Hello, %contact_first_name%!

Welcome to the February 23, 2026 issue of The Navigator. This is your weekly 3-minute studio update. 

PERFORMANCE HUB

In-Studio Run-Through | May 16

Saturday, May 16, all Sparkle and Ripple students will participate in an in-studio run-through of the Spring Performance at Pure Dance Works.

In-studio run-through is required for all performing students. 

We will make rare exceptions for major life events such as weddings, confirmations, etc. An absence must be requested and excused by the office ahead of time. 

Assistants dancing on stage with a younger class and lead roles must attend the In-Studio Run-Through and practice all dances they will perform on stage.

Please visit the Performance Hub > In-Studio Run-Through for complete details including call times and estimated dismissal times by class.
 

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS | Performance Philosophy

In the spring, many dance studios put on a recital. 

At Pure Dance Works, “recital” is a bad word. 

Instead, we put on a story performance. 

What’s the difference? I’m glad you asked!

Of course, I’m speaking somewhat tongue in cheek, but you will never hear me refer to our performance as “recitals.” 

The Pure Dance Works definitions of these words are as follows:

Recital (noun)

re·cit·al | \ ri-ˈsī-tᵊl
 

A long list of classes coming on stage one at a time to perform a routine. Each does its own thing, disparate from the rest. Audience members often feel that they sat through 2 or 3 (or even 4!) hours of a “recital” when all they really cared about was the 2-3 minutes their dancer was on stage.
 

Synonym: boring

Story Performance  (noun)

sto·ry per·for·mance | \ ˈstȯr-ē  per·for·mance | \ pər-ˈfȯr-mən(t)s
 

A tale expressed through dance, music, sets and props, including a plot, characters, setting, conflict, and point of view. Each dance introduces the audience to characters whose performance furthers the plot. Audience members find themselves immersed in an enchanting story, even when that “special someone” is not on stage.
 

Synonym: engaging

All kidding aside, feedback from our audiences tells us that people appreciate the story performance approach much more than a typical “recital.” 

It’s not just the audience experience that is enhanced, though. Story performances are extremely beneficial for dancers.

All students get to portray a character and tell a part of the story with their dance. 

For Sparkle students, our performances are simply an extension of the pretend play activities presented in Sparkle classes each week. 

It is much easier (and more fun!) to learn a dance in which you play a specific role and tell part of the overall story. Each movement of every dance is tied to a story students are telling rather than simply being a series of steps. 

Into The Sea:

Into The Sea tells the story of a young girl named Harriett who becomes frustrated when her attempts to try new things at a beach party fail. 

She finds herself drawn into the sea, where a host of creatures and even the waves themselves help her realize that it’s important to give herself grace and choose bravery when challenges arise.

Here is a sample list of class roles that carry the story:

• Ripple 3 & Grad Collab Ballet: Host the beach party
• Ripple 3 Tap & Ripple 3 Jazz: Surfers offer to teach Harriett how to surf
• Sparkle 4 Ballet: Clownfish encourage Harriett not to take herself so seriously
• Sparkle Hip Hop & Ripple 4 Tap: Sharks threaten Harriett and her new friends

BON VOYAGE!

Thank you for staying up to date with this issue of The Navigator. You will always find past issues of The Navigator on the Parent Portal. 

All my best,
Tiina

Tiina Hazelett, CEO
Chief Enchantment Officer, Pure Dance Works
Pure | Positive | Progressive