Creative Movement & First Steps
Our Creative Movement classes are designed specifically for your little dancer-to-be! For ages 2.5-4, we introduce basics of dance and teach valuable skills while we explore both free and structured movement. Dancers will learn how to take turns, encourage other students, and follow directions. Rhythm, counting, and basic ballet technique is introduced. There is never a dull moment in our Creative Movement classes!
Foundations
Our Foundations class is exactly what it sounds like–the class that begins to create a strong technical foundation in young dancers! Designed specifically for ages 4.5-5.5, Foundations will prepare dancers for the next level by introducing proper technique and placement as well as encourage them to explore their own creativity.
Class begins with beginner ballet technique, stretching, and basic jazz technique. Dancers then travel across the floor to practice steps including skips, gallops, and turns–just like the “big girls!” At the end of class, dancers practice counting music and different rhythmic patterns during tap shoe time! Dancers also learn basic tap steps, eventually building up to create short tap combinations.
Dancers enrolled in Foundations will learn to patiently wait their turn, encourage other dancers, and explore their artistic creativity through games and structured activities.
Tiny Tumblers
Tiny Tumblers is open to ages 3.5-5; we will explore basic concepts of acro/gymnastics as well as some fundamentals of Modern dance! It will definitely be an action-packed 30 minutes!
What to expect on your first day…
The first day of dance class can be so exciting! For some dancers, it can also be quite intimidating–lots of new faces, loud music, and doing it all without mom can be stressful! Our instructors and assistants will quickly welcome dancers into the dance room and begin class so there is very little time to become upset. We ask that parents wait in the lobby until class is over (sometimes, we need you to take your dancer to “go potty”!). Typically, we don’t allow parents in the room as it can discourage their dancer from participating, and it can distract or upset other dancers who might be missing their own mommy.
What if my dancer is too upset to dance?
Usually, after our “warm up” song, most dancers are comfortable enough to finish class. However, it is completely normal for new and young dancers to become upset before even entering the dance room. First, an instructor or assistant will offer to hold your dancers hand and let her our “helper” for the day. If that’s not enticing enough to leave mom’s side, we will invite mom or dad inside the dance room for a bit. We always prefer that parents take their dancer to their “spot” in the dance room and encourage them to participate. Generally, whether it be in the same class or after a couple classes, parents can slowly make their way to the door so they can still be seen while dancers participate on their own. Within a month or so, most dancers are ready to fully participate all by themselves!
Upon occasion, a dancer might not be ready for dance class yet. Every child is unique and develops at their own pace. Some are very outgoing, while some need a lot of encouragement to step out of their comfort zone. If your dancer is upset before even arriving at the studio, or is very upset prior to/during class (heavy crying, not just a few nervous tears), he or she may need to wait a few months before trying again. Pushing dancers too hard could make them perceive dance class as a negative experience, and push them away from dance for years to come. If you think your dancer might not be ready, please contact Katherine–I am invested in your dancer’s education, and want to know if something isn’t quite right. If both parent and instructor agree a little break is needed, we are more than happy to credit your Registration fee for the next season, and will never charge a Withdrawal fee from Creative Movement classes.