Dance

An alternative, non-competitive, and casual approach to excellent dance training.
The Dance Department of the YWCA Princeton, as a member of the National Dance Organization, stands by the following position statement: “The arts in education leave no child behind.” We at the YWCA focus on educating the “whole child” through dance and art, which creates a motivation for children to enhance their critical thinking skills, thus instilling a desire to learn. All arts celebrate cultures and diversity, and create a sense of community. Dance is central to the human experience, empowering girls and women (as well as boys and men) not only to express themselves, but also to gain positive self-image and self-esteem.

Christine Colosimo, Director 609-497-2100, ext. 332

Christine Colosimo holds a BFA in Dance from Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University , and an MA in Dance Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is a certified Laban Movement Analyst. Her professional dance training was in NYC with Erick Hawkins and the Hawkins Dance Company where she taught professional classes, worked as an administrative assistant to the company, and danced as an understudy. Recently, she has performed in NYC at the Mulberry Street Theatre and with Gloria McLean and Life Dance. Christine also has studied dance with Finis Jung, Zvi Gotheiner, Martha Graham, Anna Sokolow, and many other dance professionals.

Journey Dance Workshops JourneyDance, also known as “Move Your Body,” is a transformative, freeing movement experience. It includes and celebrates all types of bodies, people, and energy levels. No yoga or dance experience is required. The JourneyDance experience will leave you feeling renewed, empowered, and invigorated. Instructor: Cynthia Greenfield, trained in JourneyDance and Dancekinetics APR $20 per session 4620336 Sun. 9/28 2-3:30 pm 4620337 Sun. 10/26 2-3:30 pm 4620338 Sun. 11/30 2:3:30 pm

“I’ll Have What She’s Having…” Dance Project Friday, March 27, 2009 8 pm Saturday, March 28, 2009 2 pm and 8 pm Yvonne Theater, Rider University Lawrenceville, New Jersey A choreographers’ showcase of dynamic New Jersey women, honoring and empowering the female dancer and choreographer during Women’s History Month. Now accepting applications/proposals for the 2009 season. Please call 609-497-2100, ext. 332, or e-mail ccolosimo@ywcaprinceton.org for questions and application.

Dance Lab at the YWCA Princeton, 59 Paul Robeson Place, Princeton Saturday, October 25, 2008 8-10 pm An opportunity for dancers/choreographers to show their work in a studio setting. Works in progress accepted. Applications are now being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Please e-mail ccolosimo@ywcaprinceton.org or phone 609-497-2100, ext. 332 for questions and application. Applicants must be YWCA members ($50 annual membership fee)

Session begins: Wed. 9/3
Session ends: Tues. 12/23
No class: Thurs. 11/27-Sun. 11/30 (Thanksgiving weekend)
Location: YWCA All Purpose Room (unless noted otherwise)

Parent observation classes: week of 12/17-12/23

All participants must be YWCA members.
Member subsidies and Bates Scholarships are available.

Click here to view our Dance Gallery

Dress code:

Ballet: Girls: black leotard, pink tights, pink leather ballet slippers. Boys: black sweat pants/jazz pants, white t-shirt, black leather ballet slippers. No tutus or dance costumes; hair must be tied back securely. Please do not bring any type of accessory to class.

Hip Hop and Jazz classes: Black stretchy pants (jazz pants), leotard or camisole top, (boys: white tee shirt), jazz shoes or jazz sneakers. No jeans allowed.

