PAAM SCHOOL HANDBOOK

Transcription

1 PAAM SCHOOL HANDBOOK STUDIO CONTACT INFO 60 Belvedere Drive, Mill Valley CA Phone: (415) Annie Thistle Owner & Artistic Katlin Vagelatos...Associate Kristen Chipley...Studio Ashley Shpak Alta Vista Dance CONSERVATORY CALENDAR 2018 Annual Showcase Marin Civic Center Friday May 4th Sunday May 6th FALL SESSION: SEPTEMBER DECEMBER 2017 September 11th October 31st November 20th 26th December 1st 3rd December 16th Monday Tuesday Monday Sunday Friday Sunday Saturday Start of Fall Session NO CLASSES (Halloween) NO CLASSES (Thanksgiving Break) Holiday Spectacular Civic Center End Fall Session SPRING SESSION: JANUARY MAY 2018 January 8th & 10th January 6th January 15th February 17th 23rd March 19th 23rd March 22nd 24th April 9 th 13th April 28th April 30th May 4th May 4 th 6th Monday/Wednesday Saturday Monday Saturday Friday Monday Friday Thursday Saturday Monday Sunday Saturday Tuesday Friday Friday Sunday MainStage Auditions Start of Saturday Classes for Spring Session Start of Mon Fri Classes for Spring Session NO CLASSES (February Break) NO CLASSES (MainStage Tech Week) MainStage Civic Center NO CLASSES (Spring Break) Last Day of Regular Classes MANDATORY Dress Civic Center (TBA) Showcase Civic Center Check out PAAM s new space, TumbleSpot, in Strawberry Village! Gymnastics, Acro & Tumbling for Ages 18 months 10 years 750 Redwood Hwy, Suite 1212, Mill Valley

2 WELCOME FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Welcome to PAAM! I am thrilled to get started with the Conservatory year. Your child s experience is our top priority. This handbook outlines the Conservatory Program. In addition to the pages to follow with specific Conservatory information, below is an overview of our programs and offerings that you may wish to learn more about and/or get involved. PAAM Program Offerings! Conservatory Program o Premier training in theater arts and dance disciplines for students through high school o Ballet Conservatory program and Master Class Residency with Francisco Gella Dance Works o Levels for youth of all ages and levels with recreational to pre-professional o Annual Conservatory May Civic Center! Performance Programs o Holiday Spectacular: Theater Arts and Dance Full Length Performance o MiniSTAGE & JuniorSTAGE Musicals: Fall & Spring Performance Opportunities for Ages 6 14 o MainSTAGE Musical: Spring Performance Opportunity for Ages 9+ (by audition only)! Youth Companies o Broadway Ensemble: Summer Touring Musical Ensemble o Alta Vista Dance Company: Jazz/Contemporary Dance Teams that train, perform and compete regionally o Hip Hop Crew: Hip Hop Teams that train, perform and compete regionally! Private & Small Group Lessons o Voice Training o Dance Technique & Choreography (choose style or we can recommend) o Theater Arts: Song, Scene & Monologue Coaching o Audition Preparation for High School, College & Beyond! Birthday Parties o Musical, Dance & Drama packages available for all ages We have many programs spanning a variety of interests in the performing arts, as well as new and evolving training disciplines and classes. See you at the studio! Regards, Annie Leese Thistle Owner & Artistic Director, PAAM THE BALLET CONSERVATORY OUR NEW TRAINING PROGRAM! Last year, the Francisco Gella Dance Works team (Francisco Gella, Julie Friedrich, Thang Dao, and Jeffrey Hoffman) taught monthly master classes to our ballet students. Their residency was paired with consulting to develop PAAM s Ballet Conservatory offering training programs to develop strong technicians and artists. Our Ballet Conservatory proudly launches this upcoming school year under Francisco s recommended curriculum. Program encompasses serious dancers ages 8-18 (Conservatory I V). Placement in the Conservatory is by evaluation or invitation only and requires enrollment in a specific class load. NOTE: YOU CAN TAKE BALLET THROUGH PAAM SCHOOL IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO COMMIT TO CONSERVATORY. YOU MAY SELECT BALLET CLASSES A LA CARTE NOT LISTED UNDER THE PAAM SCHOOL. BALLET CONSERVATORY MASTER CLASSES Francisco Gella and his team will continue their residency at PAAM for the upcoming school year. Ballet Conservatory Dancers (except Emerge Dancers) are required to attend Francisco Gella Dance Works master classes at PAAM, held 4 5 times over the course of the next school year. Conservatory students are allowed one absence (one full visit) during FGDW s master series. PAAM provided the entire years ballet master series last year (over 40 hours of training) supported by donations to our Endowment Fund. Investment in workshops and scholarships totaled $50,000+ for the past school