Dance Class
Welcome to Grace Community School’s dance program, where we nurture the passion and talent of young dancers in a fun, educational, and supportive environment.
Our dance classes provide a wonderful opportunity for children aged 3 and up to explore the world of dance through engaging lessons in ballet and jazz. Our expert instructors focus on teaching the fundamental principles and techniques of dance while also promoting essential motor and social skills.
Join us in fostering creativity, confidence, and a lifelong love of movement in your child!
Unleash Your Child’s Potential with Dance Classes
Whether your child is a beginner or has previous dance experience, our dance program is designed to challenge, inspire, and motivate. Our classes help students develop their dance skills while also encouraging physical fitness, discipline, and the confidence to express themselves creatively.
Dance Class focuses on two main styles of dance – ballet and jazz. These styles offer a great foundation for any dancer and allow students to explore movements of all kinds. Classes include exercises to help young dancers with technique and form, as well as fun group activities and choreography projects that will bring their skills to life.
any people consider ballet to be the cornerstone of all dance forms. Our ballet classes emphasize technique, alignment, and classical ballet vocabulary. We also teach students about musicality, rhythm, and expressing emotion through movement. All levels are welcome, from beginners who are just learning to plié, to more experienced dancers looking to perfect their pirouettes.
Jazz dance is a lively and expressive style. In our jazz classes, students learn the fundamentals of jazz technique, including kicks, turns, and leaps. Classes also incorporate elements of contemporary and street dance, helping students to develop a broad and versatile dance vocabulary.
Every student is unique, and we recognize and celebrate their individual strengths and styles. We believe that dance can be an empowering form of self-expression and a fantastic way to improve posture, flexibility, and strength.
Benefits of Dance for Your Child’s Development
Dance is much more than just a fun activity—it plays a crucial role in the holistic development of your child. Here are some ways in which our dance program contributes to your child’s growth:
- Physical Fitness and Coordination: Dance classes are a great way to get children moving, improving their cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, and balance. The varied movements involved in dance can also enhance motor skills and coordination.
- Self-Expression and Confidence: Dance provides an outlet for children to express themselves creatively, helping them to develop their sense of identity. Performing in front of others can also boost their self-confidence and self-esteem.
- Social Skills: Dance classes encourage interaction and teamwork. Children learn to cooperate, communicate, and work together to create beautiful performances. This can foster friendships and improve social skills.
- Discipline and Persistence: Learning to dance requires patience, focus, and determination. Regular classes teach children the value of practice and perseverance—valuable life skills that extend beyond the dance studio.
- Cognitive Development: Dance can support cognitive development in several ways. It enhances memory by requiring children to remember steps and sequences, and it can improve their understanding of patterns and spatial awareness. Furthermore, the combination of movement and music can stimulate the brain’s creative and logical sides.
- Emotional Well-being: Dancing is a joyful activity that can help reduce stress and improve mood. It also allows children to explore different emotions and ways of expressing them, which can contribute to better emotional intelligence and resilience.
Our dance program is designed to offer these benefits and more. We believe in the transformative power of dance and strive to provide an environment where every child can thrive. Join us to see the positive impact dance can have on your child’s life!
Expert Instructors and Supportive Learning Environment
Our dance instructors make all the difference. They are passionate about fostering a love for dance in each of their students.
Grace Community School Dance Class ensures students learn not only the technical aspects of dance, but also the history, cultural significance, and artistic expression it encompasses. Teachers work closely with each student, recognizing their individual strengths, nurturing their talent, and supporting them in overcoming challenges.
A supportive and positive learning environment is key to a child’s success in dance. Each child receives individual attention. This allows our instructors to cater to each student’s unique needs and learning styles, providing personalized feedback and guidance.
We also foster a sense of community among our students. We encourage teamwork, cooperation, and respect for others. Our students learn to support and inspire each other, forming friendships that often extend beyond dance class.
Inclusion is a key value at Grace Community School. We welcome students of all abilities and backgrounds in our dance program. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the joy and benefits of dance.
Example Lesson Plan
Objective:
Students will learn the five basic ballet positions and some elementary ballet steps. The goal is to familiarize the students with basic ballet vocabulary and technique, enhance their posture and alignment, and instill a love for the art form.
Warm-Up:
Start with a fun warm-up to get the students moving and to prepare their muscles for the dance class. This could include light cardio, stretching, and strength exercises.
