curriculum
Overview
Students are placed in classes based on age and years of experience as well as on skill level, coordination, musicality, concentration and maturity in accepting corrections. Dancers under age 7 generally attend combination tap and ballet classes, while those age 7 and older attend individual classes as listed below. The curriculum stresses an understanding of the basic steps, combinations and techniques needed to develop a competancy in each dance form. All students are invited to perform in our annual recital in June along with local performances throoughout the year.
The Benefits of Dance (Why should your child take dance?)
Dancing consists of many physical education and fitness aspects which every girl and boy can benefit from later in life. Dancing improves motor skills (coordination, balance, speed, agility and power) and four fitness components (muscular endurance, cardiovascular endurance, strength and flexibility). Social and personal skills are developed by working alone or with others (in a group setting). Most importantly, students of dance learn discipline and respect for one's self, their peers and instructors.
Levels
Beginner:
These classes are designed for those students with limited to no experience in the art of dance. For the younger dancer, we offer pre-dance and kinderdance lessons, where the students begin to understand movement, and learn basic steps and concepts in dance.
Intermediate:
The intermediate level is where students of some experience begin to focus on their technique and mastery of higher level steps. Students spend most of their dance experience at this level before moving onto the advanced levels (which occurs after mastering the technique at the intermediate level).
Advanced:
Students that have progressed to the advanced level have mastered the basic skills taught at the intermediate level. Many of these dancers become members of the MSSOD company, and go on to compete at regional and national competitions.
Adult Classes:
Jazz and Tap classes are offered for men and women ages 18 and older. These hour long classes serve as a time for getting in shape and having fun! Performing a recital routine at the end of the year is optional, and sometimes the ladies even choose to compete at a regional.
Styles
Predance:
This class combines the basics of tap, pre-ballet, and tumbling skills. It is split by ability level for ages 4-6 and emphasizes creative movement, rhythm and coordination.
Ballet/Pointe:
Ballet is the foundation of all dancing. It provides the grace, poise, and technique needed to be proficient in other areas of dance and gymnastics. Students may go on pointe only with permission of the ballet instructor.
Tap:
All ages can enjoy the rhythms and movements of tap. In addition to interpreting the mood of the music, students also develop coordination of mind and body and a more perceptive sense of rhythm, timing, and phrasing.
Jazz:
Class includes isolations, stretches, and footwork. The entire body gets a workout as students are exposed to contemporary and theatrical jazz styles. Students must be enrolled in a ballet technique class in order to take jazz classes.
Lyrical:
Class is offered to students with a ballet and jazz background who are studying ballet concurrently. It encompasses balance, control, flexibility, and interpretation of music with dance.
Acrobatics:
Time is divided between warm-up, exercise, and perfection of tumbling skills, which are integrated with basic dance movement.
Hip-Hop:
This class starts with a conditioning warm-up and teaches contemporary street dance.
Musical Theater:
Dance movements are combined with acting skills and character interpretation.
Contemporary:
A modern concert dance genre. It is not a specific dance technique but a collection of methods developed from modern and post-modern dance and can take on many forms including dance fusion, emergent dance and revisionism.
Class Sizes
Groups:
Class sizes hold between 4 and 15 students. Dancers learn their basic technique for that discipline, as well as the art of working together and dancing with others. It is very important to learn the mportance of synchronization. All classes are one hour long.
Duets/Trios:
Students may sign up for semi-private lessons with two or three students per half hour. This gives the student the opportunity to obtain more personal and individualized feedback from an instructor, while still learning the importance of dancing well with others.
Solos:
Students may place their name on a waiting list to obtain private lessons (one on one with an instructor). This type of lesson is significant to those looking to receive a more individualized lesson with more attention on that dancer from the instructor. The length of the waiting list varies from year to year. Each solo lesson lasts for half an hour.
Performance Opportunities
During the year, students will have opportunities to participate in activities such as master classes, competitions, and community performances as well as the annual recital in June. Our studio also participates in "Magic Music Days" at the Walt Disney World Resort on a tri-annual basis. Students that attend, not only are afforded the opportunity to perform live for theme park crowds, but also to have the honor of taking master classes with Disney's top dancers and choreographers. The Company offers special performance opportunities for its members. The Elite Company travels to the major competitions and conventions as well as a National Summer Finale Competition. The House Company participates in regional competitions and conventions. Students are invited to audition to become members of the Company.
Fall Schedule of Classes
(Coming Soon)
Long Pond Studio
Willowwood Studio
Marilyn's Dancers can easily order products from:
This page was last updated: July 27, 2011
