Dance

Area of Study: DANCE
Session 2: July 6 - July 18, 2008
Grades: 4 - 12
Special Requirement: One year minimum ballet/jazz

Dance students who have had one year (minimum) of ballet or jazz classes may enroll in the YMA Dance program. The Dance Department at YMA has a dedicated faculty of outstanding professional dancers who are teachers and choreographers. Dance offers classes for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students. The classes are especially designed for the serious dance students with a goal of developing the complete dancer. Auditions at the beginning of the session will place students in classes according to their ability level.

The Dance program provides a well-rounded curriculum with classes in classical ballet, jazz or modern. Three class sessions are presented daily. All students enrolled in dance have several performance opportunities, including the final performance with live musicians on the last night of the session. Advanced dance students will also have the opportunity to perform in conjunction with the Theatre Department on the last Wednesday night of the session in A Night of Theatre, Music and Dance.

In addition to the physical work of the dance classes, students will have the opportunity to learn about dance history, African cultural concepts, injury prevention, the realities and options of a dance career, and how to prepare for an audition. Discussions will include input from the theatre, art, music, and dance faculty to focus on how all the arts interrelate.

Master classes are a special feature of the YMA Dance Program. These classes, available to all participants in the YMA dance program, include ballet, jazz, and kinesiology.