CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
DANCE CLASSES FOR CHILDREN AGES 2+
Twinkle Star Dance Academy offers dance classes for children ages 2+ in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, creative movement, lyrical, and more. Our Twinkle Babies and Twinkle Stars classes for ages 2-6 are the perfect balance of structure and fun.
TWINKLE BABIES AND TWINKLE STARS DANCE CLASSES
Twinkle Babies™ Dance
Ages 2-3
A 30 minute introductory dance class containing ballet, tap and creative movement. Young dancers will learn the basic steps while learning how to follow direction and imitate movement in a positive environment. Engaging music is used to get these little guys inspired to dance. The use of props such as Twinkle bears and hula hoops, enables the young dancers to use their imagination, creativity and, most of all, have fun!
Twinkle Stars™ Dance
Ages 3-4, 4-5 & 5-6
An age specific 45 minute class containing ballet, tap and jazz/creative movement. The purpose of the class is to introduce young dancers to the three styles of dance and inspire movement and creativity within a positive environment. Dancers will also learn basic steps and terminology in all three styles. For example, all dancers will learn what a “plie” is and how to demonstrate one. The use of fun, age appropriate music engages the young dancers’ minds and bodies. The use of props such as hula hoops for the “freeze dance” makes the end of class the most fun!
SHOW STARS DANCE CLASSES
Show Stars™
Ballet
The Show Stars™ Ballet program fosters musicality, body awareness and movement potential in a format that encourages individual artistry. Inspired by the work of Rudolf Von Laban and Irmgard Bartinieff, the class explores the elements of dance; Body, Space, Force, and Time, through creative exercises that are movement focused rather than story focused. The knowledge gained in these classes prepares the student for the attention to detail required in the study of formal ballet training.
Show Stars™
Jazz
Show Stars™ Jazz combines many styles and techniques from ethnic and contemporary dance, to ballet. Rhythm, upon which all dance forms depend, is particularly integral to jazz dance. The first half of class consists of exercises which stretch and tone muscles and develop support for proper stress-free alignment of the skeletal structure. Using jazz, soul, R&B, ethnic and pop music, jazz classes are a great workout and a fun way to release tension while attaining a body awareness.
Show Stars™
Tap
Show Stars™ Tap is an exciting rhythmic exercise and dance form which is enjoyable to both kids and adults. Rooted in African-American History, tap offers a variety of styles and techniques. Students will realize results in dance movement after a minimum number of classes. The classes stress the basics of tap and allows dancers to build into combinations which are great to watch and delightful to hear.
Show Stars™
Hip Hop
Show Stars™ Hip Hop provides a structured method of learning various Hip Hop dance movements in a fun-filled and vibrant class environment. From R&B and House to Club and Pop, Hip Hop classes utilize upbeat music from various genres, in addition to the latest Hip Hop hits. The resulting outcome is an energetic class that not only teaches you Hip Hop movements and technique, but also instills rhythm and precision in your muscle memory.
Show Stars™
Lyrical
Show Stars™ Lyrical is a fusion of ballet with jazz and contemporary dance techniques. Lyrical dancing is performed to music with lyrics to inspire movements to express strong emotions. Lyrical dancing focuses on the dancers' individual approach and expressiveness rather than the precision of their movements.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE FIRST DAY - FROM ONE PARENT TO ANOTHER!
We are very excited to welcome your little one to our Twinkle Babies™ Dance program. They come into the classroom very slowly, but make the most measurable progress by the end of the year!! We look forward to seeing all of the beautiful little dancers all dressed in pink!
We know that as a parent you have a vision for how you think the first day will go. I am writing this letter in order to give you some ideas of how it might go, and how it might not. You may take this advice for whatever it is worth to you. All children are different and react differently in situations.
Usually a brand new 2 year old will cling to mom as they walk in the studio door, as they are unaware of their environment. Everything to them is new. Please arrive early on the first day in order to get them acclimated to their new teacher and environment.
Separation anxiety is one of the most common issues on the first day, you may overcome this by explaining to your child before they arrive that mommy will watch them through the window during the class and that mommy won’t leave.
Our Twinkle Babies™ Dance class is designed as a teacher/child class. Our policy is that all parents need to be in the lobby when class is in session. We also need to keep the door to the studio closed during class, in order to avoid any wandering dancers. We will work with you and your child to achieve success in bringing happy dancers into the classroom without mom. This is a gradual process for most babies.
Have you ever noticed that when one 2 year old begins to cry, the others follow suit? We have observed this as well and it is why we need to have any crying child wait with mom outside at the window until they feel confident to come back in. We know this sounds harsh, but we will make every attempt at calming your child and getting them to join the class that we possibly can, before we ask the mom to exit the room. Sometimes the child is actually upset just being in the room, so you may calm them down more effectively outside. In the past we let the parent of an unsure child remain in the room with the child; however, we found that this practice can distract other dancers, and the inability for Mom to leave the room in subsequent weeks, as the child has learned, “my mommy stays with me”.
Most of the time our little dancers come into the room right away and never look back. Sometimes our little dancers aren’t ready for a teacher/child class. As parents, we won’t know until we try. Please remember that it sometimes takes a few weeks in order for the child to warm up to the idea, even if they LOVE to dance.
Lastly, our goal on the first day is to get every child into the class without mom and without crying. If we have done that we have succeeded. Please don’t be alarmed if your child just stands in her hula hoop and stares at the teacher jumping up and down. They are simply observing their environment. They will dance when they are ready!!! We hope you all have a positive experience at our studio. Please don’t hesitate to call us if you have questions or concerns.
WHAT OUR PARENTS AND DANCERS ARE SAYING
“My daughter loves dancing here. She is always looking forward being there. She has an excellent teacher. I am very glad from their curriculum. They are so organized. My daughter and I love to be in Twinkle Star Dance Academy!!!”