Department of Dance
Children's Dance Division
Programs and Course Descriptions
The Towson University Children's Dance Division offers three distinctive programs for the exceptional student.
 Pre-Professional Program
The curriculum is designed for intermediate to advanced dancers, ages 12-18, seeking to enhance their technical training, while expanding their knowledge of dance appreciation of the aesthetics as an art form. Students may choose from any one of the pre-professional classes offered during the weekday that coincides with their current skill level.
Enhancement Classes
Enhancement classes are Saturday exploration in a variety of dance genres that introduce students to the art of dance. These classes provide excellent classical training as well as refinement of self expression and creativity.
TUCDD Youth Ensemble
By audition only, TUCDD Youth Ensemble is geared to train the elite dancer for the professional career, while focusing on refining technique, gaining strength, stamina, self-expression, and knowledge of the many facets of dance as an art form needed to prepare the pre-professional students ages 12-18 years. Students may choose between a full or semi track program.
Adult Program
Towson University’s Children’s Dance Division reflects the vision of the university's Department of Dance: "dancing for a lifetime". Programmed for the beginner to professional mover in mind: classes help gain or re-establish perspective of one's body and joy of movement, while focusing on refining technique and building strength. All adult classes are instructed by highly trained dance professionals within the field, and are held on a weekly basis in a six week class card enrollment.
*For further information regarding TUCDD Youth Ensemble and scheduling an audition, please contact Candice Webster at (410) 704-3495 or cwebster@towson.edu
Course Descriptions
Developmental Dance, ages 3-4
Stimulate the imagination and inspire creativity, while exploring movement through words, images, and storytelling. Students will examine, interpret and demonstrate fine and gross motor skills through the five Dance Elements: Body, Space, Time, Energy and Force
Creative Movement, ages 4-5
Developing a deeper comprehension and application of the five Dance Elements: Body, Space, Time, Energy and Force; Students achieve their creative voice while beginning to articulate the foundational movements of dance technique. Curriculum is literacy based with a new educational theme each semester.
Ballet Technique, ages 6-18
Oldest codified technique to date; classes will focus primarily on developing a strong technical foundation, while emphasizing proper alignment, strength, and musicality.
Ballet Fundamentals: Prior movement experience is suggested, but not required
Ballet I: One year ballet experience required
Ballet I/II: One to Two years ballet experience required
Ballet II: Minimum of two years ballet experience required
Ballet II/III: Minimum of two to three years ballet experience required
Ballet III: Minimum of three years ballet experience required
Ballet IV: Minimum of four years ballet experience required
Beginner Pointe: Minimum of two to three years ballet experience required. Enrollment in Ballet II/III required.
Modern Technique, ages 6-18
Derived from Ballet Technique, Modern Dance has evolved as a self-expressive art form drawing influence from all dance forms past and present, as well as music, theater, and the fine arts. Students will gain a strong technical base, in addition to enhance their improvisational and partnering skills.
Modern Fundamentals: Prior movement experience is suggested, but not required
Modern I: One year dance experience required
Modern II: Minimum of two years modern experience required
Modern II/III:Minimum of three years modern experience required
Modern III: Minimum of four or more years modern experience required
Jazz Technique, ages 6-18
Classes will focus on strong jazz technique, terminology and movement quality with an emphasis on proper execution of jazz isolations, syncopated rhythms and stylistic approach in execution of movement.
Jazz Fundamentals: Prior movement experience is suggested, but not required
Jazz I: One year dance experience required
Jazz I/II:Minimum of one or more years of Jazz experience required.
Jazz II: Minimum of two years Jazz experience required
Jazz III: Minimum of three years Jazz experience required
Tap Technique, ages 6-18
A truly American dance form, Tap dance is a culmination of Irish Step Dancing and African dance developed during the 1900’s in the U.S. Students will be introduced basic tap dance technique, while developing rhythmic skills and musicality.
Tap Fundamentals: Prior movement experience is suggested, but not required
Tap I: One year tap experience required
Hip Hop Technique, ages 6-18
A high energy class, Hip Hop technique encompasses movement that has elements of popping, locking, and breaking as well as freestyle movement to give students the opportunity to develop their own sense of style.
Hip Hop Fundamentals: Prior movement experience is suggested, but not required
Hip Hop I: One year dance experience required
Hip Hop II: Minimum of two years dance experience required
Hip Hop III: Minimum of three years Hip Hop experience required
Afro- Caribbean Dance, ages 7-18
Community and socially based, African class lead students into high energy, intricate dance steps to traditional Afro-Caribbean music, while learning the origin and history.
Pilates, ages 12+
Developed by Joseph Pilates in the 20th Century, exercises focus on the core muscles to assist in improving alignment, gain flexibility and strengthen, and movement control to extend throughout the body. All participants must provide their own yoga/pilates mats for health and safety purposes.
Special Needs
A fun and friendly community class focusing on developing social, language and movement skills for students with special needs.
Ballet Variation, ages 12-18
Class will focus on educating our young dancers on the appreciation and history of the ballet classics through variation. Strong technical training, research and application will be the main concentration throughout. Ballet Variation is offered for both the intermediate and advanced dancer.
Masterwork Repertory, ages 12-18
Developed by the American Dance Legacy Institute, Masterwork “Repertory Etudes” provide an opportunity for our young dancers to study, capture, and perform a signature work of an American choreographer. Students will receive instruction on dance technique, Etude history, and reconstruction of a modern classic.
TUCDD Workshop Series
This series of workshops has been developed to enhance and broaden the dancer’s repertory by highly trained dance professionals through movement and lecture.. All workshops are limited enrollment, and students must pre-register. Non-registered TUCDD students are welcome to attend.
Workshop Series |
| Friday, December 4, 2009, 6 p.m. |
Adult Zumba (18+) |
| Saturday, December 5, 2009, 1 p.m. |
Adult Intro to Belly Dancing (18+) |
Fee: $10 per workshop Pre- Registration and Payment Required
A minimum of 6 students is required for each workshop and a maximum of 20 students will be allowed to register.
*All students are assessed at the beginning of the semester to ensure proper level placement.
Ready to Register?
Please download, complete and mail your registration form to the Children's Dance Division. Call 410-704-3495 for more information. Only one registration fee is required per family. Towson faculty, staff and alumni receive a 10 percent discount toward TUCDD classes.
Children's Dance Division
Center for the Arts, Room 1002V
Phone: 410-704-3495
Fax: 410-704-3752
E-mail: bkneussl@towson.edu
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