Y-Dance

Y-Dance Fall 2024 Registration HERE

〰️

Y-Dance Fall 2024 Registration HERE 〰️

Click on the scrolling banner to register for Y-Dance!

Y-Dance Classes
Classes for Youth, Teens, and Adults

Fall 2024 (12 weeks of instruction) -

  • September 9 - December 5:  Y-Dance Classes

  • November 25-28:  Thanksgiving Break/No Classes

  • December 2-5:  Y-Dance Informal Showcase (See below)

The Y-Dance program offers classes for youth, teens, and adults. Whether the goal is to dance at a recreational level “just for fun”, or for those who foresee themselves on competitive dance teams, in musical theatre, undertaking auditions, or who want to take dance to a higher level, Y-Dance has something for everyone.

Our philosophy is:

  • To provide an atmosphere of discipline and structure

  • To make each dancer feel loved, valued, and empowered

  • To be a fun, enjoyable, and learning experience

  • To enhance dancers’ coordination, dance, creativity, technique, and memory skills

  • Superstars : Ages 5+

    Pre-Fusion : Age 3

    Fusion : Pre-K (age 4) through Adult, Offered by Divisions and Levels**

    Leaps and Turns* : Grades 6 through 12, Offered by Divisions and Levels

    Ballet : Grades 3 through 12, Offered by Levels

    Hip Hop : Grades 1 through 12, Offered by Divisions

    Tap : Grades K through 12 + Adult, Offered by Levels + Open Class

    Ballroom : Adult, Open Class

    *To enroll in a Leaps and Turns class, a Fusion and/or Ballet class is prerequisite. This allows for the fundamentals to be learned in conjunction with leaps and turns.

    **Enrollment in a Fusion Class is required for enrollment in Leaps and Turns and/or Ballet classes.

    ***Enrollment in a Level 4 Fusion Class requires enrollment in Leaps/Turns and Ballet as well.

    • Divisions signify grade/maturity.

    • Levels allow for abilities.

    • For most classes, minimum enrollment is four students.

    • Some classes may cap enrollment based on teacher and room space.

    • All classes are held at the YWCA, 605 N. 6th Street, Lafayette.

  • • Registration is due by September 4 at 11:00 PM.  Registration online on the scrolling banner above.

    • Returning dancers from the summer and Winter 2024 sessions may register beginning August 6.

    • General Public may register beginning August 10.

    • There is an annual $25 Registration Fee.

    • We recommend Level 1 for dancers new to the Y-Dance program.

    • Our Y-Dance Showcase will be held December 2-5, during the last classes of the session.

    • This is a very informal event where dancers showcase the technical skills and short combination.

    • All ages are welcome to observe that day.

    • Observation Days - monthly watch days for Adults only. After enrolling your dancer, you will receive a monthly newsletter with the upcoming observation dates.

Class Descriptions

Click on the plus sign for more information on each class.

  • Ages 5 and Older

    Superstars dance class was created for children, adolescents, and adults with special needs. This fun and energetic 45 minute class consists of basic movement skills, rhythm exercises, and creative and interpretive movement using music and props. Superstars dance class benefits dancers by enhancing his/her social skills, focus, listening skills, body awareness, and proprioception. The class is for ages 5 and older . The class size will be limited to 12 dancers per class. Proper dance apparel is required. Please be aware when considering if this program is a good fit for your dancer that the dance studio environment will be one with occasional loud noises, bright colors, and a variety of stimuli. A short combination will be taught for optional performance opportunities.

  • Age 3

    Our 45 minute Pre-Fusion Class for 3-year-olds is designed to prepare students to learn as 4 year olds. The curriculum is structured to encourage locomotor and non-locomotor movement, body awareness, coordination, creative/interpretive movement, and listening skills. These goals will be achieved through stories, songs, minimal props, and repetition at a comfortable pace. A short combination will be taught for optional performance opportunities.

  • Offered by Divisions and Levels**

    Pre-K (age 4 - Kindergarten)

    Our one hour Pre-K Classes teach movement and motor skills, basic ballet technique, rhythm and coordination skills, and creative movement. Age-appropriate music and props are utilized to make these delightfully fun classes. A short combination will be taught for optional performance opportunities.

