Two Exciting Contests!

We are happy to announce that it's contest time.

The first contest is for currents students and is running from February 15th-March 15th. There is still plenty of time to get in on this one. Current students are able to bring a friend to class with them for FREE! If that friend happens to register, the current student's name gets put in a raffle to win April's tuition! Also, the student that brings in the most friends during this time, regardless of signing up, will receive a special prize.

The second contest is for those who have not been a student at Uptown. We are asking for the communities help to "Nominate a Dancer" to receive an entire year of dance lessons. The entree should be in letter form and submitted to Uptown Dance by June 30th. Make sure you include why this child deserves to receive the lessons, and let us know the potential students situation. We are hoping to give back in a way were a child is able to experience dance next season where as he/she may not have been able to due to circumstances out of their control, such as financial means, etc.

Both contest are pretty simple, but feel free to check with us for full rules and regulations. Also, check out February's newsletter bellow. We had a visit from a well know casting director. See pictures bellow.

What Uptown Has Been Up To...

Happy 2012 readers!!! We have not official posted since October 2011, so you know we have been busy. Also, The Uptown Beat has evolved into Newsletter form, so please check out some of the issues below. We find this method more effective, but not to worry, we will still blog when time permits. I love sharing the excitement of our studio with you all!

As you can see, at the end of October we were thrilled to host our first Zumbathon. We raised almost $600 for Susan G Komen for the Cure in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Then before you knew it the Holidays were approaching. Our Halloween was as festive as possible. We had an unlikely snowfall in October which "canceled" Halloween in our neighborhood. We did our best to keep the Halloween spirit in the studio.

In honor of Thanksgiving we had our first official "Friend Week". The students were allowed to bring a friend with them in class, when they did so they both received a special gift from Uptown. It was lots of fun to meet new children and have our students share their dance class with them. We plan on doing another friend week soon!

We all know what happens after Thanksgiving... more holiday buzz! Ah yes, hearing Miss Leslea saying, "Santa is watching" all December when the lil ones are not standing in first position =). Needless to say, the Holidays were wonderful around Uptown. We had our usual week of parties and started introducing Recital songs and choreography. Santa was even there, and my son and husband joined in on the fun too! It's very heartwarming to see the kids with my son, they all love when he is there and it puts a huge smile on my face to see how loved he is.

We all took a much deserved Holiday break, having a week off to rejuvenate and let the creative juices flow. Miss Pat and I picked out costumes and finalized songs and put a dent in choreography. January is all about Recital excitement; measurements for costumes, learning dances, asking 1567 times, "can we see our costumes", etc.

On top of all that excitement, I have started a program for Belleville residents called the Belleville Fit Club. My goal is to encourage the community to stay fit and healthy. The program is for grade school children and adults and best of all it is FREE! I am very pleased to report that the program is going very well. Even the town is supporting the program, so I feel very honored. I will keep you posted on the progress of BFC for sure.

Other than that, we have our Recital and Rehearsal dates set. We were lucky enough to secure the same location for the show. The community center had changed ownership, so we were uncertain whether or not we would be able to have our show there, but we were lucky to have secured the venue. I am also learning web design, yes I have time for this, why not... I'm a mommy, wife, business owner, dance teacher, fitness instructor, personal trainer, community volunteer... why not add web design to my resume ;) Anyhoo, check out how I have spruced up the site a bit "on my spare time" lol. http://www.uptowndancenj.com/. Speaking of spare time, I'm looking into getting other Zumba Fitness certifications since our Zumba classes have been taking off at Uptown. One of my assistance is even in the process of obtaining her degree this March, I am so proud of her!

We are wishing you all a very joyful, healthy, happy 2012! Did you know that we are celebrating 20 years of dance. Yup, 2012 marks 20 years of business for Uptown Dance. I could not be more excited for this milestone and am excited to share 20 more great years with you all. Thanks to you for making those years so special. I will close with a post I made of Facebook not to long ago...

"Feeling so blessed to have been able to bring dance to so many in the past 20 years. Sitting here thinking of all the kids I have taught and watch grow up and all the people who have passed through our studio...the lives we have touched and changed... the joy... the art of dance... the extended family we have created. I love this time of year when old students come in to visit or send u Holiday cards. Even if they stop dancing with us they still find a way to remind us of how we were an important part in their life. Getting very emotional. Here is to another 20! So happy I found my calling in life."