year. Contributions covered $7,675. The Endowment Fund accepts non-deductible contributions, which allow PAAM to (1) provide financial and merit scholarships to qualified students (2) provide master series and out-of-town artists at an affordable cost to our families and (3) feature charitable organizations at select performances (last years Make-a-Wish raffle at our Holiday Spectacular). Ballet Conservatory students for the upcoming school year are expected to contribute a minimum of $150/session ($300/year) towards the Endowment Fund. This gives our Conservatory students access to the full FGDW master series. Each visit includes approximately 4 6 hours of master classes - a fantastic value for the amount of time and quality of instruction from internationally recognized instructors.

3 CONSERVATORY OVERVIEW The Conservatory offers leveled and cumulative training in theater arts and dance beginning at age 3 and continuing through high school. Our student profile includes preschool participants, recreational and intermediate level youth, as well as serious artists-in-training (10+ hours per week). Theater Arts Department offers Petite/Demi Broadway, Musical Theater, Triple Threat and Advanced Musical Production. Dance Department offers Petite classes, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Acro, Leaps/Turns and Tap. We are proud to continue to grow with new offerings. The Ballet Conservatory is home to our Ballet & Pointe Programs, including our Petite and Demi dancers. INTERNSHIP PROGRAM PAAM s internship program offers students age 12+ the opportunity to assist classes, build relationships with younger students and experience teaching alongside our seasoned faculty. Motivated by passion for the performing arts, this program fosters teen role models who gain valuable life experience. BECOMING AN INTERN Conservatory students ages 12+ may apply to our internship program. PAAM selects interns based on their attitude, experience and application. Selected students are assigned to aide classes ranging from Petite Broadway to more advanced levels of dance and theater classes. Commitment is required for the full Conservatory year. Interns are expected to maintain excellent attendance for their assigned class, and are required to attend the scheduled dress rehearsals and performances for their assigned class for the Annual Showcase in May. QUESTIONS? Annie (annie@paamarts.com) or Katlin (katlin@paamarts.com) CONSERVATORY TUITION Tuition is listed per session. There are TWO sessions (fall and spring). Current enrollment covers fall tuition, with the expectation you will remain in your class through the spring. You may opt out or add more classes for the spring session. We offer limited class enrollment beginning in the spring session for new students or current students wishing to add more classes. The Conservatory is designed as a full program from September May, culminating with our Annual Showcase Performances at the Marin Civic Center. Committing to the full program allows the students to gain the most from their training and continue excelling in future Conservatory years ahead. TUITION* 40 minute class 45 minute class 60 minute class 75 minute class 90 minute class $328 $352 $367 $404 $449 Multiple Class Discounts (per student/per session): 2 classes: 5% 3 classes: 7.5% 5 classes: 15% 6-7 classes: 20% 9 classes: 35% 10 classes: 40% * 25% non-refundable deposit due upon enrollment. 4 classes: 10% 8 classes: 30% 11+: inquire Sibling Discounts (each sibling beyond first child enrolled): $20 per session taken off of total tuition Have 2+ children taking 8+ classes each? Inquire about discounts Refund Policy: All costume deposits and professional video access fees are non-refundable regardless of participation. 25% of tuition (per class/program, per student required at registration) is non-refundable and non-transferrable. A tuition refund will be issued (less the 25% per student per class) ONLY for classes dropped at least 24 hours prior to the first class meeting. After the first class meeting, no refunds or credits are given for any reason. No refunds or credits, in partial or in full, are given for late sign ups, early departures, or time off due to outside activities, illness or injury. If you elect an installment plan, you are responsible for completing the tuition payment in full by the end of the session. Should you choose to drop class(es) at any point during the session, installments will continue to be charged until your tuition is paid in full. Classes may be added at any point prior to the close of registration. Changes to your class schedule after enrollment and before registration closes