Fall Session

We want our classes to be a rewarding and fun experience. Please help us make that possible by adhering to the following suggestions and guidelines. We try to incorporate the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility in everything we do and we ask you to follow the same principles.

ATTENDANCE & OBSERVATION
Please be responsible and present your membership cards when entering the facility. Failure to present your card at check-in will create delays and you may be late for class. Please note that children under age 12 are not permitted to enter the facility without an adult. Please walk your child/children to class and pick them up immediately after class.

We strongly encourage parents and siblings to observe class from outside the program area in order to avoid any distractions. YMCA observation weeks are always the 20th week of each program cycle except in the summer. Please respect the instructors’ requests for order during class.
Please use the restroom before class. Bathroom breaks disrupt the flow of the class.

MISSED CLASSES
Make-ups are only held for classes canceled by the department. Our program sessions run back to back and it is nearly impossible to make up another lesson without affecting student-teacher ratios therefore creating safety hazards.

ATTIRE
Participants should come to class in proper attire. Please do not dress children in the dance studio.

Twinkle Toes Baby Dance, Tiny Tippy Toes, Movement Music & Make Believe, and Creative Movement ~ Comfy clothes, sweats or dance attire, bare feet or pink ballet shoes
DanceKids ~Pink/black leotard & tights, pink leather ballet shoes & black tap shoes with elastic ties Ballet ~ Pink or black leotard & tights, pink leather ballet shoes (no soft “look-a-like ballet” bedroom slippers)
Musical Theater, Jazz & Hip Hop ~ Any style leotard or dance outfit (unitard, shorts or jazz pants) black jazz shoes
Irish Dance ~ Shorts, skirts or capris (no long pants) ballet, black jazz or ghilies shoes
Cheerleading ~ Shorts, t-shirts & sneakers
SalsaKids ~ Regular street clothes (not too loose) sneakers or jazz shoes
Lyrical/Dance Choreography ~ Any style leotard or dance outfit (unitard, shorts or jazz pants), black shoes or barefoot

Please make sure your child’s name is written in the shoes. This is important, as all shoes look the same. Please make sure that hair is secured away from the face in either a ponytail, bun or barrettes.

WITHDRAWALS
The YMCA is flexible and we understand that things can go wrong. If you decide to withdraw from class for any reason, you may do so before the start of the 3rd class. Refunds are only issued in the event the YMCA cancels the class or for a valid medical reason documented in writing by a doctor. Please consult the program guide for more information.

COMMUNICATION
Please communicate honestly with us. We are committed to providing quality programs. If you have a question or concern, please consult with your class instructor or one of the department directors. We ask for your patience as instructors may only have a limited amount of time in between classes.

Carol Baumgartner - Dance and Family Program Director
973-822-YMCA (9622) x.2241 cbaumgartner@madisonymca.org

Carlyn Adams - Dance Coordinator
973-822-YMCA (9622) x.2234 cadams@madisonymca.org

We build Strong Kids, Strong Families, Strong Communities

Preschool Dance

Boogie Jazz (Ages 5-6) NEW!
A fun class to learn the basics of Jazz Dance. You will get great exercise and learn how to shake and wiggle in an age appropriate fashion. Hip music will make the combinations exciting and have you wanting more.

Creative Movement (Ages 2 ½ - 3 ½)
Introduction to dance arts. Mixes traditional dance vocabulary with locomotion development and movement exploration. Thematic yet loosely structured classes. Encourages kids to "feel the dance" and use their creativity.

DanceKids I, II, III (Ages 3 - 14)
Students are introduced to an array of dance, including ballet, tap and jazz.  Specific dance skills appropriate to age & level are taught.

Mini Hip-Hop Kids (Ages 5 - 6)
This class gives a great introduction to the most current dance moves. This class will use "G-rated" kidz bop music. You will have fun and get with the rhythm of the beat!

Pre-Ballet (Ages 3 - 4)
A wonderful way to introduce your little one to the fundamentals of classic ballet technique.

Rock -n- Roll (3 - 4 years) New!
This combo class offers a 1/2 hour of fun in our gymnastics center where students will be taught basic gymnastics skills followed by a 1/2 hour dance class where students will be introduced to an array of dance styles. (Staff will supervise children as they move from class to class.)

Beginner Irish Dance (Ages 4 - 5)
Introduction to Irish Dance for preschoolers! Learn the basic movement of traditional Irish Dance in a high-energy environment. Fall in love with the music and rich dance heritage of Ireland.

School Age Dance

Ballet Combo (Ages 5 - 8)
A progressive class with multiple levels that teaches mostly classic ballet technique but will teach tap and jazz.

Ballet (Ages 9-14) NEW!
A progressive class that teaches classic ballet technique for the teen dancer.

Boys Movement & Dance -- Hip Hop (Ages 5 - 9)
A dance class specially geared for boys. This class gets students moving to the beat of hip hop!

Cheerleading/Hip Hop I & II (Ages 6-12) New!
Learn the latest dance moves combined with enthusiastic cheers. Learn cool formations and even get an opportunity to cheer at a real YMCA game.

DanceKids I, II, III (Ages 3 - 14)
Students are introduced to an array of dance styles, including ballet, tap, and jazz.

Hip Hop (Ages 8 - 12)
A co-ed class designed to teach students the latest dance moves to the most current music!

Advanced Beginner Irish Step Dancing (Ages 5 - 9)
Learn the basic movement of traditional Irish dance in a high-energy environment. Fall in love with the music and rich dance heritage of Ireland.

