TAMIU Young Dancers Program Registration Soon Underway

Now is the time to think about taking a dance or yoga class or enrolling your daughter or son in Texas A&M International University's Young Dancers Program. Registration for TAMIU's Young Dancers Program will be held Sept. 1, from 4 - 8 p.m. at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts (CFPA), room 122. Classes start the week of Sept. 5. (photo)

"Classes include ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, flamenco, and hip hop for ages two through adult. All classes will meet weekly throughout the entire year with performance opportunities occurring at least twice a year," said Bede Leyendecker, director of the TAMIU Young Dancer Program and assistant professor of dance.

Children's combination classes include ballet, tap and flamenco and will meet according to the child's age. All combo classes are from 4 - 5:30 p.m. Eight- to 10-year-olds will meet Mondays. Six- to eight-year-olds will meet Tuesdays. Two- to four-year-olds are scheduled for Wednesdays, and four- to six-year-olds will meet Thursdays.

Tuition for children's classes is $40 per month. Parents have the option to pay for dance lessons on either a monthly basis or in one lump sum at the beginning of the session. A $10 discount will apply to all those who choose the early payment plan and a $5 monthly discount will apply for multiple siblings enrolled in lessons.

Children will be required to purchase a uniform leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, tap shoes, castanets, Spanish shoes, and a Spanish skirt. Uniform leotards, skirts, tights, and shoes will be available for purchase in CFPA 122, Thursday, Sept. 1 from 4 - 8 p.m.

Teen and adult technique classes will meet Mondays, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. for ballet; 6:30 - 7:30 for pointe lessons. Flamenco class is scheduled Tuesdays, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Tap is also scheduled for Tuesdays, but from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays from 7 - 8 p.m. is scheduled for yoga. Jazz classes will meet Thursdays, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. and hip-hop classes also on Thursdays, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Tuition for the teen and adult classes vary. One class per week will cost $35/month. Tuition increases $10 a month per additional class per week.

Session I will run from Sept. 5 - Dec. 23, 2005. Session II is scheduled to begin Jan. 10 and end May 21, 2006. There will be at least two performance opportunities throughout the year.

All classes will be held at the CFPA.

This year, the Young Dancers Program will also begin a team of students who will rehearse and participate in competitions as well as in events within the city. Teams will be divided according to age group and dance form. Auditions for the competition team will be held Saturday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m. to noon. Students who are selected will meet for rehearsals Saturday mornings. Tuition is $15 per month and does not include costumes, T-shirts or other equipment.

For more information, please contact Bede Leyendecker at bleyendecker@tamiu.edu, call 326.2625 or visit offices in CFPA 115.

University office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu