Below you will find descriptions of our current classes for toddlers through teens.
By far the most popular program at Creative Dance and Movement. While being a structured program, we strive to validate each child's personality and personal style of movement, and to encourage freedom of expression. Our goal at this and every age is to enhance each young dancer's enthusiasm for dance, to encourage creativity, and to increase self-confidence. These are 45-minute class. See CM class descriptions by age below.
The creativity continues with these dancers as stories and props are used to elicit movement and to encourage students to find their own "dance voice." Focused on furthering the development of locomotor skills, (skipping, leaping, galloping, jumping, etc.), and introducing ballet-based dance fundamentals, this class is perfect for the young mover. Students are introduced to dance elements, such as level, direction, and shape. They practice self-control as they follow directions, take turns, and practice following and being the leader. This is a 45-minute class.
Creative Ballet ~ 6 to 8
Creative Ballet is structured for dancers in 1st - 3rd grade and employs a lively, nurturing and spirited approach to dance training. This light hearted approach, often not found in traditional ballet classes, artfully builds a strong foundation in technique and incorporates an understanding of dance concepts and terminology. A love of dance and self-confidence are nurtured and encouraged as dancers are given an opportunity to collaborate and be creative. This is a one-hour class.
Creative BOYS! ~ 8 and up
Often boys have an energy unique to themselves. In this class, that energy is celebrated and cultivated along with creativity. We use imagery, music, props, and more to ignite creativity as dancers explore movement concepts and develop dance skills. This class provides an opportunity for boys to develop motor skills, technique and body awareness, and to share creative ideas. Here dancers learn how to create and collaborate.
Creative Dance focuses on the principals of modern dance technique. With an emphasis on center-floor technique exercises and movement phrases, the dancer is allowed to move through space with newly learned technique and the freedom of their own natural abilities, rejoicing in their creative spirit. This is a one-hour class.
This wonderful beginning tap class is designed for students who have taken at least a year* of Creative Movement. Students learn elementary tap steps and simple combinations as they begin learning to count the beats of a musical measure, becoming more aware of musicality, the connection between dance movement and music. As they progress, greater attention is paid to expression and style. This is 30-minute class.
*It is preferable, but not mandatory, that your dancer have participated in one year of Creative Movement. If not the case, concurrent enrollment in one of our classes is highly recommended.
Jazz Foundations ~ 7 and up* (see below)
Jazz Foundations is a fun and energetic class. Dancers explore jazz movement while learning such jazz foundations as strong/low center, parallel hips and angular shapes, and isolations of head, shoulders, ribs and hips. This class begins with a warm-up to develop strength, jazz technique and flexibility, followed by center work, progressions across the floor and dance combinations.
Dancers are encouraged to discover their individual style and originality and to add their own personality to make each step unique and fun. This is a one-hour class.
*It is preferable, but not mandatory, that your dancer have participated in at least one year of Creative Movement or other dance class.
Jazz dance can be powerful and percussive or expressive and lyrical. This class blends classic jazz dance styles with the changing styles of today. Dancers enjoy exploring jazz styles from Broadway to contemporary. Musicality, rhythm and coordination are taught using age-appropriate choreography, and upbeat music.
Dancers learn jazz dance vocabulary and focus on jazz elements, including kicks, leaps, turns, splits, isolations, contractions, syncopation and rapid directional changes. Class begins with stretch and strengthening exercises, continues with floor work and across the floor progressions, culminating in center-floor combinations. This is a one-hour class.
Originally designed as a workshop for homeschooled children, response was so strong and feedback so positive that we've developed it into an ongoing class. Designed specifically for homeschoolers 9 to 13 years old, students explore movement through "Movement Stories."
Music, the spoken word, and the imagery they produce can be amazing movement prompts. After a warm-up including the teaching of modern technique and form, students explore movement while interpreting music, stories, and poetry. They also create their own Movement Stories in a supportive, inclusive, and creative environment. This fun approach to modern dance training builds strong, creative dancers through technique, improvisation, and composition. This is a 75-minute class.
Students with and without dance experience are all welcome to participate. Such a combination has proven to make for a wonderful dynamic of sharing and exploration!
Modern Dance is the perfect dance form for high school students. Developmentally, students are ripe with ideas and feelings in need of expression.
After a warm-up which includes the teaching of modern technique and form, dancers explore the many elements of dance, including level, direction, shape, pathway, time and force through creative exercises, composition and improvisation. Movement phrases will be learned and choreography created and explored so that each dancer will become adept at and comfortable performing.
Students with and without dance experience are all welcome to participate. Such a combination has proven to make for a wonderful dynamic of sharing and exploration! This is a 75-minute class.
Dance Lab offers a special opportunity for all of our dancers ages 6* and up who are serious enough about dance to desire to do extra work on strength, flexibility and technique. We have some fun, but this isn’t a creativity class. Dancers must be good listeners, hard workers, and always interested in improving. We stretch and bend at the barre and on the floor; strengthen our core, legs and arms work on pointing our toes, body alignment/posture, and grace. We keep a smile on our faces as we work on improving our turns, leaps and jumps.
To encourage you to enroll your dancer in this class, it is offered at an exceptionally discounted rate and is only offered to dancers who are enrolled in at least one other weekly class. This is a 45-minute class.
No choreography will be learned in this class.
*All six and seven year olds will need the director’s prior approval before enrolling.
Periodically, workshops are offered so students (currently enrolled or "just visiting") will have an opportunity to explore different dance forms from African to Scottish and in between. Please contact us for information and keep an eye on the website!
