Pre-dance is a dance readiness program designed for children
ages three through six. It is an introduction to the world of
dance, which utilizes children's innate love of movement to enhance
their physical development, musicality, and spacial awareness.
The primary focus is to share the joy of dance with the very young
in a way that gradually helps them acquire a higher level of execution.
Consideration of the whole child is key and is harmoniously balanced
with the time-honored traditions of classical dance training.
Patience and humor team up with discipline and good expectations
to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning. Each class is
structured, skills-oriented, and age-specific, affording the children
the opportunity to accomplish all they are able, but not more
than they should. These classes serve as a productive preparation
for classical dance training or any other discipline the child
may choose to pursue.
The program consists of four distinct age levels, and parents
are strongly encouraged to enroll children in the class intended
for their age. The children who enjoy class the most are those
who are placed properly and attend on a consistent basis. Class
level is assigned according to age, determined by the child’s
on September 1 of each year.
Pre-Dance I
Pre-dance I is designed for the three- year-olds to be in the dance
studio for the first time, and lasts no longer than one hour.
For many, this is their first experience in any kind of classroom.
The work of separation from parents for the duration of the class
and learning to work together as a group are the first two lines
of business. Meanwhile, the children have been guided through
dance classes starting with introductions spoken in French, gross
motor skills around the room to warm up, exercises in a circle
on the floor for strength and flexibility, a taking-turns segment
to help instill class etiquette with prescribed movements in or
around the circle, a short free-form time for individual expression,
jumps, bows, a good-bye song, and an applause to say "Thank
you". Later in the year, basic tumbling and acting out a
song with movement are included.
Pre-Dance II
Pre-dance II is designed for four-year-old children and lasts
about sixty minutes. These children are usually ready to move
out of the containment of the circle for the floor exercises,
which are now done in lines spanning the studio floor mirroring
the teacher. They are also ready to wait in line for the taking-turns
segment, which is now done across the floor. Skipping is an important
part of this segment. The introductions in French, gross motor
skills around the room, the short free-form section, jumps, reverence,
good-bye song, and applause all remain, but everything is done
with a little more attention to detail. Now we really care which
foot we are on, the placement of our arms, and whether our knees
are bent or straight. Ballet terminology is used in each class,
but all movements are done in parallel. Eurhythmics is introduced
near the end of class by clapping and counting different rhythms,
which will eventually be used with movement during class.
Pre-Dance III
Pre-dance III is designed for five-year-old children. These children
are ready to stay in the studio up to seventy-five minutes. The
basic skeletal structure of the class remains the same as Pre-dance
II, but everything is augmented and more refined. The children
learn more ballet terminology, more work is done in the 3/4 meter,
and the exercises on the floor include more back and abdominal
strengtheners. Traveling steps are done with a change of feet
and direction producing steps that resemble folk and character
dancing. Counting becomes more important, and the children are
heard counting 1 & 2 & 3, accenting count 1 with a clap,
or 5 &, 6 &, 7 &, 8 while running on the balls of
the feet. By the end of the Pre-dance III level, the children
have really been dancing, and it is great fun!
Pre-Dance IV
Pre-dance IV is a six-year-old class and can last up to ninety
minutes. It is the bridge between the Pre-dance classes and Ballet
I and is meant to give the children a solid preparation for serious
classical ballet training.
The structure of the class breaks away from that of Pre-dance
II and III. It starts out with exercises on the floor. The children
are back in the circle again, but not for the purpose of containment
as with the three year olds. Now the children no longer mirror
the teacher's movements; they have to think independently about
right and left and learn to count each exercise. This frees the
teacher up to move around the circle and help each child execute
the movements correctly. These exercises are a core ingredient
of class, producing more flexibility and strength. The children
come away from this class with stronger abdominal, straighter
backs, and more control of the shoulders, arms, legs and feet.
Turnout (rotating the legs outward from the hips) is gently introduced;
demi plies, tendus, and sautes, are all gradually done with turnout,
but not at the ballet barre. Some of the ballet steps on the floor
include balances and soutenu turns. The children who complete
the Pre-dance IV class are prepared to enter the world of classical
ballet training. And those who move on to other pursuits will
take with them better posture, more poise, grace, and a greater
sense of discipline.
