Embody Ballet

"Learning ballet is wonderful for children even if they never become dancers. It is wonderful because it teaches discipline, grace, and manners."

- Anna Paskevska

Fall Ballet Classes

CLASS ENROLLMENT & REGISTRATION

Ages 2 & 3 - Little Leapers "Grownup & Me" Ballet
Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. - Beginning September 16th.
We provide our youngest dancers with safe, developmentally appropriate and engaging lessons that build strong foundations and inspire a love of dance. Our whole child approach to dance means that each lesson is carefully crafted to support your child's physical, cognitive, social and emotional development, all through the magic of pretend play, music and movement.
This class requires a grownup to participate with the child dancer.
Ages 3 & 4 - Ballet
Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. - Beginning September 15
As with Little Leapers, we provide our youngest dancers with safe, developmentally appropriate and engaging lessons that build strong foundations and inspire a love of dance. Our whole child approach to dance means that each lesson is carefully crafted to support your child's physical, cognitive, social and emotional development, all through the magic of pretend play, music and movement.
Ages 5 & 6 - Ballet
Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. - Beginning September 15
These dance classes focus on pre-primary level ballet, creative movement concepts, and pretend play with greater complexity using the Leap ’N Learn curriculum. Students continue to learn French terminology of ballet terms. Exercises to increase musical awareness, balance, agility, and gross-motor development are practiced.
Ages 7 & 8 - Ballet
Mondays from 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. - Beginning September 11
Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. - Beginning September 14
These dance classes focus on primary level ballet with even greater complexity using the Leap ’N Learn curriculum. This class begins the transition into the study of classical ballet. Students are now asked to perform many of the exercises in ‘turn-out’ and to combine steps to form dance combinations. Each class will focus on French terminology, musical awareness, balance, agility, and gross motor development. Creative movement concepts and pretend play continue to be woven into exercises throughout class.
Ages 9 - 11 - Ballet
Mondays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - Beginning September 11
Thursdays from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. - Beginning September 14
These dance classes continue to develop primary level ballet knowledge and skills. This class begins the transition into the study of classical ballet. Students are now asked to perform more complex exercises ...
Ages 12 & up - Beginning & Intermediate Ballet / + Optional Beginning Pointe
Mondays from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. - Beginning September 11
Thursdays from 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. - Beginning September 14
In this class the foundation and beginning elements of classical ballet will be taught in a fun and positive way. Use of body awareness, basics of stretching and strengthening, along with classical ballet terminology and choreography, will help equip the students with a knowledge of the art and a greater appreciation for movement. This class is ideal for beginning dancers as well as cheerleaders, members of dance team, gymnastics and sports!
Beginning Pointe - Mondays from 7:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. - Beginning September 11
For dancers who have advanced in technique and physical strength, an additional 30 minute instruction is available following the Monday class for Beginning Barre technique. Preapproval is required for participation.
Adult "Silver Swans®" Ballet
Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - Beginning September 12
Gayle is a licensed "Silver Swans®" instructor through the Royal Academy of Dance (United Kingdom). Whether you’re an experienced dancer, have briefly dabbled, or are a complete novice, these ballet classes will help improve your mobility, posture, co-ordination and energy levels. Instruction includes classical ballet steps, positions and technique. Adult students learn French ballet terms and ballet exercises to increase musical awareness, balance, agility and creative movement concepts.
The Royal Academy of Dance states that research shows that 75% of the factors affecting quality of life and longevity are related to lifestyle, while only 25% are hereditary. Becoming more active is important whatever your age. And dance in particular, can play a vital role in ensuring a longer and better quality of life.
Research also often puts dance ahead of other physical activities in the variety of health benefits that it brings. Ballet and dance are also very social activities and Silver Swans classes can be great places to meet new people with a passion and joy for life.

CLICK HERE TO ENROLL IN CLASS

Gayle Howard, Owner & Instructor

Gayle Howard (Miss Gayle) is the best ballet dancer in the nation. Actually, in the world. In full disclosure, she is the best ballet dancer in the entire universe. But she is modest too, and she won't tell you that. I'm her husband (and in charge of the website), so I can tell you this. ...and now you know too.

What Gayle would like you to know is that at age 5, she attended a performance of Persephone, fell in love with ballet, and begged her mother to let her take ballet lessons. Her first role in a performance was as a court jester in Swan Lake. She danced ballet for 14 years with the Ballet Folk school and junior company in Moscow, Idaho under a number of gifted instructors, and for 2 years as a professional with the American Festival Ballet (now Ballet Idaho) in Boise, Idaho.

Gayle is a licensed Progressing Ballet Technique instructor bringing more than 16 years of ballet experience to the Studio, the Treasure Valley's exclusive licensed studio for the Leap 'N Learn ballet curriculum.

Gayle loves God and people, and loves sharing the joy of movement in ALL its many forms.

Please call Gayle at 2O8-739-7286 to discuss any questions you may have.

Gayle Howard, Instructor

At age 5, Gayle attended a performance of Persephone, fell in love with ballet, and begged her mother to let her take ballet lessons. Her first role in a performance was as a court jester in Swan Lake. She danced ballet for 14 years with the Ballet Folk school and junior company in Moscow, Idaho under a number of gifted instructors, and for 2 years as a professional with the American Festival Ballet (now Ballet Idaho) in Boise, Idaho. Gayle is a licensed Progressing Ballet Technique instructor bringing more than 16 years of ballet experience to the Studio, the Treasure Valley's exclusive licensed studio for the Leap 'N Learn ballet curriculum.

Laryssa Rice, Instructor

Laryssa started her ballet training in Eastern Oregon at age 3. She moved to Boise as a young teen to attend dance classes at BSU under the direction of Marla Hansen and Capitol City Youth Ballet under the direction of Sara Phipps. While attending BSU, she danced with Idaho Dance Theater and many student repertory performances, where she was able to work with different choreographers and dancers. Laryssa also won scholarships to dance intensives, such as Summer Dancefest, Summer Dance Lab and CSI/IDAA camps. Laryssa danced with Sacramento Ballet for two seasons, before moving back to Idaho to teach dance. She has taught at many studios in the Treasure Valley and is very happy to be teaching in Payette County which she now calls home!