Happy Feet Dance School

Cece Bechelli, Sheri Bechelli, Caitlin Bechelli and Sandy Taylor teach our adult tap classes. Class levels range from beginner through professional. Students progress through a curriculum where they learn tap technique, musicality, and exciting choreography. Over time students build core strength, flexibility, speed and clarity of sound. Curriculum includes a progression that begins with exploration of simple rhythms and execution of basic tap skills, through understanding and execution of complex and intricate rhythm patterns, sequencing and advanced air work. Tap history, original choreography by Happy Feet faculty, and dances choreographed by world-renowned tap masters are all woven into the curriculum. Adult students are invited to participate in master classes taught by visiting guest artists at Happy Feet. The Happy Feet tap instructors are seasoned performers who joyfully bring their professional experience into the classroom. Classes run from September through June and students are invited to perform in end of year performances.

Young students progress through a ballet curriculum that provides comprehensive dance training, which includes emphasis on proper posture/alignment, building strength and flexibility and the development of classical ballet skills. Students will learn ballet vocabulary, in French, through the initial warm up exercises at the barre and continue this exploration through the work in the center floor. The goal is to maintain a fun, productive and encouraging atmosphere in which to pursue the study of ballet.

Students in seventh through twelfth grade are invited to enroll in one-hour classes in the disciplines of their choice. Instruction is offered in tap, jazz and ballet and students are placed in classes according to age, years of dance experience and individual ability. Many of our students enroll in classes in each discipline. Our goal is for students to gain self-confidence, build and improve dance skills and enjoy camaraderie with fellow dancers in a productive and positive atmosphere. Students will understand the importance of each individual dancer’s contribution to the class as a whole. Students are invited to perform in various community events as well as our annual recitals. Students are also invited to participate in all master classes with visiting guest artists throughout the school year. Classes run on a ten-month basis from September through early June.

Our teenage ballet students will have the opportunity to learn the basics of classical ballet and its vocabulary, in French, in a productive, encouraging and safe setting. Correct body alignment as well as developing the core strength needed for proper execution of ballet technique will be emphasized. Class starts at the ballet barre with warm up exercises that focus on building the strength, flexibility and coordination necessary to dance in the center floor. Through these teaching principles a positive body image will be cultivated resulting in a greater awareness of grace, power and beauty. In the second half of the year, students will incorporate their ballet technique into choreography for our end of year recital. Students will enjoy the experience, professionalism and incredible energy of our teen ballet instructor, Vicki-Marie Bassing.

Jazz classes for seventh through twelfth grade students are geared for those who want great exercise, fun, camaraderie and are serious in their pursuit of improving their skills as jazz dancers. Beginning through advanced jazz classes are taught by Cece Bechelli and Caitlin Bechelli. Curriculum includes emphasis on developing core strength, proper alignment, placement, posture, and flexibility. Technique is taught at the barre and center floor eventually incorporating the students developing skills into high energy across the floor patterns and dance combinations. In the second half of the year, students learn exciting choreography for our end of year recital. Music selection is varied and includes contemporary pop, lyrical, Broadway show tunes and world music such as African, Latin and Brazilian. Students benefit from both the teaching and the professional performing experience of Cece Bechelli and Caitlin Bechelli

Tap Classes for seventh through twelfth grade students are geared for students who enjoy music and dance and are serious in their pursuit of becoming more proficient tap dancers. Class levels range from beginner through advanced. Students progress through a curriculum where they learn tap technique and musicality while building core strength, flexibility, speed and clarity of sound. Students begin with the counting and execution of beginning tap rhythms and choreography and progress to an understanding and execution of very complex and intricate rhythm patterns and sequencing. Our intermediate and advanced tap students learn dances choreographed by world-renowned tap masters as well as original choreography by the Happy Feet faculty. Tap history is also woven into the curriculum. Through structured exercises, students are taught and encouraged to improvise. Improvisation is a long-held tap tradition which not only encourages creativity, but also reinforces the importance of timing and musicality. Music selection includes world beat, jazz standards, contemporary pop, funk, and Broadway show tunes. Students benefit from the professional performing and teaching experience of Cece Bechelli, Sheri Bechelli, Caitlin Bechelli and Maria Elena Cacciatore.

In the jazz portion of the class students progress through a curriculum that includes instruction in proper alignment, posture, core strength, flexibility and the development of jazz dance skills. Students learn technique at the barre and in the center floor eventually incorporating technique into exciting and fun across the floor patterns and dance combinations.

In the tap portion of the class, students progress through a tap curriculum, which emphasizes proper technique, flexibility, strength, and musicality. Students learn tap technique at the barre and then incorporate that technique into fun center floor, across the floor and dance combinations. A wonderful selection of children’s music is used including music from around the world, jazz standards, Broadway show tunes, and contemporary pop.

