Weehawken Dance Presents Peter Pan, May 2023
Placement in Classes and Workshops
- Placement in classes and workshops is at the discretion of the WCA teaching staff.
- Some classes may have prerequisites.
- Some classes on the schedule may be at a mixed level. For example, 1/2 indicates a mixed-level class where students may be either Level 1 or Level 2.
- Age ranges are just starting points for determining the right class for your dancer. Teachers may move students based on skill and maturity levels.
- It is common for students to remain in a level for multiple years.
- New students will be placed in a class according to their age. Any deviations from the standard placement must be approved by an authorized WCA teaching staff member.
- For dance classes, we use age guidelines from the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum to streamline dance class titles and help determine the best fit for your child. Our levels follow the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum guidelines, recognized in dance studios across America. These guidelines provide a reference for student achievement and may vary based on individual experience, development, physical attributes, and teacher judgment. If a teacher determines that a student's previous training is inadequate for a certain level, the student may be asked to take a different class.
Weehawken Dance Presents Peter Pan, May 2023
- Note for Upper Level Ballet Students (POINTE) Students may begin pre-pointe and pointe work starting in Level III. Under no circumstances may students wear pointe shoes or take a WCA pointe class without first being approved by an authorized instructor. Pointe work can be very dangerous for students who are not properly prepared. Pointe & Pre-Pointe classes are add-on classes to ballet levels 2/3 and up. No student may be considered for pointe work before age 11, regardless of skill level. Students do not perform on pointe in their first semester of pointe class.
Youth Dance Classes
PRE
PRE (ages 2.5-5): Preschool-aged children
- Dancers in this level work on movement fundamentals, following directions, group interaction, and class participation.
- Classes in the PRE level perform once in the winter and once in the spring, in a fun, exciting, safe, and age-appropriate manner.
PRIMARY
PRIMARY (ages 4.5-8): Kindergarten to 2nd grade
- Similar focus as the PRE level with added emphasis on developing basic skills and attention span.
- Classes in the PRIMARY level perform once in the winter and once in the spring, in a fun, exciting, safe, and age-appropriate manner.
LEVEL 1
LEVEL 1 (ages 8-9.5): 2nd to 4th grade
- Focus on technique, dance vocabulary, skill development, and discipline.
- Classes perform once in the winter and once in the spring.
LEVEL 2
LEVEL 2 (ages 9-10.5): 4th to 5th grade
- Similar focus as Level 1 with increased complexity and expectations.
- Classes perform once in the winter and once in the spring.
- Classes labeled LEVEL 2/3 may perform once or multiple times in the winter and spring.
LEVEL 3
LEVEL 3 (ages 10+): 5th grade and up
- Not for brand-new dancers. Continuation from previous levels with increased focus on technique and discipline.
- Classes perform multiple times in the winter and spring productions, with opportunities to audition for lead roles.
LEVEL 4
LEVEL 4 (ages 13+): 7th/8th grade
- Similar focus as Level 3 with higher expectations and complexity.
- Classes perform multiple times in the winter and spring productions.
LEVEL 5
LEVEL 5 (ages 14+): High school
- Not for new dancers. Continuation from previous levels with an emphasis on artistry and advanced skills.
- Classes perform multiple times in the winter and spring productions, with opportunities to audition for lead roles.
LEVEL 6
LEVEL 6 (ages 15+): High school
- Advanced level for experienced dancers. Emphasis on technique, artistry, and advanced skills.
- Classes perform multiple times in the winter and spring productions.
YOUTH AERIAL CLASSES
INTRO TO CIRCUS
INTRO TO CIRCUS (ages 6-8): This class focuses primarily on silks in the knot, helping to build foundational strength and flexibility. We also incorporate ground movement exercises to enhance mobility and spatial awareness.
CIRCUS 1
CIRCUS 1 (ages 8-10.5): Students will start learning to train on silks without the knot and explore some bar apparatus skills (lyra). We continue to develop strength, flexibility, and proprioceptive awareness, both on the ground and in the air.
CIRCUS 2
CIRCUS 2 (ages 10.5-13): Students in Circus 2 no longer use the knot for any skills. They begin to learn how to wrap in for drops on the silks and work on more advanced skills on the bar apparatus. The class continues to emphasize building strength and flexibility.
SILKS 1
SILKS (age 11+): This is our foundational silks class, where students will learn to invert, climb, and wrap into the silks for various movements, poses, and introductory drops. Strength building is a key aspect of this class.
SILKS 2
SILKS 2 (ages 11+): This class focuses mainly on silks in the knot to build foundational strength and flexibility. We also work on ground movement to increase mobility and spatial awareness.
SILKS 3
SILKS 3 (ages 13+): This is our highest level Silks class for teens. Students must be able to invert, perform catchers and hip key in the air, and climb safely to the top (twice for FlecRec, once for BCG & Hypoxia). In this class, students will begin to train at pre-professional levels.
LYRA
LYRA (age 14+ to adult): This mixed-level class is for teens and adults. We will continue to refine the basics while also working on more challenging transition skills, beats, and some doubles work.
ACTIVE FLEXIBILITY
ACTIVE FLEXIBILITY (age 10+ to adult): This mixed-level class provides students with various options for movements that increase range of motion in the back, shoulders, and legs. All movements emphasize active flexibility, allowing us to build strength within the widest range of motion while prioritizing muscle and joint safety. Safe stretching is a critical component of the class.
AERIAL CONDITIONING
AERIAL CONDITIONING (age 10+ to adult) This is a mixed-levels class. Students are provided with strength-building activities on and off the aerial apparatus, focusing on the muscle groups necessary to safely perform aerial movements. Aerial movement strength training is applicable to many other disciplines, making this class a great addition to any training regimen. No prior experience is necessary.
Tajiana Rueschhoff’s dance journey began at the age of 5 when she first stepped into a small ballet school in Mississippi, sparking a passion that would endure a lifetime. Growing up in Ouray, Colorado, she continued to nurture her love for dance with Weehawken, honing her skills over the years. Travel played a pivotal role in her development, allowing her to train under diverse instructors and immerse herself in various dance styles. Summers were often spent in intensive training at the Kansas City Ballet, further shaping her dedication to dance. Tajiana pursued her passion with pre-professional training at the Northwest Florida Ballet. Now, back in Ouray, she is pursuing an undergraduate degree in Geology at the University of Florida while eagerly embracing the opportunity to share her profound love for dance through teaching.
