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WELCOME
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Welcome to Pinewood School of Dance. Our
facility is one of the finest in Dutchess and Putnam Counties. Our
building was custom designed and built for dance. We are fully
air-conditioned and feature a large waiting room, dressing room, and
two spacious studios with sprung oak floors to prevent injuries.
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ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
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Gina Chiavelli is the Artistic Director of
both Dutchess Dance Theatre and Pinewood School of Dance, and
currently on the faculty of SUNY New Paltz. She is a former adjunct
professor at Fordham University where she taught classical ballet
and jazz. She is currently an International Judge for the American
Academy of Ballet and has had the opportunity to judge ballet
dancers not only in the U.S., but also in South Africa, London and
Mexico. She is a certified member of both the Professional Dance
Teachers Association and Dance Educators of America. She is a
four-time recipient of the “Outstanding Choreography Award” from the
Professional Dance Teachers Association, and a four -time recipient
of the “Diamond Choreography Award” from American Dance Awards. Gina
was also the 2005 Dance Educators of America Outstanding
Choreography winner. She was featured in the January 2001 issue of
Dance Teacher Magazine in an article entitled, “Fostering
Incentives.”
Gina studied with many notable ballet teachers in New
York including: Tom Adair, Don Farnsworth, Jack Hertzog, Peter
Nelson, Madame Seda Suny Sorvillo, Vickie Sheer, Igor Schwetzoff and
Larry Stevens. She has studied with both the Royal Academy of Dance
and the American Academy of Ballet at their summer intensives for
dance teachers held at both Vassar College and S.U.N.Y. Purchase.
Notable jazz and tap teachers in New York City that she had the
privilege to study with include: Frank Hatchett, Ronnie DiMarco,
JoJo Smith, Charles Kelly, Luigi, Ron Daniels and Judy Ann Bassing.
Her students have appeared professionally on Broadway,
Off Broadway, ballet and modern dance companies, MTV, soap operas,
commercials, night clubs, music videos, industrials and Radio City
Music Hall. They have been members of both National and European
Touring Companies with such shows as: West Side Story, Hello Dolly,
Pippin, A Chorus Line, Oklahoma, The Music Man, George M!, and the
Radio City Music Hall Rockettes.
Gina’s students have been accepted, in some cases on
scholarship, into the following prestigious summer ballet intensive
programs: The School of American Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, The
Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts, Kaatsbaan International Dance
Center, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, New York State Summer
School of the Arts, The American Academy of Ballet, Boston Ballet,
American Ballet Theater, Virginia School of the Arts, Briansky
Saratoga Ballet, Walnut Hill, North Carolina School of the Arts,
Interlochen School of the Arts and The Chautauqua Institute. Many of
her graduating students have gone on to become Dance and Theater
majors at prestigious colleges and universities throughout the U.S.
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PURPOSE
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At Pinewood we are interested in the
development and enrichment of each student as an individual. Good
teaching is a building process. We believe in laying a firm
foundation of basics, which can later be expanded and refined. Dance
training offers rich rewards to its students including, discipline
of mind and body, coordination, improving posture, love of dance and
good music, and gaining the self confidence to perform on stage. The
Director works closely with our professional staff in planning and
implementing our curriculum.
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CURRICULUM
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Classes are offered in Ballet, Pointe, Tap,
Jazz, Modern and Hip Hop. Pre-School students (age 3 and 4), are
given a one hour combination class which includes Ballet, Tap, and
Gymnastics. Students age 5-7 are given a one-hour class in either
Ballet or a Tap/Jazz combination class. Older students (age 8 to
adult) are given one-hour classes in either Ballet, Tap, Jazz,
Modern or Hip Hop. More advanced Ballet students are given a 1˝ hour
class that includes Pointe work. All classes are offered at
beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.
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PLACEMENT
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Placement of students is made according to
training, age and ability or effort. This guarantees the steady
progress of each class. Promotion is considered on the basis of
individual achievement. Classes are not necessarily promoted as
groups. Ballet students are not put on pointe shoes unless they are
at least 10 years of age and have had at least three years of Ballet
training.
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RECITAL AND COSTUMES
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We have an annual recital in June. Students
are encouraged but not required to perform. We do however feel that
performing is a very important part of dance training. Parents and
students should check the bulletin board in December for information
and price regarding your class costume. Instructions regarding the
recital are sent to all students by mail in order to maintain
complete understanding of all details. Please read newsletters
carefully and save for future reference.
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DANCE COMPANY
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The Pinewood Dance Company is open to
intermediate to advanced students, age 8 years to adult. Company
members are required to take a minimum of two classes per week, one
must be an Intermediate 3 level of Ballet or higher and the second
class must be tap or jazz. Company members have the opportunity to
do many community performances as well as to compete on the local,
regional and national levels. They have won numerous awards
including National Championships. The Dance Company is the perfect
outlet for the serious dance student. Membership in the Dance
Company is by the invitation of the Artistic Director.
