What an incredible weekend for our Next Step Dance Performance Team at @goshowstopper ! Watching these dancers take the stage for the very first time as competitors was something truly special. Yes, they earned amazing scores and recognition from the judges, but the real win was seeing them step onto that stage with confidence, pride, and excitement… and watching them absolutely come alive. This was a huge moment for our studio. Many of these dancers were competing for the first time, and they showed up with heart, courage, and joy. I could not be more proud of the way they supported one another, represented our studio, and truly became the showstoppers they are meant to be. Congratulations to our dancers on an amazing weekend: • “I’ve Got Rhythm” – 1st Overall, Mini Advanced Large • “How Will I Know” – 2nd Overall, Mini Advanced Duet/Trio • “Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead” – 3rd Overall, Mini Advanced Duet/Trio • “Colors of the Wind” – 7th Overall, Junior Advanced Large • “Smile” – 7th Overall, Junior Advanced Large • “Word Up” – 8th Overall, Junior Advanced Small • “Sisters” – 9th Overall, Junior Performance Duet/Trio • “Turning Pages” – 9th Overall, Junior Advanced Duet/Trio • “L.A. Boys” – 10th Overall, Junior Advanced Duet/Trio Solo Highlights: • Maren Samuelson – 6th Overall, Mini Advanced Solo • Skylar Prewitt – 7th Overall, Mini Advanced Solo • Hazel Haning – 8th Overall, Mini Advanced Solo • Jemma Lane – 5th Overall, Mini Advanced Solo • Heidi Bergus – 10th Overall, Junior Advanced Solo As a team, Next Step Dance received 20 Platinum Awards and 2 Gold Awards. I am beyond proud of every single dancer who stepped on that stage this weekend. Your hard work, your bravery, and your love for dance were shining through every moment. And the best part… we’re just getting started. Next stop: Positive Vibes at Illinois State University, March 20–22. Let’s keep growing, keep shining, and keep having fun.

It’s Competition Weekend! 💜✨ Our Next Step Dance Performance Team is heading to Showstoppers this weekend and we could not be more excited to watch these incredible dancers take the stage. This team has worked so hard, grown so much, and most importantly had so much fun together along the way. Watching their confidence, teamwork, and love for dance grow this season has been such a joy. We are so proud of every single dancer and we are so ready to see them shine. If you’d like to support our dancers, you can: ✨ Come watch in person this weekend ✨ Tune in on the livestream through the Showstoppers app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/showstopper/id1156036041 Swipe to see the performance schedule for each day and when our dancers will be on stage! Let’s go Next Step Dance! Time to celebrate all the hard work and enjoy the moment. 💜

Forever My Snowflake ❄️🤍 A winter dance created to celebrate connection, love, and time together. Registration is now open for our Forever My Snowflake Winter Dance on Saturday, February 7th. While often thought of as a Daddy–Daughter event, this dance is open to everyone — moms and daughters, moms and sons, dads and sons, grandparents, or any special grown-up and child pair. ✨ Two sessions available ✨ $35 per couple | $15 per additional sibling ✨ Each session limited to 25 couples to keep the experience intimate If sessions fill quickly, we’ll consider adding an additional time — but space is limited. Registration links for each session are available through the link in our bio. This one is all about slowing down and making a memory. 🤍❄️

🎄✨ Christmas Movie Night at NSD! ✨🎄 Next Friday (Dec 19th), we’re turning the studio into a cozy holiday hangout to watch The Grinch That Stole Christmas! 🍿💚 Dancers can snuggle in with: 🛏 1 pillow 🧣 1 blanket 💲 Cash for entry ($10 / $5 sibling) We’ll handle the pizza, snacks, fun, and festive magic. ❤️ And if you’re craving a couple quiet hours to finish shopping, wrap gifts, prep for the holidays, or enjoy one last date night — we’ve absolutely got you. Details: 🎬 Friday, Dec 19 ⏰ 5:30–8:30 PM 📍 Next Step Dance 💲 $10 ($5 sibling) | Cash only 🍕 Pizza + snack included Send us a message to save your dancer’s spot. Can’t wait to celebrate with you! 🎅✨

