Youth Classes
12 Week Term – September 18–December 17, 2023 (no classes November 20–26)
Youth 12-Week Tuition – $216
Trial Class – FREE! (week of September 18 only)*
Sibling or Multi-class Discount – 10% multi-class discount in a single household*
Tuition Early Bird Discount – $15 off when you register before August 31*
* call 919-797-2871 to redeem
No refunds after the first 2 week of term
COVID-19 Policies: Proof of COVID vaccine and boosters are not required at ADF’s Scripps Studios. Masks are at the discretion of the faculty.
Intro to Jazz
(ages 6-8)
With Daisy Hodge
Tuesdays at 4:45 – 5:30pm
September 18 – December 17, 2023
12 Weeks
Let’s move and shake together! In this Introduction to Jazz class, we will explore the fundamentals of jazz technique. We will do this by starting with an energizing full-body warm-up which will then lead us to move across the floor. Then, we will learn a dance phrase (choreography) in the center of the space. Every class will end with a cool down to thank our bodies for all the hard work. In this class, we will laugh, sweat, explore, and dance to all different styles of music while working on our strength, alignment, and technique!
About the Instructor
Daisy Hodge (she/her), is a dancer, choreographer, and Pilates instructor in the Triangle area. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2020 from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina with a degree in Dance Studies and Commercial Photography. During her time at university, she was selected to choreograph two full-length dance pieces for the Department of Dance. She also performed in several departmental shows, including a faculty piece by Sherone Price of the Chuck Davis and Diyé African Dance Ensembles. In the summers of 2018–19, Daisy interned for ADF’s Scripps Studios, working closely with the dance summer camps and also lending a hand as a teacher’s assistant. Daisy most recently taught movement to middle school students at Carolina Friends School in Durham and completed a yearlong Pilates teacher training program with the Department of Dance at Drexel University in Philadelphia. She currently teaches at ADF Scripps Studios, as well as guest teaching at Carolina Friends School. Daisy believes that there is a mover within everyone, putting a smile on her students’ faces and welcoming all into the space with her warm energy.
Jazz Fundamentals
(ages 9–12)
With Daisy Hodge
Tuesday at 5:30 – 6:30pm
September 18 – December 17, 2023
12 Weeks
Let’s dance! In Jazz Fundamentals, we will work on our basic jazz technique with attention to moving one’s body to several styles of music. We will begin class with a dynamic full-body warm-up and then progress to moving across the floor. This will send us back to the center of the room to learn choreography built through dance phrases we will learn together. Every class will end with a cool down to thank our bodies for all the hard work. Be ready to sweat, explore, learn, and most importantly dance while working on our strength, alignment, and technique!
About the Instructor
Daisy Hodge (she/her), is a dancer, choreographer, and Pilates instructor in the Triangle area. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2020 from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina with a degree in Dance Studies and Commercial Photography. During her time at university, she was selected to choreograph two full-length dance pieces for the Department of Dance. She also performed in several departmental shows, including a faculty piece by Sherone Price of the Chuck Davis and Diyé African Dance Ensembles. In the summers of 2018–19, Daisy interned for ADF’s Scripps Studios, working closely with the dance summer camps and also lending a hand as a teacher’s assistant. Daisy most recently taught movement to middle school students at Carolina Friends School in Durham and completed a yearlong Pilates teacher training program with the Department of Dance at Drexel University in Philadelphia. She currently teaches at ADF Scripps Studios, as well as guest teaching at Carolina Friends School. Daisy believes that there is a mover within everyone, putting a smile on her students’ faces and welcoming all into the space with her warm energy.
Discovering Creative Movement
(ages 3-5)
With Emilie Raleigh
Wednesdays at 5 – 5:30pm
September 18 – December 17, 2023
12 Weeks
In this class series, your dancer will explore movement through a modern dance lens. We will practice moving as a class and as individuals with focus on upper/lower isolation, body-half coordination, locomotor/non-locomotor movements and the power of stillness. As we grow, we will develop communication and collaboration through sharing the space with our peers. We will encourage and facilitate growth in body awareness, sense of community and self-confidence in addition to moving with control using the modern dance vocabulary.
