Snap Dance Studios held their last regular dance season class last Friday (June 14).

Courtney Sproule, Owner of Snap Dance Studios, shares while the season is all about dance steps and life lessons, this year, in particular, she noticed such a strong community culture throughout the studio. "Everyone seems to really share the same values and sees the value in those life lessons with the ups and the downs. From the older kids to the younger kids, to the parents, teachers, and staff, it is pretty cool to see it all come together and become such a cohesive place. I feel like it is not just about dancing anymore, it is about making our dance community better and Cochrane on a whole better."

While it is always great to watch the dancers grow, win, and get accolades, says Sproule; the studio takes great pride in their community presence and involvement. "Our Scatter Kindness stuff was cool and even doing flash mobs and parades out in the community and entertaining the community. I always say to the kids this isn't just about us getting out to dance, it's about the people on the other side and being a part of that spirit."

Even though some people may view dance as an individual sport, Sproule shares they are trying to change that perception. "It is about your team, and of course, every sport is about individual growth, but we are really trying to change dance into a team sport and I think that is really what helps at Snap too. People sometimes get so wrapped up in competitive stuff, and yes, there's an absolute value in that, but there is such a bigger picture to it."

Teaching dancers to appreciate their bodies was also part of this past year's dance season, says Sproule. Having the dancers place an emphasis on body appreciation, as well as, the importance for all students to love their bodies, no matter size or shape, was a no-brainer. "The media can portray the standard of women's bodies in different ways; that is why I wanted to change the conversation about our bodies and focus on how strong and great they are."

Looking forward to the 2019/2020 dance season, Snap is launching a new program 'Mind, Body Connection'. "We are always training, we are always in classes, and yes, we are always in lessons, but this is actually an opportunity to stop and not focus on technique and focus one whatever we need to. We will take that class and use it as we see fit; is it relationship building? That is always stuff we try and do here and there without taking up too much time, but now we can do that every single week, I think it is so important to STOP and do something outside of just the steps."

With last year's expansion of space, Sproule says they finally feel like the studio has come into its own regarding capacity and classes, especially for the rec program. "As far as a working mom, we get the weekend classes. Now we have decided to try both Saturday and Sunday because sometimes people just want a Saturday off. We have tons of options now for that, and so we have really expanded our rec program and we're trying to define it. We are also hoping to have a custom curriculum for preschool too. It is always about listening and observing what happens this year and what is best for next year.

Snap Dance Studios is offering a ton of summer programming, as well as, a team-building trip to Mexico for twenty-five Snap dancers. 

Sproule shares summertime programming will include confidence camps for those ages one and a half to seven as well as an intensive camp at the end of August. "I invited all the other dance studios too. It is going to be a great camp called 'Hometown Heroes' and all about the big locals that have made it."

If you would like to learn more about Snap Dance Studios, summer camp offerings, or programming for next season, go HERE.