Dear MDU Family,

Today is a great day! Today, our studio will have a modified opening, an event that our staff and students have been looking forward to for 12 days during our recent voluntary closure to support community health.

We are pleased to share that our Safer Studio™ plans have earned the support of the La Crosse County Health Department which allows us to offer service continuity going forward. What does that mean? It means that means the plans and precautions we have put into place support our ability to hold in-person classes with modifications - even during “red”.

The response to our planning and communication has been overwhelmingly positive and we are pleased to be able to offer you two ways to dance this week:

  1. You can join us for in-person classes, which will be limited to 9 students per class; or
  2. If you are uncomfortable attending in-person classes, you are welcome to learn-at-home with our new live-streamed classes via Zoom. Please check your email for at-home participation zoom links to your classes.
The County has expressed their appreciation for our continued efforts to support community health by offering a variety of ways for students to continue to dance safely. After all, health is not just about avoiding sickness. It’s also about building strong bodies, minds, and hearts - something that happens in each and every class at MDU!

That said, you are probably aware that the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the County has increased significantly in the past few weeks. It probably also goes without saying that we are a school, and schools are going to experience reports of COVID-19 exposure as they welcome back their staff and students. The County has assured me that single reports of exposure risk will not require a studio closure. If the studio receives a report of exposure risk, the reporter will be asked to share with the County, any affected classes will be notified, and exposure-risk level cleaning will be enacted. The County encourages those with exposure risk to self-quarantine for 14 days from the date of potential exposure. MDU has the ability to monitor staff self-quarantine but does not have the capacity to monitor student self-quarantine. As such, parents will be asked to use their own discretion as to their comfortability returning to class or if they would rather participate from home. There is absolutely no penalty for absence and classes may be made up in-person (space permitting) or online (anytime). If the studio receives a cluster report of exposure risk, we will work directly with the County on the next steps.

Thank you MDU Family, for working together to minimize risk, keep our staff and students safe, and keep our studio operational. We continue to follow the highest standards of care and ask you to do the same. For a full list of our re-opening procedures please see attached document.

Thank you again for your support! We appreciate our MDU family every day and we can’t wait to see you this week!

Sincerely,

Misty Lown


COVID-19 Message Archive
  • 923 12th Ave S, STE 103, Onalaska, WI 54650
  • 608.779.4642
  • info@mistysdance.com
  • 923 12th Ave S, STE 103, Onalaska, WI 54650
  • 608.779.4642
  • info@mistysdance.com

What to Bring to Competition: A Dancer’s Checklist

What to Bring to Competition: A Dancer’s Checklist

 

Dance competitions offer opportunities for your dancers to show their love of dance and the chance to show the results of their hard work and many rehearsals throughout the year. While you can’t walk away with trophies every time, you can win at being prepared for the event. Beyond costumes and shoes, seasoned dancers know that packing other smart supplies can help them be prepared for any situation at a competition.

 

When planning for competition, consider the What Ifs:

 

What if there’s no parking near the venue?

A rolling suitcase is a wonderful investment for a dancer who may have to haul her gear a long way. A roll of quarters is also helpful to have in case of the need to feed a meter. Comfortable tennis shoes are a must-have for faraway parking situations, as well as for running around between dances.

 

What if we have a wardrobe malfunction?

Dancers’ costumes take a beating during every performance, and the odds of something snapping or popping increase on competition days. Be ready for every costume contingency with a mini sewing kit and safety pins. Some dancers have been known to turn to super glue and duct tape. Seriously.

 

What if we get hungry?

Assuming the venue will allow you to bring your own snacks, remember complex carbohydrates and healthy proteins are the way to go. If the venue won’t allow outside food, plan your escapes between dance numbers to grab a healthy snack offsite. You’ll also want a lot of water for your dancer, so a refillable water bottle can be a big help.

 

What if we get bored between numbers?

Sometimes you’ll have long waits between performances, so bring something to do. Think of things that will help your dancers bond as a team as well as quiet items to help them have some down time throughout the busy day.

 

What if something hurts?

Anticipate sore muscles, blisters and nervous tummies. None of those things may happen, but it’s best to be prepared just in case.

 

The “What Ifs” can be endless, but we’ve put together a checklist based on the needs we’ve seen in the dozens of competitions we’ve attended.

 

To Wear

  • Costumes and all related accessories

  • Spare tights in appropriate colors

  • Sewing kit

  • Thread to match each costume

  • Safety pins

  • Lint Brush

  • Static Spray

  • Portable spot remover

  • Extra clear or tan bra straps for female dancers

  • Dance shoes and straps

  • Undertard if your dancer will be changing backstage

 

Food

  • A small cooler

  • Granola

  • Yogurt or cheese

  • Fresh fruit

  • Prepared fresh veggies

  • Nuts or nut butter

  • Water bottle

  • Sports drinks

  • Money for snacks if outside food is not allowed

 

Cosmetics

  • False eyelashes

  • Eye liner

  • Eye shadow, blush and lipstick in performance company colors

  • Foundation or loose powder if your dancer prefers

  • Makeup brushes, cotton balls, Q-tips

  • Makeup remover

 

Hair Products

  • Hair brush

  • Comb

  • Spray bottle with water

  • Hairspray

  • Hair accessories for each dance clearly labeled

  • Bobby pins

  • Hair nets to keep buns tidy

 

First Aid & Physical Needs

  • Feminine hygiene products

  • Adhesive bandages

  • Instant ice packs

  • Instant hot packs

  • Nail clippers and file

  • Pain reliever

  • Muscle ointments

  • Ace bandage

  • Deodorant

  • Tissues

 

Extras

  • Extra copy of dance music

  • Journal, book, or homework

  • Pens/pencils/colored pencils

  • Phone and charger

  • Money for souvenirs or programs

  • Towel

  • Pillow

  • Blanket

  • Warm-ups

  • Slippers/flip flops

 

What if something goes wrong on stage?

 

In the words that our Miss Shayna, MDU school director, says to every class of little ones...."Just keep dancing!"  Great advice for competition, stage and life!

© 2020

NAV

CONTACT

  • 923 12th Ave S, STE 103, Onalaska, WI 54650
  • 608.779.4642
  • info@mistysdance.com

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