Conservatory of Dance offers Classes for:

 

  • BALLET
  • POINTE
  • TAP DANCE
  • JAZZ
  • MUSICAL THEATRE
  • TOT HOP
  • GROWNUP & ME
  • BALLROOM DANCE

 

 

We are excited to be in our 17th season in the Silver City area.  We look forward to presenting our version of “The Nutcracker” in December 2024 and a fun storybook production in Spring of 2025.  Both productions are open to all of our students.

Conservatory of Dance

Conservatory of Dance

OUR MISSION

At Conservatory of Dance our goal is to offer quality dance training to everyone in a non-competitive, family friendly, nurturing environment. Our goal is to develop our dancers into well rounded individuals who not only appreciate the art of dance and performing, but who strive to excel in everything they do and to be helpful positive examples to others. Know that everyone is welcome at Conservatory of Dance, and whether you are a recreational or intense dancer your training will be age appropriate and taught in a professional manner. We hope that you’ll find just the right classes for the dancer in your family.,

Miss Melinda Shaner, Artistic Director

Melinda has been teaching dance for over 40 years. She holds a degree in Dance from the University of CA, Riverside and a Community College Lifetime Teaching Credential from the state of CA. She has continued her dance training by attending many conferences, conventions, and seminars over the years.

Roger LaPointe, Business Manager

Roger has been involved with building sets and props and has acted as production manager for many past productions. Roger also enjoys dancing and is looking forward to getting some of our dance dads involved in the pas de duex classes.

Our policies

  1. Missed classes may be made up in a class of your choice. Classes cost continues even when students are absent. For this reason, class fees are non–refundable.
  2. All fees are payable in advance.
  3. Students need to be on time for classes. For their safety, students who arrive more than 10 minutes late and are not properly warmed up must ask for the instructor’s permission to enter the class and may be asked to observe class only.
  4. Proper dance attire is required for each class.
  5. Pointe students are required to take at least two ballet/pointe technique classes per week.
  6. Please ask at the front desk for a copy of our Studio Policy Statement and Student Information Packet, if you do not have one.
  7. When paying for classes we prefer credit card, checks made out to Conservatory of Dance or cash in the correct amount.

First time registration fee of $15.00 is charged to open an account for all new students/families.  Continuing students/family fee is $10.00 per year. Enrollment is possible throughout the calendar year. If a student joins in the middle of a pay period, their tuition will be pro-rated for that month.

Class sizes are limited. To register, visit us in person at Conservatory of Dance at 2020 Cottage San Rd, Silver City NM. You can also email us at: convsdance@aol.com or text 575-312-5221 to enroll!

First time registration fee of $15.00 is charged to open an account for all new students/families.  Continuing students/family fee is $10.00 per year. Enrollment is possible throughout the calendar year. If a student joins in the middle of a pay period, their tuition will be pro-rated for that month.

Class sizes are limited. To register, visit us in person at Conservatory of Dance at 2020 Cottage San Rd, Silver City NM. You can also email us at: convsdance@aol.com or text 575-312-5221 to enroll!

In Person: Friday, Aug 9 2:00-6:00 & Saturday, Aug. 10 10:00-1:00

By Mail: PO Box 690 Silver City, NM 88062

By Text: Text your dance choices to 575-312-5221

By E-Mail: convsdance@aol.com

Monthly Fees
One – 1/2 Hr. Class Per Week – $24 monthly
One – 3/4 Hr. Class Per Week – $32 monthly
One – 1 Hr. Class Per Week – $36 monthly
One – 1 & 1/4 Hr. Class Per Week – $40 Monthly

Any additional class or family member is $20.00 monthly after highest basic class rate.

6 or more classes per week $150.00 monthly
One student or one family living in one household.

~All fees include tax~
Registration fees: $15.00 New student/family
$10.00 Returning student/family.

Dance Ensemble fees: $35 per year
Production fees: $25.00 per dancer

Private Classes: ½ Hr. class $15.00
1 Hr. class $25.00
Please schedule with the front office in advance.

Tuition is based on a 4-week month.  Should there be a 5th lesson in a month, it’s FREE.  Should a class be cancelled due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, you will not be charged for that class.  If a student is unable to attend class, please call the studio (575-538-5865) and leave a message so that we know they will be absent.  You are always welcome to make-up any missed class; however, tuition refunds are not given for missed classes. A discount is built into our fee schedule, so the more classes taken, the lower the per class rate.  This is especially helpful to families with more than one dancer taking classes.

All tuition is due on the first lesson of the month. We do accept all major credit and debit cards in additional to checks and cash. Fees paid after the 10th of the month will be subject to a late charge unless other arrangements are made with the office.

NOTE: We do not close for all school holidays or in-service days.  It is important for students and families to check the bulletin board or with the office for scheduled holidays.

Proper dance attire will be required for all classes. Just like sports, you have a uniform. In dance, we also have a uniform, this not only helps your teacher be able to see if you are moving correctly but make you feel like a dancer. We ask with the exception of “Adult classes” all others adhere to our dress code. Basic leotards, tights, proper shoes for style of dance. If desired may wear shorts or skirts over leotard and tights. Please have hair pulled back in a bun or pony tail. Gentlemen: T-shirts, leggings, shorts or sweat pants.

Studio II Dancerwear, located in our building, has a full line of dance wear, supplies and dance related gift items.  It features such name brands such as Capezio, Eurotard, Revolution and Sansha, and we offer proper fit at reasonable prices, something you just can’t get shopping online or mail-order.