Introduction to Ballet Positions:
Introduce the five basic ballet positions: first, second, third, fourth, and fifth. Demonstrate each position and guide the students as they try them out. Ensure each student is correctly forming each position, paying attention to their feet, legs, arms, and head alignment.
Basic Ballet Steps:
Teach a few basic ballet steps, such as pliés, relevés, and tendus. Demonstrate each step, explaining and showing the correct technique. Encourage the students to practice these steps, offering individual guidance and corrections as needed.
Dance Combination:
Combine the ballet positions and steps taught into a simple dance combination. This allows students to practice transitioning smoothly between different steps and positions, and helps improve their memory and sequencing skills.
Cool Down:
End the lesson with a cool-down period to help prevent muscle soreness and injury. This could include light stretching and deep breathing exercises.
Discussion and Feedback:
Conclude the class by gathering the students and discussing what they learned. Ask them about their favorite steps and positions, and encourage them to share their experiences. Provide positive reinforcement and constructive feedback to help the students feel encouraged and motivated. Encourage students to practice the positions and steps learned at home.
Dance Class Learning Objectives
- Dance Styles: Children learn about different dance styles, with a focus on ballet and jazz. They learn the specific techniques, rhythms, and movements associated with these styles.
- Dance Positions and Steps: In ballet, they learn the five basic positions (first, second, third, fourth, and fifth) and fundamental steps like pliés, tendus, and relevés. In jazz, they learn basic movements like kicks, turns, leaps, and more.
- Musicality: Students learn to understand and interpret the rhythm and tempo of the music. This helps them coordinate their movements with the music and express the emotion of a piece. (Dance Class goes great with Grace Community School Music Class)
- Choreography: Children learn to follow and remember choreographed sequences, which helps improve their memory and sequencing skills. As they progress, they may also get opportunities to create their own choreography.
- Performance Skills: Students learn how to perform in front of an audience. This includes learning how to express emotion through dance, how to project confidence, and how to engage with the audience.
- Physical Fitness: Dance classes help improve children’s physical fitness, including their strength, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular health.
- Discipline and Perseverance: Children learn the value of consistent practice and hard work in mastering dance techniques. This teaches them discipline and perseverance.
- Social Skills: In dance classes, children interact with their peers, learn to work as a team, and develop respect for others. This helps improve their social skills.
- Self-Expression: Dance provides an opportunity for children to express themselves creatively and emotionally. They learn to use movement as a form of self-expression.
- Cultural Appreciation: Through learning about different dance styles, children gain an appreciation for different cultures and their contributions to the art of dance.
Annual Dance Recitals
One of the highlights of our dance program is our annual dance recitals, which take place during our Christmas musical programs. These recitals allow our young dancers to showcase their talent, hard work, and the progress they have made throughout the year.
The festive occasion is a wonderful platform for the students to demonstrate the various dance techniques and steps they’ve learned, such as ballet positions, jazz movements, and choreographed sequences. It is a proud and fulfilling moment for our dancers to exhibit their accomplishments in front of an enthusiastic audience of parents, teachers, and fellow students.
Each year we create special holiday-themed choreography that is both fun and challenging. The choreography is tailored to the age and skill level of each class, ensuring that every student can participate and shine. These routines often involve both traditional and modern dance elements, bringing the spirit of the holiday season to life through movement and music.
Preparing for the recital also offers valuable learning experiences for our students. They learn to work as a team, practice discipline and dedication, and gain confidence from performing on stage. The excitement of the recital, combined with the festive atmosphere of the Christmas season, creates lasting memories for our students and their families.
We invite all parents and community members to join us for these annual recitals. Come and celebrate the progress of our young dancers, the spirit of the holiday season, and the joy of dance at Grace Community School!
Dance Class Pricing and Enrollment Information
Dance Class is available for all Grace Community School students (boys and girls!) ages three years and older. Classes are once a week and are $10 each.
Enrollment is ongoing throughout the year, and students may join at any time. We offer discounts for families who enroll kids in multiple special classes like our Art Class, Karate Class, and Music Class.
Whether your child is taking their first steps into the dance world or looking to advance their skills, our program offers them the chance to explore, learn, and grow.
Enroll your child in our dance program for a journey of self-discovery and creative expression. Inspire their passion and witness their transformation. Sign up today!