Fergus Falls School of Dance

Dance & Dessert is a performance held in December in collaboration with A Center for the Arts to raise funds to bring professional dance companies to Fergus Falls to perform and provide master classes. Dancers in level 4 and up are invited to audition in September to be part of this special cast of around 20. The cast rehearses many hours outside of class time for the performances held the first weekend in December. This collaboration with A Center for the Arts raises funds that go toward bringing professional dance companies to Fergus Falls to perform and teach. The Kindergarten classes are invited to participate along with several other classes (notified in October). The cast then also has the chance to perform at places such as: the Broen Home, the Pioneer Care Center, the Otter Fury Dance Team Invitational Show, the Frazee Fly Girl Invitationals, the Kinetic Playground in MPLS, the Someplace Safe Tea, and at lecture/demonstrations at various schools in the region.

Pre-Ballet and Ballet begins in 2nd grade with class just once a week. Beyond the basic level, to become proficient at ballet, students need to develop very specific muscular and mental strengths. Taking frequent classes is necessary to acquire those skills. The greatest improvements are seen in those who take more clases. Ballet 2B and up students take at least 2 classes per week.

Jazz, because of the style of movement, and Modern Dance, because of the mental concepts involved, are not appropriate for students before 4th grade.

Jazz, because of the style of movement, and Modern Dance, because of the mental concepts involved, are not appropriate for students before 4th grade.

Tap students are accepted in 2nd grade. It is at this point that their coordination has developed far enough to where they can master the beginning level skills.

Fundamentals are for children, ages 4-7. They are placed by school grade because the physical and emotional development of the child is the main factor at work rather than "technical skills".

BOYS, YOUNG MEN & ADULTS can wear what their comfort level allows. Suggested attire for men: black sweat pants, white or black shirt, and appropriate footwear. This section outlines general attire suggestions for male dancers.

Leotards and footless tights in any solid color. Bare feet. This describes the dress code for modern dance classes.

Leotards and footless tights in any solid color and jazz shoes. Jazz pants are optional. This section specifies the attire for jazz dance classes.

Black leotards and tights in black or pink and tap shoes. Capri length dance pants are optional. Tap 3 and higher students may wear solid colored leotards and tights or capris.

Boys: Blak legs, white t-shirt, and white ballet shoes. Girls: Light pink tights, plain black leotard (without decoration or skirt attahced) and pink ballet shoes. As with a swimsuit underwear is not worn under leotards and tights. Girls may wear skirts for center work the last class of the moth. Ballet 3 and higher students may wear colored leotards with blak or pin tights. Hair: Girls HAIR must be securely off the face and UP OFF the neck in a bun or pinned braid. Short-short hair can be just clipped back. Ramona is happy to give "bun lessons" as many times as needed!

Boys: Black legs and a white t-shirt. Girls: Light pink footless tights and black leotard. Hair secured off neck and face. This section details the basic attire requirements for fundamental dance classes.

Jazz is the study of dance and music of popular culture emphasizing flexibility, strength and style. Class format includes a general warm-up, technique focus, stretching, traveling across the floor, and a dance combination. Steps and music are merged using jazz and Broadway-style music.

Modern Dance uses technique & improvisation to explore the body and its unique abilities to move and express, finding how it connects to mind & spirit. It is most importantly a point of view about moving.

Jazz, Pilates, and Tap classes for beginners and up. Also, an alumni Modern class for those with more experience. Pilates will be a type called Human Reformer, where bands will be used to mimic the feel and flow of a traditional reformer machine.

The use of pointe shoes is a natural extension of ballet technique. Because of the strength required, dancers must be taking at least two ballet classes a week to be considered for pointe. Students ages 11 and up are constantly being evaluated by their teacher to their readiness to begin pointe.

The art of Classical Ballet is about sculpting space, creating beauty, & learning to fly! The technique is a demanding physical activity that teaches good posture, fine muscle control, coordination, flexibility, and strength. Class has two parts: barre & center. Barre work consists of exercises that warm-up, strengthen, and train the muscles & mind in many pieces of movement. Center work takes what the student has learned at barre and links the pieces together into movement phrases. Classes increase in length and frequency as a student advances.

Tap is a dance technique that is based on rhythm! Class format includes a study of the basic steps, improvisation, rhythmic structures and dance combinations.

Each year the fundamentals progress toward basic ballet positions, movements and terminology, laying the ground work for a solid placement for ballet technique. Improvisational aspects continue to be incorporated throughout.

Allows dancers to experience their own self-expression through movement exploration. They also work on social skills (i.e., interacting & cooperating) and physical skills including: body part identification, large and small motor skills, movement coordination and control, and right/left understanding.