Early Childhood Classes (Ages 1-7)

Exposure to dance at a young age helps children develop good posture, strength, balance and coordination. Early Childhood features a progression of five levels of achievement based on age. Students enrolling in Early Childhood and Elementary must meet the appropriate grade level and age requirement by September 1 of the current school year. Classes are taught by Canton Ballet’s Early Childhood Specialist Julie Mizer Grasse.

Mommy (or Daddy or Grandparent or adult friend) & Me (Toddlers)

Designed to begin movement and body awareness starting with the toddler’s first steps, this class uses the adult’s assistance in reinforcing listening skills and initiating movement coordination of body parts through dance, games and songs. Taught once a week for 30 minutes for 32 weeks.

Level	Age*	Day	Time	Annual cost	Reg fee
Mom & Me	Toddler (under 3)	Saturday	10:00-10:30 am	$448	$50

Dress code: Comfortable clothing and bare feet

Predance (Age 3)

Designed for the youngest students, this class stresses coordination, large motor skill development, musical awareness, spatial awareness, and listening skills. Musical instruments such as bells, rhythm sticks, shakers and tambourines, along with age appropriate activity resources and special music help engage the students’ attention and imagination. Taught once a week for 30 minutes for 32 weeks.

Level	Age*	Day	Time	Annual cost	Reg fee
Predance	3	Saturday	10:30-11:00 am	$526	$50

Dress code: Girls, Eurotard Style 4489/1089 Pink Tank Leotard, 212c Theatrical Pink Footless Tights, and bare feet. Boys, Eurotard Style 44100(c) White Microfiber Top, 1066/44333/34944/34945 Black Leggings, bare feet.

Creative Movement 1 (Ages 4-5)

Creative Dance focuses on coordination, motor skill development, listening skills and the development of a child’s natural creativity. Musical awareness is enhanced with the help of a pianist. Stretching on the floor is explored and coordination skills are developed through movements across the floor. Tip toe walks and runs, marches, slides and gallops are used to encourage coordination and introduce musicality. This program is a prelude to formal ballet instruction and stresses creativity and group interaction. Taught once a week for 45 minutes for 32 weeks. Dancer eligible to perform in School Showcase Performance at the end of year.

Level	Age*	Day	Time	Annual cost	Reg fee
Creative Movement 1	4	Saturday	11:00-11:45 am	$651	$50

Creative Movement 2 (Attending Kindergarten)

In this class, exercises designed to develop good posture are introduced. Here skills learned in Creative Movement I are refined and developed and awareness of different movement qualities is studied. Children begin to coordinate arms and legs at the same time and movement skills become more complex. Students begin to learn to use and strengthen their muscles. Spatial awareness, creativity and coordinating music and movement are emphasized and rhythms are explored. Taught once a week for 45 minutes for 32 weeks. Dancer eligible to perform in The Nutcracker in December and School Showcase performance at the end of the school year.

Level	Age*	Day	Time	Annual cost	Reg fee
Creative Movement 2	Attending Kindergarten	Wednesday	4:45-5:30 pm	$678	$50
Creative Movement 2	Attending Kindergarten	Saturday	11:45-12:30 pm	$678	$50

Preballet (Attending First Grade)

The emphasis on posture and strengthening of muscles is continued. Exercises take place on the floor. The next part of the class, which takes place in the center of the room, emphasizes basic locomotor movements used in dance with the use of the head and the arms. Various types of jumps and leaps are also explored. The ballet terminology and vocabulary, in French, is introduced at this level, and music is studied as an integral and inherent part of ballet. This year they wear ballet shoes for the first time. Taught once a week for 45 minutes for 32 weeks. Dancer eligible to perform in The Nutcracker in December and School Showcase performance at the end of the school year.

Level	Age*	Day	Time	Annual cost	Reg fee
Preballet	Attending First Grade	Tuesday	4:45-5:30 pm	$694	$50
Preballet	Attending First Grade	Wednesday	5:30-6:15 pm	$694	$50
Jazz/Tap 1	Attending First – Fourth Grade	Tuesday	5:30-6:30 pm	$427	$50
Modern 1	Attending First – Fourth Grade	Monday	6:00-7:00 pm	$356	$50
Boys 1	First Grade and Up	Wednesday	5:00-6:00 pm	$128	$50

Dress code: Girls, Eurotard Style 4489/1089 Pink Tank Leotard, 215c Theatrical Pink Footed Tights, and the a2011c Passé Ballet Shoe. Boys, Eurotard Style 44100(c) White Microfiber Top, 1066/44333/34944/34945 Black Leggings, A2001(c) White Leather Ballet Slippers and White Socks.

* Age by September 1 each year