Informational Session: May 19 OR May 21 5:00 - 5:30
LAUNCH is a weekly competition-prep class designed to give dancers and their families a taste of the competition dance world. It is a low-stress, low-commitment program that will be oriented towards developing young dancers' technique, taking their skills to the next level and preparing them for the competition world. Dancers are not required to audition for the competition team following a year of LAUNCH if they decide it is not for them. If they do decide the would like to give the competition world a shot, they are required to audition.
LAUNCH is open to ages 4-7. Dancers will attend one weekly class. The majority of classes will focus on basic technical jazz/ballet skills, as well as a few opportunities to learn new styles (i.e. tap, hip-hop, musical theatre, acro/tricks).
Students will NOT perform at competitions. Instead, the LAUNCH troupe will perform one number all together at the Spring Recital, starting in 2026. Members are invited to all competitions Dancearts attends to cheer on our Competition Team dancers and get a sense of the competition world, but they are not required to attend. LAUNCH members who are old enough are also invited to participate in dance conventions (age requirements vary by convention), but again are not required to attend. Finally, members are invited to all of Dancearts' competition events (dress rehearsals, team sleepover, holiday parties, bonding events, big/little reveal, and more). The goal is to familiarize students with our team's culture and introduce them to the world of competitive dance with no commitment.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: Does signing up for LAUNCH make students a part of the competition team? A:No! Signing up for the class does not make students a part of the team. It only grants them access to team events (attending bonding events, watching rehearsals, participating in bigs/littles, etc.) if they wish. The class is designed around jazz technique and is more challenging than other classes for their age range (Kinderdance I/II, Jazz Beginning I, etc.).
Q: What is the minimum commitment? A: The minimum commitment is one class per week. LAUNCH will be offered both Summer and Fall 2025.
Q: What will a typical class look like? A: A typical class will begin with a jazz warm up (cardio, isolations, dynamic stretching, and strengthening exercises). This will be followed by across-the-floor and center work (weight-shift combinations, directional changes, battements, turns, jumps, leaps, and more). Students will also learn short combinations throughout the semester to practice sequencing, recollection, and style.
Q: Can my 4-year-old sign up? Or my 8-year-old? A:4-year-old students are welcome! This is an experimental program, so we are open to letting students of surrounding ages outside of the 4-7 range to sign up. Younger than 4 or older than 7 may be on a case-by-case basis, but please ask us! Email, call, or stop by the front desk.
Please submit any questions/comments about LAUNCH below.