ESC for the Arts

Kids Classes

Our kids classes are perfect for those interested in dancing for the first time, or those who want to get back into it!

Preschool Music & Movement - Ages: 2.5-4 *

Co-ed class meets Wednesdays from 4:30-5:25pm (concurrent with Ballet I). This is a multi-sensory class where students explore the basics of music and dance, using their bodies, voices, and simple instruments. Some instruments are made by the children for their keeping. Songs and games help teach rhythm, expression, listening and socialization skills, all important foundations for success in school. Healthy, non-peanut snack provided.
       Fall Session: 7-week session runs from Oct 6 - Nov 17.
       Spring Session: Resumes January 19-March 2.
This class is $110.00 per session. *Child(ren) must be 2.5 by October or within a month of starting classes. Please toilet students before the class. Students must be able to need minimal help in the restroom.

Ballet I - Ages: 4-6 *

Students explore basic ballet positions, across the floor exercises, some barre work, through repetition presented with a multi-sensory approach.  Tutu and fairy wings at the end of class. 5-8 mins for break time, snack provided.  Performances are encouraged.
Required dress: Black leotard, no skirts or embellishments attached, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, hair pulled back. No jewelry.

Ballet II - Ages: 7-10 *

Ballet barre work, across the floor combinations, centre work, more emphasis on alignment, placement, technique, choreography creation and retention.  5-8 minute break most classes, snack provided.  Performances required.
Required dress: Black leotard, no skirts or embellishments attached, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, hair pulled back.  No jewelry. 

Ballet III - Ages: 11-15 *

Advanced ballet techniques.
Required dress: Black leotard, no skirts or embellishments attached, pink tights, pink ballet slippers or toe shoes TBD by Director when student is prepared, hair pulled back.  No jewelry. 

Jazz/Hip Hop I - Ages: 4-6 *

Dancers explore basic positions, across the floor jumps, some choreography, movement games. Break 5-8 mins, snack provided. Performances encouraged.
Required dress: Black tights or stretchy pants, pink top of any kind, black jazz shoes, hair pulled back.  No jewelry.

Jazz/Hip Hop II - Ages: 7-10 *

Dancers go over basic positions, centre work, combinations, more emphasis on technique, alignment, placement, choreography creation and retention.  5-8 minute break most classes, snack provided.  Performances required.
Required dress: Black tights or stretchy pants, orange top of any kind, black jazz shoes, hair pulled back.  No jewelry.

Middle Eastern Arts

ESC offers a Children's Middle Eastern Dance Class, which parents are welcome and encouraged to attend as well! Please see the Middle Eastern Arts section for more info.

Irish Step Dance & Ceili - Ages: 6-11 *

Irish dancing has traditional roots, making it a unique, updated, and exciting form of folk dance. Students will learn the basic steps of Irish dance. Both ceili (group) and solo dancing will are explored. Classes include a warm-up with exercises and stretches designed to build stamina and flexibility. Focus on technique, posture, and proper foot positions, all while learning fun Irish Reels and Jigs!
Required dress: T-shirts, shorts, hair pulled back, either ballet slippers or jazz shoes are fine to start. No jewelry.

Tai Chi (Long Form)

Moving meditation. Students learn the Yang Style long form, along with several Chi Kung methods, Liu He Ba Fa form, Pushing Hands exercises, Ba Gua and Yang Style fast form.
Required dress: Yoga or stretchy pants, any kind of top, bare feet or tennis shoes for days with nice weather!

Acrylic Painting

Focuses on perspective, composition, basic brush techniques, color and creative expression. Taught by Art Director Ahli Hedges.
Required dress: Wear painting clothes, please (most materials used will not wash out).

Weekly Wellness Practice

Our natural state is well being. When we are connected to our higher nature, this is understood. When we focus our thoughts on things that make us uncomfortable we limit our potential and create a disconnection from our source energy. A wellness practice is a opportunity to relax our minds enough to allow our natural state of connection and well being to return.

