Why support Cleveland School of Dance?

The Mission of Cleveland School of Dance is to educate its students by offering them quality dance training and intensive instruction in the highly structured and disciplined techniques of dance and its related arts.  The training creates a refined sensitivity and developed appreciation for the unique art of classical ballet among the students of both the Community and Professional divisions of the School. 

The cost of training is significantly higher than the tuition received.  CSD is neither unique nor different than many arts, dance, and private 501(c) (3) not-for-profit institutions. We have and share the same challenges. 

To continue providing quality training and professional performances we rely on your support and need your help.

To donate and receive your tax-deductible letter, please submit your gift to:

Cleveland School of Dance

P.O Box 24128

Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124

 

The CSD Program

The well rounded curriculum, taught by a distinguished faculty, emphasizes a very strong classical ballet technique and its related arts. By offering its students intensive training in the highly structured and disciplined techniques, a student is exposed to a sense of independence, power and enjoyment.  This training creates a refined sensitivity and developed appreciation for the unique art of classical ballet.  It is a style-training that produces artists of the highest caliber capable of fulfilling the aesthetic needs and demands of major dance companies while at the same time, providing the necessary skills for a successful career in the ever-evolving art of dance.

 

At the Professional Division, young dancers are placed in one of the levels according to age, experience, talent and ability.  The dance students follow a structured curriculum designed to develop their technical skills, stamina, vocabulary and discipline in agreement with their age and physical development.  The curriculum includes: ballet technique, pointe, variations, contemporary dance, Spanish dance, caractere, music theory, body alignment and conditioning as well as jazz.  Additional courses offered in nutrition, preventive injury, drama, dance history and yoga also compliment the curriculum.

 

The young children in the Community Division of the school take one to two classes a week.  This division of the program is comprised of a curriculum in which the young dancer is introduced to basic motor skills, elementary ballet vocabulary and creative movement while instilling discipline and enhancing attention span.  As the student progresses, the curriculum further develops into more complex dance combinations integrating musical concepts appropriate to each level of skill.

 

Live accompaniment is provided for all classes, an essential and crucial element in developing a dance student’s understanding the important relationship between movement and music.

 

CSD is in session from September to early June and for summer term. Students are evaluated twice per year.  Enrollment is not automatically renewed from year to year, or for the summer course.  The faculty evaluates the student’s progress, technical and physical abilities, talent, desire to be taught, learning abilities, commitment, devotion, physical development, conduct and behavior to determine their enrollment renewal. 

 

For those longing to have a career in ballet, Cleveland School of Dance offers quality training and excellent exposure to classical ballet and its related arts.  A career in dance is one with numerous rewards.  Upon completion of studies at the School, students are considered graduates.  Some graduates will consider auditioning for national or local dance companies, others will apply for college.  In both instances they will reap the rewards of dedication, desire and discipline as they become successful young adults.

 

Admissions

The School starts accepting students for proper ballet training at the age of four.  Admission to the community division of the School is by class placement.  Admission to the professional division of the School is by audition ONLY, and the student MUST meet very specific requirements.  In both instances, the ideal dance applicant is a healthy child with a body type possessing attributes that are generally considered requisites for professional careers in the art of dance: thin body structure, legs that are turned-out from the hip joint, strong torso, strong center, flexible extensions and appropriate arched feet. The applicant should also have an ear for music and an innate instinct for movement.  All applicants are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

 

Auditions are held on early spring for summer courses. Those applicants accepted into summer courses, will be evaluated for a possible acceptance in the School’s yearly session.

 

Applicants that have never been enrolled in the school and wish to take a placement for the community division or audition for the School’s professional division may contact the School’s office (216) 320-9000 to acquire more information.

 

                                                                                                Professional Division

Eligibility

Dance education at CSD is for beginner, intermediate and advanced students ages 10 to 18 years old who are at an advanced level of technical abilities balanced to their age and have physical qualifications suitable for the demands of today’s classical dance.

 

Audition

Admission is by placement class or audition only.  Once admitted, the dance student will be placed at a level comparable to his/her natural talents, physical ability and knowledge and execution of dance vocabulary. Prior participation to any CSD program will not be a factor in determining admission to any CSD program.

 

Notification

Accepted students will be notified by mail with in one to two weeks of the audition or placement date.

 

Scholarship

A limited number of scholarships are awarded on a case-by-case basis and could include one of the following:

 

            Full tuition

            Half tuition

            Partial tuition

 

Requirements and Criteria for Scholarship Award

The ideal applicant is a healthy young child with a body suitable for dance.  The dance applicant must have qualities that are generally considered essential for professional accomplishments in the art of dance:

Thin body structure, legs that are turned-out from the hip joint, strong torso, strong center, flexible extensions and appropriate arched feet. 

 

Audition for CSD 2009-2010 Term

New dance applicants that have never been enrolled in CSD, will have the opportunity to audition prior to the start of the 2009-2010 term.  If admitted into the school term, the student will be placed in a level according to his/her abilities, talents, and accomplishments.

 

                                                                             Community Division

Eligibility

Dance education in the CSD Community Division is for students 4 to 12 years old with no previous dance training or experience. No audition is required.  A placement class will be necessary in order to place the student at an age appropriate level.

 

Notification

Accepted students will be notified by phone or mail with in two to five days of the placement class.

 

Non-Discrimination Policy

Cleveland School of Dance admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin to all of the rights, privileges, programs, and activities, generally accorded or made available to students at the School.  It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, merit scholarship, and other school-administered programs.