CURRICULUM
A wide variety of courses is provided for students of all ages and levels in ballet, pointe, jazz and tap classes. Dance Dimensions offers a comprehensive curriculum recognized for its excellence throughout the tri-county area. The curriculum fulfills the needs of the pre-professional student as well as the recreational dancer. All classes are directed toward developing self esteem and confidence. Classes promote active listening and thinking skills which stimulate the mind as well as the body. Each level of class progresses through a carefully constructed syllabus for steady, correct, technical and artistic development of the student.
Dance Expressions | Ages 3-4
Emphasis is on natural movement, enjoyment and discovery through movement games and exercises. This class prepares the young child for Dance Fundamentals.
Dance Fundamentals | Ages 4-5
Teaches basic stretches, coordination, movement development and classroom procedures. Explores pre ballet and provides a creative outlet; introduces rhythm through the technique of tap dancing.
Pre-ballet | Ages 5-6
Readies the young dancer for ballet, introducing basic steps while still in an atmosphere of play and discovery.
Introduction to Ballet | Ages 6-7
Transitional step to classical ballet training. Teaches the basic barre and center work. Elementary ballet positions, rhythm, and theory of dance movement are emphasized. French terminology is introduced and used in class.
Ballet | Ages 7-Adult
Ballet is the basis of all dance movement. Technical training emphasizes the positions of classical ballet, barre and center work. As students progress in levels, the number of classes taken per week increases.
Pointe | Beginner to Advanced
Offered to ballet students who have attained the necessary development and technical proficiency. Concurrent enrollment in three ballet classes per week is required.
Jazz | Ages 5-Adult
Using a wide range of styles and techniques, self-expression, rhythm and movement to contemporary music are emphasized. Previous ballet training and concurrent enrollment in a ballet class is strongly suggested.
Tap | Ages 4-Adult
Expressing rhythm through sound and movement, emphasis is placed on technique, clarity, musicality, stylization and presentation.
Home of the Fort Lauderdale Children's Ballet Theatre
Named the Lexus Leader of the Arts for South Florida (July 2006), this non-profit 501(c)3 dance company was founded in 1987 with a mission to promote the remarkable achievements and talents of its members and inspire the growth and future of dance in our community. Renowned for its artistry and full length productions showcasing spectacular scenery, costumes and lighting and featuring over one hundred talented young dancers from the Broward County area, the companys gifted young members represent the beauty of classical ballet within the South Florida Region. Now enjoying its 19th season, the Fort Lauderdale Childrens Ballet Theatre (CBT) has come of age.
The inclusion of Ballet Theatre in the companys name was a conscious effort to emphasize the aspects of drama and theater in dance. To utilize and develop the talent of each member, company members perform all roles and are given an education and experience that will last a lifetime. Performances are held throughout the year and open auditions for future productions are conducted every spring. Through motion and emotion, the dancers continue a centuries old tradition of storytelling through the beauty of dance.
The Companys repertoire includes Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, Coppelia, Carnival of the Animals, Tutus and Teacups and The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Performances of these full-length ballets have been seen by audiences at Fort Lauderdales Parker Playhouse, Broward Countys Main Library, the Crest Theatre in Delray Beach, Palm Beach Countys Olympic Heights Performing Arts Theater and, over the past twelve years, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts Amaturo Theater. In July 2003, the Ft. Lauderdale Childrens Ballet Theatre was chosen to be the inaugural event at the Centre for the Arts at Mizner Parks Childrens Program Series.
The company has been part of the Broward County School Districts award winning SEAS (Student Enrichment in the Arts) Program. The Program serves over 200 schools and special centers in the county school district with performances and workshops to increase student education through the performing arts. CBT s productions have been part of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts Family Fun theater series, joining an impressive list of performance events. CBT was proud to be presented by Art Serve and American Express at Broward County Librarys Art Express.
FACULTY & STAFF
Angela Mauti, Dance Dimensions School Director and Teacher, was recently honored as Lexus Leader of the Arts (July 2006). She was a scholarship student at American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in New York City while earning her B.A. at Rutgers University and performing in productions on the East Coast. Angela has studied classical ballet, jazz, tap, and theater dance with such world-renowned teachers as Madame Darvash, Luigi, Frank Hatchett, Leon Danielian, Patricia Wilde, Ronnie DeMarco, Chuck Kelly, Tom Ralabate, Michael Owens and Phil Black. She enjoys sharing her training and knowledge with students and continually pursues new ideas and philosophies in the dance arts.
While teaching children and adult classes on a full time basis, Angela also continues her role as Artistic Director of Fort Lauderdale Childrens Ballet Theatre. Angela has also provided choreography for TV commercials and the European tour of Exceptional Students of America. As part of a dance cultural exchange program, Angela has conducted master classes in Sao Carlos and Sao Paulo, Brazil.
As a teacher, she encourages students to explore dancing as a vehicle for individual pleasure and insight. She is proud of students who have achieved professional success as dancers on Broadway, television, Academy Award shows, Disney productions and in other entertainment venues.
