Wagner Dance and Music to Open Second Location in Mesa, AZ

Students to receive $100 off enrollment for classes starting September 2^nd

Mesa, AZ., August 20^th, 2014 - Wagner Dance and Music, the top Performing Arts School in the East Valley, formally announces the grand opening of a second location in Mesa, Arizona.  The new 4000 square foot facility is conveniently located on the Southwest corner of Gilbert & Brown at 1949 E. Brown Road in the Sprouts shopping center.

“Our first studio, which is located in Gilbert on the Southeast corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in the Big Lots plaza, has been extremely successful,” said Denise Wagner, Artistic Director of Wagner Dance and Music. “For the convenience of our students and families we’re opening our second location in Mesa.”

Wagner Dance and Music, in Mesa, Arizona, is focused on high-quality, personalized dance and music education to help develop well rounded, technically sound, performers. They offer family, friendly costumes and age appropriate choreography to help build confidence and self-esteem for students of all ages.

“All dance and music studios are not the same,” says Wagner.  The school’s mission sets the tone for what sets Wagner Dance and Music apart from other studios. "We are dedicated to quality performing arts education with a commitment to developing confidence and self-esteem for students of all ages," continued Wagner.

The school offers classes for ages 2 to adult in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling and Cheer as well as private music lessons in voice, piano and guitar.

To kick off the new location, which officially opens September 2nd, students who enroll by September 1^st, 2014 will receive $100 off of their tuition.

About Wagner Dance and Music

Wagner Dance and Music, is a performing arts school, which has been teaching excellence in dance education since 1989. For more information about our open enrollment special, please visit http://www.mesadanceandmusic.com or

call 480-844-4254.

Media Contact:

Denise Wagner

480-844-4254

1949 E. Brown Rd.

Mesa, AZ 85203

Website: http://www.mesadanceandmusic.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mesadanceandmusic

Types of Jazz Dance Steps

Some of the types of dance steps you’ll learn in jazz dance are:

Axel Turn - An axel turn is really two turns combined into one. It combines a chene turn, where one leg goes up into passé, then the other leg follows and develops into a fully rotating jump in the air.

Ball Change – A ball change is an easy, transition-type step incorporated into many jazz dance routines. To perform this move the dancer changes the weight distribution on the balls of their feet.

Chasse – Also a ballet move, the chasse step resembles a galloping motion. One foot appears to chase the other. Jazz dancers typically use this movement to travel across the stage or to incorporate two moves together.

Drop – Modern jazz routines feature the drop. This occurs when a dancer executes a controlled fall from an isolated position.

Extension – This term is used in a variety of dance styles and is when a leg or an arm is extended outward and then held for a set amount of time before continuing the movement.

Fan Kick – Many Broadway-type routines utilize the fan kick. To perform this move, the dancers body should stay in place as one leg starts an inward motion and then kicks all the way around in a circular motion and returns to its original position.

Jazz Walk – There are several variations of the jazz walk. They include the jazz run and the jazz drag. In this movement, the dancers’ posture is low and their feet are dragged slightly across the dance floor. This modified walk is used often for traveling across stage.

Knee Turn – This step is really not a step but a movement performed on one or both knees. It includes a chene turn while positioned on one or both knees.

Layout – This jazz dance step is performed by kicking one leg up in the air while the dancers’ torso is leaning back into the most dramatic arch as possible. The dancers head should be dropped back and arms will also be extended backward. The dancer should almost be able to touch the floor with their hands.

Pivot Step – This simple step occurs when one foot steps in front of the other and then the dancers’ body pivots around back into the original position.

Release – When a jazz dancer releases into a free form from an isolated pose, this is called a release.

Stag Leap - As its name implies, the stag leap is a very high jump during which the dancer simulates splits in the air. One leg is bent and the dancers’ foot is tucked under their knee.

About Wagner Dance and Music

Since 1989, Wagner Dance and Music, a performing arts school, has been teaching East Valley students. Our 3600 square foot Gilbert facility is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in the Big Lots plaza. We offer classes for ages two to adult in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer, Musical Theater and Voice as well as adult classes. For more information about Wagner Dance and Music or to sign up for a class, visit http://wagnerdancearts.com or call 480-892-7179.

The Importance of Warming Up Before Dancing

The warm-up is one of the most important steps you’ll ever learn in a dance class. Actually, it is an extremely important element of any exercise program.

The object of a warm-up is to is to not only raise your body and muscle temperature, but to prepare your entire body for the vigorous activity that you are about to partake. A proper warm-up can prevent injury and physical fatigue.

During any dance practice or performance, your body needs to work hard to perform at a high level of stress. Warm-ups prepare your body for this increase in energy demand.

A dance warm-up should include basic rhythmical movements for approximately ten minutes. This activity will raise your internal body temperature approximately one or two degrees. It will also increase your heart rate and the blood flow to your muscles. Following this warm-up, you’ll want to stretch.

There is an important difference in warming up and stretching that many people confuse. Warming up is done before any stretching exercises. If a dancer stretches the muscles without warming up first, their muscles are cold and are more prone to injury. They could be subject to muscle tears or strains.

So, once your warm-up is completed, you’ll want to include static stretches to stretch the major muscle groups. You’ll want to hold each position for up to ten seconds while slowly breathing. It is important not to bounce or stretch to the point of inducing pain.

