THE DANCE FACTORY FOUNDED BY SHERI TOWNER-GABRELCIK 2000

2016-17 PROGRAM HANDBOOK

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTACT INFORMATION The Dance Factory 422 S Governors Ave Dover, DE 19904

WELCOME LETTER 2

Ph: 302-678-1964 Website: www.dancefactorydover.com

OVERVIEW 3-4

CALENDAR CLASS SCHEDULE 5-6

PLACEMENT /EVALUATION 7

FEES 7

DRESS CODE 8

FALCULTY 9

REGISTRATION

August 29-September 2, 2016

Open 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Monday-Friday

Open 5 p.m.-7 p.m.

Monday-Friday

CLASSES COMMENCE

September 6, 2016

DANCEWORKS AUDITION

September 17, 2016

Creative 6-Week

September 12-October 29, 2016

Bring a Friend to Class

October 17-22, 2016

Halloween Holiday

October 31, 2016

Creative 6-Week

November 5—December 12, 2016

Thanksgiving Holiday

November 23 –November 26, 2016

Winter Holiday

December 22 –January 2, 2017

Creative 6-Week

January 9-February 25, 2017

Martin Luther King Holiday

January 16, 2017

Presidents Holiday

February 20, 2017

Parent Observation Week

February 27– March 4, 2017

Creative 6-Week

February 27-April 8, 2017

Spring Holiday

April 14-April 22, 2017

ANNUAL RECITAL (Tentative)

May 19-21, 2017

Memorial Day Holiday

May 29, 2017

Summer Camp (2-Week Sessions)

June 19-August 18, 2017

Studio Closed for Summer Breaks

July 3-7, 2017 and August 19-27, 2017

FACULTY

WELCOME

MASTER TEACHERS: SHERI TOWNER-GABRELCIK-DIRECTOR Sheri, Director of The Dance Factory has trained students for over 30 years. A dancer since the age of eight, she has studied extensively in New York City and Chicago with numerous Master Teachers. Her jazz training includes studying with Gus Giordano of Chicago and author of “Anthology of American Jazz,” tap training with Robert (Bob) Fitch, ballet training with Don Farnworth and Harry Asmus. Her diversified dance background has enabled her to offer classes in creative movement, jazz, tap, ballet, stretch, middle eastern dance and musical theater. She has choreographed for local musical theater programs and served as a grant reviewer for the Delaware Arts Council. She has recently received her Certification in Dance Education from the National Dance Educators’ Online Dance Institute (OPDI). SAMANTHA (SAM) WRIGHT Sam started dancing at the age of 5. As she grew, so did her passion for dance. She danced with Dancecapade School of Dance in Adams, MA and was a member of the competition team throughout high school. She was accepted into the School of Dance at Dean College in Franklin, MA in 2007. During her time there she studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and Modern techniques and was invited to audition for The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater for a summer intensive. She graduated in 2009 with her Associates Degree in Dance. She and her husband Justin moved to Delaware in 2009 and are stationed at DAFB. They have a son, Gabriel and a daughter Logan. Sam leads the Hip Hop, Jazz, Modern and Contemporary Programs. She is a Director and Choreographer of the Summer Musical Theater Camp and DANCEWORKS. SUSAN HASTINGS Susan just recently moved to Delaware from Long Island, New York with her husband where she has been teaching dance for over 30 years. She has studied with Master Teachers such as Frank Hachett, Gus Giordano, Robert Christopher, Mike Minnery and Grace Wakefield. You can see her students tap dancing with Snuffy on Sesame Street, Wonder Bread commercials, and in Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Her students have also gone on to open their own studios, Dance Companies, and auditioned for “So You Think You Can Dance.” Susan has received choreography awards through National competitions such as Starpower, Hall of Fame, Rhea Gold and Star Quest. STUDENT TEACHERS: SARAH BLACK

MOLLY DRASS THAJANAE GASKIN EFUA OSEI

From: Sheri Towner-Gabrelcik, Director Welcome! We are now entering our 16th year of dance education and are excited to welcome everyone to The Dance Factory! We will begin our season with open placement for all new students during their first week of classes. Pre-registration is recommended and the studio will be open the week of August 29September 2 from 10 a.m.—1p.m. and 5 p.m.—7 p.m. daily. Mark your calendars for “Bring a Friend” week, October 1722, 2016. Students will receive an invitation letter and a “Free Class” ticket, to distribute to one or several friends. This allows your child to share their love of dance with friends, classmates, neighbors and siblings. The Dance Factory (TDF) calendar helps you keep track of upcoming events, holiday breaks, “Parent Observation” dates and performances. It is part of this handbook and also on our website. TDF also provides opportunities for our dance students from the Youth Dance Program to participate in performances in the DANCEWORKS Company. We traditionally do a “Winter Holiday Show” and present performance pieces in our “Annual Recital”. This year’s first audition will be Saturday, September 17th from 12:30-2 p.m, please check the DANCEWORKS bulletin board for details. I am extremely excited for the 2016-17 season to begin, creating positive memories, rehearsing innovative performances and participating and sharing in community arts opportunities for all our Dance Factory School families.

