Dance & Creative Movement
New to dance?
Try out the Core Classes:
Creative Movement for Pre-K & K
Intro to Dance for K-1st
Dance I for 2nd-4th
Did you Know??
Our dance program is kept at a reasonable price in order to ensure all families can enjoy the benefits of dance in their children's lives. Please consider making a contribution to our Annual Giving Campaign and/or donating time to help us continue to offer these programs. (Examples include running a booth at a dance event, helping with the logistics of putting on a performance, making costumes, assisting at a family fun day, etc). Active family participation in these programs will ensure their quality and value.
Dance & Creative Movement for Children
(ENROLLING NOW FOR SPRING 2012!)
Creative Movement/Dance classes are designed for boys and girls age 6 months to 13 years to have a joyful dance experience taught by our highly trained and experienced staff. The Richmond District Children's Dance & Family Program, under the direction of Marian Roth-Cramer, prides itself for having many performance opportunities for its students throughout the year as well as fun family activities that unite our diverse members. Dance and movement classes include Modern and Ballet technique, Tap and Jazz.
The Richmond District YMCA’s Children’s Dance Program strives to be a graded dance program in which a student can learn a variety of dance styles if participation extends several years. Introductory classes incorporate traditional dance technique, creative movement improvisations, choreography, colorful props, costumes, singing, and holiday & celebratory dances. Beginning students are encouraged to take one basic dance class per week in their age range (Intro to Dance; Dance I). After a year of learning the basics of technique, the student may add a second or third class per week, i.e. Dance Electives: Ballet, Jazz or Tap.
Dance performance opportunities each year include: Annual Dance Recital; Holiday School Tours; Bay Area National Dance Week; YMCA Annual Giving Campaign events and more.
During the summer, we offer two weeklong specialty camps. Dancers have an opportunity to spend five days in a row honing their dance skills!
For Information about our family and dance programs, please contact Marian Roth-Cramer, Children’s Dance and Family Programs Coordinator at:
(415) 666-9603 or mroth-cramer@ymcasf.org
Spring 2012 Children's Creative Movement Program
“All children birth to age five should engage in daily physical activity that promotes health related fitness and movement skills.” (NASPE, 2002)
Creative Movement for Infants & Toddlers (6mo – 3yrs) + their caregivers
Colorful props, lively music, instruments, songs and simple dances prepare your baby for more complex movement demands. Babies dance in their caretaker’s arms and learn songs and activities you can do at home.
Two days offered per week! Take one or both classes!
Mondays 10:00 - 11:00
$270/Program Members $225/Facility Members (No class on 1/16, 1/23, 2/20, 3/26, and 4/23)
Saturdays 11:00 - Noon
$325/Program Members $270/Facility Members (No class on 2/18 and 4/7)
Creative Movement for Pre-K (3-5 years)
Through creative movement activities (props, costumes, music, choreography) students will learn a variety of skills that will help them to be Kindergarten-ready. They will learn how to move in new ways, interact with peers and express themselves! This is the beginning class in our graded dance program.
Offered three times a week!
Tuesdays 11AM – NOON
Tuesdays 2:30 PM – 3:30PM
$360/Program Members $300/Facility Members (No Class 3/27)
Saturdays 1:30PM – 2:30PM
$325/Program Members $270/Facility Members (No Class 2/18, 4/7)
Spring 2012 Children's Dance Program
Our Children's Dance Program hopes to give every child the chance to learn through dance. Each class builds on skills learned in previous classes, and some require teacher approval to join. There is something for eveyone though. If you have questions about what class your child should enroll in, please contact Marian Roth-Cramer here.
All dancers 3 years old to 13 years old are invited to participate in our 10th Annual Dance Recital!
Introduction to Dance (K-1)
Students will learn basic elements of Modern Dance/Creative Movement through floor warm-ups, center, across the floor, choreography, work with props and costumes. Builds on skills learned in Creative Movement for Pre-K, although there is no official prerequisite.
