Register now for classes! Registration for the 2020-21 season is now open.
COMMUNITY DIVISION
The Community Division offers a wide selection of dance classes for students ages 2-18 in a fun and nurturing environment. Classes are open to children and teens with all levels of dance experience. The class schedule is designed to be flexible, which allows students to take as many or as few classes as they can commit to.
Primary Classes
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AMB School’s Primary Classes introduce young dancers to the joy of movement!
| PRIMARY CLASSES: AGES 3-5 |
|---|
| Creative Movement: Ages 3-4 (45 minutes) |
| Children’s Pre-Dance: Ages 4-5 (1 Hour) |
| PRIMARY TUITION | |
|---|---|
| CLASS LENGTH | MONTHLY TUITION |
| 45 minutes | $45 |
| 1 hour | $50 |
Creative Movement
Ages 3-4 | 45 minutes
Movement, music, and imagination unite in this fun and creative class for the young dancer. Creative Movement classes help children hone motor skills and develop strength, coordination, and creative thinking.
Children’s Pre-Dance
Ages 4-5 | 1 hour
Children’s Pre-Dance expands on motor skills and coordination through ballet and tap. This class will introduce young students to the terminology and beginning positions of ballet and to the rhythms of tap.
CHILDREN’S CLASSES
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The Children’s Classes provide the foundation of ballet technique and the opportunity to explore different dance genres. AMB School’s experienced faculty provides a nurturing atmosphere for the growth and development of our students. Classes include ballet, jazz, tap, and lyrical.
| CHILDREN’S CLASSES: AGES 6-11 |
|---|
| Children 1: Ages 6-7 |
| Children 2: Ages 7-8 |
| Children 3: Ages 9-11 |
| CHILDREN’S TUITION | |
|---|---|
| CLASS LENGTH | MONTHLY TUITION |
| 30 minutes | $35 |
| 45 minutes | $45 |
| 1 hour | $50 |
TEEN CLASSES
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Teen Classes offer pre-teens and teens a fun environment to explore dance. Classes offered include ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, and hip hop.
| TEEN CLASSES: AGES 12-18 |
|---|
| Teen: Ages 12-18 |
| TEEN TUITION | |
|---|---|
| CLASS LENGTH | MONTHLY TUITION |
| 45 minutes | $45 |
| 1 hour | $50 |
| 1 hour 15 minutes | $52 |
ADULT CLASSES
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AMB School’s Adult Classes offer an exciting dance program for adults ages 18 and over. Classes feature a comprehensive roster of dance styles, several experience levels, and convenient class times. The Adult program offers class cards for busy schedules.
NEW: Adult Barre Fitness: Barre Fitness is a hybrid low-impact workout class focusing on strengthening the whole body while combining ballet-inspired movements along with elements of Pilates, yoga, and strength training. This class will increase stamina, flexibility, balance, and correct posture. NO DANCE EXPERIENCE NEEDED. All fitness levels welcome. Just bring your yoga mat!
Beginning Ballet: Learn the basics of ballet while toning, stretching and moving to classical music. This is the perfect fit for the ballet novice.
Intermediate/Advanced Ballet: For the adult who knows ballet basics. This class will expand the dancer’s stretch, strength, and understanding of ballet technique.
Intermediate/Advanced Tap: A class where those with prior tap experience can hone their skills.
Silver Taps: A vibrant adult tap class for dancers 55 years and up! Learn to channel your feet in the methods and rhythms of tap dance.
Contemporary: For the dancer with previous modern dance experience. This class will incorporate classic modern dance technique while exploring contemporary styles and movements.
Hip Hop: This is an energetic and fun class of urban, funk, and street styles.
| ADULT TUITION | |
|---|---|
| Dancers in the Adult Classes can pay with a class card or by single class. Class cards offer more flexibility for adult dancers and can be used for any of the Adult Classes. | |
| 8 class card (expires 90 days from date of purchase) | $100 |
| 4 class card (expires 60 days from date of purchase) | $55 |
| Single class | $16 |
ACADEMY DIVISION
AMB’s Academy Division provides a structured curriculum for aspiring dancers committed to achieving a high level of technical skill. Each level is specially designed with a roster of weekly classes that progress as the student advances.
The Academy Division offers training in an encouraging and professional atmosphere in the Lower Academy (ages 8-11) and Upper Academy (ages 12-18). *Academy students may add elective classes from the Community Division.
LOWER ACADEMY
Lower Academy students study classical ballet technique, honing their ballet posture to allow them to implement more demanding exercises as they progress in their training. The curriculum also includes various levels of Jazz, Modern/Contemporary, and Pre-Pointe. Students will perform in the Academy Student Showcase and are encouraged to audition for the Ensemble program.
