For more information about the faculty at our Richmond dance studio, call us today. We would love to answer any questions about our staff and our Richmond dance classes.
Mary Beth Kelleher Owner
Mary Beth started her dancing career in Worcester, Massachusetts at age 5. By age 8, she was cast in Boston Ballet's production of the Nutcracker. Under the tutelage of Irene Merrill, she won several prestigious awards including the Capezio Award for Excellence in Ballet and was cited by the Governor of MA for this award. After being granted a full scholarship to Skidmore College, NY, she continued her studies in dance while earning a Bachelor's Degree in Business. While at Skidmore and under the direction of Elizabeth Carroll and Felix Smith, she performed in a number of ballets including "Les Sylphides" and principled in "The Golden Coin". During this time, she also participated in several Musical Theater productions including "Hair" and choreographed the production of "Grease". After graduating from Skidmore, she became a member of Dance Prism Company in Boston where she performed in several Ballets including "The Nutcracker". She then moved to Cape Cod, MA and opened her own studio, Kelleher Dance Center, which won the Entrepreneurial Award for Excellence from the Small Business Administration of MA. In 2006, she relocated to Virginia and is thrilled to be a part of Richmond's exciting dance community and Richmond ballet schools.
Ami Dowden-Fant
Born in Richmond, Virginia, AMI DOWDEN-FANT began her dance training at the tender age of four at Richmond Dance Center. Miss Dowden-Fant attended Virginia Commonwealth University where she pursued her BFA in Dance and Choreography. There she studied with Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Dr. James Frazier, and Monica Bill Barnes. Ami Dowden-Fant has been awarded numerous recognitions, which include an Outstanding Choreographer and Performer Award and a two-year scholarship to attend the Bates Dance Festival in Maine (2006 & 2007) where she worked with artists such as Doug Varone and Bebe Miller. Ami Dowden-Fant's choreographic work has performed at the National American College Dance Festival Gala in New York City, NY, at Barnard College; at the Philadelphia Fringe festival in Philadelphia, PA; and at The New EDGE MIX. Dowden-Fant has been instilled with the gift to educate, providing young aspiring dancers with a well rounded dance background. Miss. Dowden-Fant is enjoying the life a mother while watching the growth of her students along the east coast!
Children's Dance
Ages 3-5
Creative Movement
There is a natural desire to dance in all of us, so come to our Richmond dance studio. Let your little one experience the fun world of dance in our nurturing environment. We encourage preschoolers' vivid imagination and enthusiastic desire to express themselves. We use a variety of props, and music to keep the class moving and engaging. Sit back and watch her enjoy dance on our large screen TV while little brother or sister dances along in our spacious and comfortable lobby.
Kinder Moves
Just like kindergarten, this class teaches the fundamentals of dance in all of it forms. Every dance class begins with warm-up and progresses in a structured way to include fast and slow movements, coordination building exercises, strengthening movement, leaps, jumps and turns. Your kindergartener will learn this structure and be introduced to a variety of dance disciplines including ballet, tap and jazz at our Richmond ballet school and dance studio.
Beginner Level (ages 6-7)
At this age dancers are ready for more structure and can handle a more disciplined class. We feed this natural hunger to learn by offering a wide variety of dance vocabulary. Your child not only learns these steps but how to do them correctly. Because each child absorbs information at a different rate, progression to the next level can take more than one year. We keep class size small to ensure that each child gets the necessary attention they require.
Beginner Ballet
Your child will experience a full ballet class for the first time. Each class begins with stretching and strengthening floor work then barre and progresses through adagio, allegro and across the floor jumps, leaps and turns. Ballet etiquette and vocabulary are also taught.
Beginner Jazz/Tap
These two dance genres focus on musical timing and coordination. Taught in combination, they prepare the dancer for a variety of dance styles. Jazz technique includes flexibility and strengthening floor work, isolations and stylized dance steps, and combinations. This class prepares dancers for all forms of stylized and interpretive movement including hip/hop, modern and contemporary dance. Beginner/Intermediate Tumbling Kids at this age love to tumble and why not? It's fun! We are also seeing more and more use of flips, cartwheels and acrobatic movement in every dance form out there. To be a well-rounded, competitive dancer these skills are essential. This class teaches the basics of tumbling while improving flexibility and strength.
