A new type of dance class is coming to South Orange at the end of the month.  Parents with pre-school aged kids can register their children for Story Dances, a new class beginning on January 31.  The creator of Story Dances, Sheila Rees, combines dancing and creative movement in ways to engage young children.

Children will learn about the elements of dance; what pathway will they travel in the space, what is the rhythm and the tempo, what shape does the body make as it dances, and how much energy or force will the dancer use moving in the space, Rees told Patch.  “We know that Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall but each child decides what shape he made with his body when he sat there.   Was it a curved shape?  A wide shape? An upside down shape?  We know that he fell off that wall.  Did he fall fast or slowly?  What part of his body did he land on?   Did he roll on the ground after he fell? Where did he roll to?”

Rees, a recent M.Ed graduate of the Temple University Dance Department, has spent the last 20 years finding ways to keep children engaged using dancing.  She started creative movement classes by making up stories around movement words.  These stories led the way for children to jump like superheroes, twirl like spinning tops, gallop like horses, and fly in the air like beautiful butterflies.  They used their imagination and creativity to explore movement.  These classes were a big hit with kids.

“I hear "She loves this class" from moms all the time,” said Rees.  “I remember several years ago, one mom decided she wanted her daughter to be in a more traditional dance class.  The child said that she wanted to come back to Story Dances.  She was happy in Story Dances because she could use her imagination and make decisions about how to dance and move within the context of the story. Children enjoy being in charge of their own personal dance.  When I watch children take control, I see them expressing their true creative spirit.  It's inspiring.”

While the kids have fun dancing, unbeknownst to them, they are also learning.  According to Rees, the class teaches kids how to develop their movement skills, enhance their coordination, and support their brain development.   The class also taught them how to personalize their movements, while also developing their sharing skills as they share a dance floor.

As Rees explains, when children link dance with stories they expand their movement vocabulary as well as their literacy skills; setting the stage for learning in reading, writing, science and math.  They consistently make choices, initiate ideas and actions and demonstrate their independence within a supportive environment. 

Rees has found an eager partner in her class, in the form of the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC).  The class will be held in the Loft of SOPAC.

“I became involved with SOPAC three years ago when I started volunteering,” said Rees.  “I loved the intimacy and the warmth of the theatre.  The excitement I felt every time I walked into the building made me an enthusiastic supporter.  Last summer, I had a conversation about Story Dances with Linda Onorevole, the Director of Development.  She suggested I bring the program to SOPAC.  This seemed like a perfect match.”

 Registration is currently underway for Story Dances.  The class will be held in The Loft at the South Orange Performing Arts Center from January 31 to June 15, 2012.  Parents may register their children by visiting either www.sopacnow.org, click “Education” or www.storydances.com, click the SOPAC link.  Tuition for the 19 week spring session is $380.00 with an option for two partial payments.  The one hour classes are on Tuesday afternoons @ 1:00 and Friday afternoons @1:00 and 2:00.