Foundation Classes for Children
Our classes for children ages 3-7 provide a strong foundation for future work in dance. They teach appropriate classroom behavior, while helping students gain self-confidence and independence, and giving them a basic knowledge of dance movement.
Foundation classes include:
Dance Introduction
New/Continuing 3 & 4 year olds
45 minutes of Movement, Dance & Stories
For many children, this is his or her first introduction to a teacher/student relationship. In Dance Introduction, our youngest students learn basic movement skills while enjoying songs and games. Musical instruments, tumbling mats, and a variety of props and costumes are used to help reinforce these skills. More importantly, students learn how to be in a class-how to work in a group, wait their turn, listen to directions, share with others, etc. In this class, we give children the freedom to develop these skills according to their individual readiness, while they are encouraged to participate in class activities.
Requirements: Students must be toilet-trained to participate in class.
Examples of Activities:
- Pointe/Flex the feet
- Stretching
- Turning
- Follow the Leader
- Counting
- Plies (bend knees)
- Marching
- Sautes (jumps)
- Chasse(gallops)
- Use of props
- Walking & Running on the balls of feet
- Stories, games, poems & songs
Preschool Gymnastics
New/Continuing 3 & 4 year olds
This 45 minute class enable students to work on basic movement skills, balance, and hand-eye coordination. Courses are set up with stations pertaining to each of the five events: vault, bars, beam, floor, and trampoline.
Creative Movement
New 5 year olds & qualified returning students
45 minutes of Dance, Movement & Tap
This class is geared for age appropriate enjoyment while developing dance concepts. The Creative Movement program continues to build on program elements and skills from Dance Introduction. This class works to develop the students’ understanding of rhythm, advance motor skills and coordination, and improve self-esteem and confidence. Longer activities and exercises are used to aid in building a longer attention span. Tap is introduced in January to enhance rhythmic development. Requirements: Returning 4 & 5 year old students who have successfully completed the Dance Introduction program; New 5 year old students must be in kindergarten.
Examples of Activities:
- Fast & Slow movements
- High & Low
- Walking/Running on balls of feet
- Chasses (gallops)
- Skips
- Balance on 1 leg
- Sautes (jumps) – in & out/2 feet & 1 foot
- Emotional expression
- Dance with Props
- Animal Character Development
- Dance counts & musicality
Kindernastics
New/Continuing 4 & 5 year olds
This 45 minute class enables students to continue to work on their basic movement skills, balance, and hand-eye coordination. Students at this level are introduced to the equipment used in gymnastics. Courses are set up with stations pertaining to each of the five events: vault, bars, beam, floor, and trampoline.
Dance Sampler
New 6-7 year olds & qualified returning students
45 minutes of Ballet, Jazz & Tap
The Dance Sampler program is designed for graduates of Creative Movement and serves as an entry class for new 6 and 7 year olds students. Elements of ballet, tap and jazz are combined to give students a wide variety of movement experiences while preparing them for our Pre-Ballet and Tap/Jazz programs. Exercises and activities are designed to continue to gradually build student’s attention span in preparation for more concentrated work in the next level of classes. Requirements: Returning 5 & 6 year olds who have successfully completed the Creative Movement program; New students must be in at least 1st grade.
Examples of Learned Vocabulary:
- Right & Left Courtsey
- First & Second Position of the feet
- Demi-plie
- Elevers Tendu
- Chasses- front & side
- Sautes (jumps) – 2 feet & 1 foot
- Port de bras
- Skips
- Ballet walk
- Jumps in & out
- Stretch-point/flex, touch toes
- Introduced to 8 count
- Dancing together
- How to properly carry props
- Combinations/Choreography
Girls Gymnastics Instructional
Ages 5 and up
This is a one hour class working on basic skills for all events: vault, uneven parallel bars, balance beam, floor, and trampoline. Students are divided according to ability and progress. Students also work on flexibility, strength, skill progression, team work, and positive attitude.
Boys Gymnastics Instructional
Ages 6 and up
This is a one hour class working on basic skills for all events: vault, high bar, parallel bars pommel horse, rings, floor, and trampoline. Students are divided according to ability and progress. Students work on flexibility, strength, skill progression, team work, and positive attitude.
Tumbling I
New 5-7 year olds & qualified returning students
45 minutes of Stretching, Strengthening & Basic Tumbling Skills
Our Tumbling program develops full body coordination, strength, and flexibility. Students concentrate developing flexibility and core strength while learning basic acrobatic skills, including the basics of forward rolls, cartwheels, backbends, and head and hand stands, while incorporating them with elementary dance skills. Tumbling makes an excellent addition to the dance program of students in Creative Movement (if 5 years old), Dance Sampler, Pre-Ballet, and Tap/Jazz.
The goals of this class are to develop full body coordination, balance and flexibility with age appropriate activities.
Example of Skills Introduced:
- Forward rolls (somersaults)
- Introduction to cartwheels
- Backbends
- Hand-stand preparation
- Crab Walks
- Elephant Walks
- Skips
- Jumps-2 Feet & 1 Foot
- Gallops
- Wheelbarrows
- Tri-Pods
- Basketballs & candlesticks
Rising Stars, Developmental and Competitive Gym Team
By Invitation Only. All new students interested in being on a team must schedule an appointment for an evaluation with the gymnastics director. Gymnasts may compete in Invitational, USA, AAU competitions and Jr. Olympic Games.
