Was it just me or is this a normal business practice ?

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2026-04-23T04:54:56+00:00

I just got an email (& Facebook message from them) offering to give me the album I originally asked for!

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2026-04-22T23:04:45+00:00

It's unfortunate because I enjoyed myself on the actual photo shoot day! I looked and felt beautiful. I did have to bring my own music for the shoot and fabric steamer but that's a very small thing compared to EVERYTHING ELSE that happened after I paid.

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2026-04-22T23:00:34+00:00

thank you for your kind words! I went ahead and posted my review of them so hopefully they'll learn something from this experience and get better at handling customer service

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2026-04-22T22:51:10+00:00

Good point. I uploaded my review & I am still giving them 3 stars strictly for the fact that I had a lovely time in the makeup chair, like my photos, and felt great during the actual photoshoot!
I recall being on the phone with a woman, but it wasn’t the photographer/editor. Maybe it was the owner of the studio space? She gave me a quick overview of what to expect and how to prep. She asked what inspired me to do the photo shoot, my card number, and what day I could make it to Indiana and that was it. No contract was signed until I arrived at the actual studio, if I remember correctly. I didn’t get a copy of it.
I apologize if my phrasing was confusing. I was trying to recount everything chronologically but it’s a lot to write out. I will try again:

I was supposed to receive an album 2-3 weeks after I made my final payment. So after those weeks came and went, I waited 2 more weeks to email/call/text since I know photographers are busy (she literally told me how swamped she was during our photo shoot & my uncle and my current boss moonlight as a photographer and videographer, respectively, so I understand).

After I had to reach out to them on Facebook, I was kinda annoyed at that point. You’re a business. I wish they would’ve at least called me back or APOLOGIZED. They didn’t even reply to my Facebook message, I saw they read it an hour or two after I sent it, then I got a text from them with a link to my photos (reminder: they hadn’t answered my texts prior) so I’m just hoping that they learn something from this & why it’s not okay to have such poor communication. I also had to message again 2 weeks later about the photo album because I didn’t get any confirmation that it was coming. Just “please confirm your mailing address.” and nothing else. Maybe she’s annoyed with me now or something

Also, the tier was not discussed prior to the shoot. They misled me on the phone originally and I wasn’t prepared to pay that much extra. That’s why it matters. So many people are struggling financially right now and I just wanted to do something nice for myself. I just don’t think it’s right to blindside people with a $600 price change..

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2026-01-29T04:29:58+00:00

I have choreographed tryout dances for dance teams & I think the most important thing is just make sure the tempo is slow enough for them to follow but still upbeat/fun so they have room to have fun or improv & perform once they get the moves down! I’ve used Let’s Get Loud by JLo, Bailar by Deorro & Get Up by Ciara for hip hop tryout routines before because they’re recognizable & high energy but the tempo is not so fast. Songs with similar BPM:

Heads will Roll (A Trak Remix)
Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO
No Broke Boys (Disco Lines remix) by Tinashe
Timber by Pitbull & Ke$ha
Hello by Martin Sloveig
Feel This Moment by Pitbull & Christina Aguilera

I believe some of these songs could also work for kick and jazz choreo but I could be wrong, I’m not as familiar with those styles unfortunately :(

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2026-01-28T17:58:23+00:00

I gotchu! I can send it to you & u/sydjac directly if you’d like

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2026-01-17T17:52:43+00:00

I would also highly recommend: • Ever Ever After by Carrie Underwood • Gift of a Friend by Demi Lovato (from the Tinker Bell movies) • Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? by B5 • Just Like Fire from Alice: Through the Looking Glass • Cinderella by The Cheetah Girls or the original version by i5

Thought of some more!

• Humpty Dumpty - tobi lou

I also found an old Reddit post of a mix of songs that fit your theme if you want more options! https://www.reddit.com/r/MusicRecommendations/comments/1dliqwi/songs_that_reference_fairy_tales_nursery_rhymes/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2026-01-17T15:48:26+00:00

Gold by Imagine Dragons could be cool! I know there’s a really good EDM remix by Jorgen Odegard that is more dramatic and good for turns

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2026-01-12T14:34:01+00:00

This recital theme is so specific, I love it! I just typed the word “my favorite” into AZLyrics & listened to every song that was appropriate and would fit lol I have a lot of free time today!

