Creative Movement/Dance for Children

and Family Activities

For Info: Marian Roth-Cramer,

Children’s Dance & Family Programs Coordinator

(415)666-9603 or  mroth-cramer@ymcasf.org

Creative Movement/Dance classes are designed for boys and girls age 6 months to

13 years to have a joyful dance experience taught by our highly trained and

experienced staff.  The Richmond District Children's Dance & Family Program, under

the direction of Marian Roth-Cramer, prides itself for having many performance

opportunities for its students throughout the year as well as fun family activities that unite

our diverse members.  Dance and movement classes include Modern and Ballet technique,

Tap, Sports Movement, Jazz Fusion, and Scottish Country Dancing.

 

The Richmond District YMCA’s Children’s Dance Program strives to be a  graded dance

program in which a student could conceivably learn a variety of dance styles if participation

extends several years.  Introductory classes incorporate traditional dance technique, creative

movement improvisations, choreography, colorful props, costumes, singing, and holiday &

celebratory dances.  Beginning students are encouraged to take one basic dance class per

week in their age range (Intro to Dance; Dance I).  After a year of learning the basics of technique,

the student may add a second or third class per week, i.e. Dance Electives: 

Ballet, Jazz Fusion or Tap. 

 

Dance performance opportunities each year include:  Annual Dance Recital;

Union Street Fair and Parade; Holiday School Tours; Bay Area National Dance Week; YMCA

Annual Campaign and more.

 

During the 2008 summer, two week-long specialty camps for students age 8-13 are offered: 

Dance Production Workshop and Sewing Workshop.

 

Family FunDays include Halloween event; Thanksgiving Edible Art project; Valentine Day crafts project;

Easter Craft, Hike & Hunt activity; Rooftop Garden workdays & teaching events; Family Folk Dance;

Lands End Restoration Project and more.

Fall classes begin

TU, Sept 2, 2008

Schedule available Aug 15th

Sign-up at the Members’ Services Desk!

Summer 2008

5 weeks

July 30 – August 2

(alphabetical listing for Summer Session)

1. Advance Dance

Grades 3-8

Continued instruction in Modern Dance, Ballet and Tap for advanced dancer. 

Teachers permission required

Saturdays    4:00 PM - 5:30 PM (Studio 1)

5 classes  

July 5 – Aug 2  

 

2.  Beginning Ballet & Tap

Grades K - 5

Learn the basics of classical ballet and tap; part of  Ms Marian's Graded Dance

Program.

Mondays   3:00 PM - 4:30 PM (Studio 1)

5 classes   

June 30- July 28

 

3.  Creative Movement for Infants/Toddlers

for babies 6 months to 36 months with their

caregivers!

Help baby get a leg up on life!  Colorful props, lively music, instruments,

Orff songs, simple dances prepares your baby for more complex

movement demands.

Mondays   10:00-11:00 AM (non-walkers from 6 months old to walkers up to 36 months)  (Studio 2)  

5 classes

June 30 – July 28

  

4.  Creative Movement for Pre-K dancers

ages 3 - 5

Ms Marian's first introduction to dance elements for the young child;

choreography, work with props, costumes,

lively music, FUN!  Part of the Graded Dance Program.       

Saturdays - 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM (Studio 1)

5 classes

July 5 – August 2  

       

5.  Intermediate Ballet & Tap

Grades 2- 8

Continuation of our graded dance program; challenge your

knowledge of modern dance, ballet and creative movement.

Tuesday - 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM (Studio 1)

5 classes

July  1 – July 29  

 

6. Scottish Country Dancing for Youth & Families

(Beginners & Experienced)

Age 7-1/2 and up

Learn lively Scottish jigs, reels, intriguing patterns and steps;

excellent for the new or trained dancer looking for a folk dance challenge. 

Sunday – 5:15 PM - 6:30 PM  (Studio 1)

5 classes   

June 22 – July 27  (no class: 7/6)

SCD Performance Workshop:  August 3 – 24; 4 classes plus performance at

Pleasanton Scottish Games on SUN, 8/31

 

7. Sports Movement for Boys & Girls

 Grades K - 5

Learn the physical movements required to perform sports such as basketball,

soccer, golf, archery, etc. through creative exercises and

activities.  All to spunky music!

Tuesdays – 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Studio 1)

5 classes   

July 1 – July 29

 

Fees - (3 options)

1) Family Plus Membership (Best Value!!): $89 per month, includes full gym membership &

participation in classes for the entire family at NO EXTRA CHARGE!  The Family Plus Membership

is a tremendous value that is made possible by the additional financial and volunteer support

given by parents of children involved in family programs.  Please consider making a contribution

to our annual community support campaign and/or donating time to help with some aspect of the

family programs.  (Examples include running a booth at a dance event, helping with the logistics

of putting on a performance, making costumes, assisting at a family fun day, etc).  Active family

participation in these programs will ensure their quality and value.

2) Family Membership: $75/month plus $12/one hour class; $18/one+half hour class

3) Program Membership: $50 annual fee plus $15/one hour class; $22.50/one+half hour class

**No refunds for all membership types; Please make up missed classes.

Financial assistance, to the extent possible, is made available through the generosity of our members and donors.

Please inquire at the Member Services Desk for and application.  All applications take 3 weeks to process.

For more information, contact our Member Satisfaction Desk at 415-666-9622.

 

2008 Summer Dance Camps

Dance Production Workshop

Mon-Fri

August 4– 8

9AM – 4:30PM

Please bring bottled water, two snacks & a bag lunch daily

 

For boys and girls ages 8-13

No dance experience required!

$210/Program Members; $195 Facility Members

Includes all costumes, props, art supplies and equipment.

