Children's Class Decriptions | Fall 2010

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Dance | Drama | Music | Art | Writing

*Affiliate Programs

Dance Program

Ballet
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.

Creative Movement (ages 3-4)
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.

*Fit Play (ages 5-8)
This class is designed to introduce our children to healthy lifestyle habits through fun educational activities.  Each lesson has a theme and a basic objective.  Your child will play, exercise and learn all at the same time.

Elite Fitness Studio (Affiliate Program) will be holding this class at 111 Union Street. To register contact Director, David Cascia, @ Elite Fitness Studio 718.596.0006 or www.elitetrainingandfitness.com

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.

Modern (ages 7 & up)
This class is designed to develop technical skills, including alignment, balance, strength, and endurance. Students will explore the basic elements of dance: space, time, energy and body awareness while combining more complex principles such as level changes, dynamic range and different qualities of movement through rhythmic activities, improvisation and stretching.

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 while learning to move gracefully.  The class is designed for children to experience the joy of dance, enrich their technical skills, and learn to appreciate this art form.

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.

Taps & Tutus (ages 4-5)
This combination class is designed for children who have taken creative movement and are gearing up for a beginner technique class. It is an excellent introduction to basic vocabulary and fundamentals of tap and ballet with an emphasis on imagination and creative learning. They will develop coordination, musicality, rhythm and grace while having lots of fun!

*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.

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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.

Let’s Make a Musical
Students come together in the ultimate collaboration of creating and performing an original musical. Combining elements of voice, acting, and dance as well as direction and design to culminate in an original CAS production where each student's special talents will have a chance to shine.

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.

Music Program

I Want To Be A Rock Star
Grab a mic! In this class children will learn vocal performance and song interpretation techniques and rockin' moves to live out the dream of being a big pop star.

* Arfie’s Music Adventures (ages 1 1/2 - 2 1/2)
ArtsCetera’s own music program is based on what we’ve learned in our 15 years of teaching - that infants and toddlers learn through what comes naturally - sounding, singing, moving, playing percussive instruments, observing and imitating their own adults, their teacher and the children around them. With Arfie, this classic approach takes a new direction, with myriad musical genres produced by an eclectic group of New York musicians, including our own “voice of Arfie”, Morgan Taylor, the creator of the wildly popular Gustafer Yellowgold. Classes include a CD and illustrated booklet each semester.

ArtsCetera (Affiliate Program) will be holding this class at CAS I. To register, contact Director Nanette DeCillis at 718.643.6817 or www.artscetera.com

*Muriel's French Songs & Puppets (ages 6 mo - 3 yrs)
Students attend this class with a parent or caregiver. An imaginative sing-song class, designed to nurture the musical development of young children in a playful and engaging way. Muriel, with her enchanting singing voice, expressive gestures, puppets, balloons, bubbles, parachute and rattles, will connect with children's natural love.

MURIEL’S WORLD French songs for children (Affiliate Program) will be holding these classes at CAS I. To register contact Artist & Director Muriel Vergnaud at 917.974.4740 or www.murielsworld.com

*Muriel's French Songs & Play (ages 2.5 - 4 yrs)
Students attend this class with a parent or caregiver, however they are encouraged to work independently. A drop-off class is available when all children of the same group are ready to be on their own. In this class, children will sing and play in a way that lays the foundation for academic learning. Muriel will use a balanced collection of songs, vocal play, rhythm play, puppet play, finger play, movement and pre-reading activities to help children develop creativity and improve language skills in French. Experience a preschool music class in a language immersion setting.

