If your daughter is prone to twirling about the house, doing her best impression of Queen Elsa from Disney’s “Frozen,” the Mountain Arts Community Center’s Princess Camp is designed for her.
The first session of the weeklong camp is for ages 3-4, and will be held Monday-Friday, June 5-9 from 10:30 to noon each day. The second session, open to ages 5-8, will be held Monday-Friday, July 17-21 from 9 a.m. to noon each day.
The deadline to register is the Monday before each session begins: May 29 and July 10, respectively.
Crissy Algea teaches a dance class with a princess theme.
Crissy Algea teaches a dance class with a princess theme.
“I think at this age girls are really drawn to a specific theme, and I can’t think of another theme more popular than princesses for 3- to 8-year-olds,” said instructor Crissy Algea, who led similar camps and classes at a private school in Memphis for eight years. “I want to give them a really great first dance experience.”
Participants will be transformed into princesses as they craft their own crowns and wands, read stories about other princesses, sing princess songs and twirl their royal hearts out. Campers will also learn the basics of ballet, building coordination and confidence, as they get know fellow princesses.
Algea, who moved to Signal Mountain several months ago, said she started dancing at age 4 and has loved it ever since. She’s danced a variety of styles herself, such as ballet, tap, jazz and lyrical, and has taught a range of ages, but the preschool and early elementary age groups are her favorite.
“They’re so ready to learn, and so excited about dancing and princesses,” she said. “Plus, it’s a great age to begin to develop poise and self-control, flexibility, rhythm and coordination.”
With the younger group, some girls may not have been to preschool yet, so they’ll be introduced to concepts like waiting their turn, listening in a group setting and working on fine motor skills, Algea said.
“I want them to have fun while learning to dance, which could possibly become a lifelong activity they like to do or something they can look back on as a great memory,” she said. “I try to make it inviting, fun, even silly – having fun first of all, and learning things, dancing and taking home useful skills as well.”
The cost for either session is $90, or $75 for MACC members, plus a $10 fee for materials. A daily snack is included. While a leotard and tights are optional, ballet shoes are required.
The MACC is at 809 Kentucky Ave. To register, contact Algea at 901-568-2311 or carissa.algea@yahoo.com.