Class
Descriptions
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF DANCE LESSONS
Toddler
Time
(ages 18 months to 3 years) Participate
with your toddler in singing, chanting, moving, dancing, listening,
and playing simple instruments while developing a strong musical
bond with your child. Through activities that bridge the natural
connection between music and movement, your child's musical
aptitude and listening abilities are enhanced and further
developed.
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Pre-Dance
(ages 3 to 5) In this class we explore
the basic elements of dance: levels, shapes, time, force,
space, etc. This class implements fun and games, as well as
some basic dance technique. It is very popular and fills up
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Ballet
(ages 6 to Adult) The ballet experience
can excite and inspire you. Ballet teaches poise, confidence,
coordination and grace, plus, it can be a great work out!
Ballet is among the most beautiful forms of expression ever
devised. The Dance Studio offers many ballet classes - even
beginning and advanced ballet classes for adults!
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Tap
(Ages 6 to Adult) Tap offers an exciting
and rhythmic dance and exercise form, which is enjoyable to
both children and adults. Rooted in African-American History,
tap offers a variety of styles and techniques. The classes
stress the basics of tap and builds into combinations which
are great to watch and delightful to hear. Try tap for fun
and fitness. We have a class for you, weather you're 6 or
60, beginning or advanced.
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Musical
Theater
(Ages 8 to Adult) In this class, we
learn aspects of musical theater including singing, acting
and dancing. Students in Musical Theater must also be enrolled
in a dance technique class (ballet, tap, jazz or hip hop.)
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Jazz
(Ages 8 to Adult) Jazz classes focus
on the development of coordination, rhythm, strength, flexibility,
technique, and basic dance steps and movement combinations.
(Students younger than 8 may be enrolled in jazz classes with
enrollment in a ballet class simultaneously or the consent
of instructor.)
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Hip
Hop
(age 14 to Adult) This is a street-dance
based class utilizing hip-hop, funk, and dance techniques
that are challenging and fun. This class combines energy,
style, and a touch of attitude with hip-hop and pop music.
The class also incorporates strengthening and stretching exercises
to enhance the student's physical fitness.
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Music
Lessons
(ages 4 to Adult) One-on-one instruction
for those interested in playing the piano, violin, or viola.
Learn various styles of music, as well as theory, technique,
sight-reading, and ear training. A variety of teaching methods
are used, such as musical games, flashcards, and workbooks.
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~ GETTING THE MOST OUT OF DANCE LESSONS ~
These guidelines will help you to have a successful, rewarding
experience learning how to dance. These are practical tips
that we have discovered from years of teaching and from our
experiences with teaching hundreds of students each year.
Start
at the Right Age
- Adults may start at any time. Their
success is based on how willing an adult is to commit to
practicing. We teach many beginner adults in their 50's
and 60's!
- For children, starting at the right
age is a key element to the success of their lessons. Some
people will tell you "the sooner the better" but
this attitude can actually backfire and be a negative. If
a child is put into lessons too soon they may feel overwhelmed
and frustrated and want to stop lessons. The last thing
you want to do is turn a child off to dance just because
they had one unpleasant experience which could have been
prevented. Sometimes if the child waits a year to start
lessons, their progress can be much faster. Children who
are older than the suggested earliest starting age usually
do very well. The following are guidelines we have found
to be successful in determining how young a child can start
taking dance lessons.
-
18 months - 3 years: Toddler Time
Children are innately drawn to music.
And why shouldn't they be? They have been listening to the
rhythm and melody of their mother's voice since the fourth
month after conception. Children learn best through moving
and listening. Music and movement classes will help them grow
and develop into successful students.
At this age children are still exploring
the world around them and learning how their bodies work.
Highly structured dance movement is not only restrictive to
them physically but creatively as well. Emphasis on movement
qualities, music and some basic technique is recommended for
the younger child who is just starting to explore the many
ways they can express themselves. This is a good time for
them to learn to be around other kids their age, and learn
as a group as well as individually. Class sizes between 5
and 12 students are best suited to this age group.
-
5-6 year olds: Ballet, Tap
At this age children start becoming
more aware of their movement abilities and their personality
types are fairly well set. Ballet is a great stepping stone
for any kind of dance the child will wish to do in the future,
as well as being helpful in coordination for all sports, or
any activity. The more analytical child will enjoy beginning
tap at this age, though it is a fun dance form for any child
to explore.
This is a great step in exploring the
dance world, and a good step toward learning the current dance
forms. Early jazz classes are focused on form and technique
to set a good base for learning the harder more intricate
steps of the more stylized form later. Though children may
express a desire to try jazz before the recommended age, it
is best to begin their training with ballet to assure coordination
will not hinder their experience.
-
9 year olds:
Musical Theater
This is a great opportunity to explore
the world of theater through music, song, and dance. Since
this class does not generally teach a technique, it is highly
recommended that the student take at least one technique class
(ballet, jazz, etc) before considering this class.
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Take
Lessons in a Professional Teaching Environment
Learning dance is not just a matter of having a qualified
teacher, but also having an environment that is focused on
dance education. In a professional school environment, a student
cannot be distracted by parents, siblings or other outside
influences. Qualified teachers, positive environment, and
studio setup all influences of good verses negative dance
experiences.
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Make
Practicing Easier
While not all students have the availability
of an area to dance in their own home, practice is an essential
part to truly learning dance. There are many ways a student
can "practice" without available space.
a. go through the dance(s)/dance moves in your head during
any down time
b. listen to your music and see yourself doing the moves
c. "mark" through your dance/movements. This involves
using simplified and smaller movements to mark out what you
would be doing
d. actually practice your dance, in your yard, at a friends'
house in the garage..where ever you can find the room!
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Have
Fun!
Dance should be something that you
enjoy for a lifetime. So try not to put unrealistic expectations
on yourself or your children to learn too quickly. Every one
learns at a different pace and the key is to be able to enjoy
the journey.
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