Creative Movement for Preschool & Kindergarten
Students in this class will be introduced to the basics of dance in a fun, playful, and supportive environment. Class will begin with simple dance exercises and progress to locomotive moves through space. Each class will include structured improvisation exploring dance elements such as level, direction, shapes, and much more. Props are often included to add to the fun. Children are also encouraged to watch each other's dances, show support, and respond.
Modern I (Creative Movement/Intro to Contemporary) - 1st & 2nd Grades
This class will begin with a warm-up incorporating exercises from modern dance and ballet, followed by dynamic and challenging dance phrases in center and across the floor. Children will learn use of the spine, turn-out vs. parallel legs, use of the feet, and basic floor work, as well as rhythm and counts. The technique part of the class will be followed by creative dance projects which will allow the children to express themselves, and to incorporate their technique into their own dances.
Modern II – 3rd to 5th Grades
Students in this class will work specifically on traveling through space, weighted movements, musicality, improvisation and floorwork. There will be opportunities for students to create their own movement and games to build partnering skills.
Modern III - Middle School through High School
Students in this class need to be comfortable creating movement and challenging themselves on a technical level. Students will work on moving in and out of the floor, spinal articulation, improvisation, and developing partnering skills.
Tap I - 6 yrs & older
This class is for students with 0-2 years’ training. It will provide students with a strong foundation of the basic primary tap steps: concentrating on correct form for clearest sounds and timing, and the combining of exercise steps into small combinations with music.
Tap II - 8 yrs & older
This class is designed for students in 3rd grade & older who have had 2+ years of tap training. It will take the basics to the next level in speed and intricacy, adding in tricks, turns, and more complex rhythms, as well as counter-rhythms with groups — with and without music.
Tap III - 10 yrs & older
For middle school grades and students who with at least three years of tap training, this class moves to the next level in tricks and turns, honing the execution of form/timing/sound with more complexity, working into longer combinations of varied tap stylings.
Theater I - 8 yrs & older
This class will introduce the young actor to various techniques that are necessary for stage acting. Topics include: body movement on stage, using a suitable stage voice, character appropriate vocal intonation, exploration of what makes performances interesting and engaging for actor and audience, stage directions, pantomime, the difference between an actor’s personality and a character’s personality, imagination, fantasy, story-telling, concentration, and more. Learning will take place through theater games, individual and group performances, a range of interactive activities, and class discussion. A personalized approach to teaching will support students who are new and those who are returning to this class for a second year. This class is suitable for children in 3rd-5th grades who are beginners and returning 4th grade students.
Theater II - 10 yrs & older
This class will introduce actors who have some theatrical experience to the concepts of script and character study. Students will explore how the script informs character development and how each character relates to the others. The interaction between personal creativity, imagination, and “listening and responding” to other actors in the context of a script will be a major focus. Staged readings, scene work, short memorization activities, mini-monologues, character movement, improvisation, and concentration will be incorporated into this performance-oriented class. This class will culminate in a workshop performance in December and the annual BDW show in May. It is suitable for students in 5th-6th grades.
Theater III - 11 yrs & older
This challenging class will build upon the concepts studied in Theater II but with greater emphasis on more in-depth character study and the actor’s personal process for developing a character. It will incorporate basic Method Acting techniques (use of the actor’s real-life experiences to support acting that is genuine and believable), delving into the historical and societal elements that make a script and character real, contrast of superficial characters and scripts with those that truly reflect the human spirit, and professional audition techniques. Students will be required to learn, memorize, and perform a 2-3-minute monologue for the December showcase and their experience will culminate in the annual BDW show in May. This class is suitable for kids in 7th-8th grades with 1-2 years of previous acting experience.
Ballet I - 7 years & older
For students in 2nd -5th grades. This class aims to instill the joy of dance with the grace and discipline of Ballet. We will learn about the stories of the ballet and some of the dances as well. This class is an introduction to ballet. Class requirement: No loose clothing, leggings in black or footed tights in pink, well-fitting t-shit or leotard (any color), leather full sole ballet slippers (fitted with room for growth). Skirts are permitted if they are attached to the leotard (for example a dance dress). Hair must be out of face and if long enough, in a ponytail.
