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COMPANY CLASS INFORMATION

COMPANY CLASSES

Company Classes are structured classes that hold dancers to a high standard of proper technique.  We expect that Company dancers are committed to excellent attendance and consistent at-home practice in order to be prepared for class. Weekly devotions are shared with the teen classes during stretching time. 

Company classes work together toward the goal of creating performance pieces that are purposed to honor to the Lord and to lift high the name of Jesus Christ. These pieces will be performed at the formal Spring Show in April at a rented venue, and also possibly at various performances outside of the studio. These performances have included Washington County Fair, City Mission’s Sweet Sunday, Canonsburg’s Old Fashioned Christmas, various nursing homes, church services and other events. Only Company dancers are invited to participate in these opportunities. 

In the youngest Company Classes (PRESCHOOL, ADORE, DECLARE), ballet is an integral part of the class, as we are laying a fundamental dance foundation by teaching basic skills that increase in difficulty as the dancers show themselves more capable. After they have demonstrated mastery of those skills, older classes tend to focus more on jazz technique and choreography. Because of this, it is very helpful for dancers to supplement their learning by enrolling in an add-on Ballet class. Adding on an Acro-Dance class will increase a dancer’s flexibility, balance, and body awareness as well as their limbering and tumbling ability. If a dancer is not interested in tumbling, but wants to gain flexibility and strength, Stretch and Strengthen class is an excellent add-on. All add-on classes are available at a reduced rate for Company dancers. 

Company Classes typically include a cardio warm-up, flexibility and strength training, a short devotional time, technique drills, and learning choreography for our Spring Show and other outreach performances. 

CLASS ASSIGNMENT

Because we aim to foster an active environment of worship, we chose worship verbs from the Psalms to represent each class (TESTIFY, MAGNIFY, DECLARE, etc). 

GCDC instructors assign dancers to different classes based on their individual strengths and needs, and also how well they fit the demands of the class’s curriculum and choreography for April’s Spring Show. We do not use auditions to place Company dancers in their groups. All new dancers must contact us to receive their class placement, and may be asked to come in for an evaluation. All returning dancers are reevaluated during the dance season to ensure they are placed where they will have the most success, and will receive their class assignment in an email before the beginning of the next season. For more information on class assignments, click here.

LOCATION OF CLASSES

Our classes take place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in our studio rooms at Crossroads Church at 1120 Boyce Road in Upper St. Clair, PA 15241

CLASS ATTENDANCE

It is important to understand that when you enroll your child in Company Classes, we need you to commit to attending regularly and being punctual. Ideally, your child will only miss 1-2 classes for the entire year. Absences and tardiness slow down the pace of the class as choreography and technique must be retaught. We do understand that extenuating circumstances may cause your child to miss more than this. Missing two classes in a row, or any absence at all in the months of January – April, will require a private lesson (see below).  Any dancer enrolling past the first week of September classes, may also require private lessons in order to catch up with their group. Please let us know whenever your dancer will be absent.

TARDINESS

Please arrive at least ten minutes prior to the start of class. Dancers should be ready with their shoes on when the teacher comes to get them from the waiting room. Dancers entering late are a major distraction to the teacher and the entire class. Excessive tardiness may require private lessons.

PRIVATE LESSONS

If your child misses two classes in a row, or if she misses any class in January – April, a private lesson is required. Late enrollees will also require private lesson(s). Private lessons should be taken before your child’s next scheduled class. Contact Danielle via email or phone to schedule. These lessons are given by our student teaching assistants and are $5/half hour. All checks for private lessons are to be made out to the Company. You must sign on your registration form that you agree to our private lesson policy and will comply. 

CLASS CANCELLATIONS

If class is canceled due to bad weather, we will email you and put a notice on our Facebook page. Please check your email BEFORE heading out on a snowy day. Note that we rarely cancel classes. If the roads around our studio are clear and the parking lot is plowed, we hold classes. If snow is excessive in your area and you feel that it is unsafe to travel, please don’t. Canceled classes are not rescheduled unless there will be less than three classes that month. Preschool, Adore, Declare, Acro-dance and Recreational Classes will have access to videos to practice at home and all other classes have a zoom option available to them.