Make Dance Fun

Welcome back to Make Dance Fun! In episode 81, we’re diving into something BIG: our brand-new dance studio space!

Now that nationals are behind us, we’re shifting focus to prepping for the upcoming season—and at the top of our list is building out our brand-new studio!

This week, we’re sharing more about the journey that’s been 32 years in the making. We’re reflecting on where we started (hello, one-studio-one-bathroom days!) and how we’ve intentionally grown—saving, scaling, and setting goals every step of the way.

Here’s a peek at what we cover in this episode:

The New Studio Journey

• Initial plans began in 2020—just as we were navigating COVID
• Explored staying in our current space vs. finding something new
• 2023–24: started working with a broker and project manager to explore every option: renovating, buying, building, even shopping centers!
• May 2024: shifted to looking at lease options
• June 2024: toured what would become the space
• Hired an architect (after interviewing several!) and finalized the design vision
• Signed the lease in February 2025 and started the permitting and demo process
• Spoiler: lots of fun planning… and lots of not-so-fun budgeting

Our Must-Haves (aka solutions to our current pain points!)

• Parking! (finally)
• Storage, including a loading dock and lift
• Better layout for functionality—hello outlets and delivery zones!
• 9 total dance studios (including 4 big ones!)
• Better bathrooms, family-friendly options, and dedicated changing rooms (that won’t double as closets!)
• Dedicated costume/craft space + staff lounge + conference room
• Senior Edge hangout space upstairs

The FUN Stuff We’re Dreaming Up

• Eye-catching entrance and front desk (still designing this!)
• Merch area + podcast room + RHYTHM wall
• Gorgeous staircase that leads to an upstairs overlook
• A colorful, sparkly, personality-packed space that feels like us

This is truly going to be the most RHYTHM-y space we’ve ever created, and we cannot wait to bring it to life! There’s still a long road ahead, but we’ll keep you posted along the way—with lots more behind-the-scenes updates to come in future episodes.

Thanks for tuning in—and if you're dreaming of a new space for your studio someday, we hope our journey inspires you!

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In Episode 80, we’re diving into what happens once the show begins—from loading the truck to the final confetti blast!! If you caught Episode 79, you already heard all the behind-the-scenes prep that goes into our show season. If not, make sure to listen to that one as well!

In this episode, we're covering:

• The week of the show:
  • Friday truck load-out
  • Tuesday–Wednesday: lobby decor, tech, rehearsals, props, balloons & more
  • Thursday–Sunday: 8 shows, organized call times, calm backstage vibes
  • Sunday night: smooth load-out and a well-deserved Monday break
• Top 10 Things That Make Our Shows Special

1. Full Team Commitment – Our love for the show runs deep, and it’s contagious!
2. Smiling Greeters – From parking lot to program hand-off, happy faces are everywhere.
3. Lobby Decor Magic – Oz-themed displays, vintage finds, and thoughtful details set the tone.
4. On-Stage Welcome – We open every show personally to recognize staff, seniors, and YOU.
5. Opening Number + Welcome Video – It sets the tone and flows right into our tiny dancers.
6. Preschool & Elementary Productions – They get the royal treatment, with full props and character interaction.
7. On-Theme Everything – From dressing rooms to signage to stanchions, every detail reflects the show’s theme.
8. Backstage Dream Team – Assigned teams for props, dressing rooms, character changes, and crowd control.
9. Pro Photo + Video – Capturing content live so we can share real-time show magic online.
10. Clear Ending + Confetti – A joyful, energetic finale every single time.

Plus, we share a few more wins, some behind-the-scenes logistics, and how intentional planning keeps things running smoothly—even when last-minute challenges pop up.

We truly believe our Year-End Show is our best marketing of the year. And if you're a studio owner who wants help with recital planning, check out our in-depth course—we break it all down step-by-step.

Thanks for tuning in, and we hope this inspires you to make your next show even more FUN!

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In episode 79, we're taking you behind the scenes of our 7-month journey from our October Year-End Show Retreat all the way through dress rehearsal week! We’re sharing how we plan, what gets done when, and how our team brings it all together to create a magical show experience.

Here’s a month-by-month breakdown of our show planning timeline:

November:

• Met with full staff to recap retreat plans
• Saw Wicked (three times!) for creative inspiration
• Sent show day/time and costume info to families
• Master spreadsheet begins!

