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Astoria Dance Centre has had from
its inception a faculty of the highest caliber who provide a program
of progressive training in all forms of dance and cultural education.
The goal of Astoria Dance Centre is to provide students with an awareness of how to use the mind and body as an instrument through movement; allow them the opportunity to express themselves creatively; provide them with valuable knowledge of theatre and the arts; and to develop the ability and appreciation to work artistically with others.
Astoria Dance Centre holds class from September through June. Careful consideration is given to class placement and individual potential. Private Lessons may be arranged.
The Centre holds a July Summer Session. Included in these sessions are classes for toddlers, children, teens and adults.
Recreational and pre-professional classes
at Astoria Dance Centre are designed to ensure correct technique and
placement and each student is assigned to a class best suited to her
or his age and stage of development.
Classes consist of Dance Together for 2's and 3's with Mom or Dad; Pre-School Dance (3 1/2 to 41/2 year olds), Pre-Dance (4 1/2 to 5 1/2 years); Pre-Ballet, Jazz and Tap (6 - 9 yrs.); For ages 10 through teens Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Modern. For Adults the Centre offers Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Ballroom Dance and Latin Dance.
For the serious dance student, Astoria Dance Centre's specialty classes, workshops, performance team, competitions, choreography showcase and summer dance program broaden students' technique and provides them with a style and stage presence that helps prepare them for auditions and professional appearances.
Students may participate in Astoria Dance Centre's Annual Performances and more advanced students have the opportunity to perform with the School throughout the year. The purpose of ADC's community performances is to provide the public with cultural education and entertainment.
Dance Together for 2's and 3's with Mom or Dad.
This class is designed for children who are not ready to be in class on his/her own. The class is 45 minutes in length and Mom or Dad participates with the child. Music, movement and social skills are developed in this class. Activities include use of props along with fun song and dance routines.This program runs for three 10 week sessions. The sessions are run consecutively. You can sign up for 1, 2 or all 3 sessions. Download our 2011 - 2012 session schedule by clicking here.
Pre-School and Pre-Dance Classes
Our popular pre-school and pre-dance classes for children ages 3 to 4 years and 4 to 5 years introduces children to various forms of dance and movement. The class consists of song and dance routines, tap and balletic movement. These fun, structured classes have been taught by experienced instructors and assistants for the past 28 years. Age appropriate music is used in these classes. The classes are designed to teach children how to take direction and to cooperate in a group setting as well as develop their sense of rhythm and coordination.
Boys Dance at ADC
There are many boys at Astoria Dance Centre enjoying a wide range of dance classes. Our classes are designed so that boys develop coordination and rhythm in an atmosphere that provides creativity and athleticism. Currently there are 3 male teachers on staff at ADC.
Music, Acting and Voice Lessons are also available to boys and men at Astoria Dance Centre.Ballet
A classical form of dance that is characterized by grace, precision, formal gestures, steps and poses. The study of ballet does not unfold immediately as a whole. It is developed over a long period of time through a series of repetitive exercises done at the barre, in the center and across the floor. Intensive instruction in the technique of classical ballet is the fundamental subject on which anyone entering the ballet field must concentrate. This is achieved through courses in technique, pointe, variations,, supported adagio and through workshops, rehearsals and performances. Like the study of language, every movement is learned separately, then woven into combinations of movements and finally into choreographic poems we call "ballets". The ballet levels offered at ADC are Pre-Ballet for children ages 6 through 9 and beginner through advanced levels for children, teens and adults.
The Astoria Dance Centre Performance Team
Students who show the talent and a strong desire to pursue dance at the high school level or as a career may audition for one of the school's Performance Teams. Dancers must be at least 7 years of age and in addition to Ballet must be enrolled in a minimum of 2 classes per week. Team members are also required to take Performance Team classes. Team classes are divided by age: 7-9, 10-12 and ages 13 & up.The purpose of the ADC Performance Team is to broaden students' technique and provide them with a style and stage presence that will help to prepare them for auditions and professional appearances. Students on the Team take part in specialty classes, workshops and perform locally and at 2 to 3 regional dance competitions throughout the school year. For more information about the Performance Team ask for Jacqui Young, Performance Director at 718.278.1567 or email jacquiatadc@gmail.com
Jazz
Classes are designed to develop technique, strength, stretch and stamina through isolations, progressions across the floor and fun combinations. There is a wide range of upbeat music in Jazz dance classes.