About the Instructor
Joyce Emilie Raleigh (Wilmington, NC) is a performing and teaching artist in Durham. Since graduating from UNC at Greensboro, she has been teaching at Sandy Ridge Elementary School. She has a wide variety of experiences ranging from costuming for the American Dance Festival to performing at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. After moving to Durham, NC, in 2016, she has pushed to become involved in the local dance scene by stage-managing for local company shows, costuming and performing with local choreographers, and teaching at ADF’s Samuel H. Scripps Studios. She inspires her fellow dancers and students to be present and treat every moment as temporary.
Modern Dance Fundamentals
(ages 9–12)
With Emilie Raleigh
Wednesday at 5:30 – 6:30pm
September 18 – December 17, 2023
12 Weeks
Throughout this class series, we will work on beginner modern dance fundamentals including but not limited to upper/lower body coordination, head-tail connection, floor transitions, weight sharing, core strength, and safety in shifting weight into hands. We will focus on the beginner basics to Cunningham, Safety-Release, and Gaga techniques, with the main focus of the class being enhancing the dancers’ comfortability by moving in specific shapes with control. I will facilitate and encourage a supportive community of dancers that can communicate about and create dances while applying the modern technique skills we are improving weekly.
About the Instructor
Joyce Emilie Raleigh (Wilmington, NC) is a performing and teaching artist in Durham. Since graduating from UNC at Greensboro, she has been teaching at Sandy Ridge Elementary School. She has a wide variety of experiences ranging from costuming for the American Dance Festival to performing at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. After moving to Durham, NC, in 2016, she has pushed to become involved in the local dance scene by stage-managing for local company shows, costuming and performing with local choreographers, and teaching at ADF’s Samuel H. Scripps Studios. She inspires her fellow dancers and students to be present and treat every moment as temporary.
Discovering Ballet (ages 3-5)
Daisy Hodge
Wednesdays at 5:30 – 6pm
September 18 – December 17, 2023
12 Weeks
In Discovering Ballet, children will explore different ways to move their bodies through space. Dancers will learn fundamental ballet skills including pliés, relevés, and leaps. In class, students will utilize props such as scarves to enhance their dancing experience. Dancers should be ready to play, laugh, move, and discover. Together we will dance!
About the Instructor
Daisy Hodge (she/her), is a dancer, choreographer, and Pilates instructor in the Triangle area. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2020 from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina with a degree in Dance Studies and Commercial Photography. During her time at university, she was selected to choreograph two full-length dance pieces for the Department of Dance. She also performed in several departmental shows, including a faculty piece by Sherone Price of the Chuck Davis and Diyé African Dance Ensembles. In the summers of 2018–19, Daisy interned for ADF’s Scripps Studios, working closely with the dance summer camps and also lending a hand as a teacher’s assistant. Daisy most recently taught movement to middle school students at Carolina Friends School in Durham and completed a yearlong Pilates teacher training program with the Department of Dance at Drexel University in Philadelphia. She currently teaches at ADF Scripps Studios, as well as guest teaching at Carolina Friends School. Daisy believes that there is a mover within everyone, putting a smile on her students’ faces and welcoming all into the space with her warm energy.
Intro to Ballet (ages 6–12)
Kahlila Brown
Thursday at 6 – 7pm
September 18 – December 17, 2023
12 Weeks
This class will focus on teaching fundamental ballet technique and vocabulary. It will introduce the students to barre work and simple center exercises aimed to build coordination, balance and alignment.
About the Instructor
Kahlila Brown (Durham, NC) started her dance journey at a young age through the dance ministry at her home church and through a local youth dance company. After developing a deeper interest in dance from attending an arts high school, she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts Dance with a k-12 licensure from UNC-Greensboro. Upon graduating from UNCG she relocated back to her hometown where she currently teaches contemporary/modern dance (with a sprinkle of jazz/ballet) at a community high school. When she is not teaching, she enjoys collaborating with local artists, performing, and taking classes. Kahlila is looking forward to teaching and meeting new individuals at ADF this fall.
