Unity Dance & Acrobatics, a non-competitive program under the direction of Appleton Parks and Recreation, is a welcoming, cost effective, and inclusive program offering preschool, youth, and adult dance and acrobatics instruction. Our program offers a variety of genres for all ages and abilities. Our goal is to provide a fun and safe environment that delivers quality instruction, fosters lasting friendships, supports family life balance, and promotes a healthy recreational activity for our community.
DOWNLOAD 2024-2025 YOUTH DANCE SCHEDULE-RECITAL CLASSES
PROGRAM INFORMATION:
DATES: September 2024 – April 2025
*Dates are subject to change based on recital date and location.
LOCATION: Unity Dance & Acrobatics Studios, inside Northland Mall
FEE: Youth Beginner classes – $100/resident, $125/non-resident
Youth Intermediate & Advanced classes – $115/resident, $140/non-resident
COSTUME: Participants should anticipate an additional cost for costumes of approximately $60-$80. Costume payments will be due by October 12, 2024.
RECITAL: Students perform in a recital scheduled at the completion of the season. Dates and location to be determined.
NO CLASSES: November 25-28, 2024 (Thanksgiving Break)
December 23-26, 2024 (Christmas Break)
WINTER SESSION: January 8 – March 8 (9 weeks)
LOCATION: Northland Mall, Unity Dance & Acrobatics Studios (900 W. Northland Ave.)
FEE: $50/resident – $75/non-resident
Levels:
Beginner – Beginner 3: No experience to 3 years of experience in specific genre of class looking to participate in.
Intermediate – Intermediate 3: 3 – 5 years of experience in specific genre of class looking to participate in.
Advanced – Advanced 3: 5+ years of experience in specific genre of class looking to participate in.
**NOTE: Some classes are by instructor approval only, i.e.: All Pointe’ classes and Advanced Acrobat class. We are happy to assist with testing to be sure you are registering for the appropriate class for your dancer by evaluating against the criteria.
Acrobatics/Tumbling
Class focuses on tricks, flexibility and body strengthening. Students learn the fundamentals of movement and timing as well as partner stunts. The skills learned transfer easily to other activities such as poms and cheerleading. Advanced Acro placement is by instructor recommendation only. Flexibility, good cardio and no fear are what drive this level of class!
Ballet
The foundation of all dance forms and essential for reaching one’s fullest potential as a dancer. Body placement, flexibility, balance, strength and technique are achieved through barre and center floor work. In ballet, students will not only develop grace and poise but the self-discipline needed to excel as a dancer.
Pointé
Secondary to a minimum of five consecutive years of Ballet Class with a minimum of one year of technique class. Core strength and ankle strength worked on each class. Absenteeism must be kept to a minimum because of the technicality of this dance form. We are happy to assist with testing to be sure this is the appropriate class for your dancer by evaluating against the criteria.
Hip Hop
This is a fun, energetic class combining street dance, hip-hop and jazz. This style of dance can be seen in music videos. Class will be tasteful and age appropriate.
Jazz
This exciting, upbeat style emphasizes proper body alignment and clean technique. Classes include stretch and strength exercise, a barre warm-up, across the floor exercises, combinations and center floor work. Students will work on body isolations, musicality, and turns, kicks and jumps. Ballet is strongly recommended as an enhancement to this class and essential for those striving toward the highest level of skill.
Lyrical
Lyrical dance is a dance style that embodies various aspects of ballet, jazz, acrobatics, and modern dance. In this fun dance genre, your child will learn to associate emotion and feelings with choreography and song lyrics.
Tap
This class teaches rhythmic skills, coordination, precision and musicality. Students will learn tap fundamentals and steps and combinations as well as explore a variety of tap styles.
Musical Theater
Dancers incorporate singing, acting, and dancing. Musical theater emphasizes telling a story through theatrical movements. Musical theater pulls knowledge from ballet, tap, and jazz. This is a fun class for those interested in dramatic expression and trying something new! From beginner to advanced student this class is for everyone!
We offer introductory classes to learn the beginning movements and terminology of dance. Students are invited into a world of dance by experience teachers and are encouraged to learn while having fun. Instruction includes progressions, center work and learning a dance featuring rhythm and movement to a variety of music.
Acceptable attire are shorts and a t-shirt or leotard with tights. Clothes should be comfortable and easy to move in. All shoes should be free from debris and dirt.
Tumbling Tots
This preschool dance class will develop your child’s muscle control, coordination, balance, strength, flexibility and poise while learning basic tumbling moves.
Tap-Jazz-Ballet Tots
This preschool dance class is an introductory class focusing on the beginning movements and terminology of dance. Students are welcomed into the world of dance by experienced teachers and are encouraged to learn while having fun. Instruction includes progressions, center work and learning a dance featuring rhythm and movement to a variety of music.