An Exciting October!

October is a busy and exciting month for us and we would love to share with you what is happening at Uptown...

Our performance team had the opportunity to dance at another Spartans game on October 8th.

My friend Charmaine from The Maine Step and I attended the UDMA costume preview show on October 9th. I was thrilled to be able to bring her to this wonderful event for the first time. We had a blast and received valuable information from the vendors to ensure both of us have a successful dance season.

October 15th is the kickoff to Fit Kids, a Nutley healthy town initiative. "Partnering with the Nutley Board of Education, this Healthy Town Initiative is designed to engage Nutley school-aged children, grades K thru 12, in activity to help fight childhood obesity and promote a healthy mind, body & spirit." Uptown is so excited to be involved in a program like this, we are firm believers and supports of Dance 4 Your Life, so this was the perfect opportunity to show kids, adults, seniors, and families that Dance is an awesome way to keep your self active and healthy. To help kick off the event Nutley Fit Kids has organized an expo in the NHS gymnasiam this Friday. We will have fabulous giveaways at our booth (but you will have to work for them!) and a high energy demo/mini class for the kids and their families.




Lastly we will be having a Zumbathon at the studio on October 23rd in honor of breast cancer awareness month. Come out and show your support and lets shake it for a good cause! Tickets are $17 and will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The event is from 1-3 and we ask that all participants wear pink! We recommend you purchase your tickets in advance, space is limited.


Finally, on Halloween, October 31st, we will have a Halloween Play Date Party for children 2 and under. The purpose is to have the lil lil ones involved in something for Halloween since they do not get to enjoy the trick or treating festivities. Come and hang out at Uptown, show off your costume and play with kids your age! We will be there from 4:30-5:30(or longer) and the group will be led by Miss Leslea and her son Carl.

Uptown Performance Team

Last night, we had a very unique opportunity, we were asked to perform at the halftime of the NJ Spartans football game! We were honored and thrilled, and the experience left us with wanting more. Thanks to Charmaine and the welcoming fans of the NJ Spartans, we are happily looking into more opportunities like this one. We have been asked to return to another Spartans game and can not wait to do so on October 8th. This experience has inspired us to do more and I am please to announce we now have a Performance Team... yet another addition to Uptown.

If you would like information on how to audition for our Performance Team, visit the Uptown Entertainment page on our main site.

Form more information about the NJ Spartans, please visit their page here. I think here is where I'm suppose to chant "AaaHhhOoo!!!" (something we learned last night :-))

See you at the next game!

The 2011-2012 Dance Season...Welcome Back!

First, we would like to welcome you (or welcome you back) to Uptown Dance, Belleville's Premier Dance Studio. This year is very special for us because we will be celebrating 20 years of business in dance. Thank you for being part of our dance family and helping us celebrate!

We have an exciting fall schedule for you with Ballet, Tap and Jazz for ages 2.5-Adult. We also have Hip Hop for ages 7-Adult, Pointe for ages 11-adult, and much more! New classes such as Kids Yoga and kids and adult ZUMBA fitness!

Also, don't forget about our Fitness program which includes personal training for all ages, and remember if you ever need dance outside of our studio, do not hesitate to contact us. We have our traveling dance teacher program, Around the Town Dance, which will come to your facility or party. We are currently bringing dance to Little Scholars Nursery School in Belleville and have made appearances at many of our student's birthday parties. Then we have Uptown Entertainment which provides party motivators and choreographed dancers for your next special event. We would also be happy to choreograph a piece for your special day. We have done Mitzvahs, Weddings, and Sweet 16's. Check out the fun here! Last but not least, the U Can Dance program is back and in full swing! This is our program for children with special needs. We were featured in the Belleville Times! check it out here.

So, as if that was not enough dance for you... Uptown is constantly growing and evolving with our community. We are proud supporters of Dance 4 Your Life!

