It's All Within Your Reach!

The following is provided as general information.

Specific information on individual school locations, schedules and tuition payment options will be provided to meet your individual circumstances by calling us at (574) 247-1590 or any of the individual locations. Because we want the correct class options for all of our students, it is not possible to list all individual schedule and tuition information on this site. We will gladly give you the individual information that you need by phone.

Our dance programs are specially designed to provide students of all ages and levels, with a strong foundation in dance as well as the benefits of physical and mental stimulation. From the youngest dancer or adult beginner to the most accomplished, our students learn more than the physical elements of each dance style.

Ballet is truly the backbone of dance training. It develops poise, coordination, flexibility, control and strength. Education in this dance form of royal origins provides students with the self-discipline that will serve them throughout life. We recommend ballet training for all students as this study will increase progress in all dance styles. Classes at all levels and ages are available.

Pointe (advanced dancing on the toes in specially constructed shoes) is available for ballet students who are a minimum of twelve years old, have met the length of study requirements and have passed a pointe evaluation.

Tap

Tap is the dance of sound and rhythm. Weight placement, style and patterns are all explored in this upbeat dance form. Beginning with basic movements and rhythms, students progress into faster-paced, more challenging combinations. All levels of classes are offered beginning with children ages 5 through adults.

Jazz and Hip-hop

Jazz and Hip-hop both have American roots. Both are hybrids of several dance forms and are driven by popular music and culture. Jazz incorporates issolations of the torso and head as well as arms and legs. Hip-hop movements are percussive and strong. Jazz classes are available for ages 6 through adult. Hip-hop classes are available to ages 10 through adult. An Intro to Hip-hop class is available for students 8 & 9.

Modern

Modern dance has been called "organic" in its movement and is used to convey new awareness of inner and outer expressions. Dancers study body movement through the techniques such as contract/release and fall and recover. Modern classes are available to students 12 through adult.

Zumba • Pilates • Yoga • Pi-Yo Fusion

The perfect compliment to dance classes and a wonderful gift for parents while students enjoy dance classes, these fitness classes are what all of us need to bring balance into our busy lives. Not only do we need these activities, we deserve them. Do something nice for yourself and enjoy the benefits of these wonderful classes.

Our Early Childhood Program

Educators know that training young children in the concepts of movement sequencing, patterning and spatial relationships lays a strong foundation for the later development of reading, mathematics and other educational skills. Students in our Early Childhood Program (ages 2-7) work actively in all of these areas.

* New* Academy Arts Preschool (Ages 3-5) The creative approach to education, this 2.5 hour format brings learning to life through dance, music and creative activities.

Mommy & Me (2-3 year olds-30 min.)
Children are introduced to the joy of movement and rhythm in the comfort of parental companionship.

Movement (3-4 year olds-30 min.)
These students are quite new to learning how their bodies move, as well as how to behave in a classroom. Children in this program are gently introduced to the classroom environment through creative exercises.

Pre ballet (5-6 year olds - 30 min.)
Basic dance concepts including balance, rhythm and coordination are combined with creative activities.

Explorers (5-6 year olds 60 min.)
Students at this age now include basic tap dance concepts in this combined class. The class is divided into separate segments for pre ballet and pre tap. Terminology and application become part of the learning process.

Cadets (6-7 year olds-75 min.)
Students in the Cadets program study primary ballet and tap and are introduced to basic jazz elements. Students continue to work on the same concepts, but in greater degrees of complexity. The time frame of the combined classes offers convenience to parents while maintaining a slightly shorter class length to accommodate students physical energy level and attention span.

Primary Ballet (6-7 year olds - 30 min.) A separate class in the age appropriate study of ballet.

Primary Tap (6-7 year olds - 30 min.) A separate class in the age appropriate study of tap.

Primary Jazz (6-7 year olds - 30 min.) A separate class in the age appropriate study of jazz.

Adventurers I & II (7-9 year olds-90 min.)
These students are in the transition between our Early Childhood Program and standard classes. Essentially, this class takes the concepts learned in the Early Childhood Program and continues to expand the development of the student in class structure and focus. By the time students have mastered the requirements of this class level, they are ready both physically and mentally to benefit from expanded range of difficulty and length of class.


Beyond the Early Childhood Program

Ballet, Tap , Jazz, Hip Hop and more
(30, 45 or 60 minutes, depending on age and level)
Our school builds upon the benefits provided by our Early Childhood Program with our Student Opportunities Program. This program includes Accelerated Studies, Auditions for Apple Corps (the student performing group), Christopher’s Christmas (by Patchwork Dance Company) and, later, Chicago class study, Master Classes, Student Demonstration & Carte Blanche

Adult Program
While our school is based on a progressive development, beginning level classes are offered for all ages. Adult classes are offered in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip-hop, Modern, Zumba, Yoga, Pilates and Pi-Yo Fusion.

A Note About Instructors
Our instructors are highly trained educators in dance who include professional dancers and public and private school teachers. Our programs are established by Master Certified Dance Educators who have taught in both public and private education in preschools, elementary, middle, secondary schools and colleges. Our syllabus assures consistent quality in development. Our continuing education for our faculty maintains the highest quality in dance for you or your child.

Debbie Werbrouck’s School of Dance & Music
Established 1968
Director-Debbie Werbrouck M.D.E.
Assistant Director-Julie Bodle M.D.E.