Warm-Up Intensity & Duration

While it’s difficult to prescribe the specific intensity and duration necessary for each individual, most dance instructors and industry professional agree that a ten minute session of warm-up activities helps prepare the dancers body. Of course, the duration may be affected by environmental factors such as the temperature of the room and the amount of clothing worn.

The level of intensity the dancer will be performing as well as the dancers proficiency level will greatly affect the level of intensity for the warm-up. A professional dance instructor should be able to guide you to the proper warm-up procedures and intensity levels based on your own proficiency level.

As important to dance is the warm-up, the cool down is essential as well. To cool down after dancing, gradually reduce the intensity of your activity for ten minutes. During this time, it’s important to remobilize joints to help flush out waste products and to perform major muscle group stretches, holding for fifteen seconds.
The practice of cooling down decreases your body’s temperature and removes waste products from the working muscles to aid in your recovery. Cool downs prevents such symptoms as light-headedness and dizziness which can be caused by the pooling of blood in your extremities. Cool downs also prevent muscle soreness and promotes relaxation.

About Wagner Dance and Music

Since 1989, Wagner Dance and Music, a performing arts school, has been teaching East Valley students. Our 3600 square foot Gilbert facility is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in the Big Lots plaza. We offer classes for ages two to adult in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer, Musical Theater and Voice as well as adult classes. For more information about Wagner Dance and Music or to sign up for a class, visit http://wagnerdancearts.com or call 480-892-7179.

Tap Dance Songs

Tap dancing requires rhythmic movements and taps. Songs with syncopated rhythms or just stead rhythms, or songs that are relatively slow are good songs for beginning tap dancers to learn how to tap dance.

Tap dancing is a style of dance where the dancer almost exclusively utilizes his or her feet to tell their musical story. Because the upper part of the dancers body does not move much, the rhythmic patterns emulating from the metal plates on the dancers shoes draws the attention. The sound that tap shoes makes is similar to that made by percussionists.

For those who have watched many dance recitals, famous tap dancers and even movie stars who have tapped danced on stage, some of the popular tap dance songs you’re sure to have heard are:

• Tea For Two by Ella Fitzgerald & Count Basie
• Yes Sir, That’s My Baby by Frank Sinatra
• By Bye Blackbird – John Coltrane & Miles Davis
• It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got that Swing by Duke Ellington
• Zoot Suit Riot – Cherry PoppinDaddys

Selecting a tap dance song for your recital or talent show performance is easy to do. There are literally hundreds of songs that can be used for tap dancing. Even songs with rapid beats can be tapped to. The trick is to not necessarily tap on every rapid beat, but to tap on off points or in a rhythm that works between the beats of the song.

Tap dancing requires more than dancing to the music. As a tap dancer, you are actually making music. Keeping in time with the music, no matter what tap dance song you select, can make or break your performance. It is more important to not get carried away with your own tapping sounds and to actually listen to the music and move within time to the beat. The key to mesmerizing your audience is to have your tap sounds compliment the rhythm of the music, not compete with it!

A Tip for Tap Dancers

Making tap dancing look easy is actually extremely difficult! But, there’s one tap dancing secret that can help beginners and professional alike, if they just remember this one thing. Relax your ankles! Your legs are what should be doing all the work. Having control of your hips, thighs, and calves and limiting the movement from your ankles will make your movements appear effortless. Allow your legs to do all of the work and let your feet just follow along! Happy Tapping!!

About Wagner Dance and Music

Since 1989, Wagner Dance and Music, a performing arts school, has been teaching East Valley students. Our 3600 square foot Gilbert facility is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in the Big Lots plaza. We offer classes for ages two to adult in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer, Musical Theater and Voice as well as adult classes. For more information about Wagner Dance and Music or to sign up for a class, visit http://wagnerdancearts.com or call 480-892-7179.

Classic Hip Hop Dance Moves

As hiphop dancing takes the country by storm, some classic moves have been created. Let’s take a look at some of the more famous hiphop moves over time:

“The Dougie” –This dance is from the song “Teach Me How to Dougie” by Cali Swag District. While there are many variations of how to do “The Dougie”, here are some of the basic steps to the dance: Sway to one side and pause for a beat while putting your weight on the foot on the side you’re leaning towards. As you continue to sway, your arms should be by your side bringing them up towards you in a fist in a counter-clockwise circular motion, one at a time, until your arm is bent with your elbow facing down and your fist up by your head. Next, perfect the wheelchair move. To complete this move, with both arms, make forward circles to your sides while crouching lower with each rotation. Then finally, add the signature style of “The Dougie”, bring your hand over the top of your head and slide if off the back, like you’re slicking your hair down. Do this with the side-to-side move. Shift your shoulders side to side and then do it with the other hand. And, finally, don’t forget to be loose with your knees; otherwise you’re going to look very stiff.

“Stanky Legg” – This dance step is probably the easiest of all hip hop dance moves. The movement involves the rotating the dancers’ leg in a circular motion and then alternating to the opposite leg. It also utilizes moves from “The Dougie”.

“Cupid Shuffle” – Back in 2007, this song peaked at number sixty-six on the Billboard Hot 100 and number twenty-one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song was sung by the hip hop artist Cupid. This is a simple dance. First step four times to the right, then step four times to the left. Next, put your heal of right foot to the floor, then repeat with your left leg. Repeat this twice for each leg. Then, just walk in place, but turn to the left while doing so, so that when you get to the next part, you’re facing the next wall. You can also turn and shake your hips to the beat. Repeat the dance steps for each direction you’re facing. If you do this four times you’ll make a complete circle.