Tuesdays 3:30 – 4:30
$360/Program Members $300/Facility Members (No Class 3/27)
Saturdays Noon- 1:00
$325/Program Members $270/Facility Members (No Class 2/18, 4/7)
Dance I (Grades 2 – 4)
Dancers will challenge their knowledge of Modern Dance and Creative Movement and will be introduced to basic Ballet technique. Continuation of our graded dance program, building on Intro to Dance.
Tuesdays 4:30 – 5:30
$360/Program Members $300/Facility Members (No Class 3/27)
Tap/Ballet (Grades 1-5)
This class will alternate each week between traditional Tap and classical Ballet. Dancers will work with props & costumes, learn a barre, center, steps across the floor, and choreography. Tap and ballet shoes required. Ballet notebook is included.
$270/Program Members $225/Facility Members (No Class 1/16, 1/23, 2/20, 3/26, 4/23)
Intermediate Dance (Grades 2-6)
Take after Dance I. Students will expand their knowledge of Ballet/Modern Dance/Tap through floor more advanced technique exercises & choreography. Teacher permission required. Part of our graded dance program. Performance opportunities.
Saturdays 2:30 - 3:45
$335/Program Members $280/Facility Members (No Class 2/18, 4/7)
Musical Theatre (Grades 3-8)
This class is for the dancer who is interested in owning “the triple threat” – singing, acting, and dancing. Explore the variety of dance styles popular in musical theatre from Busby Berkeley to today. Performance opportunities.
$335/Program Members $280/Facility Members (No Class 1/16, 1/23, 2/20, 3/26, 4/23
Sports Movement for Boys (Grades K-4)
Boys will learn the physical movements required to perform sports such as basketball, soccer, golf, archery, and more, through creative activities & conditioning exercises. Use of a variety of props & costumes; learn a barre, center, steps across the floor, choreography. Soft soled shoes required.
Wednesdays 3:00 - 4:00
$360/Program Members $300/Facility Members (No Class 3/28)
Jazz I (Grades 1-5)
This class fuses basic Jazz dance technique with ballet technique for a more classical style. Classes include warm-ups, center, across the floor, choreography. Performance opportunities.
Wednesdays 4:00PM – 5:00PM
$360/Program Members $300/Facility Members (No Class 3/28)
Jazz II (Grades 3-8)
Taken after Jazz I; dancers will challenge their knowledge of Jazz dance technique. Classes include warm-ups, center, across the floor, advanced choreography. New students require teacher’s approval. Performance opportunities.
Wednesdays 5:00PM – 6:00PM
$360/Program Members $300/Facility Members (No Class 3/28)
Advanced Dance (Grades 4 – 8)
This class includes study in Modern, Tap, Ballet II and Pointe. A challenging class for the serious student; includes floor warm-ups, barre, center, across the floor, choreography, props & costumes. This is the final class of our graded dance program. Performance opportunities. Teacher permission required.
Saturdays 4:30PM – 6:30PM
$550/Program Members $500/Facility Members (No Class 2/18, 4/7)
10th Annual Dance Recital
Dancers age 3-13 years are invited to participate in this exciting annual event made possible by separate Participation Fees and Parent Volunteers. Theatre Location and Date: TBA. Dancer Photos & Recital DVD to be produced. A wonderful culmination of your child’s study of dance.
Policies and Etiquette
1. All students need to have an updated children's dance registration form signed by parent/guardian.
2. All students need to be signed in to program each day by a parent or authorized adult.
3. Please wait with siblings in Studio 2 if available. Ms Marian’s ARTCART has books, crafts, puzzles, games for those little, waiting fingers!
4. Students may not change clothes in public areas of the YMCA - Please use the children's restroom or the office closet next to Ms. Marian's desk. Parents should accompany children to changing rooms and wait for them. Students should not use the adult locker rooms unless accompanied by an adult.
5. Please be on time; teacher may decline entrance if student is 15 minutes + late.
6. Please advise your dance teachers of any health or scheduling conflicts OUTSIDE of the teaching block. You may call, leave a message in the teacher's box or email them.
7. Personal items should be stored on the shelf at Studio 1's entrance or on the floor near Studio 2. DO NOT place items on Spinner Bikes or Steps.
