Children love to move and dance! Just give them some open space and off they go... They love gyrating around, often they copy what they see on the media, totally unconscious of what the body language is saying. Some children are very imaginative and imagine they are a superheros or princesses. Parents realise their child loves to dance so seek out a dance school.

How do they choose which one? How do they choose which dance form?

AN OFTEN REPEATED SCENARIO:

Generally a parents knows if their child would have the focus or imagination to learn classical ballet or if their child would not stop still long enough to learn the intricacies of classical ballet.
Often they say ‘My child really wants to move!’ ‘He/she never stops still, perhaps Jazz would suit’.

Next they enrol them in a local dance school and the exciting ‘dance ‘ year starts:- Classes—new friends—teachers—newsletters– concert practise– costumes—then the big day arrives— THE CONCERT! Mum and dad, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, grand parents take their seats with anticipation........

And what do they see! Well often they see a mixture of little ballet girls trying their steps in pretty costumes; the occasional boy in a sailor suit or pirates costume; some big girls doing accomplished ballet steps; maybe some tap dancing and Hip Hop; but often they see little girls shaking their body in skimpy costumes followed by ‘big girls’ strutting their stuff. Mum and dad feel slightly uncomfortable with this, but swallow their misgivings because their child has tried so hard and accomplished so much; remembering all her steps and keeping in time with the music and other children! The teachers are given flowers for their effort, child is collected and congratulated and all go home happy......

Later that night when mum and dad have ‘pillow talk’, mum says “Did you like the concert?’ Dad says ‘Yes she did very well but some of those dances were ‘pretty OUT THERE’ weren’t they?’

‘I mean those eight year olds looked like, well how can I say it— a bit raunchy for 8 yr olds if you ask me’. Mum says ‘Yes I know what you mean. I was a bit concerned when she brought home the costume—I mean there wasn’t much of it.’ Dad says ‘yeah I guess its the young generation. They grow up fast.’ Mum says ‘Mmmm all the same I’m not that happy she wants to be like those ‘big girls’. Dad says ‘You mean those 15 year olds!? I’m not having my child flaunt themselves like they did!’ Mum says ‘Well that what she aspires to’. Dad says ‘We’ve got to put a stop to this. There is no way I want my child to grow up like that!’ Mum says ‘Well her friend goes to another dance school and she says they let children be children. They have beautiful costumes and they seem to have a totally different focus....... It’s a Living Dance School.

LIVING DANCE INTERNATIONAL’S JAZZ & CONTEMPORARY CURRICULUMS

Fun up-tempo jazz, plus modern contemporary dance - drawn from early American Jazz, Graham, Ailey and Limon style techniques, Plus use of improvisation, fluid expressive movement, current dance styles including Boyz Own Contemporary: All to predominantly contemporary Christian music & without the sensual movement and costuming.

LEVELS 1-4 : JUNIOR JAZZ & CONTEMPORARY

LEVELS 5-6 SENIOR JAZZ & CONTEMPORARY - Predominantly advanced contemporary. [Senior JAZZ not available yet]

TEACHERS CAN LEARN THESE IN 1 INTENSIVE DAY SEMINAR.

“any teacher who encourages a young child to dress provocatively for a stage performance is culpable of gross misconduct” ...... “Teachers are supposed to protect the innocent and nurture values that better the individual.” Courier Mail Queensland Newspaper Article May 25 2008)