JP Gallery for Performing Arts

Let's kick the week off strong! It's all about frame of mind. Be positive, although I know sometimes that can be very difficult to do. But try. Try your hardest to get into that mindset that things are good. Things this week are going to happen for you. Close your eyes and envision what you want for yourself, then take the steps needed to make that happen for you. It's Monday... sooooo easy to have the Monday blues, so Monday is the day I work really hard to clear my br...ain of the negative and go into the week strong. I truly love my students. Maggie came in with a jar last week of fortunes for her friends to pick from once per week. How awesome is that!!! Everyone was so excited!! Our energy trickles down to others. Our vibe is important. Who we surround ourselves with matters. I'm really happy that I get to work with these students each week. I am super glad they are in my circle. I never thought I would enjoy going to work so much. Magic happens in the studio... not just dance and theatre... but friendship, love, and support.

It's a new year and with that comes new leotards for this gal! We are 7 days into the New Year. How is it going for you? You know the drill... we make a long list of New Year's Resolutions that the majority of us don't end up following. It's like we set ourselves up for failure from the get go. How many of you have made yourself a list that you are truly excited about and not only believe it is tangible, but you actually plan on following through? I don't make long superfic...ial lists these days. Instead, I save the super long list for the end of the year. This list is a reflection of my accomplishments because we are tackling things every single day and don't even realize it! I start writing my list around 11PM on New Year's Eve. It's an exciting way for me to close out the year and show some compassion and love for myself that I did a lot and that I am enough. I save the short list for the beginning of the New Year. Maybe only two to four things end up on the list that I feel strongly about. One of those things is always better health for me and my girls, and while it is difficult and takes discipline, it is so important to me. The fact is we get only one body. I can't even begin to tell you the weight I gained during and after my pregnancies. All bodies are different and all bodies are beautiful! The problem with my weight gain, for me specifically, was how it controlled my day. I was depressed, out of breath, tired, and moody. Anyone that knows me, knows I struggled for awhile with nutrition. If I don't feel good, who takes care of those people and things I have to take care of? This is a big reason why I keep going with this studio... I love what I do, but I get to stay healthy while doing it. I have a new set of health and exercise goals this year. It's not extreme, but is improvement and is tangible and I have passed it down to my girls also. If you or your kiddos ever want to join me at the studio, DM or email me. I welcome the support and accountability and I'm happy to do it for you also. I won't be getting a new leotard this weekend, but I'm gonna get some new leggings.

I was flipping through the photo album recently of my youngest and came across this photo of her walking around in one of my student's tap shoes. Corinne was just a little over a year old and would come to the studio with me daily. She would spend hours going through the dancer's bags and trying on their shoes. This would occupy her for hours! Fast forward to this "Big Girl" who was so excited this year to finally have her own dance bag of shoes! I can't even begin to descri...be to you the excitement she had for her first day of class knowing she could wear those dance shoes that would fit her and be all her own! This is what I want for you... to help you foster that love of something magical for your little one and give them the opportunity to call an activity their very own. I love teaching children, and the pure joy on their face such as the one my daughter had both then and now bring absolute happiness to my heart. AND it will bring me even more happiness to see you as a parent proud and in awe that your little one has found such enjoyment. We are back in the studio this winter semester, and I am offering to you the opportunity to have your young explorer join our LITTLE PERFORMERS HAPPY HOUR. I designed this course to allow your child to explore three extracurricular activities in one! Dance, Theatre, Music... all right there for 1 hour so that they may get a feel for all things arts while YOU TAKE A MUCH NEEDED BREAK! ... because you deserve it. I want to make sure though that this is the right fit for you and your little because here at the JP Gallery, I am all about happy faces and pure enjoyment. So DM me today or reach out via email ([email protected]), and we can see what works best for you and your kiddo. I'm off now to hang with Corinne... she got out those tap shoes.

I have thought about something very crude, rude and sarcastic to say about 2020... but I can't. It was rough. And in some strange ways, hidden blessings appeared also that made me have to look very deep within, and that is a good thing. So here is to 2021, that for me will continue to be filled with the blessings of loved ones, the ability to still be here on Earth to walk this path God has chosen for me, to make a postive difference not just for myself and my girls, but fo...r those others around me that I love and adore right now and have yet to meet... because that is who I am and what I will choose to do with the gifts my higher power has so graciously provided me. I wish you only the best in this New Year. And even though much of 2020 is truly not behind us... well, to look more so along the lines of *glass half full*... We are still here. YOU are still here. You are more experienced. You are wiser. We. Are. Here. ... so that must mean we are strong. We are loved. We are blessed. And our work is not done. Cheers to another year of beautiful you and your beautiful life. Beautiful us.

It is Technique Tuesday! It's never too late to put a kiddo in dance. Students can begin at any age and are encouraged to give it a try! So, soooo much comes from a dance class! Better Posture... Better Grace Improved Coordination Better Flexibility and Strength Improved Critical Thinking Skills Improved Listening Skills Team Work Growth Dance carries over into all other aspects of the day to day life. If you feel better, you do better. Every Thursday evening, our elementary school aged students (Grades 1st thru 6th) get together for an evening of dance. There are a few spots remaining (we have to limit our attendance due to social distancing). Gosh I would love to meet your kiddos and welcome them to this awesome little group! If you think they might want to give it a try, you can join us this Thursday for a FREE class. It is a great way for your child to explore a potentially new activity at no cost to you! You will have to contact me to register, as I have to keep a head count for distancing, but that's all it takes to get on the sign up sheet! Pretty easy-peasy! 724.462.4548 / [email protected] 2 N. Balph Ave. 2nd Floor Bellevue!

When you ask your preschoolers to demonstrate a move that they love doing in class and your student chooses to share a completley different move because it is much cooler. This dude got the floss down!

ART CLASSES... Why do we have them? Once upon a time we started some art classes for the kids that were interested in exploring their creative side but that didn't necessarily translate to being on stage performing in front of a large crowd.... In an effort to foster that love for art and design and allow that creativity to blossom and be presented for all to see, our artists program led to our very own student design team ready and willing to create back drops and props for our annual musical productions. While our theatre program is currently on hiatus due to Covid, we are bringing back the CREATIVE HANDS ARTIST CLASS so that students can keep exploring, keep designing, keep creating fabulous works and eventually get back to designing those theatrical sets. Won't you join us? We have a great package ready for your student to dive into the world of art in a safe, creative environment.

Our CREATIVE HANDS SERIES begins this Wednesday, 6:50PM to 7:30PM at the JP Gallery! Some spots are still available, and we would love to work with your kiddo! Grades K thru 6th are welcome! Send us an email at [email protected] so we can prepare for your artist's arrival!

We celebrate at the end of each month for a job well done working hard on our technique, sportsmanship, and gentle love for ourselves as developing artists. It doesn't matter the age... everyone loves to let loose on a trampoline and pick out a treasure from the chest. Here's to October my friends!