Our WINTER/SPRING 2022 classes will be held indoors at
The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts in Maplewood Village.
MASKS required and WINDOWS OPEN at least 3 inches.
Dancers should wear warm layers.
Dancers in first grade and above
must show proof of full vaccination by the January semester.
(generally this is 6 years old but may be 5 years as a 5 year old may be attending first grade.
We encourage parents to get children vaccinated
Our Staff is 100% fully vaccinated. Our latest Covid19 policies are available on the Home page . You click the correct button for your child's class to see the new protocols.
Our Winter/ Spring season culminates in a Showing of Student Choreography on stage at The Woodland in Maplewood
for first graders and up who study on Monday and/or Thursday
and an Open Class for Creative Ballet and Ballet 1A .
The Woodland in Maplewood
where our Spring performances of student choreography take place
WINTER/SPRING Classes 2022:
By popular demand we now have a full semester of class dates!
Creative Ballet
Our Creative Ballet offers a unique curriculum which allows for a both a joyous experience as well as basic dance skill development. These uplifting classes, for 3-5-year-olds and Kindergarteners, include movement stories, creative games, structured free dance, dance with a prop, show and tell, musical interludes, dancing the roles in story ballets, and ballet basics. Each day will have a surprise "treasure box" interlude with a special activity! In keeping with our fine- arts approach, our youngest dancers will experience dancing to a wide range of music including classical, great ballet scores, contemporary classical, folk and of course beloved children’s songs. The semester culminates with an Open Class to share our class with each dancers parents or guardians.
Creative Ballet Schedule: ( Vaccination not required at this level)
NEW FULL SEMESTER
Monday 4:00pm-4:45pm 16 Classes /3.2-5 yrs includes Kindergarten
Saturday 9:30am-10:15am 16 classes /3.2 -5 years includes Kindergarten
NOTE: Older 5s who have taken Creative Ballet may inquire about moving up to Ballet 1A
Please email lydia@lydiajohnsondance.org
FEES:
Mondays: 16 classes: $450
Saturdays: 16 classes: $450
Scholarships, or other arrangements, are available if financial need is an issue.
Please email Lydia@lydiajohnsondance.org to discuss.
Ballet 1 A for older 5s with experience and 1st and 2nd grades. ( Saturdays 10:30-11:30)
(Vaccinations required for children attending 1st and 2nd grades)
A class that continues to encourage young dancers imaginative movement ideas while working on ballet terminology, the positions of the arms and legs, musicality and rhythm. Technical concepts such as alignment and posture are addressed as they are developmentally called for. The class includes a very brief and careful introduction to the barre. The young dancers travel in across-the-floor exercises as well, and begin combining steps to make a ballet "combination". The Level 1A class includes beginning choreography as we create a class dance. The class culminates in an Open Class.
Ballet (with a Contemporary Twist) Levels 1B and 2 ( Vaccinations required) ( Mondays 4:00-4:50)
Our Ballet with a Contemporary Twist includes the study of developmentally appropriate ballet basics such as ballet terminology, the positions of the arms and legs, musicality and rhythm. Correct alignment and posture are addressed increasingly at these stages. The class allows our young dancers the chance to explore today's increasingly contemporary ballet vocabulary. Ballet has changed and is no longer focused exclusively on story ballets. This class offers a wonderful chance to dance to a wide range of music including classical, contemporary classical, jazz as well as selected pop songs and folk. All of our classes include a choreography section during which our students can use their own ideas to create dance phrases of their own. Our Winter/Spring semester culminates in a wonderful evening Showing of Student Choreography at The Woodland for Monday classes Level 1B and 2 (grades 1-5).
Ballet for Everyone! (6th grades through High School and Adult. Beginners welcome) (Vaccinations required) WEDNESDAYS 5:45-6:45
The perfect Ballet class for everyone! This class will be of great benefit to a range of students in addition to our 6th grade and up dancers! Athletes, actors and musicians for example find Ballet to be important for strength, flexibility and alignment. Ballet instills self confidence as its structured base becomes a reliable framework to work on individual challenges! Develop a sense of ease in settings such as acting, athletics and public speaking through a basic study of Ballet. The class begins with a barre and progresses into beautiful flowing movements that really move and allow all levels of dancers to be expressive while using their technique. More advanced students will work on clarity, alignment an adding more complex versions of ballet sequences.