Irish Step Dancing - Intermediate (Gr. 2 - 3)
This class picks up where the Beginner Irish Dance class leaves off. Further develop your steps and keep moving your feet to a Celtic beat.

Junior Private Dance Lessons (Gr. 8 and younger)
You pick the dance technique, we provide the skilled instructor. By appointment.

Lyrical – Beginner (Ages 7-12) New!
An introduction to the basics of this expressive style of dance which combines ballet and jazz.

Lyrical/Jazz Dance (Ages 8 - 14)
This dance style fuses modern dance, jazz and ballet. Lyrical jazz dance is often referred to as contemporary dance. The dancers will learn the importance of facial expressions and using their emotions.)

Salsa Kids for both boys & girls (Ages 7-12)
Dancers will learn all the Latin dances - salsa, cumbia, bachata, merengue, samba and more - incorporated into a workout that will include warm up and cool down. Routines will also fuse elements of hip hop and Middle Eastern dance. Kids will get into change the fun way! Ole!

Tap and Jazz I & II (Ages 5 - 9; 7 - 10)
This is a beginner class to learn the basics of tap and jazz. Learn to tap and have fun by incorporating these steps into dance routines.

Miss Manners (Ages 8 – 14)
Focus will be on the fundamentals of achieving good posture, using a knife and fork in the continental dining style. Etiquette will be based on New Manners for New Times by Letitia Baldrige. Posture is so important to our health but it’s much more than that. Good posture is youthful and powerful because it gives a person the aura of self-confidence. We want to encourage good posture from an early age so it develops into a lifelong good habit.

Musical Theater Dance (Ages 6 - 10)
An upbeat class which explores dance in the wonderful world of musical theater. Have fun learning jazzy, funky and rhythmic dances like that ones seen on Broadway.

Dance Choreography (Ages 8 – 14)
For the budding dance choreographer in the family. Learn the basics of dance choreography - repetition, variation on a theme, floor pattern/direction changes, etc. Each child will create their own one-minute (or longer) dance in their style and music of choice.

Adult Dance/Teen

Swing Dancing (Gr. 8 - Adult)
This class will teach participants the basics of East Coast Swing, sometimes called the Jitterbug. It is a fast, exuberant, non-progressive dance which works well on any crowded floor. Swing is carefree, relaxed, and fun with spins and intricate patterns. It works equally well with Big Band, Motown, and Rock & Roll, over a wide range of tempos from moderately slow to very fast. You can bring a partner or come on your own. It is perfect to learn for weddings and any other events you may attend. You will learn to dance, get exercise and have fun while doing it!

Latin Dance (Ages 7-Adult)
Classic Latin dance instructional: Salsa, merengue, mambo, cha-cha, bachata, and cumbia.

Adult Jazz (Gr. 9-Adult) NEW!
Start with a great warm-up to wake-up, stretch and work on some jazz technique. Do some center work then across the floor and end with a fun combination. Jazz is a great outlet from your hectic day. All experience levels welcome.

Adult/Teen Hip-Hop (Grade 6-Adult)
Need to get in the groove? This class offers the most current dance moves to the most current music.

Adult Tap Beginner (Gr. 9 – Adult)
Learn the basic tap moves and work on different rhythms, while getting exercise, dancing to great music and having fun.

Adult Tap Intermediate (Gr. 9 – Adult)
Work on refining all different rhythm tap moves for the experienced tap dancer, while getting great exercise, dancing to great music and having fun making music with your feet.

Ballet Stretch & Tone (Gr. 9 – Adult)
This is a great way to stretch out all of your muscles and learn some basic dance moves to get closer to a ballet type body. It is just the right amount of time to feel stretched and focused to continue on with the rest of your day.

Adult Ballet (Gr. 9 - Adult)
Learn the fundamentals of ballet while developing strength, tone, and flexibility. Works for all experience levels.

Adult Ice Skating (Gr. 9 – Adult)
Learn to skate from two-time Olympian JoJo Starbuck! All levels of skaters welcome. Class meets at Twin Oaks Arena in Morristown.

Information regarding Adult/Teen classes can be directed to Carlyn Adams at 973-822-YMCA (9622) x2234 or email, cadams@madisonymca.org.

Performing Troupes

CREW I (Ages 8-12)
Learn beginner Hip-Hop choreography to then perform several times throughout the year. You must take a regular Hip-Hop class as well to participate.

CREW II (Ages 8-14)
This intermediate/advanced hip-hop technique class will include choreography to perform several times throughout the year! You must have permission to join. Call or email us.

Gliders (Ages 8-14)
This is an intermediate lyrical technique class. You will work on ballet barre technique and lots of jumps and turns. Choreography will be taught to be performed several times throughout the year! You must have permission to join. Call or email us.

Ballet (Ages 8-12)
Learn basic ballet choreography to then perform several times throughout the year! You must take a regular ballet class as well to participate.

Cheer (Ages 6-12)
Learn basic cheers and some hip-hop choreography to then perform several times throughout the year! You must take a regular Cheer/Hip-Hop class as well to participate.

Information regarding Performing Troupes can be directed to Casey Quinlan at 973-822-YMCA (9622) voice mailbox x 2308 or by email at cquinlan@madisonymca.org.

Tea Parties

Tea Parties are run by the Dance department every month, with different themes and activities.

 Click here for more details!

For more information please contact Carol Baumgartner at 973-822-YMCA (9622) x.2241 or cbaumgartner@madisonymca.org.