“Chicken Noodle Soup” – This dance requires dancers to make exaggerated shuffling movements, arm swings and perform a pantomime of the song’s lyrics. Apparently it stems from other New York-based street dances like the “Harlem Shake”.

This song was released back in the dance craze days of 2006. The dance itself can be done in many different ways because each dancer adds their own personal flair. The basic steps begin with the dancers following the initial lyrics from the accompanying song. As the words “Let it rain and clear it out” is said, the dancer then makes raining motions with their hands. This motion is the same as jazz hands combined with having the dancers arms bent in a vertical position while slowly lowering their arms. This is done three times before the main part of the dance begins.

The next step is to move both arms from the front of the dancers’ body to the back while bouncing off of each foot from side to side. These die to side movements of the legs followed by the flailing of the arms to match the corresponding feet movement can create sheer havoc!

“Walk it Out” – The “Walk it Out” dance begins as an exaggerated walk where each of the dancers steps feature pivoting on the balls of their feet. The dancer should keep their knees bent and their heels off the ground. As the dancer takes a step forward with their left foot, both feet should pivot to the right and then to the left. Then, as the dancer steps forward with their right foot, both feet should pivot to the left and right. Then, by adding some hip movements and keeping their knees bent, the dancer has successfully completed the “Walk it Out”!

About Wagner Dance and Music

Since 1989, Wagner Dance and Music, a performing arts school, has been teaching East Valley students. Our 3600 square foot Gilbert facility is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in the Big Lots plaza. We offer classes for ages two to adult in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer, Musical Theater and Voice as well as adult classes. For more information about Wagner Dance and Music or to sign up for a class, visit http://wagnerdancearts.com or call 480-892-7179.

Piano Lessons for Children

Many parents wonder when to start piano lessons for children. Although adults can start any instrument at any time, their success is based on how willing they are to commit to practicing. However, starting a child at the right age is a key element to the success of their lessons.

At most dance and music schools, three is the youngest age that it is acceptable to start children in private piano lessons. At this age, they have begun to develop longer attention spans and can retain material with greater ease.

Benefits of Private Piano Lessons

While group classes work well for pre-school music programs and theory lesson, private lessons are far superior when a child is learning to play the piano, or any instrument for that matter. Private piano lessons allow each student to learn and grow in their craft at their own pace. Because the attention is focused and individualized, the teacher does not have to teach a class at a middle-of-the-road level, but has the time to work on the student’s specific, individual strengths and weaknesses. Teachers also enjoy private lessons because they do not have to divide their attention between too many students at one time.

Practice Makes Perfect

The old adage, practice makes perfect comes into play when talking about piano lessons. In order to improve this type of skill, it takes practice. One of the main problems with children and music lessons can be the drudgery of practicing. Many a parent has fought to get their child to practice the piano every day. To make practicing easier, here are a few tips:

1. Piano practice should be done at a set time every day so that, just like brushing their teeth or going to school, it becomes part of their routine.
2. The earlier in the day the child practices their piano lessons, the less reminding is required by parents.
3. Twenty to thirty minutes of piano practice can seem like an eternity to a child. Instead of setting this type of practice guideline, use the repetition method instead. For example, have your child practice one particular piece four or five times every day and this scale for or five times too.
4. Praise is a huge motivator. Parents who reward their children with praise following a piano lesson or practice often find that the music student is more willing to perform and to practice. There is no substitute for a part on the back for putting in the effort. The child benefits by enhancing their performance techniques and their piano playing skills.

About Wagner Dance and Music

Since 1989, Wagner Dance and Music, a performing arts school, has been teaching East Valley students. Our 3600 square foot Gilbert facility is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in the Big Lots plaza. We offer classes for ages two to adult in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer, Musical Theater and Voice as well as adult classes. For more information about Wagner Dance and Music or to sign up for a class, visit http://wagnerdancearts.com or call 480-892-7179.

Guitar Lessons for Children

Most dance and music studios recommend children starting guitar lessons be no younger than five years of age. Playing guitar requires a fair amount of strength in the fingers for pressing on the strings. Children under eight generally have small hands and may find playing the guitar uncomfortable.

Although some people will advise you, “the sooner the better” when talking about guitar lessons for children. This attitude can actually have a negative effect on the child’s musical career or overall musical enjoyment. If a child is put into guitar lessons too soon, they may feel overwhelmed and frustrated. The last thing you would want to do is to turn a child off to music. An unpleasant experience can easily be prevented by waiting until the appropriate age before starting guitar lessons.

Another benefit to waiting until your child is of the appropriate age for guitar lessons is that sometimes if the child waits just one year, their progress can be much faster.

The biggest challenges a child must overcome when learning to play the guitar are developing hand strength and their fine motor skills. Playing chords on the guitar requires nimble fingers and the strength to hold the strings down while strumming.

Names of Guitar Strings

One of the first things a child will learn when taking guitar lessons is that every note on the guitar has a name that is represented by a letter. In order to read music and make sense of the strings, a child taking guitar lessons can use this acronym to memorize the strings – Every Adult Dog Growls, Barks, Eats. The first letter of each word of this acronym represents one of the strings. From the thickest to the thinnest strings, they are named E, A, D, G, B and E again.

Guitar teachers will often have a student say the name of each string out loud as they play that string. As the guitar lessons progress, the teacher may point to a string and have the student name it as quickly as possible.