Ballet II - 10 years & older
For middle school students who are in 6th-8th grades. This class combines deeper work at the barre and center that maintains the safety of the student while challenging and strengthening technique. Class requirements: leggings or tights, leotard or well fitted t-shirt (black or pink), leather full sole ballet slippers (fitted with room for growth). Hair must be out of face and if long enough, in a ponytail.
* Check the BDW Shoe Box before purchasing ballet shoes.
Teen / Adult Ballet - 14 years & older
For teens age 14 to adult. This is a basic ballet class for anyone who may have wanted to take a ballet class but never had a chance. We will start from the very beginning and progress through the year. This class combines the precision of the Russian classical ballet through the Vaganova syllabus with the awareness of body alignment and organization. Class requirement: no loose-fitting clothing. Leotards, leggings, tank tops, tights, are fine, whatever is comfortable. Ballet slippers; any color.
Hip Hop I - 10 years & older
In this class, students will learn movement fundamentals drawn from hip hop, popping, tutting, waacking, house, and contemporary/modern. Class will consist of warm up techniques for stretching and strengthening muscle groups activated in hip hop/open-style movement, movement drills for learning fundamental elements of the hip hop/open style dance form, and basic choreography to apply what they’ve learned.
Hip Hop II - 12 years & older
Students will learn/build movement fundamentals drawn from hip hop, popping, tutting, waacking, house, and contemporary/modern. Class will consist of warm up techniques for activating muscles for hip hop/open-style movement, movement drills for training fundamental elements of the hip hop/open style dance form, and learning choreography to integrate what they’ve learned.
Hip Hop III - Teens, 14 years & older
This class will cover movement fundamentals drawn from hip hop, popping, tutting, waacking, house, and contemporary/modern. We will focus on dynamics as students learn choreography that integrates these dance forms.
Voice - Adults & Teens - not currently offered
Class works through warm-ups and technique as well as singing contemporary pop, Broadway, folk and jazz standards. This class will add many songs to the singers' repertoire for auditioning or performance fun.
Students in this class will be introduced to the basics of dance in a fun, playful, and supportive environment. Class will begin with simple dance exercises and progress to locomotive moves through space. Each class will include structured improvisation exploring dance elements such as level, direction, shapes, and much more. Props are often included to add to the fun. Children are also encouraged to watch each other's dances, show support, and respond.
Modern I (Creative Movement/Intro to Contemporary) - 1st & 2nd Grades
This class will begin with a warm-up incorporating exercises from modern dance and ballet, followed by dynamic and challenging dance phrases in center and across the floor. Children will learn use of the spine, turn-out vs. parallel legs, use of the feet, and basic floor work, as well as rhythm and counts. The technique part of the class will be followed by creative dance projects which will allow the children to express themselves, and to incorporate their technique into their own dances.
Modern II – 3rd to 5th Grades
Students in this class will work specifically on traveling through space, weighted movements, musicality, improvisation and floorwork. There will be opportunities for students to create their own movement and games to build partnering skills.
Modern III - Middle School through High School
Students in this class need to be comfortable creating movement and challenging themselves on a technical level. Students will work on moving in and out of the floor, spinal articulation, improvisation, and developing partnering skills.
Tap I - 6 yrs & older
This class is for students with 0-2 years’ training. It will provide students with a strong foundation of the basic primary tap steps: concentrating on correct form for clearest sounds and timing, and the combining of exercise steps into small combinations with music.
Tap II - 8 yrs & older
This class is designed for students in 3rd grade & older who have had 2+ years of tap training. It will take the basics to the next level in speed and intricacy, adding in tricks, turns, and more complex rhythms, as well as counter-rhythms with groups — with and without music.
Tap III - 10 yrs & older
For middle school grades and students who with at least three years of tap training, this class moves to the next level in tricks and turns, honing the execution of form/timing/sound with more complexity, working into longer combinations of varied tap stylings.
