About
Our Early Childhood Program
Our
early childhood movement program is especially designed to provide children between three and five years of age with a strong
foundation in movement. It teaches the young person the basic elements of movement: space and how we relate to it, both as
an individual and as a member of a group; the eight basic loco-motor movements; musical rhythm, beat and time; and opposites
and directions. Integrated with these physical concepts are the intellectual concepts of self-awareness. Through participation
in these classes, students also learn the basics of classroom behavior and manners. These concepts include learning how to
take turns, following another dancer or leading the way, waiting patiently, working with others, and having a positive attitude.
Educators
now know that training young people in the concepts of movement, sequencing, patterning, and spatial relationships, lays a
strong foundation for the later development of reading, mathematics, and other educational skills.
Class Descriptions
Tot-Trot - The student must
be 3 years old by September 1st. Class activities include, learning shapes with the body, exercises that focus
on posture, balance and co-ordination, rhythm, memorization of patterns, and simple classroom etiquette.
Creative Movement is designed as an introduction for young children ages 3 to 4 to the joys of dance. This program is
a prelude to formal dance instruction and stresses creativity and group interaction. These fun filled classes combine
movement and music in a child friendly setting which helps students develop body awareness, rhythm, flexibility, coordination
and confidence. By the end of Creative Movement, students will have been introduced to basic techniques
such as spacing on the dance floor, movement across the floor and group patterning.
Pre-Ballet - The student must be 4 years old by September 1st. Basic ballet fundamentals are
presented in a fun and childlike format.
Ballet 1 - The student must be 6
years old by September 1st. This is the 1st year of Classical Ballet training. Classes are considerably
more disciplined and more physically demanding.
All following levels build upon the previous
year, and require the prior year as a pre-requisite.
Combination Tap and Jazz - Classes
are ½ tap and ½ jazz. Students will learn the basics of each dance form, according to age and experience.
Lyrical is a dance style that
combines elements of ballet, modern, and jazz technique. The name lyrical comes from the words “lyrics” because
dancers use the lyrics of a song to inspire their movements and expressions.
Hip
Hop
is a blend of today’s high energy “street style” movement. Typically performed to “popular music,”
this style of dance has been sought after by teens, preteens and the “young at heart.” The style boasts that everyone
is capable of taking part and having fun, making Hip Hop the latest dance phenomenon.
Musical
Theatre
is
a mixed level jazz class that provides students with the tools necessary to increase flexibility and strengthen the
core. Students will learn essential theatre dance steps and the fundamentals
of turns and jumps. Every few weeks, students will learn a new dance combination
introducing Broadway styles. Students are encouraged to explore acting through
dance while working on movement, dancing with strength and “selling” a dance number. Intermediate and advanced
students will be required to have character shoes with heels.