A Qualified Guitar Teacher

Learning music is not just a matter of having a qualified music teacher but also having an environment that is focused on music education. In a professional music school environment, a student cannot be distracted by the television, pets, ringing phone, siblings, or anything else. In a music school, the lessons are not just a hobby for the music teach, but a responsibility which is taken very seriously.
Music should be something that you enjoy for a lifetime. Don’t put unrealistic expectations on yourself or your children to learn too quickly. Everyone learns at a different pace and ideally, the key is to enjoy the journey.

About Wagner Dance and Music

Since 1989, Wagner Dance and Music, a performing arts school, has been teaching East Valley students. Our 3600 square foot Gilbert facility is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in the Big Lots plaza. We offer classes for ages two to adult in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer, Musical Theater and Voice as well as adult classes. For more information about Wagner Dance and Music or to sign up for a class, visit http://wagnerdancearts.com or call 480-892-7179.

Does Your Child want to be a Professional Singer?

Television shows like “The Voice” and “American Idol” are great reality shows for inspiring children. Watching other people, just like them; compete to win a singing competition can show your child that anything is possible. The best part of shows like these is that some of these singers will go on to have long, professional singing careers and make a lucrative living doing something they love to do. It’s a dream many children have.

Making the Dream a Reality

Once your child has been bitten by the singing bug, as a parent, it’s your role to encourage, motivate and provide them with the guidance and education needed to succeed. So, where do you start?

First, find a music studio in your area that offers private voice lessons. This type of one-on-one instruction allows students to progress at their own pace and gain the best understanding of musical techniques. Private voice lessons can be started as young as five years of age. These lessons can begin any time of the year or month, so there’s no need to wait to get started.

The singing coach you select should be a university trained teacher to guarantee that they are highly qualified. Additionally, if the music teacher you select has extensive performance experience, they will be better suited to passing that personal experience on to their students.

A voice teacher should also be selected based on their ability to communicate effectively with your child. The teacher should strive to relate their teaching to each individual student’s learning style, level of achievement, and personal singing style.


Voice teachers should create a customized lesson plan for their students. No two students will learn alike, or be on the same path or at the same level, so it is imperative that the teacher develop a music program that’s right for your child.

To become a professional singer, it must be something that your child is really motivated to accomplish. You and your child should begin seeking out opportunities for them to sing in public – be it in a school choir, in a local band, or at church.

Start Recording

With today’s advanced technology and having access to the internet, parents and children alike certainly have advantages over the singers of yesteryear! Previously, singers and other types of performers had to be discovered in a club or other venue. Today, a singer can make a recording on their smart phone and upload that file to the internet in minutes.

YouTube has led numerous young, aspiring musicians to fame, including Justin Bieber. Uploading your child’s performance to YouTube or other social media sharing sites can potentially get your child in front of talent scouts and launch the music career of their dreams.

These are just a few tips to get your and your child moving toward his or her dream as a professional singer. For more information about private voice lessons contact Wagner Dance and Music.

About Wagner Dance and Music

Since 1989, Wagner Dance and Music, a performing arts school, has been teaching East Valley students. Our 3600 square foot Gilbert facility is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in the Big Lots plaza. We offer classes for ages two to adult in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer, Musical Theater and Voice as well as adult classes. For more information about Wagner Dance and Music or to sign up for a class, visit http://wagnerdancearts.com or call 480-892-7179.

Dancing Without Injury

Even the most athletic, well-trained dancers face the possibility of injury when dancing. Last month Dorothy Hamill, an Olympic figure skating legend withdrew from the ABC television network’s “Dancing With the Stars” because of an injury.

Dancing is a physically demanding sport. Yes, it’s a sport. As surprising as it sounds, dancers are as susceptible to a sports related injury as football players. Professional dancers face the threat of injury due to the overuse of their muscles and the repetitive movements that dance requires.

Dancers need to be extremely flexible, have superior strength and endurance to perform regularly. However, because of this, their feet, ankles and lower legs are susceptible to strains and sprains. More serious injuries can include tendon injuries and stress fractures. In some cases, these injuries may require surgery to repair the damaged tendons.

Proper Dance Instruction

Dance instructors play a big part in preventing dance injuries. From the get-go, dance students should be educated in a safe and professional environment by a qualified dance instructor. Dance teachers should advise students based on their level of proficiency, abilities and age. Only when a student is ready, should a dance instructor move them to the next level of dance.

A professional dance teacher will be able to teach their dance students how to keep their body healthy and to have fun in the process. In this next section, “What a Dancer Should Know”, we’ll discuss some of the things a dance instructor will teach a child during a dance class.

What a Dancer Should Know

As dancers age, the likelihood of injury increases which makes it that much more important to stress to younger dancers what they can do to avoid dancing injuries. Young dancers should learn about proper warm-ups and cool-downs, wear properly fitting footwear and clothing, correct body alignment and technique, sufficient hydration, and the correct duration for training. Dancers who overwork their body can have a detrimental effect. A dancer should know their body’s limits and not push too hard, too soon. A dancer even needs to pay attention to environmental conditions. Dancing on a hard floor or in a cold studio can affect the dancer’s performance and put undue stress on their body.

What to Do About a Dance Injury

Should an injury occur when dancing, the student should seek professional medical care. A doctor can make recommendations for rest, physical therapy or in the worst cases, surgery. Any injury should be taken seriously and be evaluated. Additionally, only after clearance is granted by a doctor should a dancer resume practice.

