Where are you located?
What is movement to music?
How much does it cost?
What are the backgrounds, training of the teachers?
What are the differences in the curriculum from Community Partnership Program sites to studio classes?
What is modern dance?
What is jazz dance?
Why do you not offer jazz and tap before 3rd grade?
When do you go on pointe?
Why is the word ‘foundation’ in your name?
I see lots of activities in CDF’s studios, which are not in the class schedule. Why?
If my child misses a class, can I bring them to a different class as a makeup?
Will classes that are missed due to a weather-related closing be refunded or made up?
What should my child wear to class?
Tell me more about the artwork on your building.
Where are you located?
Children’s Dance Foundation (CDF) is located in Downtown Homewood behind the post office and around the corner from Nadeau. The building is slightly visible from Central Ave. and 18th Street. It is grey with a colorful sculpture that wraps around. Click here for directions to CDF.
What is movement to music?
Movement to Music is a CDF-developed curriculum that is age-and developmentally-appropriate for young children and children with special needs. The curriculum uses movement, songs, stories and tactile objects to encourage creativity and facilitate learning through dance. Students gain physical, cognitive and social skills and self-confidence. Our team approach – a dance teacher and a musician – to the class makes the experience fun, flexible and collaborative. Click here for more.
How much does it cost?
The tuition for CDF’s Studio classes September through May is $468 for one class per week. This amount is divided into 9 equal payments of $52. Parents may choose to pay for the entire year up front (and receive a 5% discount) or pay tri-annually (also receiving a 5% discount) or monthly. The first payment is due August 1st, and the last payment is due April 1st. Click here for a tuition grid for a child or children in more than one class.
What are the backgrounds, training of the teachers?
CDF’s 25+ teaching artists have education and experience in dance, theatre, music, education, nutrition, psychology and other related areas. Each has a passion for dance and is committed to the progress of their students. CDF’s Upper School teaching artists have spent years studying dance, many holding a degree in dance, and also work in the community as professional choreographers and performing artists.
Please click here for staff photos and bios.
What are the differences in the curriculum from Community Partnership Program sites to studio classes?
The curriculum, “Movement to Music,” is the same creative movement curriculum we use in our studio classes in our facility and in several schools, our Community Partnership Program sites (classes provided for all the children at 20+ sites throughout Birmingham). The difference is the length of the class time. Classes at our community partner sites’ locations are shorter than those in the studio to include everyone in their care. For example, there may be two to six 20-minute classes in a row at a partner site, taught by the same teaching artist and musician each week.
What is modern dance?
Modern dance originated as a rebellion against classical ballet in the early 1900s, focusing on creative self-expression. Shoes are not worn in modern dance and there are many influences, interpretations, and ideas for modern technique. Modern dance allows for the personal style of the student to be expressed. Modern dance has a strong connection to the earth and therefore class often begins on the floor. Just like with Jazz dance, ballet is a great foundation and partner class to modern dance.
What is jazz dance?
Jazz dance originated at the close of the 19th century. Jazz dance is an essential element of musical theater choreography and is often seen in music videos, in competitive dance, and on the television show, "So You Think You Can Dance." CDF’s jazz dance curriculum teaches both classic and popular jazz styles to create strong, flexible and balanced dancers. Jazz class often includes pop music. Just like with modern dance, ballet is a great foundation and partner class to jazz dance.
Why do you not offer jazz and tap before 3rd grade?
We believe that a strong foundation in creative movement and ballet preparatory is the best developmentally-appropriate combination for younger ages before a genre such as jazz or tap.
When do you go on pointe?
Students are introduced to pointe work when they are around the age of 13, the time at which they have physically developed and have more strength to practice this art form safely. It is at the discretion of CDF’s ballet teacher to determine when a student is ready. To prepare for and practice pointe work, a student should take ballet class at least three times a week.
Why is the word ‘foundation’ in your name?
CDF’s founder Jennie Robertson created CDF with the belief that dance is a foundation for life and for learning and wanted the word ‘foundation’ in our name for that reason.
I see lots of activities in CDF’s studios, which are not in the class schedule. Why?
These are offered by artists and organizations in our community who call CDF ‘home’ for their programs. Click here for more information about our Creative Community Workspace Program and the organizations who use our space.
If my child misses a class, can I bring them to a different class as a makeup?
Because many of our classes for ages two to seven are full, these students may not attend regularly schedule classes in order to make up a missed class. Upper School students may make up a missed class by attending an available comparable class as their schedule allows. As a courtesy, please inform the teacher when you are taking the class as a make-up and tell your regular teacher at your next class.
Will classes that are missed due to a weather-related closing be refunded or made up?
Tuition is not prorated for classes canceled because of severe weather or extraordinary circumstances. These classes will not be made up.
What should my child wear to class?
Lower school students should wear: girls - leotard, pink tights and pink ballet shoes and boys - tshirt, shorts and black ballet shoes. Acting students should wear comfortable clothes. Click for: 2nd Grade attire, Upper School attire and Musical Theatre Dance attire. CDF has a dancewear shop that sells most of the items that your child will need for class, including ballet shoes, leotards and tights.
Tell me more about the artwork on your building.
With eight colors and 81 pieces spanning three sides of the building, the artwork “Chroma Curve” is designed to help visitors find CDF and invite passers-by to get to know Children’s Dance Foundation. Artist Jane Timberlake Cooper's piece is a flowing collection of colored metal shapes that literally wrap the building, instantly giving it an identity it's always lacked. Her piece alludes to dance, movement, creativity, and freedom, without being literal about any of these aspects.