Dance Fremont! has three stages in its Youth Program:
The Primary Program consists of Creative Dance and Preparatory I classes that begin exploring the dance concepts in a fun and engaging way, stimulating children’s spontaneity and self-expression to the beginning stages of basic ballet and modern dance technique increasing levels of concentration, group work and cognitive development.
The Preparatory Program consists of Preparatory II, Ballet/Modern IA & IB and Modern II-III where students continue to expand their dance vocabulary and strengthen their awareness of movement within the ballet and modern dance techniques. Students in this program may participate in the Rite of Spring* and The Steadfast Tin Soldier* if they are able to meet the mandatory rehearsal requirements.
*If interested, please inquire about requirements.
The Proficiency Program begins at Ballet II where students must study a **minimum of two classes to multiple classes per week, striving to hone their dance skills. Students wishing to study en pointe must take at least 3 ballet classes per week. Students interested in Fremont Danceworks must be enrolled in Ballet V-VI /Modern V-VI for school year 2011-12 (No exceptions) and may audition for entrance into this company. A contract of agreement is then signed for a full school year commitment to mandatory weekly classes and rehearsals.
YOUTH PRIMARY PROGRAM
CREATIVE DANCE (AGES 3-4YRS)
Time: Wednesday 10:30-11:15AM, Friday 10:30-11:15AM, Wednesday 4:00-4:45PM, Saturday 9:00-9:45AM, Saturday 9:45-10:30AM
Attire: Ladies wear a Cotton PINK Motionwear™ #2100 Tank or #2105 Cap Sleeve short sleeve leotard and footless pink tights. (No skirts or tutus, please) Gentlemen wear footless black leggings with briefs.
Creative dance stimulates children’s spontaneity and self-expression. In a nurturing and playful atmosphere, children discover the joy of dance through the exploration of space, time and energy. A variety of music and props are used to enhance the learning experience.
preparatory I (AGE 5-6YRS)
Times: Thursday 4:00-5:00PM or Saturday 9:00-10:00AM
Attire: Ladies wear a Cotton WHITE Motionwear™ #2100 Tank or #2105 Cap Sleeve leotard and footless pink tights. (No skirts or tutus, please) Gentlemen wear footless black leggings with briefs.
Children continue to develop the dance concepts acquired in creative movement and begin to apply the preparatory stage of basic ballet and modern dance technique.
YOUTH PREPARATORY PROGRAM
*preparatory II (7YRS)
Times: Tuesday 4:00-5:00PM or Saturday 10:30-11:30PM
Attire: Ladies wear a Cotton BUTTER Motionwear™ #2100 Tank or #2105 Cap Sleeve leotard and convertible pink tights and pink split-sole ballet slippers (No skirts or tutus, please). Gentlemen wear well-fitted white short sleeve or tank t-shirts, tucked into footless black tights with briefs, white ankle socks and white canvas split-sole ballet slippers.
Children continue to develop the introductory concepts of ballet and modern dance technique. Increased levels of concentration, introductory composition, group work and cognitive development are emphasized.
*BALLET IA & IB
Times: Ballet IA Saturday 11:30-12:30PM or Monday 4:00-5:00PM; Ballet IB Tuesday 5:00-6:00PM
Attire: Ladies wear a (in IB) Cotton LIGHT BLUE (in IA) Cotton ORCHID Motionwear™ #2100 Tank or #2105 Cap Sleeve leotard and footed pink tights and pink split-sole ballet slippers (No skirts or tutus, please). Gentlemen wear well-fitted white short sleeve or tank t-shirts, tucked into footless black tights with briefs, white ankle socks and white canvas split-sole ballet slippers.
Students continue to develop the basic ballet concepts and vocabulary, spending time at the barre and learning to build sequences of movement. Repetitions of the exercises help build muscle memory and refine the lines of the body. Studying modern dance technique to add layers to the quality of movement is strongly encouraged.
*MODERN IA & IB
Time: Modern IA Monday 5:00-6:00PM or Modern IB Tuesday 6:00-7:00PM
Attire: Ladies wear a Cotton LIGHT BLUE (if also studying in Ballet IB) Cotton ORCHID (if only studying Modern I or also studying in Ballet IA) Motionwear™ #2100 Tank or #2105 Cap Sleeve leotard and convertible pink tights. (No skirts or tutus, please) Gentlemen wear well-fitted white short sleeve or tank t-shirts, tucked into footless black tights with briefs.
Students continue to develop the basic modern dance concepts, focusing on the use of body weight in movement, lowering into and pushing out from the floor, and building longer phrases of movement together. Studying ballet technique to be aware of lengthening lines through one’s body is strongly encouraged.
*CLASSICAL MODERN DANCE II-III
Time: See School Year Schedule
Attire: Ladies wear a (in II) Cotton BURGUNDY Motionwear #2100 Tank or #2105 Cap Sleeve leotard and (in III) Silkskin™ SUNSET CORAL Motionwear #2200 Tank or #2105 Cap Sleeve leotard and footless pink tights; Modern III & above may wear footless black tights.
