Recreational Program

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Dance classes for children ages 2 and 3 explore basic rhythmic activities and locomotor skills using props and the open space in the dance studio. Designed for a parent and child to attend together. Children at this level do not perform on stage.

Instructor - Diane Brown

Children ages 3 and 4 (as of September 1) are taken on a fun-filled educational journey into the world of dance, stimulating their imagination and introducing them to musicality, locomotor skills and group movement activities using bright visuals and a variety of music. Child participates without parent for a 45 minute class. Children at this level do not perform on stage.

Instructor - Diane Brown

A preparatory dance class designed for the young dancer ages 4 and 5 (as of September 1). Students are introduced to classroom etiquette, basic floor and freestanding exercises, musicality, imagination, mastery of gross locomotor skills and patterning in choreography. PreBallet is taken in combination with Tap to expose children to different varieties of dance. Children at this level are invited to perform in the Spring Production.

Instructors - Diane Brown, Denise Rottman

Ballet 1 offers barre work, center floor work, flexibility and endurance exercises, choreographic challenges, musicality and terminology. Students at this level are invited to perform in Ballet Chesapeake's Spring Production. 

Instructors - Diane Brown, Gail Melfi

Ballet 2 and 2x offers barre work, center floor work, flexibility and endurance exercises, choreographic challenges, musicality and terminology. Students at this level are invited to perform in Ballet Chesapeake's Spring Production. 

Instructors - Kait Weber, Holly Mora

The Elementary/Intermediate ballet classes are recommended for dancers who wish to continue their ballet training past the Ballet 2x level, by attending class once or twice per week.  These classes are for students ages 10-adult and are an excellent way for mature beginners to start ballet and for younger dancers to continue their training. Students at this level are invited to perform in the Spring Production. 

Instructor - Barclay Gibbs

The Intermediate/Advanced ballet classes are recommended for dancers at this level who wish to continue their ballet training by attending class once or twice per week. These classes are for students ages 12-adult and focus on applying correct technique to more advanced vocabulary. Students at this level are invited to perform in the Spring Production.  

Instructor - Paul Wegner

Performance classes give students the opportunity to prepare a piece of choreography for the Spring Production. 

At DCM, we do not want to take time away from ballet technique lessons to work on choreography. This additional class allows students to focus on technique during ballet class and gives students enough practice time to be fully prepared to perform in the Spring Production. 

Performance Classes are held in the Winter and Spring sessions only, and students must return a completed concert commitment form in order to participate in the performance. 

Modern dance focuses on use of space, time and energy. Students focus on learning basic technique from a variety of modern dance styles, and are encouraged to focus on improvisation and  interpretation of the music. Students taking class in this dance form are invited to perform in the Spring Production.    

Instructors - Shana O'Brien, Ashley Spears

Jazz dance improvises on basic, defined technical movements.  Instruction covers basic jazz positions, exercises, foundation steps, turns, jumps and isolations while working with rhythm using popular contemporary and cultural music. Working with particular styles such as musical theatre/Broadway, hip hop/street and lyrical are introduced after the basic technique is established. Students taking class in this dance form are invited to perform in the Spring Production. 

Instructors - Diane Brown, Shana O'Brien

Tap dance offers students the opportunity to focus on rhythm, sound, and silence using a variety of musical selections and is introduced at an early age in the DCM PreBallet syllabus. Basic instruction involves learning steps, hops, brushes and gradually proceeds to slaps, shuffles, cramp rolls, pullbacks, wings, etc. Students taking class in this dance form are invited to perform in the Spring Production. 

Instructors - Diane Brown, Anita Samek

A high energy, high impact dance class exploring current styles of movement seen on TV and in music videos. This form of dance is inspired by urban hip hop music and African dance. All movement and music selections are age appropriate for young dancers and offer a fun and relaxed environment to enjoy this popular dance form. Students taking class in this dance form are invited to perform in the Spring Production. 

Instructor - Chris Andrews

Registration for these classes is by invitation only. Dancers in the Ballet Intensive program are required to take a minimum of two ballet classes per week. Students selected for this program show exemplary behavior, focus, and aptitude in their ballet classes, and this program will prepare young dancers to participate in the pre-professional ballet program. 

Instructors - 

At least 3 ballet classes per week.

Ballet 3 offers barre work, center floor work, flexibility and endurance exercises, choreographic challenges, musicality and terminology. Students at this level are invited to perform in Ballet Chesapeake's Spring Production. 

At least four Ballet 4 classes per week

(extra ballet classes at the Ballet 3 level and Pre Pointe/Pointe 1 are optional)

At least five Ballet 5 classes and one Pointe or Pre-Pointe class per week

At least six Ballet 6 classes and one Pointe class per week

Men's and boy's classes as well as ballet classes in recommended level per week.  

Male students ages 6 and up taking ballet receive full scholarship to DCM.