Don’t wait until recital season to have studio get-togethers. Spice up your studio’s activities calendar to keep teachers, students and parents involved and excited throughout the entire year. Here are a few neat ideas:

• Before the first week of fall classes, hold a low-stress, potluck back-to-school bash. Invite everyone to a local park, the studio or a backyard for a ballet barbeque. New families can meet returning dancers and parents can plan carpools. It’s a great time to share plans for the upcoming year, like recital dates or locations and any studio updates.

• Springtime means cleaning! Hold a studio-sponsored flea market or yard sale in the parking lot for parents to get rid of their gently used treasures. During the event, distribute flyers about your school, information about upcoming performances and sell tickets. 

• For your students: Teach all combinations backward on April Fool’s Day! Start everything to the left, and give brain-teasing combinations to students. Here’s one petit allegro combo—it’s easy to say but tricky to do: Brisé, assemblé, entrechat cinq, assemblé.

For 25 more fun events to fill your calendar, check out “Lesson Plans for Every Month,” by Katia Bachko.