Author: The Center Dance

Story Arc Choreography Lab

What is YOUR story arc? 

This is the question that students will consider as they build dances reflecting their experiences of 2020-21; the growth and the loss, the monotony and the discovery, the anxiety and the hope – the tremendous change. By engaging creatively and physically with the many feelings brought forth by the events and circumstances of the past year, kids in grades 4-7 will realize their agency as authors of their own narratives. An informal OUTDOOR performance will be held in June (date TBD). 

Story Arc (75 minutes, grades 4-7) offers a creative approach to building dances in this choreography lab that grounds students in composition through technical and improvisational activities. Using literature and their own writing as a platform for exploration, students will explore concepts such as formation, relationship, effort and action as they are introduced to a wide variety of choreographic tools. Students will work collaboratively and independently to structure original dances that are rich, meaningful and inspired. 

Class will meet Thursday afternoons from 4-5:15PM, April 15th-June 10th, at Groff Park in South Amherst. Masks are required. 

Tuition is $150. 

For more information, email thecenterdanceschool@gmail.com. To register, visit our Square Store.

“I Am the Storm” Choreography Lab

“Nature is strong and powerful. But, you are strong and powerful, too.” 

After the year we’ve lived through, our children already know this. The Center’s next session of Spinning Yarns invites them to dance this truth in a choreography lab based around Jane Yolen’s stirring new picture book, I Am The Storm. 

Students’ technical skills and movement vocabulary will develop as they consider such choreographic elements as space, sequence, rhythm and relationship. Working together, they will flex their creative muscles and stretch their imaginations to build an original piece of choreography. An informal OUTDOOR performance will take place in June (date TBA). 

Class will meet Friday afternoons from 4-5PM, April 16th-June 11th, at Groff Park in South Amherst. Masks are required. 

Tuition is $120. 

For more information, email thecenterdanceschool@gmail.com. To register, visit our Square Store.

Spring thaw…

Spring is just around the corner. Let’s dance our way there!

The Center’s outdoor classes allow kids to safely gather for friendship and fun, stories and dance! A new 4-week “mini-session” begins next Sunday, March 7th at Groff Park in South Amherst.

Story Ballet (45 minutes, ages 3-6) invites young dancers to explore the world of ballet through an imaginative lens. Using imagery and stories as inspiration, students will engage with the vocabulary and principles of classical ballet. Our interactive, developmentally appropriate class structure nurtures students’ enthusiasm for dance while cultivating focus and a growth mindset. Caregiver participation welcome!

Sundays at 10 AM; 3/7, 3/14, 3/21, 3/28
Tuition is $60

Masks will be mandatory. Classes will be structured to support a safe distance of 6 feet between individuals from different households. We encourage kids to dress for the weather – rain pants and boots are welcome!

Register ONLINE through our secure Square Store.

For more information, email thecenterdanceschool@gmail.com. 

 

Make a splash in Rain Boot Ballet! 

Why just jump into puddles when you could pirouette through them? 

In Rain Boot Ballet, young dancers are introduced to the fundamentals of classical ballet, with emphases on strength, alignment, musicality and spatial awareness. The developmentally appropriate class structure keeps kids active and engaged while cultivating discipline and a growth mindset – ALL in the fresh spring air!

Open to kids in grades K-3; no previous ballet experience necessary. Water-proof footwear is a must!

Class will meet Friday afternoons from 3:30-4:15 PM, at Groff Park in South Amherst.
Dates for this 5-week mini-session are March 12th-April 9th.
Tuition is $65.

Enroll via email or online.

Winter Tales Story Ballet

There’s no such thing as bad weather when you’re DANCING in it!

Our outdoor classes allow kids to safely gather for friendship and fun, stories and dance! New 4-week “mini-sessions” begin next Sunday, January 17th at Groff Park in South Amherst.

Story Ballet (45 minutes, ages 3-6) invites young dancers to explore the world of ballet through an imaginative lens. Using imagery and stories as inspiration, students will engage with the vocabulary and principles of classical ballet. Our interactive, developmentally appropriate class structure nurtures students’ enthusiasm for dance while cultivating focus and a growth mindset. Caregiver participation welcome!

Sundays at 10 AM; 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7
Register

Masks will be mandatory. Classes will be structured to support a safe distance of 6 feet between individuals from different households. We encourage kids to dress warmly – snowsuits and boots are welcome!