OVERVIEW

DRESS CODE

YOUNG DANCER’S PROGRAM The Young Dancer’s Program consists of two programs: 

The Creative Dance Program



Foundations of Dance

Each program has its own curriculum, which is designed to meet the development and cognitive growth of the age which the program serves. Both programs encourage creativity, self-discipline, poise, socialization, and artistic enrichment. The Creative Dance Program is offered in six-week sessions that are themed and designed for students ranging in ages 3-5 years. The Foundation of Dance Program is for students who are ranging in ages 6 (First Grade) through 8.5 years. This program allows the student to explore dance which is age appropriate and provide for development and awareness. Students attending the Foundation of Dance Program will learn dance history, coupled with developing their musicality, creativity and movements that develop technique and body placement. Each session will incorporate a Creative Dance Lab, this allows students to implement dance concepts and create their own choreography. Both programs were created to allow students to develop physically, cognitively, socially, emotionally, musically and creatively and are considered prerequisites for the Youth Dance Program.

YOUTH DANCE The Youth Dance Program offers classes six days of the week and is divided into three levels. The classes are offered late afternoons and Saturdays. This too is a developmental program that is designed to increase the student’s dance knowledge, offering a variety of classes allowing each student to cross-train. Included in the dance program are conditioning classes, plus dance and music history. Students from all three levels are invited to participate in the performance group DANCEWORKS.

LEVEL 1 Level 1 students must be 8.5 by September 1, 2016. Students must have completed the Foundations of Dance or attend a placement class for evaluation and level assignment. This level builds on what has been established in Foundations, reinforcing the basic elements of correct postural alignment, transfer of weight, basic allegro movements creating a strong base for future training. Students will be able to execute basic steps in ballet, jazz and tap. There will be an increased awareness of body placement (alignment), ability to demonstrate studied exercises with responsiveness to musicality, rhythm and expressiveness.

Dress codes are not to diminish one’s individuality, but to allow the teacher to see the body clearly for alignment and corrections. At TDF we encourage color in the room, but at the same time do not tolerate the wearing of street clothing and physical education attire, such as baggy shorts and bulky sweat shirts or oversized T’s. As a general rule you should not wear jewelry to class. It could fly off or stick someone, especially if we are working on movement phrases that require partnering. Small stud earrings are acceptable. Be neat and be clean! All hair should be kept off the face and neck. Hair that moves is a distraction. Ponytails and long braids are hazardous; they might smack someone or even yourself. Respecting others means wearing clean clothing and attending to your personal hygiene. Air out your shoes between classes and most certainly shower or bathe on a regular basis and wear antiperspirant or deodorant. Avoid strong perfumes and body splashes, you never know who might have an allergic or asthmatic reaction to your scent.

DISCLAIMER Payment is due by the 10th of each month. A $15.00 late fee will be charged if payment is not received by the 10th. A 10% Military Family Discount is available for all military families with a valid Military ID. This discount is valid on tuition only. Costume Fees will be assessed in October and all costumes must be paid in full by December 15, 2016. No refunds will be offered for any student who leaves the program prior to the May 2017 performance. All Class Tuitions are based on a set number of classes per year. By registering your child for the program you are agreeing to payment of tuition for the entire length of the session, whether six weeks or the entire year. Students who leave the program early will be responsible for any incurred charges or unpaid payments to date. If a child is taking a leave of absence due to illness or injury, a doctor’s note will be required for the child’s records and administration will evaluate tuition; any charges or unpaid payments must be paid in full. Inclement Weather may cause the cancellation of classes periodically. TDF will post studio closings on TDF Facebook and place a message on the studio answering machine. https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dance-Factory/251084408240839 The Dance Factory will make best efforts to create make-up classes for time out ,due to inclement weather, or suggest a similar program for students to attend.

PLACEMENT/EVALUATION

YOUTH DANCE LEVEL 2

All new students joining classes at The Dance Factory must attend a placement class for evaluation and level assignment. The purpose is to evaluate each child’s technique level and provide an accurate level assignment. There is no fee for the placement class and level assignment will be discussed with the parent and student at the end of the class. For the Youth Dance Program, students are assessed for class assignment, and for the Young Dancer’s Program, children are placed in class according to their age.