About Wagner Dance and Music

Since 1989, Wagner Dance and Music, a performing arts school, has been teaching East Valley students. Our 3600 square foot Gilbert facility is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in the Big Lots plaza. We offer classes for ages two to adult in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer, Musical Theater and Voice as well as adult classes. For more information about Wagner Dance and Music or to sign up for a class, visit http://wagnerdancearts.com or call 480-892-7179.

How to Help Your Child Become a Singer

Since a child could talk, he or she has been belting out lyrics to popular songs on the radio. Does that sound familiar? Maybe like you’re child? Perhaps your child is a bit older and has expressed an interest to become a rich and famous chart topping singer? So, how do you help them achieve their goal, or help them discover if a singing career is really for them?

First, your child must learn how to sing. Obviously, this is the foundation of any career as a singer. While there are some performers that are indeed making a career more out of their performing, than their singing, most great singers have well-crafted their singing talent.

As your child grows, their voices will mature and their personal styles will begin to develop. Have your child discuss with you who the singers are that they admire and why. What type of music do they sing? See if you both can learn how their favorite singers become popular. Look at the type of audience that follows that particular singer. Also, have your child tell you what the artists’ signature style is. Having your child see a performer for their individual talents, look and sound will help them see how everyone is different and help them learn that they should develop their own style as well.

Becoming a famous singer may be a pipe dream for some children; however, singing and performing in public can be a self-confidence building activity. Even if your child never achieves a hit on the top ten charts, the lessons he or she will learn by performing are invaluable life lessons.

If your child has stage fright, a music studio teacher can help them get over their fears. By giving your child some practical experience singing wherever and whenever they get a change to do so in front of a group of people, is the best way to build self-confidence.

No matter where they are in their singing abilities, a voice coach can help your child hone their skills. A vocal coach will teach your child how to breathe properly so that they have full voice support. With a voice coach, students can extend their vocal ranges and abilities giving them further confidence as a performer.

Finding a music studio that provide singing lessons for children may be a bit of a challenge; however, ask friends, search the internet and check with your child’s school teachers.

About Wagner Dance and Music

Since 1989, Wagner Dance and Music, a performing arts school, has been teaching East Valley students. Our 3600 square foot Gilbert facility is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in the Big Lots plaza. We offer classes for ages two to adult in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer, Musical Theater and Voice as well as adult classes. For more information about Wagner Dance and Music or to sign up for a class, visit http://wagnerdancearts.com or call 480-892-7179.

Piano Lessons for Children - What to Expect

Learning how to play the piano is a skill that can provide joy and enrichment for a lifetime. One of the most enjoyable parts of learning how to play the piano is the opportunity to perform in front of others.

In the first lesson, the piano teacher will ask questions and start with exercises that help gauge the student's interests, musical capabilities, and goals for piano lessons. With younger students, the teacher may play copycat games, where the teacher plays short patterns and asks the student to imitate them.

The student will be assigned exercises that build skills like finger dexterity, identification of the fingers by number, rhythm, connecting one note to the next, and correct hand position. With these skills the student will be ready to learn simple melodies by ear. Note reading comes next, starting with identifying notes by letter on a page, and then learning to identify the same notes on the keyboard. Five-note scales may be introduced at this point, first with the hands separately and then together.

As the student advances and is ready to start working on pieces, the structure of lessons will begin to vary depending on the student's musical preferences. A student wishing to learn popular music, for instance, might begin learning to read chord charts and learning chord progressions rather than focusing on reading sheet music. For classical piano, scales and arpeggios along with music theory will be important tools for learning repertoire.

In a lesson, the teacher will listen for correct notes and expression, and help the student learn to adjust their hand position or fingering so that the notes flow easily without straining the hands or wrists. No matter the style or level, the piano teacher will encourage the student to listen to recordings and attend live performances. Listening can help in every aspect of learning, from learning notes to enhancing expression to developing musical taste.

Piano lessons can be started at almost any age. Each student will progress differently depending on their age and previous musical experience. Very young students might stay at a beginner level for several years, as the physical coordination and cognitive skills required to play the piano are still developing. For an older student, it might take a year or so for a student with no previous musical experience to become comfortable with music reading, playing with the hands together, and playing chords in addition to melodies. Don't be discouraged if progress seems slow at first.

Learning how to play a musical instrument is an exciting activity. A great piano teacher will make sure that your child’s piano lessons are fun and will provide positive feedback and praise.

About Wagner Dance and Music

Since 1989, Wagner Dance and Music, a performing arts school, has been teaching East Valley students. Our 3600 square foot Gilbert facility is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in the Big Lots plaza. We offer classes for ages two to adult in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer, Musical Theater and Voice as well as adult classes. For more information about Wagner Dance and Music or to sign up for a class, visit http://wagnerdancearts.com or call 480-892-7179.

Is Your Child Interesting in Learning How to Play the Guitar?

The guitar is one of the most popular instruments students want to learn how to play. One of the interesting things about playing a guitar is that it can be used to play almost any type of music, from classical to rock to folk to jazz and blues.

A student can start on any type of guitar, so it is generally useful to pick the type that corresponds to the type of music the student is most interested in be it classical for classical, electric or acoustic for rock, and acoustic for jazz and blues. Your child’s guitar teacher can make recommendations to help with your selection.

