Westchester Theatre of Dance	Dress Code	Jazz/Hip-Hop/Tap
Ballet	Adult Classes	Pre-School Classes
Faculty	2009 Spring Calendar	Dance School News Spring/Summer 2009
Dance Summer Intensive

 
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There’s a place for everyone at the JCC Dance School, one of Westchester’s most respected programs. Kids, teens and adults at all levels of training can take classes in ballet, pointe, jazz/hiphop, tap, and more, most to live musical accompaniment! Our professional faculty has performed with major dance companies in the U.S. and Europe. They are committed to a positive, supportive approach to ensure that our students develop into strong, injury-free dancers and confident individuals. The JCC Dance School’s legacy to its students is a life-long gift: an appreciation of the art of dance, body awareness, self-discipline and the knowledge to become part of an educated and appreciative dance audience. Many JCC Dance School students have gone on to careers with professional dance companies such as American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, New York City Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Carolina Ballet, and the Norwegian National Ballet.

Westchester Theatre of Dance
An annual concert for children of all ages
Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 8:00pm
Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 2:00 & 5:00pm
Westchester Theatre of Dance (WTD) is the performance company of the JCC Dance School. Each year we invite guest choreographers and performers from New York to be a part of our dance concert. Our dancers learn the creative process of choreography from beginning to end, as well as the immeasurable experience of performing on stage. Our spring concert is a highly anticipated event in the Bendheim Performing Arts Center each year.
 

2009 Maria Jones Scholarship Award Recipient Carly Carlin, age 15, of Scarsdale, received the 2009 Maria Jones Scholarship Award for excellence and promise in the field of dance at the JCC Dance School’s annual Westchester Theatre of Dance (WTD) concert in March. The award is named for Maria Jones, a longtime advanced-level ballet instructor at the JCC Dance School, who retired in 2003. Carly began ballet at the JCC seven years ago, and has performed in several WTD productions and Outreach performances in the community. Currently, she studies ballet and pointe with instructors Jayne Santoro, Mimi Wallace and David Fernandez, and Jazz / Hip Hop with Rita Howerton, also at the JCC. In past summers, Carly has studied at the American Academy of Ballet and at Alvin Ailey School in New York City.

Performance and Dance Concert Opportunities
Opportunity for performance is offered through our Dance Outreach program during the school year for intermediate and advanced dancers. Ballet students in Levels 2 through 5 and selected jazz and tap students are encouraged to perform in our highly-regarded Westchester Theatre of Dance Annual Spring Concert. Participation is optional - no student is required to perform. There is an additional fee for production and costume expenses, for all participants.


Scholarships
Scholarships available through a grant from The Harkness Foundation for Dance, The Elaine Finsilver Endowment Fund, and the Maria Jones Scholarship Fund; call x320 for details.
 

Dance School Instructors

Pianists

General Information

• The Dance School has two air-conditioned studios with nonskid floors and a dressing room with lockers.
• Pianists are scheduled for most ballet classes.
• NO refunds after first class unless there is a medical reason.
• Parent observation: weeks of 12/7/09 and 5/10/10.
• Regular attendance is important. Please call x320 in case of anticipated absence.
• No jewelry or gum permitted in class.
• Classes cancelled due to inclement weather may be made up at the end of the session, or made up on another day in the same level.
• Adult single class rate is $20.00 per class.
• Payment plans must be completed by 12/31/09.
• Enrollment is ongoing. Classes may be pro-rated.


Class Cards:
• 10-class card rate is $160.  (Expires 4 months from purchase date.)
• Class cards, available at the JCC front desk, are for adult classes only as indicated (see asterisked (*) class listings).
  All other adult classes require enrollment.
• No one under age 18 may use a class card.
• The Dance School is not responsible for lost or stolen cards.

Guidelines and Dress Codes 

• Ballet classes are divided into Levels. Students remain in appropriate class until the instructor determines they are ready to move to the next level.

• Students new to the school must be evaluated for placement. 

• The Dance School prides itself on the careful placement of each student into the appropriate level of dance class.

