Beyond The Classroom
Annual Production
Academy of Dance Youth Company
Perfect for the new dancers who want more stage time, our Youth Company is the place to learn discipline, time management, teamwork, and performance skills without the added stressors of the competition stage! Believing dance is a gift to be shared, company members perform by invitation in local shows, nursing homes, retirement homes, charity events, parades and festivals throughout the year. In the past 4 years, we have hosted charity events raising over $4000 for charities such as the Wounded Warrior Project and the Salvation Army Domestic Abuse Shelter.
Dancers are given the chance to perform as often as possible and share their love of dance with the community and beyond. Company members have been given travel opportunities to perform on cruise ships, internationally in Turks and Caicos, and most recently, at Disneyworld in Orlando. Company members should have a level of commitment to dance performance beyond the recreational dancer requirements. Students will be expected to attend weekly company classes in addition to being available for weekend performances. All Company members will attend at least 1 regional dance convention and summer intensive in order to learn from current dance professionals from around the nation. Routines are learned during a week-long intensive in July. Youth company members will be required to purchase their own costume, tights, shoes, make up and accessories as well as a company wind suit for performances. Company members must be a level 102 or above dancer and are chosen from an open audition in May.
Academy of Dance Competitive Company
Our Competitive Company is a nationally-recognized team of dedicated dancers and choreographers. The company travels throughout the state to compete with studios around the country. These highly dedicated students have a healthy approach to competition, as we believe competition to be a way to better oneself through the application of constructive critiques from nationally recognized artists in the dance field. We compete to better ourselves as dancers and artists. In addition to intensive classes in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip hop, the competition dancer attends 1 and 2 day dance conventions periodically throughout the year to learn from current dance artists and master teachers. We also have team-building events to foster our friendly atmosphere among competitors and families. Company members are chosen through an open audition in May, learn routines during competition intensive week in July, and practice routines weekly throughout the school year. They attend an average of 2 regional competitions and 1 national event in the summer.
Peter and the Wolf
The AOD Youth Ballet Ensemble produces the full-length ballet, bi-annually as an outreach for area children to learn more about the orchestra in a story that is easily understood. In 2015, this production was presented as a part of the Flint Energies Bright Ideas Grant for all Houston County School System 2nd graders. As part of this grant, the AoD has produced, with the help of Mrs. Laura Hancock, a comprehensive learning syllabus based upon the core standards for 2nd grade. Students are chosen by audition to take part in this special ballet for the young and young at heart.
Teacher Apprentice Program
Believing that our own students are our dance teachers of the future, we offer a special teacher apprentice program for ages 11 and older. These special apprentice teachers must have their parents’ permission before acceptance into the program, and must commit for the entire school year.
Apprentices will be required to take classes in the discipline in which they are assisting, and dance full-out during all classes. Poor class attendance will result in loss of TA status. Apprentices will also be required to participate in bi-monthly teaching assistants’ classes with the school director to learn how to be better teachers.
Apprentices must conduct themselves in a professional manner both inside and outside the studio, and set an example for all younger students. While assisting, TAs will be required to be dressed properly for the class which they are assisting. If an apprentice can not be present for class, they must tell the teacher at least 24 hours in advance. Assistants are in the class to demonstrate, make corrections as directed by the teacher, and help tie shoes or monitor potty breaks if helping younger classes. All TAs must assist with dress rehearsals and productions at the end of the dance year.
Jr Faculty Program
Students exhibiting excellent teacher apprentice traits and have a strong desire to teach and become certified instructors will be given the opportunity to teach their own class under the tutelage of one of our certified instructors. Students in this program will be given the same benefits as a full faculty member while in training mode, and the same responsibilities to include lesson planning, choreography and recital preparation. This program gives our Jr faculty a head start towards a career as a dance instructor and readies them for their certification training.
Career Bound Dancer Program
High school students are guided towards post-graduation careers in the performing arts industry in this program. Dancers are given a chance to become more involved in the behind-the-scenes activities of running shows, from choreography to backstage crews. Dancers are given mock auditions and given summer program audition information. We research college programs based upon their desires and are guided every step of the way by the school director. Dancers in this program have moved on to become certified dance instructors and dance and theater majors and minors.
438 S Pleasant Hill Rd
Warner Robins, GA 31088
director@academyofdancewr.com
Member of Dance Educators of America
