What We Offer
Creativity
Creativity is high on the list of who I am. My entire dance program for four through eighteen year olds is creatively innovative with imaginative, age appropriate choreography and engaging improvisational exercises. I truly believe that my entry level dance program, Creative Movement for 4-6 year olds, is the most inventive, child friendly, unique and completely wonderful dance beginning for a child. The movement poems that I have written for the youngest dancers are a good example of the professional, quality, creative experience I offer. Each class level experiences approximately twenty four imaginative, age appropriate, improvisational dance exercises throughout the year. I've created each one with a different purpose in developing and motivating the dancer. Visit the Creative Movement videos page to see a video clip of the Ten Bunnies movement poem as well as other Creative Movement video samples.
Quality Curriculum
My students learn a lot! More importantly, they have fun doing it. Every year it amazes me how much my dancers mature throughout the dance season to become very joyful, confident, focused, disciplined dancers. With a BS degree in Education and an MS degree in Curriculum Development I understand how kids learn. I work hard to appeal to all of the different styles in which children learn. Through a varied, much loved series of creative improvisational exercises developed specifically for each age level and by challenging my dancers with choreographed dances that motivate and excite, I introduce them to an ever expanding world of movement choices.
Respectful, Kind and Gentle Teaching Style
I have carefully and thoughtfully put together a group of young women dancers who work with me and share my philosophy of instilling the discipline of dance through a high level of respect for children, a loving and kind manner when working with youngsters, and a gentle, motivating, flexible teaching style that succeeds through positive encouragement, patience and a great sense of humor. Meet our instructors on the Our Instructors page.
Custom Choreography
Each year we choreograph all of our dances on a theme which makes for a truly delightful, cohesive presentation in our dance shows each Spring. We choose great music that fits the theme for all of the dances that we choreograph. This year our theme is Our Favorites. Dana, Sarah, and I are all talented, insightful choreographers. Look forward to another enjoyable show this Spring!
Choreography video samples by class level:
- Creative Movement
- Beginning Modern Dance
- Beginning I Modern Dance
- Beginning II Modern Dance
- Intermediate I Modern Dance
- Intermediate II Modern Dance
- Intermediate III Modern Dance
- Intermediate IV Modern Dance
A Very Different Dance Show Experience
We have two dance shows every Spring on the first Monday and Tuesday of June. Our shows are at The Egg in Albany in the Hart Theater. Half of my students dance in one show and half of them dance in the other. This creates a dance show experience that doesn't go on forever and ever. Our dance shows are approximately two and a half hours in length and free of charge. We are very organized and the show moves along quite quickly. My dance families actually look forward to my dance shows every year because the dancers are excited but relaxed, prepared and confident, comfortable in their beautiful, tasteful costumes and joyfully anxious to share what they have been working on all year long. I repeatedly hear family and friends comment on how much they love my dance shows and how much fun the dancers appear to be having. Even dads and brothers enjoy the show. Imagine that!