Crystal singing bowls interrupt our normal thoughts and give us a rest from our stressful, limiting, and disconnected habits. They are a symbol of the 'unknowable' and as an alloy, dating back to the Buddha, Shakyamni (560-480 B.C.). Singing Bowl origins and detailed histories are shrouded in the distant past and are born of the shamanistic 'Bon' religion which precedes Buddhism in Tibet by centuries. For centuries they have been utilized for healing and consciousness transformation. As we experience this state of being more and more, it becomes a new habit. We can return to it any time. Come as you are, in comfortable clothing. There is no requirement for previous knowledge or experience, we start new each time for this drop-in class. You may sit, lay down or move as needed. Taught by Kelly MacInnis. Click here for more info: http://www.creation-songs.com

Specialized Boys Only Programming (S.B.O.P.)

ESC is pleased to offer a variety of boys-only dance classes for various ages. Click here to find out more!

* — Age requirements are flexible, and may be determined on an individual basis.

Adult Classes

Beginning Teen/Adult Ballet

Emphasis on beginning ballet, alignment, technique, basic positions, strong barre work, across the floor combinations, centre work, flexibility, balance, core strength, musicality, choreography. Adaptive.
Required dress: Yoga or stretchy pants, t-shirt or tank top, pink ballet slippers, hair pulled back. No jewelry.

Beginning Teen/Adult Hip Hop

Emphasis on technique, core strength, balance, flexibility, rhythm, choreography. Possible performance based on class decision. Adaptive.
Required dress: Yoga or stretchy pants, t-shirt or tank top, hair pulled back, black hip hop shoes or street shoes worn only for hip hop class.

Middle Eastern Arts

ESC offers a variety of classes for adults. Please see the Middle Eastern Arts section for more info.

Yoga

Basic levels to advanced. Emphasis on alignment, strength, core! You'll sweat!
Required dress: Yoga pants or stretch pants, any kind of top, bare feet.

Tai Chi (Long Form)

Moving meditation. Students learn the Yang Style long form, along with several Chi Kung methods, Liu He Ba Fa form, Pushing Hands exercises, Ba Gua and Yang Style fast form.
Required dress: Yoga or stretchy pants, any kind of top, bare feet or tennis shoes for days with nice weather!

Pilates & More

Emphasis on alignment, core strength, balance, deep stretching to increase flexibility, muscle control. Slow moving but intensive. Adaptive.
Required dress: Yoga or stretchy pants, any top, bare feet.

Salsa!

Ages: Mostly 18+. Wear what you like, Fun! Social! Bare feet, or appropriate dance shoes for ladies.
We are not offering this class for the Fall semester, if you are interested in Salsa, please check back in the Spring.

Ab-tastic Abs

22 minutes of gut-busting abs during your lunch hour, followed by 8 minutes of stretch and quiet visualization. Get in and get it done, free up the rest of your day and feel great!

Teen/Adult Acrylic Painting

Focuses on perspective, composition, basic brush techniques, color and creative expression. Taught by Art Director Ahli Hedges.
Required dress: Wear painting clothes, please (most materials used will not wash out).

The Art & Joy of Sculpture

This course is designed to introduce students to the history and process of sculpture. This is a budget- and beginner-friendly class. We will use both constructive and reductive approaches to build and carve pieces using wire, plaster, and found objects. At the beginning of each class we will explore the work of relevant artists. Then we will be free to explore processes and materials, be creative and have fun! During our final class we will have a professional critique of the work we make and we will learn about and utilize the art of constructive criticism to discuss and explore one another's work. *Possible group outing.
Required dress: Wear comfortable, art friendly clothing, ideally painting clothes, (most materials used will not wash out).
$150.00 tuition, materials fee included.

Weekly Wellness Practice

Our natural state is well being. When we are connected to our higher nature, this is understood. When we focus our thoughts on things that make us uncomfortable we limit our potential and create a disconnection from our source energy. A wellness practice is a opportunity to relax our minds enough to allow our natural state of connection and well being to return.

