Special Section

Stepping Into Dance

the communication power of expression through movement

Katie Hoffman, photos by Andrea Paulseth |

THIS SCHOOL HAS REALLY RAISED THE BAR. Diamond School of Dance teaches classes for ages 3-12 in tap, jazz, hip-hop, and ballet (above).
 
THIS SCHOOL HAS REALLY RAISED THE BAR. Diamond School of Dance teaches classes for ages 3-12 in tap, jazz, hip-hop, and ballet (above).

According to the National Dance Education Organization, dance helps children in four specific areas: physical development, emotional maturity, social awareness, and cognitive development.  Children involved in dance classes from an early age are more aware of their emotions, and are better able to teach themselves new skills. 

Tuesday Wustrack, assistant coach of Regis High School Dance Team in Eau Claire, has seen this fostering in her daily encounters with the dance team. She said the dancers are more disciplined and know how to be self-sufficient during practice, adding it’s probably not just in dance that they exhibit these skills. 

“They learn how to persevere through struggles, if they don’t catch on to something right away, and that can help them outside of dance class, too,” Wustrack said. 

It’s common knowledge that children are naturally active, and the NDEO says dance offers a unique outlet to expand on those movements, as well as give children the social awareness they will use their entire lives. “Children learn to communicate ideas to others through the real and immediate mode of body movement,” their educational philosophy states. “Children quickly learn to work within a group dynamic.”

Dance is far and away the least utilized of the arts in schools, with a unit in gym class usually covering it and cheer or dance team offered as extra curriculars – neither covering dance as an art form. And interpretive dance, for instance, involves translating words into expressive movements or vice-versa, skills linked to reading and communication skills. NDEO says children learn best through experience, and dance gives them the ability to express themselves without the fear of making mistakes. 

DANCE STUDIOS & CLASSES FOR KIDS

Arthur Murray (401 ½ S Barstow St., Eau Claire) offers classes in waltz, foxtrot, tango, swing, salsa, rumba, cha-cha, hustle, and polka (ages 8-12). Call 834-6166 or go to ArthurMurray.com.

 Dancer’s Studio (Banbury Place Bldg 13, Ste. 122) teaches expressive dance for ages 5 and up. Call 829-0754 or e-mail TouchingEnergy@yahoo.com

 Danz Kraze (Banbury Place Bldg 4/6, Ste. 205) teaches a kindergarten pom class for 4-5. Visit ECDanzKraze.com or call 832-DANZ. 

Diamond School of Dance (123 S Graham Ave., Eau Claire) teaches ballet, tap, jazz, and hip-hop for ages 3-12. Visit DiamondSchoolofDance.com or call 577-1285.

 Eau Claire School of Dance (306 Main St., EC) (312 Bridge St., Chip Falls) teaches boys-only hip-hop, an 18-month-toddler-and-parent class, and jazz, ballet, and tap for 6 and up. VisitEauClaireSchoolofDance.com or call 832-9900.

 En Avant School of Dance (3330 N Town Road, Eau Claire) offers creative movement for age 3, ballet-tap combo for 4-6, plus 7 and up classes like jazz, jazz-tap combo, ballet-jazz combo, and ballet, tap, and jazz exclusives. Visit EnAvantDance.com or call 874-5575.

Jean Marie’s School of Dance (31 W Spring St., Chip Falls) offers tap and ballet for all ages. Visit JeanMarieDance.com or call 723-8635.

 Jewelry Box Dancer (110 W Main St., Menomonie) offers ballet, tap, African, hip-hop, and combination classes for ages 3-6. Call 563-3534 

Leisure Services Center – Just for Kix (1412 6th St, Menomonie) teaches choreographed dance for Tiny 3-5, Wee Petites 5-7, Wee for 7-8, and Mini 8-9. Visit JustForKix.com or call 505-0460.