Intermediate Level (ages 8-9)
This level is all about self-control and self-discipline. Your child will be learning not only how to control his/her body to execute more complex dance movements but also important life skills and social graces. We foster a positive attitude and encourage each child to do their very best.
Intermediate Ballet
At this level, more time is spent at the barre and more complex steps are taught both at the barre and in center floor. Proper alignment, pualement and execution continue to be the priority. We also introduce more complex floor patterns, musical composition and directions.
Intermediate Jazz/Hip Hop
This class moves! We continue to expand your dancer's jazz vocabulary by adding hip/hop and other current jazz styles. Flexibility and strengthening work prepare the dancer for more complex leaps, jumps and turns.
Intermediate Tap
Tap is like having drums on your feet! Dancers will learn a variety of tap steps and styles and will be taught how to use these steps in different combinations and to different types of music. Proper execution, timing and sound are stressed.
Intermediate/Advanced and Advanced Level (Ages 10 and up)
Ballet
This level develops and prepares the dancer to be competitive in today's diverse dance arena. More complex dance vocabulary, musical styles, timing and combinations are taught. The dancer is trained to pick-up combinations quickly and to execute with precision and grace.
Pointe
A student's readiness for Pointe can only be determined by her instructor. Many factors are considered. Once a student has progressed in her ballet training enough to be ready for Pointe, she will receive careful training, learn to move correctly through barre and center exercises and progress to learn more complex variations. Beginning pointe students also learn about pointe shoe fitting, ribbons and shoe care.
Tap
As the dancer progresses through the Intermediate level and on into Advanced, more complex rhythms, timing and combinations are learned.
Jazz/Hip Hop
dance teaching today's hottest styles in jazz with emphasis on technique, rhythm and strong stage presence. As students progress, more advanced combinations, leaps, jumps and turns are perfected. Musical Theater In this class, acting meets dance. Projecting emotional intent to an audience is key. Use of props and stage settings are added to the performance experience. We use variety of choreographic styles and acting tools to encourage excellent stage presence.
Contemporary/Modern Dance
Students are taught a wide variety of modern dance movement and technique. This expressive dance form requires dancers to have strong technical jazz and ballet training.
Tumbling
Acrobatic tumbling is seen in just about every dance genre today. This class teaches dancers how to properly execute aerials, hand springs and flips. Proper technique, flexibility and strength are focused on.
Junior and Senior Dance Companies
For dancers who display a strong desire to perform in competitions and other public venues throughout the year. Dancers are selected to become Company members based on their work ethic, positive attitude and their ability to learn and execute a variety of dance genres at the Intermediate (Juniors) and Advanced (Seniors) levels. Strict attendance is required.
Recreational Dance and Fitness (Teens and Adults)
Beginner Ballet
A non-intimidating way to let your inner ballerina shine. Learn the basics of ballet while getting a serious work-out. Dancers in this class gain core strength, flexibility and coordination through barre and center floor movement. Attire: Workout clothes, ballet shoes.
Musical Theater
Students learn the various styles of Broadway choreographers in a fun and informal environment. Class starts with a basic warm-up using jazz isolations and stretches then moves to center floor combinations and across the floor work. This class will surprise you with how aerobic and fun it is! Attire: Loose comfortable clothing, see instructor for shoe requirements.
Jazz/Hip Hop
If you are looking for a great workout and want to have fun dancing, this class is for you. Enjoy learning some of today's hottest dance styles while gaining core strength, flexibility and coordination. Attire Loose comfortable clothing. See instructor for shoe requirements.
Zumba
The latest in aerobic workouts, Zumba is fun, fast paced and a real calorie burner. No dance experience is necessary to enjoy this lively form of exercise. Call Sheria at: 1-540-243-0486 for the latest on class times and tuition.
Yoga
Whether you are new to Yoga or have been practicing for any length of time, your yoga mat is your place where you go to be with yourself, to retreat from the hectic day to day activities that often send us in many directions. Come, unwind and let go. Give yourself the gift of Yoga! This Hatha based flowing class moves with the breath as you explore and move, mindfully bringing your attention to the present moment, paying attention to you and to your unique experience. With the combination of breath, physical postures and meditation, you come into balance, leaving class feeling refreshed, peaceful and balanced. The use of blocks and straps are encouraged. Each student should bring their own mat. Space is limited, allowing for more personalized attention. Please contact Kellee Herrington for questions and to register: 804-239-9047 empfitllc@gmail.com
Ballroom Dance
Contact Mary Kate Creasey: 272-9393 for up to date info on classes, special party rates, private classes and upcoming socials.
