This program exposes students to the several forms of dance while integrating the theme of the environment. Students learn basic ballet, jazz and Afro-Brazilian steps and technique while tapping into their knowledge of plants, animals, earth and water. Each week, students are exposed to the key elements of dance which include the body, action, space, time and energy. Opportunities to move creatively and with choice empower students to be their own choreographers. Comfortable clothing is recommended and socks are required.
Taught by master dancer Ms Valerie Selden. Ms Selden dances with several Tucson troupes, has taught dance at SUNY and is a certified yoga teacher.
Week One - Ballet: Cultivating the Foundations
Stretch, bend, turn and leap into the grace of ballet. Students will learn placement, posture and balance through the basic steps of ballet. Plants will be our theme for the week, so as new steps are learned students will connect with the growth of plant life through their bodies. Stretching like a plant in the sun, balancing like a stem and experimenting in moving like the shapes of leaves will all be part of the curriculum. Many of the names of ballet steps originate from the French language, so exposure to new vocabulary and the French language will also be a goal of the week. As children learn new vocabulary and language, they will be able to reinforce the new words into body movements. All levels welcome!
Week Two - Jazz it Up: Dance like an Animal!
Dance to up-beat, popular sounds of today while working on body isolations of the head, shoulders, ribcage, feet and arms. Develop focus and expression as students learn movement with directional changes. The theme of the week is animals, so students will engage in putting forth various degrees of energy to express their animal side. All levels welcome!
Week Three - Afro-Brazilian: Groovin' to the beat
Move and groove to the rhythms of African and samba beats. Expose your children to a taste to the movements of African-Brazilian dance. Steps are rooted to the earth, which is the topic we will be focusing on for the week. We will explore the answers to the question, how can we connect the earth to our bodies? Students will sink and sway to the percussive drumming instruments, as they learn how to move to the rhythm of the drums. All levels welcome!
Week Four - Creative Movement: Ebbs and Flows
Students are empowered to create their own movements to the theme of water. This week long workshop will build upon students’ knowledge of their minds and bodies. They will engage in individual and group activities, giving the opportunity to collaborate with one another. Choreographing their own movement will give them the confidence to move freely and to their own rhythms. All levels welcome!
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