- Spencer Family YMCA
- • Y Programs
- Dance
Announcements
Picture Day
Specific times for dancers to be available will be announced soon.
Wednesday, May 24 & Thursday, May 25
Recital dress rehearsals
Friday, May 26 & Saturday, May 26
Recitals
Dance
2016-2017
The Spencer Family YMCA's Studio of Dance strives to teach your children proper technique and form in a relaxed atmosphere in which the students feel like an important part of their class as each child is unique and special. Instructors are dedicated to helping dancers become their best by developing their existing talents and working with them to overcome their weaknesses. We welcome dancers of all ages and backgrounds to the Studio of Dance and who are looking forward to an exciting season.
Classes and schedules maybe subject to changes due to class size and/or enrollment. With over 125 students enrolled in the past, the YMCA School of Dance Studio is the place to enroll your child in dance in the Spencer and surrounding areas. We offer a wide variety of classes including ballet, pointe, lyrical, hip hop, tap, jazz, and competition company team! If you have any questions regarding the Studio of Dance, please contact the Director of Dance, Erin Elliott, at eelliott@spencerymca.org or call 712-262-3782
We offer a wide variety of classes for ages 2 to adult!
Class Descriptions
Advanced Ballet, Tap, Jazz & Lyrical
9th-12th Grade Ballet, Jazz & Lyrical 1 Hour
Tap is 30 Mins
Recommended for dancers who have completed Combo 1, 2, 3, and test out of Intermediate classes. Students enrolled in this class should have mastered the skills and technique taught in the Intermediate level classes. This class will expand on leaps, turns, and jumps while providing students with more advanced technical curriculum. This class is highly recommended for the student looking to take their dance education to the next level!
Dress Code: Any color leotard, any color tights, ballet shoes for ballet (pink for girls and black for boys), tan tap shoes for tap, and tan jazz shoes for jazz and lyrical. Lyrical shoes are allowed for class. A ballet skirt or shorts may be worn over tights.
Baby Ballet
2-4 year olds, 30 Mins
This is the perfect class for children that have never been in a classroom setting before and are still working towards participating in a dance class all by themselves. Dancers will learn ballet positions and exercises, along with beginner dance terminology. They will begin to develop basic motor skills such as galloping, marching, hopping, skipping, and running. This class will also introduce the young dancers to many new life lessons such as taking turns, listening, following directions, and making new friends!
Dress Code: Any color leotard, any color tights, and ballet shoes (pink for girls and black for boys). A ballet skirt or shorts may be worn over tights.
Baton Beginner, Intermediate & Advance
5-18 years of age, 30 Minutes
Baton Twirling is a sport involving the manipulation of a metal rod and the human body to a coordinated routine and is similar to rhythmic gymnastics. Baton twirling combines dance, agility, coordination, flexibility gymnastics and much more while manipulating a single baton or multiple batons. It is primarily performed with the accompaniment of music. Fundamental characteristics of the sport include the handling of the baton to create visual images, pictures, and patterns executed with dexterity both close in and around the body and the proper release of the baton into the air. The discipline requires the simultaneous blending of these fundamental characteristics, utilizing time and space to display both technical merit and artistic expression. As a twirler continues to challenge themselves, they will progress from Beginner, to Intermediate, then to Advance.
Dress Code: Form fitting dancewear or athletic wear and jazz shoes. No baggy clothing.
Combo 1- Ballet & Tap
K-1st Grade, 1 Hour
In Combo 1, students will be taught ballet positions, legs and arms, as well as beginning ballet and tap combos, steps, and terminology. A ballet barre will be introduced for proper learning. This class adds another layer onto the student’s dance training. Tap will be incorporated as a fun way to work with rhythm and timing.
Dress Code: Any color leotard, any color tights, ballet shoes for ballet (pink for girls and black for boys), and tan tap shoes for tap. A ballet skirt or shorts may be worn over tights.
