last weekend❣️ Thank you @tributenationaltalent for an incredible time! 
#nsodproud #competiondance #tributenationaltalentcompetion
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Northland School of Dance is a full service dance studio located in Champlin MN. Students attend classes from the surrounding areas of Anoka, Coon Rapids, Andover, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Rogers, St. Michael, Osseo, Otsego, Dayton, and other neighboring communities.

Northland School of Dance does not discriminate, and welcomes all races, religions, and genders.

We offer dance classes in both recreational and competitive levels, for ages 2 ½ – adult. Classes include: jazz, tap, ballet, Pointe’, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, acro, boy only classes, special needs classes, adult classes, a full range of technique classes and more!

763-421-5443
Champlin, MN

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