Don't miss out on ArtWorks Academy's week of free classes. Starting August 29th, all class (except Private Lessons) are free to try for new and returning students! New students - Not sure if you want piano, theatre, or dance? Come out and try them all! Pick the classes you enjoy the most. There is no commitment before you try! Returning students - If you are enrolled in theatre and always wanted to try a dance class, this is the week to do it! If you love it, add it to your schedule! Some classes are already filling up, if you know you want a certain class, enroll online now to guarantee your spot! We cannot guarantee space in any class without enrollment and payment of the enrollment fee and first month's tuition. We do not recommend waiting if you know you want a certain class time. Check out the schedule and enroll at www.ArtWorksAcademy.com ...read more

This is the perfect camp for your little princess. In this camp, three year old - kindergarten students will learn the basics of ballet, tap and theatre movement - all while getting to become a princess!. The camp will culminate in a short performance for friends and family. Each day we will study dance technique for tap, pre-ballet and pre-jazz. If time allows we work on some lyrical and theatre dance. We have craft time, where we make props and costume pieces for our end of camp performance. A snack is provided each afternoon.      Cost:  Tuition is $95. A $20.00 non-refundable deposit is due upon enrollment to hold your child's spot. The session charge listed, once you enroll, is your remaining balance. The balance is due by the first day of the camp. Students enrolling in two or more camps or classes will receive a 10% discount off of each camp or class. Families will receive a sibling discount of 10% for each additional family member enrolled. Dates: This camp meets Monday-Thursday from 4:00-6:00 pm, June 13-16, 2011 For information on our other camps and classes OR to enroll, visit www.artworksacademy.com. ...read more

ArtWorks Academy now has students approaching the age where they start to ask about pointe.  For most young ballerinas, this is something they strive for from the time they begin ballet.  At ArtWorks Academy we seriously consider the safety of our students as we consider who will begin pointe work. Twenty years ago it was common for 8 and 10 year olds to begin pointe work, some places still do start kids that young; but in the last 10 years there has been an abundance of research on the impact of starting pointe work to early. In 2009 the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science published a paper that laid out very clear guidelines for starting pointe training. The guidelines are as follows: 1.    Not before age 12. 2.    If the student is not anatomically sound…do not allow pointe work. 3.    If she is not truly pre-professional, discourage pointe training. 4.    If she has weak trunk and pelvic ("core") muscles or weak legs, delay pointe training. 5.    If the student is hyper mobile in the feet and ankles, delay pointe training. 6.    If ballet classes are only once a week, discourage pointe work. 7.    If ballet classes are twice a week, and none of the above applies, begin in the fourth year of training. (Weiss, et. al., 92) Pointe is an important part of ballet training for a dancer who wishes to pursue ballet in college or professionally, it is a wonderful experience for any dancer.  Our faculty will carefully evaluate any student who wishes to start pointe work. Evaluation of pointe dancers includes: 1.    A balance test 2.    A strength test 3.    Terminology tests 4.    Posture and placement evaluations To begin pointe work, students must be enrolled in two ballet classes per week and the appropriate level of pointe or pre-pointe.  Students will also be required to have their feet and ankles evaluated by a medical professional to determine the development of the bones and joints.   Dancing "en pointe" is an amazing experience!  We want all of our young ballerinas to develop the strength and technique to start pointe training, but the safety of our students is our top priority. Weiss, David S. MD, et. al. "When Can I Start Pointe Work?: Guidelines for Initiating Pointe Training." Journal of Dance Medicine and Science 13 (2009): 90-92. ...read more