Perhaps for some of us the memory of early dance classes bring back haunting memories of cruel ballet instructors too swift with the stick or hippy- dippy movement classes that encouraged us to " be a tree". Whatever your earliest remembrances were, as a parent I urge you to reconsider dance and movement classes for your kids. Times have changed and today's teachers are interested in opening kids eyes and ears up to their own inherent musicality and getting kids to embrace movement of all kinds. There are schools all over the Bay Area ready to cater to your little ballet dancer or tap whiz-find the one that works for you and visit the first class with your little one, stay involved and keep on dancing at home!!Oakland's fabled Academy of Classical Ballet was founded in 1968 by then Artistic Director, Ron Guidi. There is a pre-ballet class for the littlest of learners 4-6 and formal training in ballet positions and movement begins after that in Level I and II classes.
JCC San Francisco offers a pre-Ballet class as well for ages 3-4 in addition they have a continuing class for 4-5. They also feature a Junior Ballet class for ages 5-7 building upon already established skills and warm up routines. For those kids more inspired by Savion Glover than Mikhail Baryshnikov, there are Tap classes as well as Storybook Song & Dance for pre-schoolers.
Ace Dance Academy in Walnut Creek goes beyond just basic instruction-their mission is to teach kids etiquette through dance, a love of movement and a sense of community through working with others. Classes in Creative Dance are open to 3 1/2 (potty trained) and up. Tap, Jazz and Hip-Hop classes are also available for the older set.
photo credit: Flickr, adjustafresh
No comments:
Post a Comment