Why A Dance Education Versus Just Learning A Dance?

There are many different types of dance studios around our nation. And rightly so because not all families are looking for the same thing when it comes to placing their children in a dance program.

There are the "activity" studios. These are the ones that can come up with great activity style classes that only run six to eight weeks at a time. Low commitment and made for fun and to give the parents a break from their children once in awhile.

There are "lets learn a dance" studios that start teaching a dance at the beginning of the season and take the entire season to complete or polish it.

There are "competition" studios where every class in the studio, with maybe the exception of the baby classes, compete. That is their goal and target. Attend competitions.

There are the studios that see what they do as an education. They not only teach dances, but actually how to dance. Techniques is important and impressed upon their students because they want to be sure if these students do one day decide to audition for a university dance department or for a professional show, that they have the skills and training to make it.

Take these four types of studios and you will see even a different blend. Such as the Educational Studio that understands and can meet the educational side with still allowing a few students to compete. Why only a few? Because they are hand selected and not open called for auditions. These hand selected students are ones that parents understand that this is more that just getting on a stage and getting a trophy. It is about performance value and learning about performance.

Then there is the studio that the competitions are actually an activity because not enough time is spent on technique, but instead tricks to make the audience yell out for them (have you ever experience yelling "get it girl" during a Nutcracker performance by a professional company?). Although entertaining, these dancers seldom go on to higher levels of dance opportunities, and even if they tried they are generally turned away.

Dance is an education of movement, correct sequences and technique in execution. It should be fun or your child will not enjoy it. It should be measurable or your child will not know if they are advancing or not. It should be balanced with technique and learning a dance.

Yes, dance is an education. So is performance. An education that can take them to as high as they want to achieve, if they have the right start.

Music Fun Time Classes Now Registering

Music Fun Time is a theory based music class for ages 18 mo-3 yrs, 3-5 yrs and 5-7 yrs of age. Incorporating math and music science techniques, your young child will learn to read music and play instruments. Call us at 580-256-3262in Woodward or 580-747-4799 in Enid. New classes starting in January. 

Who Do We Recommend For Pianos?

Many parents ask us about purchasing pianos for their child's lessons. They want to know what will work for their child to learn on. Many have purchased pianos on Craigslist or off of Facebook sites and have been greatly disappointed to find out that they only purchased a worn out clunker that does not serve their child or family well.

For the past several years, we have been using a company out of Hutchison Kansas (yes all the way to Kansas!). The reason has been that we believe that they are specialists when it comes to pianos. We have never been disappointed, and neither have our students when playing on our pianos.

Pianos Unlimited in Hutchison Kansas is also a family owned and ran company. They deliver pianos all over the US. Their website at www.pianosunlimited.com is a great place for you to start looking for a great piano. You will find that they offer restoration services, for those of you that have a family piano that you were hoping to use. They also offer used pianos that have been serviced by their technicians.

We highly recommend Brad at Pianos Unlimited for your source of pianos. They will be happy to guide you through your search for a piano and you will not feel pressured into purchasing something that you are not interested in (at least we have never been).

Do us a favor, when you email or call Pianos Unlimited, please let them know that you got their website address from us. We do not get an affiliate fee or anything like that. What we got from them was a promise they would happily take good care of our students.

Happy piano shopping!

Academy Of Fine Arts Now Offering You

 A Chance For A Public Education At No Charge

 

 

In May of 2013, Academy of Fine Arts entered into a collaboration with Oklahoma Connections Academy. OKCA is a public virtual school that allows a students more time to spend on their passions such as dance and music!

 

As a public virtual school that is fully accredited and recognized by the Oklahoma State Board of Education, students residing in Oklahoma that have been in public schools can now transfer to Oklahoma Connections Academy at no charge.

 

Academy of Fine Arts locations will now offer a "learning coaches service" to parent that do not want or have the time to step into the daily role of learning coach for their child or children. Students can then have more time to spend on the passions and talents that they want to further develop, such as dance, gymnastics, music, art, voice and more (we even have a track for those that want to focus on more sports and not performing arts!)

 

Parents are in full control of their child's education process with Oklahoma Connections Academy, since they enroll directly with OKCA and then outsource the learning coach to us for a monthly fee! But we want to warn you, OKCA is a progressive curriculum and is not meant to be easier than the brick and mortar public schools that are available. Your child will be challenged and will grow through many different courses and electives that you cannot get in the typical school system.

 

Fall registration is now going on and we only have a limited amount of time and space available for your child. We encourage you to go to www.connectionsacademy.com/OKCA to learn more about this public virtual school that is free to you. Then go to our website at www.academyoffineartsok.com to learn more about our performing arts school and new sports department.

 

Taking a look at this today, may just change your child's path to success!



Academy of Fine Arts is now an official Angelina Ballerina Dance Academy! Angelina Ballerina Dance Academy classes are taught through a nationwide network of top quality dance studios.
Your child will receive a quality dance education in a caring and fun environment, all based on the beloved Angelina Ballerina character.
Each month your child will learn new dance skills and steps based on a new Angelina Ballerina story book.
The Angelina Ballerina Dance Academy curriculum is designed by internationally renowned master teachers and child development experts. Your child will be inspired to pursue their dreams of dance, just like Angelina Ballerina!
Register today and your little star with big dreams will develop the love and skills of dance that will last for a lifetime.

COMING THIS SUMMER!

Summer Camp Description

This 5-day camp is designed to promote physical health, confidence, and creativity while teaching proper dance technique in Camp 1 for ages 3 - 4 ½ and Camp 2 for ages 4 ½ - 6.
Promoting reading and literacy, this complete camp curriculum focuses on reading and studying the book, “Angelina's Perfect Party”.  Also included are lessons in nutrition and creating a strong healthy body, educational activity sheets, and craft projects to create excitement among young dancers.
 Camp Dates in Woodward
July 16-20th
August 6-10th

*More camps to be added. Registration now available on line at http://www.emailcontact.com/stat/click.php?nl_id=181849&email=[EMAIL]&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.academyoffineartsok.com