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YOUNG DANCERS
PROGRAM
Levels are based primarily on ages and are structured with three main goals.
1.) To awaken the artist in young students through the use of movement inspired by ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dance.
2.) To teach them personal responsibility and build confidence they can then carry with them into any challenge they may encounter.
3.) To instruct them in proper technique and help them understand the importance of dancing safely and taking care of their bodies.
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DaySpring's Young Dancers Program is a smart, fresh approach to ballet training for the young child, ages 3 through 10. It is designed to engage and inspire young children by teaching to specific developmental stages. They will learn in a warm, family friendly environment where their creativity will be fostered and channeled into learning the earliest elements of dance training.
Creative Movement
Ages 3-5
This 45 minute class is an introduction to movement and dance, with an emphasis on spatial awareness, basic coordination skills, and musicality using ballet movement and creative stories. The dancers are encouraged to use their imagination throughout the entire class and will learn how to manage themselves within the structure of the class.
Creative Movement 1 is for students ages 3-4 who have not taken Creative Movement previously.
Creative Movement 2 is for students ages 4-5 who have already taken a year of Creative Movement or are 4 years old before Sept 1, 2024.
These classes perform in DaySpring’s end of year recital, Finale.
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The Friday class is as part of our Enrichment Friday Program and can be combined with other classes to create a full day! Click here for more information.
Pre-Ballet & Tap
Ages 5 & 6
This class focuses on building natural coordination, which is the foundation of classical ballet, using hopping, skipping, jumping, and galloping. Creativity remains a large part of this class to encourage every dancer’s personal artistry. Ballet class etiquette is clearly defined and implemented. In tap, the focus is making specific sounds and learning to understand the rhythm of music.
These classes perform in DaySpring’s end of year recital, Finale.
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The Friday class is as part of our Enrichment Friday Program and can be combined with other classes to create a full day! Click here for more information.
Beginning Ballet
Ages 7 & 8
Beginning Ballet introduces students to a more structured classical ballet class consisting of barre and center work. Refining natural movement is emphasized, ballet terminology is integrated, and proper ballet placement takes focus. Attention is given to creativity, imagination, and musicality. This class pairs wonderfully with Beginning Tap & Jazz and/or Beginning Contemporary Modern!
These classes perform in DaySpring’s end of year recital, Finale
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The Friday class is as part of our Enrichment Friday Program and can be combined with other classes to create a full day! Click here for more information.
Ballet 1
Ages 9-13
Ballet 1 students progress towards the classical structure of ballet class. While focusing on deepening coordination skills, practicing weight placement, understanding proper alignment, and learning new vocabulary and steps, Ballet 1 emphasizes creativity and understanding dance as a form of expression. Students spend at least 2 years at this level. Upon completion of Ballet 1, a student is fully equipped to take on the discipline and rigorous structure of the Classical Ballet Program. This class pairs wonderfully with another dance class, such as Contemporary Modern, Jazz, or Tap.
***To prepare students for our Classical Ballet Program, we recommend that students take two Ballet 1 classes and one additional dance class.
Ballet 1 classes perform in DaySpring’s end of year recital, Finale
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The Friday class is as part of our Enrichment Friday Program and can be combined with other classes to create a full day! Click here for more information.
Beginning Tap & Jazz
Ages 7-11
In this class, students learn basic Tap and Jazz technique. The tap portion of this class will focus using different parts of the tap shoe to make specific sounds, while learning basic tap steps and vocabulary. In the jazz portion of class, students will learn correct alignment, posture, and vocabulary while having fun with jazz steps and combos. Students may take this class for multiple years to prepare for Tap 1 and Jazz 1.
***This upbeat class pairs wonderfully with Beginning Ballet, Beginning Contemporary Modern, or a Musical Theatre class, but can also be taken as a stand-alone class.
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These classes perform in DaySpring’s end of year recital, Finale
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The Friday class is as part of our Enrichment Friday Program and can be combined with other classes to create a full day! Click here for more information.
Beginning Contemporary Modern Dance
Ages 7-9
An introduction to common styles and basic principles of contemporary and modern dance. Students will build awareness of correct physical alignment, gain strength, and increase coordination through movement. Activities will encourage creativity and self-expression.
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***This class is a perfect companion to Beginning Tap and Jazz, a Ballet class, or a Musical Theatre class! Or it can be taken alone by students ages 7-9, who have little or no dance experience.
These classes perform in DaySpring’s end of year recital, Finale
​
The Friday class is as part of our Enrichment Friday Program and can be combined with other classes to create a full day! Click here for more information.