Sheryl Kantrowitz has been a member of the creative faculty of Dance Dimensions since l985. Relocating from Kansas City, where she began her dance training at the age of four, Sheryl brought with her many years of teaching experience. She has studied with distinguished tap, jazz and ballet teachers and continues her education with master classes and teacher seminars, most recently in Chicago and New York.
Sheryls teaching schedule this dance season included children's curriculum in Dance Expressions, Tap and Jazz and three levels of Adult Tap Classes. In addition to her teaching duties, Sheryl continued her positions as Costume Director for the Fort Lauderdale Childrens Ballet Theatre and as Co-Director of Dance Dimensions summer camp program. Her choreography was also showcased this past year in local community theater productions.
Sheryl enjoys sharing her dance knowledge and helping students use the discipline and physical and mental skills acquired through their dance training to enhance their poise and self-confidence in all areas of their life.
Katy Rood-Audette, a native of South Florida, has been on the faculty of Dance Dimensions since 1988. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she is the schools Ballet Director and Co-Director of the Summer Program. After years of studying dance on scholarship from musical theater to classical
ballet, Katy gained valuable performing experience with such companies as Southern Ballet Theater in Orlando and American Dance Machine in New York.
Katy is looking forward to teaching Master classes for Jacksonville University over the summer, as well as guest teaching at Pennsylvanias Dance Company School of Performing Arts.
Autumn Oswald, a native of Pennsylvania, is completing her sixth year on faculty at Dance Dimensions. She has been teaching dance since l991. A student of ballet and jazz, she received her training at the Allegheny Ballet Academy of Pennsylvania and spent several summers training with the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and the Pennsylvania Governors School of the Arts at Mercyhurst College in Eric, Pennsylvania. She was a member of the Allegheny Ballet Company for six years, where she also received teacher training. Autumn received her Bachelor of Science in Childhood and Adolescent Development and a Masters Degree in Elementary School Counseling from Penn State University. In addition to time spent teaching ballet classes for children and adults, she is also currently employed as an elementary school guidance counselor.
Lisa Sheppard grew up in Tucson studying ballet with Richard France & George Zoritch. She was part of Tucson Civic Ballet and became a corps member with Ballet Arizona at age 16. She twice won the Arizona Ballet Competition. After leaving Tucson, she danced with Pennsylvania Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet, and Ballet Austin, then returned to Ballet Arizona as a
principal dancer. She was a frequent guest artist of Ruth Pages Nutcracker in Chicago, as well as many small companies through out the US.
Lisa started teaching at the age of 16, entering Ballet Arizonas teacher training program, and continued teaching while dancing professionally. She studied on a significant basis with Warren Conover, Larry Long, Lupe Serrano, Fred Stroebel, Ben Harkarvey & Ben Stevenson. After retiring as a dancer, she moved to Chicago and taught at many area schools including Lou Contes, Ruth Page Foundation, Barat College and Northwestern University. After many years of teaching, she opened her own studio in 1996. She recently sold the business to two of her former employees and still returns to teach for them occasionally.
Lisa, her husband and their daughter are loving living in south Florida.
Giselle Guillen began her studies at a very young age in her home country of Panama. At 13, she joined the National Ballet of Panama where she danced such works as Les Sylphides, La Bayadere, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, and Sleeping Beauty. She later completed her studies in Venezuela and was a member of the Ballet Juvenil de Caracas. She returned to Panama as a soloist with the national company, dancing Paquita, Giselle, Nutcracker, Raymonda, The Four Seasons of Vivaldi, and many other classical as well as neo-classical works.
Over the years, she has studied with the well-known masters Fernando Alonso, Jelko Yuresha, Belinda Wright, and Laura Alonso, among others.
In 1995, together with her sister, she opened G & G Dance Studio in Panama where she served as artistic Director and Principal Instructor for 10 years. Her students have ranged in age from 3 to 20 years old. Several have attended seminars and international competitions in Italy, The Czech Republic (Prague), Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Orlando, and Las Vegas, where they have won many of the highest awards.
Miss Giselles purpose as a dancer and teacher is to guide young dancers in the discipline of ballet, to encourage them toward personal successes, and to expand their cultural horizon.
Holly Smith received her early ballet training at the Miami City Ballet School, where she performed with the Miami City Ballet in the Nutcracker. Holly received her subsequent training at Dance Dimensions. Holly is also a former member of the Ft. Lauderdale Childrens Ballet Theatre. As a member of Ft. Lauderdale Childrens Ballet Theatre, she danced the roles of Aurora and Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty and the title role in Cinderella. Holly is a graduate of the Dillard High Schools Performing Arts Program. At Dillard, she was a featured soloist in Paquita and Swan Lake. In addition to teaching childrens classes and Hip Hop classes at Dance Dimensions, she is also a member of an entertainment company for special events.
Linda Grbavac is in her fourth year as Office Manager for Dance Dimensions. Currently and in years prior, Linda has worked as Production Manager for Dance Dimensions and Ft. Lauderdale Childrens Ballet Theatre. Linda has a background in business, theatre and dance. She studied at Florida Atlantic University where she majored in Theatre specializing in Design and Stage Management.
Dance Dimensions4801 North Dixie Highway
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334
Map954-491-4668
www.DanceDimensionsOnline.comHours of OperationMonday - Friday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday: closed
