At Clarion Center for the Arts, we believe that setting goals and working hard to achieve them boosts a child's Confidence and helps them develop grit. With Sparky Pins, students have a tangible (and fun!) incentive for reaching important dance milestones!
Sparky Pins are earned by mastering certain dance skills at five different levels. These dance skills are divided into six different cateogories.
Balance Balance is what gives our dancers poise and grace. It requires immense abdominal strength and focus.
Pirouettes As the quintessential dance move, pirouettes are an absolute must in any dancer's tool kit.
Jumps How high you jump, how far you jump and how graceful you land are all imperative to a dancer.
Flexibility Dancers need flexible legs, backs and shoulders to execute the entire realm of dance steps.
Strength & Endurance Dance requires athleticism just like any sport! But dancers have the extra challenge of making it look easy.
Musicality Dancers must also be musicians, understanding rhythm, accents and the sounds of each instrument.
View each level's checklist by clicking the buttons below
You can view your child's progress through your online Parent Portal by clicking the Report Card button under Students.
Here are some pictures and videos to help you pactice!
Relevé in 1st position Legs stretched and feet turned out
Arabesque with arms in 2nd Legs stretched and back foot pointed
Tendu Derrière with arms in 2nd Legs stretched and front foot turned out
Parallel Retiré Supporting leg stretched, foot pointed and attached to side of leg
Grand Plié in 2nd position Turned out with knees over the toes
Relevé in 5th position with arms 5th en avant Legs stretched, feet turned out, no space between ankles
1st Arabesque At least 90 degress, legs turned out, arms properly placed
Turned out Retiré Working foot unsickled at the side of the knee
Parallel Retiré in Relevé Strong ankles and no wobbling
Grand Plié in 1st position Turned out with knees over the toes, no wobbling
Grand Battement en croix No wiggling of supporting leg
Échappé Relevé Strong ankles, no wobbing
Relevé 5th, Retiré, close 5th, Plié combination
1st Arabesque to press up and lower heel
Grand Plié in 5th position
Développé en croix
Échappé Relevé en croix
Heel stretch
1st Arabesque, press up and hold
Grand Plié in 4th position
Développé en croix in relevé
Heel stretch and let go
Arabesque, Penche and recover
Promenade in 1st Arabesque
How to Get Your Front Split
How to Get Your Straddle Split
Tadpole and Froggy
Bracelet 4 inches from head
Bracelet 2 inches from head
Bracelet touching head
Bracelet in splits
Baby Bridge
Basic Bridge
Bridge with shoulders in line with hands
Bridge with shoulders past hands
Front attitude with knee to chest
Side attitude with knee to chest
Flat-foot bourée with head spot
Flat-foot 3-step turn
Quarter turns in parallel coupé
Bourée in 1st position releve with head spot
3-step turn in relevé
Half turns in parallel passé
Consecutive chaine turns
Double pirouette in parallel passé
Single pirouette in turned out passé
Basic pique turn
Plank Shoulders in line with wrists, neck in line with spine
Side Plank Straight line from head to toes and from hand to hand
Wall Sit Head against wall, arms by sides
V-sit Legs and spine straight
Tabletop Shoulders in line with wrists, flat surface from knees to head
Superman & Banana
Burpees
Burpees with pushup
Hinge on the knees
Hinge on forced arch
Step 1: Take a picture or video of the student accomplishing a skill from one of the checklists
Step 2: Make sure you have a Google account. Click here to set one up.
Step 3: Click the button below to submit your pictures and videos!