8. Observations by parents should be limited to the first class of semester or end of semester demos or looking through the glass doors. As we agree, it is fun to watch your child progress, the youngest students become easily distracted when mom or dad is in the studio. Teaching the child to focus on the teacher is a huge part of the learning process. You can help.
9. NO FOOD OR DRINK allowed in studios.
10. Children should stay away from windows and staircases. Parents should intervene if they observe behavior that may be considered unsafe or hazardous to others. Immediately, call Y staff if you see anything deemed dangerous or an emergency. Remember, "it takes a village." Safety first.
What to Wear?
All students must wear proper dance attire & footwear to class
ABSOLUTELY NO B
If you have forgotten your dancewear/footwear, you may borrow - for the day - from Ms
DANCE PROGRAM
Advanced: Girls: tights, leotard, skirt or short tutu, pink ballet slippers, pointe shoes, dance sneakers. Boys: stretch dance pants, white t-shirt, black ballet slippers, dance sneakers.
Ballet: Girls: tights, leotard, skirt or short tutu, ballet slippers. Boys: stretch pants, white t-shirt, ballet slippers.
Intro to Dance; Dance I, Intermediate: Girls: pink & black tights, pink or black leotard, circle skirt, pink ballet slippers, tap shoes. Boys: stretch pants, white t-shirt, ballet slippers or jazz shoes & tap shoes.
Jazz: Girls: leotard, black bike shorts with or without pink tights underneath, jazz shoes or dance sneakers. Boys: black stretch pants, white t-shirt, jazz shoes or dance sneakers.
Musical Theatre: Girls: your choice tights, leotard, circle skirt, or jazz pants, ballet slippers or jazz shoes, tap shoes. Boys: stretch pants, white t-shirt, ballet slippers or jazz shoes & tap shoes.
Tap: Girls: pink & black tights, black leotard, circle skirt, tap shoes. Boys: stretch pants, white t-shirt, tap shoes.
CREATIVE MOVEMENT
Infant/Toddler: Comfortable clothes for baby/toddler & caregiver, and socks w/treads for toddler. No zippers for kids, please!
PERFORMANCES
Annual Dance Recital: There is a nominal Participation Fee charged for this year end event; students borrow their stage costumes, however, they are asked to provide their own tights (pink or black) and possibly leotard (black)
Recommended Ballet Slippers: Balera, Bloch, Sansha, Capezio. (I do not recommend buying from Payless or Nordstrom) Choose a shoe that is flexible enough so that a young dancer can point his/her foot. BALERA’s split sole leather (#B30) and split sole canvas (#B20) run under $15; SANSHA makes a split sole canvas shoe (#15C) for $10 online and a split sole leather (#15L) for $14; BLOCH’s (#S0203G) is a split sole leather for $23. The more advanced dancer should consider BLOCH’s new Pro Elastic (#S0621) for about $17. When ordering online, please follow the specific FITTING instructions for each make.
Recommended Tap Shoes: Theatrical, Capezio, Bloch, Balera all online. (Payless has a good tap shoe, but, they do not have treads on the sole, an asset when dancing, and can run $20+.) Capezio (#N625); Bloch (#S0352); Theatrical (#T9000C); Balera (#B60 & #B70) are all under $20. Please note: We have a box full of donated tap shoes, which you may borrow for the year. You may NOT wear them without socks or tights.
Recommended Jazz Shoes: Capezio, Sansha, Balera. Prices and styles vary from online to local dance shops, but, dance sneakers are replacing the jazz shoe, so the traditional shoe is getting more difficult to find, however, if you have a durable jazz shoe, you may wear it. There is one dance sneaker for children made by Sansha, sold by dancewearsolutions.com for under $30 in pink (Airy #Q13) which is an excellent alternative to the jazz shoe. Ms. Monique has asked that NO ballet slippers be worn this year.
