Mainstage will offer Zumba and more this fall
Children and adults will take center stage at Mainstage this fall.
Using performing arts as a catalyst for individual expression and growth, Mainstage Center for the Arts provides a creative, vibrant and nurturing environment to enrich the quality of life for South Jersey youth and adults, according to its mission statement. This year, Mainstage is offering more than 30 workshops and classes across all performance mediums.
The organization will hold an open house Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. in Camden County College’s Civic Hall. Teachers will be available to answer questions and discuss the specifics of each program, said Denise Coccia, manager of educational programs at Mainstage.
Mainstage, located on the campus of Camden County College in Blackwood, has a number of new dance programs coming up for the 2009-2010 year, which kicks off in September.
One that’s “all the rage” is Zumba for Children and Adults, said Cocia.
The dance, currently enjoying a wave of popularity across the nation, combines Latin dance moves with aerobic movement to create a fun workout program.
“I take the class myself,” she said. “You’re having such a good time, you don’t even realize you’re working out.”
Being able to bring the children into the class adds another level of fun — and convenience — Coccia added.
“A lot of the time you can’t take the little ones to the gym because there isn’t a facility or insurance,” she said. “If you want to work out and teach the children how important exercise is, this is a neat thing for parents to do.”
Mainstage will also offer a new class for children called Kids in Motion.
“This program is designed for 2- to 4-and-a-half-year-olds,” said Cocia. “They create an enriching dance experience using basic ballet steps, tumbling and ‘Freeze Dance.’” The organization also offers new programs for older students, including The American Musical — a 10-week program for ages 14 and up focusing on the artistic merits and social and historical context of musicals, and an Adult Broadway class for ages 18 and up that incorporates a variety of dance styles used in musical theater.
By popular demand, Mainstage has developed a hip-hop workshop for ages 8 and up. “We’re hoping for a big turnout. It seems like people want to try it out first and go for one day,” said Cocia. “Depending on how many people sign up, we might create a six-week workshop.”
In addition to its new programs, Mainstage still offers several levels of ballet, tap and Broadway dancing; adult Zumba classes; voice and vocal instructing and coaching; songwriting; and acting classes for preschoolers through high school.
Also back by popular demand, said Cocia, is the Star Maker Workshop, in which students spend the day working with members of Harmony, South Jersey’s premier show choir from Mainstage Center for the Arts.
Zumba for Children and Adults begins Sept. 8 and all other classes begin Sept. 21, said Cocia. All programs culminate in June with a recital for all students.
For 60-minute classes, students pay $480 for the entire school year; for 90-minute classes, the cost is $520 per year. Payment options and installment plans are available, said Cocia.
Beyond being an enjoyable experience, she said the performance classes help to build students’ confidence.
“It’s a great atmosphere for kids to learn a lot,” she said. “It’s a great organization. The staff is very focused on the art itself and really cares about the children.”
Mainstage Center for the Arts is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts in the Department of the State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. The program also is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey Cultural Trust.
For more information, call Mainstage Center for the Arts at 856-232-1012.
Using performing arts as a catalyst for individual expression and growth, Mainstage Center for the Arts provides a creative, vibrant and nurturing environment to enrich the quality of life for South Jersey youth and adults, according to its mission statement. This year, Mainstage is offering more than 30 workshops and classes across all performance mediums.
The organization will hold an open house Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. in Camden County College’s Civic Hall. Teachers will be available to answer questions and discuss the specifics of each program, said Denise Coccia, manager of educational programs at Mainstage.
Mainstage, located on the campus of Camden County College in Blackwood, has a number of new dance programs coming up for the 2009-2010 year, which kicks off in September.
One that’s “all the rage” is Zumba for Children and Adults, said Cocia.
The dance, currently enjoying a wave of popularity across the nation, combines Latin dance moves with aerobic movement to create a fun workout program.
“I take the class myself,” she said. “You’re having such a good time, you don’t even realize you’re working out.”
Being able to bring the children into the class adds another level of fun — and convenience — Coccia added.
“A lot of the time you can’t take the little ones to the gym because there isn’t a facility or insurance,” she said. “If you want to work out and teach the children how important exercise is, this is a neat thing for parents to do.”
Mainstage will also offer a new class for children called Kids in Motion.
“This program is designed for 2- to 4-and-a-half-year-olds,” said Cocia. “They create an enriching dance experience using basic ballet steps, tumbling and ‘Freeze Dance.’” The organization also offers new programs for older students, including The American Musical — a 10-week program for ages 14 and up focusing on the artistic merits and social and historical context of musicals, and an Adult Broadway class for ages 18 and up that incorporates a variety of dance styles used in musical theater.
By popular demand, Mainstage has developed a hip-hop workshop for ages 8 and up. “We’re hoping for a big turnout. It seems like people want to try it out first and go for one day,” said Cocia. “Depending on how many people sign up, we might create a six-week workshop.”
In addition to its new programs, Mainstage still offers several levels of ballet, tap and Broadway dancing; adult Zumba classes; voice and vocal instructing and coaching; songwriting; and acting classes for preschoolers through high school.
Also back by popular demand, said Cocia, is the Star Maker Workshop, in which students spend the day working with members of Harmony, South Jersey’s premier show choir from Mainstage Center for the Arts.
Zumba for Children and Adults begins Sept. 8 and all other classes begin Sept. 21, said Cocia. All programs culminate in June with a recital for all students.
For 60-minute classes, students pay $480 for the entire school year; for 90-minute classes, the cost is $520 per year. Payment options and installment plans are available, said Cocia.
Beyond being an enjoyable experience, she said the performance classes help to build students’ confidence.
“It’s a great atmosphere for kids to learn a lot,” she said. “It’s a great organization. The staff is very focused on the art itself and really cares about the children.”
Mainstage Center for the Arts is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts in the Department of the State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. The program also is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey Cultural Trust.
For more information, call Mainstage Center for the Arts at 856-232-1012.
