September 2021

Fall Dance Classes Start Tuesday, September 7th

The Claire School of Dance academic school year begins Tuesday, September 7th. We look forward to another wonderful year of dance!

You are Invited to Celebrate International Dot Day!

Saturday, September 11, 2-4 p.m. parents and students are invited to Lambert Hall, 1703 Heights Blvd., for an afternoon of art making in honor of International Dot Day, celebrating creativity, courage, and collaboration.  Participants will create “dot”-shaped art which we will hang from the trees facing Heights Blvd.  Based on the book, “The Dot,” the motto is “make your mark on the world and see what happens!”

Places Still Available in Samson Academy

Worried about school with insufficient COVID protocols? Does your child need to “catch up” after months of virtual instruction? Samson Academy offers individual attention in micro-classes with COVID precautions to students Kinder through Grade 5. Contact us for info.

Our COVID Policies

To prevent the spread of the corona virus and ensure the safety of our staff and our families, CSD has maintained the following policies:

  • Micro-classes: depending on the size of the studio, classes will range in size from 4-8 students
  • Parent n Me and Creative Movement 1  classes are still on hiatus.
  • CM 2 & 3 classes will be held in person, although parents should be aware that they will not be allowed into the building.
  • Only students and teachers will be allowed in the building.
  • Masks are worn at all times.
  • Distancing will be observed in class.
  • Class times are staggered to allow students to arrive and depart without mingling with another class.
  • CSD reserves the right to institute any new measure required by the level of spread in the community.

December 2020

Last Class December 12th

Wow! That got here fast! Next week is the last week of dance classes for the fall semester.

Classes resume Monday, January 4th

Private Lessons Available

CSD teachers are available for both private in-studio classes and online zoom ones. Email us if interested.

Nutcracker Sweets Online

Houston Ballet is offering an on-demand format of the digital performance run of Nutcracker Sweets. Available December 15 – January 8, tickets are sold online at the Houston Ballet website. Info and tickets at www.houstonballet.org.

Registration Open for Spring: Samson Home School Academy

Registration is open for the spring semester for Samson Home School Academy, the pod school of CSD. SHA features include micro in-person classes (maximum 4-8 children) for students K through Grade 4. Classes start January 4, 2021.

Samson Academy offers one-on-one instruction, supervision of on-line classes, and its own, classically-based curriculum.

We combine academic rigor with hands-on learning.

Samson Academy … where kids LOVE to come to school!

July 2020

July Summer Camp Added

Up Up & Away, our newest camp, is back on the summer schedule. Although we had cancelled most summer programs, so many parents reported that their children wanted another virtual camp that we have re-instated Up Up & Away, now to be held the week of July 27-31 in two sessions. The 10-11 a.m. camp is for 5-8 year olds and the 11 a.m. to noon camp is for 9-12 year olds.

Want more info? Whirl through time with Professor Bonadventure (AKA Ms. Claire) in this highly interactive virtual camp. Story time, crafts, and brain teasers — are YOU trickier than Ms. Claire ? Oops,  we mean, than Professor Bonadventure? Registration for this camp is open NOW.

Private Lessons Available

CSD teachers are available for both private in-studio classes and online zoom ones. Email us if interested.

Fall Registration Open Now

With a requirement for smaller classes foreseen for fall, we are encouraging parents to reserve their spots by enrolling now.  We will not take payment until sometime in August. We will notify parents before processing any payment.

NEW! Samson Homeschool Academy

The Samson Homeschool Academy (SHA) is coming to CSD! Samson Homeschool Academy will include both micro live classes (maximum 4 children) and Zoom classes for students K through Grade 5.

Parents will have the option of live only, zoom only, and hybrid programs, as well as choosing the number of weekly classroom days.

Teachers include Ms. Claire, B.A. J.D. and long-time homeschooling mom, and Skyler Sinclair, certified teacher. Sandra Walton is an experienced tutor for dyslexic readers.

Keep an eye out for more information in  mid July!

A Big Thank You!

Thank you to all those who participated in our zoom spring semester as well as those who so graciously moved to Zoom for summer camps.

We wouldn’t be here without you!

March 2020

No Classes March 9-21

The Claire School of Dance will be  CLOSED for spring break March 9-21. Classes will resume Monday, March 23. Please note our break is TWO WEEKS.

CSD Performs!

Students from Claire School of Dance will be performing at Kids Day of Music in Love Park Saturday, March 28th, at 11:15 a.m. We’ll have a booth with activities as well. Be sure to come enjoy the show!

Summer Camp Brochures

Summer camp brochures are in now all waiting rooms. On-line registration for summer classes and camps is now open.  The popular Fairy Magic, Camp Cupcake, Princess Camp, On Your Toes, SING Jazz camp, and Paris Camp return. New this year is Frozen 2! Places go fast! Sign up today!

Check our website for more information! Registration is online. Current and former students log in to register. Don’t miss out!