may be made; however, must be completed by PAAM administrative staff at a flat rate of $5 per change request. One change request may contain several classes but must be addressed all within the same request. Drop-ins: Students are welcome to drop-in on a class during the first two weeks of the session. A $30 drop-in fee and completed waiver must be turned in to the front desk before your trial class begins. The $30 drop-in fee is applied to your tuition total should you choose to sign up for the class. Drop-ins are subject to class availability and must be age and level appropriate. If you are interested in an advanced level class please contact studioadmin@paamarin.com to schedule an evaluation. INVESTMENT BEYOND TUITION All Conservatory classes (except Leaps/Turns and Saturday classes) perform in the Annual May Showcase. These performances are ticketed events and run approximately $20 per ticket. Costumes for Petite/Demi students range between $35 - $49 and all others range between $35 - $75 with the average range most often falling between $45 - $55. These prices are estimates based on previous years and are not guaranteed. We strive to keep costs low while achieving effective aesthetics.

4 CLASS DESCRIPTIONS THEATER ARTS Petite/Demi Broadway An exciting introduction to the world of musical theater! Students delight in singing and dancing to musical favorites. Classes incorporate ballet, creative movement, dance and imaginative activities in a fun-filled environment where creativity and expression are nurtured. This class builds on basic skills and allows young performers to continue to grow, learn and imagine during their preschool and beginning elementary years. Emphasis is on building coordination, musicality, rhythm, confidence, and core dance and theater technique. Musical Theater Dive into the world of musical theater! Students learn popular ensemble songs from musicals, complete with staging, choreography, and character work. Class begins with a jazz based warm-up followed by center technique that incorporates steps typical to musical theater and jazz. Level II and above integrate more complex dance technique and higher expectations with regard to line delivery and acting etiquette. Vocally, students will work on range and diction for musical theater singing and apply acting techniques and musical theater dance choreography. Fall Session: students work on a mini musical, giving them exposure to individual lines and solo opportunities as well as ensemble choreography. Spring Session: students hone their abilities to execute given material with precision and work together as a group to create pieces for the May Showcase. Triple Threat Triple Threat focuses on developing well-rounded musical performers with strong foundations in musical theater dance, acting, and singing. Class begins with a jazz warm-up followed by dance technique (chasses, passes, pirouettes, pivots, and more). Theater and Dance technique gets increasingly more challenging as they move ahead in more advanced levels. Acting curriculum is based in exploring improvisational exercises to develop strong projection, good diction, and the ability to respond to spontaneous situations with a believable character. Vocal curriculum aims to build confidence in solo and ensemble-driven numbers where students must both sing and portray a character. Fall Session: students work on an abridged musical, allowing for individual lines and solo opportunities as well as ensemble choreography. Spring Session: students hone their abilities to execute given material with precision and work together as a group to create pieces for the May Showcase. NOTE: Triple Threat III and up (as well as Triple Threat Ages 11+) do not present a musical in the fall, as they will present a scene study during the large showcase in the Spring. Musical Production (ADV) Taught by Annie Thistle (Owner & Artistic Director), production classes require advanced experience in the study of theater as well as onstage. Students must have a minimum of three years serious and consistent training in theater arts and dance. Musical Production focuses on furthering the students education and prepares them to enter professional theater. Class is conducted as (a) pre-professional workshop classes and (b) pre-professional rehearsals. Class moves at a rapid pace, designed to challenge students and allow them to build increased confidence and poise. Curriculum utilizes professionally produced scripts and songs, creating an advanced cabaret performance featuring ensemble production numbers as well as solo character and vocal work. IMPROV & SCENES This dynamic class is an excellent addition for