Dance School
The Riverdale Y's Dance School offers a wide array of dance instruction programs for all ages.
We have classes for children as young as two years old, and all the way through to adults. Instruction is available in classic ballet, creative movement, tap, hip hop, ballroom and belly dancing, character, jazz, and action dance. For more information contact the Laurie Walton, at LWalton@RiverdaleY.org.

Dance Recitals are Back!
Our year will conclude with a dance recital on the Y's stage.  Parents -- get your cameras ready!

Fall '08 Classes

Creative Movement
(for ages 2-3)
Wednesdays, 12:15 - 1:00 pm (with parent or caregiver)
$255* / $215 for Y members
Children will be introduced to the fundamentals of dance in a nurturing and creative environment. The students develop a foundation for future traditional ballet training as well as a love for movement and music.
Uniform: pink leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers. Tutus or skirts are not permitted in class.

(Ages 3-5)
Sundays, 10:30-11:15 am
Mondays, 3:30-4:15pm
Wednesdays, 12:15-1:00pm
$255* / $215 for Y members
Creativity abounds as we sing, dance, tumble, clap rhythms, act out stories and transform ourselves into the likes of wild animals, tropical storms, bursting bubble gum or blossoming apple trees. Self confidence, coordination, body awareness and musicality are just a few of the benefits of this playful 45 minute class.

Pre-Ballet
(for ages 5-6)
$295* / $265 for Y members
Mondays, 4:15 - 5:15 pm

Pre-Ballet with Tap
(for ages 5-6)
$295* / $265 for Y members
Sundays, 11:15am - 12:15 pm
This combination dance class introduces beginning ballet and basic tap technique while promoting creativity, adding more fun and variety to the study of ballet and tap.
 

Ballet I (Beginner)
(for ages 7-10)
Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30 pm
$295* / $265 for Y members

Ballet II (Beginner)
(for ages 8-12)
Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30pm
$295* / $265 for Y members

Hip Hop Kids
Mondays, 6-7 pm
$295* / $265 for Y members
Learn the basics of Hip Hop which you rock and jam and participate in some great physical activity! No experience nec essary, just come ready to have fun!

Jazz, Beginner Kids
Sundays, 1:15-2:15 pm (for ages 9-12)
Mondays, 4:45 - 5:45 pm (for ages 8-12)
$295* / $265 for Y members
This class is a mix of traditional jazz dance techniques in combination with popular dance moves. Students learn to shake-it-up in fun combinations stressing Broadway-style dance technique. Students are recommended to have at least one year of dance prior to taking this class.

Tap, Beginner Kids
Thursdays, 5:30-6:30pm (ages 7-12)
$295* / $265 for Y membersThis rhythmic form of dance helps develop both coordination and skill. No previous experience necessary, just bring your tap shoes!

Adult Ballet
Tuesdays, 7:00-8:00pm
$350* / $300 for Y members

Ballroom Dancing
6 Mondays, 7:30-8:30pm
$145* / $120 for Y members
This 6-session class introduces the six basic dances of Social Ballroom: Fox Trot, Swing (Lindy), Waltz, American Tango, Rhumba (Cuban) and Salsa. You’ll be all ready for our upcoming Saturday night Ballroom Parties this fall and winter!

About Ballet

Ballet is a style of classical dance that began centuries ago in the French courts of King Louis XIV. It has evolved over the years into a highly technical form of dance still maintaining its French terminology and beautiful elegance and grace. Ballet is the foundation of all other contemporary dance techniques whether you study jazz, modern or even hip hop. Good dancers in any style need the line and technique that are taught as the basics of classical ballet. We encourage all our young dancers to study ballet first to establish their basic technique and sense of discipline before moving on to other dance styles.

Our multilevel program moves the young dancer from Preballet to Advanced Beginner II with pointe (toeshoes). Each level introduces the student to the fundamentals of ballet technique starting with the basic five positions of classical ballet, the use of "turn out" (the outward rotation of the legs from the hip socket), pointing the feet and the vaste vocabulary of ballet steps and their French terminology. The nature of all artistic training is repetition and practice, always returning to fundamental technique to build strength and flexibility allowing the older child to advance to more complex and challenging steps moving into turns, jumps and traveling across the floor. Pointe work is introduced when the student has acquired sufficient strength and stability in her footwork and correct posture and body alignment. Our hope is that we will create a program where the joy of movement is always present, at the same time preparing these young bodies for the rigors of dance technique while developing an understanding of artistic discipline.