December:

• Ordered costumes
• Continued editing music for every class

January:

• Delivered music to staff
• Launched costume lookbooks and theme reveals
• Started choreography and prop planning
• Costumes began arriving and were sorted into garment bags

February:

• Finalized music (voiceovers, sound effects, etc.)
• Continued choreography and prop building
• Began building our personalized show app
• Started early logistics planning with DRT (ticketing partner)

March:

• Choreography goal: complete by month’s end
• Uploaded practice videos for dancers
• Preschool show leaders began working directly with classes
• Started planning backstage team

April:

• Routines finalized and shared with characters
• Set pieces in full creation mode
• Began building show program
• Ordered merch + goody bag items
• Released full show info packet to families

May:

• PURE MADNESS (and lots of magic!)
• Final staff meeting before the big week
• Tickets and merch sales go smoothly
• Hosted our character photo shoot
• Dress rehearsal week! Rehearse, group photo, photo ops, and more
• Finished and printed the program – a fan favorite!
• Created fun new photo ops and custom merch experiences
• Filmed our Welcome Video – 15 years strong!
• Set the finale and wrapped up with final rehearsals
• Packed up every last thing needed for the theater

Final Curveball:
Just days before the show, we were hit with a last-minute venue construction notice! We had to pivot quickly, reconfigure logistics, and communicate new plans—all during a major storm! But with quick thinking and teamwork, everything came together.

Challenges:

• Delays due to waiting on music tied to the Wicked movie
• Balancing a busy comp/convention season with show planning
• Last-minute venue access change

Wins:

• Incredible production value and theme
• More creative and fun merch options
• Our custom app made info easy to access
• Our rockstar team made it all happen!

Every season is a new adventure—and we’re always learning and improving. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we’ll dive into everything that happens at the theater—from load-in to load-out!

Thanks for listening! Have a tip or trick that works for your studio? We’d love to hear it.

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We’re back with Episode 78! And we’re recapping six big things that have happened over the past six months at Rhythm and Confetti on the Dance Floor — and giving you a sneak peek at what’s coming this summer. From new Camp Confettis to our biggest announcement ever (we’re moving!), this episode is packed with all the fun, chaos, and sparkle you expect from us. Here's what we cover:

1. New Camp Confetti Themes
We launched Pink Bubbles & Emerald Energy (Wicked-inspired) and Bark in the Park: A Big Blue Adventure (Bluey-inspired), and we’re loving all the pics and videos coming in. These two new themes have been a huge hit with studio owners and dancers alike.

2. Studio Owner University with MTJGD
We attended Studio Owner University in beautiful Amelia Island with our team—Krista, Kelsey, and Shelley—and left full of inspiration, ideas, and to-do lists. SOU is always a reset, and having our team there this year gave us fresh perspectives on everything from tuition to communication. Plus, our Confetti booth had one of its best events yet.

3. Summer at Rhythm is in Full Swing
Even though summer registration launched in February, we officially kicked off summer camps just a few days ago. After a quick regroup post-show, our team is dialed in and ready—improving everything from communications and staffing to crafts and content creation. The energy in the studio is high, and we’re loving it.

4. We’re Moving and Expanding
After 32 years (and 25 in our current building), we’re making a massive move to a brand new, 9-studio, 25,000 sq. ft. space later this fall. It’s a huge milestone and we’re still in permitting, but we’re so excited to share this journey with you. Expect full episodes soon about this transition—we’ve got big plans to make this the most Rhythm space ever.

5. Survived Competition & Convention Season
January through April was wild. From intense schedules to dazzling custom costumes (shoutout to Beth for sewing every piece!), we made it through the busiest season ever. Our production number continues to be a huge creative outlet—we may not choreograph it anymore, but we’re still deeply involved in all things music, costuming, and storytelling.

6. RHYTHMerald City OZtravaganza is in the Books
We just wrapped our epic Year-End Show and we’re still buzzing. From the vibrant theme to the over-the-top production, this show might be one of our all-time favorites. There’s so much to share, we’re planning a deep dive soon. If you have questions, send them our way.

Plus: Our Summer Confetti Schedule

• Dance Teacher Summit – August 8–11, New York City
• Energize Conference – August 14–17
• Dance Educators Collective – August 28–31, Nashville

Thanks for catching up with us—we’re excited to be back and have so much more in store.

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In episode 77, we're talking about our annual year-end show retreat, sharing our top takeaways, organization hacks, and some creative touches we add to make our year-end show is a fun and unique experience!

