Foxtrot Dance Studio

This weekend would not have run so smoothly without our incredible group of faithful Foxtrot alumni who return year after year to serve as our backstage crew. These ladies generously donate their time, patience, and energy to support our dancers—lining them up, keeping everyone organized, and ensuring backstage runs seamlessly throughout the performance. I truly could not do it without them, and I am beyond grateful for each and every one of them.

One of the things that makes me most proud is seeing Foxtrot alumni continue to come back and give their time to support our studio community and pour into the next generation of dancers. Their continued love and dedication to Foxtrot means more than words can express.

I love you girls! Your leadership makes us so proud. 🩷

Ricki Lawson 2021’
Gianna Davis 2022’
Dove Hughey 2023’
Amia Jackson 2024’
Gabriela Palmieri 2025’

Each season, we choose one student as a team who has not only grown as a dancer, but has also demonstrated dedication, passion, kindness, and an unwavering love for dance.

This year, our choice was unanimous, because this dancer is someone we simply can’t take our eyes off of. Her love for dance shines through in every routine, and her kind heart speaks volumes both on and off the stage. She is in the studio week after week for technique classes, team rehearsals, and volunteering with our younger dancers — often without even being asked.

She leads with humility, works with determination, and carries herself with a grace far beyond her years. We are so eager to watch her continue to grow in the years ahead, and we are beyond thankful that we get the opportunity to be a small part of her journey.

Congratulations to Season 50’s Most Outstanding Student… Miss Evvie Ivanco!

We love you, Ev, and we are so incredibly proud of you!! It is truly a joy to have you as a part of our dance family. 🩷

Recital photos continued 🩷📸

Each year, when it's all said and done, I find myself searching for the right words. After months of planning, rehearsing, problem-solving, celebrating, and worrying about every little detail, it's hard to put into words what the last 24 hours always feel like.

Why do we do this? Because one day... The chaos comes to an end.

The rushed weeknights, the packed weekends, the endless loads of tights and leotards, the costume bins taking over the basement, the quick dinners in the car on the way to dance... they all become memories.

As overwhelming as this season (and yesterday) can feel, please soak it all in. Because one day, you'll look around and realize the dance bag isn't sitting by the door anymore. The music has gotten quieter. The recital countdown no longer looms on your Google calendar. And somehow, you'll miss every bit of the sparkle-filled chaos that once felt so exhausting.

When recital week starts to weigh on me, I always find myself wondering if one day I'll miss all of it. Will I miss packing half of the studio into a U-Haul? Will I miss answering dozens of text messages at all hours while trying to make sure every child has exactly what they need? The answer is always yes.

Because none of those things are really about the work. They're about the little dancers who run through our doors every week with big smiles and even bigger dreams. They're about watching shy children find confidence, friendships blossom, and young people discover just how capable they really are.

That makes every late night, every stressful moment, and every ounce of chaos completely worth it. Thank you for trusting myself and my team with one of the most important people in your life. For a few hours every week, I get to watch your children grow… not just as dancers, but as kind humans, teammates, leaders, and confident young people. There is no greater privilege than being a small part of that journey.

Every night, I go to bed incredibly grateful knowing I have the privilege of teaching more than 140+ amazing children. They challenge me, inspire me, make me laugh every single day, and remind me why I fell in love with teaching in the first place.

If your child danced in last night's recital, hug them a little tighter today. Whether they performed in 2 routines or 12, whether they are one of our Tiny Tots taking the stage for the very first time or one of our Seniors taking their final bow, every single dancer accomplished something remarkable. They chose courage.

They stood under those bright lights in front of a packed auditorium and believed in themselves. They trusted the work they put in all year long, and they shared something they love with hundreds of people. That kind of confidence doesn't happen overnight. It's built one class at a time; and I couldn't be more proud of every single one of them.

To our dance moms, vets & newbies, thank you!🩷

Thank you for the carpools, the ponytails, the costume changes, the forgotten shoes, the quick dinners, the cheering from the audience, and for believing that dance is worth the commitment. Most of all, thank you for sharing your children with me. There truly isn't anywhere else I'd rather be.

It takes an incredible village to create a day as special as yesterday. To everyone who sold concessions, inflated balloons, moved scenery, worked backstage, ran music, loaded trucks, directed traffic, handled security, organized programs, sold raffle tickets, and quietly stepped in wherever help was needed—you gave our dancers a day they will never forget.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart: Mom, Dad, my husband - Nate, my brother and sister in law - Chris & Jackie, Ruth, Shirley, Barb, Chaz, Ralphie, Viv, Nicole, Karen, Lisa & Maria, Backstage Bernie, Terri, DJ Rooney, Curtain Man Zack, Joey, Andrew, Hunter, My dream team - Katrina, Chelsea, & Danielle, Our AMAZING backstage alumni crew - Ricki, Dove, Gianna, Amia, & Gabriela, Jenn Probola-Hodge & Milan, my wristband crew - Dana D, Val, Christine, our Gentle Giant and amazing backstage security - Earnest Jones, My stage load in crew - Kolby, Rob, John, Justin, Craig, Katie & Nate, Shannon Weiss, East Allegheny School District - Amanda & Kaitlyn, Killington Security and their director Erin, and so many more. Thank you will never feel like enough.

Season 50... what a beautiful chapter. It was everything I dreamed it would be and so much more. Thank you for laughing with us, crying with us, celebrating with us, and believing in what Foxtrot has stood for over the past 50 years. Here's to the next 50!

Rest, make memories, enjoy your families, and know how grateful I am that ours includes you. Happy Summer! We'll see you in the fall!

📸 Please share your recital photos with us on BAND or tag us social media pages!! I would love to add them to our post 🩷

Dancingly Yours,
Kassandra & Your Foxtrot Staff

See you at 1:45pm, dancers! 🌟🫶🏼

🌟See you at 4:45pm dancers!

🌟 Please arrive, settle into the dressing rooms, get dressed in your first costume of the night, and report directly to the auditorium!

As a reminder, we will see the following classes in the studio:

- Wednesday Mini Dancers: 5:30pm-8:00pm
(scheduled classes as usual)

- Monday/Wednesday Junior Dancers: 5:30pm-8:30pm

All dancers please dress appropriately & pack a water bottle or two!