March Unit Study

Our March unit study is ballerina Maria Tallchief, America’s first Native American prima ballerina.

 

spring break sun.jpg

Class Picture Day

Parents are invited to bring their cameras to take class and individual photos Saturday, April 4. The schedule for class photos is posted in all waiting rooms and is downloadable from the newsletter page of our website

Dance in Houston

March 12-22. Forged in Houston. Houston Ballet. George R Brown. Info: houstonballet.org.

February 2020

Summer Dance

Registration for summer classes and camps is now OPEN. New is Frozen 2 Camp. Returning are On Your Toes Ballet Camp for 4-6 year olds  and SING  Jazz Camp. The popular Fairy Magic, Cupcake and Princess camps will also return, as will Ooh la la Paris!   For 3 year olds, we offer a very special Frozen  Mommy n Me camp. For students 7-12 , we offer a week-long dance intensive, culminating in a performance for parents. Space is limited. Reserve your spot today!

Recital Permission Slips Due

A reminder that permissions slips, opt outs, recital fees, and scholarship requests for our May 24th recital are due February 15th.

Save the Date!

Claire School of Dance students will be performing at Kids Day of Music, Saturday, March 28th, at 11: 15 a.m. The performance will be held at Love Park, 11th & Shepherd.  Be sure to also stop by our table for crafts for kids!

 

February Unit Study – Misty Copeland

Our unit study for February is Misty Copeland, first African-American soloist at American Ballet Theatre. Click here to watch her on Youtube.

Dance in Houston

Feb. 15. Choreographers X6. Jewish Community Center, 5601 S. Braeswood.  713-551-7217. Info: erjcchouston.org/arts.

Feb 27-March 8. Sleeping Beauty. Houston Ballet. Info: houstonballet.org.

January 2020

Classes Resume in the New Year

Classes resume Monday, January 6th. We look forward to seeing everyone in class!

William Forsthye – January Unit Study

Our unit study for January is choreographer William Forsthye. See our waiting room bulletin boards for links to videos.

Cold Weather Attire

A reminder that when temperatures dip, we recommend that students dress a little more warmly for class. Close-fitting sweaters and leggings or leg warmers are welcome in class on those “winter coat” days. For those in creative movement classes, we recommend socks with non-skid soles.

 Recital Date Confirmed – May 24th

Due to limited theater availability, our annual recital will be held Sunday, May 24th, the day before Memorial Day.  Due to the Memorial Day holiday, we will be asking families to be aware of possible conflicts when committing to the recital performance. The later recital date also means recital-eligible students will get an extra week of classes – free.

Recital Permission Slips/Fees

 Students preballet and older are eligible to perform in the recital. Permission slips and info sheets will be handed out the first week of January.

Recital Permission Slips/Fees

Students preballet and older are eligible to perform in the recital. Permission slips and info sheets will be handed out the first week of January.

Recital Permission Slips Due February 15th

Recital Permission Slips and performance fees are due February 15th.

Summer Dance

Registration for summer classes and camps will open January 31st. New is our Frozen 2 camp. The popular Fairy Magic, Cupcake, On Your Toes, SING Camp, and Princess camps will return, as will Ooh la la Paris!  camp. Space is limited. Places, especially in Frozen 2, will go fast. Be ready to reserve your spot!

December 2019

No Classes Dec. 16th  – Jan 4th

The Claire School of Dance will be  CLOSED for winter break December 16th through January 4th. Children’s classes will resume Monday, January 6th.

Make Up Classes Dec. 19th

To make up for classes cancelled on Halloween, we will hold Thursday classes during the first week of winter break, December 19th, at their usual times.

Parents Day in December

Parents are invited to attend class Dec. 9-14th for a first-hand look at what students have been learning. Free candy canes at the end of class!

Unit Study: Donald Byrd

Our December unit study is the choreographer Donald Byrd and his Harlem Nutcracker. With music arranged by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, Harlem Nutcracker re-imagines the setting and characters of the holiday classic.

 Winter Camps

Camps Candy Cane and Winter Wonderland return! Holiday fun for children 4-11 years old. Baking, art, and more. Camp Candy Cane: December 20th & 23; Winter Wonderland: January 2 & 3 9 am to 2 p.m. $75 a day. $140 for two days. Registration online now. Register to reserve your spot!

Snow on the Boulevard

Come and play in the snow, drink hot cocoa, see Santa Claus and more! Sunday, December 1st at 3-5 p.m. Sponsored by Grace United Methodist Church.

Holiday Pop Up Shop

December 1 from 1-5 p.m. is the Holiday Pop Up Shop with music and handcrafted goods. The holiday fun takes place at 1911 Studewood. Eat, drink and be merry!

 Dance in Houston

Nov 29 – Dec 29. The Nutcracker. Houston Ballet. Wortham Center. Info: houstonballet.org.

Dec. 6. Jubilee of Dance. Houston Ballet. Wortham Center. Info: houstonballet.org.