Martial Arts
We teach the Moy Yat Ving Tsun (wing chun) Kung Fu system. It is a no nonsense, street effective training for men, women and children. The workouts teach you to relax and effectively handle any stressful situation, whether it is defending yourself from an aggressor, to accomplishing more on the job or in school. Our children's classes help build self confidence to resist peer pressure. Adults learn to relax and to effectively channel their efforts to achieve more. See the difference Ving Tsun Kung Fu training can make in your life. For more information and to register for classes please contact: Marcus Evans at 334-9126 or visit his website at www.etakungfu.com
Class Attire
Children should be appropriately covered while entering and exiting the studio. Dance shoes should NEVER be worn outside and street shoes are not allowed in the studios.
Boys
Creative Movement, KinderMoves and all ballet classes
Black jazz pant or shorts and a plain, tight fitting white T-shirt. Black ballet slippers.
For all Jazz classes
Sweats, jazz pants or shorts and plain T-shirt. Black split sole jazz shoes.
For all tap classes
Sweats, jazz pants or shorts and plain T-shirt. Black tap shoes.
Girls
Hair
In order to remove as much distraction as possible, please have your child's hair pulled back and up off the face. For most classes a secure pony tail is sufficient. For Intermediate and above ballet classes a bun is a must. For shorter hair, please secure with a plain cloth head band or tight clips.
Jewelry
The ONLY jewelry allowed in class is small post earrings.
Dancewear and Shoes
Creative Movement
Pink leotard and tights. Chiffon skirts are allowed but please no large tutus. Pink, leather, ballet slippers.
KinderMoves
Same as above but include black, patent leather tap shoes with elasticized ties. No cloth ties please. We do have black elastic at the studio to replace the black ties if necessary.
All Ballet classes
Black leotard, pink tights and pink, split sole, ballet slippers.
Cold weather wear
If necessary, black, tight fitting ballet, wrap sweaters, bike shorts and/or legwarmers are all appropriate cold weather attire but please limit these items as much as possible.
Jazz classes
Black leotard and jazz pants or shorts. Black slip-on or tied leather jazz shoes.
Tap Classes
Black leotard and jazz pants or shorts. Black tap shoes.
Tumbing
Black leotard and shorts, or biketard, bare feet.
All Teen/Adult classes
Dress in comfortable workout wear and follow the above shoe requirements for your specific class.
7:00-8:00pm; Instructor; Ami This is an exploratory class covering all genres of dance; ballet, tap, jazz and modern.
Pricing
$30 registration fee per year. 10% family discount for 2nd family member. Tuition is due monthly by the 1st of every month. The year includes 40 classes and rehearsals from September - June and is broken down into 10 monthly payments.
Monthly Tuition
Umlimited classes: over 5hrs/week$325.00
Hour and half class$100.00
Hour class$70.00
45 minute class$60.00
Attire
Shoes
Proper dance shoes are required and must not be worn outside. No street shoes allowed on dance floors.
Hair
Hair must be securely pulled back and off the face for all dance classes.
Creative and KinderMoves
Pink leotard and pink ballet slippers. Add black tap shoes for KinderMoves.
Ballet
black leotard and pink tights or black bike shorts, pink ballet slippers. No t-shirts or extra clothing allowed. Hair must be firmly placed in a bun. Children not dressed appropriately will not be allowed to participate in class.
Jazz/Hip Hop
Loose comfortable clothing and dance sneakers. No street shoes allowed.
Contemporary/Modern
tight fitting dance clothes such as: leotard, bratop or cami bike shorts, dance leggings or tights. Bare feet. No baggy t-shirts please.
Fall registration is ongoing through the month of August. Studio hours for registration are Monday - Thursday 4-6pm.
About Us
River City Dance Theatre offers Richmond dance classes for all ages and levels. We believe that dance is for everyone. Whether you are a recreational dancer or a pre-professional, we have a class for you. We take great care in placing you in the best dance class for your age and experience level. Our classes are small so that each dancer gets the individual attention he/she deserves.