The new Northern Illinois University Community Dance School is offering classes that are open to a wide range of age groups in its 12 week session from Sept. 19 to Dec. 16.

Danielle Jay, NIU associate professor of physical education, who is supervising the school, said the teachers for these classes are Janet Berkes and Diane Rimmer.

The non-credit classes offered are: creative dance one and two, creative movement, pre-ballet, beginning ballet, beginning tap, beginning jazz, adult jazz, adult ballet, jazz exercise, and body wellness through dance and modern dance.

Jay said, “Pre-ballet is taken before the beginning ballet class by three- or four-year-olds and covers the beginning ballet positions and basic things like rounding hands and things like the basic kinds of steps.”

There are three levels of ballet: pre-ballet, beginning ballet and adult ballet. Jay said, “An adult is anyone who is age 16 and older.”

The cost of the class is $65 for students and $75 for adults, with a $10 fee per family. The classes are open to college students and the community.

Creative dance one is for ages three and four, while creative dance two is for five- and six-year-olds. Creative movement is for six- and seven-year olds. The ballet classes are for children aged seven and eight, and beginning ballet is for eight- and 10-year olds. Ages nine through adult can take classes such as beginning tap and jazz.