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BACKSTREET DANCE is about:
- Fun
- Positivity
- Confidence
- Self-Acceptance
and most of all...
Check out what others had to say: |
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"I was very impressed with yesterday's production. I was so proud of Flynn and Poppy that I could have burst but I was also so overwhelmed with each and every performance. The whole experience was so joyful. The bravery of all the performers, the colour and costumes, the music and lighting, it was all such a professional, smooth run show yet you make it so relaxed, enjoyable and affordable for all the families. It brought back many fond memories of my own childhood and I am so pleased that there is a dance studio in Cairns that I can expose my children to that is just so good and healthy for them. What you provide at Backstreet is so much more than learning to dance. The confidence and belief in themself is what I loved about each and every person on that stage, child or adult. Besides being thoroughly entertained, I kept thinking at various times throughout the show that I hope you and Backstreet Dance are around throughout my kids' childhood.
Thank you for teaching Poppy this term. She loved each and every class and was so amazed and excited about her dance. Flynn really enjoyed the whole experience, especially the applause at the end and I can just feel his self assurance growing. As a mother, this confidence and self esteem is one of the most treasured gifts. Flynn is really looking forward to you teaching him next term as am I.
My husband and my parents were completely blown away. Our little ones seemed so big up there on stage with this glowing aura of confidence! My Mum was so impressed she wants to join in on the parents( well grandparents) performance next term!!!
Anyway Deborah, I just wanted to thank you for all your hard work and dedication. Please pass on my thanks to Miss Claire and Miss Cecelia. I wanted you to know that I don't think there is any dance company in Cairns providing what you do and I hope that you can continue to do so for many more years to come. Backstreet is a truly positive and unique experience. The children and I are so excited for next term."
- Tania Cahill, Parent of Tiny Tot (Poppy) and Boys Hip Hop Student (Flynn). |
Charmaine McIntyre, young adult, said: "I have known Deborah for over 7 years, during that time I was attending her previous dance school for roughly 4 years. Deborah did some amazing things for me in my life, she made my confidence grow and gave me fantastic opportunities. She helped me get through some tough times when my world was falling apart, I would look forward to dance every week and as soon as you walked into that studio, you feel so welcome and so alive! Deborah is an absolute inspiration to others. I can't wait to get dancing again!" |
Sharon Day, long term parent and volunteer at Backstreet said: "I have known Deborah Storer for over six years in her capacity as owner and dance teacher of both Moondust Productions and more recently Backstreet Dance. Deborah's enthusiasm for dance and her bubbly personality are infectious to those who attend the studio, creating a wonderful environment for our children to thrive in.
In those six years, during Deborah's management, I have witnessed the smooth and efficient running of the studio. Classes can be witnessed via a one-way mirror or by three television monitors in the waiting area. Whilst parents are waiting they can relax in air-conditioned comfort on one of several large lounges, enjoy free tea and coffee and great conversation. On busy Saturday mornings the studio even provides a video for the younger students to watch whilst waiting for older siblings.
The waiting area is littered with reading material for parents; not the normal dentist waiting-room magazines - but nutritional guides, support for young teens, promoting self-confidence etc. There are also strategically placed bright motivational posters illustrated by Deborah and a list of studio goals for parents' perusal.
Backstreet Dance has a number or dedicated teachers and assistants who assist Deborah in maintaining a safe and happy studio. Each teacher has a blue card and a current first aid certificate, which are displayed to the public above the Reception desk. Each teacher is chosen because of their own dedication to dance, professionalism and fun-loving nature. Deborah regularly organises trips to dance workshops for herself and her teachers to improve their teaching techniques and to partake in other genres of dance that are not provided in Cairns.
Classes are based on different genres such as jazz, funk and hip-hop and cater to a variety of age/ability groups. Classes are kept small with an average of 10 - 16 students in each. They always commence with warm up exercises including stretches. Students are encouraged to put effort into these exercises and Deborah often explains why they are necessary. She is extremely safety conscience and there are rules in place to promote the safety of the students.
