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 classes are offered at either a pre-professional (PP) or recreational (RD) level starting in Primary III. This is determined by the desire of the student and the focus of the child's program once Primary School begins. Until that point, our students in the Early Childhood Program are exposed to dance through classes differentiated to meet their needs.
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Policies
Students in our dance program must dress appropriately for their classes. Should they decide to take electives beyond dance in addition to their dance classes, they must let their other instructors know that they may need time to change before coming to their next class should it be outside the dance track. All dancers who take a dance class during their third elective period will be given the time to change back into their uniform before lunch or dismissal. Dance students MAY NOT WEAR DANCE CLOTHES OUTSIDE OF THE STUDIO HALLWAY unless for a performance. Dance students also MAY NOT LEAVE CBA IN THEIR DANCE ATTIRE unless given explicit permission from the department's director or Head of School to do so. This is for the protection of our students and in no way a body-shaming ploy; we have their safety at the forefront of our minds at all times and enforce the rules we do in order to maintain it. Our recreational uniform is used often by our dancers for performances and out-of-building events.
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All CBA dance wear can be purchased at Your Dance Closet in Cornwall, 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 or white leotard ONLY. This may be worn with either pink or tan convertible tights. For ballet classes, a short hunter green or white ballet skirt must be worn. For jazz and hip hop classes, navy blue or black dance shorts must be worn over their tights and leotards. CBA pre-professional dancers must layer their dance apparel as follows: 1st tights, 2nd leotard, 3rd shorts or skirt if necessary for class. MALE pre- professional dancers will wear their Rec uniforms but can also wear a CBA spirit T-shirt. All recreational dancers can simply wear the rec uniforms starting in Primary II. The following shoes must be provided for each of the following classes unless otherwise specified as pre-professional:
Ballet: Ballet Slippers AND/OR Pointe Shoes (black ballet slippers for boys; pink for girls) Modern: Foot Undeez, Turners, or No Shoes (preference of teacher)* Jazz: Black or Tan Jazz Shoes (preference of teacher) Hip Hop: 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 the Studio Hallway lockers before classes begin each day. Dancers are responsible for their own belongings. An extra water bottle may also be stored in their Studio Hallway locker for use in classes.
