The 4-5 yr. olds class focuses on awareness of the body, spatial concepts such as shape, size and level, and qualities of motion such as strength and lightness. Children in this class will also begin learning age-appropriate dance phrases.

The 6-8 yr. olds class includes creative dance and ballet and modern dance technique designed for the greater ability to control movement appropriate for this developmental level.

The Musical Theatre classes (ages 9-12, 13-15) focus on proper body alignment, line and design in dance, and typical steps for musical theatre.

What Should My Child Wear?
Footless tights and a leotard, a unitard, shorts or leggings and a shirt. Long hair must be pulled back neatly in a ponytail, braid or bun. No jewelry or dangling earrings, which are distracting in class and may catch on clothing.

A Note About Our Classes and Our Teachers
Our teachers and assistants are students at East Stroudsburg University. Many are majoring in Elementary Education or Movement Studies & Exercise Science Teacher Certification. All have a background in dance and teaching experience. Students are under the supervision of Elizabeth Gibbons, Ph. D., and Catherine Culnane, M.Ed, both of whom have extensive experience teaching a wide variety of dance forms.

Our "No Recital" Policy
Because the focus of our program is on dance education, we do not have a complicated recital with showy costumes. Rather than spending most of the class preparing "routines" for a year-end recital, class time is spent in dance education emphasizing creativity, skill development, control, discipline, learning to work with others, enjoyment of movement and love for dance and the arts. The last class day of a session is for showing and sharing so that family and friends can see what children have been learning. Sometimes parents are asked to participate if they are willing! Bring a camera, applause, and hugs for your little dancer!

Location
The Community Dance Program is taught in the Dance Studio on the ESU Campus, located on the 2nd floor of Koehler Fieldhouse, on the corner of Smith and Normal Streets. This is diagonally across the street from the ESU Library. Parking is located along Smith St., in a large parking lot across the street, and along Normal St.

How do I register?
Please contact the office of Continuing Education at 570-422-2872. For your convenience you can pre-register using our automated registration system. Or you may print the registration form and mail with payment (check or money order) to: Office of Continuing Education, Zimbar Building, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301. Payments in person may be in cash, check, money order or credit card.