Verb Ballets Will Offer Youth Dance Classes

Verb Ballets has announced new offerings in its dance classes focused on opportunities for youth! Beginning in January these programs will aim to nurture a love of dance as an art form and healthy activity. Classes in Creative Movement and Ballet will help kids build a strong foundation for dance by improving coordination, strength, flexibility, musicality and good teamwork! Classes are available for a variety of different ability levels and age ranges. Classes begin January 7, 2019.

Classes are available for ages 18 months - teens. Learn more about class descriptions below. Sessions are ongoing throughout the year. Monthly pre-registration is required. For more information on classes or to register visit www.verbballets.org/youthclasses. Class registration is proceeded through EventBrite. To pay by cash or check call 216-397-3757.

Parent Child Movement Class (18 month - 3years old with caregiver) Monday 9:30-10:15am / Instructor: Maria Hanley / $55/month Join Maria for a dance class that encourages independence, confidence and creative thinking. An introduction to ballet terminology and body awareness, dancers will explore movement with music and props. Enjoy dancing with your toddler as they make new friends! Boys and girls welcome! Ballet attire encouraged but not required! Grown- up participation required.
Tummy Time (Infant and caregiver) Monday 10:15-11:30am / Instructor: Maria Hanley / $55/month This charming class makes tummy time enjoyable for your baby through songs, rhymes, colorful props and stretching exercises. Designed to strengthen muscles and provide brain stimulation, your baby will reach important milestones in a playful and relaxed environment. Join us and make new friends for life!

Pre-Ballet (Ages 5-6) Tuesday 4:15-5:00pm / Instructor: Kate Webb /$55/month This introductory level class begins to teach basic ballet concepts including turn out, coordination, spatial awareness, musicality and class etiquette. Students will begin positions of the feet/arms, and some fundamental movement vocabulary. Ballet 1 (Ages 7+) Tuesday 5:00-6:00pm / Instructor: Kate Webb / $65/month This class aims to impart the fundamentals of classical ballet. Class will focus on basic ballet technique, proper body alignment, French terminology and musicality. Students will be introduced to elementary barre and center work.

Ballet 1 (Ages 9+) Thursday 4:15-5:30pm / Instructor: Kate Webb / $70/month This class will teach the fundamentals of classical ballet with an increased focus on body alignment and muscle awareness. Class will focus on basic ballet technique, body facings, musicality and more in-depth French vocabulary. Students will perform elementary barre and center work.

Creative Movement (Ages 3-4) Thursday 5:30-6:00pm / Instructor: Kate Webb / $50/month This introductory level class gives young dancers the task of identifying basic forms of movement through imaginative games, songs, music and rhythmical patterns. Students will be introduced to the concepts of body, energy, space, & time as well as encouraged to take direction from the instructor and share turns with peers.

With a rich 30-year history, Verb Ballets is one of the oldest dance companies in the region. The internationally acclaimed and regionally loved professional ballet company lets audiences experience the beauty of movement and inspires creativity. Verb Ballets was named one of Five Great Tiny Troupes in America by Dance Magazine and was one of the "25 dance companies in America to watch." Under the director of Dr. Margaret Carlson, Producing Artistic Director, and Richard Dickinson, Associate Artistic Director, the company mounts exciting projects that embrace diversity, history, and cultural exchange.

The Verb Ballets Center for Dance located at 3558 Lee Rd. Shaker Heights, OH 44120. The studio is located at in the same building as The Dealership. Free parking available. For more information on classes or to register visit www.verbballets.org/youthclasses.

Kate Webb grew up in Richmond, Virginia where she danced both as a student and as a trainee with Richmond Ballet. She trained around the country at numerous intensive programs such as Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Upon graduating from Appomattox Regional Governor's School for the Arts, she attended Butler University on both dance and academic scholarships. While dancing with Butler Ballet, she performed in Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. After fulfilling her degree in three years, she graduated cum laude in May of 2015 with a BS in Dance-Arts Administration and high departmental honors. Kate joined Verb Ballets in 2015 and has been featured in works such as Peter Pan and Aposiopesis.

Maria Hanley is an early childhood dance and movement educator specializing in ages 0-6. She recently relocated to Cleveland from New York City where she was the creator of the early childhood dance program at the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan. In NYC, she taught at Mark Morris Dance Center and in the New York City Ballet outreach program. In Cleveland, she is designing and teaching early childhood dance classes at the Mandel Jewish Community Center and the Hudson Conservatory of Ballet. Maria has presented at the Dance Teacher Summit in New York City and California and at Energize in Chicago. She is the owner of Maria's Movers, a blog that offers support and curriculum for dance teachers all over the world. Maria holds a masters in dance education from New York University and is the mom of two young boys.

Verb Ballets, a contemporary ballet company, presents dynamic programming through bold artistry, unique styles and technical excellence that captivates audiences. Under the direction of Dr. Margaret Carlson, Producing Artistic Director and Richard Dickinson, MFA, Associate Artistic Director, the company will present a season that ignites passion in the energy, beauty and athleticism of dance. Critics have hailed Verb Ballets for its abilities to, "Dashing preconceptions ...with keen dramatic power." -The Plain Dealer, "(Verb) is dance magnifique." - The Examiner, "confident and polished, Verb's dancers shone" - Dance International Magazine. Verb Ballets was named by Dance Magazine as one of 25 dance companies in America to watch. Internationally acclaimed, the company has toured Cuba and Taiwan. As one of the oldest dance organizations in Northeast Ohio we proudly produce high caliber work and continue to connect with our communities through performance and outreach. Additional information can be found at www.verbballets.org.

The Verb Ballets season is made possible through the generous support of The Cleveland Foundation, The George Gund Foundation, Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, Ohio Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Shah Captial, Millie Carlson Trust, Peg's Foundation, Lubrizol Foundation, The Char and Chuck Fowler Family Foundation, The Akron Community Foundation, John P. Murphy Foundation, Nordson, Laub Foundation, Margaret Wong & Associates, St. Ignatius and Cedar Hill.

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