• Children in Level 2 and up usually remain in their assigned level for a minimum of two years. Students are moved into another level at the discretion of the instructor.

• All students are expected to arrive on time for class. The beginning of class is an essential part of warm-up. Lateness is also disruptive to the rest of the class. Students arriving more than 10 minutes late will only be permitted to observe.

Boys Uniform: White shirt, black tights, jazz pants or sweats; white socks, white ballet shoes.

Girls: Hair MUST be off neck and securely pinned up for ALL classes.

Babies in Motion & Dancin & Prancin: Bare feet, loose fitting clothes (no tutus permitted).

Creative Dance & Modern Fundamentals: Girls: black leotard, pink footless (stirrup) tights and bare feet. No tutus. Boys: sweatpants, T-shirt, bare feet.

Creative Ballet, Tiny Toes: Pink leotard, pink tights, and pink ballet slippers. Chiffon skirts permitted.

Ballet Fundamentals: 6 years old. No experience necessary. Black Leotard, pink footed-tights and pink ballet slippers. No tutus or skirts.

Introduction to Ballet: 7 to 10 years. No experience necessary. White leotard, pink footed-tights and pink ballet slippers. No tutus or skirts. Boys: White shirt, black tights, white socks, white ballet shoes.

Level 1: 8 years old and up: One year of experience necessary. Light pink leotard, pink-footed tights and pink ballet slippers. No skirts. Boys: White shirt, black tights, white socks, white ballet shoes.

Level 2: 9 years old and up: Two years of experience necessary. Navy leotard, pink-footed tights and pink ballet slippers. Twice a week suggested.  Boys: White shirt, black tights, white socks and shoes.

Level 3: 10 years old and up: Placement audition is required. Hunter green leotard, pink-footed tights and pink ballet slippers. Aspiring Level 4 dancers MUST come twice weekly and are strongly urged to attend at least three weeks of summer dance classes at the JCC. Boys:  Same as Level 2.

Level 4: 6th grade and up: By acceptance of instructor. Black leotard, pink-footed tights and pink ballet slippers. MUST take all three technique classes weekly. Beginner pointe is introduced at the discretion of the instructor.

Level 5: 8th grade and up: By acceptance of instructor. A minimum of three technique classes and two pointe classes weekly are strongly urged at this level.  Black leotard, pink-footed tights and pink ballet slippers. (Simple skirts are permitted.)

Ballet for Teens:  Black leotard, pink-footed tights and pink ballet slippers. 

Musical Theatre Jazz Dance classes: Black leotard or unitard, black tights or jazz pants, and black jazz shoes.  Socks without shoes - NOT permitted.  Girls' hair up in ponytail.

Jazz/Hip-Hop: Workout sweats/pants and sneakers. Girls’ hair up in ponytail. Socks without shoes - NOT permitted.

Jazz/Hip-Hop Jr. and Sr. Workshop: By invitation only at the discretion of the instructor. Dress code: same as above.

Tap: Black leotard, tights and tap shoes.

Tap Workshop:  By invitation only, at the discretion of the instructor. Blue Jeans or Black Jazz pants, black t-shirt (no writing or graphics), girls’ hair in ponytail. Black tap shoes.

Programs that require try-outs, auditions, or approval by the program director prior to registrations are noted with the symbol

2009-10 Pre-School Classes

Me Too!  NEW!
Songs and movement create a fun-filled atmosphere for  walking boys and girls to share a special time with parents/caregivers. Large motor skills, language, color and shape recognition, and listening skills will be stimulated through this innovative program.

Tiny Toes
An introduction to movement through music and rhythms; elements of ballet, modern and jazz dance steps will be used. Children will explore their creativity and the joy of self-expression through movement to music.

Creative Ballet
A child's introduction to basic elements of dance training, including movement, rhythm and musical forms. In addition to working with creative ballet elements, more emphasis is placed on developing each child’s motor skills.

Creative Dance
Each class introduces children to warm-up floor stretches, high energy traveling steps and group dancing inspired by stories, songs, sports and nature.  The class helps both boys and girls to find the special magic inside themselves to transform ordinary movement into dance.

