Castle Rock Dance | Dance Exploration
About Us
The Town of Castle Rock Dance Program provided by Dance Exploration, is a Recreational, Non-Competitive dance program for children ages 18 months to 12. The Dance Exploration Castle Rock Dance program is designed for beginning to intermediate skilled dancers who have never danced before or have had very little dance training in the past. Our mission is to instill the LOVE OF DANCE in all the dancers who join our Castle Rock Dance Family through teaching a developmentally appropriate curriculum which provides the foundations of dance education. We follow the teaching methodology of the Dance to Learn® Curriculum. Dance to Learn® is designed with the whole child in mind to ensure that they DANCE, LEARN & GROW at each stage of their dance training. Each Dance Exploration class offered through the Castle Rock Dance Program provides our students with an educational, engaging and enriching opportunity to explore a monthly theme, examine a weekly concept and exhibit technical skills in the dance genre they are learning. We want our dancers to continue their love for dance, and continue a healthy dance journey for as long as dance is a part of their lives.
Castle Rock Dance Program's
Mission
Castle Rock Dance Program Vision
At Dance Exploration, our Vision for the Town of Castle Rock Dance Program is to provide an environment where EVERY CHILD who enters the Castle Rock Dance Program at the Cantril School, receives a dance education that will DANCE alongside their Development, provides them an opportunity to LEARN through play and exploration and GROWS as their love for dance increases.
Our Curriculum!
The Town of Castle Rock Dance Program provided by Dance Exploration, we follow the teaching methodology of the Dance to Learn® Curriculum. Dance to Learn® is the Whole Child Dance Method ™ and is recognized by dance teachers and dance studios across the Globe! The Curriculum is designed for every child to DANCE, LEARN & GROW at each stage of their dance training. Each class provides our students with an educational, engaging and enriching opportunity to explore a monthly theme, examine a weekly concept and exhibit technical skills in the dance genre they are learning. We want our dancers to continue their love for dance, and continue a healthy dance journey for as long as dance is a part of their lives.
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Dance Education for the
Whole Child!
Pillars of the Whole Child Dance Method™!
Educational
The Dance to Learn® Curriculum was designed for the developing child. We ensure their entire needs are met cognitively, physically, emotionally, socially and creatively. We follow a themed and conceptual approach to dance education.
Engaging
The Dance to Learn® Curriculum provides a multi-sensory experience to captivate all 4 learning types throughout every class to ensure no child is left behind in their dance education.
Enriching
The Dance to Learn® Curriculum believes in education outside of the classroom as well to create a fully enriched family devoted to their child's dance education
Essential
The Dance to Learn® Curriculum approach fosters a life long appreciation for dance and movement. Our students continue dancing for years to come.
Our History!
2009
Dance Exploration was founded in 2009 by Jessica Strong as a mobile dance program. Jessica believed every child should have a chance to dance and wanted to bridge the gap between a family's access to a quality dance education regardless of their ability to afford or access such a program. Jessica knew the best way to share her love of dance, would be through the school systems.
Dance Exploration was taught inside it's first school partnership, A Child's Place in Edgewater, Colorado.
2010
Jessica begins developing the Dance to Learn® Curriculum as a means to create cohesion among the programs offered at the multiple sites.
Jessica trains the first Dance Educators on the Dance to Learn® Curriculum
2015
Within 5 years, the Dance Exploration program had rapidly grown across the state of Colorado and was the premiere mobile enrichment program for Denver Public Schools, Jefferson County School District, Douglas County School District, Aurora Public Schools, the Archdiocese of Denver and numerous Preschools and Early Learning Centers across the state.
2016
Dance Exploration begins it's contract to host the Town of Castle Rock Dance Program through the Town of Castle Rock's Arts and Enrichments Department.
2018
Dance Exploration begins expanding our programming to include Kids Yoga, Cheerleading, Tumbling, Music and Theater classes.
2019
Dance Exploration begins to rebrand and trademarks the name Exploration Kids® Enrichment in preparation to expand our services beyond dance education into a complete Mobile Arts Enrichment Program.
2020
During the COVID Pandemic, Jessica made the decision to scale back her mobile program and forego the rebranding, and decided to focus her attention primarily on the Castle Rock Dance Classes offered at the Rec Center. Exploration Kids® is still a dream that she hopes to pursue in the future!
2021
In 2021, Jessica began to brand and package the Dance to Learn® Curriculum (which she has been developing and teaching since 2009) to dance teachers and dance studios and selling the Curriculum as Individual Lesson Plans and Memberships.
2023
Today, the Dance to Learn® Curriculum is used by 1100+ Individual Dance Teachers and Dance Studios world-wide! Jessica is honored to share her knowledge in early childhood dance education and the Whole-Child Dance Method™ & Principles that comprise the Curriculum. Jessica is frequently hired as a guest speaker at dance conferences and for private studios across the nation! The Dance to Learn® Curriculum is taught in every one of the Dance Exploration classes at the Castle Rock Recreation Center. This Curriculum is invaluable to every child's development!
In 2023 the Town of Castle Rock purchased the Historic Cantril School in Downtown Castle Rock. Dance Exploration began teaching our youth dance classes in the Cantril School Auditorium in September of 2023.