Classes » Preschool
Preschool dance
Our fun preschool classes in Wanaka & Cromwell enable children to build their large & fine motor skills. They help support emerging physical, intellectual, emotional & creative development skills, in a fun and safe atmosphere. With 20 years of experience inspiring & teaching preschoolers in Wanaka, we offer 3 programmes carefully crafted for little dancers aged from 2 years old.
- Tiny Dancers (from 18mths)
- Sparkles (3-4yrs)
- Little Swans Ballet (4 yrs)
Tiny Dancer & Caregiver classes
Suitable from 18 months to 4 years, these classes are structured for our tiniest dancers and their caregiver. This is a great way to bond with your child in a safe and positive atmosphere. Focusing on play, rhythm and interaction, this class will appeal to a child's sense of play, improving fine and and gross motor skills and communication through dance. Incorporating numerous props, characters and stories, both boys and girls alike will adore while bonding with you!
Additional preschoolers in your family are welcome to join in, or play/sleep in the studio. Strollers are welcome.
WHEN CAN WE START ? Our next block of classes starts Friday 14 March.
Choose a Single Trial, Drop In, or Term of 6 weekly classes. Register & enrol here.
Sparkles classes
Suited for 3 to 4.5 year olds. This carefully designed preschool dance programme has attracted hundreds of young dancers, and inspired many to continue their dance to this day. It is a fun introductory weekly dance class, 30 minutes in duration, and aims to build confidence and expose students to different styles of music and movement. It incorporates foundation classical & modern dance skills in a fun way.
The class will help develop coordination, musicality, listening & group skills, free-movement and fun introduction to dance with a weekly 30 minute class.
- Develops confidence coordination & body awareness
- Encourages enjoyment of dance, imagination & creativity
- Learn foundation ballet & modern skills eg pointing toes, learning to skip, hop & leap
- Weekly classes provide continuity & progression
- Typically classes commence with a welcome song, floor time, action dances, introductory technique, and concludes with a short dance for parents & bow/curtsey. Props and musical instruments are also incorporated into the class.
- Class ends with a stamp on a personalised sticker chart
WHEN CAN WE START ? Sparkles classes run Thursday, Friday & Saturday mornings in Wanaka, and on Saturdays in Cromwell.
Choose a Single Trial or Term of 10 weekly classes. Where spaces allow, you can join in immediately.
We take enrolments each term for 8-10 weekly lessons, or book a trial class online 'schedule trial' prior to arriving at class. We discourage casual attendance throughout the term, as this is too unsettling for this age group.
Parents are not required to participate in Sparkles classes & can easily view from the waiting room.
There is no set uniform, but clothing should allow the teacher to see childrens arms & legs. Children can wear soft soled shoes (eg ballet shoes) or bare feet is fine. No socks-only please, as they may slip on the floor. Hair should be tied up & no jewellery please.
We invite all Sparkles dancers to appear and perform in 2 magical public performances at the Lake Wanaka Centre each year.
Little Swan Ballet classes
Little Swans is a new pretty introductory ballet class for 4 year olds. Suitable for preschoolers who have been attending Sparkles for 12mths & ready for more progression. The class includes an introduction to classical ballet through the use of lots of fun imaginative mime & stories, appreciation of classical music, and lots of fun props such as scarves, feathers, musical instruments & fairy wings. The prerequisite skills are hopping & skipping.
There is a set uniform that can be purchased from the studios. This includes a white ballerina tutu, pink socks & ballet shoes.
Dancers are invited to appear and perform in 2 magical public performances each year.
WHEN CAN WE START ? Little Swan Ballet classes run on Friday & Saturday mornings in Wanaka.
Choose a Single Trial or Term of 10 weekly classes. Where spaces allow, you can join in immediately.
Turning 5... the next step
From 5 years, dancers can choose to move to Classical Ballet, Lil Popstar Jazz or Mini Groover Hop Hop classes. Chat to the Studio Manager to find an option to best suit your needs.