the student interested in or currently studying theater arts. Improvisation - "improv" for short - focuses on the art of creating a scene or character without preparation. Improv builds imagination, ability to think on one's toes, truthful characterization, risk-taking and confidence. This is done through a series of activities, many times centered around a game-like atmosphere, resulting in both hilarious and genuinely inspiring scene work and exploration. Theater curriculum includes this important skill, as it allows actors to explore creativity and spontaneous characterization. Improvisation is not only a vital skill for the actor, it is also one of the most favorite activities or "games" that our young actors request. DANCE & THE BALLET CONSERVATORY Petite/Demi Ballet Designed for our littlest ballerinas-to-be, class explores the foundations of ballet technique, position execution and recognition, beginning placement as well as ballet terminology. Class begins with basic ballet technique, promoting grace, coordination and strong dance foundations. Class continues with both center work and across the floor, allowing additional time to take the foundations and move across the space. Elements of creative movement are incorporated to promote creativity and imagination. Goals are to establish foundations and an appreciation for ballet. Ballet Please inquire for more details regarding The Ballet Conservatory program and specific levels. The levels have distinct curriculum and build on foundations, expanding terminology. Overall goals of the ballet program are: proficient and excelling execution, expanding knowledge of terminology, carriage of the arms, alignment, flexibility, strength and proper engagement of muscles to promote turnout, balance and power. Pointe Upon approval for entrance into the pointe program, class begins with focused work on strengthening feet, finding balance, and pulling up and out of the toes. Beginning classes consist mainly of barre work with the goal of moving towards center. At the barre, exercises promote proper placement, turnout, hips and abdominal engagement, and lower body strength through the limbs and feet. Barre work builds strength properly, working on moving from execution with two feet, to exercises transferring weight from one foot to the other and focusing on technique engaging one supporting/standing leg at a time. Once students establish proper barre execution, they continue to center and across the floor technique. Advanced pointe students are individually approved to wear pointe shoes in designated ballet classes to allow dancers to fully transition to dancers en pointe, executing both technical exercises and choreography. Jazz A combination of a variety of styles of dance - ballet, musical theater, modern, and social dances Jazz explores explosive and dynamic movement. This class builds a firm technical and strength base, allowing for individualized movement. Emphasis is on developing strength, style, dynamics, expression and flexibility. Students of jazz are strongly encouraged to study ballet simultaneously for the best possible jazz experience.

5 Jazz Funk Founded in a variety of dance styles, Jazz Funk also incorporates elements of pop and hip hop influences. This high energy and sassy class is a fun extension of the classic jazz style. Students of jazz are strongly encouraged to study ballet simultaneously for the best possible jazz experience. Petite Ballet & Tap Designed for our littlest dancers, this class explores both ballet and tap, making for an exciting and dynamic class to keep our preschool/early elementary performers engaged and inspired. Class begins with basic ballet technique, promoting grace, coordination and strong dance foundations. After across the floor exercises, dancers transition to tap. Tap allows young dancers to let loose and explore more up-tempo technique that expands on the ballet foundations. Elements of creative movement are incorporated to promote creativity and imagination. Ballet & Jazz This powerhouse combination of styles allows dancers to build a strong foundation in both styles and lay the groundwork towards becoming strong, graceful, and technically proficient dancers. Half of the class is spent focusing on ballet and the other half on jazz. The ballet portion of the class begins with barre work followed by center and across the floor. Emphasis is on developing turnout, fluidity of expression, balance, flexibility, and ballet vocabulary. The jazz portion of the class begins with a brief warm-up, followed by center, across the floor, and a dance combination. Jazz builds on the ballet foundations, adding opportunities