Level 1 (Ages 8-9)
Curriculum: 1 Ballet and 1 Jazz class per week
Monthly Tuition: $95
Level 2 (Ages 9-10)
Curriculum: 2 Ballet and 1 Jazz class per week
Monthly Tuition: $130
Level 3 (Ages 10-11)
Curriculum: 2 Ballet,1 Jazz,1 Modern/Contemporary, and 1 Pre-Pointe class per week
Monthly Tuition: $193
To register for Academy Division classes, please call 712-890-5591 or email school@amballet.org.
UPPER ACADEMY
The Upper Academy focuses on perfecting technique while cultivating artistry by incorporating classical training in Pointe, Variations, Pas de Deux, and Pilates into the curriculum. Upper Academy dancers will perform in the Academy Student Showcase and are encouraged to audition for the Ensemble and Junior Company programs.
Level 4 (Ages 12-13)
Curriculum: 3 Ballet, 1 Pointe, 1 Jazz, 1 Modern/Contemporary, 1 Pilates class per week
Monthly Tuition: $265
Level 5 (Ages 13-14)
Curriculum: 3 Ballet, 2 Pointe, 1 Jazz, 1 Modern/Contemporary, 1 Pilates class per week
Monthly Tuition: $297
Level 6 (Ages 14-18)
Curriculum: 4 Ballet, 2 Pointe, 1 Jazz, 1 Modern/Contemporary, 1 Pilates, 1 Variations, and 1 Pas de Deux class per week
Monthly Tuition: $340
To register for Academy Division classes, please call 712-890-5591 or email school@amballet.org.
PROGRAMS
AMB School students are eligible to audition for these exciting programs, which offer additional performance opportunities:
Junior Company – a prestigious pre-professional company for advanced ballet dancers
Ensemble– a student performance group presenting dances in a range of styles
Solo Program – a chance for dancers to hone their skills and gain performance experience at Youth America Grand Prix or other competitive dance programs
JUNIOR COMPANY
AMB School’s Junior Company is a prestigious pre-professional company for advanced ballet dancers. These highly motivated students gain exposure to professional ballet company life, with opportunities to study with artistic staff, learn company repertoire, shadow professional dancers, and improve technique and artistry.
The Junior Company schedule includes rehearsals on Fridays and/or Saturdays, plus company class with the professional dancers on Saturdays. Dancers rehearse for the annual Junior Company Showcase performance as well as roles in AMB’s professional productions. Currently these activities are conducted online. We hope to resume in-person classes as soon as the public health situation permits.
Junior Company members also will be eligible to take part in our new mentorship program, where they will be paired with one of our professional dancers and will have the opportunity to discuss one-on-one what it really takes to make dance a career. Students will work closely with Ballet Master Matthew Lovegood this fall on an innovative virtual choreography project, and will learn choreography that their paired company dancer is working on.
Junior Company dancers are selected through auditions conducted by AMB artistic staff each year. Virtual auditions for the 2020-2021 season are coming soon. If you wish to audition, you must register by August 14, 2020. Click here to register.
The Junior Company season runs August 28 – December 13 and March 19 – May 14.
Dancers must be enrolled in the full Level 5 or 6 program of the Academy Division in order to be eligible for Junior Company. Annual tuition of $1,000 may be paid as part of your AMB School tuition in 9 monthly installments ($112 in September, $111/month during October – May). Junior Company members who participate in the Teen Ensemble receive 1/2 price off the Ensemble participation fee and Ensemble monthly tuition.
ENSEMBLE
AMB School’s Ensemble is a student performance group presenting dances in a range of styles. Students perform locally at locations around the community, participate in an out of town trip to take classes and perform, and present the Ensemble Showcase each spring.
All Ensemble activities currently are conducted online. We hope to resume in-person activities as soon as the public health situation permits.
The Ensemble season runs August – May and is divided into two age groups:
Teen Ensemble: Ages 12+
Youth Ensemble: Ages 9-11
Dancers are selected through auditions conducted by AMB’s artistic staff. Ensemble auditions for the 2020-21 season have concluded.
Annual tuition of $560 may be paid in 10 monthly installments of $56 (August-May). A $200 participation fee is due August 1. Participants are responsible for all costume fees and instructor travel expenses.
SOLO PROGRAM
The Solo Program gives dancers a chance to hone their skills and gain performance experience at Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) or other competitive dance programs. Students in the Solo Program meet with a coach for a 30-minute private lesson each Sunday to prepare for the competition, paid on a monthly tuition basis. Currently these private lessons are conducted online. We hope to resume in-person classes soon as the public health situation permits.
