Staenberg Kooper Fellman Campus

Dancers in red leotards standing at the barre during a ballet class at The J.

Class Curriculum & Attire

The style of dance wear varies according to the different dance types. It is important that the garments are made with lightweight, breathable, stretchy fabrics which provide dancers with comfort and freedom of movement. Below you will find the required attire for each of our dance classes. T-shirts, sweatshirts, shorts or baggy warm up gear are not allowed. Hair must be kept neatly away from face and neck either in a bun or a pony tail, short hair should be clipped back or held back with a cloth headband. No gum chewing allowed. No jewelry should be worn.

Pre-Ballet Curriculum

Me & My Shadow

A progressive, preparatory program for two-year-olds and their adult of choice. Navigate dance class together while developing rhythm, coordination, and gross motor skills. Exercise your creativity, bond with your little one, and encourage their love of dance!

Music & Movement

The next step in your little dancer’s journey. Created for three-year-olds, our Music & Movement will be the first dance class they take by themselves. We build on what is leaned in Me & My Shadow and focus on helping children explore music, movement, and dramatic characterization.

Pre-Ballet I, II, & III

After Music & Movement, students progress to Pre-Ballet. The three levels of this program are focused on developing rhythm, coordination, flexibility, and creativity in the context of Ballet.

Pre-Ballet II (ages 5-6) & Pre-Ballet III (ages 6-7) includes 15 minutes of Tap to encourage musicality and introduce your dancer to a
new genre.

Bee Bop Hip Hop

Available to dancers ages 5-8, this is a high-energy class that encourages students to do steps with their own style and flair. Bee Bop Hip Hop technique is taught using basic break dancing techniques and progressive combinations to help students learn balance, coordination, and discipline.

Level I-VII Curriculum

For dancers 7 years and older. Our leveled dance program, beginning with Level IA and ending with Level VII, allow students to progress through each level and gain necessary technical knowledge while also branching out into other genres.

Ballet

Our Ballet curriculum is based on the Royal Academy of Dancing syllabus and overseen by Performing Arts Director, Esther Katz. As students progress through the levels of Ballet, they will learn and progressively perfect technical skills, develop a deep understanding of musicality, gain strength and flexibility, and hone their artistic voice in performance.

Tap

Available to dancers Level IA and up. Incorporating Jazz and Musical Theater, Tap classes focus and build on the understanding of rhythms, syncopation, and coordination.

Jazz

Available to dancers Level IB and up. Set to modern and contemporary music, Jazz technique is taught in progressive levels through a series of warm-ups and combinations.

Modern

Available to dancers Level IIA and up. Recommended for dancers Level IIA and up to become a well-rounded dancer. Modern dance explores all possibilities of movement, incorporating many other styles of dance. Modern technique uses gravity for its benefit as opposed to a Ballet.

Lyrical & Contemporary

Available to dancers Level IIA and up who also take a weekly Ballet class. Our Lyrical program is a performance-focused genre, in which students use their Ballet, Jazz, and Modern technique as a backdrop to further develop their relationship to music, choreography, and performing. Lyrical technique is taught in progressive levels through combinations, improv, and choreographic tasks.

AcroDance

Available to dancers Level IIB and up who also take a weekly Ballet and Jazz class. Acrobatic dance is the fusion of classic dance technique and the precision/athleticism of acrobatic elements. Acro techniques include balancing, limbering, and tumbling. Our curriculum is based on the Acrobatic Arts Syllabus and is taught by certified instructors.

Dance Class Attire

Adult Level Class Attire

All
Whatever you are comfortable moving in.
 

Music & Movement + Me & My Shadow Attire

He/They
White t-shirt and dark shorts, white socks, and black
ballet shoes or bare feet. 

She/They
Pink leotard and pink tights. Pink leather ballet slippers
or bare legs and bare feet.

Pre Ballet Attire  

He/They
White t-shirt, black or navy shorts, sweatpants, or tights, black ballet shoes with elastics sewn on.
 

She/They
Plain ballet pink leotard, pink tights and pink leather ballet shoes with elastics sewn on. Hair must be in a ponytail or a bun (bun is preferred). Short hair must be pulled back out of the face. No leotards with skirts attached and no skirts. Pre Ballet II and III requires black tap shoes.
 