Deborah's philosophy is that 'dance is meant to be fun'. Unlike most other dance studios, she does not push students to be outstanding, to dance perfectly - instead she empowers the students to believe in themselves and boosts their own self-confidence so that the students themselves want to be outstanding! There is no question of body image in the studio, no bullying because a student is fat or different. The students are relaxed and confident with whom they are; because this is the message that Deborah lives by.
The students all adore Deborah! She is fun, bright and bubbly, easy to talk to and never raises her voice to the students. A number of Deborah's students have been so impressed with her that they have used her as the subject of many written and oral school assignments about "my hero" or "who inspires me". It isn't often that teachers can say that they have inspired their students the way Deborah has!
Deborah also provides a learning environment for many young students who would like to teach dance. She has taken on several students as 'assistant teachers' (who provide assistance to the teacher every week in class) and others as 'student teachers' (who are required only for the last few lessons of the term). These 'teachers' perform with the students on stage at the end of each term. They are part of the team that make up the successful Backstreet gang and play a very important part in the running of the classes. They are provided with ongoing mentoring and feedback on their progress and Deborah allows them to provide input into the classes and costumes. These students are given every opportunity to improve their teaching techniques, liaise with parents of the students, attend extra dance classes to improve their own performance levels and improve their own self-confidence.
Deborah provides incentives for students during classes to improve in particular areas. During each class there is time set aside for students to showcase their talents in splits; leg lifts, pull-throughs etc. Once a student successfully completes the task, they are awarded a certificate of their achievement at the end of the term. Each student also receives a certificate with personalised comments at the end of each term. To mark the end of a full year of dancing with Backstreet, each student who has completed a full year is awarded with a trophy with his or her name on it. During the year, Deborah provides personal support for the older students, issuing them with their own list of personal goals. The students get to choose what aspects of dance they wish to work on eg. Posture, flexibility etc and Deborah will evaluate them during the term and give them feedback as to how they are each improving. This is a purely voluntary scheme but I have noted that the majority of the teenagers have taken the challenge!
Backstreet Dance performs on stage at the end of every school term to allow the students to develop their confidence. The more they perform, the more confident they become. Most of these performances are held at private venues like Performing Arts Complexes at local schools - so that the costs remain affordable and the students get the feel of a full sized stage. The venues attract a minimal cost per ticket.
The amount of planning that goes into every performance is phenomenal! Deborah not only organises most of the songs and choreography but also the striking costumes and props for each class. Some costumes are bought from a supplier, whereas others are made at the studio - but always keeping in mind the cost for the parents. The costumes, which always match the song/dance routine, are often of very bright, fluoro colours; and props are used to enhance the audience's experience. But does Deborah get to sit and watch the wonderful performances? No! She is backstage organising students and loving every minute of it!!
Overall, as the mother of two dancing students, I would not hesitate to recommend Deborah and her studio to other parents. Her enthusiasm to both Dance and her students is beyond comparison. I am confident that whatever tasks Deborah takes on she will do an outstanding job. I am sure most parents are proud to have her teach their children." |
Cher Logan, parent of 8yo & 12yo, said: "Deborah Storer brings something to our children that others don't. I have witnessed Deborah and her team energetically and passionately uplift the well being of so many young boys and girls in life changing ways. She edifies and empowers kids to be their best, believe in themselves and reach their highest potential and if they dance with passion and work as a team caring for each other, all things are possible. Deborah's unique manner and genuine commitment to children and their families is honourable. I will continue to support Deborah's dance studio." |
| CAIRNS DANCE CLASSES - HIP HOP CLASSES - FUNK CLASSES - JAZZ CLASSES - CONTEMPORARY CLASSES - ADULT CLASSES - KIDS DANCE CLASSES - CHILDRENS DANCE CLASSES - BACKSTREET DANCE - FUN DANCE CLASSES |
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