For more information, email thecenterdanceschool@gmail.com. 

Freeze Dance? Yes, please!

Swirl like a snow storm!
Sparkle like ice!
Ballet in snow boots?
Do we have to ask twice??

Take winter fun to the next level in Snow Boot Ballet: the COOLEST dance class around. Open to kids in grades K-3; no previous ballet experience necessary. Warm attire/footwear is a must!

A SECOND section of this class has been added: Tuesdays, 3:30-4:15 PM, at Groff Park. 

6-week session runs from 1/19-2/23.
Tuition is $75. 

Enroll via email or online. 

Center Stage!

Curtains up!

The Center Dance is thrilled to announce an encore session of Center Stage: a marvelous medley of musical theater, jazz and improvisational dance styles. Students will work with the fundamentals of theatrical dance, learn choreography straight off of Broadway, and master a “step, ball change!”

Whether your child is an aspiring performer, a Broadway enthusiast, or simply looking for some fun physical activity as the weather turns colder, this VIRTUAL edition of Center Stage is the place to be!

Our 3-week mini-session kicks of Monday, November 30th.
Class will meet via Zoom on Mondays AND Fridays from 4-5PM, and will culminate in a virtual performance (date TBD).

Tuition: $100

Recommended for kids ages 10-13.

To register, visit our Square Store or email thecenterdanceschool@gmail.com.

It’s YOUR turn in the spotlight; enroll TODAY!

New sessions start next week!

There’s no such thing as bad weather when you’re DANCING in it!

Our outdoor classes allow kids to safely gather for friendship and fun, stories and dance! New 4-week “mini-sessions” begin next Sunday, November 15th at Groff Park in South Amherst.

Word Play (45 minutes, ages 2-6) In this 45 minute class, students leap, prance and spin their way through the world of children’s literature. Using picture books, fairy tales and poetry, children are introduced to the fundamentals of creative movement and narrative dance. Whether they’re twirling down their own Purple Crayon path, pouncing at the Wild Rumpus, or dancing the alphabet, kids will love this interactive class that honors the reader, and storyteller, in all of us. Caregiver participation welcome! 

Sundays at 10:45 AM, 11/15, 11/22, 11/29, 12/6
Register

Story Ballet (45 minutes, ages 3-6) invites young dancers to explore the world of ballet through an imaginative lens. Using imagery and stories as inspiration, students will engage with the vocabulary and principles of classical ballet. Our interactive, developmentally appropriate class structure nurtures students’ enthusiasm for dance while cultivating focus and a growth mindset. Caregiver participation welcome!

Sundays at 11:45 AM; 11/15, 11/22, 11/29, 12/6
Or
Thursdays at 10AM; 11/18, 12/3, 12/10, 12/17
Register

Masks will be mandatory for participants over the age of 2. Classes will be structured to support a safe distance of 6 feet between individuals from different households. 

For more information, email thecenterdanceschool@gmail.com. 

Come, tell us a dance!

Dance your way to the winter solstice!

In this Spinning Yarns “mini-session,” students in grades 1-3 will build dances that investigate the many ways in which we generate our own light as “The Shortest Day” draws near.

Class will meet Sunday mornings from 10-11AM, November 15th-December 20th. 

An informal OUTDOOR performance will be held on Sunday, December 20th. 

Classes 1-4 will be held at Yoga Center Amherst. 
Classes 5 & 6 will be held outdoors, location TBD.

Tuition is $110

Masks are required and 6-foot distancing will be maintained; indoors, windows will remain open. 

For more information, email thecenterdanceschool@gmail.com. To register, visit our Square Store. 

It’s a waltz in the park!

Your beginner ballet dancer is invited to a FREE trial class this Friday, 9/18!

Relax on a park bench while your child chassés through the grass. It’s the perfect wind-down before the weekend.

Class will meet at Groff Park in South Amherst from 3:30-4:30 PM.

This “Ballet 1” level class is recommended for children ages 6-8 (but please reach out if you have an older child interested in joining!). Masks are required, and 6-ft distancing will be maintained. Dancers may wear whatever they wish, as long as it allows them to move freely; sneakers or ballet slippers are the suggested footwear.

For more information, email thecenterdanceschool@gmail.com.

We hope to see you there!