predance combos

Besides being lots of fun, our PreDance Program is specially designed to provide children between three and seven years of age with a strong foundation in dance and movement.  It teaches the young dancer the basic elements of movement:

• space and how we relate to it, both as an individual and a member of a group
• the eight basic loco-motor movements
• musical rhythm, beat and time
• opposites and directions
• as well as elementary dance steps

Integrated with these physical concepts are the intellectual concepts of self-awareness, creative expression, imagination, teamwork and basic body awareness.

Through participation in these classes, students also learn the basics of classroom behavior and manners, which remain basically the same throughout their dancing years.  These concepts include learning how to take turns, following another dancer or leading the way, waiting patiently, working together with others and having a positive attitude.

Educators know that training young children in the concepts of movement, sequencing, patterning and spatial relationships lays a strong foundation for the later development of reading, mathematics and other educational skills.  Children in our PreDance Program work actively in all of these areas.

how our pre-dance combo classes are structured

Classes are grouped into four age-specific levels, A through D.  These classes meet once a week and last from 45 to 60 minutes.

• Level A-  3-4 year olds with no dance class experience (must turn 3 by Sept 30th to join our Main Session)
• Level B-  4 year olds with prior dance class experience & also 5-6 year olds with no dance class experience
• Level C-  Kindergarten age students (5-6 year olds) with prior dance class experience
• Level D-  Also known as Ballet/Tap, for 1^st and 2^nd graders. This is a good transition class between our Pre-Dance Combos and our Open Division classes.

Class structure for Levels A, B & C is essentially the same, with the content based on appropriate developmental skills for their age.  Each class begins with a brief sharing time and discussion of classroom etiquette.

Tap fundamentals are explored during the first portion of the class.  Students learn beginning tap steps and combinations of those steps to music.  Tap enhances rhythm and foot articulation.

The ballet portion of class has students taking turns moving around the room using age-appropriate traveling steps.  The exercises in this section also teach balance, port de bras (arm movements) and include various types of jumps that are the building blocks for the jumps of classical ballet.  Following the center warm-up comes stretching.  These gentle exercises progress in difficulty as students gain flexibility over the years.

The next section of class is based on different monthly objectives geared to the age of the students.  Concepts such as musical awareness, dance relationships to others, relationship to the working space and the stage, expressing emotions through movement and pantomime are explored during the year.  Creative expression is also a focus in this section.  This type of activity aids in developing a sense of self-confidence.  Besides, it's fun!

Elementary tumbling skills are introduced during the final portion of class in levels A & B.  Tumbling provides the development of body awareness, large motor skills and complete body strength.  In level C, tumbling is replaced with elementary jazz.

Format for Level D or Ballet/Tap classes differs somewhat from the younger classes.  Students work only on ballet and tap. This is a transitional year before moving on to Open Division dance classes in ballet, tap, jazz or hip-hop.  Minimum age for Open Division is 1^st grade.