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CONDUCT
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All students are expected to respect and
willingly abide by all studio regulations on dress and procedure and
to conduct themselves in a courteous manner in the studio and in all
studio connected activities. Parents will be notified of any
disciplinary problems. Gum, food and drinks are not allowed anywhere
in the studio. Children who are not taking classes should be
supervised at all times by their parents when playing in or outside
of the studio.
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ATTENDANCE
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Good attendance is essential to insure a
student’s steady progress. Check with your teacher for the best
available class for you to make up in. Some classes have no make-ups
available. Students will not be allowed to perform in the June
Recital if they miss 3 or more classes between January 1st and
recital date. Attendance at dress rehearsal is mandatory. Students
missing 3 or more lessons between Sept. and Dec. will be dropped a
level. Students missing 6 or more classes during the year will not
be promoted to the next level. Classes start promptly, so please be
prepared to start on time.
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OBSERVING CLASSES
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Please find time to observe your child, it
doesn’t have to be every week. Your interest and encouragement are
very important to your child and we welcome it. Students and
teachers require a quiet respectful atmosphere in which to learn and
teach, please remain quiet in the waiting room.
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. NUTCRACKER |
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Open auditions are held every September for
our annual December Nutcracker, presented by Dutchess Dance Theatre.
Ages 7 to Adult are welcome to audition. Call 845-221-4834 for
details and Nutcracker brochure.
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DRESS CODE
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JEWELRY AND WATCHES ARE NOT PERMITTED
LEOTARDS
Black for all classes. Can be long or short sleeve, tank
or spaghetti straps. Please only wear classic style modestly cut
leotards. No backless, low cut, halter, zippers etc. allowed.
TIGHTS
Ballet – pink
Modern – black footless
Tap, Jazz and Tap/Jazz combo - tan (If you have ballet on the same
day wear pink)
Pre-School combination - pink
Hip Hop – black
SHOES
Ballet – pink ballet slippers (Capezio or Bloch) (snug fit)
Modern – Capezio Half-Sole Sandasol or barefoot
Tap – tan Bloch tap shoes #S0302 with low heel and strap with buckle
Jazz – black jazz oxford or slip on style (Capezio or
Bloch)
Tap/Jazz Combination class – black ballet slippers and black patent
leather tap shoes
Pre-School Combination class – pink ballet slippers (snug fit) and
black patent leather tap shoes (Capezio or Bloch)
Hip Hop – black jazz sneakers (Capezio or Bloch)
SKIRTS & SHORTS
Ballet skirts are optional for age 12 & up. Younger students
will not be allowed to wear skirts.
Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap/Jazz combo - black boxer shorts or jazz
pants allowed for teens only or with teacher permission
HAIR
Ballet and Modern - neat secure bun, no bangs
Jazz, tap, Tap/Jazz combo, Hip Hop - neat secure ponytail or bun, no
bangs
Pre-school combination class - neat secure ponytail, no bangs
BOYS
Black shorts or tights and white T-shirts.
Ballet, tap and jazz shoes should be black.
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SNOW CLOSINGS
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Due to our large enrollment we will not be
able to contact you individually if we have to close. Snow
cancellations will be recorded on our answering machine and posted
on our web site. If you are in doubt and don’t hear anything, please
feel free to call the studio.
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HOLIDAYS
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We only close for major holidays and do not
close for all the smaller holidays the public schools observe.
Holiday closings are posted on the bulletin board. When the studio
closes for a holiday you do not pay for that lesson.
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TUITION RATES
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Tuition is due at the beginning of each
month. A $10.00 monthly late fee will be added if we have to bill
you. All classes are paid for, attended or not (including snow
days). Missed classes can be made up within 30 days of your absence.
No make ups allowed during months of Sept., May and June. No more
than 3 make-ups per class, per year. Tuition is not refundable at
any time. A $20.00 fee will be charged for any check returned for
insufficient funds.
1 class per week per family: $14.00 per class
2 classes per week per student or family: $12.00 per class
3 classes per week per student or family: $9.00 per class
4 or more classes per week student or family: $8.00 per class
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REGISTRATION FEE
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A $25 registration fee is required for each
student for Fall classes. This one fee covers one or more classes
per student. This fee is not refundable should you drop out of
classes, nor can it be transferred to another family member. Should
you decide to change the day or type of class you originally
registered for, a new registration fee will be required. The only
exception would be if the change is requested by the teacher. If you
register for multiple classes there will be a $10.00 surcharge for
each class dropped.
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QUESTIONS
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If you have any questions, problems or
concerns, please feel free to speak to our receptionist or call the
Director, Gina Chiavelli at 845-221-4834.
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