Pre-School Programs
Our pre-school program is specially designed to provide very young children with a foundation in dance, movement, coordination, and balance. We teach the basic elements of movement and dance; space and how we relate to it, both as an individual and as a member of a group; the eight basic motor movements; musical rhythm, beat and time; opposites and directions; some elementary positions of ballet and basic tumbling. Integrated with these physical concepts are the intellectual concepts of self-awareness, creative expression, imagination, teamwork, and basic body/health awareness.
Creative Movement: A 50 minute pre - ballet class for pre-schoolers age 2 thru 5. Incorporating sitting stretches, tumbling, introduction to a ballet barre, progressions, formations and free style dance time.
Level 1
For Kindergarten-3rd Grade
BALLET: This ballet class introduces stretches on the barre as well as turns and basic leaps, with progression throughout the year the choreographer puts together a dance routine displaying all that the students worked on throughout the year and is performed at the dance recital.
TAP: The Level 1 tap class begins learning the basic tap movements and exersizes with weekly practice and as with the other classes, all the skills that are learned are put together in a routine that will be performed at the dance recital.
JAZZ: Basic jazz movements are taught to the students as well as stretching and leaps which are worked every week. These skills are also displayed at the dance recital.
Level 2
For 4th-7th Grade
BALLET: This ballet class extends the lessons learned in level 1 however, level 1 does not have to be completed to take level 2. In this class you build on the basic ballet skills and try more challenging material taught by the choreographer on a weekly basis.
TAP: This tap class also extends on lessons taught in level 1 however, level 1 doesn't need to be completed to take level 2. In this class the skills in tap are expanded on and the students are given a more challenging level of tap instruction.
Jazz: The jazz skills that were learned in level 1 will be progressed however, level 1 is not needed to take level 2. More leaps and turns will be demonstrated and taught to the students and will be put together in a routine as well as the ballet, and tap classes and performed at the dance recital.
Level 3
8th Grade and High school students
BALLET/LYRICAL/CONTEMPORARY: This ballet class pushes students to put together the basic ballet level material and build on it with more challenging dance material. This class also builds on the other forms of ballet (lyrical and modern) which will also be incorporated into the dance routine. This ballet class with push them to perform at the highest level they possibly can.
TAP: This tap class pushes the students to all new levels of tap and helps them learn to perform this challenging type of dance with full confidence and allows them to achieve this at the recital.
JAZZ/HIP-HOP: This jazz class builds the on the hip-hop type of dance in a jazz style to the students as well as continuing to focus on their jazz basics and improve them. This class is challenging and needs the ultimate in effort so that at the end of the year the students are confident in the dance material and are willing to perform the dance with the most confidence that they can bring to the stage.
Adult Classes
General Notes
*Although we initially place children in classes according to their age and grade, we may move a child to another class if we feel it is appropriate. Class size varies - the average is 7 students, although jazz classes tend towards 10 students.
*Only students in levels 3 will be eligible to perform a solo, or participate in a duet or trio in the recital...Unless a member of the Competition Team.
*Class structure for all levels is essentially the same, with the content based on appropriate developmental skills for the specific age. Through participation in these classes, students also learn the basics of classroom behavior, patience, and working with others - all skills which will serve them well in life.
Pointe is at the discretion of the Instructor. Age is not the only factor involved, how developed the girls' arch as well as her knowledge of Ballet. During the Month of September any new person interested in pointe is to contact Miss Kathy and we'll have a meeting with the person(s) interested .
Clothing
Students may wear any color or style leotard, biketard or unitard.
ONLY STUDIO DANCE SHORTS/SKORTS MAY BE WORN OVER LEOTARDS...ORDERS WILL BE TAKEN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF CLASSES FOR THOSE THAT DON'T HAVE ANY OR NEED THEM. THE SHORTS ARE $10.00.
Tights (no socks) should be worn for all classes. Chiffon skirts and leg warmers are optional for ballet. Absolutely no pants are allowed in ballet except .
Hair must be off the face or pulled back and fastened so that the hair isn't being taken out and put back in all throughout the class.
NO GUM CHEWING during class time.
AND ALL CELL PHONES MUST BE SILENCED DURING CLASSES.
Shoes
Creative Movement students
must wear pink ballet shoes, no bedroom slippers.
Ballet students
Level 1 = K thru 2th grade: pink ballet shoes;
Level 2 = 3rd thru 6th grade: must have split sole ballet shoes in ballet pink
Level 3 = Junior and High School: canvas split sole tan ballet slipper
Pointe students
must wear pointe shoes (suede tops optional).Each girl will receive a pamphlet on Pointe Shoe care at the first class, the parent must bring the girl to a dance store..where they the store will size the girl....is generally runs 2 sizes BELOW their street shoe...also make sure you wear tights when trying them on and try to do it early in the day rather than at the end of the day when your feet are sometimes swollen after being on them all day. Also make sure that when you try them on you try on both...many girls have TWO DIFFERENT SIZE FEET...so sometimes you may have to buy two pairs of shoes....After you try them on make sure you go up to pointe, your food will slide down a bit and if you CAN PINCH ANY PART OF THE SOLE OF A SHOE....THE SHOE IS TOO BIG GO DOWN A SIZE....
Tap students
Level 1 = K thru 2nd grade: black patent leather mary janes with buckles;
Level 2 = 3rd thru 7th grade: black flat jazz/tap split sole shoes.
Level 3 = Junior and High School: black flat jazz/tap split sole shoes.
Jazz students
K thru High School: tan jazz split-sole slip-on shoe.
Student Teachers
Girls in grades 9-12, who have been with the studio for at least 3 years and are taking at least 2 classes, may work as student teachers. Payment will be in the form of discounted class instruction. ALL RETURNING STUDENT ASSISTANTS PLEASE LET ME KNOW BY THE 3RD WEEK OF SEPTEMBER IF YOU ARE ABLE TO CONTINUE TEACHING SO THAT I CAN MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO BRING ON NEW ASSISTANTS. Any High School Students interested in joining us please let me know. You will start the first week in October.
Costumes
If you allow your child to perform in the recital, a costume is necessary. Costume prices generally range from $65 to $85. All of the companies we deal with take 8-14 weeks to make and ship the custom costumes we order and require full payment in advance. Costumes will be finalized by early November. You will be notified of costs in writing right after Thanksgiving. You may pay for costumes in full by December 20, or you may make (2) payments of $20 each by October 4 and November 8, with the balance due by December 20. We must enforce this policy if we are to place orders in December to receive costumes in May, therefore a late fee of $10 per costume will be charged if full payment is not received by December 20.