Claire School of Dance

Children's Classes

Children's Classes

The Claire School of Dance offers classes for children ages 2½ though adults. Our Early Childhood Program, for children 2 ½ through six, provides a developmentally appropriate dance education for the very young dancer. Our Level classes, for students 7 and older, offer formal instruction in classical ballet, modern, and hip hop. Classes in ballet are based on the National Training Curriculum of the American Ballet Theatre.

Registration in classes toddler through Level I is based on age. Registration in classes Level II and above require permission from the School administration. Enrollment in the Children's Program is ongoing through January 31st. Students with no previous experience must enroll prior to January 31st unless joining a newly-created beginner class. Please contact the School office for questions regarding placement.

In order to provide quality instruction, our classes are limited to 10-12 students.

Early Childhood Program

Our Early Childhood classes develop motor skills, coordination, and listening skills, as well as promote the exploration of creativity and expression through movement. All classes in the Early Childhood Program develop skills necessary for the formal study of ballet or other forms of dance.

This program consists of

Toddler Dance (2½ - 3 years old),
Creative Movement I (3½ - 4 years old),
Creative Movement II (4 to 5, Pre-K),
Pre-Ballet (Kindergarten),
and Primary I (First Grade).

Class Descriptions and Dress Code

Toddler dance is a program designed for children between the ages of age 2 ½ and 3 ½ . In this class, children are imaginatively stimulated to dance and move through space. Age-appropriate activities develop large motor skills, coordination and balance, while introducing classroom etiquette. The class introduces children to a wide range of music, from ballet to music from around the world.

This class meets once a week for 30 minutes. Attire is a pink leotard. Dance skirt (attached OK) or tutu. No tights! No shoes! For cold weather, leggings may be worn.

Parents are invited to attend class twice a year to observe their children.

Creative Movement I, for children 3 ½ to 4, stresses coordination, large motor skills development, musical and spatial awareness, and listening skills. Every lesson includes an opportunity to explore imagination and movement.

This class meets once a week for 45 minutes. Attire is a pink or black leotard. Dance skirt or tutu. Attached skirt OK. No tights! No shoes! For cold weather, leggings may be worn. Hair should be pulled back into pony tail. Short hair must be pulled back from the face.

Parents are invited to attend class twice a year to observe their children.

Creative Movement II, for children entering Pre-K, further develops coordination and motor and listening skills while promoting natural creativity, musical awareness, and improvisation. In addition to building physical ability, this class gives children the opportunity to use movement to tell a story through interactive group exercises.

Parents are invited to attend class twice a year to observe their children.

Preballet is for children entering Kindergarten. In this class, children are introduced to age-appropriate ballet vocabulary as preparation for more formal training. We continue to do stretching and strengthening exercises, as well as explore movement through music and imagination.

This class meets once a week for 45 minutes. Dress code is a lilac tank leotard, (for example: Natalie PB302C) and white Natalie child skirt with lettuce edging. Hair should be pulled back into a ponytail or put up in a bun. Short hair must be pulled back from the face. No tights! No shoes.

Parents of Preballet students are invited to attend the annual Parent Day Demonstration, held the second or third Sunday in May.

Primary I is for children entering first grade. While continuing to foster creativity, this class expands on students' developing ballet vocabulary. Exercises emphasize the development of balance, posture and spatial awareness. We continue to stress musicality and self-expression through directed improvisation of both individuals and groups. This class meets once a week for one hour. Dress code is a mulberry tank leotard, (preferably Natalie PB302C) and white Natalie child skirt with lettuce edging. White anklet socks. Pink ballet slippers. Hair should be pulled back into a ponytail or put up in a bun. Short hair must be pulled back from the face. Parents of Primary students are invited to attend the annual Parent Day Demonstration, held the second or third Sunday in May. In addition, Primary students are eligible for participation in our annual Nutcracker.

Primary II, for children entering second grade, is highest level of the Early Childhood Program. Beginning in Fall 2012, Primary II is a transition year, developed to prepare students for entering the Classical Ballet Program the following year.

In Primary II, students are taught fundamental ballet technique and develop the self-discipline necessary to continue the study of classical ballet. There is a continuation of emphasis on the relationship of movement, music and expression for this age group. This ballet class solidly prepares students to advance to the next level of study, the beginning of the School's Elementary Ballet Program.

This class meets once a week for one hour. Dress code is a mulberry tank leotard, Natalie PB302C and white Natalie child skirt with lettuce edging. White anklet socks. Pink ballet slippers. Hair should be pulled back into a ponytail or put up in a bun.