Registration is open for fall Dance classes at the Darien Arts Center at darienarts.org. The DAC Dance Program offers a wide variety of classes for all ages and skill levels. Classes for ages 3 & up include Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Teen Lyrical, Adult Lyrical Jazz, Teen Contemporary, Modern, Broadway Dance, Pop-Pilates Tap, and Pointe. Fall classes begin September 3rd; it is strongly suggested not to wait to register as classes fill quickly.
Students train in one of the finest dance spaces in Fairfield County and have the unique opportunity to participate in multiple performances throughout the year. In the introductory program for ages three to five, students explore rhythm, music, creative expression and basic coordination skills in addition to dance vocabulary and basic positions. For intermediate and advanced level students, the focus is on technique and creative exploration. Adult students enjoy opportunities to work at their own level.
The DAC Weatherstone Studio is utilized for classes, but also converts to a full black box performance space, giving DAC students more performance opportunities than any other dance program in the area. Junior and Senior Dance Companies perform in all DAC Dance productions and at other venues in and around Connecticut. Following are many of the performance opportunities for DAC dance students.
Original Spring Ballet (April) - Students demonstrate their technique and storytelling abilities in original DAC ballets written and choreographed by Dance Director, Bonnie Gombos.
Junior Spring Concert (May) - The DAC's littlest ballerinas take the stage in this production designed just for them. This recital demonstrates their new found abilities and puts them front and center for being the stars that they are.
Senior Spring Concert (June) - Intermediate and advanced dancers give their final showcase of the season in this jam packed performance on the Darien High School stage.
Bi-Annual Summer at Disney World (June) 2020 is the next year for the opportunity to perform at Disney World in Orlando Florida. Students in intermediate and advanced levels spread their joy throughout the Magic Kingdom.
The DAC Dance program has a long history of fostering cohesiveness as a "Dance family" as portrayed in the following DAC Dance student testimonial. "Dancing at the DAC has played such a huge part in my growing up. The dancers and the teachers create a sense of community that really makes you feel like you belong while also pushing you to work hard through exercise, with team work and respect." (Eva L.)
The Darien Arts Center is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall. For more information, visit darienarts.org. For questions, please call the DAC office at (203) 655-8683 or email DAC Dance Director Bonnie Gombos at bonnie@darienarts.org.