22 High Street, Brattleboro VT 05301

Kathleen Keller, Director

802-254-6884

Course Descriptions

Toddlers' Movement --- This class, for toddlers and their parents, introduces the very young child to large motor movements and some simple music concepts. Emphasis is placed on creative movements, songs, and rhymes.

Creative Dance (I-IV) --- These classes are designed to help the young student (3-7) explore and expand large motor movements. Students learn flexibility exercises and beginning concepts of music, with emphasis on creative movement and imagination. A special class, Boys' Dance, is also available (ages 5 and older).

Children's Ballet (I-V) --- These classes (7 and up) take the student through a careful syllabus of ballet steps starting with simple barre exercises and progressing to advanced work. Students in the first and second year also explore modern dance and improvisation, and students in the third and fourth year study jazz and improvisation.

Ballet --- Beginning: This adult class introduces the basic steps in ballet. It is specially designed to accommodate the older dancer who is interested in learning ballet for the first time.

Advanced Beginning, Low Intermediate, Intermediate and Advanced: Each of these classes expands the adult dancer's knowledge of ballet steps by developing longer combinations which require more strength and coordination. A student may progress to a more advanced level as skill and readiness dictate.

Pointe I, II, III --- These classes introduce the student gradually to the important elements and new strength needed to do pointe work. Variations from classical ballet are often used to enhance the student's strength and grace. Prerequisite: teacher approval.

Modern --- Advanced Beginning and Intermediate: These classes combine a natural lyricism with the imaginative use of rhythm. Stress is placed on body alignment, the dancer's relationship with space, and the use of imagery in understanding movement. Classes also incorporate the elements of experiential anatomy. Intermediate classes work with the more advanced dancer who wishes to expand his/her capabilities and techniques.

Modern/Improv --- Strengthen your technique with a gentle modern warm-up. Expand your creativity through fun and inspiring improv processes! All levels and ages (9 & up) welcome.

TAP --- Children's Tap is designed for young dancers ages 9 and up with no previous tap experience. The class will include basic tap steps and simple combinations, as well as develop an awareness of how the tap sounds relate to music. Beginning Tap I is especially designed for the teenager or adult with no previous experience. Students will learn basic tap steps and then combine these steps into longer dance combinations. Beginning Tap II is a continuation of Beginning Tap I. Intermediate Tap is for tappers with a year or more experience. Students will learn more complicated steps and longer combinations. Sturdy, low heeled, lace-up tap shoes are recommended.

JAZZ --- This Jazz class will be a Luigi based Jazz class. We will incorporate the Luigi concept of moving from the core throughout the entire session. However we will also incorporate other forms of Jazz into the movement, therefore creating a very traditional Jazz class with a Luigi influence. This class will be fun and suitable for all dance levels.

HIP-HOP --- In this class the students will be introduced to basic aspects of hip hop. Emphasis will be placed on learning about your own body while moving and receiving a great workout.

BALLROOM --- This series of classes will focus on the five International Ballroom dance styles, Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, and Quickstep, as well as American Rhythm latin dance styles; Cha Cha, Samba, Rhumba, Salsa, Mambo, and Swing. Patterns will loosely follow the USABDA and ISTD syllabus for partner dancing, with adaptations for social ballroom dancing. Sessions in West coast Swing and Hustle will also be made available. Techniques for posture, leading, following, and basic partner dance movement will also be taught. No partner necessary, all ages welcome.

The Pilates Mat Class is based on exercises developed by Joseph and Clara Pilates. The floorwork exercises tone all of the body's muscles, especially the abdominals. Within each exercise you will focus on your alignment and breath while moving with specificity, efficiency, and ease. You will build a strong center so that in dance, you can fly.

STRETCH & Strength --- This class, for both the dancer and non-dancer, combines the core conditioning of Pilates Mat Work with the power and flexibility of Yoga poses and deep relaxation to stretch and strengthen the body. It is especially helpful for anyone wishing to increase their flexibility or develop a particular part of the body. Many athletes find this class very helpful.

ARTS FOR ALL/CREATIVE DANCE --- Movement is a universal language that can cross all barriers and bring people together in creative celebration. This one hour class is designed for adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities who want to join the dance. Along the way we will take part in activities that develop non-verbal communication and social skills. We will make up our own dances by solving creative problems in movement. We will make our own music using drums, rhythm instruments, our voices, hands, and feet. Class size is limited to 8 participants.

InterPlay® is a body-centered practice that uses movement and stories, silence and voices to create ease, fun, community and affirmation. It is based in a series of incremental forms of movement and speaking and music that bring forth the creative gifts in each of us. Decrease stress! Increase grace! Welcomes and works for all bodies and all levels of experiences.

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