Primary For Tots (Pre School Genre Series)

Primary for Tots Ballet Series: Vol. I-II

“Dance: The Cutting Edge – Primary Ballet for Tots – Animated Series” is a precursor to our “Traditional Ballet: Levels 1-4″ presented in an animated setting with age appropriate material. Ages 3 through 6 years old benefit greatly from Pre-Ballet class because it helps to work on various life skills such as self and body awareness, counting and mathematics (in measures of 8), musicality, listening, paying attention to detail, discipline, and goal setting. The videos contain fun-filled exercises to help young dancers reach their developmental milestones, and build classical ballet skills while also improving large motor skills. Students will learn more than 95 exciting new steps, like Flowers Blooming, Butterfly Wings, Rainbow, Princess Walks, Tendu on Cloud, The Puppet, Echappe, Stomping Feet, and more! “Primary Ballet” should be used with all of our other dance series, as ballet is the foundation for all forms of dance!

“Primary for Tots” was conceived by Kimberly Beck Thomson, and is taught by Sofia Arencibia, a professional instructor and dancer, based in Miami, Florida, who is currently the artistic director of Artistic Dance Center. In addition to being an accomplished instructor, Sofia performed lead roles in many renowned ballets. Dance: The Cutting Edge has been fortunate to include the amazing talents of so many gifted professionals in the development of our video series.

Primary for Tots Tap Series: Vol. I

In “Dance: The Cutting Edge – Primary Tap for Tots” we start with a single sound and eventually increase to multiple sounds. Dancers will learn the three basic foot elements: the Toe, the Ball, and the Heel. Each of these will be used in Steps, Drops, Slaps, Brushes, and Rocks, and work up to moves like Flaps and Shuffles. This helps the dancer learn and improve upon the fundamental elements of not only Tap, but the principles and importance of counting in all forms of dance! This key bit of knowledge can help you through all of our other video series’, such as “Traditional Ballet”, “Jazz Fusion”, and even “Acrobatic Artistry”.

At our “Primary Tap” level, the dancer will develop coordination by use of hand and arm movements by interweaving Shakes and Claps between taps. Your young dancer will learn more than 30 steps! This develops strong connection from mind to foot and the dancer learns to hear and recognize a variety of unique rhythms. Ever inviting to the younger dancer, Tap is fun, energetic, and exciting because “Tap shoes make nice noise!” The video is taught by Kimberly Beck Thomson, a thirty-year professional with extensive experience working with young dancers. Kimberly’s teaching methods have been proven highly successful.

Primary for Tots Jazz Series: Vol. I

DTCE’s Jazz for Tots is an upbeat, fun series that incorporates a number of stylized movements, blending elements from a range of dance styles. Throughout the history of dance, jazz dance has developed along with popular music. Your tots will enjoy a full class with warm-ups, progressions, and combinations. At DTCE, the Jazz music and movements used in class are always age-appropriate. Increased strength, flexibility, coordination, and endurance are all benefits of the Jazz genre. With DTCE’s Jazz for Tots course, your dancers will be developing poise, grace, better coordination, and balance in no time!

Primary for Tots Tumbling Series: Vol. I

“The Dance: The Cutting Edge – Tumbling for Tots: Primary Acrobatics” lays the foundation for all future acrobatic work. In this fun-filled video, dancers are taught the basic movements, including Log Rolls and Backward Roll to Knee. Our young tumbling students are also taught balances such as Preparations for Tripods, Handstands, and Flamingo Hops. Also demonstrated are Cartwheels, Back Kickovers, and bending variations, to include Angel Backbends, Bridges, and Table Walks. More than 40 exercises are demonstrated to prepare students for all the tumbling steps and movements. In coordination, they help to develop the muscles, large motor skills, endurance, flexibility, coordination, and skill-set needed to move up through the levels. Safety awareness, cooperation, sharing, and patience, such as “taking your turn”, are our philosophies.

As a third-generation dance teacher and choreographer, Kimberly Beck Thomson has always incorporated acrobatics into her work. Her performance, educational, and choreography experiences have helped perfect this video series, especially for working with this level of young dancers. Kimberly’s teaching methods have proven highly successful and she excels at working with youngsters.

Primary for Tots Hip Hop Series: Vol. I

“Dance: The Cutting Edge – Hip Hop for Tots ” is full of fun-filled steps, exercises, and combinations! Drawing its inspiration from street dancing and popular music, Hip Hop is one of the most celebrated styles of dance today. At DTCE, the Hip Hop music and movements used in class are always age-appropriate. Hip Hop dance is known for its high-energy, fast-paced style that requires endurance, cognition, and more. It can even lead to cardiovascular improvement. Hip Hop dancing also helps children to learn how beats go with the music, teaching rhythm and counting. Your tots will love this vibrant and entertaining series!

Primary for Tots Zumba Series: Vol. I

DTCE’s Zumba for Tots course will help your young dancers to build strength and increase coordination, all while having fun dancing! Zumba is a high energy program inspired by a series of up to sixteen core Latin steps, in four basic rhythms: Salsa, Reggaeton, Merengue, and Cumbia. The Zumba for Tots series will help your tots to increase flexibility, improve gross motor skills, enhance memory, and build endurance! This series is full of vibrant, exciting steps (all age-appropriate!) sure to keep your tots engaged in class and having a blast while learning!