JazzHop (also know as Hip Hop or Funk)
This class is made up of all the new dance styles. In addition to Jazz technique Hip Hop helps to build coordination and rhythm through body isolations. Learn all the new moves and dance to top 40 tunes in this fun class.Musical Theatre Dance Class
Now available during the school year as well as in the summer! This class will introduce students to many different styles of dance throughout the ages. Not only will students get to perform the Charleston and get the feel for Swing but they will dance to all of the great musical theater tunes. This educational but fun class is based on style and performance. Musical Theatre Dance complements and is a perfect match to our Broadway Bound Package.
Broadway Bound Package
ADC's Broadway Bound package is a program designed for the student who is interested in being a triple threat -- acting, singing and dancing. This program is geared toward boys and girls ages 9 through teens. It is course of study that will introduce your child to the performing arts all in ONE convenient location. We offer acting and scene study; dance and voice lessons. An excellent program that will help your child discover his or her strengths and areas of interest. Our Broadway Bound Package will also help to prepare your child for auditions for performing arts high schools and colleges.
Package Includes:
1 Musical Theater class
1 small group vocal lesson
1 group Acting Class
Students in the Broadway Bound Package are given the opportunity to perform at the Tony Bennett Performing Arts Center with Astoria Dance Centre at their Annual Performance, in the Acting Studio's and Singing Dynamics performances in the Blackbox Theater at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts.Registration Fee: $35.00 Broadway Bound Package $220.00 payable once a month from September through June.
Tap
Tap class focuses on technique, rhythm and musicality. Styles of tap taught are Broadway style and Rhythm tap. Tap classes not only challenge you physically but also mentally. It is highly recommended that students take a ballet or a jazz class in addition to tap to help further develop their technical skills.
Contemporary Modern Technique Class
This class emphasizes dynamic, full-body movements that are both energetic and dramatic, based in classic techniques as well as a taste of the up-and-coming styles. Learn to express yourself through movement while gaining strength and flexibility, as well as learning fun contemporary combinations to a variety of songs. The class includes a variety of exercises to strengthen and stretch the body, with emphasis on proper alignment, correct breathing, and abdominal strength. The class progresses from a warm-up, with combinations both on the floor and standing, to traveling movement including jumps and turns across the floor. Throughout all exercises emphasis is placed on individual expression, musicality, and positive energy. This class is fun and exciting while giving students a strong technical base. Strongly recommended for anyone auditioning for NYC performing arts high schools!Acting Class
Intro to Acting - Ages 7-9, ages 10-12, and ages 13 and up
An introductory class that helps to build confidence through improvisation, theater games and scene study.Acting I & II - Ages 13 and up
This class is by teacher permission only. Pre-requisites: completion of intro to acting, scene study or other acting class experience. Further character development and scene study is covered in this class.Private Acting Lessons for High School Auditions are available. Rates are $40.00 per 1/2 hour or $70.00 per hour.
ADC's Broadway Bound program includes a group acting class. For more information click here. Musical Theatre Dance is a good complement to an Acting Class. For Musical Theatre description, click here.
Dance Faculty
Jessica Danser-Schwarz, Dolores Daza, Maureen Gelchion, Lisa Julian, Adriana Liriano, Jazmin Murillo, Pam Lenker, Jacqui Young
Acting, Music and Voice Faculty
Tony Corso, Bobby Drakos, Fintan O'Neill, Grace Pettijohn
Maureen Gelchion, School Director
Maureen has owned and directed Astoria Dance Centre Inc for the past 28 years. She has been teaching ballet at her own studio and throughout the NYC area for 35 years. She received her BA from Queens College. Maureen's school has a full curriculum of dance styles, as well as an acting, music and voice program. Maureen is a certified member of the Dance Educators of America and is on the staff of the DanceLife Teacher Conference.
Anthony Corso
Tony received his education at the State University of New York at Stony Brook where he received his BA in Theatre Arts. Tony is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and Actors Equity Association. He has performed in Regional Theatre throughout the NY area, on HBO and on and off Broadway. He was a founding member of Mixed Nuts, an Improv Group that performed at Don't Tell Mamas and off Broadway. Tony co-directs Astoria Dance Centre with his wife Maureen and is the school's Acting Instructor.
Jessica Danser Schwarz
Jessica Danser Schwarz received her early training at Astoria Dance Centre. She studied at Talent Unlimited High School, the Ailey School, and received her BFA from SUNY Purchase. Jessica has been teaching at ADC since 2002 and is also on faculty at the Ailey School, as well as teaching as a guest at Talent Unlimited, Frank Sinatra School of the Arts and Professional Performing Arts High School. Jessica has completed American Ballet Theater's National Teacher Training Curriculum Primary-Level 3 and Horton Pedagogy courses. She is also a choreographer, and has been directing her dance company, JD/dansfolk, since 2005. They perform primarily at the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance and have received multiple grants and awards. Jessica is a member of the modern company Arthur Aviles Typical Theater.
