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NEW STUDENTS
Strong. Active. Graceful.
Registration for 2020-2021 dance year will be online starting 8/15/2020 at 10:00am for returning students and 8/22/2020 at 10:00am for new students. The 2020-2021 dance year will begin on September 8, 2020.
To Register Click Here:
LEVEL INFO
Dear Parents: We have a “Level” placement system for all of our dance classes. All 1st and 2nd grade students will enroll in Level 1 classes (except for Acro* which is divided strictly by skill level). All 3rdgrade and older students will be placed according to their experience, work ethic, skill level and age. Level placement helps all of our students by placing them where they can get the most out of their classes. All new students will need to be placed in the lowest level for their age (see chart below) and then we will place them as we see them perform in their classes. Should your child need to move up more than one level, this could mean asking you to come on a different day. If the new time would not work with your schedule, the dancer could stay right where he/she is as we firmly believe that honing fundamentals only builds better dancers! A detailed description of the level Placement Process is explained below.
Explanation of Level Placement:
All returning students will be given a suggested placement with their parent packs at recital. This suggested Level is for your jazz and ballet placement. All other classes include a broader range of levels and you may choose any of those classes that work for you provided your suggested Level is within that class range. For example, if your child’s suggested Level is Level 2, then he/she could enroll in any class that had a Level 2 listed within the range.
If you are a new student to CKDA – here is a general guideline as to where you should enroll your child:
All Preschoolers should enroll in any of our PreK TBA (Tap, Ballet, Acrobatics) classes.
All Kindergarten students should enroll in any of our Kinder TBJ (Tap, Ballet, Jazz) classes. (Kindergarten students are also eligible for Acro I.)
All 1st – 2nd Graders should enroll in Level 1 classes.
All 3rd – 5th graders should enroll in Level 2 classes.
All 6th – 8th graders should enroll in Level 3 classes
All New High School students should enroll in Level 4 classes.
**Remember this is just a guide for you to place your child if you are new to CKDA. We will place your child accordingly once we have seen them perform in class.
Pointe Classes: To begin pointe class you must be placed in no less than a Level 4.5 Ballet and must be at least 11 years old. Adv Pointe must be at least a Level 6 and have had 2 years of Beg/Int Pointe. Only dancers with teacher permission may enroll in pointe. Please check with your child’s ballet teacher if you would like to enroll in pointe classes.
Technique Classes: Each technique class has the Level ranges listed. Enroll in the technique class where your Level falls.
*Acrobatic Classes:
Level 1 Beginner – cannot do stand up backbend (no costume – no recital performance) Level 2 Can do stand up backbend unassisted and strong cartwheel
Level 3 Can do stand up backbend, strong cartwheel, properly execute front limber and backbend kickover
Level 4 Can do all of level 3 requirements plus properly execute back and front walkovers
Level 5 Can do all of level 4 requirements and also properly execute standing back handspring, running side aerial, and round off with a single back handspring
Level 6 Can do all of level 5 requirements and also properly execute step into side aerial, front aerial, multiple back handsprings from standing and from round off.
*Only dancers who can ALREADY perform the skills listed may enroll in this class. We will move kids as they progress during the year.
**Level 5 Jazz or Ballet requires that dancers are able to sit in both splits and properly and consistently execute double pirouettes to the Left and the Right.
*NEW THIS YEAR – ALL ACROBATIC 1 CLASSESALONG WITH OUR CHEER CLASS, WILL HAVE A SEPARATE “ACRO/CHEER SHOW OFF” ON THE SATURDAY OF DRESS REHEARSAL AT THE CIVIC CENTER – THEY WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY SHOWS and THEY WILL NOT REQUIRE A COSTUME**
If your child dreams of becoming a cheerleader, then she needs to enroll in tumbling (acrobatics) and hip-hop. This combination will give her all of the tools to help her be her best when she tries out. We also offer competition cheerleading classes.
If your child wants to be on the dance line, she needs jazz, technique and, if you can afford three classes, ballet will help a lot. If all she takes is hip-hop, she will probably not make the dance line. Hip-hop is fun and certainly helps with basic coordination and simple movements, but it does not focus on the techniques and difficult skills necessary for dance line.
If your child simply wants to take dance because she enjoys it, likes music and performing, then let her take whatever appeals to her.
Ballet is the most structured class with emphasis on strength, flexibility, proper placement of the body, balance and form. It is the foundation for all other forms of dance, requiring discipline and coordination. Lyrical is a combination between jazz and ballet. It is a slow moving dance that does not focus on the technicality of ballet. Contemporary is a combination of ballet and hip hop. Taphelps tremendously with rhythm, timing and understanding musical phrasing and counts. Acrobatics is great not only for learning tumbling skills, but it forces the student to control her entire body and builds strength and control. Jazz teaches quick steps and difficult coordination skills as well as the more advanced turns and leaps necessary for more advanced dancing. Hip-hop teaches the street style dancing – mostly basic coordination skills and movement while moving your entire body and having fun. Dance lessons and performing in front on an audience help your child learn the true lessons—those that last a lifetime–that success comes one step at a time from hard work, dedication and self confidence.