For kids and teens

Fairytale Dance

Ages 3-4
Instructor: Christine Colosimo

16 weeks $224
4610111 Mon. 1-1:45 pm
4610112 Tues. (Lt. Ex. Rm.) 1-1:45 pm
4610113 Wed. 10-10:45 am
4610114 Wed. 1-1:45 pm

Instructor: Megan Grieshaber
15 weeks $210
4610115 Fri. 2:30-3:15 pm

Pre-Ballet

Ages 4-5
Instructor: Christine Colosimo

16 weeks $224
4610211 Mon. 1:45-2:30 pm
4610212 Tues. (Lt. Ex. Rm.) 1:45-2:30 pm
4610213 Wed. 1:45-2:30 pm

Instructor: Megan Grieshaber
15 weeks $210
4610214 Fri. 3:45-4:30 pm
4610215 Sat. 10-10:45 am

Beginner Ballet and Tap Combination

Ages 5-9
Instructor: Christine Colosimo

16 weeks $224
4610216 Mon. 3:45-4:30 pm

Beginning Ballet I

Ages 6-9. A continuation of Pre-Ballet.
Instructor: Megan Grieshaber

16 weeks $224
4610311 Thurs. (Lt. Ex. Rm.) 3:45-4:30 pm

16 weeks $224
4610313 Sat. 11-11:45 am

Beginning Ballet II

Ages 8-10. A continuation of Beginner Ballet I.
Instructor: Megan Grieshaber

15 weeks $210
4610412 Fri. 4:30-5:30 pm

Hip Hop Funk

Ages 6-15. Monday classes will be a fusion form of hip hop. "Fusion" is an electric, innovative art form that combines the rhythmic precision of tap dancing with the raw energy of hip hop. Wednesday classes will be regular hip hop.
Instructor: Marina Olevsky (Mon.) Holly Lindauer (Wed.)

16 weeks $224
4610811 Mon. (ages 6-9) 4:30-5:30 pm
4610812 Mon. (ages 10-15) 5:30-6:30 pm
4610814 Wed. (ages 6-9) 3:30-4:30 pm
4610815 Wed. (ages 10-15) 4:30-5:30 pm

Beginning Lyrical Jazz Dance

Ages 6-10.
Instructor: Megan Grieshaber

15 weeks $210
4610511 Thurs. (Lt. Ex. Rm.) 4:30-5:30 pm
4610512 Sat. noon-1 pm

Broadway Dance

Ages 9-12.
Instructor: Megan Grieshaber

15 weeks $210
4610513 Fri. 5:30-6:30 pm

Adapted Spanda Yoga

For children with disabilities. We will work on releasing tension in the body and mind through the use of asana and vinyasa sequencing to promote strength, balance, and flexibility. Please call for details.
Instructor: Marilyn Besner

16 weeks $224
4572147 Tues. 3:45-4:30 pm

Spanda Yoga for Teens

For teens in middle school and high school. Release tension in the body and mind through the use of asana and vinyasa sequencing to promote strength, balance, and flexibility.
Instructor: Marilyn Besner

16 weeks $224
4572148 Tues. 4:30-5:30 pm

Dance/Cheer Team

Ages 13-18. An opportunity to learn dances or make up your own, then “go on tour!” We will spend the first few months choreographing new dances and taking master classes by guest artists, and by the end of the session we will perform. Performance dates are set for December.

Please contact the director if you have questions. Limit 30 girls.

Sept.-June $35 membership fee, $100 uniform fee
4910954 Fri. 7-9 pm

For adults

Hot Mama’s Hip Hop!

Got some additional padding and “life experience” that has kept you from getting out there to “shake your thing?” No way! All that just makes you perfect for hip hop! Join us and have lots of fun stretching, exercising, and dancing your booty off to the latest music. All ages and levels of experience welcome. We want you!
Instructor: Pat Panell
Lt. Ex. Rm.

16 weeks $224
4620333 Tues. 9:30-10:30 am

Modern Dance Technique for Women

“Erick Hawkins-based” modern dance class for beginner/intermediate level dancers. Instructor will cover basic modern dance movement concepts such as contractions, leg and torso swings, grapevines, leaps, and dance improvisation. A gentle workout using dance artistry as well as anatomy of the human body as a basis of knowledge for dance and movement.
Instructor: Christine Colosimo, MA (Dance), Certified Laban Movement Analyst
APR

15 weeks $225
4620335 Thurs. 9:30-11 am