Dance - Classes
Children's Classes:
Creative Movement Classes are for our littlest dancers. Children learn to be in the classroom environment, follow directions, work with others and express themselves through a wide variety of movement exercises. Creative movement includes the very basics of ballet, tumbling, and acting out stories through movement. Our focus is on learning to love dance class, making new friends and working well with others. Creative Movement dancers will have a special showcase for friends and family at the Family Museum at the conclusion of their dance year. To be eligible for Creative Movement, dancers must be age 3 by September 15.
Pre-Ballet Classes provide a fun and creative introduction to dance. Classes will include a short warm-up with gentle stretching, learning basic fundamentals of ballet technique, learning to take turns across the floor, developing coordination, balance, rhythm and grace, and encouraging creativity through imaginative exercises and improvisation. To be eligible for Pre-Ballet 1, dancers must be age 4 by September 15.
Elementary through Advanced Levels:
Ballet is the basis for many other forms of dance. Ballet classes at the Family Museum are taught with a focus on proper technique and the use of correct terminology. In addition to increasing technical proficiency and strength, dancers will work on musicality, grace, and self-expression. Ballet classes are recommended for all dancers looking to be successful at any style of dance.
Tap Classes: As your tap dancer progresses through the levels, she or he is challenged to work toward complex combinations of steps, more complicated and syncopated rhythms, as well as increased speed and clarity of their tap sounds. The rhythm and coordination required to be a successful tap dancer is great training for hip hop dance! Tap dancers must be a minimum of age 7 by September 15 or have completed Pre-Ballet 2 class.
Jazz Classes: Based on ballet, Jazz classes work on style and technique while strengthening turns, leaps, and other tricks. These classes include warm-ups with stretching and strengthening exercises, across the floor combinations, and time to learn and practice choreography. Dancers interested in jazz class must be a minimum of age 10 by September 15 and are required to also be enrolled in a ballet class.
Hip-Hop Classes: Fun and funky classes get your body moving! Classes begin with warm-up and stretching and move on to combinations with the newest choreography. Energy, enthusiasm, and freedom of expression are the keys to learning this style of dance. Dancers interested in hip hop classes, must be a minimum of age 8 by September 15 or have completed Elementary Ballet 2 or Elementary Tap 2.
Modern Class: This class introduces the concepts of contraction and release, fall and recovery, the use of different levels, tempos, and spatial awareness. Improvisational work may also be included, which will let each dancer explore her or his own unique movement qualities. Dancers interested in Modern must be a minimum of age 10 by September 15, with at least one year of dance experience.
Pre-Pointe and Pointe classes serve to strengthen a ballet dancer's feet, ankles, and legs for work en pointe. Dancers advance to pre-pointe and pointe work only when strong enough and at the invitation of the Dance Coordinator.
Current dance students may register for Fall 2013 beginning on May 20, 2013
Registration for Fall 2013 dance classes will be open to new students beginning on July 1, 2013.
(updated 5/10/13)
*Please note - registration forms are accepted by MAIL IN ONLY
Forms may be mailed to:
Family Museum
Attn: Julie Klein
2900 Learning Campus Dr.
Bettendorf, IA 52722
Students of the Family Museum dance program are placed in levels based on ability, and not by age alone. For new dance students over the age of six with previous dance experience, please contact Dance Coordinator, Jessica Halfhill, for placement information at 563-344-4151.
Fall 2013 classes begin Tuesday, September 3, 2013.
