| Philosophy
of River Valley Dance Academy
River
Valley Dance Academy recognizes that each of it's dancers has different
goals for receiving dance training. Our unique Pathways approach allows
the parent and the child to establish clear goals with the studio upon registration.
As time goes by if your goals change, you are welcome to change your selected
pathway.
Our
instructors provide a process oriented curriculum. They reflect a true love
for the art of dance and an understanding of growth and development of children.
RVDA
Classes
Click
here for class information
and registration, and for our parent handbook.
* Fall registration
has begun, and continues throughout the summer. Please check the brochure
for classes that have already filled. Click the link above to view our 2010
class brochure.
* 2010 Summer
brochures are now available, click on the link above for more class information.
Pathways
Approach to Dance
Pathway
One: Designed for the student that is developing their interest
in dance. The goals are primarily recreational in nature, and present
an opportunity for children to develop coordination, a sense of self-
esteem, and a place to experience the joy of dancing. For Preschool and
Kindergarten, we offer a Ballet/Tap Combination Class. For older beginning
students, we offer Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap & Ballet.
Pathway
Two: Designed for the student that is serious about their dancing.
Coursework in classical ballet provides for a process curriculum which
studies the discipline of dance. The utilization of French terminology,
correct body placement, and proper technique will be taught. Students
may choose Jazz, Tap, Modern, Pointe, Conditioning, Technique, Lyrical,
Kick, and Hip Hop to enhance their studies in the progressive program.
Pathway
Three: In the musical theatre program, our 1st & 2nd, and
3rd & 4th grade classes will explore the fundamentals of stage movement,
pantomime, character & scene development, and improvisation. This
is an acting class intended to introduce participants to the world of
drama and musical theatre. Activities that deal with diction, clarity,
intonation, and projection will be introduced, as well as exploratory
exercises reflecting on action, reaction, focus and building relationships
with your fellow actors on stage. Opportunities for performance will be
provided. Recent productions include School House Rock Live, Honk, Miracle
on 34th Street, Pinnochio, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Cinderella,
and The Jungle Book.
All new this year: Our 5th & 6th, and 7th-9th grade classes
will be introduced to the Theatre Lab. Taking these students to the next
level, instructors will assist students in exploring scene analysis, collaborative
creation, improvisational movement, writing for the stage, and introduction
to directing. Monologues for audition will be performed "on stage"
at our Dance/Theatre Showcase on May 20th, and a presentation
of the Lab Exploration work will be shared with families on June 3rd.
Head Shots will take center stage during picture week.
Pathway
Four: At River Valley Dance Academy, we believe in the intrinsic
value which dance provides when one begins to explore the creative processes
within themselves. As the world of dance can sometimes be competitive
and inaccessible to persons who may be challenged in physical or developmental
domains, we have made it a priority to offer classes to children who have
not yet had the opportunity to dance. If your child or someone you know
has a developmental disability, or is physically challenged, please help
us to invite them to our studio.
Productions
River Valley
Dance Academy hosts several productions throughout the year. Our youngest
dancers will have the option to be in a “Walk through a Storybook,”
which typically lasts 1 hour. Each dancer will have a chance to present
one routine. From Hansel & Gretel to Alice in Topsy-Turvey Land, this
format is developmentally friendly and we believe an appropriate way to
introduce our youngest dancers to the stage.
Our older ballet students participate in a classical ballet production
lasting approximately 90 minutes. Over the last several years, we have
staged “Giselle,” “Swan Lake,” “Sleeping
Beauty,” “Coppelia,” and “Cinderella.”
The Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Kick, Lyrical, Modern and Beginning Ballet students
will participate in an up tempo production highlighting skills they have
worked on throughout the year.
The Musical Theatre students will perform within our spring productions,
sharing their acting, singing, and dance skills
Additional performances take place throughout the year at nursing homes
and community settings. As your students skills progress, look forward
to one or more of these additional opportunities.
Most
Recent Productions & Recitals:
2000:
-We Need A little Christmas -Radio Days -The
Magic Forest
2001:
-The Christmas Angel -The Academy Awards -Alice in Topsy Turvey
Land
2002:
-The Christmas Angel -An Afternoon of Dance in III Acts -Cinderella
2003:
-Ole' &Lena's Christmas -In My Garden -Swan Lake -Rainy
Day Fun -School House Rock Live Jr.
2004:
-Miracle on 34th Street -The Magic Forest -A Tribute
to the Legends -Sleeping Beauty -Honk Jr.
2005:
-Holiday Gala -Alice in Topsy Turvey Land -Cinematic Sensations -Remberin'
Stuff -Once Upon a Shoe
-Coppelia
2006: -My Favorite Fairytale -Broadway Blast -Waltzes by
Strauss -Go Fish -You're a Good Man Charlie Brown
-Dancing Through
the Holidays
2007:-Nothing Can Stop Us Now -The Christmas Angel -Classical
Ballet Cinderella -Storybook Cinderella
-The Collective
2008:-Dance Revolution
-A Lakeside Christmas -Classical Ballet Jewels -"No Strings Attached"
the story of
Pinocchio
2009:
-A Decade of Dance (Celebrating RVDA's 10-Year Anniversary!) -A Small
Part of the World -Giselle
-Lakeside Christmas
2010:
-Rock the River -The Jungle Book -Sleeping Beauty
-Lakeside Christmas
Ice
Cream Cabaret
Sign up beginning
March 2010 for our 9th production of "Ice Cream Cabaret."
Our singing waiter & waitresses use comedic spoofs to
entertain you before breaking into a review of show tunes. Performers are
students entering 6th-12th grade who attend a one week camp in July, which
educates them in the fine art of being a "singing, dancing, improving"
performing server! Opportunities for small group and solo performances.
