MCDC
PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK:
Executive Director: Karen Dearborn
Educational Director/Administrative Manager: Lisa Bottitta-Busfield
Youth School & Performance Company Director: Tara Repsher
Education Training Mentor: Teresa VanDenend Sorge
Department Manager: Jessica Bien
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Contact Information
II. Philosophies
III. Course Descriptions
IV. Classroom Expectations, Rules and Dress Code
V. Class Make-up and Inclement Weather Policy
VI. Performances
All of this information can also be found on our website: http://www.muhlenberg.edu/mcdc
Updated 9.1.13
I. Contact Information
Please direct all MCDC questions and concerns to #484-664-3087 or email us at: .
II. Philosophies:
Mission Statement:
The Muhlenberg Community Dance Center Program for Young Dancers offers a safe and supportive environment in which students can explore their creative and physical potential under the guidance of an enthusiastic and knowledgeable teaching staff. Taught in the state-of-the-art dance studios of Muhlenberg College, the curriculum gives students flexibility to design their own course of study, exploring a wide range of dance styles according to their interests. The faculty focuses on providing developmentally age-appropriate dance education for all levels, carrying a child from the earliest creative movement experience through pre-professional work. Emphasis is placed on educating the whole child, providing not only physical training and dance technique, but also a cross-curricular approach to creative expression, with a focus on developing self-confidence and a lifelong appreciation for the creative arts.
Styles of Dance:
MCDC is committed to laying a firm foundation in dance technique for our students. For this reason, MCDC concentrates on teaching the classical forms of creative movement, ballet, modern, jazz and tap. This program allows students to firmly grasp the fundamental ideas of body movement, isolation and control while building strength and flexibility.
Teaching Philosophy:
MCDC Faulty is comprised of distinguished dance professionals as well as specially selected Muhlenberg College students among the elite pursuing their degrees in dance. These students not only go through a semester practicum program to prepare for teaching, but these students are also mentored and observed regularly throughout their time with MCDC by our education staff.
MCDC aims to develop strong confidence and morals in our students through our examples as teachers. We strive to develop students that are strong, creative and independent leaders as well as respectful, ethical and generous team participants; two major tools for success in life.
III. Course Descriptions:
PLEASE NOTE AGES ARE APPROXIMATIONS. ULTIMATELY, THE DIRECTOR WILL DECIDE LEVELS AFTER THE STUDENT IS OBSERVED IN A PLACEMENT CLASS.
The curriculum is designed to carry a child from the earliest movement experience through pre-professional level work, with a focus on developing self-confidence and a lifelong appreciation for dance and other art forms.
Courses are offered in creative movement, ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, hip hop and tap, allowing students to pursue the various genres of dance in a cross-curricular atmosphere. Students will learn the physical components of dance as well as historical and cultural concepts as they relate to the art form.
The annual spring performance culminates the spring semester of courses. The concert provides students the opportunity to broaden their pre-professional dance experience by performing on the College’s state-of-the-art Baker Theatre stage.
*MCDC also offers an extensive summer dance program with instruction at a variety of levels in various dance techniques including creative movement, ballet, jazz, and modern. Course Schedule and information will be available early in May.
IV. MCDC Classroom Expectations and Dress Code:
· Registration forms, waiver and payment must be received PRIOR to the first class meeting. For liability purposes, the college must know who is on campus at all times and have the child’s parental consent. Students will not be able to come in to the studio without signed forms.
· For your child’s safety please arrive ready to dance on time. If a child is more than 10 minutes late we will ask him or her to sit and observe class. Injury can occur if muscles are not properly warmed up.
· Parents are not permitted to sit in the classroom and observe their child’s class. This is to insure optimal learning for ALL children attending class. If there are any problems, the teacher or assistant will contact you immediately.
· If you know your child will be absent on a specific date, please inform your child’s teacher as soon as possible.
· Taking pictures or video while class is in session is not permitted. You may take pictures of your child once class is complete.
· To protect our state of the art studios, only water bottles are allowed – no food or other beverages.
· Any questions or concerns, please contact us at: #484-664-3087 or
Clothing for Creative Movement:
Comfortable clothing that does not inhibit the child from moving freely and safely; shoes are not required.