A few important things to keep in mind when selecting a guitar are: has it been inspected and adjusted for playability, tuning, and tone production? Also, important is to select the appropriate size and to selecting the type of wood and finish the student prefers. It's best to try out several guitars and rely on the experience of playing them more than on price or brand name.

Beginning guitar lessons start with learning the names of the parts of the guitar, how to hold the guitar properly, and the names of the open strings, how to tune them, and how to hold and use a pick.

Once these basic skills are mastered, the student is ready to learn some scales and simple songs using a few basic chords. As the lessons progress the teacher will focus on having the student practice exercises that strengthen the fingers on the fretting hand, the hand that presses on the neck of the guitar to form chords, learning new chords and songs, and learning basic strumming patterns. Maintaining a steady rhythm while changing chords will be important to learn before moving on to more advanced techniques like chords where one finger covers multiple strings at once, finger picking or strumming individual notes or chords with the fingers of the picking hand rather than using a pick, and more advanced techniques and different ways of picking one note then playing another without re-picking.

Throughout these stages of technique the student will be learning songs appropriate to their level in different styles. The student will soon be ready to branch out into the style that most interests them.

Learning the guitar can be tough at first, but once a few basic techniques are mastered, progress happens fairly quickly. Within a year or so the average student can reach an intermediate level and has learned enough to play and improvise in several styles. With a little patience and practice, learning how to play the guitar can be an extremely rewarding experience.

About Wagner Dance and Music

Since 1989, Wagner Dance and Music, a performing arts school, has been teaching East Valley students. Our 3600 square foot Gilbert facility is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in the Big Lots plaza. We offer classes for ages two to adult in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer, Musical Theater and Voice as well as adult classes. For more information about Wagner Dance and Music or to sign up for a class, visit http://wagnerdancearts.com or call 480-892-7179.

Different Styles of Dance

For those that really love to dance, it’s hard to choose a favorite style; however, most student dancers will hone their skills towards one particular style. Before making that decision, many students will take several different classes to find the one that they really love.

Ballet Dancing
Ballet serves as a backbone for many other styles of dance in that these other dance styles are based on the fundamentals of ballet. Ballet techniques have been developed over centuries and incorporate music and dance together to tell a story. Often performers will transport their audience to another world as they watch the dance unfold, like a good book.

Tap Dancing
Tap dancers create rhythmic patterns and tap out beats with their feet. Tap dancing is a very exciting form of dance that comes to life with metal taps attached to special shoes. Often young children will be drawn to the sound of the clicky-clack of a tap dancers shoe and will want to give this dance style a whirl.

Hip-Hop Dancing
Many popular movies have been made in the last ten years that featured hip-hop dancers. Hip-hop includes energetic moves including breaking, popping, locking, and krumping. Hip-hop dancers usually dance to much that evolved from the hip-hop culture. An important part of any good hip-hop dancers’ routine is to incorporate improvisation and personal interpretation of the music.

Jazz Dancing
Many jazz dancers express themselves through this form of dance by adding their own artistic style into their dance. Jazz is an entertaining dance style that relies heavily on personal expression and interpretation of the music into body movements. Bold dramatic movements and body isolations are key to a good performance.

If you are considering having your child take dance lessons to learn how to dance, selecting a style can be a tough decision. The age of the student, interests, and music selection typically associated with a particular dance style, can help narrow down your options.

Many people become inspired to learn how to dance after seeing a performance, movie or someone simply dancing on a dance floor. Be sure that you and your son or daughter visits the dance studio in which you are thinking of enrolling your child. Often they will be enthralled with a class currently in session and your decision will be an easy one!

In the long run, if you still don’t know what type of style to select, the best thing to do is experiment. If you can’t make up your mind between two types, have you child try one or both of them! Your child will never really know until they try it. You may be surprised what kind of dancing best suits them!

About Wagner Dance and Music

Since 1989, Wagner Dance and Music, a performing arts school, has been teaching East Valley students. Our 3600 square foot Gilbert facility is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in the Big Lots plaza. We offer classes for ages two to adult in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer, Musical Theater and Voice as well as adult classes. For more information about Wagner Dance and Music or to sign up for a class, visit http://wagnerdancearts.com or call 480-892-7179.

Setting Realistic Expectations for Dance Students

Learning how to dance can be a magical time for both students and their parents. Together, they can celebrate special moments as the child progresses through their dance lessons. Learning new steps or dance techniques and performing in public are all events to be acknowledged. However, pushing a child to continue dance lessons when they have no interest, or pushing them to achieve to a certain level at an accelerated pace are all setting the student up for failure.

Let’s take a step back and look at the process of learning how to dance. Once a professional dance studio has been selected, the parents, student and dance instructor can discuss a schedule and training that fits thee child best. Selecting a style of dance in which the child is interested as well as one that has music that makes them feel good will aid in their success.

As their lessons progress, parents will soon see that there will be physical progress in the execution of their child’s dance technique. The parents should understand that learning to develop dance techniques as well as performance choreography are an important parts of the students training; however, the development of a positive outlook on his or her unique movement abilities and developing a positive body image are key aspects to dance training.

Dance students should be focused on attending the dance classes to learn and to take on the responsibility of being a good student. Some noteworthy points students should take into account are that:

• Students are expected to make every effort to regularly attend all classes and to be on time.
• Students are expected to put forth their best effort and attitude in all dance classes.
• Students are expected to be well rested and well-nourished for each day.
• Students, and parents, must adopt a realistic idea of how much activity provides for a quality, non-injurious dance training regimen.

