About

Gary Taylor Dance offers an exciting place to learn for dancers ages 3 and older and actors grade 2-12.

For dancers, age and ability appropriate classes are available at various levels of study commitments. Whether you want a class one day or week or every chance you can, there is a program for you.

Actors will find an exciting experience with Imagine Youth Theater performance-based workshops.

Gary Taylor Dance, dedicated to the promotion and practice of the performing arts, is a division of Winston-Salem Festival Ballet, a non-profit 501c-3 organization.

DANCE

Our philosophy from the Director

Ensemble Dance

For dancers who want more…

The Ensemble Dance Program offers age and ability appropriate classes in ballet, pointe, partnering, jazz, tap, contemporary, and musical theater for grades 2 and older. Ensemble performing members study two or more days per week and are eligible to perform in the annual Nutcracker and Spring productions along with special events, festivals, and conferences. This program also offers a Summer Intensive with a conservatory-style curriculum based on the same philosophy.  Placement auditions are encouraged for new students.

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Studio Dance

Studio Dance classes meet one day a week and feature a special themed end-of-season performance.

PK Dance, ages 3-6, a division of Studio Dance, is a program specifically focused on the preschool and early elementary years for ages 3 through first grade. The PK Dance summer program offers classes and themed camps.

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For elementary and middle school students, the Studio Dance program also offers ballet, jazz, and tap classes with a special end-of-the-year performance. This studio program also offers a summer curriculum.

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Dance for Musical Theatre (Ages 10 and older)

Classes are designed for musical theater and consist of a tap class and at least one the following subjects: Jazz/Hip-Hop, Contemporary, and/or Musical Theater.

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MUSICAL THEATER

Imagine Youth Theater (IYT) offers performance based musical theater workshops for Grades 2-7 and 8-12 featuring the Imagine Broadway Program (new).  IYT features a Summer Stock, 2-week workshop program.

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Ensemble Dance

For the dancer who wants more.

Ensemble dance training is based on a broad spectrum of movement rooted in classical training outlined for optimum advancement.  Dancers train a minimum of 2-4 days per week with a conservatory style curriculum featuring a daily Ballet/Pointe class and at least one of the following:  Variation, Jazz/Hip Hop, Contemporary, Tap, Musical Theater. (age and ability appropriate).  Dancers new to the program, (grades 2 and up) with be evaluated for proper and most beneficial program placement.  Faculty is diverse, rotational, and includes featured guest artists.

2019-2020 SEASON ENSEMBLE CLASSES begin the week of August 12
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PERFORMING MEMBERS:  Taylor Dance’s Ensemble Performing Member program is a pre-professional program for the diversified dancer who wants more training and performance opportunities including The Nutcracker.  Dancers train a minimum of 2-4 days per week with a conservatory style format with additional rehearsals outside the scheduled classroom environment.

From the most classical to the most contemporary dancer, our mission is to create strong dancers who are highly technical, can perform with confidence and experience, and possess the assuredness to brave the current world of dance.

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Studio Dance

Studio Dance features:

These classes meet one day per week, and registration is accepted year-round but early registration is encouraged for optimal schedule choices.  Each season concludes with a special production themed especially for the Studio dance program members.  A 4-week summer session is also offered.

FACULTY:  Carol Johnson, India Green, Jacky Draughon

REGISTRATION:  $50 per season (Accepted year-round)

PRODUCTION:  Saturday, June 13, 10:30am, Robert E. Lee Auditorium

CURRENT SEASON:  August 12, 2019- June 13, 2020

SUMMER CLASSES 2020:  June 15-July 10, 2020 (No classes July 4th)

Summer Dance Themed Camps with Jacky Draughn (Check back! Information Forthcoming!)

PK DANCE For ages 3-6

A one-hour class that meets once a week featuring ballet, tap, creative movement and tumbling tailored to young attention spans and motor skill development.

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ELEMENTARY

Ballet, Jazz, and Tap (one day per week)

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Ballet, Jazz, and Tap (one day per week)

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DANCE FOR MUSICAL THEATER

For Middle/High School Students (one day per week)

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Imagine Youth Theater

Imagine Youth Theater is a workshop based musical theater program offering several performance workshops per season and a 2-week Summer Stock workshop. Casting auditions are held prior to the workshops which typically meet twice a week.  (All who audition will be cast.)  Students study acting, singing, blocking, and choreography specific to the production.

The program offers two divisions:

Imagine Youth Theatre offering workshops for Grades 7-12

Imagine Youth Theatre Jr offering workshops for Grades 2-6

MEET THE STAFF

Program and workshop directors and staff

Dance for Musical Theater

Dance class for middle/high school students interested in musical theatre.

Visit the Imagine Youth Theater Facebook Page
Questions about the program?  Email Managing Director, Jules Latham

Nutcracker

Returns November 29-Dec 1, 2019

A family favorite of the season, Taylor Dance Nutcracker performs Thanksgiving weekend. Choreography is by award-winning Artistic Director, Gary Taylor. Sets are by award-winning designer, Howard Jones. Original costumes are designed by artistic director and founder Rita Taylor. The weekend features three full length performances for all ages.

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Nutcracker Student Performance Series, scheduled to return November 26, 2019

The Student Performance Series program is designed to be an interactive arts resource for instructors to enrich their students’ exposure to the performing arts.  Performances are offered for a special price.  This is a dramatic reduction of over 70% off general admission ticket prices to show our commitment to making the performing arts available for every young person. The average show length is one hour.  As an added benefit to educators, classroom teachers and assistants receive complimentary tickets. (Limit 2 per classroom.)

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Sensory Friendly Performance, (New) November 27, 2019

With a show length of approximately one hour, this Sensory Friendly Performance is open to adults, children, and families with special and sensory needs and offered at a special price.

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