Established by the Dizzy Feet Foundation and the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, with the assistance of CRT/tanaka, in 2011, Dance 4 Your Life! is a national initiative to promote dance as a daily part of an active, healthy lifestyle. Dance is a fun and proactive way to get moving, to reduce the risk of heart disease, and to combat the obesity epidemic. Anyone, young or old, can dance anywhere, without need for a gym membership, good weather, expensive sneakers, or any equipment. So what’s stopping you? DANCE 4 YOUR LIFE!

We want nothing more than to be a part of keeping our community active and healthy. We are also proud sponsors of Nutley Fit Kids. This brings us to yet another addition to our fall schedule... Healthy Habits for life seminars based on the platform of Ms. United states 2008, Graziella Baratta. The seminars will be held the last Saturday of every month from 4-430pm.

Other than our schedule, we have fun opportunities for our students to stay motivated throughout the year. We have our student of the month program for children who who are dedicated to dance/fitness, have good attendance, participate with enthusiasm, work well with their other classmates, keep the classroom a positive environment, and show progress in their classes. Applying is simple, just message Miss Leslea on The Uptown Connection (you must be a member first and don't worry, its FREE) and tell her why you or your child/family member should be The Student of the Month. This special student will recieve recognition in our Newsletter and Blog, a unique photo/video montage, and a special gift!

I am so proud to be sharing this news with you and honored to have served our community for these 20 years! It has been quite a journey, to think I was just a teenager and a student teacher when Miss Pat opened Uptown... and here we are today... Some of our students are still with us! This is more than dance to us... its our lifestyle, its our passion, its our family. We bring dance to you from the heart. I look forward to the next 20 plus years of dance with you all!

If you are as excited as I am about the new season and want to show your support by wearing your Uptown Gear, you may visit our U Dance Apparel store here. We have samples in the studio for you to try on or take a look at.

See you all in class!
Peace, Love, and Dance!
Miss Leslea

Student Spotlight

We would like to announce a new feature to our blog... The Student Spotlight. Each month we will highlight a special student...The Student of the Month. We will also recognize other achievements in dance from our students in this section.

To apply for student of the month you and/or a member of your family must apply on our members only, private site, www.UptownDanceConnection.com (please ask your parents/guardians permission before joining our website.) We are looking for students who are dedicated to dance, have good attendance, participate with enthusiasm, work well with their other classmates, keep the classroom a positive environment, and show progress in their classes. Applying is simple, just message Miss Leslea on The Uptown Connection (you must be a member first and don't worry, its FREE) and tell her why you or your child/family member should be The Student of the Month.

If you are not a student at Uptown Dance, don't worry. There is a similar opportunity for you on New Jersey Dancers.com. You may apply to be Dancer of the Month! This contest is open to anyone involved in the dance field in NJ. Simply message "LesleaC" the founder of NJDancers with why you should be Dancer of the Month. Tell her about your achievements or goals or any dance related awesomeness =)

We are looking forward to your participation!

Congratulations to Uptown's first Student of the Month... August's Ashley V.

National Dance Day 2011

The second annual National Dance Day is quickly approaching. This year it will be on July 30th. I will be celebrating by being at the Dance Teacher Summit in NYC with my family and friends. I encourage you all to participate in NDD and would love to have my Uptown crew represent by choosing one of the 3 videos below, learn the choreography, then tape yourself and send it to our Facebook page .







Need more information...

WHAT: NATIONAL DANCE DAY, a grassroots initiative that encourages the nation, young and old, to move! Individuals, families, organizations and communities from across the nation come together through their creative expression in dance. Any style of dance is welcome and imagination is recommended in order to get the most out of this celebratory day.

WHEN: Saturday, July 30

WHY: To continue to generate national awareness for dance, a medium of expression and storytelling which, through shows like So You Think You Can Dance, has proven its value in bringing individuals from all walks of life together through a positive platform that has no boundaries and cultivates imagination and passion. Most importantly, the day is intended to promote health and wellness nationwide.

HOW: Three videos will be released Wednesday, July 6 with different levels of choreography, making it possible for people of all ages and dance backgrounds to celebrate.

National Dance Day was recognized by Congress last year. Learn more about the movement brought to Washington, D.C. by Nigel Lythgoe and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC). Share your D-Day ideas in the SYTYCD forums and stay tuned to this site for more information to come.

Visit Dance4YourLife.org for more.