Combo 2- Ballet, Tap, & Jazz
2nd-3rd Grade, 1.5 Hours
In Combo 2 each style is taught in 30 minute increments. The ballet barre is expanded upon for use of teaching correct technique, alignment, and placement. Students will continue learning ballet terminology, as well as musical awareness and working with others in a learning environment. Our sequential tap program continues with work on coordination and timing and will expand into combinations used to expand memorization. Ballet barre, stretches, jumps, turns, adagio, and combinations will be taught. Different tap syles and steps continue to develop and enrich the tap curriculum. In addition, the style of jazz will be introduced through across-the-floor drills and combinations.
Dress Code: Any color leotard, any color tights, ballet shoes for ballet (pink for girls and black for boys), tan tap shoes for tap, and tan jazz shoes for jazz. A ballet skirt or shorts may be worn over tights.
Combo 3- Ballet, Tap, & Jazz
4th-5th Grade, 1.5 Hours
In Combo 3, the ballet barre will be expanded upon for use of teaching technique, alignment, and placement. Various barre warm-ups will be taught in order to introduce new movements and increase technique and flexibility. Students will apply the movements they have previously learned by performing across the floor combinations and center combinations. Our tap program continues to work on movements and timing. Short combinations, across the floor drills, and simple time steps will be taught that will incorporate previously learned tap movements. Our jazz program is designed to build upon movements the students have already learned. A variety of turns, jumps, and leaps will be introduced. Students will perform across the floor drills designed to incorporate previous knowledge with new movements, as the dancers begins to develop proper jazz technique.
Dress Code: Any color leotard, any color tights, ballet shoes for ballet (pink for girls and black for boys), tan tap shoes for tap, and tan jazz shoes for jazz. A ballet skirt or shorts may be worn over tights.
Company Class
2nd-12th Grade, Class Time TBD
This class is upon acceptance only after audition. All dancers interested in being considered for placement in a solo, duet, trio, or group routines. Dancers will be evaluated during an intensive audition. Due to the limited number of routines allowed per studio at competitions, we won’t be able to accept all requests. Dancers will perform at various events throughout the year as well as three competitions. We will determine the best placement for each individual child based on their audition, behavior, and skill level. Dancers will notice tremendous growth in technique, stage presence, and confidence through the season.
Dress Code: Form fitting dancewear or athletic wear and jazz shoes.
Hippity Hop
4-5 year olds, 30 Mins
Hippity Hop is intended to introduce the world of hip-hop dance to the very young, beginning dancer. In this high energy class, dancers will focus on movement, rhythm, and flexibility. Children will be urged to show their creativity through movement, music, and play. Dancers will begin floor work, across-the-floor drills, stretches, and exercises. Dancers will also begin learning basic choreography and hip-hop terminology. We recommend ALL our beginner dancers take Pre-Dance either subsequently or prior to enrolling in Hippity-Hop.
Dress Code: Any comfortable dancewear or athletic wear. Please nothing too baggy so the instructor can still see the dancers core for proper alignment and technique placement.
Hip-Hop Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced
1st-12th Grade, 30 Hour
Hip-Hop is a blend of today’s high energy “street style” movement. Typically, Hip-Hop is performed to popular rap, R&B, and pop music together with movements presented in an age appropriate manner. This style of dance has been very sought after by teens, preteens, and the “young at heart.” Classes include warm-up, exercises, stretches, across-the-floor drills, stalls, and unique choreography. Hip-Hop encompasses movement that has elements of popping, locking, breaking, tutting, and krumping as well as freestyle movement to give students the opportunity to develop their own sense of style. Students are definitely encouraged to get creative in this class!
Dress Code: Any comfortable dancewear or athletic wear. Please nothing too baggy so the instructor can still see the dancers core for proper alignment and technique placement.