Hip Hop Tots
These are introductory classes to learn the beginning movements and terminology of dance. Students are welcomed into the world of dance by experienced teachers and are encouraged to learn while having fun. Instruction includes progressions, center work, and learning a dance featuring rhythm to a verity of hip hop movement. Attire: Comfortable clothing, gym shoes or jazz shoes. This is a 9-week program.
Intro to Tap-Jazz-Ballet
These are introductory classes to learn the beginning movements and terminology of dance. Early school aged students are welcomed into the world of dance by experienced teachers and are encouraged to learn while having fun. Instruction includes progressions, center work, learning a dance featuring rhythm and movement to a variety of music.
Intro to Acrobatics
These are introductory classes to learn the beginning movements and terminology of dance to school aged students. Your child will develop muscle control, coordination, balance, strength, flexibility, and poise while learning basic acrobatic moves from experienced teachers. As always, all dancers are encouraged to learn while having fun!
THE UDA Online Apparel Store is not open at this time.
UDA Attire Requirements
Download Dress Code by Genre
All Genres: Students should come to class wearing minimal jewelry. Long earrings are especially unsafe. Students should also come with their hair pulled back and away from their face. Please label your dance shoes to help ensure they are not lost! Please no jeggings or midriff-baring tops! We also ask that students do not wear street shoes in the studio.
Ballet/Pointe: A leotard and skirt/shorts or fitted dance attire that is comfortable to move in. Tops such as tanks or fitted tees are acceptable. Bottoms may include shorts (with tights), yoga or jazz capris or leggings. Wearing fitted clothing allows your teacher to be sure you are moving your body in the correct way to prevent injury. It is highly recommended that pointe dancers wear tights with their pointe shoes. Ballet slippers are required. Any style is appropriate so long as they are ballet pink (not white or black.)
Lyrical: A leotard and shorts or fitted dance attire that is comfortable to move in. Tops such as tanks or fitted tees are acceptable. Bottoms may include shorts (with tights), yoga or jazz capris and leggings. Wearing fitted clothing allows your teacher to be sure you are moving your body in the correct way to prevent injury. Tan jazz shoes, foot undies, dance paws, or half-sole jazz shoes in nude are required.
Jazz: A leotard and skirt/shorts or fitted dance attire that is comfortable to move in. Tops such as tanks or fitted tees are acceptable. Bottoms may include shorts (with tights), yoga or jazz capris and leggings. Wearing fitted clothing allows your teacher to be sure you are moving your body in the correct way to prevent injury. Black jazz shoes, either slip on or lace up are required.
Tap: A leotard and skirt/shorts or fitted dance attire that is comfortable to move in. Tops such as tanks or fitted tees are acceptable. Bottoms may include shorts (with tights), yoga and jazz capris or leggings. Wearing fitted clothing allows your teacher to be sure you are moving your body in the correct way to prevent injury. Tap shoes in an oxford or slip on style are required. Please no heeled tap shoes. (For young students, elastics to replace the laces are recommended.)
Hip Hop: It is preferred if you wear loose or baggy clothing that you are comfortable moving in. Acceptable attire includes tank tops, t-shirts, sweat pants, dance pants, shorts, athletic apparel, etc. Students should have black hip hop shoes. New this year: Advanced Hip hop students should have “double platinum sequin sneakers” (Converse style) dance shoes.
Acrobatics: A leotard and shorts or fitted dance attire that is comfortable to move in. Tops such as tanks or fitted tees are acceptable. Bottoms may include shorts, yoga and jazz capris or leggings. It is highly recommended that students wear a leotard or sports bra under their clothing, as they will be upside down throughout the class. Boys should wear a shirt long enough to tuck in. Student should be bare foot during class.
UDA Recommended Shoe Vendors
Dance
225 E. College Ave Appleton, WI 54911 (920) 749-0305 (Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical and Hip Hop Shoes)
Discount Dance
www.discountdance.com
1.800.328.7107 (Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical and Hip Hop Shoes)
All advanced shoes should be purchased through the Dance Store or Discount Dance. Please confirm the appropriate shoe with your instructor before making a purchase. All appropriate dance shoes and attire should be in class by the 3rd week of classes unless approved otherwise. Pictures of the shoes are provided in the Dress Code by Genre Information Packet.
For additional questions, please contact Laura Tollefson at [email protected].
Studio Location:
Northland Mall
Unity Dance & Acrobatics Studios
900 Northland Ave.
We would love to hear from you!
Recreation Coordinator for Unity Dance Academy:
Laura Tollefson at [email protected] or 920.832.3944
Appleton Parks & Recreation Customer Service:
Email at [email protected] or phone at: 920.832.5905
Customer Service is located at 100 N. Appleton Street on the 1st Floor of City Hall