Back to school means back to dance at Black Mountain Center for the Arts
With summer almost over and school right around the corner, most parents are planning after-school activities for their children.
Dance instructor Amy Maze returns to the Black Mountain Center for the Arts to offer another vibrant season of dance to kids ages three and up.
“We have another great season planned with lots of fun performance opportunities for all dancers,” says Maze. “This great after-school activity is a perfect way to meet new friends and stay fit all while learning and having fun.”
Registration is now open for classes beginning the week of Aug. 20 for Kids In Motion (ages 3-4) on Tuesday from 4:30 - 5:30pm and Thursday from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Beginning Dance (ages 5-6) on Thursday from 4:30- 5:30 p.m., Intermediate I (ages 7-8) on Tuesday from 3:30-4:30 p.m., Intermediate II (ages 9-11) on Monday from 4 -5 p.m., Boys Only (ages 6-12) Monday from 5 -6 p.m. and Teen Dance (ages 12 and up) Monday from 6 -7 p.m. All classes are $40 a month and space is limited.
Students are taught dance basics and as they become more confident and experienced, a wide variety of styles are explored from contemporary, modern and jazz to hip hop and musical theater. Most students learn a new combination each class, develop musicality and core strength.
Students have an opportunity to perform in special community events like Holly Jolly and the Christmas parade; children are in the sea of red shirts dancing down State Street to celebrate the season. There is also a charming end-of-year showcase where dancers share all they have learned. At last season’s showcase, though all of the groups performed outstandingly, the Boys Only class almost stole the show with their Hip Hop performance.
Dancers who take regular weekly classes and enjoy the spotlight can join the fifth season of the BMCA Dance Troupe starting in September. This very successful program gives dancers even more opportunities to perform and give back to the community. Troupe members learn short programs and group routines that they perform almost monthly in different venues.
In addition to leading her dance program, Maze coordinates, plans and teaches four weeks of summer camp at BMCA, teaches dance at OSEGA Gymnastics, choreographs The Learning Community musicals, judges national dance competitions and volunteers with the Black Mountain Chamber of Commerce to help organize Holly Jolly and other community events. Last year she traveled to Sweden to work with dancers there.