Introduction to Irish Dance
Trace the development of Irish dance from its humble, simple beginnings in rural Ireland to spectacular stage performances of world acclaim. Explore some of the traditional movements and rhythms and incorporate them into Irish dance routines. Experience the lilt of Irish dance music. Solo steps and basic group dances along with new figure choreographies will be a feature of this course. Aspects of traditional and modern Irish step dance will be combined to make this an enjoyable and invigorating experience.
Taught by Holly Silva

Aerial Arts Basics
This course will start with flexibility and strengthening exercises appropriate for working on the trapeze and fabrics. Then the basic skills of mounting, dismounting, climbing, hanging, swinging and positions on each apparatus will be taught. The rudimentary skills of partner work will be included and finally a final short series of positions and transitions will be required of each participant at the conclusion of the course.
Taught by Chuck Paquette and Holly Silva

Beginning Ballet
Beginning Ballet will familiarize students with technique, body alignment and style. Ms. Silva will guide the class in the analysis and proper execution of classical ballet’s basic steps and vocabulary of classical ballet will be analyzed and taught. The concept of musicality will be introduced, as will the exploration of form and line of this dance art form. We will also concentrate on developing and improving muscular strength, flexibility, and stamina.
Taught by Holly Silva

Intermediate/Advanced Ballet
Intermediate/Advanced ballet will continue to develop the technical skills, improve body alignment and increase familiarity with the classical ballet dance style. Musicality will be greatly emphasized, including the exploration of rhythm, beat and mood in this dance art form. The objective for the student is to master a movement vocabulary as precise as that of any verbal language. The student's muscular strength and flexibility will be constantly challenged, in order to help reach this goal within the dance technique.
Taught by Deirdre Duffin

Beginning Modern Dance Beginning Modern Dance will introduce students to the basics of the modern dance forms through body alignment and physical expression. Students will be challenged, through study and practice, to become more aware of all aspects of expressiveness while working with the body’s nonverbal vocabulary. Moods, feelings and ideas, as well as musicality, timing, space, form and line, will be explored as part of this most fundamental and basic art form.
Taught by Sandra Burton and Holly Silva

Intermediate/Advanced Modern DanceThe next level of Modern Dance will continue to challenge the students with more advanced technical work, and study of the kinesthetic possibilities of the human body. Students experiment with ways of moving the body through space, developing in this art form through analysis of the relationship of the body to gravity and inertia, and how it can move through space. We also explore the use of dynamics, weight and gesture.
Taught by Holly Silva

Method Matwork, Pilates
Method Matwork is a body of exercises that integrates current biomechanical information with floormat exercises pioneered by Joseph and Clara Pilates. When our muscles are well balanced around our skeletal structure, we have an efficient system, more capable of performing any given task. Unfortunately, we often succumb to the pressures around us: gravity, habitual postures, fashion, etc., which can reduce our energy and efficiency, and often leave us with imbalances which deprive us of our potential movement quality. The Matwork exercises address postural alignment, back support, scapular and pelvic stabilization, spinal flexion and extension and rotation, initiation from the cervical spine and the coccyx, and balanced sitting.
Taught by Holly Silva

African Dance Class
This class explores movement and rhythms that are part of the traditional and contemporary forms of dances and music from the African continent and the African Diaspora. Participants will learn fundamentals such as body alignment, use of isolation in the torso, hips and legs, improvisation and rhythm structure that gives these dances their swinging quality. The specific traditions we study are from Ghana, Senegal, Guinea and Mali in West Africa, as well as Brazil, Cuba and the United States. Classes typically include drumming, singing and storytelling as part of the learning experience.
Taught by Sandra Burton and Ahmondylla Best

African Drumming
The Dance Program uses many kinds of instruments in performances and workshops. In this class, students are introduced to African drumming, utilizingthe Djembe Orchestra. They are taught the musical principals of hocket, polyrhythm, call-and-response, and more. Meanwhile, they learn how to apply physical coordination and stamina to the pursuit of an ancient art.
Taught by KweYao Agyapon