About

GARY TAYLOR DANCE

  • PK DANCE (Ages 4-5)
  • ELEMENTARY DANCE
  • ENSEMBLE DANCE
  • IMAGINE YOUTH THEATER JR
  • IMAGINE YOUTH THEATER

Gary Taylor Dance offers an exciting place to learn for dancers ages 4 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.

Studio Dance

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

PK Dance, ages 4-5, 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.

For Elementary (Gr 1 and up), 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.

MUSICAL THEATER

Imagine Youth Theater (IYT) offers performance based musical theater workshops featuring IYT Jr beginning at Grade 2 along with a Summer Stock workshop program.

Ensemble Dance

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.  Classes are offered both in studio under current NC Directives and on-line interactively. 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 1 and up) with be evaluated for proper and most beneficial program placement.  Faculty is diverse, rotational, and includes featured guest artists.

2020-2021 SEASON ENSEMBLE CLASSES august 17 – JUNE 11th
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2021 SUMMER INTENSIVE DAY CAMP(4 WEEKS) JUNE 14- JULY 9, fEATURING SUPER SUMMER
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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

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

CLASSES:  August 17, 2020 – June 12, 2021

PRODUCTION:  Spring 2021 – watch for details coming soon!

SPRING PERFORMANCE 2020 – COLORS

“The colors of a rainbow
blend across the sky.
There’s magic all around us.
No need to wonder why…
Yellow, Orange, Green, and Blue, A lovely spectrum just for you. A color wheel, and with that said, Remember, there is always Red!“

Excerpt from the “COLORS” script written by PK Dance Director, Carol Johnson


On March 16, 2020, Gary Taylor Dance was required to “Shelter in the Studios” and converted to an on-line interactive teaching, rehearsal, and performance format all while awaiting our return to the studio. With the “New Norm” came challenges and adaptation and the commitment to this year’s performance, “COLORS, The Film”.

PK DANCE For ages 4-5

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 (Gr 1 and up)

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

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Looking for Jr Company?

Imagine Youth Theater

IYT Winter Workshop, Clifton Samuels, Director



IYT JR Winter Workshop, Carol Johnson, Director

February 6, 2:30pm & 5:30pm

TICKETS

Imagine Youth Theater is a workshop based musical theater program offering several performance workshops per season, and a 3-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 Theater offering workshops for upper grades, One Acts workshops, and Summer Stock (*Age 18 and under, recent graduates welcome)

Imagine Youth Theater Jr offering workshops beginning at Grade 2 and Summer Stock

MEET THE STAFF

Program and Workshop Directors and Staff

Continue reading “Imagine Youth Theater”

Nutcracker

Performed December 17 and 19, 2020 at the High Point Theater

RETURNS IN 2021!

Thank you to all who joined us for the first ever Gary Taylor Dance Covid Compliant, Live Streamed Nutcracker for 2020!

A family favorite of the season! 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.

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Nutcracker Student Performance Returns 2021

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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Continue reading “Nutcracker”