In return for the efforts of the parent and student, dance instructors should be highly qualified to teach students. The dance teacher should hold a degree in dance, be certified to teach dance, or have danced with a professional company.

The dance studio itself should be a warm and inviting place. The floors should be cushioned to absorb the shock of jumping and the studio should be clean and well-maintained. Additionally, in an effort to give students a chance to refine their skills, the dance studio staff should concentrate on seeking and offering performance opportunities locally and out of state for students of all ages and abilities.

Learning how to dance requires the efforts of not just the student, but the dance instructor, the dance studio staff and the parents. Each party should know what is expected of them in this equation so that they can all celebrate their achievements together.

About Wagner Dance and Music

Since 1989, Wagner Dance and Music, a performing arts school, has been teaching East Valley students. Our 3600 square foot Gilbert facility is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in the Big Lots plaza. We offer classes for ages two to adult in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer, Musical Theater and Voice as well as adult classes. For more information about Wagner Dance and Music or to sign up for a class, visit http://wagnerdancearts.com or call 480-892-7179.

Different Types of Dance Shoes

Dance shoes are very different from regular street shoes.Dance shoes of all types are designed to be lighter and fit the dancer’s foot snugly. Dance shoes provide support and balance as well as protection from the shock of movements across the floor.Each kind of dance shoe tends to be used for one specific kind of dance.

Here are some of the more commonly worn dance shoes:

Tap Shoes

Tap shoes are available in a variety of shapes, styles and colors. Tap shoes are generally made of four materials including leather, canvas, wood and plastic. Young tapers typically begin with Mary Jane style of tap shoes. More experienced dancers typically prefer flat leather oxford tap shoes. Tap shoes with heels are also available. These tend to be a little more difficult to balance on because they put more weight on the ball of the foot and the toes. More advanced dancers usually opt for split-sole jazz tap shoes, which allow more flexibility for performing advanced tap steps.

Jazz Shoes

Jazz shoes are a type of dancing shoe which is manufactured in both low-rise and high-rise styles. The shoes are intended to provide dancers with the necessary foot flexibility to make the required dance moves on stage. Some shoes come with a rubber sole that offers extra cushioning and absorbs the shock during jumps and other advanced moves. Most jazz shoes are made of leather or canvas and are available as slip-ons or with shoelaces. Some jazz shoes may be more flexible than others and have split-soles, which will make it easier to ben and flex your toes.

Ballet Shoes

Pointe shoes are a type of shoe worn by ballet dancers when performing pointe work. Point shoes developed from the desire for dancers to appear weightless and have evolved to enable dances to dance “en pointe” or on the tips of their toes for extended periods of time. They are normally worn by female dancers; however, male dancers may wear them when men are performing as women in dance companies. They are manufactured in variety of colors, most commonly in shades of light pink.

Ballroom Dance Shoes

Ballroom dance shoes can be worn for Latin ballroom dance, Salsa and Swing dancing. This type of shoe will have a thinner sole than normal street shoes. Most dancing shoes have a steel shank for support and are manufactured using flexible and lightweight material. Ballroom dance shoes should fit snugly, but not be toe-crushing. Slim heels for women make turning and moving easier; however, flared heels are preferred for the Latin dances because they provide more stability. Non-slip soles are essential; however, rubber sneaker-like soles can stick to the floor and cause knee injuries, and leather soles can slide too much.

Having the right footwear for the dance style you will be dancing is essential to prevent injuries and to perform at your best.

About Wagner Dance and Music

Since 1989, Wagner Dance and Music, a performing arts school, has been teaching East Valley students. Our 3600 square foot Gilbert facility is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in the Big Lots plaza. We offer classes for ages two to adult in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer, Musical Theater and Voice as well as adult classes. For more information about Wagner Dance and Music or to sign up for a class, visit http://wagnerdancearts.com or call 480-892-7179.

Are You Thinking About Talking Singing or Voice Lessons?

Learning to sing can be an immensely rewarding experience. Unlike any other instrument, your voice is part of you and learning to use it well opens up virtually limitless possibilities for self-expression.

Private voice lessons will enable you to learn all the essentials to singing at your best. Some key elements to learn how to sing are learning:

• The proper breathing techniques including breath support, relaxation and projection.
• How to increase your vocal range, volume, resonance, diction.
• How to warm up.
• How to strengthen your voice.

At typical voice lesson begins with exercises which will get you ready to work on moving up and down your vocal range. You will practice vowel sounds and proper breathing techniques. Lip trills, in which the student sings notes while making a “trilling” noise with the lips pressed together may also, be part of a warm-up. This exercise helps engage the diaphragm in breathing and teaches breath control. Another warm-up exercise would be where the student emphasizes each vowel sound, a, e, I, o, and u; however, they are pronounced ah, eh, ee, oh, ooh.

Once the warm-up is finished, the lesson will progress on in different fashions depending on the style of music the student would like to learn and how much musical experience they have already had. If the student doesn’t read music, for instance, the voice teacher may work on the basics of music theory while the student learns to sing by ear.

Whatever style of music the student selects, in the repertoire portion of a lesson they student will learn the melody of the song, how to sing it in the best way for their voice, and how to make the emotional aspects of the song shine through.

Perfecting the expression of a piece of music is an important part of learning to connect with an audience. Every style of music involves a bit of acting and using your facial expression and body posture in addition to volume and tone of your voice to make the feeling of the music more clear. Additionally, in every style a good voice teacher will teach you the most important lesson of all – to listen! Listening to recordings of great musicians and attending live performances will aid in every aspect of learning how to sing.