Students interested in participating in YAGP should visit yagp.org. Students interested in taking their variation or contemporary solo to other competitions must register through AMB School. For questions about the Solo Program, please contact school@amballet.org.
YAGP
Students ages 9-18 enrolled in the AMB Academy Division have the unique opportunity to participate in the YAGP ballet competition. Students who wish to participate will learn a classical variation and/or a contemporary solo to perform at a YAGP event. Private lessons currently are conducted online. We hope to resume in-person classes as soon as the public health situation permits. Subject to public health guidance, participants will attend a YAGP event in spring 2021 chosen by AMB.
Class Requirements:
- Students ages 9-10 must be enrolled in 1 ballet class and 1 modern/contemporary class at AMB School for the entire school year.
- Students ages 11-18 must be enrolled in 2 ballet classes, 1 pointe or pre-pointe class, and 1 modern/contemporary class at AMB School for the entire school year.
Students interested in participating should email school@amballet.org no later than July 1.
REGIONAL COMPETITIONS
Registered AMB students ages 6-18 are eligible to participate in this program through competitive solos, duets, or trios. Participants will prepare choreographed routines to be performed at regional dance competitions. Dancers will select which competitions they wish to participate in from an AMB provided list.
Class Requirements:
- Students age 6 must be enrolled in 1 dance class at AMB School for the entire school year.
- Students ages 7-10 must be enrolled in 1 ballet class, 1 jazz class, and 1 lyrical or modern/contemporary class at AMB School for the entire school year.
- Students ages 11-18 must be enrolled in 2 ballet classes, 1 jazz class, and 1 lyrical or modern/contemporary class at AMB School for the entire school year.
Students interested in participating should email school@amballet.org no later than July 1.
| Solo Program Fees | Amount |
|---|---|
| Participation Fee – due upon enrollment | $150 first dance $50 each additional dance |
| Choreography Fee – due prior to first rehearsal | $225 per dance |
| Monthly Private Lesson Tuition – due the first of each month during competition season (August – March) | $130 = 2 hours $260 = 4 hours per month per dance |
| Competition Entry Fee: YAGP | Paid to YAGP |
| Competition Entry Fee: Regional Competitions – due by December 1 | TBD |
| Costumes | Paid by participant |
| Personal Travel Expenses | Paid by participant |
| Instructor Travel – divided among participants | TBD |
SUMMER PROGRAMS
During the summer months, students can further their dance studies through two programs:
SUMMER INTENSIVE
AMB’s Summer Intensive is an immersive training experience for pre-professional dancers from around the country.
Program Dates: June 21 – July 9, 2021
Choose from 1, 2, or 3-week programs as well as single days or single classes
Senior Intensive: Age 12-22
Junior Intensive: Age 10-12
SUMMER DANCE SERIES
The Summer Dance Series offers a variety of fun classes for ages 3 to adult that complement the school year curriculum.
July Summer Dance Series 2021: July 19-29 – view schedule
August Summer Dance Series 2021: August 16-26 – view schedule
Register for the Summer Dance Series online or call 712-590-5591.
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Holiday Showcase
The Holiday Showcase is an annual performance for children in the AMB School’s Community Division. The show involves the Primary Class levels of Creative Movement and Children’s Pre-Dance, and the Children’s Class levels 1, 2, and 3. Dancers perform holiday classics for family and friends, and the program includes treats and special guests. There are no costumes or fees for this festive event.
American Midwest Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Auditions are open each season to all interested AMB School dance students for the company’s annual production of The Nutcracker. Students cast will have the unique chance to perform onstage alongside the professional dancers for thousands of audience members. AMB students are highly encouraged to audition for this exceptional opportunity!
Student Showcase
The Community Division and the Academy Division will each present a performance at the conclusion of the school year to highlight the growth and skills of our students. The Community Student Showcase will feature students in the levels of Creative Movement through Teen. The Academy Student Showcase will feature students in the Lower and Upper Academy.
| Showcase Fees | Amount |
|---|---|
| Single student | $50 |
| 2 Students (in the same family) | $75 |
| 3+ Students (in the same family) | $100 |
| Costumes | Averages between $60-90 per costume |
| Tickets | Primary & Children’s Classes: $6 Teen & Academy Classes: $11 |
Additional Performances
Performance opportunities are available through the School’s exciting array of programs including the Junior Company, Repertory Ensemble, and Solo Program. Depending on company repertoire each season, there may be additional roles for students in the company’s professional productions.
Questions?
American Midwest Ballet School
1001 S 6th St, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
712-890-5591 | school@amballet.org
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