2009- 10 Modern Tap/Musical-Theatre Jazz/Jazz Hip-Hop For Children and Teens

Modern Fundamentals 
Children will explore basic Modern Dance techniques drawing from a variety of styles. The class will include both floor warm up and standing exercises. Children will move across the floor with beginning turns, triplets and leaps. Fun and fundamentals, large motor activities, and a variety of music will all be a part of this class.

Beginner Tap I
This introductory tap class will take you through warm-up, center floor, tap terminology, basics and more.  Beginner tap students usually remain in this level for two years.

Intermediate Tap II  
This theatre-style tap class will cover the basics and more – from simple shuffle to waltz clog to more advanced steps like shim-sham and pullbacks. A guaranteed good time as you “tap your troubles away.” At least two years’ experience is necessary.

Tap Workshop
This full year class focuses on developing tap students into performers. On an invitation-only basis, dancers are taught repertory that encompasses the history of tap dance styles. The instructor /choreographer will stage standard tap dances as well as more contemporary rhythm tap pieces, which will showcase in JCC Outreach programs and the Annual WTD Dance Concert.

Musical Theatre Dance/Jazz I
For the beginner jazz student
Explores a variety of jazz dance styles used on the Broadway Stage, from traditional jazz technique, to contemporary music video style. Children are moved to the next level at the discretion of the instructor.

Musical Theatre Dance/Jazz Styles II
This class will explore hip-hop, traditional Jazz, Modern, and Theatre Dance styles, with emphasis on presentation, proper dance technique, discipline and of course, fun!  Students enrolling must have some prior dance experience and are urged to supplement their jazz training with a weekly ballet class.

Musical Theatre Jazz/Dance for Teens
This Broadway-style jazz class will include warm-up, stretching and flexibility exercises, and a center floor combinations with emphasis on stage presentation and style -  all the skills you would need for musical theatre performances.

Jazz/Hip-Hop Advanced/Beginner
For the jazz dancer with at least 3 years’ prior training. Dancers will expand on the basic techniques of jazz and hip-hop. Class will consist of an energetic warm-up and stretching, and then progress to center combinations and continue with traveling steps. It is highly recommended that jazz students take a weekly ballet class to supplement their jazz training.  Students are moved to the next level at the discretion of the instructor.

Jazz/Hip Hop Jr. Workshop

By invitation only, at the discretion of the instructor. Dancers will expand on warm-up, stretching, center floor work. Jr. Workshop students will also concentrate on choreography and performance
which will be showcased in our Annual WTD Dance Concert.  It is mandatory that Jr. Workshop students take a weekly ballet class to supplement their jazz training.

Jazz/Hip-Hop Sr. Workshop
By invitation only for the experienced jazz dancer. This workshop class consists of advanced warm-up and a strong concentration on choreography and performance which will be showcased in our Annual WTD Dance Concert and JCC outreach programs.  Weekly ballet class is mandatory to supplement jazz training at this level.

Jazz/Hip-Hop - Intermediate
For the jazz dancer with at least 4 years’ prior training, this class teaches classic jazz with a contemporary slant; Hip-Hop, African, Latin, Musical Theatre, Modern Dance and Ballet will be some of the influences. Class will include warm-up, stretching, center work, floor work and then progress across the floor. Students in this class are strongly urged to take a weekly ballet class to supplement their jazz training.

2009-10 Ballet for Children and Teens

Beginner Ballet - Teens  New Day!
It’s never too late to begin classical ballet training. For the teen/young adult interested in learning ballet basics. This class
includes barre work, stretching, and center floor. Students move to the next level at the discretion of the instructor.

Ballet Fundamentals

Children explore a more sophisticated use of movement and imagination as they begin to learn basic ballet fundamentals. They will discover the joy of communicating ideas through movement as they develop their self-esteem and social skills.

