Hartt Community Division Dance Department

For those in Connecticut passionate about dance, or for families seeking an exceptional artistic education for their children, The Hartt Community Division Dance Department in Hartford stands as a beacon of excellence. As the community extension of The Hartt School, the performing arts conservatory of the University of Hartford, HCD offers unparalleled instruction in a wide array of dance forms. Established to engage, enrich, and transform aspiring artists from pre-kindergarten through adulthood, this department is committed to providing a learning environment that upholds the highest standards of artistic and educational quality.

The Hartt Community Division Dance Department is renowned for its dedication to cultivating talent, fostering creativity, and instilling a lifelong appreciation for the art of dance. It’s a place where students are not only taught technique but also encouraged to explore their individuality and express themselves through movement. With a faculty comprised of seasoned professionals and a curriculum designed to challenge and inspire, HCD ensures that every student, regardless of age or experience level, receives the guidance needed to achieve their dance aspirations. It's truly an exceptional performing arts educational facility, informed at every turn and by every participant by an unshakable dedication to excellence, as one grateful reviewer aptly put it.

The Hartt Community Division Dance Department is ideally situated at 35 Westbourne Pkwy, Hartford, CT 06112, USA. This central Hartford location makes it highly accessible for residents not only within the city but also from surrounding towns and regions across Connecticut. As part of the University of Hartford campus, the facility benefits from a well-established infrastructure, including convenient parking options for students and visitors.

Its proximity to major roadways in the Hartford area ensures a straightforward commute for those traveling from various parts of the state, whether you're coming from the Farmington Valley, West Hartford, or even towns further north or south. The campus environment provides a safe and inspiring setting for artistic pursuit, with a professional yet welcoming atmosphere that encourages focus and creativity. The accessibility of the location is a significant advantage for Connecticut families seeking top-tier dance education without extensive travel.

The Hartt Community Division Dance Department offers a diverse and comprehensive range of dance programs, meticulously designed to cater to students of all ages and skill levels, from beginners taking their first steps to advanced dancers aspiring to professional careers. Their commitment to a holistic dance education is evident in their varied offerings:

• Early Childhood Dance Programs: Engaging classes like Creative Movement (for ages 2.5-4) and Pre-Ballet (for ages 3.5-5) introduce young children to the joy of movement, develop motor skills, coordination, and self-expression through music in a fun, disguised learning environment.
• Classical Ballet Training: A cornerstone of their curriculum, comprehensive ballet technique classes are offered across multiple levels (Ballet Technique A1, B, C, D, T, 7-9, 12+, Company), focusing on fundamental positions, barre work, center combinations, and advanced traveling motor skills. Pointe work is also included for appropriate levels.
• Modern and Contemporary Dance: These classes explore expressive movement, improvisation, composition, and a blend of lyrical and modern foundations, allowing dancers to develop their artistic voice and emotional expression.
• Jazz Dance: Students learn jazz technique, stylized movement, proper stretching, and performance skills, enhancing flexibility, strength, and rhythmic precision. Classes are available for various age groups and skill levels.
• Tap Dance: Instruction covers everything from basic tap technique and clarity of sound to advanced rhythms, wings, pullbacks, and complex combinations, emphasizing speed and clarity for intermediate and advanced students.
• Hip-Hop: Energetic and dynamic classes that teach hip-hop technique and choreography, suitable for different age ranges and experience levels.
• Acrodance: Combining classical dance technique with acrobatic elements, this class focuses on flexibility, strength, and tumbling skills within a dance context.
• Summer Dance Intensives (SDI): Rigorous summer training programs for serious students, typically ages 8-18, featuring a challenging daily schedule of technique classes, rehearsals, and culminating in a final showcase. These intensives often include specialized training in ballet, character, conditioning, contemporary, jazz, modern, pointe, repertoire, and variations.
• Private Lessons: While group classes are prominent, private instruction may be available for highly individualized attention and accelerated progress.
• Performance Opportunities: Students regularly have the opportunity to showcase their skills in various performances, including annual showcases like HarttWorks and the beloved Nutcracker production, providing invaluable stage experience.

The Hartt Community Division Dance Department distinguishes itself through several key features and highlights, making it a premier choice for dance education in Connecticut:

• Accredited Institutional Membership: HCD is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance, ensuring adherence to rigorous standards of artistic and educational quality.
• Exceptional Faculty: The department boasts a faculty comprised of highly experienced and renowned dance professionals, many with extensive performance and teaching backgrounds from prestigious companies and institutions. Their expertise ensures that students receive top-tier instruction across all dance genres.
• Comprehensive Curriculum: HCD offers a well-rounded curriculum that integrates various dance techniques with related disciplines like music, dance history, improvisation, composition, and kinesiology, providing students with a deep and holistic understanding of dance as an art form.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Being part of the University of Hartford, students benefit from access to professional dance studios, performance venues like the Mort and Irma Handel Performing Arts Center and Millard Auditorium, and other campus amenities conducive to learning and artistic development.
• Pathways for All Levels: From pre-kindergarten beginners to serious pre-professional students and adults looking to engage in dance for fitness or enjoyment, HCD provides appropriate pathways and challenges for every age and skill level.
• Emphasis on Performance and Expression: While technical mastery is crucial, the department also emphasizes artistic expression, musicality, and performance quality, preparing students not just as technicians but as expressive artists. Students get ample opportunities to perform in showcases and productions, allowing them to apply their training in a real-world setting.
• Supportive Community: The program fosters a nurturing and encouraging environment where students can thrive, build confidence, and connect with fellow dancers who share their passion. Reviewers consistently praise the "excellent experience" and the "best" faculty, highlighting the positive and supportive learning atmosphere.
• Connection to The Hartt School: Students in the Community Division benefit from their association with a leading conservatory, which can provide exposure to higher-level dance studies and professional networks for those aspiring to pursue dance professionally.

For more information about programs, registration, or to discuss your dance education needs, please contact The Hartt Community Division Dance Department:

Address: 35 Westbourne Pkwy, Hartford, CT 06112, USA

Phone: (860) 768-6000

Mobile Phone: +1 860-768-6000

For anyone in Connecticut with an interest in dance, The Hartt Community Division Dance Department represents an unparalleled opportunity. Its comprehensive programming caters to every age and skill level, ensuring that whether you’re a parent seeking a high-quality dance introduction for your child, a teenager with aspirations of a professional career, or an adult looking for a fulfilling artistic outlet, HCD has a place for you. The department’s location in Hartford makes it conveniently accessible from across the state, reducing travel burdens for dedicated students and their families.

What truly makes HCD suitable for locals is its unwavering commitment to excellence, coupled with a nurturing community environment. As one reviewer eloquently stated, "This exceptional performing arts educational facility is informed at every turn and by every participant by an unshakable dedication to excellence. Bravo! Brava!" This dedication translates into a learning experience where students not only develop strong technical skills but also gain confidence, discipline, and a deep appreciation for the arts. With a faculty of accomplished professionals and a wide array of classes from classical ballet to modern and jazz, The Hartt Community Division Dance Department provides a robust foundation and continued growth opportunities, making it the premier destination for dance education in Connecticut.

Hartt Community Division Dance Department

35 Westbourne Pkwy, Hartford, CT 06112, USA