CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

 

No matter what age, all classes through children’s danceworks develop a student’s dance skills, technique and terminology, rhythm, timing, spatial and body awareness, strength, flexibility, coordination, balance and musicality. Studying dance not only has physical benefits, but social, cultural and cognitive ones as well.

 

PARENT/TODDLER (1 3/4 – 2 YEARS):

This class follows the toddler’s natural love for music and movement and develops their knowledge of the different parts of their bodies and ways to move them. New locomotor skills are introduced while continuing to work on those newly acquired. Toddlers are exposed to a variety of music, dance props and stories while still having the security of a parent, grandparent or caregiver joining them.

 

3 YEAR OLDS:

This class further develops body awareness and movement while introducing early dance skills in a child-centered way.

 

4 – 6 YEAR OLDS:

Classes for this age range are either mixed – both boys and girls or some, where noted, are just for girls or just for boys. Ideas for movement will come from the interests of the children enrolled or from seasonal themes that lend to creative dance. These classes develop beginning dance skills and work on increasing coordination of locomotor skills, remembering sequences of movement and increasing their awareness of rhythm, time, space and awareness of self and others.

 

PRE-BALLET (4 – 5 YEARS):

This class is an introduction to the beginning basics of ballet geared to this young age. Books with ballet themes are used to come up with our own dances. Fall Session will be barefoot but ballet shoes will be introduced later in the year.

 

CREATIVE BALLET I (5 – 7 YEARS):

This class is geared towards girls of kindergarten age and above who want to learn the basics for beginning the study of ballet. Terminology and beginning technique are introduced. Simple combinations and choreography appropriate to their age and ability is a focus as well as exposure to classical music and video of famous classical ballets, dancers and choreographers. Ballet shoes will be required.

 

CREATIVE BALLET II (6 – 9 YEARS):

Level II is for students who have been in Level I or who have had some experience prior to this class. It will continue to work on beginning technique and terminology as well as barre work, simple combinations and choreography. The students’ knowledge of the history of ballet will be advanced through the use of books and video with famous ballets to inspire our own choreography at the end of class. Ballet shoes will be required.

 

7 – 9 YEARS: (Not offered Fall 2010 Session)

This class is an introduction to beginning modern dance with a more formal warm-up, across the floor combinations and skills and beginning choreography using music and styles based on students’ interests and abilities.

 

KIDZ HIP HOP (6 – 9 YEARS):

An introduction to the Hip Hop craze! Warm-up and combinations to develop technique and choreography to hip hop music appropriate for this age. Some sessions will have a Boyz Hip Hop just for boys or a Girlz Hip Hop just for girls. Kidz Hip Hop will be for both. These classes will most likely have a dance presentation for family & friends at the last class.

 

 

KIDS AFRICAN DANCE (5 – 10 YEARS):

This class will be co-taught with Nicole Idzahl of the Steamboat Springs African Dance & Drum Ensemble. Nicole has taught with Wendy before for children’s danceworks Summer African Dance Workshops. If there is enough enrollment, we will have some live drum music as well. Music, steps and choreography will come primarily from West Africa, Central and Southern Africa and also from years of study learning from all the great African Dance teachers who regularly visit Steamboat and those we have traveled to learn from in workshops in Colorado and New Mexico.

 

BOYS ONLY! WORKSHOP (8 – 12 YEARS):

This workshop designed for boys features primarily male guest teachers in the moving arts and dance geared to boys. The focus is to include a variety of moving arts and to show that “dance” for boys is not necessarily what they stereotypically think it is. Dance requires fitness, agility, stamina, coordination, strength and skills that can easily translate to any athletic endeavor or sport. Classes will include African Drumming, Rhythms & Gumboot Dance, Hoop Dance, Hip Hop, Juggling, Fitness and Agility and more! This workshop is offered Fall and Spring Sessions but not during the Winter Session.