WCA dance classes at YMCA of Orrville
Wayne Center for the Arts recently announced a new partnership with the YMCA in Orrville, bringing three dance classes to the local community at 1801 Smucker Road in Orrville. These classes will cater to a range of ages, from young children to seniors.
“I’m excited to begin teaching in Orrville,” said Brittany Eckstrom, dance coordinator at WCA. “The community has already been so welcoming, and I look forward to sharing my love of dance with everyone.”
Eckstrom will lead the classes, which are set to begin Monday, Sept. 16.
For the youngest dancers, age 3-5, WCA will offer a combination creative movement and preballet class. This introductory program is designed to nurture creativity and physical development through storytelling, music and movement. No prior dance experience is required.
“Children thrive in a loving, positive and nurturing environment,” Eckstrom said. “Our focus is on helping them develop alignment, strength, flexibility, musicality and a lifelong love for dance.”
Kids age 6-12 can join the all-levels ballet class, where they will be introduced to the fundamentals of ballet. This class will cover basic ballet vocabulary and exercises; enhance alignment, strength, coordination and flexibility; and foster a love for dance. Again, no prior dance experience is necessary.
Seniors age 60 and over are invited to participate in Golden Steps: Senior Chair Tap, a class designed to bring the joy of tap dancing to seniors from the comfort of a chair. This class focuses on gentle movements, basic tap steps, and exercises that promote coordination, rhythm and flexibility.
“It’s all about having fun and staying active in a lively, supportive environment,” Eckstrom said. “You don’t need any dance experience — just a willingness to tap into your creativity.”
While tap shoes are encouraged, they are not required.
“Our 2023 strategic plan emphasized the importance of expanding our reach beyond Wooster to other parts of Wayne County,” WCA Executive Director Sara Starr Brink said. “Partnering with the YMCA in Orrville is helping us to achieve this goal, and we’re excited to offer these dance classes to the community. We hope to expand our offerings even further in the near future.”
“We believe our members will love these new classes,” said Lindsey Baumgartner, branch director for the Orrville YMCA, “and we’re hopeful that others in the community will be drawn to both the YMCA and WCA through this collaboration.”
For more information about the classes and to register, visit www.WayneArtsCenter.org/classes. Financial aid is available.