OUR 2011-2012 SEASON OF DANCE & MUSIC & THEATRE!

As you all know, we have a fabulous staff of dance teachers:  Vicki Gutmann, Caitlin Haywood, Kim Sheets, Mary Martha Roemer, Nell Heflin, Colleen Welch and Claire Lindstrom, Lauren Marchetto, and Dana Ford.

Our wonderful piano/voice teacher, Shannon Barker and our guitar teacher, Jeff Merrill will be returning.  Shannon is keeping her Thursday times and Jeff his Saturday times.

The straight HipHop class for boys and girls was so well-received last season, we’re offering it again.  We are adding another Modern class on Tuesdays, as well as another Poms class & we’re able to add more Tap classes too!  Also, don’t forget to schedule your birthday party in advance, as well as your private dance and training lessons.  And, ladies, I promise that, if you can get your partner to (even) one Ballroom lesson, he’ll be “hooked”!      

For those of you unfamiliar with our teaching techniques, following is a short description of the types of classes offered:

In recent years, we have begun to offer BABY BALLET.  It is, often, a child’s first experience of separation, so it is done gently and gradually.  The program offers each child the opportunity to follow instruction by sight and voice, allowing that child to develop both sides of the brain and body.  The “games” are simple and fun, and, besides learning how to follow instructions and take turns, the children must use their own imagination and creativity.  This is the very beginning and leads into our Tots Dance program, which is a step-up into the wonderful world of Ballet.

In TOTS DANCE, we begin using more special concepts as we work with circles, lines and arcs.  Students learn to take turns and to feel pride in one’s own accomplishments and respect for their classmates.  They also learn how to comfortably perform and speak in front of others.  Basic Gymnastics and learning a little French are all part of the fun!

Our Ballet programs progress to:  TOTS BALLET ~ PRE-BALLET ~ BEGINNING BALLET ~ BALLET 1,2+3 ~ LOW-INTERMEDIATE ~ INTERMEDIATE ~ INTER/ADVANCED ~ ADVANCED and, of course, BALLET&POINTE.  The techniques taught are Cecchetti, French and Russian.  There are, of course, required POINTE ONLY classes, as well.

Our JAZZ classes are a combination of styles, all of which are based on Ballet, of course.  From Funk to HipHop to Modern and Classic – all techniques are used to develop the student’s ability and knowledge.  We also have KIDDY JAZZ, which is a combination of Ballet and Jazz done to pop music.

MODERN is an extended expression of Ballet.  The students learn to express themselves in a different and more expansive way.  Think of it as a “freer” way of dance and movement; but it’s all based on Ballet.  This year we’re offering 2 Modern classes on separate nights, different levels and different age groups.

All dance is joyful, but TAP is definitely “happy dancing”.  Because it involves so much small-motor work, we don’t start our students until the age of 4½.  At that age, the classes are a balance of large and small motor work.  Tap is a great coordination  teacher for ALL ages.  It’s great exercise, great fun and is popular with males and females, children and adults.  One is never too old to learn to TAP dance!

In our BALLROOM classes, students learn Waltz, Fox-Trot, Rhumba, Cha-Cha and Swing/Jitterbug.  The ladies learn how to follow and the men learn how to lead.  La Verne has spent many years working on a simple, fun and easy-to-remember method of teaching the skills needed to have fun on the dance floor!  You can opt to learn in a class situation or privately. 

Classes begin TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2012