Recommended Dance Sneakers: There are many dance sneakers out there, now. For example, the Sansha Blitz 3 (#S33M) comes in red & black for $38; Sansha silver & black Electron (#P45M) is $35; Balera’s Elevation (#B190) for $33 online. Read fitting instructions. Please see Ms
Where to Buy
Locally:
San Francisco Dancewear - 659 Mission Street, between 2nd Street and 3rd Street (check out their $10 bin!). 415-882-7087 www.sfdancewear.com
Capezio 1887 Dance Shop - 2206 Union Street. 415-441-1887
Online:
www.dancewearsolutions.com - Based in St. Louis, MO. Their brand BALERA is excellent, reasonably priced, and made in factories in the St. Louis area!
www.discountdance.com - California based company, with fast delivery.
Registration Information:
If you would like to register for the Children's Creative Movement and Dance Program, you can download the forms here:
Children's Dance Program Registration Form
Return both to the branch to sign up.
If you are already a Richmond District YMCA member, you can register online!
Click “Register Online,” then “Browse by Location,” then “Richmond District YMCA,” then “Youth Sports” and you’re there! Create a login and password to continue.
Please call 415-666-9622 or visit the branch if you have any problems registering online. You must have a valid membership to use this system.
Dance Classes are based on semesters and prices vary based on number of class hours. No refunds are given for any membership type. Please make up missed classes. Registration for Dance Classes ends on January 31, 2012. Classes will NOT be pro-rated for late sign-ups.
Members can enroll in Creative Movement classes after January 31st, depending on space available. Please contact Lara Rempel, Director of Youth and Family Programs here or at 415-666-9605, if you have questions about enrollment.
Fees:
Fees for our dance and creative movement classes are different for each membership type and are based on the number of class hours.
Program Membership: $50 annual fee plus class fees per semester or session.
Facility Membership: Monthly price varies. Visit our membership page here for more information.
All membership levels are eligable for a monthly draft for dance program fees. Please visit our Membership Desk if you would like to set-up automatic monthly payment.
Financial assistance, to the extent possible, is made available through the generosity of our members and donors. Please inquire at the Member Services Desk for an application or download one here. All applications take 3 weeks to process. For more information, contact Lara Rempel, Youth & Family Programs Director, at 415-666-9605.
Meet the Children's Creative Movement and Dance Instructors!
Marian Roth-Cramer, BA, MFA
Children's Dance and Family Programs Coordinator
(415) 666-9603
Teaches: Advanced Dance, Creative Movement for Infants & Toddlers, Creative Movement for Pre K, Dance I, Dance Production Workshop, Family Folk Dance, Pointe, Intermediate Dance, Intro to Dance, Sewing Workshop, Sports Movement for Boys, Tap.
Marian has a 32-year career in performing, teaching, choreographing and directing dance companies. She earned her MFA (Masters of Fine Arts) Degree in Dance and Choreography from Mills College in Oakland, and her B.A. in Theater and Dance from Barat College in Illinois, and she completed 2 years work towards Dance Therapy Masters. Miss Marian has taught dance to over 25,000 San Francisco children since 1983 in SF Unified School District and Bay Area private schools. She wrote the book, "Creative Movement for Young Children" that has been used by dance specialists and elementary school teachers since 1980 and in 2001 she produced a promotional video featuring her work with Creative Movement for infants and toddlers.
Monique Brown
Teaches: Tap I, Jazz I, Jazz II
Monique started dancing at the young age of three with the Peters Wright School of Creative Dance. Her professional dance training began when she was accepted into the professional training program at the prestigious San Francisco Ballet School. This was followed by training and performing with the company in various ballets such as "the Nutcracker" and "Cinderella". Monique went on to dance professionally with various ballet and jazz companies. Throughout her carreer, Monique danced several principal roles such as "The Black Swan" in "Swan Lake," "Snow Queen" in "The Nutcraker," and "Copellia," as well as many others. At the Richmond District YMCA Monique teaches Jazz I & II and Adult Ballet.
Check out our Dance Apparel!
Dance Bags come in your choice of silver & black or pink & black.
We offer two types of dance apparel Combo Packs for $50 each.
Studio Pack Includes: Long sleeved red zip hoodie and dance bag with water bottle, hair ties, comb & brush.
Performance Pack Includes: Long sleeved red zip hoodie and dance bag with water bottle, approved colors of lipstick & eyeshadow.