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

• 3 year olds - Kindergarten: Leotard and tights (any color).
• Ballet Classes 1st grade and up: Black leotard, pink tights, hair in a bun. Black dance skirts permitted.
• Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Kick & Modern Classes: Leotard, fitted tank, tights, dance shorts or jazz pants.
  (No t-shirts or sweatshirts!).
• Musical Theatre: Clothes you can move in.
• Hip Hop Classes: Clothes you can move in. (No jeans!)

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.

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