Colleen Cintron-Rivelli and Christina Neil, Directors
Alex Martin, Assistant Director

The Y DANCE Program offers a full recreational dance program coupled with a pre-professional training program.  Our mission is to engage students physically and mentally while fostering an appreciation for culture, community and the arts; thus educating well-rounded, highly technically proficient dancers.  The Y DANCE Program is open to all ages, and all levels of interest and training, regardless of ability to pay; and is open to Y members and non-members alike. Each student’s class schedule is based on a careful assessment of individual needs.  Each new student is placed in class by a Y DANCE Director; and placement classes are free of charge.  Enrolled dance students move through the Y DANCE Program at their own pace, according to their individual development and in consultation with their Y Dance Faculty and the Y DANCE Directors.

                                 Class Descriptions (see below)            Meet Our Faculty             Evolve Dance Inc.             Family YMCA at Tarrytown             Email us                

-An early childhood program which begins at age 3 and is designed to engage the imagination of young dancers, to introduce group participation skills and to explore the pleasure of movement to music.  As children reach school age, they are gradually introduced to basic dance movement and vocabulary which is appropriate to their growing concentration span and physical dexterity—all within a creative setting.

-The rigorous, progressive pre-professional training program which begins at age 7/8 and which forms the core curriculum of the Y Dance Program.  By the time they graduate the Y Dance Program at age 18, our students are dancing at a level which allows a smooth transition into professional conservatory training programs, university dance programs, and professional dance company apprentice programs:  3-4 ballet/pointe classes/week; an additional 2-3 classes/week which provide a thorough grounding in techniques of both historical and contemporary modern dance and jazz; and familiarity and mastery of the ever-shifting, cutting edge genres which I recent years has included hip hop and rhythm tap.

-An adult dance program which is unmatched in the quality, depth and variety of offerings and opportunities.  Advanced dancers are able to continue their development as individual artists in our graduated classes in ballet, jazz, and modern dance; those trying dance for the first time will find classes specifically designed to nurture their development.

-A recreational dance program which welcomes students—including complete beginners to dance class—to our introductory classes in ballet, jazz and modern dance and provides the opportunity to explore such ever-changing offerings as rhythm tap, hip hop, world rhythms and aerial silks.  Each class is designed for the needs of its specific age group:  children with children, teens with teens, and adults with adults.

-An annual Y Dance Festival at the Music Hall in Tarrytown.  This Y Dance student performance is designed to teach:  beginning with 8-10 weeks of rehearsals in addition to—rather than part of—dance classes so that students’ training is not interrupted; continuing through a full week of rehearsals in the theatre so that students are gradually acclimated to performance elements such as staging, sound and lighting; and culminating in a professional production. 

-Our collaboration with Evolve Dance Inc., a nonprofit professional dance company.  The presence of Evolve Dance as the dance company-in-residence at the Y provides a host of opportunities for Y Dance students:  access to special workshops on choreography and with guest artists; opportunities to audition for Evolve’s various apprentice and student performing groups; and performance opportunities provided by Evolve’s production of Y Dance student performances.  Above all, it means that Y Dance students are part of the creative energy and environment of a very active professional dance company.

Youth Classes and Workshops

LITTLE FEET:  For ages 3-4, a creative movement class designed to engage the imagination of young dancers, to introduce group participation skills, and to explore the pleasure of movement to music.

ELEMENTARY DANCE:  For ages 5-6, an introduction to basic dance movement and vocabulary in a creative setting, building on the dancer’s growing concentration span and physical dexterity.

BALLET I, II, III, IV, V:  In 5 graduated levels of instruction, training in barre and centre work develops students’ dance vocabulary, alignment, coordination, core strength and musicality.

• Ballet I – For ages 6-7, this class is the first level of pre-professional training.  Students experience a natural transition from creative movement to a focused study of ballet technique. We strongly encourage students at this level to take 1 class a week.
• Ballet II – For ages 7-8.  Students are introduced to more complex barre and centre work. We strongly encourage students at this level to take 1-2 classes a week.
• Ballet III – For ages 8-10.  This class builds on the barre and center work taught in Ballet II.  Longer combinations and more intricate footwork increase students’ stamina, agility, and focus. We strongly encourage students at this level to take at least 3 classes a week.
• Ballet IV – For ages 10 and up. This class builds on the barre and center work taught in Ballet III, and Pointe work may be introduced. We strongly encourage students at this level to take at least 3-4 classes a week.
• Ballet V – For ages 13 and up.  This class builds on the barre and center work taught in Ballet IV, and emphasis is placed on precision, style, and artistry.  Pointe work is increased and students learn complex variations. We strongly encourage students at this level to take at least 4 technique classes a week.
• Ballet Repertory – For students in Ballet V.  Through in-depth exploration of classical ballet repertory, students enhance their technique, Pointe work, and performance quality.

 JAZZ I, II, III:  These are technique-based, concert jazz classes consisting of a centre barre, progressions, and a combination based in any of the various jazz styles.  Progressive levels build dancers’ awareness of body rhythms, coordination, performance quality, and the ability to master increasingly complex and intricate choreography.

• Jazz I – For ages 8-10.
• Jazz II – For ages 9-12. 
• Jazz III – For ages 12 and up.   Students at this level must be taking at least one other technique class (ballet or modern).
• Theatre Jazz – For ages 7-12.  A musical theatre-based jazz class emphasizing the narrative aspect of dance.

MODERN I, II, III:  Progressive instruction through 3 levels introduces dancers to the techniques of Graham, Horton, Limon and contemporary movement forms. Classes consist of a centre barre, progressions, and a combination as dancers explore movement through various shapes of the body, levels, directions through space, and weight transference.

• Modern I – For ages 8-10
• Modern II – For ages 9-12.
• Modern III – For ages 12 and up.  Students at this level must be taking at least one other technique class (ballet or jazz).
• Modern Lab – For level III students only. Students explore contemporary modern composition through guided workshops.

 HIP HOP: For ages 11 and up.  An upbeat warm-up followed by combinations that focus on rhythm, energy, and individual style.

 RHYTHM TAP: Dancers master tap vocabulary and techniques in classes which emphasize the development of musicality and exploration of a full range of styles.

• Tap I – For ages 5-8.
• Tap II – For ages 9-12.
• Teen/Adult Tap – For ages 13 and up.

Adult Classes and Workshops  
(See also above Teen/Adult Tap)

ADULT BALLET I, II, III:  A 45 minute barre, a 45 minute center; optional Pointe work is offered.  Emphasis is placed on developing strength, flexibility, and technique.

ADULT JAZZ I, II, III:  These are technique-based, concert jazz classes consisting of a centre barre, progressions, and a combination based in any of the various jazz.

ADULT MODERN I, II:  Classes consist of a warm-up, movement combinations and choreography that is geared towards developing awareness of the body, enhancing strength and flexibility, and finding new ways to move.