Dance

Beginner and Intermediate dance classes are offered during the academic day for an Art or PE credit while Advanced Dance continues to be a staple of one of our after school activities. Dancers build strong technique, confidence, and artistic self-expression through three levels—Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced/Company—in styles including contemporary modern, ballet, jazz, and lyrical. Performance opportunities include informal showcases and full two-evening concert productions each May.

As part of an exploratory arts program, 6th, 7th and 8th Graders collaborate on structured creative movement exercises that follow the National Standards for Dance guidelines. Students are introduced to some of the basic technical vocabulary of contemporary dance, ballet, lyrical and jazz styles. While dance in the Middle School focuses on basic ballet, modern, and jazz technique, young artists are also given the opportunity to explore their choreographic and artistic voice. At the end of each semester, all dance students perform as part of the season Middle School arts showcase. Students wishing to further explore dance can audition for the Middle School dance company, Blue Adage.

As part of the 4th and 5th Grade Physical Education curriculum, all students do a rotation of riding, polo and dance that provides a foundational understanding and appreciation of three of our signature offerings for older students. 5th Grade dancers showcase what they’ve learned during the seasonal performing arts programs. All Lower School students can participate in the annual performance of Nutcracker in the Forest, a GFS take on the holiday classic. This has quickly become a beloved community tradition in the winter.