 

Culminating Event on Friday, August 8th, NOON, before an

audience in Studio 1.

Learn all about Dance, Costumes, Makeup, Theatre Lighting, Promotion!

Instructor:  Marian Roth-Cramer

 

Sewing Workshop

Mon - Fri

August 11– 15

9AM – 4:30PM

Please bring bottled water, two snacks & a bag lunch daily

 

For boys and girls ages 8-13

Student must bring their own sewing machine, straight pins & scissors

$210/Program Members; $195 Facility Members

Includes patterns, fabric, notions

 

Each student will take notes, complete a journal and sew a garment that

they will wear home the last day of class!

Learn about Patterns, Fabric, Color, Measurements, your Sewing Machine,

Basic Stitches and Beginning Sewing Techniques

Instructor:  Marian Roth-Cramer

 

About the Instructors:

Marian Roth-Cramer, BA, MFA :  (666-9603; mroth-cramer@ymcasf.org)  Ms Marian

Children's Dance and Family Programs Coordinator, Richmond District YMCA; 

Teaches: Ballet I, Ballet II, Creative Movement for Infants & Toddlers, Creative Movement

for Pre K, Dance I, Dance  Production Workshop, Family Folk Dance, Pointe, Intermediate

Dance, Intro to Dance, Sports Movement for Boys, Tap;

32-year career in performing, teaching, choreographing and directing dance companies; MFA

(Masters of Fine Arts) Degree in Dance and Choreography from Mills College in Oakland ; B.A.

in Theater and Dance from Barat College in Illinois; 2 years work towards Dance Therapy

Masters; taught dance to over 25,000 San Francisco children since 1983 in SF Unified School

District and Bay Area private schools; wrote book, "Creative Movement for Young Children"

that has been used by dance specialists and elementary school teachers since 1980; in 2001,

produced a promotional video featuring her work with Creative Movement for infants and

toddlers.

Susie Langdon Kass: (666-9603; susie.Langdon-Kass@ucsf.edu)

Certificated by The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Scotland

Teaches: Scottish Country Dancing for Youth and Adults;

Danced Scottish Country Dancing since 1975; has taught adults for 24 years and children for 4

years.  She has been a coach for dance teams and has done a lot of work with the San Francisco

branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. 

Also teaches Aquatics for preschoolers and children.

Dance Attire: (See below for suggestions where to buy!)
Ballet, Creative Movement:  GIRLS: tights (pink or black), leotards (solid pink or solid black

for K and up; younger dancers can wear any color, attached skirts OK!), pink or white ballet

slippers;  BOYS:   t-shirts/black sweats;  black ballet slippers or flexible shoes;

Infant/Toddlers:  comfy clothes for baby and caregiver; no-slip sox or barefeet

Scottish:  shorts or kilts for boys; shorts or skirts or kilts for girls; ballet slippers, ghillies,

jazz shoes,

Sports Movement:  comfy clothes, ballet slippers, non-slip sox

Tap:  tights, leotards, skirts for girls, tap shoes

Dance Performance Attire:  All students are eligible to perform at the many opportunities

during the year. To be prepared, please have a black short sleeve leo and pink and black tights available.


Where do I buy Dance Attire???

SF Dancewear, 659 Mission, 882-7087 - check their Discount bin!

Tutu.com,  scroll to Get the Pointe Dancewear, then Kids Dancewear.  Super online site; 

check their sizing chart before you order

Target and Mervyns OK for leotards

 

Dance Performance Opportunities at the Richmond District YMCA

One of the attractions of  learning to dance at the Y, is the number of performance opportunities

available to our students each year.  Dancers with 2+ years experience dancing with Ms Marian are welcome

to audition for Holiday School Tours performed the last week of the public school year in December

in 3 SF elementary schools.Dancers in Grade 1 and up may participate in the Union Street Fair & Parade,

Bay AreaNational Dance Week performances in Studio 1, and our branch’s YMCA Annual Campaign

event. All dancers areinvited to perform in our Annual Dance Recital that takes place at the end of the

semester,in May or June, each year.  Participation fee required.

 

For Sale:

Join the many happy children who love to dance, love to learn and perform several times a year!

Become a Richmond District YMCA Young Dancer! Demonstrate your pride by wearing our student

designed logo on a hooded jacket (pink or gray) and dance bag (cranberry)! See Ms Marian

Dance Studio Etiquette

1.  All students must have their parent/guardian sign in and sign out their dancer(s).  Book

found at front desk.

2.  Please wait with siblings in Studio 2 if available. Ms Marian’s ARTCART has books, crafts, puzzles,

games for those little, waiting fingers!

3. Please be on time; teacher may decline entrance if student is15 minutes +  late.

4. Please advise your teachers of any health or scheduling conflicts OUTSIDE of the

teaching block.  You may call, leave a message in the teacher's box or email them.

5. Personal items should be stored on the shelf at Studio 1's entrance or on the floor near

Studio 2.  DO NOT place items on Spinner Bikes or Steps.

6. Observations by parents should be limited to end of the semester Demos or looking

through the glass doors.  As we agree, it is fun to watch your child progress, the youngest

students become easily distracted when mom or dad is in the studio. (For example:

Ms Marian's PreK and K/1 classes are usually very crowded; teaching the child to focus on

the teacher is a huge part of the learning process.  You can help.

7. NO FOOD OR DRINK allowed in studios.

8. Children should stay away from windows and staircase.  Parents should intervene if they

observe behavior that may be considered unsafe or hazardous to others.  Immediately, call

Y staff if you see anything deemed dangerous or an emergency. Remember, "it takes a village."