For camp registration, or event tickets call 952-368-2300.
Class
Size
River Valley
Dance Academy limits class sizes to optimize the learning environment.|
Preschool - maximum 10 students
Kindergarten - maximum 12 students
Ballet - maximum 12 students
Jazz, Modern, Tap,
Hip Hop, MT - maximum 15 students
Clinic, Team, Conditioning, Lyrical and Kick - class
sizes are determined by the instructor.
Class
Attire & Attendance
If
your dancer will not be at class on a particular day, we ask that you
call the studio and leave us a message. If you are interested in a make
up day, please check with your instructor to see if the studio is running
another class that your child might attend. If another class is available,
we would be happy to accommodate them. Refunds will NOT be provided if
your dancer misses his/her scheduled class.
Pointe
Ballet
students interested in pointe must be twelve years of age, Level III Ballet
with the instructor's approval. Strength, technique, and alignment will
be assessed prior to allowing participation in a pointe class. Pointe
students must also be enrolled in a ballet class.
Performance
Company & Hip Hop Team
Auditions
will be held in conjunction with dance camp the week of July 20th.
Participants are typically 11 years and up, levels III-VI. Our ballet and
jazz performance company’s are geared to the dancer who is serious
about their study of the art of dance. The participant is looking to further
their opportunity to learn and perform. Competition is provided on an optional
basis to our most advanced students and is not the focus for team participation.
The ballet classes encompass barre, adagio, allegro, conditioning, and dance
history. The jazz company requires participation in a ballet class. Our
mission is to seek out experiences that will expose the dancers to the various
directions their art can take them. We hope to provide them with a quality
dance education that will prepare them for a future in the dance world,
should they ever decide to pursue such a career.
Over the past ten years
the Performance Company’s have had the opportunity to perform aboard
the Sovereign of the Seas Cruise Ship, at Orchestra Hall, Branson, Disney
World, MN Vikings Football Games, Timberwolves Basketball Games, Centennial
Lakes Amphitheater, the Mall of America, local Worship settings, Nursing
Homes, Dance Team Exhibitions, and studio productions. They have taken class
at Dance Conventions, and traveled to NY to take class at Broadway Dance
Center as well as participate in the Rockette Experience at Radio City Music
Hall.
Tuition
and Fees
Fees:
There is an an annual registration fee of $25.00 for dancers registering
for classes that run September - June. For families with more than one dancer,
there is a savings with a family registration fee of $35.00. Clinics, camps
and mini sessions do not require the annual registration fee.
Ten
equal payments of $38.00 is the cost to dance for the year for one 45 minute
class per week. For 10 equal payments you will receive a total
of 33 classes including dress rehearsal. Payment #1 is due upon registration.
You may choose to pay the entire year in advance. To receive the annual
discount, the annual rate is due in full upon registration.
Tuition:
Rates based on total number of hours taken by dancers in a family each week.
| Hours |
.75 |
1 |
1.25 |
1.5 |
1.75 |
2 |
2.25 |
2.5 |
| Monthly |
$38 |
$46 |
$58 |
$68 |
$77 |
$86 |
$95 |
$104 |
| Annual |
$342 |
$414 |
$522 |
$612 |
$693 |
$774 |
$855 |
$936 |
| Hours |
2.75 |
3 |
3.25 |
3.5 |
3.75 |
4 |
4.25 |
4.5 |
| Monthly |
$112 |
$121 |
$130 |
$138 |
$147 |
$156 |
$156 |
$156 |
| Annual |
$1008 |
$1089 |
$1170 |
$1242 |
$1323 |
$1404 |
$1404 |
$1404 |
| Hours |
4.75 |
5 |
5.25 |
5.5 |
5.75 |
6 |
6.25 |
6.5 |
| Monthly |
$156 |
$164 |
$172 |
$180 |
$188 |
$196 |
$204 |
$212 |
| Annual |
$1404 |
$1476 |
$1548 |
$1620 |
$1692 |
$1764 |
$1836 |
$1908 |
| Hours |
6.75 |
7 |
7.25 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Monthly |
$220 |
$228 |
$236 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Annual |
$1980 |
$2052 |
$2124 |
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Rates beyond 7.25 hours
are posted at the studio.
Private Lessons
are available on an as needed basis for the advanced dancer by request,
and are billed at the instructor discretion.
Monthly payments due September through May on
the first of the month. If payment is not received by the 7th of the month,
your account will be charged a $5.00 late fee.
Summer Classes are an important part of a dancers
continued development. A Summer Brochure is printed at the end of February.
Performance Company Dancers are encouraged to take a minimum of 10 hours
of classes spread out over the summer.
Growing
as a Dancer and Performer
Our primary
dancers have had an opportunity each year to participate in our walk through
a story book held in May. Once our dancers reach 1st grade they will also
share their talents at local nursing homes, and community events. As a
dancer progresses in age, skill and level additional opportunities for
performance become available. In the past some of the opportunities have
included dancing at the Mall of America, at the Minneapolis Convention
Center, at Centenial Lakes Ampitheatre, Orchestra Hall, Local worship
settings, High School Dance shows, Vikings Football games and Timberwolves
games. As a member of our Performance Company trips to Disney, NY and
performances on a cruise line have also been opportunities offered to
our dancers.
Click here to view our '09-'10 parent handbook.
"When
you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance..." -Lee
Ann Womack
For
more information about River Valley Dance Academy please contact us:
Phone:
952-368-2300 E-mail: RVDA@rivervalleydanceac.com
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