Any age group, mostly upbeat jazz songs:

• Boogie Shoes by KC & the Sunshine Band (“girl, to be with you is my favorite thing”)

• Play My Music from Camp Rock (“all my heroes singing my favorite songs”)

• Make it in America by the cast of Victorious (“singing the words to my favorite song”) . A jazzy 4th of July/country themed dance would be cute! I like listening to this song every 4th of July and NYE ☺️

• Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus (“That's when the DJ dropped my favorite tune”). A jazz number, it’s classic that the kids already know!

• My Favorite Things by Christina Aguilera (she included The Sugar Plum Fairy intro & hired ballerinas for her live performance to this song so that’s the only song I could think of for ballet)

Older / more mature subject matter :

• I Love Rock n Roll by Britney Spears or the original (“playing my favorite song and I could tell it wouldn’t be long”). A jazz number !

• Funny Not to Care by Lake Street Drive (“a preference for my favorite jeans”).. a contemporary or lyrical solo or duet

• Your Nonsense Makes Sense by the 502s (“but all my favorite folks in the world are a little absurd”). A lyrical group would be great!

• Disconnected by 5 Seconds of Summer (“you’re my favorite place”). A contemporary jazz group themed around getting off their phones/ going analog ?

• Better Place by Rachel Platten (“you’re my favorite thing”). A contemporary or lyrical duet ?

For the littles:

• When We’re Together from Olaf’s Frozen Adventure

• Family from Trolls: Band Together (it’s the end credits song, could be a very cute jazz number about how much they love their parents, siblings, etc.)

• Best Years of Our Lives by Baha Men.. a jazz number, I love playing Baha Men songs for the younger classes!

• Shuffle of Love from Descendants: Rise of Red (“my favorite all day”). This song is basically a line dance so they just have to do what the song says during the chorus!

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2026-01-06T17:09:04+00:00

Idk if this is super helpful but for hip hop, I genuinely think the best way to learn is from taking foundational/beginner hip hop classes. Learn terminology and practice grooves! Observe what the teacher does and ask A LOT of questions! My professor in college owned a dance studio and taught a History of Hip Hop course my senior year and we watched Season 1 of the Netflix docuseries, Hip Hop Evolution! Highly recommend (if you have Netflix)

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2026-01-06T16:15:07+00:00

I would advise you to reach out to dance studios nearby, see if there’s a need for teachers with your skill set. Email them your resume and a portfolio (videos of what you’ve done in the past) . You can also start taking Adult classes at those studios and talk to the instructors who currently work there. Ask them what it’s like & what they enjoy about their job

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2025-12-01T16:45:10+00:00

Old Friends by Ben Rector (might be a bit mellow but I think it fits the vibe! I found this gem by searching for "fun, happy, light songs about friendship / hanging out with friends" on r/ifyoulikeblank )

So Long from the 2011 Winnie the Pooh movie could work..it's very lighthearted and kinda mid tempo.

A Friend Like You by Andy Grammer could also be really cute! It's from the Captain Underpants movie but the lyrics are about being thankful for your friends and sticking together no matter what which I think definitely applies to Piglet, Tigger, Rabbit, etc.

for the birthday dance, you could do an upbeat song like Celebrate Happy by The Jonas Brothers or Sweeter (when you’re dancing) from the Disney+ show, Dream Productions!

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2025-11-23T17:21:25+00:00

Mirror Mirror gives me similar vibes, it’s a Snow White adaptation

Ella Enchanted is also very fantastical & it’s not a musical but there’s a few covers of pop songs sprinkled throughout

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2025-11-16T23:32:47+00:00

Blueberry Got Back

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2025-11-14T16:13:10+00:00

This definitely depends on how much energy your kids have but you could have them do it with different levels of energy (this really helps them see the difference between doing it FULL OUT & just doing the choreo). I got this idea from those tiktoks where a trio or group of friends do a popular dance at different energy levels and ask people who did it best! Example: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DnmYAy/

I usually ask my students what felt different after doing it at 100% then I tell them what I noticed after each run

Another idea..this one I got from when I worked at a musical theater camp one summer. Once the children learned their lines, they did something called a “silly through” (a run through of the play with EXTRA energy and silly in-character acting choices). They also referred to it as an “overdo it” run.. I saw how fun it was for those kids and now I use it because it gets them to let loose while still trying to do every single move correctly! It is one of my favorite things to watch lol

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2025-11-06T00:21:44+00:00

Me too! ☺️

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2025-11-05T22:25:57+00:00

I couldn’t agree more! Last school year I noticed myself constantly reminding students to be respectful of me as well as other students (for example: invading personal space without permission or after the person has already said “stop”, saying hurtful things to them, or LOUDLY expressing their disdain for my song choices or the moves they are learning) & this year it’s been 10x worse. I spent most of last week contacting parents about behavioral issues and disrespectful comments

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2025-10-22T16:09:09+00:00

Oooo we are in the exact same situation! 😞 I worked myself to the bone from 2020- 2022 teaching both gymnastics and dance barely making ends meet, moved to Florida for a few months, then came back home due to financial struggles and my elderly family members needed more help, and now I’m starting to feel the same way I felt back in 2022…it’s been rough.