FEES YOUNG DANCER’S PROGRAM CREATIVE DANCE 6 WK. SESSIONS

Students in Level 2 must have completed attending Level 1 classes and be 10.5 years by September 1, 2016. All new students must attend a placement class for evaluation and level assignment. Level 2 is progressive of Level 1. The range of basic steps is continued and turns are introduced with Quarter and 1/2 turns on the whole foot commenced. There is added emphasis on linking steps together, with more repetitions and more emphasis on coordinating all body parts. Tempos and more complex rhythms are explored. Strength, precision and flexibility along with anatomical alignment in both static and dynamic movement are incorporated into the curriculum. Creativity and expressiveness continue to be a focus in Level 2. Towards the end of Level 2 ballet students will commence with Pointe Class once they have reached a minimum age of 12 years and have been evaluated for placement in the Pointe Program. All students attending Level 2 are allowed to cross-train at this point and combine other genres of dance such as jazz, modern, tap and contemporary to their schedules. LEVEL 3

$95.00

FOUNDATIONS OF DANCE (MONTHLY FEES) 1 Class per week

$62.00

2 Classes per week

$85.00

3 Classes per week

$100.00

Students attending Level 3 classes must be 14 by September 1, 2016 and have completed Level 2. All new students will attend a placement class for evaluation and level assignment. This level continues to progress solidifying the basic elements of posture, transfer of weight, with an increased use of demi-pointe and full pointe. Musicality continues to progress with more complex rhythms explored. Level 3 also increases emphasis on the flow of movement from various learned poses and steps begin to be linked in more complex and expressive ways.

YOUTH DANCE LEVEL 1 (MONTHLY FEES) 3 CLASSES PER WEEK

$110.00

UNLIMITED

$140.00

DANCEWORKS PERFORMANCE

LEVEL 2 (MONTHLY FEES)

$140.00

LEVEL 3 (MONTHLY FEES)

$140.00

SINGLE CLASSES

$20.00

Ask about our 10% Military Family Discount

Class time is only part of the process in learning to dance. Dance is a performance art, and, for many students performance is a goal and a reward! DANCEWORKS was established in 2002 and allows for students to give back to the community through performance. In the past students have performed Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Wonderland, and Seussical Jr. This year in addition to staff choreographers student choreographers will be selected from members representing Levels 2 & 3. DANCEWORKS will commence with its first Audition September 17, from 12:30-2 p.m. Please check the DANCEWORKS bulletin board for details.

CLASS SCHEDULE

The Youth Dance Program

The Young Dancer’s Program

Classes begin September 6, 2016 Classes end May 13, 2017

The Creative Dance Program 6 Week Sessions and Class Times 09/12—10/29/2016

11/05—12/17/2016

LEVEL 1

01/09—02/25/2017

02/27—04/08/2017

Tuesday and Thursday

Ballet 1

5:00-6:00

3-3.5 years

Tuesday

Tap 1

6:00-7:00

Monday 5:00-5:45

Wednesday

Hip Hop 1

6:00-7:00

3.5-4 years

Thursday

Jazz 1

7:00-8:00

Tuesday and Thursday

Ballet 2

6:00-7:30

Tuesday and Thursday

Pointe 2

7:30-8:00

Monday 5:45-6:30

Saturday 12:00-12:45

4.5-5 years Saturday 10:00-10:45

LEVEL 2 Friday 6:00-6:45

Foundations of Dance Program and Class Times

Tuesday

Tap 2

5:00-6:00

Foundations 1

Foundations 2

Foundations 3

Wednesday

Contemporary 2

5:00-6:00

F1 Ballet-Wednesday 5:00-5:45

F2 Tap-Friday 6:00-6:45

F3 Tap-Saturday 12:45-1:30

Wednesday

Hip Hop 2

7:00-8:00

F1 Tap-Friday 5-5:45

F2 Ballet-Friday 5:00-5:45

F3 Ballet-Saturday 11:00-12:00

Thursday

Jazz 2

5:00-6:00

Monday and Wednesday

Ballet 3

6:30-8:00

Monday and Wednesday

Pointe 3

8:00-8:30

Tuesday

Tap 3

7:00-8:00

Monday

Jazz 3

5:00-6:00

Saturday

Contemporary 3

10:00-11:00

Saturday

Hip Hop 3

9:00-10:00

F3 Jazz-Thursday 6:00-6:45 F3 Hip Hop-Monday 6:30-7:15

LEVEL 3

DANCEWORKS Saturday

12:30-2:00

Contemporary and Modern will be interchanged during the year.