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 your goals may change, and so may the pathway you have chosen.

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 the 2008-2009 parent handbook.

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 parents are looking for an opportunity for their child to develop coordination, a sense of self, and a place for children to experience the joy of dancing.

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 participating in Jazz and Tap classes may register under this pathway, or in pathway one - depending on their dance goals.

Pathway Three: In the musical theatre program, children will explore the fundamentals of stage movement, clarity, pitch, projection, character development and the basic dance steps needed for auditioning. Come and be challenged to put your creative talents to work. Opportunities for performance will be provided.

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 too 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, a communication handicap, or is physically challenged, please help us to invite them to our studio.

Productions

RVDA hosts several productions throughout the year. Our youngest dancers will have the option to participate in a "Walk Through a Storybook," which typically lasts 45 minutes to one 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.

In December our more experienced students present a Holiday program. In May our older ballet students participate in a classical ballet production lasting approximately ninety minutes.The Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Kick, Lyrical, Modern and Beginning Ballet students will participate in an up tempo recital highlighting skills they have worked on throughout the year. The recital is approximately 2 hours.The Musical Theatre students will present their work on stage in May as well.

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

Ice Cream Cabaret

Sign up beginning March 2009 for our 8th 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 targets preschool classes to have a maximum of 10 students per class. Ballet classes: a maximum of 12 students, Tap and Jazz classes: a maximum of 14 students, Musical Theatre and Hip Hop may have up to 15 students. Clinic class sizes and performance company teams are determined by the instructor.

Class Attire & Attendance

• 3 year olds - 1st grade: Leotard and tights (any color).
• Ballet Classes (2nd grade and up): Black leotard, pink tights, hair in a bun. Black dance skirts permitted.
• Jazz & Tap Classes: Leotard, tights, bikers 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 with the instructor's approval. Strength, technique, and alignment will be assessed prior to allowing participation in a pointe class. Dancers should meet level III requirements prior to considering pointe. Pointe students must also be enrolled in a ballet class.

Performance Company & Hip Hop Team

Auditions will be held the last week of July 2000 for interested participants who are at level III or above. The Ballet and Jazz companies along with the Hip Hop Team are designed for dancers choosing to move beyond the recreational level. These dancers are looking to improve in skill, style & technique in hopes of using their dance in advanced settings.

The ballet classes encompass barre, adagio, allegro, conditioning and French terminology. Students will attend a minimum of two classes per week. (Pointe classes are additional.) The jazz company requires participation in a ballet class. Therefore, a minimum of 2 classes per week, most of our Performance Company dancers attend class 4-6 hours a week. 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. Our focus is on community performances and the development of artistry, rather than on competition. However, 1-2 competitions per year are offered as an option to our advanced students.

Over the past 8 years the Performance Company's have had the opportunity to perform at Orchestra Hall, Disney World, MN Vikings Football Games, Centennial Lakes Amphitheater, the Mall of America, local Worship settings, Nursing Homes, High School Dance Team shows, studio productions and on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. They have taken class at Dance Conventions, and traveled to NY to take class at Broadway Dance Center, taken classes at Tremaine Dance Convention in Chicago, as well as participated 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 $36.00 is the cost to dance for the year for one 45 minute class per week. For 10 equal payments, September-June, 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 June 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.

The summer course price list is included in the summer brochure.

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 08-09 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