    Kindergarten - Adult

    Our one hour Fusion Classes (ballet and jazz “fused” together) are the core of Y-Dance and the recommendation if an overall experience is desired. Within this class, fundamentals of ballet and jazz are learned. They are divided by Divisions and by Levels (1, 1+, 2, 3, 4). Levels are determined by Y-Dance Teachers. These classes focus on barre/ballet skills and center floor technique (leaps and turns). A short combination will be taught for optional performance opportunities.

  • Grades 6 through 12

    Offered by Divisions and Levels

    **To enroll in a Leaps and Turns class, a students must have completed either a Fusion and/or Ballet class. A pre-assessment by Mrs. Christiansen may be substituted for the prerequisite class. This allows for the fundamentals to be learned in conjunction with leaps and turns.

    Our one hour Leaps and Turns classes are an enrichment of our core Fusion and Ballet Classes and are offered to dancers who want to focus and excel beyond a “recreational level”. This is strictly a technique class to learn and improve leaps and turns; thus fusion or ballet is necessary to focus on the fundamentals of turn-out, core, lift, etc. Our Leaps and Turns classes are separated by Divisions and Levels. This class is required for any dancer in Fusion Level 4.

  • Grades 1 through 12

    Offered by Levels

    Our one hour Ballet classes are intended to enhance our core Fusion Classes. Ballet is the foundation for many genres of dance (as well as leaps and turns) AND helps strengthen muscles, improves body control, teaches dancers fluidity of movement, and focuses on turn-out. Ballet provides the mental and body discipline as well as the muscle memory to create better dancers. The class is comprised of barre, center floor technique training. Our Ballet classes are separated by Levels only (1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6). They do not necessarily reflect the same level as Fusion or Leaps and Turns. A short combination will be taught for optional performance opportunities.

  • Grades 1 through 12

    Offered by Divisions

    This one hour class focuses on hip hop choreography and various Hip Hop techniques. Students will be taught rhythm and how to apply it to their dancing. Hip Hop is divided by Divisions. A short combination will be taught for optional performance opportunities.

  • Grades K through 12, Adult

    Offered by Levels

    Our 45 minute Tap class focuses on tap technique and rhythm. These classes are divided by Levels, while still keeping age and maturity in mind. Levels are determined by the Y-Dance teacher. A short combination will be taught for optional performance opportunities.

    *Adult Tap is a drop-in based class. Dreaming of learning the basics of tap but not the weekly commitment, this option may best fit you! Email Mrs. Christiansen, hchristiansen@ywcalafayette.org, if interested in our Adult drop-in class. $10/weekly class

  • Adults

    Our one hour class focuses on ballroom choreography and various ballroom techniques. Students will be taught rhythm and how to apply it to their dancing. Sign up for a 4-week session or the 12-week semester to learn various styles like Waltz, Swing, and/or Salsa.

Additional Information

  • Levels (Determined by abilities)

    Level 1 – For new and returning students. Objectives: to introduce body awareness, control, and turn out (fusion); development of age-appropriate technical skills; development of comprehension in instruction; development of memorization in learning combinations and routines.

    Level 1+ –For returning students who have advanced past Level 1, but are not quite ready for Level 2.

    Level 2 – For returning students by teacher recommendation. Objectives: understanding of body awareness, control, and turn out (fusion); mastery of Level 1, with additional age-appropriate, technical skills; efficient comprehension in instruction; efficient in memorization of combinations and routines; greater efficiency in memorization; and development of stage presence and presentation skills.

    Level 3 – For returning students by teacher invitation. Objectives: mastery of Level 1 and 2 skills; understanding and introduction to more difficult technical skills. Quick comprehension in instruction and in memorization of combinations and routines. Further development of stage presence and presentation skills.

    Level 4 - 6 – For returning students by teacher invitations. Objectives: Mastery of all technical skills, comprehension, and stage presence.

  • Y-Dance Class Schedule Fall 2024

    • September 4 — Registration Due

    • September 9 - December 5 : Y-Dance Instructional Classes

    • November 25-28 - Thanksgiving Break/No Classes

    • December 2-5 - Y-Dance Informal Showcase

  • Registration Fee

    *Registration is due by September 4.

    *There is a $25 annual registration fee for each dancer.

