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Creative Dance Arts
Welcome to Creative Dance Arts
CREATIVE DANCE ARTS
began in 1989 to educate and enrich students of all ages in dance
as a theatre art and as a fun way to achieve fitness. The school
offers training in the classical ballet tradition as well as in
jazz, hip hop, modern, tap, flamenco and Irish dance. For the youngest
students, classes are designed to incorporate multiple dance disciplines
to introduce the different styles of movement and music. During
the regular school year approximately 100 classes are taught each
week. With student enrollment nearing 400, CREATIVE DANCE ARTS is
one of the largest dance schools in Arizona. An annual year-end
production is held in early June at the Tucson Community Center
Music Hall. Additional performing opportunities are scheduled throughout
the fall and spring for dancers who join one of the school's performing
companies. An eight-week Summer Dance Program offers weekly classes
as well as a more intensive workshop approach.
CURRICULUM
We offer classes for Pre-School, Kinder, Elementary
and five technique levels: Beginning through Advanced. Designations
of class level by number on our schedule should not be considered
grade levels. Change of level is not automatic; rather, the student's
age, frequency of class attendance, interest level, concentration
and natural ability are all taken into consideration as the teachers
and director suggest class levels for individual needs. Ballet
students are considered for pointe work based on their body alignment,
strength and technical maturity. A minimum of two technique classes
in ballet must be taken per week in order to participate in a pointe
class. Students who have reached Intermediate and Advanced Levels
in a chosen dance style must be enrolled in a minimum of two technique
classes in that dance style and must include Ballet in their studies
when they reach Level Three.
PERFORMING DIVISION
Additional opportunities to perform in the fall
and spring are available to students at CREATIVE DANCE ARTS. Dancers
(6 years - teens) audition or are invited to join one or more of
the dance ensembles based on their technical and performing abilities.
The Mini, Junior, Teen and Senior Company ensembles include: ballet,
jazz, and tap. Company members perform in a December concert featuring "The
Nutcracker Ballet"; company members participate in community
events and regional/national dance competitions. Dancers must attend
rehearsals each week for each ensemble in addition to their scheduled
classes.
Artistic Director
KANDIS MEINEL, Artistic
Director, is a graduate of the University of Arizona with
a Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Sciences, and a Bachelor
of Fine Arts in Dance. She began dancing in Buffalo, New York
and continued in New York City at the school for the Joffrey
Ballet. Kandis has taught for several private dance schools in
Tucson, as well as at the University of Arizona. Along with her
husband, Wally Meinel, she has worked with the Arizona Dance
Theatre, the state's professional ballet company (now Ballet
Arizona), The Tucson Metropolitan Ballet and the Tucson Community
Ballet (now Tucson Regional Ballet). Kandis has served on the
Board of Directors for the Arizona Dance Arts Alliance, and is
a member of Dance Educators of America. Her ballet choreography
has won several awards in national dance competitions.
ARTISTIC FACULTY
The school is directed by Kandis Meinel who
is assisted by a staff of over 16 dance teachers who have diverse
dance backgrounds bringing a breadth to the school's curriculum.
The faculty has extensive performing and teaching experience, and
they share a common philosophy: to impart a respect and love for
dance to every student we teach.
School/Store Location
CREATIVE DANCE ARTS is
located in northwest Tucson, at 5741 N. Oracle Road on the west
side of the street. The school is located between River Road on
the south and Rudasill Road on the north Housed in two buildings,
there are three dance studios, four bathrooms, two student changing
rooms and spacious lobbies for parents and students. The administration
office and DANCERS BOUTIQUE (a store for shoes, clothing and accessories)
is found in the west building.
PREPARATION FOR ATTENDING CLASS
Students must wear appropriate dance clothes and shoes for the specific dance class enrolled in. No street shoes, sneakers, over-sized tee shirts, baggy shorts/pants will be permitted. Please do not wear necklaces, bracelets, and over-sized earrings in the classroom. Ballet students are expected to wear their hair up and off their necks in a neat bun; ponytails are not acceptable. Teens and adults are encouraged to dress in regular clothes to and from class for their own safety. Dance shoes are not designed for outdoor use; wearing them on the street will ruin the dance floors in the studios. A dance bag is recommended to carry shoes and clothing. Purses and jewelry can be brought into the classroom and stored under the music counter during the class period.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE
Reasonable rules and standards are provided to promote self-discipline. Students should arrive at the school with sufficient time to change into practice clothes to begin class on time. Students who arrive 10 minutes after the scheduled class time are welcome to observe the class; however, they will not be permitted to participate unless there is an extenuating circumstance. If students need to leave before the end of the class, they should notify the teacher before class begins. Students may not leave the classroom without first receiving permission from the teacher. As employees of CREATIVE DANCE ARTS, teachers have the responsibility to see that their class is under control, and they have the authority to dismiss any student who will not cooperate and is a disruption to the rest of the class. Inappropriate dress or behavior will not be allowed. No gum, food or drinks will be permitted inside the classrooms during scheduled class periods. Only water is permitted in the studios.
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