OVERVIEW OF ALL CLASSES
At Grace Christian Dance Center, we offer two distinct paths for our dancers: Studio Classes and Company Classes.
Studio Classes focus on specific dance genres— Acrobatic-Dance, Ballet, Contemporary, or Recreational.
Company Classes are more challenging and require more dedication. These dancers are punctual and committed to attendance as well as being well prepared for class. They train across multiple genres and are constantly challenged with a wide variety of choreography. They learn several pieces throughout the year in different styles, which helps develop versatility, musicality, and confidence as performers.
OFFERINGS BY AGE
Acro-Dance
Ballet
Company
Contemporary
Foot Strengthening (Company dancers only)
Recreational
Summer Camp
Summer Classes
Acro-Dance
Ballet
Company
Contemporary
Foot Strengthening (Company dancers only)
Leaps and Turns (Company dancers only)
Recreational
Summer Camp
Summer Classes
Acro-Dance
Ballet
Company
Contemporary
Foot Strengthening (Company dancers only)
Leaps and Turns (Company dancers only)
Pointe (Company dancers only, by invitation)
Summer Camp
Summer Classes
Company Classes are structured classes that hold dancers to a high standard of proper technique. Dancers are grouped according to their strengths and will be taught varying degrees of ballet, jazz, contemporary and lyrical movement. We highly recommend adding on a Ballet class to aid in training. We expect that Company dancers are committed to excellent attendance and consistent at-home practice in order to be prepared for class. Weekly devotions are often shared during stretching time. Company Classes work together toward the goal of creating performance pieces that are purposed to honor to the Lord and to lift high the name of Jesus Christ. These pieces will be performed at the formal Spring Show in April at a rented venue. Each dancer performs in full costume and appears in at least two choreographed pieces. Company dancers, taking Acro-Dance, Ballet, Contemporary, and/or Recreational will also perform in the Studio Showcase.
Our youngest Company dancers, ages 3-5, are in the Pre-Company program and will perform in the Studio Showcase. Five year-old dancers that have spent two years in our Pre-Company program will automatically move into the ADORE Company class the September after their birthday.
Both Company and Pre-Company dancers may also enjoy other opportunities to perform in the community. Whether at Canonsburg’s Old Fashioned Christmas, City Mission’s Sweet Sunday, local nursing homes, or church services — when you see our dancers out in the community, you’re watching our talented Company Dancers in action!
Click HERE for more information.
STUDIO CLASSES
Company dancers are encouraged to take additional studio classes to strengthen their technique and progress more quickly. You will see many of these skills—especially acro, ballet, and contemporary—featured in the Company Spring Show.
Dancers enrolled only in Acro-Dance, Ballet, Contemporary, and/or Recreational classes are considered Studio Dancers. They conclude their season with a single performance at the Studio Showcase, held at a local community center. Studio Dancers perform one piece for each style of class they take and wear their class uniforms with simple embellishments to mark the occasion.
If you’ve attended our Studio Showcase, you’ve seen the grace and growth of our dedicated Studio Dancers!
AGES 5-18
GCDC is an Acrobatic Arts certified studio. We use their acclaimed curriculum, which is based on a safe and effective progression through levels. Acro-Dance focuses on flexibility, strength, balancing, limbering, and tumbling. To keep dancers from losing flexibility, strength, and skills due to inactivity, Acro-Dance is available all year long. Click HERE for more information.
REGISTRATION CLOSES ON FEBRUARY 2-5 AND REOPENS FOR SUMMER SESSION
AGES 5-18
Ballet is the strong foundation for all other forms of dance. This class will spend significant time on proper alignment of the body, carriage of the arms, turnout of the legs, and gracefulness. Dancers will learn ballet skills with increasing difficulty. Ballet classes run September-May. Click HERE for more information.
REGISTRATION CLOSES ON OCTOBER 6-9
AGES 8-18
Contemporary encourages self-expression and creative movement through a blend of techniques from ballet, jazz, and lyrical styles. In this class, dancers will cultivate musicality, fluidity, coordination, spatial awareness, and a strong stage presence through improvisation, combinations, and technical drills. Click HERE for more information.
REGISTRATION CLOSES ON OCTOBER 6-9
AGES 3-12
Rec Dance offers the opportunity to explore dance in a less structured environment than Company Classes. Dancers will be exposed to various disciplines on an introductory level without concern for perfecting technique. They will experience the use of different worship elements such as tambourines and ribbons, and learn choreography to perform in an informal showcase. Practicing memory verses is included in class time. There are two sessions for Rec Classes. The Fall Session will focus on basic ballet technique and the Spring Session will focus on jazz technique. Recreational dancers in the Spring Session have the opportunity to perform in the Studio Showcase. Click HERE for more information.
REGISTRATION CLOSES ON:
OCTOBER 8 (FALL SESSION)
FEBRUARY 4 (SPRING SESSION)
