Children's Class Decriptions 2008-2009

please click on the program for more info
Dance | Drama | Writing | Art | Music | Filmmaking

Dance Program

Creative Movement (ages 3-7)
An exploration of the basic elements of dance: space, time, energy and body awareness. With the help of props, music and imagination, these elements are introduced through creative movement games, problem solving exercises and improvisation.

Modern (ages 9 & up)
Designed to develop technical skills, including alignment, balance, strength, and endurance. This class continues the exploration of the basic elements of dance: space, time, energy and body awareness. Students combine more complex principles such as level changes, dynamic range and different qualities of movement through rhythmic activities, improvisation and structured compositional exercises.

Art of Making Dances (ages 9 & up)
In this class the students are guided towards finding their individual creative voice.  While manipulating the basic elements of dance; space, shape, time and energy, and using specific concepts such as theme and variation and improvisation, they are learning how dances are constructed and exploring the various ways of making dances.

Pre Ballet (ages 5-6)
Beginning with stretching and strengthening exercises on the floor and using basic ballet and creative movement exercises, the students will learn proper ballet positions,  develop strength, coordination and learn to move gracefully.  The class is designed for children to experience the joy of dance, enrich their skills, and learn to appreciate of this art form.

Ballet (ages 7 & up)
This class will consist of a ballet barre, center floor work and traveling sequences across the floor. The class is designed to enhance correct anatomical placement as well as develop strength, flexibility and grace of movement.

Tap (ages 5 & up)
An introduction to the basic technique and style of tap dance. Through creative rhythmic activities, each child will develop a sense of articulation and coordination.

Hip Hop (ages 7 & up)
Move your body to the urban beat in Hip Hop!  Students will explore rhythm and cultivate coordination in this class, which combines the best of dance technique, popular culture, and self-expression.

Hip Hop for Tots (ages 5-6)
Move your body to the urban beat in Hip Hop!  Students will explore rhythm and cultivate coordination in this class, which combines the best of dance technique, popular culture, and self-expression.

Pointe Technique (ages 12 & up)
Students will learn the fundamentals of Pointe technique, alignment and proper placement required for this demanding aspect of classical ballet. Students joining this class must be 12 years of age or older, must take two technique classes per week, and must be assessed by the ballet instructor from CAS.

Yoga For Teens
Enjoy a creative approach to yoga that encourages self-expression and imagination. Teens are introduced to postures, flow, breathing techniques and visualization that can be applied to everyday life situations; yoga reduces stress and improves focus and concentration.

Elite Fitness Studio (Affiliate Program) will be holding these classes at 111 Union St. to register contact Director David Cascia @ Elite Fitness Studio 718-596-0006, please visit website www.elitetrainingandfitness.com

Fit Play (ages 5-8)
This class will focus on basic tumbling skills.  The students will have fun while mastering the art of summer saults (both forward and back), cartwheels, handstands, headstands, back bends, dive rolls, and fish flops.  The students will learn the proper stretching and strengthening techniques that will help them develop the basic skills necessary for this class, while improving their coordination, flexibility, balance and endurance.

Tumble and Roll (ages 3-5)
This class will focus on basic tumbling skills.  The students will have fun while mastering the art of summer saults (both forward and back), cartwheels, handstands, headstands, back bends, dive rolls, and fish flops.  The students will learn the proper stretching and strengthening techniques that will help them develop the basic skills necessary for this class, while improving their coordination, flexibility, balance and endurance.

Drama Program

Creative Drama (ages 7-9)
Using theatre and movement games, the students will explore a range of dramatic scenarios.  They will create their own short original pieces, study character development and will perform regularly for each other.  It is here where they will be given the tools to become a performing artist.

Musical Theatre (ages 8 & up)
Using songs from popular musicals, the students will explore character development combining elements of drama, song, and dance simultaneously. This class is designed to help students find their own unique voice to tell a story through the great American musical.

Writing Program

Creative Arts Director Sherri Hellman and award-winning playwright Crystal Skillman developed the C.A.S. Writing Program to create a supportive, challenging environment for writers of all ages.

Writer’s Collective (ages 9 & up)
Want to write a novel? Short story? Play? Through writing games and challenging exercises this class helps preteen writers explore different mediums of writing and focus on creating the pieces they want to write. By sharing the work with their fellow writers in this nurturing group, students learn helpful ways to give and receive feedback and how to revise.  At the end of the year, the writers read selected pieces at our Writers Celebration, a professional reading in the neighborhood for family

Music Program

Our World, Our Music
In this class students will be introduced to a wide range of music styles, time periods and origins from around the world. Genre units include, Musical Theater, Classical, Jazz, Folk, and music of different cultures; African, Latin, Asian, East-Asian etc. We will listen to, watch, learn, dance to and perform music of all of these genres!

Composers Collective  Songwriters Workshop Ensemble (ages 9 & up)Have you always wanted to write your own songs? Here is the perfect opportunity! Students will learn basic lyric and songwriting tools in order to write their own music!  Each student will experiment writing in different music genres in order to find their own voice. Students are encouraged to bring an instrument they play in order to explore the ideas of ensemble and developing a band.

Art Program

Artscetera (Affiliate Program) will be holding these classes at CAS
to register contact Director Nanette DeCillis 718-643-6817, please visit website www.artscetera.com

Arfie’s Art & Play (ages 2 & up)
In Arfie’s Playgroup, kids will experience a variety of play and art activities, and, like Sharon’s popular playgroup class, will help your child discover the art of sharing and playing with new friends - just like in pre-school. However, Vicki will incorporate the music of our new Arfie song collections in the activities and art projects that the kids will do each week. Developed and taught by Vicki Devor.

Art Adventures (ages 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 )
Art is FUN!  We want to take your child on an art adventure, exploring many ideas and all sorts of materials. As your children express their own creativity, the process of making art also enhances learning skills, eye-hand coordination, decision making and even problem solving!  Children will be guided, but they will create their own way of making art.  Taught by Vicki Devor.   (Drop-off is optional)

Art Playgroup (ages 2 & up)
Introduce your child to the world of pre-school in a relaxed, creative environment. Classes help your child transition from free play to structured group activities, including art, music, movement, cooking and story time. Throughout, the children are encouraged and supported to work independently.  Developed by Sharon Enlow. 

Play School  (ages3-4)
Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 9:30 to 12 noon.
Playschool! is based upon the creative-play model, recognized and advocated as one of the most powerful and developmentally appropriate methodologies to support children in their personal, social, intellectual and artistic growth. We believe that this return to basics in the early childhood classroom will ground children and their families, in contrast to high pressure, highly goal-oriented trends that minimize the value of play as a critical component of a child’s foundation for learning. Children will engage in music, art, language and social activities based in play, under the direction of credentialed early childhood teachers and ArtsCetera staffers. Maximum of 12 children per group; call or email to receive a Playschool! information packet.

Filmmaking

The Artist Niche (Affiliate Program) will be holding this classes at CAS
to register contact Andrea Wong  917.859.0592, please visit website www.artistniche.com

Young Filmmakers Niche
is a mentor and training filmmaking program for young adults ages 13 and up.  Students will learn and experience all aspects of production from the development phase, through pre-production, production and finally post-production. Each student will have the opportunity to shoot their own project and participate in other productions.  They will complete three projects during the academic year: a silent movie, a music video and a short narrative. By the end of the program, students will present their movies to a public audience.

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