Sugar Plums is a 30 – 45 minute class. It is a fast moving class with a lot packed in. The classes incorporate mime, dance, music and play. The emphasis is on having fun whilst introducing the basics of ballet technique and developing musicality. Theme and props are used to enhance enjoyment whilst growing the imagination and expression in our young dancers. Specially devised exercises and are practiced to improve coordination, encourage sensitivity to music and develop rhythm. Dancing with partners and being a member of a class helps children learn about cooperation and working in a group.

Yes, all Sugar Plums dancers are invited to perform in the Christa Cameron School of Ballet end of year concert, held annually in December. The dancers learn their performance dances during their classes in Term Four, there are also a couple of additional rehearsals for the concert. If you prefer your dancer not to take part in the performance there is the option of attending for a half term in term 4.

Dancers at Christa Cameron School of Ballet are not required to wear any makeup if they prefer not to. All costumes are provided, with no sewing required from parents. In addition to the fees, a production levy fee is payable for dancers participating in the concert. This fee covers the cost of the additional studio rehearsal, the stage rehearsal, costume hire, and a copy of the DVD of the performance.

The Jazz dance style is fun, and further encourages the development of rhythm, coordination, spatial awareness and expression in our young dancers. In a Jazz class, the basics of Jazz technique are taught while the dancers bop along to popular music.

Parents do not watch class on a regular basis but we do have an Open Day each term. Our first Open Day for the year in on week 4 of term one. We prefer to hold our classes free from the distraction of toddlers running around, parents walking in and out to answer a phone or take a sibling out, “Mummy is talking to the lady next to her and not watching me” etc. Having parents and friends watching regularly would make it more difficult for the teacher to have a focused class and hold the attention of the dancers.

Watching the first class: if you are trying out or starting during the year, in an established class (i.e. not the beginning of the year), we invite you to come and watch the first class that your child attends. Some little dancers join in happily with a parent or carer sitting in the room, others may prefer to sit with their parent and watch and may be more confident to join in on their 2nd visit. This is a little different at the start of the year. As the whole class may be new in February, we aim to bring all of the dancers into the ballet room with their teacher and for their parent to wait outside the room although we leave the door open for the first lesson so that parents can look in. If all of the parents come in for a first lesson when the whole class is new, some may be too shy to join in with all of the other adults sitting watching or they may all want to sit with mum and watch and no one participate. We find that by our first Open Day (usually week 4), the dancers have settled in beautifully and are very excited to have their family and friends as an audience to their class.