LEVEL 1- PRE-SCHOOL- AGES 3-5
This level is also appropriate for Kindergarten students who have never danced before.
Ballet & Tap Combo Class: 55 minute class combining ballet, tap and creative movement for an unforgettable dance experience. Students will learn to shuffle and plié, among other dance skills. Other areas of focus are making friends, learning how to participate in a class, follow instructions, use imagination and dance along to their favorite songs. This class will perform a ballet dance and a tap dance in our annual Spring Dance Concert.
Female Dress Guidelines: Dancers may wear pink, black, or tan tights and any color and style of leotard. Skirts are permitted. Pink or nude leather or canvas ballet shoes are required for the ballet portion of class. Ballet shoes should be worn snug, with ties tucked in at all times. Black patent leather tap shoes are required for tap. Tap shoes must be secured with velcro, elastic, or tap shoe ties. Please discard ribbons.
Male Dancer Dress Guidelines: Please dress comfortably in a solid color athletic pant or dance pant along with a t-shirt or tank top. Jeans are not allowed in class. You must have the proper shoes for each portion class. Ballet- black leather or canvas ballet shoes. Tap- Black tap shoes.
Bitty Bop & Acro Combo Class: 55 minute class combining Hip Hop and Acro. This is a high-energy class that infuses the latest styles of street dancing with basic tumbling to develop strength, coordination, timing, balance and flexibility. Other areas of focus are making friends, learning how to participate in a class, follow instructions, use imagination and dance along to their favorite songs. This class will perform only a hip hop dance in our annual Spring Dance Concert.
Female & Male Dress Guidelines: Dancers are permitted to wear leggings, joggers or workout pants to class. Tank tops and t-shirts are permitted. Street clothes especially jeans are not permitted because they hinder the dancer’s range of movement. Shoes for Bitty Bop will be any all black tennis shoes. Dance shoes should not be worn outside and should be reserved for the dance studio only!
NEW for '24-'25 Season- Dance with Me: 45 minute class of creative movement for dancer and their caretaker. This could be a parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle or friend. This class is designed for young dancers who are not yet ready for a class on their own. This class will focus on creative movement in a class atmosphere.
Any athletic attire is appropriate for this class. Shoes are not required, the class will be bare foot. For safety- please no socks.
Available Days/Times:
Ballet & Tap Combo: Monday 4:30 or Tuesday 5:30
Bitty Bop & Acro Combo: Wednesday 4:30 or Thursday 5:30
Dance with Me: Wednesday 5:30
Female Dress Guidelines: Dancers may wear pink, black, or tan tights and any color and style of leotard. Skirts are permitted. Pink or nude leather or canvas ballet shoes are required for the ballet portion of class. Ballet shoes should be worn snug, with ties tucked in at all times. Black patent leather tap shoes are required for tap. Tap shoes must be secured with velcro, elastic, or tap shoe ties. Please discard ribbons.
Male Dancer Dress Guidelines: Please dress comfortably in a solid color athletic pant or dance pant along with a t-shirt or tank top. Jeans are not allowed in class. You must have the proper shoes for each portion class. Ballet- black leather or canvas ballet shoes. Tap- Black tap shoes.
Bitty Bop & Acro Combo Class: 55 minute class combining Hip Hop and Acro. This is a high-energy class that infuses the latest styles of street dancing with basic tumbling to develop strength, coordination, timing, balance and flexibility. Other areas of focus are making friends, learning how to participate in a class, follow instructions, use imagination and dance along to their favorite songs. This class will perform only a hip hop dance in our annual Spring Dance Concert.
Female & Male Dress Guidelines: Dancers are permitted to wear leggings, joggers or workout pants to class. Tank tops and t-shirts are permitted. Street clothes especially jeans are not permitted because they hinder the dancer’s range of movement. Shoes for Bitty Bop will be any all black tennis shoes. Dance shoes should not be worn outside and should be reserved for the dance studio only!
NEW for '24-'25 Season- Dance with Me: 45 minute class of creative movement for dancer and their caretaker. This could be a parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle or friend. This class is designed for young dancers who are not yet ready for a class on their own. This class will focus on creative movement in a class atmosphere.
Any athletic attire is appropriate for this class. Shoes are not required, the class will be bare foot. For safety- please no socks.
Available Days/Times:
Ballet & Tap Combo: Monday 4:30 or Tuesday 5:30
Bitty Bop & Acro Combo: Wednesday 4:30 or Thursday 5:30
Dance with Me: Wednesday 5:30
Why is my dancer just standing/sitting and watching?
How a child participates in class depends on their unique style of learning. According to the VAK (Visual-Auditory-Kinesthetic) Learning Styles model, everyone processes information differently. Every dance class “looks” different because the dynamics of the children’s learning styles differ. Your child may be a visual learner. A visual learner will watch the teacher and classmates carefully to process the information being taught. Your child may be an auditory learner. An auditory learner listens carefully to process information. Visual and auditory learners may not move as much as kinesthetic learners. These learners process information by moving and doing.
Should I come get my dancer if he/she is crying?
It is developmentally appropriate for a child to cry the first few days of classes, working through a challenging skill, or struggling with a new concept. We are learning new and exciting things every week. When new things are difficult, big emotions can take over. If your child is upset, the teacher will assess the situation and may hold his/her hand, pick them up (with their permission), or have them sit down by the wall for their safety. They will continuously be invited back to join the fun. If the teacher sees your child is ill or uncontrollably upset, the teacher will bring them out to you. If you open the studio door, peek in, or enter the classroom, you will not only escalate the situation, but you will increase the distraction for the other children in the class. Thank you for your cooperation.
My child cries on the way to dance class but seems to enjoy class once we arrive. What should I do?
There could be many reasons why your child says they do not want to go to dance class. The first thing you should do is reach out to the teacher. By letting us know, we can evaluate the situation together and work towards a solution that is best for your child. In our experience, it’s usually not “going to dance class” that is the reason for the push back, especially if they enjoy dance once they get into class. Rather, it’s a change in routine. This could happen with a big move, new baby in the family, starting school/daycare, or the simple fact that they are hungry or tired. The teacher will be able to evaluate the dancer in class to see if there are certain skills or concepts the child may be struggling with that could be causing the push back. After speaking together and deciding what could be causing the tears, a clearer understanding will appear, and a plan can be put into place. Open communication is key.
Should I observe my dancer from the viewing window?
We welcome you to observe your child through our viewing windows! Your support for their dance education is crucial as they grow through our program. However, if your child is easily distracted, coming to the window to talk to or look at you, we ask that you not observe. Doing so can quickly escalate off-task behavior leading to wasted class time. You know your child best. We appreciate your assistance in helping us create an environment where attentive learning can take place.
What should we do if we are late for class?
Being late for class is going to happen, and it’s ok! Often times rushing to get to class on time can cause a child to become anxious or upset. If this sounds like your child, it’s important to reassure him/her that they will not be in trouble and it’s ok to be late sometimes. When you arrive, remaining calm will help your child remain calm. Don’t forget hugs and kisses before quietly sending your child into class. To avoid off-task behavior for the rest of the students, it is best to enter between songs or activities. If you are unable to consistently arrive on time, please speak with us to find a class that is more suitable for your schedule.
Why does it look like you are playing rather than dancing?
According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, children learn through play. “Play” in dance classes is exploring all the amazing ways our bodies can move, developing movement skills, and expressing our individual creativity. Incorporating props, stories, and student-centered explorations is essential. These will create a strong foundation based on a clear understanding of the essence of movement and the basics of dance. This foundation will prepare dancers for their future technical training in any dance genre.