🎄 CHRISTMAS KICK-OFF PARTY — THIS FRIDAY! 🎄 5:30–7:30 PM | FREE EVENT | ALL ARE WELCOME We’re opening our doors this Friday night for a little magic, a little music, and a whole lot of holiday cheer. ✨ Bring your family, bring your friends, bring anyone who could use a fun, cozy night surrounded by community. We’ll have: ✨ Dancing & singing ✨ Sweet treats ✨ Festive activities ✨ Santa’s mailbox making its grand arrival ✨ A couple very special guests stopping by… 👀🎅 It’s our way of kicking off the Christmas season with joy, warmth, and connection — the things that matter most. If you’d like to give back, we’re encouraging everyone to bring a non-perishable food item or warm clothing to donate. 🤍 No registration, no fees — just show up, have fun, and celebrate the season with our NSD family. We can’t wait to see you there. ✨ #NextStepDance #NSDHolidayKickoff #BloomingtonNormal #CommunityEvent #DanceFamily #HolidayMagic #SpreadJoy #NextStepSeason #HaveFunWorkHardDreamBig

🎄✨ It’s Our Favorite Christmas Tradition! ✨🎄 We’re so excited to kick off the holiday season with our Next Step Dance Christmas Kick-Off Party on Friday, December 5th from 5:30–7:30 PM! Join us for an evening of dancing, singing, treats, and holiday cheer — it’s our way of celebrating this magical season together! 💚 Families are welcome to bring friends and loved ones, so if you’re looking for a fun, dancy Christmas party, come join the NSD crew for a night full of sparkle and joy. 💌 Santa’s Mailbox will be making its grand arrival too — and rumor has it, a very special guest might stop by! 😉 🎁 Free Event! We encourage everyone to bring a non-perishable food item or warm clothing to donate as we spread holiday love throughout our community. #NextStepDance #NSDHolidayKickoff #NSDFamily #BloomingtonNormal #DanceCommunity #ChristmasAtNSD #HolidayCheer #SpreadJoy #DanceIsHome

Our Thankful Tree is filling up fast 🌿 Every leaf holds something special — little notes from our dancers and families about what they’re grateful for this season. From friends and teachers to music, laughter, and the joy of dancing together, it’s a reminder of how much love lives inside these walls. So thankful for this community and the light you bring to NSD every single day. 💛 #NextStepDance #NSDFamily #ThankfulTree #GratitudeSeason #DanceCommunity #BloomingtonNormal #DanceStudioLove #JoyInTheJourney #GratefulHearts #DanceLife

Fall sports are winding down… which means it’s the perfect time to DANCE! 💜 We’ve got new classes open and spots available in a few age groups — and dancers who join in November can still perform in our Holiday Show on Dec. 13 and our Recital on June 6! If your dancer has been talking about getting back into it (or trying something new!), this is their moment. 💫 Join us at Next Step Dance — where fun, friendship, and confidence grow all season long. #NextStepDance #HaveFunWorkHardDreamBig #BloomingtonDance

🎉 March with Next Step Dance in the ISU Homecoming Parade! ❤️🖤 The excitement is building — this Saturday, October 18th at 10:00 AM, we’re joining the Illinois State University Homecoming Parade! Our NSD Performance Team will help lead the way, and we’re inviting all NSD dancers and families to join us as we show our Redbird spirit and celebrate our amazing ISU connections. 👟 Wear: comfy walking shoes + red & black (Next Step or Redbird gear!) 🕘 Arrive: between 9:15–9:30 AM for check-in 📍 Parade Start: College Ave & University St — ends near the Redbird Spirit Shop This parade is a beautiful chance to come together, cheer on our community, and celebrate the dancers, teachers, and alumni who make NSD what it is. Let’s fill the streets with smiles, energy, and that unstoppable Next Step spirit! 💫 #NextStepDance #NSDCommunity #ISUHomecoming #RedbirdPride #BloomingtonNormal #DanceFamily

📍We’re at Hy-Vee today! Our Next Step Dance Performance Team is bagging groceries for tips to help raise money for our costumes and competition entry fees. 💜🩰 Stop by, say hi, and let our dancers bag your groceries with a smile — every tip helps these hardworking kids chase their dance dreams! ✨ Come support local dancers, spread a little kindness, and watch these amazing performers shine even off the stage! #NextStepDance #NSDPerformanceTeam #SupportLocalDancers #HyVee #Fundraiser #DanceCommunity