Class Descriptions

Creative Dance I —Ages 2½– 3yrs with Parent or Caregiver

Toddlers ages 2½–3 years dance together while focusing on rhythm, movement, music and fun! In this class we will be exploring the basic elements of dance including movement qualities and dynamics, use of space, simple rhythms and body part differentiation. Students will play with movements that are inspired by stories, games, words, music and various props. This class offers students a fun-filled and safe environment to enjoy and appreciate dance, as well as opening up endless possibilities to be creative as individuals and as a group and to work together in a social atmosphere.
Classes meet once a week for 45 minutes.
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Creative Dance II —Ages 4– 5yrs.

Children ages 4 and up will dance and move in a stimulating environment focused on creativity, group interaction and the joy of self-expression. This class will be a continuation of skills learned in Creative Dance I, further developing the student's range of motion and coordination, articulation, and locomotion, including galloping in all directions, skipping, leaping, and encouraging use of both right and left sides.
Classes meet once a week for 1 hour.
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Pre-Ballet

This class is for 6 to 7 year olds and functions as a bridge between creative dance and formal ballet training. In this class students will begin to explore the fundamental concepts of classical ballet. We will focus on proper placement and alignment, working to build strength, flexibility, poise, and good class etiquette. Basic ballet vocabulary will be introduced through barre and center work and traveling through space by jumping, turning and galloping. This class is designed so that the students will have lots of fun in a safe environment while building an interest in the art form.
Classes meet once a week for 1 hour.
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The Ballet Training Program

The ballet training program begins with Ballet I (for all ages, but no younger than 8 yrs). Placement in classes is not based on age or previous training. The Director will place students according to where they can make the greatest progress. The program progressively builds in difficulty and number of weekly class hours to prepare the students for pointe work (around the age of 12), and later, pas de deux and advanced training.

A traditional ballet barre is given which may be preceded by floor or barre exercises that are tailored to the needs of the students in the class. Center floor exercises and combinations will include a repetition of some barre exercises, port de bras and adagio, pirouettes, petite and grand allegro, and traveling turns.

The ballet classes utilize the principles of correct alignment and the aesthetic classical ballet ideal while working within the anatomical confines of individual dancers. Classes also stress musicality, dynamics of movement, use of opposition, co-ordination of the entire body and artistic expression. Also encouraged is the use of breath and the release of excess tension which is necessary for the body to more sensitively develop the neuromuscular connections and responses that allow one to dance in a balanced and fluid manner. Combinations at the barre and in the center are structured to help dancers achieve the ultimate goals of that day's class. Careful correction and attention is generously given to everyone in the class.

Listed below is the number of weekly class hours required of students enrolling in the ballet program. The progression of levels is very individual. Students are encouraged to take additional classes that are below their scheduled level at no additional cost.

Ballet I:

1 hour class 2x per week

Ballet II:

1¼ hour class 3x per week

Ballet III:

1½ hour class 4x per week

Ballet IV:

1½ hour class 5x per week plus 30 min. pointe class 2x per week

Ballet V:

1½ hour class 6x per week plus 1 hour pointe class 2x per week

Ballet VI: 1½ hour class 6x per week plus 1 hour pointe class 3x per week (one of the pointe classes may be pas de deux
Pointe
As well as being approx. 12 years of age, and having laid a strong foundation in ballet technique, strength in the back, core area, legs and feet must be gradually built to prepare girls for pointe work. Readiness for pointe work is based upon many factors. It is very individual and at the discretion of the instructor. Students must be in Level III to be considered for pointe work. They must attend a minimum of their 4 scheduled ballet classes each week.
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Teen/Adult Ballet I
Wednesdays, 6–7:30 pm

An introduction to classical ballet training including an explanation of its origins and terminology. A physically, mentally, and spiritually engaging class that will help to foster an appreciation of the art form. A traditional ballet barre is given which may be preceded by floor or barre exercises that are tailored to the needs of the students in the class. Center floor exercises and combinations will include a repetition of some barre exercises, port de bras and adagio, pirouettes, petite and grand allegro, and traveling turns.

The ballet classes utilize the principles of correct alignment and the aesthetic classical ballet ideal while working within the anatomical confines of individual dancers. Classes also stress musicality, dynamics of movement, use of opposition, co-ordination of the entire body and artistic expression. Also encouraged is the use of breath and the release of excess tension which is necessary for the body to more sensitively develop the neuromuscular connections and responses that allow one to dance in a balanced and fluid manner. Combinations at the barre and in the center are structured to help dancers achieve the ultimate goals of that day's class. Careful correction and attention is generously given to everyone in the class.
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Acting I —Teen - Young Adult

Acting I is an ongoing actor’s resource class and workshop with emphasis on understanding and building the character that you are portraying. Remembering lines and knowing where to stand is a good start but is not enough to entertain an audience. This class will teach and nurture good character study habits so your future characters will come alive on stage or on camera through attitude, posture, physicality, speech and more.

Classes meet once a week for 1 hour.
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Trainer-Fit

A class designed by our very own in-house trainer Jeff Hughes to help you firm and tone your body like never before. With over 18 years experience as a private fitness trainer, Jeff has gathered and developed amazingly helpful and simple exercise techniques incorporating work with stability balls, weights, and yoga techniques to help train the mind and body in a functional and balanced manner.

You'll be led through a warm-up and exercises that will thoroughly work every part of your body. Class always finishes in a yoga style cool-down with emphasis on flexibility, breathing, and meditation to send you on your merry way.