Crystal singing bowls interrupt our normal thoughts and give us a rest from our stressful, limiting, and disconnected habits. They are a symbol of the 'unknowable' and as an alloy, dating back to the Buddha, Shakyamni (560-480 B.C.). Singing Bowl origins and detailed histories are shrouded in the distant past and are born of the shamanistic 'Bon' religion which precedes Buddhism in Tibet by centuries. For centuries they have been utilized for healing and consciousness transformation. As we experience this state of being more and more, it becomes a new habit. We can return to it any time. Come as you are, in comfortable clothing. There is no requirement for previous knowledge or experience, we start new each time for this drop-in class. You may sit, lay down or move as needed. Taught by Kelly MacInnis. Click here for more info: http://www.creation-songs.com

Singing Bowls for Couples

In a new relationship you are connected to your own source and so, feel the connection with your partner deeply. Over time, if your thoughts start to disconnect you from yourself, you start to notice flaws in your partner. As you focus on the flaws, you lose sight of the things that delighted you in the first place. Crystal singing bowls change your mental focus and offer physical sensations of connection and love. Sitting together and allowing the sounds to penetrate you can bring you back to connection and delight. They are a symbol of the 'unknowable' and as an alloy, dating back to the Buddha, Shakyamni (560-480 B.C.).

Singing Bowl origins and detailed histories are shrouded in the distant past and are born of the shamanistic 'Bon' religion which precedes Buddhism in Tibet by centuries. For centuries they have been utilized for healing and consciousness transformation. Come as you are, in comfortable clothing. There is no requirement for previous knowledge or experience, we start new each time for this drop-in class. You may sit, lay down or move as needed. Taught by Kelly MacInnis. http://www.creation-songs.com

Specialized Boys Only Programming (S.B.O.P)

ESC is pleased to offer a strong program in Movement Arts Training for boys only. So many boys drop out of dance classes or never even enroll because they are worried about perceptions. We recognize that its easier for boys to attend classes if they are among their male peers. ESC is committed to creating a positive environment where males are free to learn, explore, and master masculine movement in a way that works best for them. ESC provides a strong class support system and performance opportunities where boys can be boys and be appreciated and applauded! Casey Beauchamp and Taya J. Matoy head up this specialized training program offering high-energy Break Dancing and Hip Hop dance lessons utilizing music with approriate Rap, R & B, Dance Music, Pop and Old School Hip Hop, to make the classes diverse, Energetic and fun!

Each class consists of warm-up, stretching, choreography & freestylin’. Dance combinations are created each week allowing students to add on new moves, & build onto past weeks' lessons to produce finished dances — Ready for performances!

Boys Ballet is coming soon: If you are interested we request that you call us so we can form the class for Fall (classes beginning August 9th). Please Pre-register.

Boyz Danz Skilz/Breakin I - Ages: 4 - 7 *

Students are introduced to the fundamentals of movement, and the culture of dance and break dancing. Emphasis is on developing strength, flexibility, learning how movements can fit together, and rhythm.
Required dress: Any kind of loose pant that allows for easy movement, hip hop shoes or street shoes used only for dance purposes. No loose jewelry.

Boyz Danz Skilz/Breakin II - Ages: 8 - 11 *

More advanced elements of poppin', locking, breakin' as well as freestyle movement give learning students the opportunity to develop their own style!
Required dress: Any kind of loose pant that allows for easy movement, hip hop shoes or street shoes used only for dance purposes. No loose jewelry.

* — Age requirements are flexible, and may be determined on an individual basis.

Middle Eastern Arts

Children's/Mom's Middle Eastern Dance

Students will learn the basics of Middle Eastern Dance, exploring movement, patterns, and transitions using choreography. They will also learn about music and rhythms... fun for the whole class! Moms are welcome and encouraged to attend!
Required dress: Bare feet ok, stretchy pants, any top, no short skirts or jewelry please.

Beginning Middle Eastern Dance - Monday Nights, Teens-adults

Part of our Middle Eastern Arts Programing, this class involves body sculpting warm ups, as well as teaching the basics of middle eastern dance, music and rhythm, cultural etiquette, and styles. Arabic, Egyptian, Greek, Turkish, Andalusian, and Moroccan styles are explored, zils, veil work, assays, swords and more! Outings and performances are possible.
Required dress: No shorts please, yoga or stretchy pants, t-shirt, or tank ok, bare feet.

