Preschool Division

Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet’s Preschool Division introduces students to the world of dance through music and movement. Students learn coordination, ballet vocabulary and classroom etiquette, in addition to developing life-long skills of focus and discipline. CPYB is pleased to offer Musikgarten, new for the 2011-12 academic year. This nationally recognized music education program is designed to nurture a child's music aptitude by engaging children and their families in singing and movement activities. Preschool Division classes include Music for Toddlers, Mommy & Me, Cycle of Seasons, Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet, and Pre-Tap.

ENROLL NOW in CPYB's 2012 5-Week Summer Ballet Program! Click here for information on Preschool and Beginning Ballet classes.

Please scroll to the bottom of this page for 2011-2012 schedule and tuition information.

Musikgarten*: Music for Toddlers (Ages 15 months to 3 1/2)
Participate with your toddler as we dance and sing. This class explores our voices and hearing and lays the foundation for singing and vocal development. Activities, including fingerplay for fine motor skills and traveling exercises for gross motor skills, help your child learn how to keep a steady beat. Through the use of rhythm sticks, shakers, bells and scarves,  your child will experience the pure joy of movement.

Mommy & Me (Ages 2 to 4)
An introduction to the art of dance in a nurturing environment ideal for children ages two to four years of age who are toilet trained. Parents or caregivers participate with the child. Imaginative exercises present an outlet for an active mind and satisfy a child’s natural instinct for movement, introducing dance to the youngest of dancers. Classical, folk and traditional music are used to inspire song and movement.

Musikgarten*: Cycle of Seasons (Ages 3 to 5)
Celebrate your child's love of nature and growing independence through activities involving the four seasons. The ecological theme of Cycle of Seasons emphasizes the beauty and music found in nature while incorporating more complex physical movements. More intricate rhythms and tonal patterns are introduced using drums, jingles, rattles, tambourines, bongos, sandblocks and more. Caregivers join children for the last 15 minutes of class.

Creative Movement (Pre-Kindergarten, Ages 3 to 5)
A special class designed for children three to five years of age who are ready to separate from their parent and dance independently. Children are introduced to the wonderful world of dance through a combination of classical, folk and traditional music. Exercises promote early childhood development with a focus on body awareness, gross motor skills, and individual expression through creative movement. Class begins with warm-up exercises and stretches that develop flexibility and posture. It moves on to center floor exercises which develop balance, rhythm and coordination.

Pre-Ballet (Kindergarten, Ages 5 to 6)
A prelude to formal ballet instruction, students will develop a foundation for ballet technique in a learning environment that fosters a love for dance and music. Exercises will introduce students to the "ballet barre" to develop correct posture and technique. Center floor includes stretches to develop flexibility, standing exercises to gain balance and strength, and traveling steps to encourage development of gross motor skills. Students begin to learn French vocabulary, movement expression, and proper ballet etiquette in a non-competitive atmosphere.

Pre-Tap (Ages 4 to 6)
Tap class helps improve the student’s posture and develop rhythm and coordination. As students learn to put dance steps together in a variety of ways, they improve cognitive thinking skills. Precise musicality and classroom etiquette are emphasized.

2011-2012 Academic Year Schedule
Preschool classes begin Monday, September 12.

*Supplemental Musikgarten student materials may be purchased at registration. For more information, please call 717.245.1190.