Clothing for Ballet Class:
Girls
Pink tights and simple leotard (preferably black with no attached skirt or embellishments), pink leather or canvas ballet slippers with elastic straps sewn on.
With the exception of advanced ballet or with the director’s permission, skirts and warm-up attire are not permitted in ballet class. This includes leg warmers, shorts, wraps and other related attire.
Ballet training places great emphasis on neck and head positioning as well as spotting for turns. Thus, loose or swinging hair interferes with training. Unless hair is very short, girls should put hair in a bun or french twist for class. If boys have long hair they too should secure hair firmly to head. Type in "hair for ballet class" and you will find demonstration videos online instructing how to do this.
Pointe Shoe Fittings
Pointe shoes must be fitted by your ballet teacher; this is to ensure a proper fit before you sew them.
Boys
White T-shirt and fitted black dance pants (pants must be fitted and expose ankles). Black or neutral color ballet slippers.
Clothing for all other dance classes:
Girls
Fitted dance clothing – unitards, dance pants, tanks, leotards, etc. If wearing dance shorts, girls MUST wear tights and proper under garments beneath.
Boys
Fitted dance clothing appropriate for each style.
Appropriate shoes for each dance class
Modern – bare feet
Jazz and Beginner Musical Theatre – Soft soled jazz shoes (no jazz sneakers – they stick to our floors).
Tap – Black Capezio CG55's or CG09’s are recommended, a solid oxford, no split soles.
Where to purchase Dancewear:
Freemotion
2475 Willow Park Rd
Bethlehem, PA
610-758-9397
www.freemotion.com
Dance Boutique
4622 Broadway
Allentown, PA 18104
610-395-2042
www.abcdance.com
On-line purchasing:
www.newyorkdancewear.com
www.capeziodance.com
www.discountdance.com
www.justforkix.com
www.starstyled.com
www.dancedistributors.com (This Company is located in Harrisburg. They will send a catalog if you call 1-800-33-dance. They usually deliver in 24 hours with no extra charge.)
V. Class Make-up and Inclement Weather Policy
You may ONLY make up a class due to illness or injury. Make up classes may be taken in another weekly class of the same genre, or if that is not available you may also take a different genre but it must be at you current level of dance or approved by a director. There is no need to call first to see if you can take a class but please let the teacher of the class you choose know that you are taking the class as a make-up. Unless you have a doctor’s note, all make-up classes must be taken within the same session of the classes that you missed.
*In case of a snow emergency, class cancellations will be posted on the following website: www.wfmz.com
VI. Performances
** MCDC offers two types of performance opportunities for our dancers. The first is our performance company and the second is our class work showings, both are explained below.
A. Performance Company
The Muhlenberg Community Dance Center's Performance Company offers a pre-professional approach to dance training and technique for serious dance students ages 10-18. Students hone performance and dance technique skills through deepened study and practice of dance repertory. Repertory will include both established works and newly created works in a variety of dance styles including ballet, modern and jazz. Emphasis is placed on challenging the dancers to grow as technicians and performers, and requires dedication and commitment from the serious dancer.
This full-year commitment requires a two-hour weekly class and registration in at least one MCDC ballet class per semester. Students will participate in community performances, a fall and spring MCDC show, and a master class. The attendance at two Muhlenberg College dance concerts is required. Students are invited to perform in all five outside performances, but are only required to perform in three of the five. Performing in the Fall and Spring MCDC concerts is required.
· Dancers will be asked to sign a company contract that explains all rules for participation.
· This opportunity is open to dancers ages 10 and up.
· The performance company fee is a separate cost from regular classes.
B. Class Work Showing/Fall Performance Day and Spring Concert Performance
This is the same format as done in previous years. Teachers will create a brief piece based on class material that will be presented in our Fall Performance Day. In the Spring Concert, students and teachers will have the opportunity to expand upon their classroom technique and collaborate with other MCDC students. Costume pieces will be informal, coming from MCDC costume stock, inexpensive store bought or from the dancer’s personal wardrobe. Preparation for class work showings will be done during class time only. There will be no extra rehearsals except for dress rehearsal, tech rehearsal, and the show times.
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