Discovering Creative Movement
(ages 3-5)
With Lydia Banuelos
Saturday at 9 – 9:30am
September 18 – December 17, 2023
12 Weeks
In this class series, your dancer will explore movement through a modern dance lens. We will practice moving as a class and as individuals with focus on upper/lower isolation, body-half coordination, locomotor/non-locomotor movements and the power of stillness. As we grow, we will develop communication and collaboration through sharing the space with our peers. We will encourage and facilitate growth in body awareness, sense of community and self-confidence in addition to moving with control using the modern dance vocabulary.
About the Instructor
Lydia Banuelos is a native of North Carolina. She is a graduate from North Carolina Central University. Graduating magna cum laude with a B.A in theatre with a concentration in dance education k-12. Lydia has 17 years of dance experience with a competitive and concert dance background. When she is not performing, she is the dance director at a local school and a competitive gymnastics coach.
Intro to Modern Dance (ages 6–8)
With Lydia Banuelos
Saturdays at 9:30 – 10:15am
September 18 – December 17, 2023
12 Weeks
In this class series, we will grow our understanding of dance fundamentals focusing on movement skills, creation, and collaboration. We will work on upper/lower body and left/right coordination, musicality, low/middle/high levels, and more beginner modern technique skills. While working on these specific elements, we will improve our ability to communicate, collaborate, and create as a class and in smaller groups through choreography lessons. I will foster an encouraging environment that allows dancers the freedom to explore moving with control in a variety of different ways, while developing a sense of community with their peers.
About the Instructor
Lydia Banuelos is a native of North Carolina. She is a graduate from North Carolina Central University. Graduating magna cum laude with a B.A in theatre with a concentration in dance education k-12. Lydia has 17 years of dance experience with a competitive and concert dance background. When she is not performing, she is the dance director at a local school and a competitive gymnastics coach.
Intro to Hip-Hop (ages 6–8)
With Jose Velasquez
Saturday @ 10:15 – 11am
September 18 – December 17, 2023
12 Weeks
Students will learn various movements to help build a solid foundation and develop confidence while learning about the history of hip-hop. Basic movements from the styles of breakin’ and party dancing will be learned and applied.
About the Instructor
Jose Velasquez is a Hip-hop and street dance performer from Durham, NC. Since he began his career as a dancer, Jose has not only participated in a wide range of competitions, but he has also had the opportunity to perform and choreograph for a variety of different artists known locally and abroad. He began teaching in 2005 and has had the opportunity to travel and teach in many different settings, from Native American reservations in Arizona to the public and private school systems in North Carolina and even universities including Duke, NC State, and Elon. He is proud of being able to help inform his community and students on the history and culture of Hip-hop and other street dances. Jose currently teaches classes for kids and adults at Ninth Street Dance and Durham Arts Council in Durham.
Hip-Hop Fundamentals (ages 9–12)
With Jose Velasquez
Saturday @ 11am – 12pm
September 18 – December 17, 2023
12 Weeks
In this class, we will dig deeper into Hip-Hop and focus on variations and more advanced movements. The idea of freestyling and a cypher is introduced and applied at the end of every class. Students are challenged and encouraged to step outside their comfort zones to better prepare them to engage in movement outside of the classroom.
About the Instructor
Jose Velasquez is a Hip-hop and street dance performer from Durham, NC. Since he began his career as a dancer, Jose has not only participated in a wide range of competitions, but he has also had the opportunity to perform and choreograph for a variety of different artists known locally and abroad. He began teaching in 2005 and has had the opportunity to travel and teach in many different settings, from Native American reservations in Arizona to the public and private school systems in North Carolina and even universities including Duke, NC State, and Elon. He is proud of being able to help inform his community and students on the history and culture of Hip-hop and other street dances. Jose currently teaches classes for kids and adults at Ninth Street Dance and Durham Arts Council in Durham.
Samuel H. Scripps Studios
721 Broad Street
Durham, NC 27705
919-797-2871
jscullythurston@americandancefestival.org
We are located on the second floor, accessible by elevator or stairs. There is ample free parking (including two handicap parking spots) in the lot connected to our building.
COVID-19 Policies: Proof of vaccination is required. Masking in the studio will be at the discretion of the teacher.