Theater I - 8 yrs & older
This class will introduce the young actor to various techniques that are necessary for stage acting. Topics include: body movement on stage, using a suitable stage voice, character appropriate vocal intonation, exploration of what makes performances interesting and engaging for actor and audience, stage directions, pantomime, the difference between an actor’s personality and a character’s personality, imagination, fantasy, story-telling, concentration, and more. Learning will take place through theater games, individual and group performances, a range of interactive activities, and class discussion. A personalized approach to teaching will support students who are new and those who are returning to this class for a second year. This class is suitable for children in 3rd-5th grades who are beginners and returning 4th grade students.
Theater II - 10 yrs & older
This class will introduce actors who have some theatrical experience to the concepts of script and character study. Students will explore how the script informs character development and how each character relates to the others. The interaction between personal creativity, imagination, and “listening and responding” to other actors in the context of a script will be a major focus. Staged readings, scene work, short memorization activities, mini-monologues, character movement, improvisation, and concentration will be incorporated into this performance-oriented class. This class will culminate in a workshop performance in December and the annual BDW show in May. It is suitable for students in 5th-6th grades.
Theater III - 11 yrs & older
This challenging class will build upon the concepts studied in Theater II but with greater emphasis on more in-depth character study and the actor’s personal process for developing a character. It will incorporate basic Method Acting techniques (use of the actor’s real-life experiences to support acting that is genuine and believable), delving into the historical and societal elements that make a script and character real, contrast of superficial characters and scripts with those that truly reflect the human spirit, and professional audition techniques. Students will be required to learn, memorize, and perform a 2-3-minute monologue for the December showcase and their experience will culminate in the annual BDW show in May. This class is suitable for kids in 7th-8th grades with 1-2 years of previous acting experience.
Ballet I - 7 years & older
For students in 2nd -5th grades. This class aims to instill the joy of dance with the grace and discipline of Ballet. We will learn about the stories of the ballet and some of the dances as well. This class is an introduction to ballet. Class requirement: No loose clothing, leggings in black or footed tights in pink, well-fitting t-shit or leotard (any color), leather full sole ballet slippers (fitted with room for growth). Skirts are permitted if they are attached to the leotard (for example a dance dress). Hair must be out of face and if long enough, in a ponytail.
Ballet II - 10 years & older
For middle school students who are in 6th-8th grades. This class combines deeper work at the barre and center that maintains the safety of the student while challenging and strengthening technique. Class requirements: leggings or tights, leotard or well fitted t-shirt (black or pink), leather full sole ballet slippers (fitted with room for growth). Hair must be out of face and if long enough, in a ponytail.
* Check the BDW Shoe Box before purchasing ballet shoes.
Teen / Adult Ballet - 14 years & older
For teens age 14 to adult. This is a basic ballet class for anyone who may have wanted to take a ballet class but never had a chance. We will start from the very beginning and progress through the year. This class combines the precision of the Russian classical ballet through the Vaganova syllabus with the awareness of body alignment and organization. Class requirement: no loose-fitting clothing. Leotards, leggings, tank tops, tights, are fine, whatever is comfortable. Ballet slippers; any color.
Hip Hop I - 10 years & older
In this class, students will learn movement fundamentals drawn from hip hop, popping, tutting, waacking, house, and contemporary/modern. Class will consist of warm up techniques for stretching and strengthening muscle groups activated in hip hop/open-style movement, movement drills for learning fundamental elements of the hip hop/open style dance form, and basic choreography to apply what they’ve learned.
Hip Hop II - 12 years & older
Students will learn/build movement fundamentals drawn from hip hop, popping, tutting, waacking, house, and contemporary/modern. Class will consist of warm up techniques for activating muscles for hip hop/open-style movement, movement drills for training fundamental elements of the hip hop/open style dance form, and learning choreography to integrate what they’ve learned.
Hip Hop III - Teens, 14 years & older
This class will cover movement fundamentals drawn from hip hop, popping, tutting, waacking, house, and contemporary/modern. We will focus on dynamics as students learn choreography that integrates these dance forms.
Voice - Adults & Teens - not currently offered
Class works through warm-ups and technique as well as singing contemporary pop, Broadway, folk and jazz standards. This class will add many songs to the singers' repertoire for auditioning or performance fun.