School of Dance

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Cookeville Department of Leisure Services 

School of Dance


 

The Cookeville Department of Leisure Services  is pleased to present its dance program offerings for the 2007-2008 year. Classes are held at the Cane Creek Recreation Center, 180 CC Camp Road.  Students may register by contacting the Cookeville Drama Center at 528-1313 or 520-5296.  

The Leisure Services School of Dance was founded

  • to foster the understanding of dance as an art form within he community through class instruction and studio performances
  • to guide students toward a strong technical foundation through quality dance instruction
  • to provide students with a broad dance education through exposure to various dance forms

Class Offerings:

Dance for Young Children (DYC) (ages 3 through 1st grade)

DYC attempts to expand the child's understanding of how his/her body moves in space, to encourage the child's development of basic movement skills, to provide him/her with a positive self-image in movement, and to broaden his/her understanding of dance as an art form - communicating through body movement. Children in DYC classes experience movement, music and creative expression.  They build confidence and a sense of achievement while mastering fundamental skills and the basics of dance.  Completion of the DYC program prepares young dancers for more advanced Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Modern dance classes.  A performance opportunity is offered for the Dance for Young Children students in May of 2008. 

Technique Classes are offered for ages 7 years through adult in the areas of classical ballet, jazz, and modern.  Technique classes are designed to enhance student growth and development by:  familiarizing students with the movement vocabulary of the selected dance form;  increasing flexibility, muscular control, coordination, strength, and stamina;  focusing on proper body alignment;  emphasizing rhythmic accuracy; and providing an awareness of the elements of dance - the body, space, force, and time.

Ballet (2nd grade and up)

Students continuing their ballet training begin a more formal study of the classical technique.  Strength, posture, alignment, musicality and clean movement patterns are emphasized.  Multiple classes per week are recommended for students progressing through the curriculum.  Teachers regularly evaluate progress to ensure proper placement.

Jazz and Tap

Jazz and Tap prepare students for contemporary choreography and musical theatre.  Students may begin jazz classes in 5th grade.  Tap is helpful in the development of rhythm and may be started earlier, at age 6.

Modern Dance (2nd grade and up)

Classes will focus on the fundamental philosophies of modern dance.  Students will be encouraged to develop dance sequences and compositions.

Teen/Adult Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap

The teen and adult classes are for students wishing to further their dance training in a non-competitive recreational atmosphere.  Dance classes provide opportunities for artistic expression and improved coordination, strength, posture, flexibility, grace, and confidence.  Classes are designed to be stimulating and fun.

  

Dance Program Policies

Attire and Grooming - Proper dance wear and proper grooming of hair is an essential part of a student's dance training.  Students are required to be properly attired and groomed for each class.  Hair must be worn up, away from the face, off the neck and secured for all classes.  No jewelry or gum is allowed in class.  All dance wear, including shoes should be labeled with the student's name.

Ballet - Pink tights (for legs), black or solid dark colored leotard, pink slippers (Capezio, Bloch, or Freed).

DYC, Modern, Jazz, and Tap - All:  black or solid dark colored leotard or unitard...AND:

DYC and Modern - pink or black tights, bare feet

Jazz - Capezio or Block soft leather black jazz oxfords

Tap - Black low-heeled tap oxfords, Mary Janes, or character shoes

Male Attire - White cotton T-shirt, lightweight shorts, black or white shoes for ballet, jazz, tap:  bare feet for Dance for Young Children

PERFORMANCES - Students, including Dance for Young Children participants, are privileged to have a spring performance opportunity.  Students are responsible for a performance costume fee.  More detailed information will be furnished later in the school year.

Make-Up Classes - Students are urged to make up any missed classes.  Make-up classes should be completed as soon as possible.  Arrangements for day and time should be made with the class instructor.

Refund Policy - The Cookeville Department of Leisure Services offers a full money back guarantee for all of its classes and programs.  If, after attending the first two classes, you are not satisfied with the class or the instruction, you may receive a full refund.  Please request the refund in writing within one week after the second class.

Other Refunds - Tuition fees are based on a full year, not prorated on a per class basis.  After the first two classes, partial refunds or credits will be made only when the students must discontinue classes for medical reasons or due to moving away from the Cookeville area.  Students terminating classes for other reasons will not receive tuition refunds. Deductions will not be made when students miss class.  Students may make up classes missed by making arrangements with the instructor.

Bad Weather - In bad weather situations, school closings are not a factor in determining whether classes will be held.  When classes are canceled because of bad weather conditions, you may call the Studio number at 526-7393 and listen to the message detailing class schedule.  Announcements will also be placed on cable channel 7.  Please be aware that some of your instructors come from Nashville and therefore, we may need to cancel classes when weather conditions in Cookeville seem manageable.   In the event that classes are canceled, make-up classes will be scheduled.

