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American Tribal Style (ATS) belly dance is based on improvisation and the interaction between dancers during a performance. There is no solo expression, but rather, a celebration of dancers whose focus is centered on each other. ATS costuming is eclectic and borrows elements from many time periods and regions. Music is kept simple, as dancers of this style rely heavily on steady rhythms. ATS belly dance performances are always different, and use traditional middle eastern hip movements to celebrate the beauty and strength of the women performing them.
ATS was originated in the 1980‚s, in the San Francisco Bay area, by Carolena Nericcio, Director of Fat Chance Belly Dance. Since then, many tribal troupes have originated across the country, including Gypsy Caravan and Black Sheep Belly Dance troupes. ATS is quickly gaining popularity along the east coast as well.
The Pilates Method of body conditioning is a unique system of stretching and strengthening exercises developed over ninety years ago by Joseph Pilates. It strengthens and tones muscles, improves posture, provides flexibility and balance, unites body and mind and creates a lengthened body. Pilates is a work-out with a difference. It develops core abdominal strength, so that whatever activity you undertake, your skeleton is supported and your spine protected. We offer group mat classes and individual Reformer sessions.
Yoga is a means to increase strength, flexibility and self-awareness to enrich your life. The classes are designed to help you be more aware of your breath, body and the workings of the mind. You will learn classic yoga postures, breath and relaxation techniques.
The foundation of our children’s dance program is the Creative Modern class for ages 2 and up. We believe that the first dance experience should be joyful, fun and age appropriate.
Valerie Anderson, Director of Movement Arts Studio, has been developing a specialized dance program for the young child for many years. She combines her ongoing experience as an assistant preschool teacher at St. Andrew’s Preschool since 1992 with her dance training to create a program that emphasizes creativity, group interaction and the joy of self-expression. She focuses on developing spatial awareness, energy control, musicality and locomotor skills (including walk, run, leap, gallop, hop and skip).
Props are a fun part of her classes, including scarves, balls, rhythm instruments and even paintbrushes (with imaginary paint of course!).
Drawing is included in the Creative Modern classes as part of an integrative approach to arts education, and poetry and children’s literature are occasionally used. Age appropriate music, including classical, children’s and world music provide the soundtrack to the classes.
Please contact Valerie to hear more about her philosophy of dance for children.
What is clogging?
Clogging is an American form of folk dancing that started in the Appalachian Mountains in the mid 1700s. The word “clog” is Gaelic and means time, and clogging is a percussion form of dance that is done to the down beat of the music.
What types of shoes are worn?
Dancers often wear a jazz-tap style shoe or patent leather shoe with a double tap on each toe and heel. Also called “jingle taps”, clogging taps have a tap that is secured to the shoe and another tap over it which is loosely attached. They make a jingling sound that can be heard while dancing or walking around.
Pilates Fundamentals is a class designed for the first time Pilates student and for people who wish to experience a gentle approach to Pilates mat work. This class focuses on learning Pilates terminology, proper body alignment, and execution of Pilates mat work.
The goal for each Pilates Fundamentals class is to feel your body did some good work—having a sense of warmth through your core, arms and legs. You never want to feel that you over did it or exercised to the point of strain or tension.
In order to work your body, you must be present in your mind. Each Pilates exercise is done with concentration and precision. Movement serves a function, and control is at the core and always performed with the breath. At the end of class, I hope you feel satisfied with the work you did, relaxed and content within your body and mind.
Pilates Fees:
This class will introduce the fundamentals of American Tribal Style belly dance. Each class will consist of a warm-up, stretching and toning exercise to prepare each student for dancing. Following this section, students will learn several dance techniques, and will practice these moves in an improvisational dance which is usually led by the instructor. This class is designed to build a vocabulary of basic tribal style movements, and may also include simple leading and following exercises. There is no prerequisite for this class.
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This class is for the student who would like to build upon the skills learned in Tribal Belly Dance Level 1. Intermediate level techniques and short combinations will be taught and then improvised. Students will begin to learn more leading and following techniques, and will learn the basic movements of the “chorus”. Finger cymbal playing will be introduced. Please note that students in Level 2 must be proficient in Level 1 techniques, as earlier movements will not be broken down in class. The prerequisite for this class is a minimum of two Level 1 sessions.
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A new opportunity to dance every week.
