This class introduces students to modern dance technique through fun, focused movement inspired by influential dance styles. Students will build strength, coordination, musicality, and body awareness while learning how movement connects to expression and storytelling. Technique is taught as both skill-building and creative exploration, encouraging students to discover how their own bodies move best. Influences from ballet, jazz, yoga, and creative movement support healthy habits and confidence in the “whole dancer.”

In Dance Composition, students explore how dances are made through guided improvisation, creative prompts, and group activities. Students will learn how to turn ideas, feelings, and stories into movement while discovering their own movement preferences. The class emphasizes imagination, collaboration, and sharing ideas respectfully. Through simple feedback and reflection, students gain confidence as young choreographers and develop a deeper understanding of dance as a creative and expressive art form

In this course, students will learn and rehearse an original dance created for the final performance. The class focuses on teamwork, performance skills, musicality, and dancing together as an ensemble. Students are encouraged to share ideas and reflect on the process, helping them feel connected to the work. Emphasis is placed on collaboration, focus, and expressive movement, culminating in a confident and joyful performance.

This course offers an immersive exploration of modern concert dance technique rooted in the traditions of Hanya Holm, Martha Graham, Katherine Dunham, and José Limón. Through daily classes, students develop strength, musicality, and dynamic range while engaging with the historical and cultural contexts of these forms. Technique is approached as both physical training and artistic inquiry, encouraging dancers to explore personal movement affinities and connect technical rigor to expressive, intentional performance.

Dance Composition introduces students to the creative process of dance-making through improvisation, choreographic studies, and structured prompts. Emphasis is placed on understanding not only how dances are made, but why. Students explore personal movement patterns, develop individual choreographic voices, and practice collaborative feedback using established feedback frameworks. The course empowers students to take ownership of artistic choices while deepening their relationship to dance as a personal and expressive art form.

In this course, students will learn and rehearse an original dance work for the final performance. The class focuses on developing performance quality, musicality, and ensemble clarity while engaging deeply with the choreographic process. Students are invited to contribute creative input through discussion, reflection, and guided exploration, fostering a sense of shared ownership. Emphasis is placed on collaboration, intentional artistry, and embodying choreography with confidence and expressive integrity, culminating in a polished performance.

This class will introduce music theory & ear training basics. From note names of the treble, bass, and alto clefs to simple meters, key signatures, and an introduction to the elements of rhythm, students will begin to build their music theory toolbox. Students will challenge their ears to hear melodic and rhythmic patterns and notate them on the staff. They will sight-sing as a class and experience deep listening to develop their ears and ability to hear modes of music, tempo, and instrumentation.

This class review then expands upon the basics of music theory and ear training as described in our Music Theory & Aural Skills 1 class. Students will experience: identifying, playing, and writing the different scales and modes, interval training, simple & compound meters & rhythmic development, and an introduction to chords, inversion, melodic writing, and beginning analysis. They will sight-sing as a class and experience deep listening to develop their ears.

"Folk Dancing and Game Song" will focus on the folk traditions of North America and the British Isles. Each participant will experience cooperation with others through 'social dances.' These dances and games have been used for generations to bring people together for celebration and to show respect for each other. In addition, each participant will experience the expressive qualities of music through movement as well as develop their intuition for the beat in music. Our singers and instrumentalists will build community while working expressively together as a team.

Students will participate in popular lawn games and activities, including but not limited to cornhole, giant Jenga, frisbee, bocce ball, and a plethora of other games that will engage students physically and cognitively. There may also be a chance to take a few Yoga classes with Ms. Stocker!

Students will be placed by ability and level to participate in a group piano class. The lab has 10 individual electric pianos, where students will work on their technical development, sight reading, and musicianship through piano repertoire. Each student will receive both individualized and group instruction through this elective.

Discover a brand-new way to create music with hands-on experience and coaching from an internationally ranked and touring beatbox artist. Students will acquire strength and flexibility from beatboxing that directly translates to singing technique and proper breath support.