Class Ages
Ages for class placement
are as of SEPTEMBER 1, 2009. In most cases, we prefer to place students in dance classes that match their school grade/age.
This helps to ensure age appropriate material, social parity, and scheduling. Exceptions to this policy may arise; we will
consider particular circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Class
Conduct
Classes at Dance Carousel are VERY VERY ENJOYABLE, yet challenging on many levels, and students
of all ages are expected to conform to a high standard of conduct. Every student is taught, and expected, to respect
her or himself and to respect all others at all times. Comprehensive
Curriculum
The curriculum is designed to train young persons to be confident, enthusiastic, and
energetic in multiple dance forms. Training begins with the core elements of BALLET, TAP, and JAZZ, from which all
other dance forms spark and flourish. We do not offer an a la carte schedule in which students pick and choose individual
subjects; rather, all Dance Carousel students enroll into a comprehensive curriculum, which grows as they grow, to gain
a knowledge of, and facility with, an ever-expanding range of dance expression. 
Class Sizes
and Placement
Class sizes are limited to ensure the quality
of the program; high demand or schedule conflicts may prevent placement. We will do our best to suitably place every student
who registers; however, it may not be possible for us to fulfill all scheduling requests. It is helpful, especially
in Pre-K & Kindergarten and Grades 1-4, to indicate TWO OR MORE CLASS SELECTIONS on the Registration Form in your order
of preference. The Family Registration Fee will be refunded if we are unable to successfully place a student.
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Pre-K & Kindergarten
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Pre-K & Kindergarten classes center on TAP and BALLET instruction;
they also include creative movement, basic tumbling, as well as social and cognitive development games. By season's end,
students learn one TAP and one BALLET routine for the Big Shows in June. Pre-K & Kindergarten classes
meet ONCE WEEKLY and class length is as follows: PRE-K 1 CLASSES, 45 MINUTES:
Age: 2 years/3
months - 3 yrs/2 mos
PRE-K 2 CLASSES, ONE HOUR:
Age: 3 years/2 months - 3 yrs/11 mos
PRE-K 3 CLASSES, ONE HOUR:
Age: 4 years/0 months - 4 yrs/11 mos
KINDER CLASSES,
ONE HOUR:
Must be enrolled in school Kindergarten
CORE
CLASSES
mandatory for
all Grades 1-12
Core Classes provide instruction in TAP, BALLET,
and JAZZ, in a wide range of styles. SOCIAL AND EXPRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT is emphasized. All students participate in all material.
By season's end, students learn one TAP, one BALLET, and one JAZZ routine for the Big Shows in June. Core Classes
meet ONCE WEEKLY and are ONE-AND-A-HALF HOURS in length. TECHNIQUE CLASSES
optional for
Grades 3-12
For students who choose more dance time with greater rigor and depth of focus,
Technique Classes are the optional next step in training at Dance Carousel. These more rigorous classes require
a stricter dress code (black leotard, tan tights, hair up); and concentrate on one dance form for the full length
of each class period, varying to include, but not limited to, JAZZ, TAP, BALLET, LYRICAL, JAZZ, MODERN, MUSICAL THEATRE,
and HIP-HOP. Technique Classes aim to strengthen the advancing technique of the dancer, focusing with greater
precision on the details of movement. Stretching is emphasized to an even greater degree, bodies are strengthened, and horizons
are expanded. There are no additional routines for the Big Shows; advancing training is the sole purpose. Technique
Classes meet ONCE WEEKLY and are ONE HOUR in length for Grades 3-4, ONE-AND-A-HALF HOURS for Grades 5-12.
BALLET/HIP-HOP AUTUMN WORKSHOP: GRACE &
GROOVE
(4-WEEK SESSION)
optional
for
Grades 5-12 Technique students
To stretch the ADVANCED dancer's dynamic range, FROM GRACE
TO GROOVE, the Ballet/Hip-Hop ("BHH") Autumn Workshop is a TWO-HOUR tandem pairing one hour of
HIGH-LEVEL classic BALLET training with one hour of clean, roots-conscious, jazz-connected HIP-HOP that promotes the TOTAL
DANCER.
BHH Autumn Workshop is offered as a one-time
4-WEEK SESSION, for serious dancers possibly considering our Ensemble Dance Team (see below). BHH
is REQUIRED for those students planning to audition for Ensemble. Enrollment in BHH does NOT oblige a student
to attend Ensemble auditions in October; however, all audition candidates must have attended 4 CLASSES of BHH prior
to Auditions! BHH meets on THURSDAYS. The 4-WEEK SESSION runs 9/24, 10/1, 10/8, (skips 10/15 for
Auditions), and 10/22.
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ALL STUDENTS, ALL LEVELS, MUST AND WILL BE PLACED IN CLASSES
SUITABLE TO THEIR CURRENT ABILITY, IN THE STUDIO DIRECTOR'S JUDGMENT AND DISCRETION. Any student not initially receiving
the Class Level requested on their Registration Form may be moved during the season if necessary progress is displayed. Generally,
it is better to be cautious with early placement of a student with whom we are not familiar, to allow opportunity for
the student to advance rather than the possibility of the student struggling and being removed from an overly difficult class.
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"STANDARD
LEVEL" Core
Classes are conducted at a challenging level appropriate to experience of enrolled students and do not require enrollment
in Technique Classes; Technique Classes are optional for students in several Standard Level Core
Classes.
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"INTENSIVE LEVEL" Core Classes are conducted at a very high level and pace and REQUIRE ENROLLMENT IN TECHNIQUE CLASSES;
4-WEEK BHH Autumn Workshop is optional for students in Grade 5-12 Intensive Level. This level demands motivated
students with excellent attendance.
Placement in Intensive Level
classes requires approval of the Studio Director, which, if granted, will be via email or phone CONFIRMATION OF CLASS
PLACEMENT into the Intensive Combination requested on your Registration Form.
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"TEAM
LEVEL" Core
Classes will be conducted at the highest level and most rapid pace and REQUIRE ENROLLMENT IN TECHNIQUE CLASSES and BHH
AUTUMN WORKSHOP. "Team Level" is intended for passionate, highly dedicated
dancers who aim to audition, or who have sucessfully auditioned, for our Ensemble dance team. Team
Level students must meet exemplary attendance requirements THAT WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED.
For 2009-10, all students expecting to audition, or considering auditioning, for Ensemble
dance team in October should start the year in Team Level. Students who do NOT audition for, or who
do NOT make the Team, WILL BE SWITCHED, in most cases, to Intensive Level after the Ensemble Audition process is complete.
In all cases, expectations of attendance, effort, and classroom achievement must be maintained to STAY in this Team
Level course.
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ENSEMBLE DANCE TEAM
by audition only, Grades 5-12
ENSEMBLE
is Dance Carousel's competitive dance team, renowned regionally and nationally for its high-energy, crowd-pleasing style and
strong team dynamic. EXTREMELY POSITIVE PASSIONATE DANCERS ONLY! The team requires many hours of
COMMITMENT, a high level of SKILL, and even higher levels of TENACITY and ENTHUSIASM. The Ensemble program aims to deepen
each dancer's talent, creative expression, personal character, and sense of responsibility in the service of common team goals.
ENSEMBLE AUDITIONS are held in OCTOBER. For further details, click here.
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