MURIEL’S WORLD French songs for children (Affiliate Program) will be holding these classes at CAS I. To register contact Artist & Director Muriel Vergnaud at 917.974.4740 or www.murielsworld.com

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Art Program

*Arfie’s Art & Play (ages 2 & up)
Arfie's Art & Play is a great option for kids who enjoy a big helping of creative movement and music with their messy play art projects! From free play and books to our Arfie song collections, our activities connect with art-making for the ultimate process-oriented fun learning experience. Developed and taught by Vicki Devor and Nanette De Cillis, taught by Rachel Frontino, Jamie Palazzo and Nanette De Cillis.
ArtsCetera  (Affiliate Program) will be holding these classes at CAS I. To register, contact Director Nanette DeCillis at 718.643.6817 or www.artscetera.com

* Art Playgroup (ages 2 & up)
Art Playgroup introduces your child to the world of pre-school in a relaxed, creative environment. Children transition from free play to structured group activities, including art, music, movement, and story time. Throughout, they are supported to work independently, though parents and caregivers lend a hand. A drop-off class is available for kids 2½ and up who are getting ready to really be on their own. Developed and taught by Sharon Enlow.
ArtsCetera  (Affiliate Program) will be holding these classes at CAS I . To register, contact Director Nanette DeCillis at 718.643.6817 or www.artscetera.com

Basic Drawing  (ages 7-10)
This class focuses on the fundamentals of drawing while guiding each student in their own style of artistic expression! Students will experience new realms of creativity while exploring methods such as perspective, contouring and positive and negative space. This is a great class for younger children who are interested in art and want to start learning the basics.

* Chinese Art & Culture (ages: 7 & up)
This class will focus on various art forms of the Chinese culture including calligraphy and brush painting.  While studying calligraphy, students will learn writing techniques, stroke order, character composition as well as the significance of historical culture on this ancient art form.  Using Chinese brush painting techniques, students will also learn how to paint a range of popular subjects.  Other topics covered include Chinese poetry, paper folding and Chinese paper cuts.

Note: Xiao Long Center's Mandarin Language, Culture & Art Classes (Affiliate Program) will be holding these classes at CASI; for more info or to register, please contact Director Jennifer Lee 646-734-1882 or send email to jennifer@xiaolongcenter.com

* Mandarin Playgroup (ages: babies to 3+ years)
This Mandarin immersion class is designed for babies and toddlers in a playgroup setting.  Through play, music and movement, little ones will have opportunities to develop their social, interaction, communications and physical skills in a supportive environment.  Mandarin only will be spoken in this class.  Parent/caregiver is required to attend class.

Note: Xiao Long Center's Mandarin Language, Culture & Art Classes (Affiliate Program) will be holding these classes at CASI; for more info or to register, please contact Director Jennifer Lee 646-734-1882 or send email to jennifer@xiaolongcenter.com

* Mandarin for Little Buns (ages: up to 4+ years)
This class is a fun introduction to basic words and phrases in Mandarin through songs, nursery rhymes, stories and games.  Little Buns are provided with hands-on activities and encouraged to learn through exploration.  Parent/caregiver is required to attend class.
Xiao Long Center's Mandarin Language, Culture & Art Classes (Affiliate Program) will be holding these classes at CASI; for more info or to register, please contact Director Jennifer Lee 646-734-1882 or send email to jennifer@xiaolongcenter.com

* Mandarin for Little Dragons (ages: 4-6; 7 & up)
The Little Dragons classes are designed for kids ages 4 to 12 (classes are separated by age).  Students are introduced to Mandarin and to the Chinese culture.  Basic vocabulary covering numerous topics are taught at the beginner level.  As students progress, they work on active listening and speaking and are encouraged to engage in basic conversations.  Character writing, calligraphy, brush painting and other cultural activities are also taught depending upon the level.
Xiao Long Center's Mandarin Language, Culture & Art Classes (Affiliate Program) will be holding these classes at CASI; for more info or to register, please contact Director Jennifer Lee 646-734-1882 or send email to jennifer@xiaolongcenter.com

Print and Press (ages 5-7)
From simple stamps to linocuts, papermaking and casting; participants will learn about traditional techniques artisans use to create a variety of paper based art forms.  Projects will include, recycled papermaking and casting, embossing, monoprints, cardmaking and book arts.

Wearable Art (ages 9 & up)
Students will create wearable artwork using various textiles, jewerlymaking, and basic sewing skills.  Students will be developing techniques in dying, bead making, & wire wrapping. Projects will include headbands, wrap skirts, felted slippers and tote bags.

Writing Program

Creative Arts Director Sherri Hellman and award-winning playwright Crystal Skillman developed the CAS 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 members and one another.

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