Kid’s Program Philosophy

MAGMA Philosophy

Dance is an artistic expression that has been meaningful to young and old across cultures and throughout human history- from sacred rituals, to folk dances, to the professional stage.  Introducing young people to this rich world of dance, and the rewarding practice of developing one’s body and mind through a physical discipline, is one of our most important and beloved jobs here at MAGMA.

Dance develops coordination, musicality, balance, strength, awareness, and a sense of embodiedness that is very empowering. Our classes acknowledge that training in dance gives the opportunity to develop physical skills AND to develop creativity. Different kids have different interests, whether that’s in aesthetics (the artistic style), or in approach (how it’s taught). We have a broad program that gives kids a variety of styles and approaches to discover and explore.

Age Appropriate Progressions

At the root of all of our classes is the understanding of what is age appropriate for each class.  Our classes are taught methodically and safely, giving each child a foundation of strength and agility before moving on to more complex moves. We also avoid content that is too mature for young kids, in our movement vocabulary and music choices.

Healthy Competition

We believe that in order to grow,  kids need to know how to excel in their form. At MAGMA we strive to create a culture of practice that helps kids understand their own strengths, cheer on other’s strengths, and work on where they need improvement without judgement or negativity. When training in a dance technique, the concept of ‘personal best’ is applicable: students can strive to have more control, speed, or artistic expression within a movement vocabulary.  Being creative and striving for excellence means taking risks – which also means risking failure – and so we teach kids to applaud and empathize with each other’s efforts.

Tuition and Scholarships

Tuition information for the school is given on the Registration Page of this website. We firmly believe that everyone, regardless of financial means, should have access to dance lessons, so need-based scholarships are available to offset tuition costs. Please inquire at the studio for more information. If you are interested in donating to the Scholarship Fund, information available here: http://magma.center/scholarship-fund/