A Typical Class

Each class opens with a free dancing exercise called The Scarf Dance which serves several purposes.  First it helps kids join without intimidation, everyone is moving in a circle and there is no wrong way to do it.  The teacher may suggest skip, gallop, sashe or twirl and demonstrate as she talks.  Children practice different tempos with this dance as well.  Secondly, it's a great warm up for the body to get the blood flowing before moving onto any stretching or agility games.

Next, the class does a Brain Dance Warm-Up.  This type of warm up was designed by Anne Green Gilbert of the Creative Dance Center.  It uses the bodies developmental processes to awaken the body and ready it for learning.  Brain Dance is also used in schools and with therapists to help child with their focus and self regulation. It involves a series of exercises set to music or to singing and rhymes.  They include, Breathe, Tactile, Core/Distal, Spine,  Upper/ Lower, Right Side/Left Side, Cross Lateral and Vestibular.

The rest of the class is spent focusing on one dance concept.  Some of the concepts include; Level, Size, Speed, Direction, Pathway, Body Shape, Energy, Focus, Balance and several more.  We play games to familiarize ourselves with the concept, practice skills, learn combinations and older students create their own combinations to share with the group.

Before leaving we cool down and stretch.

West Seattle Classes Fall 2010 

Classes Run in 6 and 7 Week Sessions

6 Week Sessions are $71, 7 Week Sessions are $82

Classes are held at the Highland Park Improvement Club on the corner of 12th and Holden.

Mighty Littles (Age 2.5-4) This is a fun introduction to dance for young children and their caregiver.  This class meets on Tuesdays from 1015-10:50 and is attended by both child and caregiver.

Preschool Dance (Ages 3-5) Children work with the teacher to learn dance concepts, movement vocabulary and improve balance, coordination and focus.  This class meets your choice of  Monday at 3:45-4:30, Thursday 3:45-4:30 or Friday from 10:00-10:45.

K-2 Dance (Ages 5-7) Children build on their skills and begin to learn choreographic concepts which they apply in creating their own choreography which they show in small groups during class time.  Modern Dance skills are strengthened but the focus on creativity and fun continues.

Modern Dance and Choreography (Ages 8-10) Dance technique continues to improve.  Ballet principles are introduced as tools for alignment and concise movement.  Children create vignettes and apply choreographic principals to them.  Dancers have the opportunity to produce dances for the Summer recital.

Ballard Classes Spring

Quarterly Session of 11-13 Weeks

Each Quarter Costs $100

All Classes are Held on Wednesdays in Room 4

Young Preschool Dance (Ages 2 1/2-4) Children work with the teacher to learn dance concepts, movement vocabulary and improve balance, coordination and focus.  2:30-3:05 Wednesday.

Preschool Dance (Ages 4 & 5)  Children work with the teacher to learn dance concepts, movement vocabulary and improve balance, coordination and focus.  3:20-4:00

School Age Dance (Ages 5-8)  Children build on their skills and begin to learn choreographic concepts which they apply in creating their own choreography which they show in small groups during class time.  Modern Dance skills are strengthened but the focus on creativity and fun continues.