Class Descriptions

Classes for young children focus on movement, music, and creativity!  Teachers are sensitive to different learning styles and personalities, and use age-appropriate exercises and activities - including props, musical instruments, creative imagery, and storytelling, - to help pre-schoolers exercise their bodies and their imaginations, while learning basic dance vocabulary. A wide variety of music is used.

Modern Dance for Elementary School

Elementary school children are ready to take a more structured dance class and learn the purpose of each part, while still having fun!  Classes start with a warm-up and conditioning exercises to prepare their bodies, followed by moving "on the diagonal" to practice steps, and ending with a cool-down to stretch their muscles.  In between, students learn set chorography, while also having ample opportunity to improvise and make up their own dances.  The concept of a basic dance structure - "beginning-middle-end" - is introduced, and children also begin to learn basic performance skills and dance vocabulary.

The Company consists of dancers 8-13 who love to perform and have had some previous dance training. A simple audition process of taking a modern dance class is required.  It is strongly recommended that participants in the Junior Repertory Company take at least one additional technique class. There is a simple contract that company members and their parents are asked to sign, making a commitment to regular attendance and participation in rehearsals and performances.

Age-appropriate music and moves are taught in this all-American urban dance and music style. Please wear sneakers.

Modern Dance for Teens

Middle-school classes follow the traditional dance-class structure, and more technique is introduced.  CMDE does not favor one style of modern dance; staff members have studied a variety of techniques, including Graham, Ailey, Cunningham, and Limon, and teach an eclectic combination of styles.  A variety of dance concepts - levels, force, speed, sharp, flowing, repetition, canon, unison, etc. - are explored, and students continue to work on their performance skills.   Instructors continue to encourage creativity, both through the use of exercises to guide students in the development of their own movement combinations, and by supporting students' creation of their own dances.

CMDE Repertory Company

The Company consists of advanced teen dancers, selected by audition, who wish to improve both technique and performance skills.  The company emphasizes modern dance, but other choreography styles are also used, and the company performs several times throughout the year.  Students in the Repertory Company must take at least one additional technique class, and consistent attendance in class and at the performances is extremely important.  There is a basic contract agreement signed be the student and a parent or guardian.

Teen Dance Crew

The Teen Dance Crew is a free, multi-level performance group for teens who love to dance, perform, and make up choreography.

Modern Dance for Adults

Discover or rediscover the modern dancer in you! Eclectic music and dance styles are used. Technique and improvisation are included in our multi-level classes.  Increase flexibility, improve posture, and grow stronger and more graceful while expressing yourself through movement.

A high-energy dance work-out! Learn the moves used in music videos! Please wear sneakers.

Although it is sometimes called "belly dance", this name is inaccurate, as Middle Eastern Dance uses all parts of the body!  This dance form involves isolating different parts of the body with a focus on using core muscles to produce signature movements such as shivers, shakes, shimmies, and undulations.  Done in bare feet; you may bring your own dance skirt or borrow one from us. 

High-energy, traditional West African dance.  The Family Dance class is a multi-level class free to any adult(s) and child(ren) who come together dance as a family!

Learn basic ballet terms and technique while getting a good stretch.

Dance Exercise for Adults and Seniors

A low-impact class combining elements of Modern Dance, Jazz, and Yoga to increase flexibility, strength, balance, and coordination in a relaxed atmosphere.

Yoga is the union of body, mind, and spirit. A non-contortionist relaxing practice that encourages self awareness, self-acceptance, increased flexibility, strength, balance, and  concentration.  Physical practice, controlled breathing, imagery, and simple meditation techniques are taught to infuse students with a peaceful state of being.  Adaptable for all levels, including individuals with disabilities.