Ballet Attire  

He/They
White T-shirt or leotard, black shorts, dance pants, or tights. Black ballet shoes with elastics sewn on.
 

She/They
Long hair must be in a ponytail or a bun (bun is preferred). Short hair must be pulled back out of the face. Pink tights, pink ballet shoes with elastics sewn on, leather or canvas

Tap Attire  

He/They
White T-shirt, black/navy sweatpants or dance pants, black tap shoes.
 

She/They
Leotard as per ballet class or black, black or pink tights or jazz pants, black tap shoes. Hair worn up and out of the face.
 

Jazz Attire  

He/They
White T-shirt, black or navy sweatpants or dance pants, black jazz or ballet shoes.
 

She/They
Leotard as per ballet class or black leotard, black tights or jazz pants, black jazz shoes. Hair must be worn up and out of the face. 
 

Modern Attire

All
Leotard as per ballet class or black leotard, black or pink tights or jazz pants, bare feet. Hair must be worn up and out of the face.
 

Lyrical & Contemporary Attire

He/They
White T-shirt, black/navy sweatpants or dance pants, black jazz or ballet shoes.
 

She/They
Leotard as per ballet class or black leotard, pink tights. Ballet shoes for Lyrical I/II. Tan jazz shoes or ballet shoes for Lyrical III and up. Hair worn up and out of the face.
 

Bee Bop Hip Hop Attire

All
White t-shirt, black/navy sweatpants or dance pants, black jazz sneakers suggested. You may wear sneakers, but they can’t be what you wear on the street. Hair must be worn up and out of the face.
 

Acro Dance Attire

All
Leotard of any color.  Black shorts with convertible tights or dance pants or sweatpants (no bare legs). Hair worn up and out of the face. Bare feet.
 

Dance Department Policies

New Students

All new students, with the exception of Music & Movement and Pre-Ballet, must contact the Performing Arts director to determine class placement.

All Students

T-shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, or baggy warm up gear are not allowed. Hair must be kept neatly away from the face and neck and short hair should be clipped or held back with a cloth headband. No gum or jewelry allowed.

Attendance

Regular attendance is essential to each student’s progress and is required. Students should arrive with time to dress and warm up before class. Students are encouraged to attend and watch class if they are injured. Please notify the Performing Arts staff of anticipated absences. Missed classes can be made up during the current semester by contacting with the Performing Arts Director.

Inclement Weather

In the event of inclement weather, please check the Performing Arts outgoing voicemail. Check one hour before start times for cancellations. We DO NOT coordinate with school closings, so please call with questions.

Guardian Observations

Guardians may observe class on the TV monitors in the hallway and are not allowed inside the classroom without permission from the instructor.

Field Trips

Field trips are offered for various dance performances in the Omaha area. As events draw near, information will be made available and sign ups will be posted. Field trips are open to students, guardians, and friends.

Workshops & Dance Films

Workshops are offered for our dance students, including master classes with guest instructors, lectures, stage make-up, and injury prevention.

Performances

Performance experience is an important element in dance training. A culminating performance is presented every year in May. Performances are altered each year between a Grande Story Ballet and a theme year. Older students are encouraged to audition for our JCC Dance Training Company and Junior Dance Training Company for more performance opportunities.

Tuition

Fall dance tuition is charged for the full semester (August–December), not month-to-month. Payment plans are available upon request and are divided into four installments, which are automatically deducted on the first of the month. Even if a dancer stops attending, the full semester tuition is still owed. There are no refunds for voluntary withdrawal or missed classes. Refunds are only be granted with proof of medical verification.

Unlimited Class Tuition

Unlimited pricing is back for our JCC Members only. $1600 for the semester and take as many classes as you want. This does not cover Dance Training Company, costume, or recital fees.

Here to help

For more information on any of our programs, contact Esther Katz, Performing Arts Director, at
402.334.6406 or at ekatz@jccomaha.org

You Belong Here

The Jewish Community Center has been a big part of Omaha for more than eight decades! We opened our doors in 1925 and still, today continue to serve everyone in the community with our state-of-the-art facilities, outstanding programs, and dedicated staff. We’ve been here in the past, we’re here today and we’ll be here tomorrow.