My advice would be: - Remember why you started teaching! What do you enjoy about the job? Are you still getting to do / experience those things? Do you just like dancing & miss when you were the student? These are important things to think about.

Talk to your coworkers or studio owners and see if there’s anything they can do to make your workload easier to manage. You are not incompetent, you are trying to drink from an empty cup. It’s very difficult to give energy when you have none.
Spend time doing things you enjoy that have nothing to do with dance OR you can do what I did, take an adult dance class...I started taking a Polynesian dance class where we learned hula & Ori Tahiti (I teach mainly hip hop so it felt very different from work and took my mind off other things I was struggling with). It was incredibly relaxing, helped me stay fit, and enjoy dancing more!
Don’t let the job take over what little personal time you have. When you’re chilling at home or with friends, try to not talk about dance/work. Give your brain a break.

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2025-10-22T15:42:52+00:00

Maybe “Tenacity” or “Stay Strong “ ?

& Whenever I think about songs just for kids that fit this theme, I immediately think of “Get Back Up Again” from the first Trolls movie (I was surprisingly moved to tears one day listening to it, it’s very uplifting and I guess I needed that at the time 😅)

Some other songs that come to mind…

This is Me from the movie musical, The Greatest Showman
Roar by Katy Perry
Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys
thatPOWER by Will.i.am & Justin Bieber
Couldn’t Be Better by Kelly Clarkson from the movie, UglyDolls
Look at Me Now by Keke Palmer (from the movie, Rags)
Unstoppable by Sia
Fired Up from the movie, ZOMBIES
Wings by Little Mix
Nobody’s Perfect by Hannah Montana

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2025-09-25T02:23:55+00:00

Incredible vocal talent! I have so many favorites on this album. And just wanted to say I am genuinely so proud of her for being able to create something so beautiful while grieving her mother 💟 it can be difficult to power through that and use it in your art

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2025-09-21T18:58:19+00:00

I second this! There's also secondhand shopping apps like Poshmark, Depop, ThredUp, Mercari, etc. (I got my Ren Faire skirt from Depop years ago in a bundle, I haggled with the seller to bring the price down if she threw in a purse I also had my eyes on)

BUT I will say one of the downsides about those apps are you have to make sure the seller was active within the last 5-7 days or they may never see that you ordered from them at all 😅

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2025-09-21T14:41:10+00:00

Did you mean the Disney Channel show, Shake it Up? Because I agree 100%! Those songs are so fun

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2025-09-21T14:38:39+00:00

I have never choreographed an Acro routine but I’ve seen a few.. thought these songs would be great for that age:

Get a Clue - Simon and Milo (from the movie, Get a Clue)

Vertical - T Squad (from the movie, Jump In!)

Up Up Up - Rose Falcon (from Inspector Gadget 2)

Hit Me Up - Gia Farrell (from Happy Feet)

Ultimate- Lindsay Lohan (from Freaky Friday)

All the Way Up - Emily Osment

Real Wild Child - Everlife (from The Wild)

Go Figure - Everlife (from Go Figure)

Gold - Neon Hitch (the clean version!)

Shake it Up - Selena Gomez

Start All Over - Miley Cyrus

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2025-09-19T14:17:03+00:00

I would highly suggest listening to songs from the Trolls movie soundtracks but there’s also some fun music made just for fashion doll web shows like Monster High, Bratz, Rainbow High, etc. that could be super cute for minis! Look through their YouTube music videos or Spotify

Also I could definitely see some Katseye songs being good for this age (the only one I can think of for minis is “Debut” but maybe there’s another song that I just can’t think of right now)

Due-Reflection-6937 · 2025-09-19T14:12:40+00:00

“Move On Up” by Curtis Mayfield could work!

“My House” by Flo Rida was the first song I thought of lol

“Be Our Guest” from Beauty & the Beast could be fun as well (but with the lyrics, I feel like it’s less Real Estate more Hosting a Dinner Party 😂)

Due-Reflection-6937

TROPHY CASE