This class is open to everyone of all fitness levels. The exercises can be modified for beginners or tailored to challenge the more advanced student. This class is invaluable for those on a weight loss regimen as it will help to build muscle mass which will increase the amount of energy burned even when the body is at rest.
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Class Tuition

Tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable. Registration fee is due yearly from all Annual tuition enrolled students, and those who purchase a workshop. Students wishing to make-up missed classes may do so at the discretion of the instructor within 30 days.

2007-2008 Class tuition Fees
Sept 4 - June
are as follows:

Single Class Rate: $13.00

Some classes will be offered as workshops. Call or check online for details.

Family Discount: Classes are discounted when taking more than one class per week (see Annual Tuition Plans chart below). This discount can be applied to families (one household) with more than one student ENROLLED in a 10 month class or classes.
*Please note that the annual tuition plans are for enrollment students only when being used for family discount.

Annual Tuition: 35 Weeks amortized over two semesters.
**Annual tuition paid monthly is a discount from the single class rate. Further discounts apply if tuition is paid by one single annual payment in advance.

Annual Tuition Plans:



Annual Registration fee: $15.00 per student $35.00 per family
Returned check fee: $25.00
Credit card minimum: $10.00
   
Classes
Per week
4 Monthly
Installments
Two
Installments
One
Payment
1 $48.13 $192.52 $365.79
2 $90.88 $363.52 $690.69
3 $131.49 $525.96 $999.32
4 $170.07 $680.28 $1292.53


Three Annual Tuition payment plans:
(classes per week are discounted 5% each class taken )
1) 4 Monthly payments(Electronic Funds Transfer)
2) Two payments: Sept 1 and Jan 15
3) One payment which covers the full annual tuition Sept-June
(Full Annual Payment is further discounted by 5% )

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Class Etiquette and Dress Code

Students are requested to respect the space in which we work by only wearing dance shoes on the floors. The Marley surface floor covering provides dancers with a smooth surface with excellent traction on which to dance. It is very expensive and is easily ruined by dirt and grit ground into it by street shoes. Therefore, it is absolutely crucial that shoes that are worn outside are not on our dance floors. All students are expected to bring their dance shoes (which are never worn outside) with them to class and change their shoes before entering the studios.

Students must be on time for class. If the ballet students have missed the first exercise (plies) then they must sit and observe class. This is necessary not only to prevent disruption of the class for others, but also for the student's safety, as the warm-up is progressive, and missing plies prevents one from warming up the muscles properly. Instructors in the other classes may make their own policies regarding when it's too late to join a class, but generally one should never be later than 10 minutes. A late student should stand in the doorway until motioned by the instructor to join class. Also, students should not leave classes early.

Visits to the bathroom and water breaks should be taken care of before or after class. Only water in enclosed non-glass containers is allowed in the studios. At the discretion of the instructor, students may get a quick sip if needed after the barre, or after warm-up.

The Academy is a no smoking zone. Smoking is prohibited inside the building, and please refrain from smoking near the entrances. Thank you.

Food and chewing gum is never allowed in any of the studios. Students must be properly dressed for class with hair neatly pulled away from the face. Ballet students must have their hair pulled all the way up off their necks. For the safety of all students, jewelry is not allowed. Small stud earrings with firm clasps are ok. Legwarmers, skirts, extra t-shirts, shorts and cover-ups are not allowed in any of the children's or teen classes. Instructors need to be able to see the muscles to properly correct the students. All Creative Dance, ballet, modern, and tap students must follow the dress code. Adult students do not have a dress code, but are encouraged to wear appropriate dance attire as well. If you have questions, please see your instructor regarding appropriate attire.

It is customary for students to thank their instructors at the end of class.

Dress Code

Creative Dance I & II:
Girls: Pale Pink short sleeved leotard. (No attached skirts or tutus)
Hair secured away from face into a ponytail, pigtails, braids, etc.
Optional: Pink ballet slippers and pink tights (Convertible tights are preferred.)
Boys: Plain White t-shirt, black bike shorts or jazz pants or boys tights. Optional: White socks and Black ballet shoes

NOTE: All girls in levels Pre-Ballet & Ballet I and up must wear:
Capezio Convertible Pink Tights and Pink ballet slippers.
Hair must be neatly and securely pinned up off the neck into a bun.


All Boys in levels Pre-Ballet & Ballet I and up must wear:
Plain White t-shirt, black bike shorts, jazz pants, or boys tights and White socks and Black ballet shoes. All men and young men 13 yrs and up must wear a dance belt. Participants in the special "Boys Class" may wear jazz shoes, tap shoes, &/or character shoes as the class requires.

Pre- Ballet: Capezio Camisole Lavender Leotard
Ballet I: Capezio Camisole White Leotard
Ballet II: Capezio Camisole White Leotard
Ballet III: Capezio Camisole Light Blue Leotard
Ballet IV: Capezio Camisole Saphire Leotard
Ballet V: Capezio Camisole Navy Leotard
Recreational Ballet: Hunter Green Leotard
Modern & Tap:

Solid color leotard with black jazz pants, leggings, or bike shorts. Tap shoes for tap and bare feet for Modern.

Hip Hop:

Appropriate dance attire and dance shoes (such as jazz dance sneakers that are never worn outside)

Adults in all classes: Appropriate dance attire and shoes with non-marking soles that are clean and never worn outside. Modern, Bellydance and Yoga is done in bare feet. Please see your instructor if you have questions.

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Hudson Valley Academy of Performing Arts
957 Route 82
West Taghkanic, NY 12502


Telephone: (518) 851-5501
Fax: (518) 851-5505
E-Mail: info@hvapa.com
     © Copyright 2006 Hudson Valley Academy of Performing Arts