I own a small studio, and we are in our local Christmas parade next week. (I know it is early)... Anyhow, since I am still a small studio, I only had 10 students (ages 12 - 18) sign up to be in the parade. However one student has just dropped out.

I am (at 26 years old) considering joining the students and taking the place of the girl who dropped out of the parade. Since we only have 1 practice left, I was a little concerned with altering choreography, and I am also afraid of leaving 'holes' in the routine.

I was just wondering what other people do, or have done, or recommend.

Thanks

Normally, no. But in that situation, I don't think it'd be an issue to hop in. I've danced a few times when it was the only choice - I'm a few weeks shy of 26. The kids get a kick out of it and the parents like to know I can still perform.

I perform with the kids in the parade, and any other teacher that dances the same type of dance as well- Only parades though, nothing else. It makes for good advetisement that the teachers are capable (and willing) to get out there witht he kids.

By all means ~ it sounds like the only choice. However, I would suggest you keep an eye on your performance level. You want to inspire your students to perform but it doesn't take much to steal the show. You want to showcase your students not yourself.

I say perform! Its a parade, I think that makes it different. Actually, myself, my sister, my daughter, and my sisters friend (that used to twirl on the high school team that my sister was on and I coached) are going to twirl Fire in our Christmas parade!I don't normally march, but this is a night parade and the students are twirling light up batons. I think it will be a neat thing!

I like others say that you shouldn't perform with your students at recital. Someone I knew performed about every other number in the recital! The parents were irrate and kept making fun of her saying, "This was a (teachers name) Recital!"

Good Luck!

I don't but that's becuase I prefer my performing days to be over. I'm 27 and can still do it, but blah! I'm so not in shape stamina wise! My kids' parents are dying for me to perform though.

I say go for it. A studio I used to manage had the owner dancing with her girls, mind you it was in the front center of all of them, but she was a diva. All of the teachers would dance as well. I think it's good for a parade.

For recital I see no problem doing 1 or 2 dances as either a solo or teachers only dance. Many studios I've worked for did that (I always hated being a part of it). But the owner of one studio did gaucho dancing with her husband and used to do it professionaly so it was really cool to see them do a dance.

As one who was denied the opportunity to dance in my conservatory school's Nutcracker (because I wasn't a pre-professional teen with the ideal body type), despite being technically capable, and in their most advanced class, I let anyone who is proficient, and wants it, to perform in ours. And that includes me, at times - because I might be short of corps dancers. Of course, I'm no longer solo caliber, but I did plenty of solos in my younger days, and still love to perform. I don't try to steal the show, nor put myself front and center,

If it communicates your love of dance, joy of movement, and lack of age barriers, I don't see the harm. I don't want to look back when I'm too old to dance, and wish I had done more of it.

I say dance! I will tell you though, a story about the last (and I do mean LAST) time I jumped in last minute. It was an LOL moment to be sure!

The dance was in tight formation Rockette style and I always taught is facing the girls, so you know what that means don't you? I mirrored them - my left was their right. I did fine until the last kick line when wouldn't you know it, I kicked the wrong leg! Yep, I was pretty much mortified. Fortunately the videographer didn't pan out on that section, but moved the camera down the line, so at least my dopey mistake isn't out there for eternity!

Okay, I hope I haven't scared you out of doing the dance - I'm just a numbskull sometimes

I say jump in and have fun with your students. To be honest parents and potential students may be attracted to your studio because of you participating with you students.