Childrens Classes

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Placement:

New students should follow the guidelines listed below. Returning Students are placed in class based on an evaluation from the previous dance year. However, the teacher has the authority to reassign a class level, following an evaluation of the student’s first class.

Children’s Program for dancers ages 3-8.

Pre-dance I and Pre-dance II- 45 minute class. Beginning with the three-year-old child, pre-dance-I class exposes the child to creative movement, music and direction. The student learns large and small motor skills (moving sideways gracefully, balance on 1 or 2 feet, weight transfer and more) how to stand on or in line, take turns, and basic ballet terminology and phrases. They participate in developmental games, and learn short choreographed pieces to initiate memorization. Goals include spending the entire 3/4 hour in the classroom without tears, participation in activities and following directions, and collecting stickers and finding a parent waiting outside the door at the end of class. The 3 year old preschool dancer does not need tap shoes; however a pink, black or burgundy leotard and pink ballet shoes are required for young ladies and black sweat pants a white shirt and black ballet shoes are required for young men.

Four-year-olds-60 minute class

Creative movement designed to initiate the beginning of ballet technique is explored and students are introduced to beginning tap technique (pre-dance II). Tap skills help the preschool age child hear rhythm and they love to “make noise”. Continued emphasis is on creative movement, music & games. Pre-II classes have the same requirement as the Pre-I with the addition of black Mary Jane patent leather tap shoes for young ladies and black oxford tap shoes for young men.

Five to six-year-old -60 minute class

Learn basic positions and terminology and work on very basic technique in both ballet and tap, learn flexibility and strengthening skills, and be exposed to classical music. Emphasis is placed on connecting skills, working well within a group, storing information, and laying the ground work for a lifetime love of dance. Tumbling skills will increase and lay structure to greater coordination skills. The same attire requirements of Pre-II.

Seven-eight-year-olds-90 minute class

The dance focus is on ballet and tap technique and include tumbling. These are transitional and exploratory classes for most dancers, usually the last class taken before preferred disciplines are chosen or multiple classes become necessary to properly train for well-rounded advancement.

SDA- SPECIALIZING IN PRE-DANCE

For many parents, finding the appropriate environment for their young child can be quite a challenge. Assortments of questions come into play when tackling such a difficult decision. Is this the best time for my child to begin stepping away from the home? Are the teachers qualified and will they serve as suitable influences on my impressionable youth? Is this new environment safe and productive for my child?

The pre-dance program at Spotlight Dance Academy is structured to accommodate all of a young dancers needs and desires. The first and foremost concern on most parents’ minds is whether or not it is time to begin enrolling their child in extra-curricular activities. For many children, their experience at Spotlight Dance Academy will be their first structured group activity outside of the home.

We believe that the age of three is the optimal time to begin their dance training. At this age, they are conversational and primed to absorb information. Many of our students quickly grow accustomed to the class routines, and most even go home and play teacher. We have had many parents walk into our classes before the session begins and tell us that their family spent the evening playing dance class with their three-year-old serving as “Miss Carla” or “Miss Karri”. For most children, the studio quickly becomes a second home.

Additionally, most parents ponder whether or not the teachers will serve as appropriate role models for their child. Most of our preschool assistants are current dancers who have grown up at the studio and are part of our pre-professional program. This allows SDA to select the perfect members for our preschool staff. Not only is the staff educated and well spoken, but it stresses the important of appearance as well. Each teacher dresses in classical attire in order to set an example of tradition and class upon the preschooler.

Finally, the greatest concern for parents is whether or not the environment is safe and productive. The preschool program at Spotlight Dance Academy is a perfect introduction to the school atmosphere. They learn to follow basic classroom procedures from the moment they step into the first class. For example, the students learn the importance of standing in lines, taking turns and asking permission. If students need to use the restroom, they must raise their hands and be accompanied by a teacher.

A typical pre-dance class has very little down-time. The classes are designed to squeeze the most information into the allotted amount of time. A preschool combination class includes pre-ballet/creative movement and tumbling. The class is 45 minutes in length. Our Pre-II Classes are 1 hour in length and combine pre-ballet/creative movement with basic tap skills and tumbling.

Most classes begin with pre-ballet students not only learn basic of all dance movements, but large and small motor skills as well. The child inadvertently learns the fundamentals of rhythm and timing within their tap classes and larger coordination in tumbling. What makes the class most interesting is that at Spotlight we’ve masked our technique by using fun phrases and upbeat music while still expressing the correct terminology. Many steps are described, or taught in such a way that the child utilizes commonplace ideas to remember classic positions and terms.

The preschool ballet includes a mixture of creative movement and classical technique. Ballet class includes everything from walking on the balls of their feet (never their toes) to develop leg and foot muscles to bending their knees to establish flexibility and control. One of the most popular exercises for the young preschooler is “prince or princess time”. In this activity, the child transitions into a magical world where they are a princess walking in glass slippers across the castle to escape the dragon or princes bowing to their queen. The students enjoy becoming a beloved prince or princess and often comment on their beautiful dress or necklace, or their flowing cape and magical crown. This allows the ballet technique to be creative and exciting.

Overall, the preschool experience at Spotlight Dance Academy is truly unique. The combination structure caters to developing a holistic approach to dancing. In essence, we strive to establish the total dancer – one who is versatile and knowledgeable in many different styles. Moreover, our program creates polite and graceful young people equipped to handle any environment.

Here at Spotlight we consider ourselves innovators in the field of pre-dance and aim to transcend our passion for dance to aspiring young dancers.