for more freedom of movement, expression, and increasingly up-tempo and explosive dance steps. A definite must for the young dance exploring diverse and more serious training! Hip Hop Set to popular music, Hip Hop aims to build rhythm, expression and style. Class begins with a high-energy warm-up followed by core strength exercises to develop a strong base. Center work includes hard-hitting choreography, isolations, complex footwork, and more. Students are encouraged to integrate expression and attitude, and gain an understanding of dynamics and timing. Choreography increases in difficulty and maturity as the students get older and more experienced. Contemporary A FUSION class students interested in contemporary and lyrical will find this class an excellent fit. A challenging and inspiring class, Contemporary takes elements of ballet, jazz, lyrical and modern dance, fusing into movement that is edgy, grounded, graceful, and driven by emotion. This class aims at exposing students to a distinct quality of movement, engaging core strength, balance, and flexibility while emphasizing bodylines and sustained extension. Ballet training is encouraged to maximize results. Lyrical Combines the beauty of ballet with the power of jazz, using motion to interpret music and express emotion. A lyrical dancer's movements attempt to show the meaning of the music. Lyrical is a passionate dance style and tells a story through every movement made. Lyrical dance has a relatively recent history and a genesis based on the coming together of ballet with rock/folk/pop/alternative music and a variety of jazz dance styles and modern dance. It is mainly performed to music with lyrics, and the song's lyrics are a driving force and key inspiration for the movement. Choreography is often emotional, gripping, and delicate, all at the same time. Tap A must for the well-rounded dancer and student of musical theater, PAAM tap class curriculum goals focus on building proficient tap dancers in the style of musical theater. Tap is specifically wonderful for building rhythm, timing and execution of intricate patterns. Technique expands from basics like shuffles and flaps and incorporates more advanced technique such as time steps, wings, drawbacks, pullbacks and more. Dancers work on developing clean sounds, expression and coordinating upper body presentation with fast footwork. Acro Dancers learn how to properly develop acrobatic and gymnastic skills with an emphasis on balance, strength and flexibility. Unlike a gymnastics class, acro does not employ the use of large apparatus. Most work is done on mats, with the goal of moving to the floor. Props such as cheese mats, bosu balls, Therabands, blocks (and more) are used to assist with proper execution and increase strength and flexibility. Students learn to blend dance and acrobatics as seen in such places as Cirque du Soleil. NOTE: The Saturday class for 12+ does NOT perform in the Showcase. Acro-Choreo For students at the accelerated level and above. The class will focus on combinations, building stamina, transitions and composition. Students will learn how to connect acrobatics moves to dance moves in a way that is fluid, and seamless. Students will also have the opportunity to explore improvisation and creating their own combinations and transitions. Tricks & Turns Tricks and turns is designed for the intermediate/advanced dancer to work on excelling specific, specialized skills from their dance repertoire. Tricks & Turns combines technique from jazz, ballet, contemporary, and acro, and helps strengthen turns, leaps, flexibility, and other skills that may need additional training time. Trio Classes Create a foundation for the performers of the future! Trio classes give kids a chance to try everything out, and find what interests them most. They will build strength, coordination, and a movement vocabulary that benefits the body and mind through the spirit of movement and dance. Leaps/Turns This technique class concentrates on the technical aspects of leaping, jumping and turning by teaching a series of jumps, leaps and turns, weight and direction changes. Dancers develop balance, strength, elevation and increased body alignment. Class is a highly recommended supplement to dance training. Curriculum increases in difficulty through the levels and exposes dancers to the latest trends and technique combinations. Progressions A more advanced version of our leaps/turns class, focusing not only on across the floor skills, but also on the linking of advanced skills through intricate transitions, and focus on technique and approach to a sequence of skills as opposed to individual/isolated technique.

