Classes & Registration
At what age can I enroll my child?
Our program offers classes for students ages 3-18. We believe the best time to start dance is unique for each child. Some may thrive in the structured setting of a ballet class at a very young age, and others may need to step into dance at a later time. Our classes will develop your child’s gross motor skills, balance, coordination, and artistry. These are not pre-requisites for entering our program. Your child should have a desire to attend class, and enjoy learning.
Our Summer Dance Camps are a wonderful opportunity to give dance a try and determine whether a year-long class might be a good fit. Check out our “Class Registration” to view this year’s summer schedule.
My child wants to begin dance at an older age. Will he/she need to begin at level 1?
Cannon Falls School of Dance desires to bring classical ballet and other genres of dance to the surrounding area. While our program is structured in levels that progress as students grow and develop their skills, we do not wish for students to feel they’ve missed the opportunity to engage our program. If your dancer wishes to take class without any prior formal training, we require an evaluation from our creative director. Ms. Caitlin will be able to assess your child’s skills, make recommendations for classes and/or private lessons, and develop a plan to accelerate the learning process. Our goal is to make sure dancers feel confident and capable in the material being taught in class, and want to partner with families to accomplish this goal.
Our Summer Boot Camp and Rhythm & Tap Workshops for Levels 1-6 are a great opportunity to give dance a try and determine whether a year-long class might be a good fit. Students will receive an evaluation and recommendation on Fall classes. Check out our “Class Registration” to view this year’s summer schedule.
What does a typical dance season look like?
Our dance season begins in September and runs through May, ending with our Spring Showcase. We will spend the Fall building technique by practicing skills at the barre, across the floor, and in center. Ms. Caitlin likes to incorporate games and class challenges into her teaching style to keep students motivated and engaged. Following Thanksgiving, we celebrate Nutcracker Month, a four-week period where we learn dances from the Nutcracker and play holiday dance games. Upon our return from Winter Break, students will begin learning their Spring Showcase dance. This dance will be performed during our show in May.
Registration Cut-off
Registration for our Fall 2021-2022 season ends October 31st, 2021. Students’ costumes will be ordered during the middle of November to ensure they are distributed in time for our Picture Day and Spring Showcase.
Pointe
When can I go en pointe?
Pointe work is for the most experienced dancers. When you have achieved top skills in Ballet, you will be allowed to go en pointe. This is intended for your safety and success.
- Must be 13 years old or greater, so as not to stunt a dancer’s foot growth.
- Must take at least two ballet classes a week and be in our Level 5 or greater, as a great deal of ballet technique is required to maintain the proper skills to dance en pointe.
- Must pass Ms. Caitlin’s evaluation prior to going en pointe. This evaluation will assess your strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
- Must go with Ms. Caitlin to get her first shoes!
Should you not be prepared for pointe at the end of your evaluation, Ms. Caitlin will develop a personalized plan with you and your family to help you achieve your goal of dancing en pointe. Evaluations may be rescheduled after a reasonable amount of time has passed since the previous assessment.
Safety Protocols
How will state safety guidelines affect my child’s dance class?
We are currently following the Minnesota Department of Health’s guidelines laid out in Executive Order (EO) 21-11. As new guidance from the state is made available, we will adjust our protocols to reflect those changes.
- At this time, we are limiting our class size to 8 students, to ensure space for social distancing. The flow of class will adjust to allow students to stay distanced, yet move around the room safely.
- We are required to wear facial coverings while inside the dance studio, and are encouraged to sanitize our hands prior to entering the space. We hope to install a hand sanitizing station for our Summer Dance Camps.
- Parents will be asked to remain outside the studio once they have dropped off their dancer(s) for class.
- Water breaks will be taken more frequently during class, and if the weather permits, students will be escorted outside by Ms. Caitlin to take a breath of fresh air before returning to class.
