Bridger View Ballet Center offers classes for ages 3 – adult in ballet, tap, jazz, creative movement and tumbling.  We strive to instill in each student a love of movement and an appreciation of dance as an art form.

     Bridger View Ballet Center’s owner is Shari Watson.  Shari began her training at the age of two in her mother’s dance studio in Montana.  She went on to receive a Bachelor of Dance degree from University of Idaho.  Shari studied with Janice James, John Nelson, Diane Walker, Marius Zirra and Afshin Mofid.  She has danced with Main Street Dance Company of Idaho, American Festival Ballet, and Lincoln Midwest Ballet.  Shari began teaching at the age of 15 and has taught for Bernadine’s School of Dance, American Festival Ballet School, Juliaetta Dance, Highline Athletic Club and Butler County Community College.  Shari has also choreographed productions for Butler County Community College Theatre Department, Montana State University’s Media and Theatre Arts Department and Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. 

    Registration: 

A registration form must be completed and signed on or before the first day of class. 

    Attire:

Leotards and tights are highly recommended for all dance classes.  It is important for instructors to be able to see that the body is working safely and correctly – dance clothes will allow this.  Snug sweatpants and comfortable clothes that you can move in are acceptable as well.  Hair should be pulled back.  Footless tights or bare feet can be worn for all tumbling classes.  Tap shoes should be worn for tap classes, ballet shoes for ballet classes and bare feet or jazz shoes for jazz classes.

    Studio Information:

Our dance studio floor is a suspended wood/linoleum surface designed to allow the appropriate “give” necessary for safe dance activity.  Gum, food and drinks are not allowed in the dance studio.  We ask students to not wear street shoes on the dance floor.  The space is also used by other teachers and programs – students are asked to be respectful of this and should ask permission before using any equipment in the dance studio.  Students will also be expected to show courteous behavior towards all teachers, parents and fellow students.

    Observation:
Parents are encouraged to use the observation room, as the space inside the studio is limited.

     Monday                    

5:00 PM Tap/Tumbling (ages 7-10)

6:00 PM Pre-Ballet/Tap II (ages 5-7)

7:00 PM Ballet I (ages 10 and up)

    Tuesday 

4:00 PM Creative Movement/Tumbling (ages 3-5)

5:00 PM Pre-Ballet/Tap I (ages 4-6)  

    Thursday 

4:00 PM Ballet/Jazz (ages 7-10)

5:00 PM Jazz (ages 10 and up)                                                                                 

 Class Descriptions

Creative Movement/Tumbling (ages 3-5)  
This 50 minute introductory dance class will allow little ones to explore movement through music while developing basic dance vocabulary and learning dance classroom etiquette such as taking turns, developing listening skills, and working together.  The overall emphasis is on having fun while learning coordination, balance, rhythm, musical expression and basic tumbling.  Hula hoops, scarves, ribbon streamers and rhythm instruments will be incorporated.
What to wear:  leotard of any color, footless tights or leggings.  Hair pulled back, pigtails best for tumbling.

Pre-Ballet/Tap (ages 4-6)
This 50 minute combination class introduces basic elements of tap dance technique/vocabulary and basic ballet vocabulary and movement skills that will build a foundation for the future progression in the study of ballet.  Students will explore musical expression, rhythm, introductory barre exercises and locomotor movement across the floor.  Rhythm instruments, scarves, streamers and hula hoops will be incorporated.
What to wear:  leotard of any color, tights or socks, ballet shoes, tap shoes (tennis shoes or non -marking hard soled shoes if trying class out). Hair pulled back.

Tap/Tumbling (ages 7-10)
In this 50 minute class students will learn the basic elements of tap dance technique, vocabulary and basic tumbling and stretching skills.  Students will have fun while developing a sense of rhythm, coordination and musicality. Dance class etiquette and safety will also be learned.
What to wear:  leotard of any color, footless tights or socks, tap shoes (tennis shoes or non-marking hard soled shoes if trying class out).  Hair pulled back, pigtails are best for tumbling.

Ballet/Jazz (ages 7-10)
This 50 minute class combines beginner level ballet and jazz dance technique and vocabulary.  The ballet portion of the class will emphasize proper placement and alignment, basic barre and center work with an emphasis on building strength and flexibility.  The jazz portion will introduce jazz isolations, rhythms and styles, and introductory hip-hop.  Age appropriate jazz and contemporary music will be used.
What to wear:  leotard of any color, tights or convertible tights, ballet shoes, and bare feet or jazz shoes for jazz.

Ballet (ages 10 and up)
This 50 minute class covers fundamental classical ballet technique, focusing on proper placement and alignment.  Barre work, center work and basic turns, combinations and stretching will be included.  This class is perfect for those with little or no prior ballet experience.
What to wear:  leotard of any color or comfortable clothing, ballet shoes.  Hair pulled back.

Jazz (ages 10 and up)
This 50 minute class is open to those students with little or no prior jazz dance experience.  This energetic and fun class will cover basic jazz dance technique and vocabulary, isolations, rhythms and various styles, including introductory hip-hop.  Age appropriate jazz and contemporary music will be used.
What to wear:  leotard of any color or comfortable clothing, footless tights or leggings, bare feet.  Hair pulled back