Questions: Email Lydia to see if this class is a good match. lydia@lydiajohnsondance.org
Ballet with a Contemporary Twist and Ballet for Everyone! Schedule
NEW FULL SEMESTER
Level 1A: K &1st & 2nd grades/ Saturday 10:30am-11:30am now with 16 classes
(Vaccinations required for 1st & 2nd graders)
This class is best for older 5s or those who have danced prior to this class as well as 1st & 2nd grades. Reach out to Lydia with any questions: lydia@lydiajohnsondance.org
Level 1B: 1st & 2nd grades/ Mondays 5:00 pm- 5:50pm now with 18 classes ( Vaccinations Required)
Level 2: 3rd-5th grades/ Mondays 6:00pm-6:50pm now this 18 classes ( Vaccinations Required)
Ballet for Everyone: 6th graders and up includes, Middle School, High School and adult beginners.
Wednesday 5:45-6:45 ( Vaccinations Required)
Open to athletes, actors, and all who will benefit from a ballet class!. 16 Classes.
FEES:
Level 1A Saturdays: 16 classes: $515
Level 1B Mondays: 18 classes (including the evening performance): $575
Level 2: Mondays: 18 classes (including the evening performance): $575
Ballet for Everyone: : Wednesdays : 16 Classes $515 ( culminates in an Open Class)
Scholarships or other arrangements are available if financial need is an issue .
Please email lydia@lydiajohnsondance.org to discuss.
Contemporary/ Modern (with a strong ballet base)
NEW FULL SEMESTER
Our Contemporary/Modern classes embrace a wide range of modern and contemporary modern techniques including the drop and release techniques of Doris Humphrey and Jose Limon. Current modern dance is a fusion of many movement qualities and includes a strong ballet base as well. This class uses a wonderful range of music including classical, percussion/ drumming, jazz and selected pop. Levels 1 and 2 include a choreography section during which our students can use their own ideas to create dance phrases of their own. Spring semester for levels 1 & level 2 ends with a wonderful evening Showing of Student Choreography at The Woodland.
Level 3 is a more advanced technique class. Students at this age interested in choreography should inquire about the Student Company.
Beginners should inquire directly to Lydia to see if this class is a good fit.
Please email lydia@lydiajohnsondance.org to discuss
Contemporary/ Modern Schedule
Level 1: 1st, 2nd & 3rd grade beginners. Thursdays 4:00-4:50pm ( Vaccinations Required)
18 classes including the evening performance.
Level 2: 3rd, 4th & 5th and 6th grade beginners by choice. Thursdays 5:00-5:50 (Vaccinations Required)
18 classes including the evening performance.
Level 3 Contemporary Dance Technique: 6th grades and up/ Thursdays 6:00pm- 6:55 pm ( Vaccinations Required)
17 classes for those not in The Student Company. Contemporary 3 culminates in an Open Class for parents to observe. Dancers interested in choreography should inquire about The Student Company.
FEES:
Contemporary Level 1:18 classes (including the evening performance): $575
Contemporary level 2: 18 classes (including the evening performance): $575
Contemporary 3 only with no Student Company: $515 for 16 sessions. This is a technique only class.
Contemporary 3 with Student Company. $900 for 18 sessions: ($515 plus an additional $385 for the Company)
Scholarships are available if financial need is an issue.
Please email Lydia@lydiajohnsondance.org to discuss.
Student Company: Thursdays from 7pm-8pm. Student Company members are required to enroll in Contemporary/Modern 3 from 6pm -6:55pm. (Vaccinations Required) The Student Company will perform on April 28 (evening) at The Woodland and depending on studio availability due to the pandemic we hope to once again perform at The Ailey Studios in New York
Winter/Spring Student Company Guidelines
Student Company OPEN TO ALL 7th GRADERS & UP. New 6th Grade dancers interested need to be invited to join. Please contact Lydia directly to inquire: lydia@lydiajohnsondance.org
The FEE for BOTH classes is a total of $975
Contemporary 3 with no Student Company includes 16 sessions $515
Student Company: 18 classes includes the April 28 Woodland evening performance. $385.
All students in the Company are required to register for Contemporary 3 as well. Vaccinations Required
Scholarships are available if financial need is an issue.
Please email Lydia@lydiajohnsondance.org to discuss.
Information on the Student Company here :
ADULT/TEEN Contemporary:
Contemporary/Modern
In this dynamic, contemporary modern class we will explore a wide range of modern dance movements while including a strong ballet base in the warm up.
The class is focused on the joy of dance and the sequences will be gratifying for both beginners and those with years of dance experience as well. The class is taught by Kristen Arnold Bell who has danced professionally in both New York and California after studying ballet at SAB (School of American Ballet linked to The New York City Ballet.) Kristen is a master teacher who fuses the joy of dance with the excitement of a challenge all while remaining warm, positive and filling her class with fun!
Schedule and Fees:
Adult/Teen Contemporary is offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00-8:10pm Vaccinations Required
Register for one or both classes.
Class Fees : $350 for 16 class sessions. If both classes are taken the combined tuition is only $600.
