Many thanks to Joy Taubner for her wonderful photographs of our young dancers!
http://momentsbyjoy.com | http://momentsbyjoy.blogspot.com

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You know how folks wring their hands over cuts to the arts and physical activity in education?

At Sparkplug Dance, we combine the arts & physical activity, so children have access to world culture while they're getting healthy.

Anyone can dance, and everyone should.

Our outstanding programs bring value to every age & stage of life:

Early Childhood:

• Our baby/caregiver class gives caregivers a chance to get out and meet other folks with little ones, to learn together, singing, dancing, playing instruments, and enjoying brain-stimulating movement activities, we create a nurturing environment to share in the joys (and challenges) of caring for our tiny ones.
• Our toddler and little kid classes provide outlets for play, socializing with peers and big friends, and build on the emerging youngsters' insatiable desire for new experiences.
• Our preschool classes build social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills, in an atmosphere that's fun and accepting. We don't have a dress uniform, and we don't expect you to buy costumes. What you will see is your child engaged in the creative problem solving that will help him or her to thrive in any new setting.
• In addition, we bring all of the above out to the community, with regular appearances in libraries, community centers, and early childhood service providers.

School-Aged programs:

• Our studio classes enrich learning in many disciplines, all while getting kids active. Because our work focuses so much on team-inspired creative process and collaboration, our classes are a great option for kids who aren't that into sports, but want to have a 'team' experience. Likewise, if you have a young athlete in your home, developmentally-appropriate and gender-balanced dance, like we offer, can help him/her to prevent injuries and to increase his/her strength, flexibility, stamina and cardio conditioning.
• In the public schools, in our region, we've developed arts-integrated residencies (combining dance and academics) at Edgewood Elementary School, Cesar Chavez School, The Arts and Technology Academy, Brattain School, an in 08, plans are in the works for Walterville, Bethel and Cottage Grove.
• We're thrilled to partner with the Lane Arts Council to offer area schools these residency experiences, and out of Lane County, we welcome inquiries towards developing programs.

Teacher training and Continuing Education:

• One of the secrets of our success is that adults love dancing (once they start) just as much as kids! In addition to caregiver-child classes, we have programs designed just for adults, like out new "Physics and the art of dance" - An ongoing workshop investigation using dance to tackle science!
• We offer programs that train teachers to use movement in the classroom setting, whether they teach babies, toddler, preK or K-12.
• We're grateful for partnerships with Lane Community College, the University of Oregon, and for the many associations dedicated to making platforms for training in arts education possible: Look for us at the Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children, Dance and The Child International, The National Dance Education Organization and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Together, with our treasured students, dedicated donors and enthusiastic board, staff and volunteers, we're building the world's arts & culture into every child's life and learning.

Join us! Utilize this web page to download free articles and activities for all ages, and for folks right in our area:

Fall classes begin September 16!

Radio presentation on Creative Movement, Brain Development and Why the Schools need the Arts.

If you missed Monday night's on-air re-broadcast of Rachael's City Club of Eugene presentation (64MB MP3), you can find it archived at KLCC.ORG:
http://www.archive.org/details/RachaelCarnesAtEugeneCityClub2112008theBrainDanceWhatLittleKids

If you have questions, send us an email at admin@sparkplugdance.org or call 541-689-3233 and leave a message - a real person will call you back! We're excited to help you find just the right class!

Read all about our Sparkplug teachers.

A Great Location!

Most classes at Washington Park Community Center, in Eugene. Click for directions.