Official School of the Brandywine Ballet

Donna L. Muzio, Artistic Director and Founder

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Dance Program at the The Dance Center

Our YMCA program has partnered with The Dance Center, official school of the Brandywine Ballet. Your Dance contact is Donna L. Muzio, Artistic Director, 610/696-5023.

Learn more about our program at The Dance Center.

Your contact for Dance:
Donna L. Muzio,
Artistic Director, The Dance Center
610-696-5023

About the School . . .

The Dance Center, the official school of The Brandywine Ballet, was established in l973 in West Chester by Donna Muzio.  The main goal and purpose of the school is to provide professional training to serious students pursuing a career in dance.  We are pleased to expand our school to the Lionville Community YMCA and look forward to establishing a professional level, varied dance curriculum, emphasizing the importance of classical ballet for children.  In the future we hope to expand the levels and syllabus to accommodate the needs of dancers who are serious about the art and offer many performance opportunities as we are the Official School of the Brandywine Ballet.

The entire Dance Center faculty is committed to providing individual attention to achievement and progress of each and every student whether they are pursuing a professional career, or dancing for pure enjoyment and good exercise.  Both types of students receive excellent guidance throughout their years of training.

Learn more about The Dance Center at www.thedancecenter.org

General Information and Registration

Registration for dance classes at the YMCA is always open as long as the class you are interested in enrolling in is not full. You must register in person at the Welcome Center for 8 week sessions. No single classes are offered.

All communication from The Dance Center faculty and staff to the dancers of the Lionville Community YMCA is done primarily through e-mail. Please make sure the YMCA has your contact phone numbers and e-mail addresses on file.

The dance classes at the Lionville Community YMCA are a CONTINUOUS study of the curriculum from September to June. Even though the YMCA tuition sessions are in 8-week increments, the instruction DOES NOT start from the beginning every 8 weeks.

Program Fees

All registration fees are by bank draft and are billed monthly to a credit card.

MONTHLY TUITION:
Full Member: $39.50
Program Member: $79.00

The Curriculum

Pre-School (Ages  3 & 4)  45 minute class

This class gives the student a combination of ballet and modern jazz introduction.  The main emphasis is on ballet as it is 30 to 35 minutes of the class.  The ballet instruction is taught with classical music emphasizing Russian technique concepts taught with age-appropriate lessons.  This class is a fun introduction to world of classical dance!

Pre-Ballet (Ages 5 & 6) 45 minute class

This class gives the student a combination of ballet and tap. The main emphasis is on ballet as it is 30 minutes of the class. The remaining l5 minutes is tap introduction in which rhythm and counting are reemphasized accompanied with a different type of music and movement. The ballet instruction is taught with classical music emphasizing Russian technique concepts. More emphasis is given in this level on feet and arm positions as well as classical movement and terminology. This class is an excellent, yet fun introduction to the Elementary Division of the school.

Pee-Wee Hip Hop (Ages 5 & 6) 45 minute class

This class gives young dancers an introduction to Hip Hop. Many requests have been made for this class as some young children are not yet interested in learning ballet, but have a great interest in other forms of dance. This class will give your child a great exercise experience while learning age-appropriate hip hop moves and techniques.

Elementary Classical Ballet (Ages 7, 8, 9, 10) 45 minute class

Two levels of ballet following the Vaganova Method of Classical Ballet emphasizing feet and arm positions, correct terminology, stretching, and introduction to proper technique. The opportunity to perform in the Brandywine Ballet Company's production of "The Nutcracker" is available! Pertinent information is given out in September to interested dancers.

Elementary Jazz Hip Hop (Ages 7, 8, 9, 10) 45 minute class

Two levels of Jazz class based on Hip Hop technique. Popular music of today is used for instruction emphasizing stretching, coordination exercises and age-appropriate combinations. Ballet is not required to take this class, but it is strongly recommended.

Schedule of Classes

Class Requirements

Class Attire:

All ballet classes

Pink Tights, Pink Ballet Slippers, Solid Color Leotard, Short Ballet Skirt (optional). Pre School is required to have ballet slippers only… no jazz shoes needed.

All tap classes

Tan or Black tap shoes, preferably with a buckle

All hip/hop classes

Tan jazz sneakers, Jazz Pants, Jazz Tops or Leotards. No street wear allowed.

Hair Requirements:

All ballet students must have their hair secured back in a ballet bun for every class. No child will be allowed to enter class if her hair is not pulled back correctly and securely. All hip hop students must have their hair secured back in a pony tail. Hair may not be worn down to any class. The class attire and hair requirements are an important part of a professional learning experience in dance for all students and should not be taken lightly. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Performance Opportunities

The Nutcracker

Students enrolled in either Monday Elementary l or Elementary 2 Ballet Class are invited to participate in the Brandywine Ballet Company's production of The Nutcracker performed in December at the West Chester University Theatre. Elementary l level will perform the "Angel" segment of the ballet which opens Act 2 in the Land of Sweets. Elementary 2 level will perform one of the other children's divertissements in Act 2 unless they were not an "Angel" in the previous year. There is no audition for participation. However there will be additional fees above and beyond your YMCA tuition that will be payable directly to the Brandywine Ballet Company, which is the non-profit ballet company affiliated with The Dance Center. All rehearsals for The Nutcracker are done on weekends in October, November and December and held at The Dance Center in West Chester. Detailed information will be handed out to these two classes in September. Participation is NOT mandatory, however it is a wonderful performing opportunity if you would like your child to experience it. The Brandywine Ballet has been performing The Nutcracker in Chester County for over 25 years to sold-out audiences. Each year the ballet draws approximately 6,000 people to the performance!

Student Recital

Annually, The Dance Center ends their year with a beautiful student recital! The recital is usually held the third weekend in June at Downingtown West High School. MANDATORY dress rehearsals for the recital will be held at the high school the previous week – (the exact dates will be forthcoming by March). All students are encouraged to participate in the student recital, but it is not mandatory. Below is a list of which classes will dance in which recital. Please consider this list carefully if you have more than l dancer in the family so they can both participate in the same recital if you so choose. (Sometimes the schedule does not work out for both children to be in the same recital.)

PLEASE NOTE: After mid-February new students will not be permitted to sign up for the recital as it is too late to order a costume. However, new students may sign up for all the sessions of dance (except the last session of May/June), even if they are not participating in the recital as long as they realize that the majority of the lesson in the last 3 sessions will be dedicated to learning and practicing the recital dance. We do, however, offer one class for 3 and 4 year olds that is a NON PARTICIPATING recital class. That is, general instruction will be given all year and registration is open all year – including May/June.

General Recital Details

• Tickets will go on sale for the Recital in March.  Tickets are $l2 each in advance, $l5 each at the door.
• Recital Fee:  $80 per student.  This fee includes costume only  (not  tights or shoes) – due January 1 All costume alteations are the responsibility of the families.

Recital Schedule