PLEASE NOTE: Our approach to all dance instruction is to teach the student the proper form, art and love of dance. It is crucial that the student progresses at their individual pace – this may mean that a student stays in a level of dance for more or less than one year. Our instructors are well-seasoned in dance and can help place the student most accurately. Please note, too, that some of our dance courses have levels in sequence (such as Beginning Ballet 1/2/3), while others are more general (such as Kids Intermediate/Advanced Tap). We appreciate the teamwork of students & parents to support your dancers and help them learn at a pace that is safe, beneficial and just the right amount of challenge for each individual.
PLEASE KNOW our center is a WELCOMING place for parents! We have lots of seating, free and open wifi, tables and outlets for bringing your work in while your child is in class. (We also have four very popular red lounge chairs and a couch with reclining footrests that you may have to thumb wrestle other parents to claim!) 😉 We have windows in both studios and welcome parents to stay and observe. Many of our parents make the quick walk down to Big Hollow Food Coop during class!
PREDANCE/BABY BALLET: For 2-4 year olds, generally without an adult but adults are encouraged to be present and welcome to help children transition! An introduction to movement and motion to music; a survey of basic dancing steps with props and games included. We learn to move our bodies in all directions: up, down, side to side, forward and backward, and challenge the knowledge of where our bodies are in space. (Did you know it’s crazy hard to learn how to do something behind you?!) Repetition, high energy and gently reinforced structure help introduce the dancer to both movement and the culture of the dance classroom. Predance/Baby Ballet is a place to explore in a supportive environment. Potty training is not a requirement of this class.
BALLET — Please note that our Beginning & Intermediate Level 1 Classes are Now Ballet & Jazz Combo Classes, at 50 minutes each! Not all classes may be offered in a certain semester – please inquire if you don’t see a level and would like more information:
Children’s Beginning Ballet & Jazz 1: For kids 5 and older who have taken Predance, Dance Exploration and/or have the approval of the instructor.
Children’s Ballet & Jazz 2: For dancers who have taken ballet/jazz 1 or have the approval of the instructor.
Upper Kids Ballet: For dancers who have taken ballet/jazz 2 or have the approval of the instructor. This class is designed to be a growth stage for older dancers (including mentoring younger dancers who join), so dancers may be in this class for multiple years!
Adult Beginning Ballet: A beginning instruction to the art of ballet for teens and adults, 11 or over, who do or do not have dance experience or who fit well with this demographic as they advance.
Teen/Adult Intermediate & Advanced Ballet: We combine our teenagers and adults at intermediate and advanced levels into a multi-age, multi-level class.
LD&A POINTE ACADEMY
Students entering LD&A’s Pointe Academy for the first time must be evaluated by our instructors for age and ability. Pointe is a strenuous activity, and the dancers’ feet must be at an appropriate age and stage to optimize success. Dancers who have already taken pointe will also be evaluated at year’s end to help with accurate class placement.
All LD&A Pointe Academy dancers must attend: a general ballet class for their appropriate level, a pointe class for their appropriate level, and any additional conditioning opportunities provided.
**In 2023-2024, our general Pointe class is for all levels and welcomes prepointe dancers as well! As demands fluctuate through the years, we’ll branch our class into multiple levels as needed.**
Pointe 1 & Prepointe: An introduction to the art and mechanics of dancing en pointe; must be taken in conjunction with a general ballet class at their appropriate level.
Pointe 2: For students who have completed Pointe 1 & Prepointe or have approval of the instructor; must be taken in conjunction with a general ballet class at their appropriate level.
Pointe 3/4: For students who have completed Pointe 2 or have approval of the instructor; must be taken in conjunction with a general ballet class at their appropriate level. This is a multi-level class that utilizes different techniques to challenge all students at their own level.
Dance Conditioning & Pointe Enrichment: Stretching & strengthening techniques, Pilates, Barre, Yoga, therabands and rollers, healthy body image & mind, technique, French, history, famous dancers, and much more. A class open to all our dancers to enjoy! Can be paid by the class.
LD&A CHEER and Dance Team Classes (Hip Hop, Jazz & Modern)
For dancers 7+
Cheer: Learn poms, cheer techniques, tumbling skills, stunts and stunting techniques, and routines. Some equipment expense will be required. Performance & competition opportunities may be offered as well. Previous experience not required.
Dance Team: For dancers 7+ who may or may not have experience in ballet, jazz and/or hip hop. This multi-genre class combines the styles that a high school dance team performs: hip hop, jazz and modern. A multi-age, multi-level class that may include performance opportunities.
MODERN & CONTEMPORARY AND LYRICAL
Modern: A multi age class that can be added to our schedule with enough interest (minimum 5 students).
Lyrical + Contemporary: A multi age class that combines lyrical & contemporary ballet. Those interested in modern may consider this class, or contact us with interest on opening a modern-specific class!
**In 2023-2024, we will offer modern as a multi-week class series for kids and adults! Contact us with interest!**
LD&A IRISH ACADEMY
**In 2023-2024, our Irish program will be offered in multi-week class series for children and adults at multiple levels! Contact us with interest!**
Irish 1: For kids 6 and over, preferably with dance experience but not required.
Irish 2: For dancers who have completed Irish 1 or with approval of the instructor.
Irish 3: For dancers who have completed Irish 2 or with approval of the instructor.
TAP
Kids Beginning Tap: For kids 5 and up. Dance experience not required, but beneficial.
**In 2023-2024, our upper levels of tap will be combined into one class. As demands fluctuate, we’ll separate the class into individual levels.**
Kids Intermediate Tap: For kids who have complete Kids Beginning Tap or have approval of the instructor.
Kids Advanced Tap: For kids who have completed Kids Intermediate Tap or have approval of the instructor.
Adult Beginning Tap: For teens and adults, 11 and over, who do or do not have dance experience. Please contact us with interest in this multi-week class series!
Adult Intermediate/Advanced Tap: For teens and adults who have completed Adult Beginning Tap or have approval of the instructor. Please contact us with interest in this multi-week class series!
CLOGGING – Please Contact us with Interest!
Kids Clogging: For kids 6 and up who have dance experience (such as Pre-Dance Mix). Previous clogging or tap experience is not required.
Adult Clogging: For teens and adults, 14 and over, who do or do not have dance experience. Previous clogging or tap experience is not required.
DANCE CONDITIONING:
A multi-faceted approach to dance fitness and athletics. Fitness, stretching, yoga, body mechanics and how to care for your body while dancing are included; this is a requirement of LDC Pointe Academy and LDC Dance Team, at two classes per month.
POINTE ENRICHMENT:
A bonus class that explores topics including but not limited to: French for Ballet, Ballet History, Famous Ballets & Dancers, etc. Part of the Pointe Academy program.
LD&A COMPANY — Laramie Valley Dancers
Our fabulous instructors have formed a company! Their newest ballet, The Buried Moon Ballet, is performing May 4&5, 2018, and we are adding performances all the time – see our About Us page for a list of performances! We welcome questions & applications for new dancers – company practice times vary – contact us for more information!
PARTNER DANCES
Ballroom & Latin — In 2023-2024, Laramie Ballroom (owned/directed by Tricia Coker) provides this instruction with our center as her home base! Contact us for her number if you don’t find it via social media!
Country Swing — Class series explore beginning & intermediate/advanced levels of country swing & tricks! Stay tuned to our Facebook page for updates on the next series and please contact us with interest!