Intermediate Ballet, Tap, Jazz, & Lyrical
6th-8th Grade Ballet, Jazz & Lyrical 1 Hour
Tap is 30 Mins
Recommended for dancers, who have completed Combo 1, 2, and 3. In our Intermediate classes ballet barre will again be used to focus on alignment, placement, and technique. Students will learn a variety of barre warm ups, incorporating and adding variations to movements previously learned to increase strength and flexibility. Center and across the floor combinations will be taught, incorporating new movements learned at barre. Advanced leaps, jumps, and turns will also be introduced. In our tap program, students will focus primarily on learning new combinations and time steps. Students at this level will also begin increasing speed and clarity of sound from their tap shoes. Our jazz program will combine movements previously learned with new movements. Students will be taught advanced leaps and turns that will be combined with previous knowledge in across-the-floor drill and center combinations.
Dress Code: Any color leotard, any color tights, ballet shoes for ballet (pink for girls and black for boys), tan tap shoes for tap, and tan jazz shoes for jazz and lyrical. Lyrical shoes are allowed for class. A ballet skirt or shorts may be worn over tights.
Pre-Dance
4-5 year olds, 30 Mins
This is the perfect class to introduce the world of dance to the very young, beginning dancer. Dancers will focus on movement, rhythm, and flexibility. Children will be urged to show their creativity through movement, music, and play. Dancers will do floor work, across the floor drills, and stretches. They will also begin learning basic choreography and dance terminology. This class will incorporate ballet and tap skills.
Dress Code: Any color leotard, any color tights, and ballet shoes (pink for girls and black for boys). A ballet skirt or shorts may be worn over tights.
Pre-Pointe & Pointe
6th-8th Grade Pre-Pointe, 30 Mins
9th-12 Grade Pointes, 1 Hour
Pointe is only open to dancers who have mastered the necessary level of ballet and have been approved by Erin and Emily. Pre-Pointe is a 30 min class mixed in with Intermediate Ballet. Pointe is a hour class and is run similarly to other ballet classes in terms of focus and discipline. The difference, however, is that students wear pointe shoes- ballet shoes with a hard, full soled shank and a boxed toe, so that the ballerina may go fully onto pointe while in relevé. Pointe is for the more advanced ballet dancer and requires two years of ballet and one year of Pre-Pointe, as well as instructor permission in order to participate. As our young dancers grow, we emphasize the importance of making decisions that will ensure our dancers’ future health. Not everyone is made for Pointe class, so ankle and foot bone structure, stage of growth, and strength must all be considered.
Pom-Beginner & Intermediate
1st-8th Grade, Beginner 30 Minutes, Intermediate 1 Hour
The pom dance classes focus on preparing dancers for high school, college, or professional dance teams. Students learn to use sharp, precise, and technical movements to a fast tempo style of music. Pom dance emphasizes uniformity, precision, and spatial awareness while utilizing poms to create maximum visual effects. Dancers build team spirit while learning routines with basic, counted, precision steps. This class will also include skills that are required by dance teams such as jumps, leaps, and turns.
Dress Code: Fitted athletic wear or dance wear and tan jazz shoes.
If you have any questions regarding placement of your child, contact the Y at (712) 262-3782 or eelliott@spencerymca.org
Dance Attire
At the YMCA Studio of Dance, a traditional dress code is followed so that instructors can view body alignment, focus on proper technique, and avoid competition. Having all students dressed to a standard makes it possible for the instructor to more easily notice incorrect positions and movements to make the appropriate corrections before any "bad habits" are formed. Dress codes also promote focus and a stronger work ethic in class to ensure your dancer is getting the most out of his or her dance classes!
The specific requirements of our Dress Code can be found in the Class Description Summaries above. Appropriate shoes MUST be worn in each class. Sizing kits are available at the YMCA to properpy size and fit your dancer for shoes. Leotards and tights are also available for purchase. You are not required to purchase your dancewear from our studio, however, it is required that the dancer’s shoes be the correct color. According to the Dress Code, Ballet shoes should be pink, Tap shoes should be tan, and Jazz shoes should be tan in color.