Cece Bechelli, Sheri Bechelli, Caitlin Bechelli and Maria Elena Cacciatore teach our elementary school age combination classes. Classes are one hour in length and consist of instruction in both tap and jazz dance. Our goal is to maintain a fun, positive and encouraging atmosphere as children gain self-confidence and progress through their dance education.

The Happy Feet preschool and kindergarten curriculum was designed by director Cece Bechelli and further developed through years of collective experience with instructors Sheri Bechelli, Sandy Taylor, Caitlin Bechelli, and Maria Elena Cacciatore. Students are taught basics in tap and jazz dance with some beginning ballet basics covered as well.

Private lessons are available upon request for students seeking personalized instruction and focused attention on specific dance techniques or goals.

Core Curriculum Classes are priced at $520 per semester, with family class count discounts applied as shown. Each additional class added to your family account is discounted more steeply than the last. This structure ensures you get the intended overall family discount even if you purchase classes over multiple transactions.

Our teenage ballet students will have the opportunity to learn the basics of classical ballet and its vocabulary, in French, in a productive, encouraging and safe setting. Correct body alignment as well as developing the core strength needed for proper execution of ballet technique will be emphasized.

Jazz classes for seventh through twelfth grade students are geared for those who want great exercise, fun, camaraderie and are serious in their pursuit of improving their skills as jazz dancers. Beginning through advanced jazz classes are taught by Cece Bechelli and Caitlin Bechelli. Curriculum includes emphasis on developing core strength, proper alignment, placement, posture, and flexibility.

Tap Classes for seventh through twelfth grade students are geared for students who enjoy music and dance and are serious in their pursuit of becoming more proficient tap dancers. Class levels range from beginner through advanced. Students progress through a curriculum where they learn tap technique and musicality while building core strength, flexibility, speed and clarity of sound.

In the jazz portion of the class students progress through a curriculum that includes instruction in proper alignment, posture, core strength, flexibility and the development of jazz dance skills. Students learn technique at the barre and in the center floor eventually incorporating technique into exciting and fun across the floor patterns and dance combinations. Music used is varied and includes selections from around the world, Broadway show tunes, and contemporary pop. Our children’s combination tap and jazz classes run from September through early June. In the second half of the year, dances are selected for an end of year performance.

In the tap portion of the class, students progress through a tap curriculum, which emphasizes proper technique, flexibility, strength, and musicality. Students learn tap technique at the barre and then incorporate that technique into fun center floor, across the floor and dance combinations. A wonderful selection of children’s music is used including music from around the world, jazz standards, Broadway show tunes, and contemporary pop. Students progress from learning the basics of counting music and execution of beginning tap rhythms to the understanding and execution of very complex rhythm patterns and sequencing. Through structured exercises, students are taught and encouraged to improvise. Improvisation is a long-held tap tradition which not only encourages creativity, but also reinforces the importance of timing and musicality.

Cece Bechelli, Sheri Bechelli, Caitlin Bechelli and Maria Elena Cacciatore teach our elementary school age combination classes. Classes are one hour in length and consist of instruction in both tap and jazz dance. Our goal is to maintain a fun, positive and encouraging atmosphere as children gain self-confidence and progress through their dance education. Students are invited to perform in various community events as well as our annual recitals.

The Happy Feet Tiny Toes program was started in 1991 by director Cece Bechelli. At that time, her then two-year-old twin daughters saw their older brother dancing in class at Happy Feet, and they too wanted to dance. The class is designed for 18-36 month old children and a participating parent/partner. The Happy Feet instructor provides a fun, loving, safe, encouraging, and joyful atmosphere in which the child can begin to learn about music and dance. Basics of shifting weight, moving in time to music, singing songs, learning rhythm games, dancing with ribbons, tambourines and other props are all incorporated into this action packed 45 minute class. Very basic beginning concepts of tap, ballet, and jazz are taught as well. Students are encouraged and praised for participating and following simple and fun directions. Depending on the calendar and upcoming vacation weeks, Tiny Toes sessions run 8-10 weeks throughout the school year.

Tiny Toes classes are offered in 10-week sessions and are designed for young children to explore movement and rhythm in a fun and engaging environment.

We also offer our seventh through twelfth grade students the opportunity to join in our summer dance intensive with daily instruction in tap, ballet, and jazz along with daily master classes in disciplines such as Pilates, West-African, Bollywood, flamenco, Irish, Hawaiian and American folk dance. During our summer dance intensive, students also participate in a history of dance – film and lecture series presented by Cece Bechelli.

Campers will have daily lessons in jazz and tap and will experience creative movement games. Students will also learn new styles of dance throughout the week such as: Irish, West African, Hawaiian, Musical Theater, Ballet, Yoga and more!