FUNdamentals of Dance Preschool Program
Our FUN classes are designed to reinforce early education concepts and introduce basic movement skills in a fun, energetic and age-appropriate manner. This teacher driven class is directed to all learning styles and gives all kids different moments to express themselves or observe from a distance depending on their personality and comfort level. The class consists of a short sitting warmup, a basic movement skill “obstacle course”, short repertory dances and a creative/expressive element that involves storytelling, movement and acting. All FUN kids are invited to participate in a special dance skills “Obstacle Course” that opens the onstage recital at the end of the academic year in May/June.
FUN I/II for ages 2-4 with caregiver:
This class is best for our youngest and wobbliest dancers as well as dancers who are quite shy or working on separation from the caregiver. The caregiver accompanies the child to the extent the child needs – everything from participating fully to stepping back and being available for crowd control to sitting and watching the class. Once the child is comfortable dancing independently, the teacher will ask you to leave for extended periods of time to see how they do. Once a child is comfortable with the class and can be easily redirected, they are ready for FUN II/III!
FUN II/III for ages 3-5 without caregiver:
This class is for kids who are comfortable in a group situation without the presence of their caregiver. FUN II/III will focus on extending the attention span of the dancers, encouraging understanding and memory while moving, and increasing their comfort with non-concrete imagery using age-appropriate ballet stories. FUN II/III classes are introduced to the concept of performance with Visiting Day, the last class of each month where parents are invited to observe the class.
FUN III & FUN III/combo classes for ages 4-6 (Pre-K, TK and K):
FUN III is exclusively for kids in Pre-K, TK and Kindergarten. They receive the same instruction as the FUN II/III kids but everything is slightly accelerated to reflect their preparation for more academic instruction when they enter Kindergarten. In the Spring Semester we introduce the students to some basic elements of Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Hip Hop to help them understand the different styles and to help the teacher guide the parents to the styles that might be best for their dancer. Once they are enrolled in Kindergarten, they are eligible for beginning levels in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Hip Hop. FUN III classes also offer Visiting Day for parents to observe during the last class of each month.
Dress code for FUN classes:
We prefer Ballet shoes and dancewear for these levels, but comfy clothes and bare feet or grippy socks are fine. We don’t allow wings/wands/crowns/capes/food/toys/jewelry or skirts longer than the knee for safety. Boys are welcome to wear tutus if they want because tutus are awesome. We don’t allow street shoes on the dance floor. Caregivers should wear comfy clothes and be prepared to remove street shoes before participating in the class. Audiences for Visiting Day do not need to remove street shoes.
Visiting Day:
Parents are welcome to observe the class on the last class of the month. Occasionally the teacher will have a different date for the Visiting Day because of holidays or very short months. Parents are welcome to observe their child’s trial class or first class with us. Out of town guests like grandparents are always welcome!
End of Year Showing & Recital “Obstacle Course”:
We feel our youngest dancers do best performing in familiar surroundings and before a small and supportive audience. During the last Visiting Day of the academic year we perform a short and simple dance in the studio. All FUN students are eligible to participate in the end of year recital on stage at a local theater to show off their dance skills in a special dance skills “Obstacle Course” similar to what they do in class. There is a limit of 15 participants for the onstage “Obstacle Course”.
Trial Class:
Interested in trying out the class? Contact the office! We offer trial classes for FUN kids up to 6 weeks before the end of the semester and if they enroll we give new students a 10% discount and apply the trial class fee to the FUN class tuition!