6 DRESS CODE Most items for class can be purchased at PAAM. Please come by before the start of classes to outfit your child. GENERAL GUIDELINES: - NO Loose Jewelry - NO Baggy dance clothes - NO food or chewing gum in class (except Water in a spill-proof container) THEATER ARTS Petite/Demi Broadway: Leotard (any color) and PINK BALLET SLIPPERS. NO COSTUMES. Hair must be pulled back. Musical Theater: Leggings or dance shorts, form-fitting shirt, tank, or leotard (any color/design) and CARAMEL JAZZ SHOES. Hair must be pulled back. Triple Threat: Leggings or dance shorts, form-fitting shirt, tank, or leotard (any color/design) and CARAMEL JAZZ SHOES. Hair must be pulled back. Production, Improv & Scenes: Comfortable clothes you can move in. You may be asked to purchase jazz or character shoes depending on the show and role. DANCE Petite Ballet: Leotard (any color) and PINK BALLET SLIPPERS. NO COSTUMES. Tights (ballet pink) and skirts (any color) are optional. Hair must be pulled back in bun. Short hair should be out of face. Petite Ballet & Tap: Leotard (any color), PINK BALLET SLIPPERS & TAP SHOES. NO COSTUMES. NO TIGHTS. Hair must be pulled back in bun. Short hair should be out of face. Petite Ballet/Jazz/Tap: Leotard (any color), PINK BALLET SLIPPERS & TAP SHOES. NO COSTUMES. NO TIGHTS. Hair must be pulled back in bun. Short hair should be out of face. Demi Ballet & Jazz: Leotard (any color), PINK BALLET SLIPPERS & CARAMEL JAZZ SHOES. NO COSTUMES. Tights (ballet pink) and skirts (any color) are optional. Hair must be pulled back in bun. Short hair should be out of face. Tap/Jazz/Acro: Leotard (any color), TAP SHOES & CARAMEL JAZZ SHOES. NO COSTUMES. NO TIGHTS. Leggings or dance shorts are optional. Hair must be pulled back. Ballet: Leotard (any color), Pink Mesh Tights with Back Seams, PINK BALLET SLIPPERS with elastics. Hair must be pulled back in a neat bun. Pointe: Leotard (any color), Pink Mesh Tights with Back Seams, POINTE SHOES (New Students check with faculty regarding strict sewing instructions). Students may use Lamb s Wool, no Gel Pads. Hair must be pulled back in a neat bun. Jazz: Jazz pants, leggings, or dance shorts and CARAMEL JAZZ SHOES, form-fitting shirt, leotard or tank (any color/design). Hair must be pulled back. Ballet & Jazz: See ballet requirements. When we switch to jazz, students should pull on dance shorts or jazz pants and switch footwear to CARAMEL JAZZ SHOES. Hair must be pulled back in a neat bun. Hip Hop: Comfortable clothes you can move in pants must not drag on the floor and jeans are not allowed. BLACK Sneakers with WHITE soles (any brand) reserved only for dancing. We recommend a supportive sneaker such as Nike, but any brand is acceptable. Hair must be pulled back. Contemporary & Lyrical: Form-fitting shirt, leotard or tank (any color/design), leggings or dance shorts and CARAMEL HALF-SOLE SLIPPERS. Hair must be pulled back. Tap: Form-fitting shirt, leotard or tank (any color/design), leggings, tap skirt or dance shorts and TAP SHOES. Older and more advanced classes should but character heel taps. Please check with PAAM. Leaps/Turns & Progressions: Leotard, form-fitting shirt or tank (any color/design), leggings or dance shorts and CARAMEL JAZZ SHOES or CARAMEL HALF-SOLE SLIPPERS. Hair must be pulled back. Acro: Leotard (any color) or form-fitting shirt or tank (any color/design) and leggings or dance shorts. NO LOOSE CLOTHING. Hair should be back, but not in a bun or any other hairstyle that inhibits tumbling/tricks. Students take this class barefoot. BOYS For Petite/Demi Broadway, Musical Theater and Triple Threat, boys should wear a white t-shirt, black sweatpants and BLACK JAZZ SHOES. For all other classes, please inquire.