Introduction to Classical Ballet
Girls and boys begin formal ballet training, while learning basic ballet vocabulary and correct body placement. Students are taught strength and flexibility exercises needed for beginning levels of ballet. Barre work is introduced in this level.

Ballet: Level 1
Must have at least one year prior ballet experience. Placement audition required for new students.  Children are moved to next level at the discretion of the instructor.

Ballet: Level 2
Must have at least two years prior ballet experience. Placement audition required for new students. Dancers are encouraged to enroll in two weekly classes.

Ballet:  Level 3
Placement audition required. Aspiring Level 4 dancers must come twice weekly and are strongly urged to attend at least three weeks of summer dance at the JCC.

Ballet:  Intermediate Level 4
Placement audition required. Students MUST take all three technique classes for Level 4 Pointe  (see below).

Beginner Pointe:  Level 4
All three Level 4 Technique classes are required, and both Tuesday/Thursday pointe.

Ballet:  Level 5
For advanced dancers, with permission of instructor. Students must take all three Level 5 Technique classes and two Pointe classes.

Pointe:  Level 5 - Technique

Pointe:  Level 5 - Pas De Deux

2009 - 010 Adult Dance Classes
*These classes accept class cards and single-class payment. All other adult classes require enrollment for sessions.

Advanced Beginner Ballet

Intermediate Ballet

Zumba Fitness
Try the new dance sensation - ZUMBA Fitness! ZUMBA is a fusion of Latin and International music - dance themes that create a dynamic, exciting, effective fitness system! The routines feature aerobic/fitness interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body. This class
guarantees a great time and fills up quickly! Registration a must.

Faculty

About the Director, Jayne Santoro
914.472.3300 ext. 320
Jayne has been with the JCC Dance School for more than 25 years, teaching ballet to both children and adults. Her professional dance experience was with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Philadelphia Lyric Opera Company. Jayne had her classical ballet training at the American Ballet Theatre School in NYC. Jayne is the Director and Resident Choreographer for the JCC’s Westchester Theatre of Dance. Jayne also founded Ballet Outreach, a JCC program dedicated to bringing dance performances to children and seniors in Westchester. She teaches beginning to advanced levels at the JCC Dance School.

 

Dance School, Valerie Abrahams
Assistant to the Director  914-472-3300, x349     
Valerie is a writer/editor and journalist who loves desktop publishing, performing arts and cooking. After earning a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School, Valerie worked ten years for various publications in Japan and in New York City. She has worked part-time at the JCC since 1996.

Dance School Instructors:

Catherine Barribal
Catherine received her early dance training at Ballet Etudes in Conn., and the Royal Ballet School in London., Staten Island Ballet as a dancer and then ballet mistress for the company.  She has performed with Connecticut Ballet Theatre, the Alexander Roy Ballet Theatre in London, and has guested with companies in the U.S. and Europe. She has been teaching ballet to adults and children for more than 17 years. She is presently Artistic Director of her own company, Classics Dance Theatre, and continues a busy teaching schedule in Connecticut and New York.

Meghan Burns
Meghan has extensive experience teaching Jazz and Theater Dance to children and teenagers. She created Taking Stages, a dance-training program for 4- to 18-year-olds at New Dance Group Arts Center. She has performed in Off-Broadway shows and choreographed numerous stage performances in New York and Philadelphia. Meghan has taught Jazz and Theatre Dance at SUNY Purchase, New Dance Group Arts Center, Dance Molinari, and Broadway’s Little Soles.

Rita Howerton
Rita spent four years at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, obtaining an M.A. in English Literature. While there, she continued to pursue her life-long passion for the arts, specifically dance, by teaching ballet and hip-hop to students at the University of Edinburgh’s National Centre for Dance, DanceBase. She also choreographed and performed in several large-scale charity events there, helping to raise thousands of dollars for cancer research. Most recently, Rita has participated in modern dance projects with artists such as Jonathan Burnett and Maria Colaco, while teaching at dance studios in Westchester. She lives in NYC, and in her free time, she plays drums in a band with her brother.

Stephanie Knox Madera
Stephanie trained in modern dance and balle