About the Centre
Register now 718-278-1567
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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 mid September through mid 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 to 4 year olds), Pre-Dance (4 to 5 years); Pre-Ballet, Jazz and Tap Combo Class for ages 5-6, 6-7, 7-8 and Ballet, Modern, Tap and Jazz for Ages 9 through Teens; For ages 10 through teens Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Modern. For Adults the Centre offers 4 week sessions in Ballet and or Modern 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 2012 - 2013 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 introduceschildren 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 aredesigned 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 5-6 and 6-7 and graded classes from beginner through advanced levels for ages 8 through teens.
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.Hip Hop (also know as Jazz 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 class. This class is for ages 8 and up.Broadway Bound Class
ADC's Broadway Bound class is a program designed for the student who is interested in being a triple threat -- acting, singing and dancing. This class is geared toward boys and girls ages 8 through 12 and 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. This is an excellent program that will help your child discover his or her strengths and areas of interest. Our Broadway Bound Class and our private Voice and Group Acting and Dance classes will also help to prepare your child for auditions for performing arts high schools and colleges.This 1.5 hour Class Includes: Acting, Singing and Dancing and is taught by 2 instructors.
Students in the Broadway Bound Class are given the opportunity to perform at the Tony Bennett Performing Arts Center with Astoria Dance Centre at their Annual Performance(s) and in the Acting Studio's performance in the Blackbox Theater at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts.
Registration Fee: $40.00 Broadway Bound Class $85.00 per installment which is 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
Beginning Acting for ages 8 -12, and ages 13 and up An introductory class that helps to build confidence through improvisation, theater games and scene study.Acting with experience for Ages 13 and up This class is by teacher permission only. Pre-requisites: completion of beginning 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.
Dance Faculty
Tony Corso, Dolores Daza, Maureen Gelchion, Adriana Liriano, Pam Lenker, Ella Rosewood, Jacqui Young, Natalia Yepes
Acting, Music and Voice Faculty
Tony Corso, Bobby Drakos, Fintan O'Neill, Grace Pettijohn, Tom Blancarte
Maureen Gelchion, School Director
Maureen has owned and directed Astoria Dance Centre Inc. for the past 29 years. She has been teaching ballet at her own studio and throughout the NYC area for 36 years. She received her BA from Queens College. Her 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 the Associated Dance Teachers of New Jersey. She is an advocate of National Dance Week, a dance competition adjudicator and on the faculty and staff of Rhee Gold's DanceLife Teacher Conferences.
Tony 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.
Jacqui Young
Jacqui began dancing at the age of five, choreographed her first professional show at age sixteen, and landed her first professional dancing job at age eighteen. Her focus for the past ten years has been on choreography and dance education. Some of choreography credits include Annie, Hello Dolly, and the Music Man. She holds a B. S. from the CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Choreography and Creative Theory and Deviance and Victimization of Women. She also has an A. A. in Broadcast Journalism from Northern Essex Community College. She is the Director of New York City Dance; a dance education company based in NYC, and the Artistic Director of the Push Factor Dance Company. Jacqui is also a certified American Ballet Theatre Instructor.
Danissa Williams
Danissa Williams is 18 years old and is currently a senior at Archbishop Molloy High School. She began dancing at ADC 13 years ago and also was a member of the Performance Team several years ago. Her training includes ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, and modern. She currently works at ADC as a dance teacher assistant and also in the A Dancer's Closet store. Next year, Danissa will attend the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, a 7 year BA/MD program to become a primary care physician.