We do not close for all school holidays or in-service days. It is important for students and families to check the bulletin board or with the office for scheduled holidays and what the make-up schedule will be.

In the summer, we have a 4 to 6 week session that will include classes along with special workshops for all ages.

We offer several birthday party options for boys and girls that are themed and dance related. Most birthday parties are scheduled for Friday or Saturday afternoons or on Sunday. Please contact the office for more information.

The health and well being of our dancers, dance families and staff is our TOP PRIORITY! We will continue to follow the current CDC guidelines and will implement and relax these rules as we see fit to keep us all safe, healthy and dancing!

Here’s what we are doing to keep dancers safe:

  • Our studio is “mask friendly.” Those wishing to wear a mask, we will fully support, however currently masks are not required.
  • Hand Sanitizer is available for students to use before entering the dance studio area.
  • We do our best to have dancers stay social distanced from each other. Parents are not required to stay during class. If you do, please follow social distancing guidelines. If we are doing something special that week, we will let you know in advance.
  • Students will be assigned a bin inside the studio area to keep their belongings in while dancing. Please try to have your student use the restroom before class starts so they do not need to be running in and out during class.
  • Currently there is no public water fountain available and the kitchen area is CLOSED. Dancers are welcome to bring water from home. We prefer that dancer’s taking multiple classes and need a quick snack that they eat their snack outside (weather permitting).
  • Our dance floor is washed with a special cleaner regularly and all common surfaces (door knobs, counter surfaces, ballet barres, restrooms) will be disinfected regularly.

Thank you so much for adhering to our Dance Health and Safety Guidelines.

Find the Class that is Right for You!

The Conservatory of Dance is proud to offer a wide range of classes for students 24 months through adult.  A core curriculum in ballet is emphasized, however, other forms of dance are taught.

Class Placement Levels

Students are placed by “ability” according to the teacher and not only by age.

  • Mini-Movers: 2–6 yrs. Pre-level – Beginner level
  • Kidz: 5–10 yrs. Beginner level – Intermediate levels
  • Dance-Mid: 10–14 yrs. Beginner/Intermediate levels – Intermediate/Advanced levels
  • Dance-Senior: 14–up yrs. Fast Intermediate levels – Advanced levels
Spring-photo-1
Ballet

Provides an excellent foundation for all students. We use what we feel is the best, most effective of 3 schools of ballet (the French school, Cecchetti or Italian method, and the Vaganova or Russian system) to give students a well-rounded background in the art of ballet.

Pointe

Pointe classes are offered with approval of the instructor only.  Students interested in pointe must be at least 11 years of age, had a minimum of three years of ballet training and be seriously interested in ballet and willing to devote time to daily practice.  Pointe students must take at least 2 ballet/pointe technique classes per week.

Jazz

 Jazz is offered to dancers who want something different in their training. Jazz uses many of the same kinds of techniques of ballet, yet it is like contemporary dance in that the body may move in non-traditional ways.

Creative Dance

Explores movement designed to enhance gross motor development, listening skills, musicality, and nurturing the creative spirit. Props and imaginative techniques are used.

Tap
Tap dance is not only physical exercise but it exercises the mind. Tap is great way to improve balance, posture, coordination and rhythm by memorizing steps. Tap is considered our American folk dance.
Ballet/Tap

This combination class is offered at elementary levels to expose dancers to skills of both dance forms. Basic ballet positions, terminology taught as well as the rhythm of tap.

Mini-Movers

For children 2-6, emphasizing movement, dance appreciation, group social skills, sharing/taking turns, awareness of personal space, respecting others, listening/following directions. Movements are age-appropriate to develop gross motor control.

Tot-Hop

Steps from hip-hop and jazz create a fun, funky, fast-paced class for younger dancers. Instructors choose the music very carefully to ensure that lyrics are acceptable. Movements are kept age appropriate.

Musical Theatre or ZZAP

This is the type of dance used in musical stage shows. It combines the use of basic steps from jazz to perform precision numbers, kicklines and dances using props. 

Teen/Adult

Teen/Adult classes are especially designed for adults and/or teens who may or may not have had dance training but wish to incorporate dance into their physical workouts. Dance is a fun way for both men and women to enjoy the physical benefits of dance training. Participation in the annual productions is optional but always open to our adults.

Guest Classes

May be held from time to time throughout the year in areas relating to dance technique, diet and anatomy, auditioning skills, pointe shoes, and make-up techniques. Dates for these classes, sign up sheets and fees are announced on the Dance Studio call board.

Conservatory Dance Ensemble

Dance Ensemble is a performing group open to all students of the Conservatory of Dance ages 4 – up. We are hoping to be able to get back to performing for service clubs, rest homes, school groups, etc. A yearly fee of $35.00 per member is charged to help defray the cost of costumes, props and special items used by this group.

If you enjoy performing and “giving back to the community”, this is a great group to belong to.

Master Ballet

We will be hosting a master class with Lucien Guy from New Mexico School of the Arts in fall 2024

And  Mr. Valery Latrotov from Russia in February 2025.

Conservatory of Dance

Fall 2024 Schedule

Classes begin Monday, August 12th.

Download our Fall 2024 schedule today.

ENROLL NOW!

Class sizes are limited. To register, visit us in person at Conservatory of Dance at 2020 Cottage San Rd, Silver City NM. You can also email us at: convsdance@aol.com or text 575-312-5221 to enroll!

PERFORMANCE/EVENTS

Spring Story Production

To Be Announced

Nutcracker

Jingle Mingle

Alice in Wonderland Spring 2024
Disneyland Parade July 2024
Summer Dance Camps June 2024