Developmental Program

Welcome to Heart of the Valley Dance Academy.  We offer quality dance education with a goal of building the self esteem of our students. We strive to reach our goal by having a low student-teacher ratio creating quality lesson time.  Our dance philosophy includes creating a safe environment that is nurturing and positive for our students.  Our staff has many years of experience in various fields of dance along with a love of sharing their talents with children. 

We offer classes in:

 Tap- Tap dance is a percussive art form of dance characterized by using the sounds made  as tap shoes strike the floor. Two major variations on tap dance exist: rhythm (jazz) tap and Broadway tap. Broadway tap focuses more on dance; as it is widely  performed in musical theater. This style has produced household celebrities such as  Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire. Rhythm tap focuses on musicality, and practitioners consider themselves to be a part of the jazz tradition.  This style is widely considered  to be the heart of the art form and has been passed down by masters such as Bill  Bojangles Robinson and Sammy Davis Jr.               

Jazz  - Jazz is one of the most fun and classic styles of dance!  Jazz is performed on stage   with attack, technique and usually a lot of attitude!  Using its upbeat movement,   jazz dance emphasizes rhythm, style, lines, and a strong low center of gravity.

Ballet / Pointe-a classical dance form demanding grace and precision and employing                             formalized steps and gestures set in intricate, flowing patterns to create   expression through movement.  

Technique- Technique is an innovative program for students to understand the depth of                        training muscle memory in achieving their personal best in classical ballet and  other styles of dance. This class will help in increasing muscle memory,  improve flexibility and turn out, strengthen technique, and help prevent   injuries.        

Lyrical - Lyrical dance is a blend of Ballet and jazz focusing on strong emotional connection  to the music, soft fluid movements, long expansive motions, and technique.

Hip Hop -Hip-hop dance refers to street dance styles primarily performed to hip-hop music   or that have evolved as part of hip-hop culture. It includes a wide range of styles  primarily breaking, locking, and popping which were created in the 1970s and  made popular by dance crews in the United States.  

Classes for our developmental program will run from September 9 until the weekend of May 9 and 10, ending with performances during the weekend at Kaukauna High School.  Revue dates will be confirmed in fall. There will be three recitals— each class will perform in 2 of those recitals. Please see the codes on the Fall schedule for which recital each class performs in.

Registration Fees- A $25 nonrefundable registration fee is required with enrollment for each child.  Your child will not be entered into a class without payment of the registration fee.  A letter will be emailed with confirmation of your child’s enrollment upon complete registration.

Class Fees- Yearly fees for all 30 minute classes paid in full by September 30th are $265.  Each additional class for the same student is $250.00   This includes an early payment discount. All 45 minute classes are billed at $335, if paid in full by September 30. Students enrolling in the Pointe class are required to enroll in our technique class.                                                                                                                                                                              Class fees can be paid in full to receive the discount, in three installments of $94 which are due Sept. 15/ Nov. 15/ Feb. 15 or in 8 payments of $35. Please see our tuition schedule for full details and breakdowns.

Fundraising opportunities are available for families looking to offset dance expenses. Contact us for information! 

Attendance- Regular attendance is not only important for individual growth, but also for the dance class as a whole.  Therefore, dancers are allowed only 5 missed classes (excused or unexcused) each dance season.  Any dancer exceeding the maximum missed classes during the dance season will be required to take paid private lessons.

Dress Code—Ballet / Lyrical / Pointe - Students are required to wear a leotard and tights. Ballet skirts /dance shorts may be worn along with the leotard and tights. (no color requirement for clothing) Tap / Jazz / Hip Hop / Pom & Dance - Leotards, tights, leggings, dance shorts, fitted t-shirts, tank tops and dance pants are all acceptable . All pants worn during class must not touch or drag on the floor.     Absolutely no jeans or dresses are allowed in any dance class! 

Costumes

“Costume Week” will be held the week of October 20-25 during regular class time. One parent must be present for each dancer. At this class, students will be measured and sized for their costumes; students will not be dancing. Parents will have the opportunity to review costume sizes at that time and will sign off on their child’s costume order sheet. We are generous in our measuring to allow for growth between November and April. Any costs to alter a costume will be the parent’s responsibility. Please note that costumes are not sized like street clothes. We always recommend going up a size when in doubt. Payment for costumes will be due the same evening.   Exchanging a costume for a different size is not always an option, but if a size exchange is possible, there will be a $10 exchange fee.  

Costume   prices for recital classes are as follows: 

Child Size S-M  $75.00  Adult Size S-L $80.00

Child Size L-XL $75.00 Adult Size XL $85.00

Adult Size 2XL $90.00

Add additional $5 for each size larger then 2XL

Competition families: please see your handbook for costume pricing for competitive classes