  

2007/2008 Class Schedule

Monday
4:00-5:00   Modern II               Maggie Pelton
4:45-5:15   DYC (3-4 yr olds)     Deby Rossie
5:00-6:00   Ballet II*                Maggie Pelton
5:15-6:00   DYC(5-6 yr olds)      Deby Rossie
6:00-7:00   Modern I                 Linda Savage
6:00-7:30   Ballet III*                Maggie Pelton
7:30-8:00   Pointe                     Maggie Pelton
8:00-9:00   Adult Modern/Jazz    Maggie Pelton

Tuesday
4:00-4:45   DYC (Kindergarten)    Deby Rossie
4:45-5:30   DYC (grade 1)           Deby Rossie
5:30-6:30   Ballet IA                   Deby Rossie & Carolyn Bennett 
6:30-7:30   Ballet I B & C            Deby Rossie & Carolyn Bennett

Thursday
4:00-5:00      Ballet II*               Deby Rossie
4:00-5:00      Jazz II                  Jan Carter-Stumbo                       
5:00-6:00      Jazz I                   Jan Carter-Stumbo
5:00-6:30      Ballet III*              Deby Rossie
6:30-7:30      Adult/Teen Ballet     Deby Rossie
7:00-8:00      Adult/Teen Jazz      Jan Carter-Stumbo

*indicates class meets twice per week                  

 

2007/08 Calendar 

2007
August 13, Open House, 4-6 pm
August 20 Classes begin
September 3, Labor Day Holiday, classes made up November 20
October 8-19, Fall Break (no class)
November 20-23, Thanksgiving break (no classes, Monday classes will meet)
December 20, Last class before Christmas break

2008
January 7, Classes resume
March 3-14, Spring break (no classes)
May 9 & 10, Spring Performances at the Cookeville Drama Center at 7:30 pm

 

Tuition/Fee Schedule

The Leisure Services Dance Program's instructional year is designed for continual training August through May.  When a student registers for a class, that student occupies a spot in that class for the entire instructional year. Payment is due according to the following schedule for the entire year, regardless of the actual number of classes attended (see Makeup Classes under School of Dance Policies).  Ballroom classes are the exception, being designed for single short terms and based on a different pay schedule.  Please call 528-1313 for specific information.

Registration Fee -  A $10.00 per family annual non-refundable registration fee is required to accompany registration.

Payments are to be made to:

Cookeville Leisure Services
School of Dance
P.O. Box 998
Cookeville TN  38503

Students taking one class per week will be required to pay one half the yearly fee at the time of registration, and the balance by December 1,  2006.  Students taking more than one course may pay according to the following schedule: 

1/5 payments:
1st due upon registration
2nd due October 26, 2007
3rd due December 7, 2007
4th due January 25, 2008
5th due March 7, 2008  

Tuition, based on a total of 32 instructional weeks, August through May, per registered family:

Pointe=$150.00/year
1 class per week @ $10.00 per class = $310.00/year
2 classes per week @ $9.50  per class = $589/year
3 classes per week @ $9.00  per class = $837/year
4 classes per week @ $8.50 per class = $1054/year
5 classes per week @ $8.25 per class = $1278.75/year
6 or more per week @ $8.00 per class

Performance and Costume Fee
Students, including Dance for Young Children participants, are privileged to have a spring performance opportunity.  Students are responsible for a performande costume fee of $40 per class in addition to tuition fees.

Faculty

Deby Rossie (Dance for Young Children, Ballet I, II & III, Adult/Teen Ballet) holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Georgia.  She studied ballet and modern in Atlanta under Marie Roberts, Hilda Gum, and Carl Radcliff.  While in Atlanta Mrs. Rossie performed with "The Dance Unit" modern company under the direction of Leslie Morris.  She taught ballet technique courses for UTC's Continuing Education Program and founded their creative movement program.  Mrs. Rossie taught for the Dance Arts Center in Cookeville from 1982 until its close in 1995.  She is currently a member of the Tennessee Association of Dance.

Maggie Pelton (Pointe, Modern II, Ballet II & III, Dance for Young Children, Adult/Modern Jazz) grew up in the New Jersey Ballet Company.  Her studies expanded to other disciplines while at the University of Arts in Philadelphia and Martha Graham and Jose Limon schools in New York.  After receiving her BFA from the Juliard School, Maggie toured the U.S. and Caribbean with the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble.  Her greatest fortune was to be the last female dancer chosen by Alvin Ailey himself. After moving to California, she found a new love in teaching.  Maggie continues to teach all levels, ages and styles of dance while choreographing and dancing nationwide. Maggie now resides in Nashville.