Creative Movement Dancers (3-5 Year Olds)

We have two different groupings for our Creative Movement Dancers depending on their age, attention span, and experience with dance. Dancers in their first experience with dance or structured activity in this age range will fit best in our 45 Minute Creative movement options listed below. For those who are ready for the next step, there is an extended time slot with our 1 hour long Advanced Creative movement classes. First we will walk you through the options and details of the 45 minute class options and then you can scroll to learn more about the hour long class options.

45 Minute Creative Movement Classes (a & b)

For our youngest dancers that are brand new to dancing, we offer a 45 minute weekly creative movement class where dancers will be in a program that cultivates a love of dance. These classes will focus on being introduced to beginning ballet skills as well as general gross motor skills where they will take on a variety of beginner dance steps. As many of these dancers will be in their first group learning setting, dancers will be introduced to beginning classroom/studio expectations that will serve them in their education as a whole such as “following the leader”, “taking turns,” and “waiting in a line.”

In this program we want dancers to have the opportunity to use make believe and imagination. Dancers will have specific music, themes, and skills that are taught from week to week for them to build on from class to class.  We use a variety of dance music including current preschool favorites. Since these young ones learn best through repetition, we will use some familiar favorites such as the ABC song, Move and Groove, and the Itsy Bitsy Spider song along with dance steps and fun props. By repeating movements and patterns, dancers will improve their coordination by being active with dancing, while creating friendships that will last a life time.

• Gross Motor Skills: Marching, skipping, hopping, leaping, and twirling are all ground work for future dance steps and overall coordination. These skills are reviewed each week and are mastered at individual rates. 

• Ballet Skills: Specific ballet skills are introduced and mastered by the preschoolers. We will introduce many skills, and each week these skills will be reviewed and new ones introduced.  Some basic skills the dancers will learn include: first and second position, plié, relevé, tendu, chassé, passé, etc. 

Hour Long Creative Movement Class (c)

For dancers ready for the next phase, we offer an hour long creative movement class that expands on what we focus on in the other creative movement classes. These classes will focus on expanding on our beginning ballet skills as well as jazz terminology while working on strengthening their general gross motor skills. Dancers in this class might have had previous experience in our 45 minute classes or on the older end of the age group for these classes. We find that the extended hour long is a great next step in their dance journey before adding the additional styles of dance when they head into Kindergarten.

In this program we want dancers to get fully prepared to take the next steps in their dance journey. While we still learn and work through basic dance skills and terminology, they will begin to build their dance knowledge as we scaffold the lessons for them to start to do more skills and performances independently.  We use a variety of dance music that these dancers are familiar with and will enjoy still using different themes and props from week to week. By repeating movements and patterns, dancers will continue improve their coordination by being active with dancing, while creating friendships that will last a life time. When adding the jazz elements into the curriculum dancers get to tap into their “sassy” side and begin using more rhythm and energy in their performances.

• Gross Motor Skills: Marching, skipping, hopping, leaping, and twirling are all ground work for future dance steps and overall coordination. These skills are reviewed each week and are mastered at individual rates. 
• Ballet Skills: Specific ballet skills are introduced and mastered by the preschoolers. We will introduce many skills, and each week these skills will be reviewed and new ones introduced.  Some basic skills the dancers will develop further: first and second position, plié, relevé, tendu, chassé, passé, arabesqué, pors de bra, etc.
• Jazz Skills: Specific jazz skills are introduced and master by the preschoolers. We will introduce many skills, and each week these skills will be reviewed as new ones are introduced. Some basic skills the dancers will learn are: parallel, shakes, ball change, dig, pivot turn, jazz square etc.

Additional Events & Performances for all Creative Movement/Advanced Creative Movement Dancers:

• Observation Days – On certain days throughout the year, teachers may invite parents to watch at the end of class. Additionally, there is an open window and or door for parents to view at all times. Additionally, all dancers and parents have access to our google drive folder that houses videos from class each week as well.
• Monster Mash – Near the end of October, dancers get the opportunity to come into class wearing a Halloween or any costume of their choice and we will perform the Monster Mash for parents to view. Its a fun evening of spooky fun, and a right of passage for all TDA Dancers! The dates for these performances and additional information will be sent throughout the year.
• TDA Going Nutz – In the month of November, dancers will be exposed to different traditional elements of The Nutcracker. Each age group and level at the entire studio is assigned different parts of the nutcracker curriculum to gain knowledge and perform for their families. The dates for these performances and additional information will be sent throughout the year.
• Christmas Parade – During the first weekend of December, all TDA Dancers are invited to join us in the Rolesville Christmas parade. Dancers in this age group, are a part of one of our favorite TDA traditions in the TDA Wagon Contest, where families get to decorate a wagon for their dancer to go through the parade in. TDA Staff will deliberate on site of the parade to decide the winners, where the top three will receive a prize!
• Picture Day – All dancers enrolled at TDA will be a part of picture day in the Spring portion of the season. Creative Movement dancers will have one day of pictures in their one assigned costume for their end of year routine. Families will be able to purchase and order digital downloads of images, and more information on that event will be provided throughout the year.
• Pajama Week – Dancers will get a week to be celebrated after some of the older dancers head off to competition in the Spring. While this age group does not want to compete, we don’t want them to miss out on the PJ fun! Dancers will get snacks and get a chance to walk the red carpet as they get to celebrate their hard work throughout the year as well.
• Recital – All dancers enrolled at TDA will be a part of our annual recital. Dancers will perform their rehearsed routine in their assigned costume at one of our four recitals. Family members are encouraged to come and support your youngest dancers in the recital as well! Additional information on days, times, rehearsals, tickets, merchandise etc. will be available to you as we finish out the season.

Dance Attire: 

Girls – pink ballet shoes and any type of dance wear.

Boys – black ballet shoes and any type of athletic wear.  

Please bring dance bag to class for dancers to change from their regular shoes and into their dance shoes, as well as a small water bottle for them to keep with them. We ask that you label all shoes with name. See below for a few pictures from some of our creative movement classes to help you see what dancers typically wear.