The Dance Program

Learning dance can be a rewarding experience for children as they discover the joys of disciplined movement, acquire the skills necessary to perform the intricate steps of ballet, learn the graceful sweeping motions of jazz and the rigorous poses of ballet. For some, dance will become a career; for others a disciplined exercise routine. The poise and self-confidence that the disciplined and creative movements of dance engender, however, will enhance whatever goals our students hope to achieve.

Pre-Dance Developmental Class

Dance begins with learning the skills that enhance the art of movement. At Seeds of Learning, our Pre-Dance Developmental Class is designed to teach your child to use his body to achieve the strength and poise necessary for artistic dance movements.

Our class is typically for children with no prior dance instruction. The emphasis is on showing your child how to move in various ways and then pointing out to him the muscles used to achieve those movements. As your child learns how the muscles work, we will begin exercises that emphasize stretching, imitation and posing-the rudiments of movement that lead to grace and poise. Your child will learn to create his own interpretations of movement, through imitation of characters in stories and through listening to different types of music. We will also teach your child to hear the rhythms of music and to move his body to those rhythms.

As your child learns the connections between muscles and movement, this will increase his awareness of his physical being and increase his energy level, his poise, and his self-confidence, so that he is ready to begin the more formal exercises of dance.

Beginning Ballet and Jazz Class

Upon completion of the Pre-Dance Developmental Class or comparable dance experience, your child may enroll in our Beginning Ballet and Jazz Class. This class is typically for children under the age of six. The instructor will review the exercises and movements learned in the Pre-Development class to judge the level of development of each student. She will then introduce basic exercises, dance steps, and movements to the entire class and will give individual attention to each student as they practice. Students will be instructed in how to position themselves for the various dance steps and will be shown how to execute technical movements. The emphasis, however, will be on fun and creativity of dance rather than a strict adherence to its technical aspects. At the end of the semester, the teacher will offer the children a chance to perform in a class recital.

Intermediate Ballet and Jazz Class

Upon completion of a combination of the Pre-Dance Developmental Class, the Beginning Ballet and Jazz Class, or comparable class or dance experience, your child may enroll in our Intermediate Ballet and Jazz Class. This class is typically for children over the age of six-although a very disciplined younger child may be accepted. The goal of the intermediate class is to teach the student the discipline and attention necessary to pursue dance as a serious area of study. He will learn to apply his skills and talents to attain artistic as well as technical expertise. Our instructor will begin by reviewing and practicing ballet and jazz exercises, then proceed to the traditional movements and steps of these dance forms, followed by more creative and modern forms of the dances. A class recital will be performed at the end of the semester.

We must emphasize that this class is only for children who can sustain a solid hour of rigorous training. Children must give their undivided attention to the instructor, they must be able to accept criticism and correction of their movements and posture, and they must be willing to learn the rhythms and nuances of music to properly perform their dance movements. Children will be required to wear proper dance attire-ballet tights, soft ballet slippers-and if required hard-toed ballet shoes. Similar attire is required for jazz.

To enroll your child in any of our dance classes, please Contact Us or fill out the Inquiry Form. If you know a child who would benefit from any SOL programs, please click here to recommend them quickly and easily and your child could earn tuition credit!