Continuing the exploration of the dance concepts introduced in preparatory study, longer movement phrases are given along with improvisation and choreography skills. These classes develop from floor barre sequences to dynamic phrases that expand the students’ core strength, agility and the ability to move three dimensionally through space with emotional and textural nuance.
YOUTH PROFICIENCY PROGRAM
Students in the Proficiency Program must study a minimum of two classes per week
*CLASSICAL BALLET II-VI
Time: See School Year Schedule
Attire: Ladies wear footed pink tights with split sole ballet slippers; Leotard color is according to level. See Youth Dance Attire Page. Gentlemen wear well-fitted white short sleeve or tank t-shirts, tucked into footless black tights with a dance belt, white ankle socks and white canvas split-sole ballet slippers.
Elements introduced in ballet include correct body alignment, initiation of movement from the core, turnout, balance, musicality and coordination. More emphasis is placed on building stamina, carriage and quality of movement by using longer and more complex dance combinations. In order to prepare a student for pointe work, at least three ballet technique classes per week are required. Students may study the basic principles of pointe work with the recommendation of the instructor.
*CLASSICAL MODERN & Limón TECHNIQUE IV-VI
Time: See School Year Schedule
Attire: Ladies wear footless pink tights; Modern IV & above may wear footless black tights Leotard color is according to level. See Youth Dance Attire Page. Gentlemen wear well-fitted white short sleeve or tank t-shirts, tucked into footless black tights with a dance belt.
The Modern dance classes explore movement involving the use of one’s own body weight and ground reaction force to descend and ascend to and from the floor. There is a strong emphasis on understanding from where movement is initiated and the dynamic use of energy. The Limón technique class is based on principles of weight, fall and recovery as established by Jose Limón and his mentors, Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman. The use of breath, opposition, isolation, succession, musicality, expressive gestures and articulation of the spine help to develop dynamic and powerful dance technique
*BEG./INT. JAZZ
Time: See School Year Schedule
Attire: Ladies in Level IV & above may wear black tights or well fitting black jazz pants and jazz shoes or ballet slippers. Leotard color is according to level. See Youth Dance Attire Page. Gentlemen wear well-fitted white short sleeve or tank t-shirts, tucked into black tights or well fitting black jazz pants with a dance belt.
This class explores the fundamental elements of concert jazz techniques, which include the jazz styles of Jack Cole, Bob Fosse, Matt Mattox, Luigi, Gus Giordano and Joe Tremaine. The class includes a thorough warm-up and exercises designed to improve a student’s jazz technique, movement skills and understanding of musicality.
*Advancement is by instructor recommendation.
FREMONT DANCEWORKS CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY (see school year events)
Directed by Mary Reardon and Vivian Little, this dance company for serious students who make dance their primary focus was created as a means for young dancers to gain performing experience and to find their way into any professional dance community. These students are required to study a designated amount of ballet and modern dance classes and must be capable of managing their academic load with these weekly class/rehearsal schedules. Established and emerging choreographers create works on the company, challenging the dancers to learn new movement. Auditioning and signing an agreement to participate in this program is mandatory. Contact Dance Fremont! for more details about this program. A Spring Dance Concert is scheduled for each year (see School Year Events).
THE STEADFAST TIN SOLDIER:
Each winter Dance Fremont! will present performances of Hans Christian Andersen’s tale of The Steadfast Tin Soldier. Participants must be second year students of Dance Fremont! and 7 years of age. Students older than 7 years must be enrolled in a ballet class. Mandatory Saturday afternoon (and an occasional Sunday) rehearsals from late Sept. until the performance date ensure that class time is not taken away from students (not all characters will rehearse every Sat.). A performance fee is required from each participant. There are no excused absences for rehearsals or performances during the week in the theater (see School Year Events). A rehearsal schedule will be provided. This is a wonderful performing and learning opportunity for the students.
Rite of Spring
This annual school recital is a celebration of all our students’ accomplishments in the classroom. Students may participate in the performance with regular class and dress rehearsal attendance. The dress rehearsal is mandatory! A student may opt not to perform in the performance but still participate in class and the preparation process. Students will be responsible for their tights, leotards and shoes. Dance Fremont! loans costumes to each performer that should be returned in class the following week. A performance fee is required from each participant and all tuition payments must be paid prior to distribution of costumes.
Rite of Spring 2
The presentation of our creative and preparatory dance students’ classroom achievements takes place in the less formal setting of the Dance Fremont! Studio Theater. Students may participate in the performance with regular class attendance. A student may opt not to perform in the performance but still participate in class and the preparation process. Students will be responsible for their tights and leotards. Dance Fremont! provides simple costumes to each student. A performance fee that includes entrance to the performance for parents and a limited number of family and friends (seating is limited) is required from each participant.
