Dance
Program
Our dance program at Canterbury Brook Academy of the Arts is designed to give our students exposure to many styles and forms of dance. From our youngest to our oldest students, a love of movement and a sense of body positivity are the top two goals of the program. Dance students at CBA may dance recreationally in addition to their pursuits in the other artistic areas or may dance pre-professionally, working toward a career or future in the dance world. Classes are offered at varying levels starting in our Primary School (level 3) to allow both recreational and pre-professional dancers an enriching opportunity to explore this art form. Like all of our art tracks, the dance track supports the academic pursuits of our students and seeks to encourage the pupils involved in this track to put as much effort into their academics as they would in a movement class. Students who are seeking pre-professional dance training are carefully taught and guided, enabling them to pursue a degree in dance after graduation or a transition directly into the professional world.
Course Offerings
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All students at CBA take dance! In grades kindergarten through second, all students train together within their grade levels to learn the basics of all styles of dance and become more spatially aware, increase their physically fitness, and improve their gross motor skills. From this point forward, classes are offered at either a studio or recreational level, starting in Primary II (grade 3). Once students matriculate into the Upper School (grade 7), they can audition to be a member of the Pre-Professional program, or they can continue to take dance classes as either a studio or recreational level. Students who wish to audition for the Pre-Professional Dance program must submit a written request to the Dance Department and the Dean of the Intermediate or Preparatory Schools by August 15th or January 1st. Two audition opportunities exist throughout the year, one in September and one at the start of the second semester. Decisions are made based upon technique, readiness, academic responsibility and achievement, and commitment to training. Classes are offered in the following areas and more:
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Policies
Students in our dance program must dress appropriately for their classes. All dancers with the exception of the kindergarteners, first graders, second graders, and Pre-Professionals wear the CBA recreational uniform to dance classes and change back into their regular uniforms before resuming academic classes. Students in K-2nd wear their regular uniform to dance classes with the appropriate style of shoe. Pre-Professional students must wear the CBA dance uniform for all classes.
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All dance shoes and Pre-Professional CBA dance wear can be purchased at Your Dance Closet in Washingtonville, NY (please click the top right image of the store logo to access their website); let them know that your child is a Canterbury Brook students, and you will receive 20% off all purchases. CBA FEMALE dancers in the Pre-Professional track must wear a hunter green, navy blue, white, or black leotard ONLY. This may be worn with either pink or tan convertible tights. For ballet classes, a short hunter green, navy blue, black, or white ballet skirt must be worn. For jazz and hip hop classes, hunter green, navy blue, or black dance shorts must be worn over their tights and leotards; CBA recreational uniform sweats or tracksuit pants are also acceptable. CBA Pre-Professional dancers must layer their dance apparel as follows: 1st tights, 2nd leotard, 3rd shorts/pants or skirt if necessary for class. MALE Pre- Professional dancers must wear black or navy blue dance pants with the white or hunter green CBA athletic polo.
The following shoes must be provided for each of the following classes unless otherwise specified Ballet: Ballet Slippers AND/OR Pointe Shoes (black ballet slippers for boys; pink for girls) Modern: no shoes Jazz: Black or Tan Jazz Shoes (preference of teacher) Hip Hop: plain white sneakers (may not be worn outside of the studio) Tap: Black or Tan Tap Shoes (style and color at preference of teacher) Musical Theater: Character Shoes (girls only, starting in grade 7)* *Pre-Professional Only! |
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No jewelry beyond flat rings and stud earrings should be worn in dance class. Dance students must be sure that all dance bags are carefully packed SEPARATELY from their academic materials and stored in dance room cubbies before classes begin each day. Dancers are responsible for their own belongings. Students are encouraged to bring water to class.