    *If a cancellation is requested, the registration fee and 25% of the class cost is nonrefundable.

    Tuition

    1-Hour Classes (12 weeks) $156
    Fusion, Ballet, Leaps & Turns, Hip Hop, Ballroom ($55/ 4-week session)

    45 Minute Classes (12 weeks) $120
    Pre-Fusion, Tap, Superstars

    The Fusion Experience (12 weeks) $396
    To encourage dancers who want to focus on dance and excel beyond the recreational level we offer the following if the same dancer enrolls in all three of the following hour classes:
    o Fusion Class
    o Leaps and Turns Class
    o Ballet Technique Class
    As The Fusion Experience is already discounted, other discounts do not apply. Options are listed on the class schedule.

    Discounts

    There is a 10% discount for dancers enrolled in more than one class, (with the exception of The Fusion Experience which is already discounted).

    There is a $20 discount for multiple children living in the same household taking Y-Dance.

    Payment Plan

    A payment plan has been put into place to allow families to participate in Y-Dance without the financial strain it may cause to pay in full for all desired classes at once. For those who desire to take advantage of our payment plan, we require all payments after initial payment are required to be set up on autopay by debit or credit card. The auto pay will be processed on the 4th of each month.

    Scholarships

    Need financial assistance for your dance enrollment fees? If you do need financial assistance, our scholarship program can help. We have generous scholarships available. Please utilize this service. Email Mrs. Christiansen at hchristiansen@ywcalafayette.org to request a scholarship application or find the fillable document here.

    Inclement Weather

    Dance classes may be cancelled due to inclement weather. No refunds will be given for classes cancelled due to conditions out of our control, but Y-Dance will always try to schedule a make-up classes. Many times the roads are cleared off by mid-afternoon, Y-Dance classes will always TRY to be held even though schools may be closed. Please check the following for Y-Dance cancellations: Your Email, YWCA Website, or YWCA Y-Dance Facebook.

    Cancellation/Refund Policy

    The YWCA reserves the right to cancel classes or programs due to insufficient enrollment. You will be notified of a cancellation and receive a full refund or credit voucher, when applicable, of paid fees. Refunds will not be given for classes dropped by participant/guardian once spot is reserved. Any person on a payment plan will still be required to complete all payments.

  • • Y-Dance implements a dress policy to better aid our dancers in proper posture, center, turn out, technique, leg and foot placement, etc.

    • For your convenience we carry black dance shorts, skin-colored tights, and required canvas Twyla shoes.

    • Sample sizes for these items are available to try on during the first week of class and during our open house.

    • Orders are placed and payment is needed AT THAT TIME.

    Pre Fusion (Age 3) and Fusion Pre-K (Age 4 to Kindergarten)

    • A leotard/skirt combination that comes attached (can be found at Target or Wal-Mart)
    • Form-fitting tank for boys (no athletic T’s) and comfortable activewear shorts for boys
    • Ballet shoes with elastic over the top (may be purchased at Target or Walmart)
    • Tights (optional)
    • Hair securely pulled back out of face

    Fusion (Kindergarten through 12), Ballet, Superstars, Leaps and Turns

    • Form-fitting cami top for girls and form-fitting tank for boys. (no athletic T’s
    • Black dance shorts or black leggings for girls (shorts may be ordered through Y-Dance)
    • Longer shorts for boys
    • Optional tights to match skin tone (may be ordered through Y-Dance)
    • Canvas Twyla shoes (may be ordered through Y-Dance)
    • Hair securely pulled back out of face

    Hip Hop (Grade 1 through 12)

    • T-shirt or long-sleeved shirt
    • Any pants (IE sweats, leggings, baseball pants, etc.)
    • Any type of gym shoe (lightweight/low-topped recommended)
    • Hair securely pulled back out of face

    Tap (Kindergarten through 12)

    • Same as Fusion
    • Tap shoes
    • Hair securely pulled back out of face

    Adult Classes (Fusion, Tap, Ballroom)

    • Fusion and Tap - comfortable activewear, Canvas Twyla shoes for Fusion, Tap shoes for Tap
    • Ballroom - Casual, Casual Date Night Attire, comfortable dress shoes, tennis shoes, dance shoes. No flip flops or slides.