Whether you are a complete beginner who wants to learn the basics of how to sing correctly or an experienced singer looking for a voice coach to take you to the next level , Wagner Dance and Music can provide you the instruction you need.

About Wagner Dance and Music

Since 1989, Wagner Dance and Music, a performing arts school, has been teaching East Valley students. Our 3600 square foot Gilbert facility is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in the Big Lots plaza. We offer classes for ages two to adult in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer, Musical Theater and Voice as well as adult classes. For more information about Wagner Dance and Music or to sign up for a class, visit http://wagnerdancearts.com or call 480-892-7179.

All Dance and Music Studios Are Not the Same

There are many options to choose from when looking for a dance studio for children in Arizona, although proximity is not necessarily the best way to choose a dance studio. In the East Valley; however, the choice is clear – Wagner Dance and Music. Here’s why: At Wagner Dance and Music our focus is on our students. We are continually improving classes, our instructors and our facilities.

Qualities of a Good Dance Studio

If your son or daughter is interested in taking dance lessons, here are a few things to be on the lookout for when selecting a studio:

1. Some dance studios are commercial in nature, or their focus is more on fun and recreation. Class sizes at these types of studios are typically large and their focus is solely on the annual recital. However, if you want your child to learn proper technique and receive quality instruction, you should seek out a professional dance studio with smaller classes and qualified instructors.
2. So, let’s talk about class size. The fewer students in your child’s dance class, the more individual attention your child will receive. A teacher can better manage and maintain control over a smaller class. Every dancer in a dance class deserves proper instruction and if he or she has a question, or need additional help, it’s important that the dance teacher is available to give that one-on-one attention.
3. Let’s face it, all dance studios aren’t alike and neither are the dance instructors. Your child’s dance instructor will make or break the success and the attitude of their students. Bad habits learned at a young age can be hard to break. Injuries can happen if proper technique isn’t taught and motivation of students can drop off if the dance teacher doesn’t know how to work with his or her students.
4. A good dance studio is built from the ground up, and that includes the dance floor! Dancing on the wrong type of floor can cause undue stress on bones and joints, especially for ballet dancers doing leaps and jumps. A professional dance floor is one that’s well-cushioned to absorb the shock of jumping. If the studio you’re looking at has a concrete floor – just walk out!
5. Your dance studio should always be providing their students and parents with the best experience possible. At Wagner Dance and Music, we are dedicated to quality performing arts education with a commitment to developing confidence and self-esteem for students of all ages.

About Wagner Dance and Music

Since 1989, Wagner Dance and Music, a performing arts school, has been teaching East Valley students. Our 3600 square foot Gilbert facility is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in the Big Lots plaza. We offer classes for ages two to adult in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer, Musical Theater and Voice as well as adult classes. For more information about Wagner Dance and Music or to sign up for a class, visit http://wagnerdancearts.com or call 480-892-7179.

Christmas Dance Performances

As the year winds down and the hustle and bustle of last minute shopping goes into full gear, many families are attending Christmas dance performances.  These events can be an enriching experience for the whole family.  Watching a dance performance, together as a family, helps the family unit bond through this shared experience.  Many Christmas performances are so enthralling even the email and social media addicts will put down their phones to watch the show. 

There are many options for families to attend Christmas dance performances.  Some get tickets to the ballet to see the Nutcracker while others may attend a local church or dance studio performance.  Some families are lucky enough to attend their own child’s Christmas dance performance, one the child and parents are sure to remember for years to come. 

These performances give the child a chance to show off newly learned skills and dance combinations.  The parents and siblings are given an opportunity to see how much their child, or brother or sister, has learned and to praise them for their efforts.

In general, dance is a powerful ally for developing many of the attributes of a growing child.  Dance helps children mature physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively.  The physical benefits of dance are widely accepted, but the emotional, social and cognitive attributes have only recently begun to be appreciated.

Through dance, students learn to create their own success by letting go of fear and releasing their natural self-expression.  Students gain confidence, learn to think on their feet (literally!), expand creativity, improve social skills, and become more comfortable managing new situations and transitions in their own lives.

Performances, such as Christmas dance performances benefit children in that the event enables them to see how their hard work has paid off.  Their own success and the success of working with their peers will well up inside of them as they receive applause for their performance, even cheers from the audience, and then possibly receiving flowers and words of praise afterwards – all are self-confidence building moments.

The dance students learn that through practice they are able to achieve so much more than they initially thought possible.  Dance lessons teach students that nothing worth having comes easy.  Learning to dance takes many hours of dedication, hard work and sweat equity.  Dancers, like anyone learning a new skill, may become frustrated that they cannot master a particularly hard move or dance combination.  But, with practice, they are able to see how over time, they are able to master even the hardest steps.  The benefit a child receives in applying themselves through practice to learn a new skill can carry on throughout their lives and throughout other areas of interest.  Now that they have mastered one skill, the world is their oyster. 

About Wagner Dance and Music
Since 1989, Wagner Dance and Music, a performing arts school, has been teaching East Valley students. Our 3600 square foot Gilbert facility is conveniently located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in the Big Lots plaza. We offer classes for ages 2 to adult in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer, Musical Theater and Voice as well as adult classes.  For more information about Student Appreciation Day or to sign up for a class, visit http://wagnerdancearts.com or call 480-892-7179.