Home Curriculum Philosophies

Columbus DanceArts Academy is a performance based pre-professional academy for students across many ages. This section is an attempt to put down on paper how we feel about and how we approach dance education at CDA. We are not sure that we have been successful in putting this into written words, but would be more than willing to discuss at length our philosophies with you on the phone or in person. Below is a description of our goals around our curriculum and an outline of some of the philosophies that guide our thinking. Please let us know how we did ! !

CDA Philosophies

Columbus DanceArts Academy offers a variety of opportunities for young people regardless of their long term dance ambitions. This opportunity is defined and presented in terms of an overall dance education curriculum. This curriculum has classroom instruction as its basis but builds on top of that through a variety of philosophies and non-classroom opportunities for the students.

The Student

Columbus DanceArts Academy is primarily focused on dance education to three audiences. First and foremost, CDA is a pre-professional dance academy with a focus on providing the widest range of opportunities for its most accomplished and dedicated dancers (Pre-professional Program). These students have made dance a priority in their lives and we will strive to make them a priority in ours. Secondly, CDA works with the up-and-coming dancer whose desire it is to reach the pre-professional level (Spotlight Program). These are the dedicated students that have decided that dance is likely going to be a focus in their lives. Third, CDA works with the younger children who simply want to find out if dance is for them (Kicks Program). It is this devotion to students from pre-school to pre-professional that allows CDA to provide the ideal environment for the students to grow as dancers and individuals.

The Art Form

Columbus DanceArts Academy stresses education in a number of different dance art forms. By offering company level opportunities in pointe, ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, tap and hip-hop, we stress that a variety of art forms makes for a well rounded dancer. Although a student can choose to dedicate themselves to one art form more than another, CDA does not narrow its curriculum to force that type of decision on its students. We have a well developed curriculum for each dance art form including a strong ballet pointe program for the more serious student. For those dancers striving toward the pre-professional program, ballet is emphasized as the important roots of any technically well trained dancer. We are not a competition studio, although we will provide periodic competition opportunities for those who desire it. We believe that the best dance student is the student that can work through a variety of experiences so that they can best choose which experience is the one they wish to pursue after moving on to the next step in the dance careers.

Success Based Instruction

Columbus DanceArts Academy is primarily focused on dance education to three audiences. First and foremost, CDA is a pre-professional dance academy with a focus on providing the widest range of opportunities for its most accomplished and dedicated dancers (Pre-professional Program). These students have made dance a priority in their lives and we will strive to make them a priority in ours. Secondly, CDA works with the up-and-coming dancer whose desire it is to reach the pre-professional level (Spotlight Program). These are the dedicated students that have decided that dance is likely going to be a focus in their lives. Third, CDA works with the younger children who simply want to find out if dance is for them (Kicks Program). It is this devotion to students from pre-school to pre-professional that allows CDA to provide the ideal environment for the students to grow as dancers and individuals.

Artistic Based Instruction

Columbus DanceArts Academy is a performance based dance academy that puts teaching quality technique and individual artistic development first and foremost. Dance is an expressive art form and CDA strives to bring out the best of each individual dancer’s personal artistry of movement interpretation.

Dance Theatre based Curriculum

Columbus DanceArts offers a wide range of art forms. A dancer with a broad spectrum of dance art forms will find professional performing opportunities faster than those with limited styles. CDA offers instruction, choreography and performances in a wide range of dance art forms in order to produce a well-rounded performer. Ballet is the foundation of good technique in all dance art forms. At CDA, ballet is a fundamental and important part of the curriculum and is the basis of most company prerequisites

Programs Tailored to Meet Most Needs

Columbus DanceArts Academy provides a positive and appropriate dance instructional experience regardless of the dancer’s eventual ambitions. A dancer may train more casually or participate in our select and pre-professional programs which are a primary part of CDA’s curriculum. CDA believes that the dedication and hard work put forth toward these advanced programs should be rewarded with additional performing opportunities, workshops, trips, master classes, etc. High quality dance instruction is available to all regardless of age, ambition or level of advancement.

Performances for Everyone

As a performance and artistic based academy, Columbus DanceArts believes that the end goal of all dance instruction should be the opportunity to express all that the student as achieved. CDA will offer a holiday performance in December and a season ending performance in June. Each of these performances include impressive costuming, lighting, scenery and coordinates drama and dance into an entertaining story. All students are encouraged to participate in the May performance while most will also be eligible for the holiday show. In addition, those students in company and select classes will perform in the company concert in early spring. All of these performances will be at local high school auditoriums and area professional theaters. CDA will also provide a less formal opportunity for a performance experience through informal periodic in-studio performances for other classes, family and friends.

Pre-Professional Program

Columbus DanceArts Academy offers a pre-professional program developed and run by a staff that has had years of success in training young dancers and developing overall programs. In addition to regular performances, CDA’s pre-professional program will allow opportunities for students in advanced workshops, summer intensives, outside companies, college placement and, for those interested, eventual careers in dance or dance instruction. Columbus DanceArts takes the pre-professional program very seriously and will always strive to support our dancers in any dance related endeavor that they undertake. For those wishing to move on in dance after graduation, CDA will offer pre-professional counseling and will work with the dancer to develop the strengths necessary to meet their dance career goals.

Competitive Opportunities

Although Columbus DanceArts is first and foremost a performance based academy, there will be competition opportunities for the dancers in the pre-professional program. This will be a more informal program than what would be found at most competition based studios, but pre-professional students will get the opportunity to participate in the competition experience. As with travel opportunities, students in the pre-professional program will be included in the decision making process involving these competition opportunities.

Travel Opportunities

Through the pre-professional program, Columbus DanceArts will offer a wide range of travel opportunities for the most advanced students. These will include regional travel for performances, workshops or competitions and will also include at least one national trip a year to a well-known conference or workshop with performance opportunities whenever possible. The goal of this travel program is to provide a variety of experiences for the students most dedicated to dance. Students in the pre-professional program will be included in the decision making process involving these opportunities.