Annual Year-End Show Retreat Highlights

• Pre-Retreat Prep
  • Review last season’s recap to set clear goals.
  • Streamline props and sets; reduce and repurpose where possible.
  • Pre-plan with team: collaborative playlists, light decor, idea sharing via Google Docs.
  • Brainstorm preschool production ideas in advance with voice recordings.
• Setting the Creative Scene
  • Retreat held in a decor-rich setting inspired by Oz and Wicked themes.
  • Green decor, custom banners, themed books, and collectibles for an immersive environment.
  • Key team member Beth joined for early insight into props, sets, and coordination for smoother season planning.
• Retreat Agenda
  • Arrange costumes on poster boards for visual organization.
  • Finalize show concepts, music, costume sizing, and themes.
  • Develop massive planning spreadsheets, finalize dress rehearsal schedules, and outline communication materials for families.
  • Compile visual boards for costume inspiration and show themes.
• Costume Planning
  • Quicker costume selection process.
  • Frustrations with character costumes addressed.
  • Organized costumes with garment bags and tags.
  • Finished the lookbook ahead of schedule.
• Fun Elements
  • Listening to themed playlists.
  • Candy bar, themed drinks, bell for costume choices.
  • Oz-inspired “explosion” cake and charcuterie board.
• Top 3 Wins
  • Dani: Detailed notes, organized props and sets, early hand-held prop orders.
  • Becca: Completed lookbook early, streamlined decor, more organized with Beth’s support for team questions.

Pro Tip:
Consider planning a day or afternoon retreat if a full weekend isn’t possible.

Did You Know? We offer a recital planning course! Your Fun Big Show is a Complete Recital Planning Course with an extra fun Confetti factor! We’ll provide you with a proven formula and lots of tools to plan the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, CONFETTI-ational Fun Big Show ever!

This Course allows you to listen and learn at your own pace to nearly 3 hours of recorded presentations from us, as well as all the notes, guides, resources and more! Purchase it today and your download will be emailed to you immediately!

Related Episodes on Recital and Show Planning

• Planning YOUR Fun Big Show (+ Our Fave Recital Moments)!
• Fall Recital-A-Rama
• Make Recital Planning Fun

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In Episode 76, we're talking all things HALLOWEEK and sharing fun things we do at our studio to make dance extra fun! 

Some of the things we talk about are:

• Encourage dancers to dress as a character from our show theme and give out a special sticker if they do
• Staff Pumpkin Pizzazz party
• Staff photo - everyone chooses a character from our theme to dress as and we have an annual group and individual photo to use in program and on birthday posts. 
• Halloween decor in our Year-End Show theme 
• Class fun - our teachers all have their favorite games they do, from obstacle courses to choreo contests and a fun game called get it got it good
• Halloweek on the Dance Floor - our free Halloween Hip Hop Combo for you to teach to your classes. This is our 9th year! Check out this year's video and link to all our past ones too! You can read all about it in our blog post too, and see link to our past 8 years of fun Halloween videos also!

How to use the combo:

• Have dancers learn ahead of time - make it a competition 
• Having an event? Teach to all and record it as a music video in diff areas of studio or outside! 
• Learn it and teach it to your classes! Record and make some reels to post during Halloweek!
• Have your dancers get their phones during class and learn it! Give them some time and then have them record and put on your social
• Even have your staff learn it and do it all together. Kids will love that!

Don't overthink Halloweek! Just add something simple and new...use a halloween playlist in every class, share halloween coloring sheets with all your preschool classes, or create a pumpkin patch obstacle course with your elementary age dancers. Make it festive in any way you can and your dancers and families will love it. 

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In Episode 75 of Make Dance Fun, we continue our Confetti Conversation with the amazing Melissa McGhee, Head Coach of The Ohio State Dance Team who also owns her own studio, Lineage Dance in Columbus, Ohio! 

Make sure you listen to Part 1 if you haven't listened yet! In Part 2, Melissa talks all things team mentality, leadership, how she scouts, recruits, what she looks for in her team members and so much more. This is a great episode for everyone in the dance world to listen to, including dancers!

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In episode 74 of Make Dance Fun, we are SO excited to have a Confetti Conversation with Melissa McGhee, studio owner and Head Coach of The Ohio State Dance Team! 

If you do not already know Melissa, you are in for a treat to learn about her background, how she became head coach of the nation's top dance team, and all about her own studio which is now in its third season! You'll also get to here the fun story of how we came to know Melissa!

We had so much to talk about with her that we had to break up the episode into two parts! So stay tuned for Part 2 of this episode next week! 

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In this podcast episode, we introduce our new TWIST program, sharing why we created it and how it fits into our dance studio, along with the many class options we offer for our K-2 dancers.

We start by giving an update on our "State of Confetti" meeting, an annual planning session for our 9th Confetti season. During this meeting, we planned two Camp Confetti events, chose our marketing theme for the year (which you'll have to wait to see!), organized a photo shoot and trade shows, and reviewed what worked well last year and where we can improve. We also discussed customer engagement ideas like Halloweek on the Dance Floor and top customer gifts. Becca and Dani each shared their favorite part of the planning retreat and set goals for Confetti.

Now, on to the TWIST program. We created this program to offer more class variety for our Kindergarten dancers. Some of the classes we offer include:

1. TWIST – a tap class featured in our show
2. Fairytale Ballet
3. Hip Hop and Pop
4. TWIST Petite Pizzazz – an invite-only class with tap and jazz
5. K-2 Ballet/Tap
6. K-2 Jazz/Hip Hop
7. Acro
8. Musical Theater Dance
9. Marquee Magic
10. Pre Petite Spotlight (K-1)
11. Petite SL (1st-2nd grade)

We know this age group has a wide range of skill levels, so we wanted to provide plenty of options to meet their needs.

TWIST was created to replace our previous Twirl Agua program for Kindergarten. After noticing that Agua had lower enrollment compared to our other Twirl levels, we realized these dancers were ready for something more challenging and different. That’s when we developed TWIST, specifically designed for Kindergarten but also perfect for K-2 dancers.

TWIST works similarly to our Twirl program. We provide a teacher guide with detailed lesson plans, but you can customize it to fit your classes and studio. The program focuses on Jazz and Tap, incorporating a themed obstacle course into each lesson. We use fun tools like confetti cones, hula hoops, a balance beam, and “tracks” for spot markers to keep the kids engaged. There are also Twist Tumblers (dice games) and hopscotch patterns to add even more excitement.

When you purchase TWIST, you get:

• A Teacher Guide with 10 themed lesson plans (5 for jazz, 5 for tap)
• Colorful graphics and templates for activities like Twist Tumbler dice, Twist Tracks spot markers, a Twist Certificate, and more
• A Twist Bag Tag for dancers’ bags
• 10 Activity/Coloring Sheets reinforcing jazz and tap terminology
• Two Twist Trackers (one for jazz, one for tap) to help dancers track their progress
• A source list for optional products to enhance the program
• A Spotify Playlist with music suggestions for each theme
• Decor Suggestions for each theme

If you're already using our Twirl Preschool Program, you'll be happy to know that the themes for TWIST align perfectly with Twirl, making it easier to decorate your studio for both programs. TWIST is easy to implement, but we recommend purchasing it at least five days before starting so you have time to review the materials and gather any supplies.

Add a colorful twist to your K-2 tap and jazz classes by ordering your download today!

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Episode 72: From Year-End to Start Over Again: A Big Recap!

- **Welcome Back!** 
  - After a long break, we’re excited to return with Episode 72! Our last podcast was about planning your summer, and now we're sharing what came next—a lot has happened in the past six months!

- **CAMP CONFETTI Success**
  - Launched our most successful camp ever, “In My Sparkle Era.”
  - Other popular camps included "Pink Pajama Party" and "Dancing in My Dreams."
  - “Perfectly Pink Destination Dream Vacation” was also a big hit.
  - We loved seeing how great everything looked, and we're so proud of how everyone nailed it!

- **Rhythm Nation Barbie Dream Vacation**
  - Produced the opening number for our show with 75 dancers.
  - This production set the tone for our year-end shows and was a collaboration of our company faculty and guest choreographers.
  - Came together in about 10 days before hitting the stage.

- **Company Auditions**
  - Over 300 dancers auditioned, and we successfully cast 11 companies.
  - We used our tried-and-true formula, which we shared in Episode 42.
  - Auditions were held in April, allowing us to organize schedules for the season.

- **Company Party**
  - Hosted two giant Barbie-themed parties, highlighting our graduating seniors and recognizing every dancer with awards.
  - The event was filled with all things PINK.

- **Year-End Shows**
  - Faced a few more technical difficulties than usual, particularly with media on the LED wall, but everything worked out in the end.
  - We elevated the lobby experience with custom setups, including a “Hotel Rhythm” registration desk, balloons, and banners.
  - We went full out with props and sets but plan to scale back this year to cut costs.

- **Summer Camps at Rhythm**
  - This summer was our biggest ever, with 2-3 camps running each week.
  - Camp Rhythm, our full-day musical theater camp, was so successful that we’re considering adding a third session next season.

- **The Dance Awards**
  - Enjoyed seeing our students perform their best routines of the season.
  - Recorded a special two-part podcast episode with an amazing guest—stay tuned!

- **Welcome Back Party & Staff Kickoff**
  - Themed around the Olympics with "TEAM RHYTHM - Let The Games Begin!"
  - Activities included a pennant craft, obstacle course, and a step and repeat.
  - We kicked off the season with new staff members, custom shirts, and notebooks during a catered dinner at the studio.

- **Energize and Other Conventions**
  - Attended Rhee Gold’s Dance Life and Dance Teacher Web with Shelley and Beth.
  - Introduced new WOW Cards and a subscription service—more info coming soon!
  - Gained inspiration at Revolution’s “ENERGIZE” conference in Chicago, where we previewed new costumes and attended seminars.

- **Season 32 Begins!**
  - Last Monday marked the start of Rhythm’s 32nd season.
  - We have several exciting podcasts planned for the fall—stay tuned for more consistent episodes!

- **Closing**
  - Thank you for listening! We hope you’re having a great start to your season. Have a fantastic week—bye!

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