OUR DANCE CLASSES
For Dancers 18 months - 3.5 years old
Parent & Me ages 18 months- 3 yrs.
This is a wonderful introduction to dance and group instruction for boys and girls. Parents and their children build keepsake memories . Children start with 15 minutes of free play on gymnastic equipment followed by 30 minutes full of music, rhymes, creative movement, and imagery dances. Dance with your child while she/he dresses up and pretends to be a dog, doll, or dragon and any other character our teacher’s bring to life. Costumes, props, and a wide variety of music all add to the fun. Dancer coloring pages and a hand stamp are given out to remember the theme of the day. This is often a highlight of the week for families and their children.
Creative Movement/Gym ages 27 months- 3. 5 years
The content of this class is very similar to pre-ballet, though guided to the needs of younger children. This is an especially good option for the tentative child or one that has little group instruction experience that may need parents in the room or those transitioning from needing parent support. Parents don’t actively participate, but are present for support.
For Dancers 3 – 5 years
Preballet ages 3 – 5
Our philosophy of early childhood instruction was developed with this age group in mind (see Our Early Childhood Dance Philosophy). Our pre-ballet dancers wait all week for their Kids N Dance class because it is not just a class, it is an experience. They are transported into magical worlds through weekly stories with accompanying music, costumes and props to encourage imaginative participation. Little do they know that age appropriate dance skills are integrated everyday readying them for more formal instruction. This class develops creativity, coordination, and self-esteem through playful warm ups, dance activities, improvisation, and directed story dances. Costumes, props, and a wide variety of music all add to the fun. Parents wait in the lobby and enjoy watching heir child on a flat screen TV and on presentation day.
Preballet/Musicals ages 3 – 5
Sometimes dancing is just not enough! This class is an abbreviated version of our pre-ballet classes so that girls and boys that are itching to sing and act can go for it. Scenes and songs from familiar shows like Annie, Mary Poppins and Lion King are featured among others. Parents wait in the lobby and enjoy watching on a flat screen TV and on presentation day.
Preballet/Gymnastics ages 3 – 5
For active kiddos that enjoy our pre-ballet curriculum but crave even more movement and physical challenges. In addition to an abbreviated version of our pre-ballet class, children have an opportunity to learn gymnastic skills. Each week a new skill is introduced and practiced and there are stations to work on previous skills learned. Gymnastic instruction includes tumbling, balance beam, mini- trampoline and even time on basic coordination on our aerial silks. Parents wait in the lobby and watch their child on a flat screen TV and on presentation day.
Tap/Preballet ages 3-5
Everyone loves making noise with their shiny tap shoes, but it is quite a commitment to concentrate on learning specific steps for basic rhythms and heel and toe tapping. This split class provides a great balance – playful but concentrated tap practice and then more freedom is found with preballet story dances. As always, costumes and props are brought to every class. Tap shoes required.
For Dancers 4 – 6 years
Beginning Ballet ages 4 -6 (4 yr. Preballet prerequisite)
Each weekly class introduces ballet steps and techniques while using imagery and creative movement. Dancers will learn the basic positions and jumps. Each class consists of ballet warm-ups, locomotor movement, and theme dances. Every class combines ballet steps, modern dance, and creative improvisation to form complete dances. Costumes and props are still included in every class.
Tap/Ballet ages 4 1/2 – 6
A great choice for young dancers that enjoy variety. Half of class time is spent working on basic shuffle, flap, and other tap steps. The balance of the class is devoted to ballet instruction with imagery and creative movement incorporated in to story dances. Costumes and props add to the fun. Tap shoes required.
Hip Hop Boppers ages 4-6
Each weekly class is full of energetic rhythm and dances. Kids move to the fun beat of pop and hip hop music. Dancers will also work on cartwheels, splits, and other gymnastic tricks to enhance their dancing. They will learn simple street moves, jumps, and turns. Costumes and props all add to the fun. No need to worry about lyrics. This class uses traditional clean hip hop music.
For Dancers 6+ years
Level 1 Ballet/Modern ages 5 1/2 -7 (5 yr. Pre-ballet prerequisite)
This class is the start of the transition to more formal dance instruction. Dancers begin to learn the concept of repetition and alignment, and move past the beginning steps learned in preballet. Bar work is introduced, and depending on the dancer’s enrolled, theme dances with costumes and props may be used as well.
Level 2 Ballet/Modern ages 6 1/2 – 8
Each weekly class consists of ballet and modern warm-ups, modern dance body isolations, locomotor movement, and center work. This class is for children who are ready to focus on refining skills and memorizing dances. Dancers will learn dance combinations and dance vocabulary.
Level 3 Ballet/Modern ages 8-9
A progression from Level 2 for those ready to focus on more difficult steps and dances. Dancers continue to learn dance combinations, dance vocabulary, and are introduced to improvising their own dances.
Level 4 Ballet/Modern ages 9-11
A progression from Level 3. Continued and more intensive skill development with hire expectations for refinement.
Hip-hop ages 6-8, 8-12, and teens
Learn the basic street moves with this fun and energetic type of dance. Each week kids will also work on cartwheels, splits, and round offs with use of mats. Dancers will get a workout while learning how to create their own dances. Dancers learn body isolations, alignment, and fast foot work. This class uses traditional clean Hip Hop music.
Children’s Dance Company ages 9-16
(Audition or invitation only) This class is for children who are serious about dancing and performing. Dancers will learn choreographed pieces using Modern, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, and Ballet and will perform regularly during the year.
- 1
- 2