Find yourself dancing and meditating through movement to a mixture of musical rhythms.
No special shoes, (no shoes at all, in fact), no special steps, keep your eyes open and dance at a rate that is comfortable for you. No partner needed, but feel free to bring your friends.
The music is designed to get you back in your body and out of your head.
Wear clothes that are comfortable and fun to dance in.
Leave the talking behind.
In order to create a welcoming environment for all ages please refrain from use of cologne or perfume.
For more information, contact instructor Cecelia Mills at calmpoint@gmail.com.
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For adult beginners and returning dancers, this class consists of classical ballet with appropriate modifications for adults. The movements are designed to lower the joint stress associated with ballet training while maintaining the benefits of alignment and strength.
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A faster paced class that flows through the Pilates exercises to create a sense of energized calm.
Yoga is a means to increase strength, flexibility, and self-awareness to enrich your life. The classes are designed to help you be more aware of your breath, body and the workings of the mind. You will learn classic yoga postures, breath and relaxation techniques.
Classes are suitable for Beginner and Intermediate Students. Modifications will be taught to accommodate the various levels of students. Classes will vary depending on students attending. All will include Warm-ups, Breathwork, Stretching, Dynamic and Static Poses and Relaxation Techniques.
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Dance students may begin at the age of 2, in a parent/child class called “Dance with Me.” We concentrate on having fun and moving together in dances with large movements, props (the children love to “paint” the parents with paintbrushes) and of course lots of running (a very exciting skill for 2-year olds).
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For ages 3-7, this class focuses on dance technique and principles as introduced and explored through innovative group dances and exercises. Individual experimentation and exploration is an important component of the class. Drawing and stories will be incorporated. Christian praise and worship music will be used, in addition to classical, Celtic and other age-appropriate pieces. Each class opens and closes with prayer and it is emphasized that the main purpose of the dance is to glorify God.
For more information, contact Hannah Abrams at dwghannah@gmail.com or (814) 237-8664.
For ages 8-10, the class is open to those with or without prior dance experience. This level contains a stricter emphasis on technique, focusing on basic ballet barre as well as other modern dance techniques. Class cohesion and support are encouraged through group choreography and folk dances. Dance principles, such as space, rhythm, and weight, are explored through creative self-choreography. Classes open and close with prayer, and Christian praise and worship music will be used in addition to instrumental compositions.
For more information, contact Hannah Abrams at dwghannah@gmail.com or (814) 237-8664.
Clogging is an American form of folk dancing that started in the Appalachian Mountains in the mid 1700s. The word “clog” is Gaelic and means time, and clogging is a percussion form of dance that is done to the down beat of the music.
Dancers often wear a jazz-tap style shoe or patent leather shoe with a double tap on each toe and heel. Also called “jingle taps”, clogging taps have a tap that is secured to the shoe and another tap over it which is loosely attached. They make a jingling sound that can be heard while dancing or walking around.
Many people often think of tap and Irish step dancing when first learning about clogging, and there are some similarities. However, the body carriage and technique are different and the best way to understand clogging is to see it. ClogBuzz.com offers various clogging demo videos: http://www.clogbuzz.com/2009.html
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Three-year-olds join the Discovery 1 class. This class takes us to the next step: dancing without a parent in a class of peers. We work on gross locomotor movements such as walk, run, leap (over a “mud puddle”), gallop and jump. Hop and skip begin to be introduced at this level. Spatial awareness is a big focus at this age – we learn to use our “dancers’ eyes” to avoid crashing into others. We also work on skills such as taking turns and listening to others. These skills are as valuable in the dance studio as they are in preschool.
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This class provides an opportunity for preschoolers to dance in a mixed age group open to three, four, and five year olds. This fun class offers the best of our preschool curriculum along with the fundamentals of dance.
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This class is for four year olds. In this level, we continue to build on the foundation, adding work with energy control, coordination, and musicality. There is an emphasis on increasing creativity to go along with the new skills we are learning.
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Open to kindergartners, this class is an introduction to the world of ballet. We start with basic positions and skills, ballet terminology, and increase our attention to strength, flexibility, and posture. More complex dance concepts are explored, as we experience the fun of ballet.
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For first and second graders, this class builds on the skills developed in Ballet I. We continue with the traditional technique, increasing the breadth of our repertoire.
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