Performing Arts - Dance
The following list is by no means inclusive of student opportunities in the Twin Cities area. If your student has participated in a program not mentioned here that you would like to recommend to others, please contact us.
Continental Ballet Company
Bloomington Civic Plaza
1800 West Old Shakopee Road
Bloomington, MN 55431
(952) 563-8562
www.continentalballet.com
Established in 1988, Continental Ballet Company is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to fostering the growth and appreciation of classical ballet. Classes are available from pre-ballet through advanced ballet, beginner through professional artist. The Company participates in school residencies and outreach activities and has performed countless times statewide and locally at events such as Arts in the Park and the Minneapolis Sommerfest. Students pay an annual registration fee and generally register in the fall and continue classes through June.
Dance Arts Centre
7605 Corporate Way
Eden Prairie, MN 55344-2021
(952) 937-2618
www.danceartscentre.net
The Dance Arts Centre offers classes for all ages, preschool to adult. The recreational classes for students preschool to 10 years old are a great buildup of self-esteem, coordination, balance, footwork and love of dance of different styles. Advanced specialty classes are offered for ages 10 and up. “Video jazz” teaches MTV and street-style jazz in a laid-back setting. There is also (2005) a class for boys in first grade and up.
The Dance Warehouse
7954 Century Blvd.
Chanhassen, MN 55317
(952) 361-3660
www.thedancewarehouse.net
The Dance Warehouse offers tap, ballet, jazz and kick line classes for students ages 3-adult. Classes are available one night a week (usually Monday) during the school year or at various times during a 6-week summer session. Dancers build self-esteem while they improve coordination, get healthful exercise and have fun. The program for older students is known to be especially strong. The Eden Prairie High School pom squad coach is among the talented staff, along with Kirill Bak & Svetlana Gavilova, who own and teach at the Academy of Russian Ballet (see above) and instruct the Performing Line students at The Dance Warehouse.
Jawaahir Dance Company & The Cassandra School
1940 South Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 872-6050
www.jawaahir.org
The Cassandra School offers year-round classes in the art of Middle Eastern dance at five different levels of instruction, from beginner to professional. The classes are offered in 10-week sessions. Beginner students must enroll during the first 3 weeks of a new session, but continuing students are welcome on a drop-in basis. Mastery of material at one level is expected before going on to the next. Any student younger than 13 years old must be accompanied by a parent. Instructors and parents say it can be a great mother-daughter experience.
Ragamala Music and Dance Theater
Calhoun Building
711 West Lake Street, Suite 309
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 824-1968
www.ragamala.net
This professional music and dance theater takes a classical dance form from southern India (Bharatanatyam) and blends dance, music and poetry in new ways to bridge a gap between ancient and modern. Ragamala’s work has been presented internationally, as well as in various venues in the U.S. and annually at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis and O’Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul. The company has a strong educational outreach program that brings the love of Indian dance to K-12 schools, colleges and universities, museums, senior citizen’s homes and community centers.
The Ragamala dance school in Minneapolis offers Saturday classes for students of all levels to study this dance form. One of our EPCGT families loves the experience, and tells us there is great diversity in the student population.
Zenon Dance Company and School
Hennepin Center for the Arts
528 Hennepin Avenue, #400
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 338-1101
youth classes held at:
Center for Performing Arts
3754 Pleasant Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55409
(612) 821-9202
www.zenondance.org
Zenon has a new youth program which is held at the satellite school, the Center for Performing Arts. Classes are offered there for students ages 5-15 in modern, ballet, hip hop and jazz.
Zenon Dance Company has an educational outreach program that has afforded more than 50 residencies over the past 5 years in venues such as public and private schools, open and magnet schools, and community centers.