Beginning Middle Eastern Dance - Noon, Adults only

Part of our Middle Eastern Arts Programming, this class focuses on a continued exploration of middle eastern dance culture, refining techniques, muscular sequencing, hip articulations, and continued musical exploration. Outings and performance possible.
Required dress: No shorts please, yoga or stretchy pants, t-shirt, or tank ok, bare feet.

Intermediate Middle Eastern Dance

Part of our Middle Eastern Arts Programming, this class focuses on a continued exploration of middle eastern dance culture, refining techniques, muscular sequencing, hip articulations, and continued musical exploration. Outings and performances required.
Required dress: No shorts please, yoga or stretchy pants, t-shirt, or tank ok, bare feet.

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Mom's Middle Eastern Dance - Friday mornings, Adults only

Moms join us for an A.M. class, kids can draw and watch movies in our multi-purpose room. Part of our Middle Eastern Arts Programming, this class involves body sculpting warm ups, as well as teaching the basics of middle eastern dance, music and rhythm, cultural etiquette, and styles. Arabic, Egyptian, Greek, Turkish, Andalusian, and Moroccan styles are explored, zils, veil work, assays, swords and more! Outings and performances are possible.
Required dress: No shorts please, yoga or stretchy pants, t-shirt, or tank ok, bare feet.

Beginning Middle Eastern Drumming - Ages: 11-Adult

Learn basic tones and hand positions. Begin with Egyptian rhythms, followed by Turkish, and Arabic on Doumbek and Zils. Learn to distinguish rhythms in traditional music.

The Gunbarrel Navel Gazers - (Intermediate, Thursday Nights)

Participation in this dance company is by invitation only. However, beginners are welcome for the warm-up only, provided they can keep up.
Required dress: TBD.

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Art & Musical Theatre

Adventure Art - Ages: 6-10 *, taught and facilitated by Ahli Hedges

Students explore a variety of media such as painting, watercolor, drawing skills, three-dimensional art, and theatre set design for the winter showcase! Fun, lively, and engaging, this class shows students how to design working projects for an art showing at the end of the semester!
Required dress: Dress comfortably, wearing clothes that are ok to get paint on (we have aprons for use and most materials including paints do come out in the wash).

Musical Theatre - Ages: 7-11 *

Our fall class will be writing the script for the Winter Showcase, which will be a surprise to family and friends! Under the close direction of Shana Oehmke and Taya J. Matoy, the class will learn the basics of script writing, scene development, character creation and development, cohesive story lines, set and costume design and construction, aided in this endeavor by the Art Classes, taught by Ahli Hedges. Theatre games, to expand on knowledge base, plus stage direction. Students are given full credit for the creation of the showcase in the program! Please sign up right away as script writing will begin at the beginning of the semester!
Required dress: No hoodies or short shorts please.

* — Age requirements are flexible, and may be determined on an individual basis.

Calendar & Schedules

Calendar

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Seasonal Schedules

In addition to our class calendars, we also have seasonal schedules, which include important events (i.e. performances,etc.) and deadlines for the current semester. The following seasonal schedules are available as downloadable PDFs:

• 2010 Fall Semester Schedule

Dress Code

Here at ESC, we consider our dress code extremely important, and dress code policies are strictly enforced. Here's why:

Good technique frees the dancer to fully express themselves through movement, emotion, and performance. Getting there starts with taking pride in the way you are dressed, acting and feeling the part before you have really arrived (dressing for success). All dancers are required to have appropriate footwear within one month of classes. All dancers are required to wear their dance shoes in class.

Please note that we ask for specific attire to cut down on costume expenses: we use basic class attire often as a base for costumes. If there is a skirt attached to a leotard that makes it difficult for the leotard to be versatile and you will most likely be required to purchase another leotard. We prefer not to have dancers in skirts because it obstructs our view of dancers alignment. Hair that is long and loose increases forces that will pull a turn off its center axis. Hair that is higher and closer to the head will streamline the form just like a sports car or swimmer. Also it helps dancers learn spotting and other important techniques.

Required clothing varies for each class, please see our individual class descriptions for more details.