CHILDREN’S CLASSES

The children’s classes are now run by HARLEQUINS THEATRE SCHOOL

June 2020
I’d just like to say a huge thank you to the many children I’ve taught over the last 20 years, and to the parents for trusting me with their children and sending them to my dance classes. 

I hope all the children I’ve taught – some of whom will be parents themselves by now – will look back fondly on the time they spent learning to dance with with Dance Generation.  I hope that everyone enjoyed the excitement, the costumes and the thrill of performing at our annual dance show and if you took IDTA Dance Examinations – that you feel proud of your achievements. 

But, most of all, I hope that Dance Generation gave you confidence, helped you feel fitter and happier and that you made new friends through coming to the dance classes.  And, whenever any of you catch a song on the radio that we did a routine to – you smile and remember.

I’m now retiring from teaching the children (Summer 2020) – but I am still running the adult classes as well as concentrating more on teaching Yoga.  So, if you fancy joining me for a dance or a stretch – pop on down to any class.

I leave you in the very capable hands of Debbie & Zoe – who run Harlequins and look forward to coming along to a dance show of theirs one of these days.

With much love

Maria x

www.harlequins-theatre.com     

 

Attending a weekly dance class I’d just like to s – just for fun – has so many more benefits than just the obvious ones.  As well as helping children move their bodies, dancing also helps to increase their confidence and social skills.  Dancing means new friends, new music and new skills to learn – that’s so much more than moving your feet to music.

These days kids don’t get as many opportunities for physical play as previous generations…..so instead of playing outside, climbing trees or riding bikes, children now spend a lot of time sitting in front of the TV or computer screen or playing on their ipads or Playstations.

At Dance Generation we are passionate about doing our best to get children motivated and moving again by offering them an activity that’s great fun to do, not too difficult, and that most of them enjoy – especially as many of them now want to be able to dance just like the pop groups on the TV!

At Dance Generation all our dancers are treated equally and everyone, regardless of age or ability gets to shine at the front! We never just put our best dancers at the front and centre, either on stage, at classes or during Exams. We want our pupils to enjoy their dancing and look forward to classes. There is never any pressure to ‘get it right’ and we never judge or compare anyone – all we ask is that you try your best!

DANCE STYLES
Dance Generation classes are a mix of popular dance styles including FREESTYLE, DISCO, STREET DANCE, JAZZ and LYRICAL. We have also recently introduced some CONTEMPORARY style dance routines for the older children, as many of them now study GCSE or BTEC dance at school.
We follow the Key Stages 1/2/3 taught at schools and the IDTA Freestyle Syllabus.  In addition to teaching routines, all classes start with a warm up followed by a series of dance exercises, which are designed to help with co-ordination, balance, rhythm and body awareness. We also often include fun confidence builders in the form of dance games and we actively encourage our pupils to get to know their dance class ‘mates’ and make new friends. Most of our classes have two teachers and a student teacher.

CLASSES TO SUIT ALL AGES
Classes are generally split by age group/school year – ie PRIMARY CLASS is for children aged from 4 (Reception class) to age 7 (Year 3). JUNIORS are school years 4/5/6 and the SENIOR class is for children aged 11 & over (from school Y7). However, we also take into consideration the ability of our dancers, which means that if any of our dancers are exceptionally talented, we would place them in the class we believed was most suited to their ability – regardless of age.

TERM TIMES – All childrens classes run in conjunction with the schools – so we break for Summer, Easter & Xmas and all Half Terms.

SHOWS & EXAMS
We follow the IDTA Freestyle Syllabus.  Although are dance classes are primarily for fun, we do offer all pupils the opportunity to take IDTA Dance Examinations and we hold a fully costumed DANCE SHOW & AWARDS EVENING at the Mick Jagger Centre every summer. See NEWS & EVENTS page for more info. We are fully insured and all staff are DBS Checked and hold First Aid Certificates.

COST
All children’s classes are £6 per lesson – payable Half Termly in advance after a SIX WEEK TRIAL. The first class is FREE.