THESE WINTER/SPRING CLASS DATES HAVE BEEN REVISED
Our classes now begin the week of February 7th and classes will meet during the April Spring SOMSD break.
MONDAY CLASS DATES for Creative Ballet (16 sessions)
2/7, 2/14, (NO 2/21- Presidents Day) ,2/28, 3/7, (NO 3/14 LJD Company is away), 3/21, 3/28, 4/4, 4/11, 4/18,4/25, 5/2- Class held at The Woodland , 5/9, 5/16, 5/23, 6/6,
5/2- Class held at The Woodland
6/6 is our Open Class for Parent Observation for Creative Ballet
6/13 is our final class.
MONDAY CLASS DATES For Level 1B, and Level 2 (18 sessions/2 on 5/2)
2/7, 2/14, (NO 2/21- Presidents Day) ,2/28, 3/7, (NO 3/14 LJD Company is away), 3/21, 3/28, 4/4, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25,
5/2 Both our afternoon class and our Evening Performances take place at The Woodland.
5/9, 5/16, 5/23 ,6/6, 6/13, 6/20
5/2 Both our afternoon class and our Evening Performances take place at The Woodland.
6/13 is our Open Class for Parent Observation
6/20 is our final class.
MONDAY CLASS DATES FOR ADULT CONTEMPORARY ( 16 sessions)
2/7, 2/14, (NO 2/21- Presidents Day), 2/28, 3/7, 3/14, 3/21, 3/28, 4/4, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25,
5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/23 ,6/6, 6/13
WEDNESDAY CLASS DATES FOR ADULT CONTEMPORARY (16 sessions)
2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/6, 4/13, (NO 4/20 Instructor away) ,4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18, 5/25, 6/1
WEDNESDAY CLASS DATES: Ballet for Everyone (16 sessions)
2/9,2/16, 2/23, 3/2, 3/9,(NO 3/16 LJD Company away), 3/23, 3/30,4/6, 4/13, 4/20,
4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18, 5/25, 6/1
5/25, 6/1 is our Open Class for Ballet for Everyone for family to observe.
and our final class.
THURSDAY CLASS DATES for Levels 1, 2 and 3 with Student Company (18 sessions)
2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, (NO 3/17 LJD Company away), 3/24,
3/31, 4/7,4/14, 4/21,
4/28 PLEASE NOTE:Both our afternoon class and our Evening Performances take place at The Woodland.
5/5, 5/12, 5/19,5/26, 6/2, 6/9
6/9 is our Open Class for Parent Observation and is our final class.
THURSDAY CLASS DATES for Level 3 only (17 sessions)
2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, (NO 3/17 LJD Company away), 3/24, 3/31, 4/7,4/14, 4/21,
4/28: THERE IS NO CONTEMP 3 ( Unless enrolled in the Student Company)
5/5, 5/12, 5/19,5/26, 6/2, 6/9
6/9 is our Open Class for Parent Observation and is our final class.
SATURDAY CLASS DATES for Creative Ballet and Ballet 1A (16 sessions)
2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, (NO 3/19 LJD Company away), 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 6/4
6/4 is our Open Class for Parent Observation Last class is now Saturday June 11.
Make-Up/Refund Policies:
IMPORTANT CHANGES DUE TO ONGOING OMICRON & DELTA VARIANTS
Every 16-session semester class has 1 make-up class scheduled at the end of the semester in case LJD must cancel a class. We always offer a full refund after the first class if it’s not a good fit. After that point, due to the extreme pandemic situation, as a not-for-profit struggling financially, LJD cannot be responsible for adding classes or issuing refunds in the case of multiple cancellations due to COVID-19 or due to weather cancellations if classes are held outdoors. If classes are moved outdoors, we will offer that day’s class on Zoom if bad weather is predicted ahead of time. In the case of bad weather that begins close to the time of class or during the class, we will have to cancel that class.
The possibility of losing classes that cannot be made up or refunded must be acknowledged by our families as they decide whether or not to enroll. As a not-for-profit, LJD remains committed to our mission of dance for all in our community. From the beginning of the pandemic, LJD has kept classes going, as we feel so strongly that children and teens need the uplifting and beautiful experience of dancing together now more than ever. Classes have been held on Zoom, Outdoors in Memorial Park, outdoors on the Burgdorff patio, and Indoors, masked, at Burgdorff.
Our teachers and staff have lost significant portions of their income and yet continued to provide meaningful and uplifting classes throughout this global emergency. Our unique and warm community -- from our youngest preschool dancers through teen Interns, professional dancers and our supportive parents -- have been understanding and enthused about our ongoing programming. We thank you all and hope we can continue to be together dancing with fewer restrictions soon.