Archive for category: Newsletter

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!

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 24^th recital are due February 15^th.

Save the Date!

Claire School of Dance students will be performing at Kids Day of Music, Saturday, March 28^th, at 11: 15 a.m. The performance will be held at Love Park, 11^th & 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.

No Classes Dec. 16^th  – Jan 4^th

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

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 19^th, 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.

No Classes On Halloween

After consultation with many of our Thursday parents, we will NOT hold any classes Thursday, October 31. Happy Trick or Treating!

Halloween Class Makeup

Make up classes for Halloween will be held Thursday, December 19th, at the usual class times.

Trick or Treat – UNICEF

Bring your dimes and quarters to dance class — we will again be collecting donations to UNICEF. You can also ask your teacher for a UNICEF donation box and turn it in after Halloween. The Claire School of Dance will match the Trick or Treat for UNICEF donations. And it’s fun!

Oct. Unit Study – Dance in Cuba

Our October unit study focuses on dance in Cuba. Cuban is famous for producing some of the best dancers in the world. This month we study the stylistic influences that make up la téchnica cubana.

Cuban Dance Film – FREE

October 26. 1-2:30 pm Grace Studio C. 

Cuba’s National Ballet School is world-famous. Secundaria follows one dancer through her training. 90 minutes. In Spanish, with subtitles.

Cuban Dance Workshops

Alexis Zanety, former principal dancer with Cuba’s Compania Nacional de Danza Contemporanea, is offering two FREE workshops. Oct 12 at 12:30, Judson Robinson Community Center requires NO previous dance experience. Sunday, Oct. 27, 2-3:30 at CSD’s Grace United, is for those with previous dance experience. A rare opportunity you won’t want to miss!

Come to Our Open House!

Saturday, July 27^th, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at our Grace United studio, we’ll be offering a free photo session, cookies,  and registration and class information for fall classes.

Ms. Claire will be taking FREE portrait photos of each child. 

Sandra will be on hand with her laptop to take registration, uniform orders, and payment.

Fall Registration Open Now

Our classes fill quickly! Register now to reserve your spot.

Make up Classes

Due a problem with our air conditioning, we were forced to cancel our Monday and Tuesday classes at Grace United, June 3 and 4. These classes will have their make-up classes on July 29^th & 30^th at their regularly scheduled times. Classes at Lambert Hall were not affected by the cancellation. Last class at Lambert Hall is July 23rd.

We were also closed Thursday, July 4th, in honor of Independence Day. Those classes will be made up Thursday, August 1st.

CSD CLOSED JULY 4th

In observation of Independence Day, the Claire School of Dance will be CLOSED Thursday, July 4th.  Enjoy your Fourth!

A Few Summer Spots Left

We have a few places left in Ooh la la Paris! Camp, On Your Toes, SING Jazz Camp, and Princess Camp. You can register online at www.clairedance.com or at our office. Sign up now!