"Modern" dance is an American art form rooted in the hard work of pioneering, a rebellion against the status quo, and the expansive American Spirit. A melding of cultures and styles late in the 19th century and early 20th century, made modern dance an organic way of synthesizing aspects of nature and life experiences with self-expression. It frequently uses some of the training structure of ballet class while producing choreography as widely varied in style as the number of choreographers that make dances. The torso muscles and spine are able to move naturally to initiate shape and travel, while the feet connect with the floor quite literally- barefoot- for grounded movements and quick directional changes. It requires very athletic dancers who can adapt quickly to almost any style. American Modern Dance was shaped by Isadora Duncan, The Denishawn School, Doris Humprey, Martha Graham, Paul Taylor, Jose Limon, Katherine Dunham and Lester Horton, so students will learn the basics about what each of these innovators brought to American dance via their styles and technical training sequences. The main focus of technique class is alignment, retention, and building stamina for across-the-floor variations, adagio, jumps, floor work, and ultimately, repertoire. This class will not have time to formally delve into "post-modern dance," but advanced class repertoire and modern music styles may occasionally be used for choreography to encourage dancers toward a wide range of applications.
Register Here
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Classes offered from ages 5 (Sept. 1st) to 18
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Register Here ✨ Classes offered from ages 5 (Sept. 1st) to 18 ✨
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PDF of tuition rates based on how many classes are taken.
These tuition numbers do not include a non-refundable $40 registration fee, due at the beginning of each year.
To inquire about scholarship opportunities, please contact the Creative Arts office.
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PDF of Policies and Procedures for the 2024-25 school year. Information includes class attire, class cancelation policies, etc.
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Included in tuition for all classes is a chance to perform at our Lecture Demonstration Performance. If you are interested in performing MORE throughout the year, you might be interested in joining Creative Arts Youth Dance Company (CAYDC)! This is an excellent way to present the arts to the community (as mentioned in our mission statement).
Requirements for Joining CAYDC
Enrolled in full Modern curriculum for your level
Enrolled in Spring CADC
When you sign up for CAYDC, you are required to show to all rehearsals and your classes. Before signing up, please check your schedule and make sure you are able to attend all rehearsals.
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Kelly McCormick Bangs (Modern, Conditioning for Dancers, and Creative Movement Instructor)
Kelly McCormick Bangs started dancing in elementary school in Kokomo, studied with Joffrey Midwest, The Taylor School/Taylor 2, Takehiro Ueyama, and Amy Marshall during six summers of her teens and early 20's, then became a distinguished graduate of Indiana University with a B.S. Kinesiology-Dance and a theatre minor. She performed works by Ben Munisteri, Elizabeth Shea, Laura Poole, Gwen Hamm, Bill Evans, Paul Taylor, Martha Wittman, and student and self-choreographed dances. After completing graduate study at Skidmore College on her way to NYC in 2009, she subsequently performed with Illuminations Dance Co., DeMa Dance Co., Yesid Lopez, and Amy Marshall Dance Company. She earned a living as a trainer and group fitness instructor- which served as a shift to a sustainable family-centered career. Kelly opened KMB Studio for Music and Movement in 2014, a multidisciplinary studio focused on children and family programming, community, and anchored on her own unique fitness format of cross-training for functional movement throughout daily life. Kelly is certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and AFAA. She has garnered awards in performance and choreography, served as adjunct faculty at Butler University, IU Ballet Department, and the IU Contemporary Dance Program. She is Wife to Steven, and Mom to five wonderful children.
Kelly McCormick Bangs (Modern, Conditioning for Dancers, and Creative Movement Instructor)