Strive Dance Academy
5424 45th Street T4N 1L1 Red Deer, AB, Canada

Here's a fun Flashback Friday, back to January 2018, when a whole bunch of our Parents, Dancers and Teachers all went to see Travis Wall's Company perform their touring show, "After the Curtain." It was so good, and such an inspiration to watch. After the show we had the opportunity to get a photo with the cast. We're all continuing to look forward to the day that we are able to return to the theater to watch & perform. We know it's been so long, but that day will come, and it will be better then ever.

One of the biggest things we're all looking forward to: Seeing those little pre-competitive and junior Dancers on their first day of Dance. Just so much cuteness it's hard to take.

Looking back, we've always been an in-studio Family, that is in it together. That hasn't changed - we're just working together from a distance now. We still see those determined faces, giving it their all.

A new year is a great time to focus on your goals. Whether they are big goals that you aim to accomplish over a year or longer, or short-term goals that you wish to accomplish daily, or weekly; setting goals helps you focus your attention and energy - and almost nothing beats the feeling of accomplishing a goal! The Journal Prompt from our Health and Wellness Committee focuses on goal-setting. So, what are your goals?

We wanted to share a bit more from our Dancers, Teachers and Mentors; and we got some wonderfully inspiring thoughts from one of our Assistants and recent Strive Grads, Izel Pienaar From Izel: Currently I have been taking a lot of time to be creative in different ways, find opportunities to expand my mind, and looking inwards on myself as well as looking outwards on the world. We all have way more time on our hands than we used to have in our normal lives, whatever that me...ans, but it’s been most important for me to take the time to discover new things and rest. In other words take time for myself. I have really been enjoying reading these three books at the moment, The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown, When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron, and After the Rain by Alexandra Elle. They are great books for self reflection and self love and mindfulness, but also a really good way of expanding your mind and looking at things differently such as relationships, friendships, and yourself. It lets you open your eyes to new thoughts and patterns about the world and the things around you, but also the things within yourself and the things that you do. Constant curiosity and learning always. What are you reading or working on during this time? What goals are you working towards? Please share below.

Live your Passion, Chase your Dreams

We just love this. Another wonderful gift from one of our Dancers, sent to our own Miss Jaimie. Our Dancers taking the time to show their love & support to their teachers just always makes our day. Love, love, love.

We know that all of us have been waiting to hear what our next steps will be as we move into 2021. Our Board of Directors and Artistic Director have been working hard with scenario planning, and we all appreciate and want to thank each and every one of you for your continued support and understanding. We all want to maintain a sense of community, with each other, our Teachers and Families, so we will be implementing an altered schedule with reduced fees while the current re...strictions remain in place. A new schedule for online classes will follow and we will continue to keep everyone updated as much as possible as changes occur. Again we cannot thank all of you enough for your continued dedication to the Strive Dance Academy and our teachers and staff, we appreciate you all. Stay healthy and safe.

We're all working towards a common goal. We'll continue to work together to offer the quality instruction we have always expected in whatever format we can. We thank everyone for their continued dedication, patience and undestanding - and we're all looking forward to the day that we can safely return to the studio. To learn more about our collective goal and how we are all working together in Alberta, please go to https://dancesafealberta.com/

Each week our dedicated Health & Wellness Committee is providing motivational prompts for our Dancers, helping them focus on the importance of supporting their mental health through writing and reflection. This weeks prompt included creating a gratitude wheel, as well as this important message from the committee: Despite our current situation we can continue to look to gratitude to help us through. Strive dancers continue to be resilient and show up! Reminder to keep journaling, talking, doodling, using mindfulness to your benefit, improvising and reflecting. Breathe and continue to be kind to yourself and others.

ADAPT Exam Prep & Training continue in our online classes. A big Thank You to our Teaching Staff for all the extra work they’re putting in to ensure we’re able to continue teaching. We’re all thankful.

Our Teachers built this Kindness Tree in our Studio, to both encourage and share our Members, Staff & Dancer’s acts of kindness. When a Teacher spots an act of kindness - in studio, or at home, or even in school - we record it on a leaf. Just like our motto, our Kindness tree has roots that are digging deep, and branches that are reaching high.

That moment when the bright red was revealed, you could hear the audience gasp; creating a memorable moment that Miss Jaimie's Season 8 piece, "Ameska," became known for. What special moments on stage from previous years stand out to you? When the house came apart in "Devastation;" The reveal of the costumes in "The Lion King; Or when all those small faces popped out in those cute costumes in "Joy to the World." So many moments and memories.

Here’s Nassiyah doing Acro Tech in her home studio, complete with proper mats. Once again showing how much our Teachers & Parents go all out to ensure classes can continue.

We’d like to give a big Congratulations to Abby, Baylee & Mika, who all recently attended their Pointe Readiness Assessment. We are all so proud of them for all their hard work and dedication. We’re excited to share the images of them with their new Pointe shoes! Well done Dancers, what a great accomplishment! dig deep, reach high.

Miss Jaimie’s Level 1 class was hard at work last night via zoom. This is Makayla’s home studio - and she has a beautiful floor & Ballet Barre to work with. We may be on a temporary shutdown but we’re all moving forward together.

We Strive to be our best, and give our best.

We had to throw it back to this moment during Season 8's Gala event, "Spellbound: An Evening at Hogwarts," where Miss Jaimie and Mr. Tom performed this wonderful duet that Mr. Tom choreographed for Gracie and Paige. To anyone who remembers this duet and the very comedic approach our Dancers took with it; this was an incredibly fun moment to witness at the end of the evening. Our Teachers definitely know how to have fun

Whenever we review our wonderful powder photos, we think of one of our favorite quotes: "Dance is music made visible."

Here’s Angelina working hard in her Level 4 Ballet & Jazz classes with Miss Hannah & Miss Allison. We are super thankful to all our Parents who are maintaining our studio standards at home, including proper bodysuits, hair buns and a home studio Ballet Barre to work with. We know it’s a lot of extra work for parents to make these classes work at home and you’re all doing an amazing & supportive job. dig deep, reach high.

We know that every Dancer would way rather be in the studio with their classes and their Teachers, as that is our space. Though we're always incredibly inspired by the resiliency and positivity that comes from all of our Dancers, who are working just as hard in their home studios. We're proud of all of you for the work you're putting in and for digging deep, and reaching high. We'll be back in the studio soon.

Our Dancers have shown great growth already this season, and we have no intention of losing momentum. We're all banding together and we're going to bring our energy to an online environment for 14 days, starting today. In true Strive spirit we are digging deep and reaching high. We are proud of the safety guidelines that we have in place and the way in which our dancers have followed them and we are positive that we can come back to the studio ready and raring to go as soon as we're able to. So, classes are continuing, including our ADAPT Exam preparation classes - and we're hoping this is only temporary. We'll see you all soon.

When The home’s entertaining area is converted into your home studio, you make it the best you can. Our Level 10 Dancer, Gracie, has grown so much and come so far since she joined us as a Junior Dancer. We can’t wait to se you back on stage Gracie!!

Here is a great opportunity for Dancers. Arts Umbrella Dance is pleased to announce the 2021 International Audition dates (live & video) for the International Summer Dance Intensive (August 9-27, 2021) and Professional Training Programs. Arts Umbrella is a not-for-profit where young artists ages 222 cultivate their creativity in Dance, Theatre, and Visual Arts. To learn more about Arts Umbrella and this audition opportunity, follow the link here: https://www.artsumbrella.com//po/post-secondary-auditions/