Kids @ DNA

Description
Dance New Amsterdam believes in fostering joy of movement in children, guiding them in discovering and challenging their bodies while nurturing creative spirit. Kids @ DNA programming lets young dancers explore the excitement of different dance genres, and blends these skills with the narrative potential of storytelling through dance. Academic year & summer sessions explore and ground dancers in multiple dance styles, and include collaboration with the dancers to develop choreographic concepts. The end of each session culminates in a showcase which families and friends are welcome to attend. Get ready to come see your dancer shine!

“We feel very fortunate to have found the Kids @ DNA program and believe other families will appreciate this program for its unique, exciting classes. The teachers establish a nurturing and supportive environment while inspiring creativity and the joy of movement. My children developed self confidence, and I could see their enthusiasm during class!” -Alexandra Ross, mother of two

Academic Year 2012-2013:
Classes offered Saturdays:
Ages 3-6 from 10:15 - 11:00am
Ages 7-10 from 11:00am - 12:00pm
Drop-in classes are available.

Dance genres included in 2012-2013 Syllabus:
-Ballet
-Jazz
-Tap
-Theater Dance
-Improvisation/Choreography

Session Two: February 2 - May 11 (14 classes)
STORYTIME BALLET with Martha Chapman: Ballet vocabulary and principles are introduced in an age appropriate manner, and blended with elements of Classical Ballet Mime. Faculty assist students in creating a dance using the vocabulary they have learned to tell a story chosen from classical ballet favorites.
FAMILY SHOWCASE DAY: Saturday May 11
*Please note there will be no class March 30.

There will be a free open house on February 2. Register for the full 14 class session at our Open House, and we will waive our registration fee!

Martha Chapman came to New York on a scholarship at the Joffrey Ballet School, and was also one of the first scholarship recipients at Steps Studio, at its original location on 56th St. in Manhattan. She danced with the New York City Opera Ballet, New Jersey Ballet, Eugene Ballet in Oregon (now Western Ballet Theater), Maryland Ballet, Staten Island Ballet, Ontario Ballet Theater in Toronto, and the Anglo-American Ballet, directed by Catherine Kingsley, formerly of the Royal Ballet, performing at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland, with Cork City Ballet in Ireland, at Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors and the Houston International Festival. Her roles included such classics as the Sugar Plum and Lilac Fairies, Les Sylphides and White Swan Pas de Deux, character roles such as Swanhilda in “Coppelia” and Victoria Page of the famous “Red Shoes,” as well as contemporary pieces such as “Shakers” by American modern dance pioneer Doris Humphrey and works by members of the Martha Graham and Eric Hawkins companies. She currently co-directs the Omega Dance Company based at The Church of the Village in New York City and offering dance in sacred and concert settings.

She has been on the faculty of Dance New Amsterdam since 1997, and is also on the Board of Directors, where she helped develop the curriculum for Kids @ DNA, and also enjoys teaching adults, starting with specially designed “Introduction to Ballet” Workshops for beginning adult students up through to the Professional level. She has conducted master classes across the United States and in Canada, in addition to giving lecture demonstrations and teaching workshops on such varied topics as “Injury Prevention”, “Pointe Shoe Care and Maintenance,” and “Dance as a Career.”

All classes are held in our professional-quality studios and/or theater. Studios all have windows for viewing the class. Our lobby and/or gallery is available for waiting adults. Concurrent adult classes are a great exposure for little ones to the world of dance, and offer accompanying adults opportunities from DNA’s Open Class Schedule in Ballet, Modern, Floor-Barre, Yoga, Pilates, Thai Massage, Gyrokinesis and more! Check out DNA’s class schedule here.

Attire
Dance wear is encouraged, but there is no uniform requirement. Comfortable, stretchy clothing that is easy to move in is fine! Jazz or ballet shoes or bare feet for all dance disciplines except tap. For tap, tap shoes or hard-soled shoes of any kind. No sandals or flip flops please!

Tuition
Fall Session: October 6 – January 26 (14 weeks) $350
Spring Session: February 2 – May 11 (14 weeks) $350
Registration Fee: $30
Drop In/Trial Class Fee: $30 per class, applied to registration and tuition if child registers
*A 10 % DNA Member discount or a 5% sibling discount will be applied as appropriate. For DNA Membership information, click here.

Registration fee and non-refundable deposit is due upon registration. The balance will be charged to your credit card and is non-refundable once paid.

Kids @ DNA Policies
Students MUST be dropped off before and met immediately after the class period at the studio door by a parent or guardian. All students must be potty-trained. For a full Kids @ DNA Policy Guide, click here.

For a Registration Form click here. For more information, please contact kids@dnadance.org 
at or DNA Education Deparment at 212.625.8369.