FALL in LOVE with BALLET.
THROUGH OUR SUPPORTIVE INSTRUCTION AND DEVOTION TO EACH DANCER’S INDIVIDUAL JOURNEY, WE STRIVE TO INSPIRE JOY, CONFIDENCE, FRIENDSHIP, CREATIVITY, AND A LIFELONG LOVE FOR DANCE.
2024-2025 SEASON
Please note any class and time changes for the new season.
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Little Leapers “Grown Up & Me”* Ballet
Saturdays 10:00 am to 10:45 am
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.
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Introduction to Ballet
Thursdays 9:00 am to 9:45 am
Fridays 9:00 am to 9:45 am [FULL]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.
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Ballet
Tuesdays 4:15 pm to 5:15 pm
Fridays 10:00 am to 11:00 am [FULL]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.
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Ballet
Mondays 4:15pm-5:15pm*
Thursdays 4:15pm-5:15pmThese 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.
*Must have danced with us for two years OR have instructor approval to participate in Monday class.
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Ballet
Mondays 5:30pm-6:30pm
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.
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Beginning and Intermediate Ballet with optional Beginning Pointe*
Mondays 6:45pm to 8:00pm
Thursdays 6:45pm to 8:00pm
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
Monday 8:00pm to 8:30pm
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.
*In order to participate in Beginning Pointe, dancers must commit to both Monday and Thursday classes. Pre-approval is required for participation.
CLASS POLICY
Our tuition is based on an average number of open days per month. Some months are longer than others due to the calendar and holiday closures. We charge the same dollar amount per month regardless of the exact number of days we are open. Throughout the year, the amount of classes received will balance out.
CLASS DRESS CODE
In order to keep the focus on our lesson and ensure optimal safety for our youth, we do require our dancers to adhere to the following dress code:
-Plain leotard
(no sequins or glitter)
-Tights
-Pink or Black Slippers (elastic)
-Optional pull-on skirt
(no ties or “wraps skirts”)
-Hair off face in a ponytail or a bun
(clipped back for short hair)
If you need dancewear, Discount Dance is an affordable option that carries all the supplies you need, including shoes, tights, leotards, and more!
Our studio is ID#134735 if you would like to help us earn supplies to use in our classes!
OUR MISSION
Our mission at Embody Ballet is to create a safe and nurturing environment where dancers of all ages can learn, grow and thrive, as people and as performing artists. We are committed to fostering the holistic well-being of every dancer, and seek to create opportunities for them to flourish in mind, body and spirit through the transformative power of ballet.
With a dedication to excellence in teaching, a deep appreciation of the art form, and love for our students, we aim to encourage (instill) in our students not only the technical mastery of ballet, but also essential life skills such as discipline, grace, perseverance, compassion, and teamwork.
OUR INSTRUCTORS
Our experienced instructors provide a safe and beautiful setting for your young dancer to grow and thrive. We believe that everything learned in our studio can also be applied to life, and we encourage our students to embody grace both on and off the dance floor.
GAYLE HOWARD
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 holds a number of certifications, her most recent being a Zena Rommett Floor-Barre® license. She brings to the Studio more than 16 years of ballet experience, a degree in elementary education, over 25 years of fitness instruction, and a passion for the life, growth, and well-being of everyone who she is blessed to serve. Gayle and her husband, Rick, have been married for 38 years, and take great delight in their 4 children and 9 grandchildren.
LARYSSA RICE
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.
Laryssa has taught at many studios in the Treasure Valley and is very happy to be teaching in Payette County which she now calls home!
OUR STUDIO
Our beautiful studio is located in downtown Fruitland in a remodeled historic building. Our dance space was designed with Embody Ballet & Fitness in mind, with sprung flooring, a large barre, and plenty of sunlight!
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“It is very moving to watch Miss Gayle’s ballet classes for my 6 year-old grandaughter. Her approach teaches young children beginning ballet technique while using music and stories from classic ballets. And keeping their imaginations engaged and excited!”
-Kathleen -
“Gayle is a wonderful teacher with a heart for her ballet students. She is soft spoken yet her class room is in order. Our girls love her and they love ballet.
She puts nervous children at ease with her welcoming presence, and her technique and class room approach are top notch.”
-Amber -
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.
-Rick Howard (Miss Gayle’s Husband)