PRESCHOOL DANCE: ages 2-6

FUNdamentals I: ages 2-4 with active in-class participation of adult caregiver

FUNdamentals II: ages 3-5 with little to no in-class participation of caregiver

FUNdamentals III: ages 4-6 no participation of caregiver. Designed for children not yet enrolled in Kindergarten or who may need more time in the FUNdamentals program before moving to Ballet I, Beginning Jazz, Beginning Tap, or Beginning Hip-Hop.

This level is an introduction to dance and music in a comfortable nurturing format that takes into account the young child’s love of color, movement and concrete imagery. The FUNdamentals class combines creativity and self-expression with developmentally appropriate gross and fine motor skills, rhythm and simple ballet vocabulary. The goal of these classes is to encourage the child’s love of movement while introducing or reinforcing preschool educational concepts as well as socialization, teamwork, focus and trust for someone other than their caregiver. Each class reflects our carefully crafted syllabus of developmentally appropriate skills and uses concrete and fantastical imagery, visual and verbal instruction and teacher-guided creative movement to prepare the child for a future filled with an appreciation for dance, music and art.

PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a formal ballet class. It is inappropriate for the very young child to be expected to maintain the detailed focus and physical control of correct ballet training either at the barre or in the center.

Attire: whatever gets them out the door – street clothes, dancewear, full-on tutus. No wings/wands/crowns/jewelry/toys. Hair up and off face and neck. Ballet shoes preferred but bare feet or socks with grippers are ok. Caregivers who participate will be asked to remove their street shoes while on the dance floor.

FREE TRIAL CLASS FOR PRESCHOOLERS: Parent and child are encouraged to try out a class so the teacher may best guide the parent to the appropriate level for the child. This is to provide as pleasant an experience for the new student and as little disruption to the ongoing class as possible. Please make an appointment for a complimentary Trial Class so that we can place your child in the FUNdamentals I, II or III class appropriate for the age of the child, the time of the year and the size of the class. It can be overwhelming to come to a new place and meet so many new people, so if the child does not wish to participate that day we encourage you to stay and watch and reschedule another Trial Class.

VISITING DAY: Because parents of FUNdamentals II and III are asked to stay outside the studio while the students learn to focus on the teacher we offer Visiting Days during the last class of every month. This gentle introduction to dance as a performing art prepares the very young dancer for a larger audience at the end-of the year in-studio showing and on-stage performances in the upper levels.

PERFORMANCE: FUNdamentals II and III levels do not perform onstage, instead they have an in-studio showing and potluck party during the last class of the Spring Semester in May. Children in the FUNdamentals classes are invited to participate in the December Holiday Showcase and the Spring Student Showcase by showing off their skills in the dance “obstacle course” at the beginning of the performance.

ADVANCEMENT: Attention is taken to make sure each child is physically and emotionally ready for the next level of instruction which happens as the child matures in age, skills, focus, attention and successful separation from parent. Because children develop at different rates physically and emotionally the 6-12 month overlap in ages ensures each child is placed in a class appropriate to their unique needs and abilities as they mature. Advancement throughout FUNdamentals levels is fluid and occurs when the child is ready except during the last 4 weeks of Spring Semester. Advancement to Ballet Foundation I, Beginning Jazz and/or Beginning Tap takes place at the beginning of the Fall Semester or during Summer Classes and when the student is entering Kindergarten. Kindergarteners who may need a little more time to develop their focus and skills are encouraged to attend FUNdamentals III.