About

Philosophy Statement

The Dance Lab believes that dance and movement experiences allow children to grow creatively, artistically, and physically. Boys and girls benefit from the imaginative environment and physical challenges presented by the Dance Lab classes. Students are encouraged to utilize decision-making and problem-solving skills, independently and cooperatively. The Dance Lab offers an inventive program guided by developmentally appropriate structures, incorporating dance and movement with music, games, stories, and props.

Student Benefits

Students involved in the Dance Lab movement and dance classes will experience the opportunities to…

• Build a positive self-image
• Connect cognition with physical growth
• Develop individual creative thought processes
• Enhance focus, attention, and concentration
• Expand bodily awareness
• Strengthen aesthetic development
• Experiment with movement potentials
• Explore independent and cooperative problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Improve physical strength and stamina
• Increase flexibility and coordination
• Pretend and play through movement and dance structures
• Utilize imaginative ideas

Addressing Students with Special Needs

Candace has taught children with special needs including Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Tourette Syndrome, Nonverbal Language Disorder, and Attention Deficit Disorder. Her experiences have also addressed several physically challenged students as well. Candace is sensitive to the needs of all children that interact with the Dance Lab. Many children with individual challenges have seen improved confidence, self-accomplishment, and a sense of calm while moving and dancing with Candace.

Biography

Candace A. Carriger, MA Artistic Director Candace holds an MA in Dance and Dance Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and a BA in Dance from the University of Maryland. She also obtained teacher certification through the Dance Education Laboratory at the 92nd Street Y, in New York City. Candace is a specialist in early childhood dance education with a focus on the artistic and physical development of young children. Her professional dance training includes study at The Maryland Youth Ballet, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, and The Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance. She has performed with a variety of independent modern dance choreographers, several community-based ballet companies, as well as developing her own choreographic projects. Her New York teaching experiences include; the Bank Street School for Children, STEPS on Broadway, the Weekday School at the Riverside Church, Alvin Ailey Dance Center, Ballet Hispanico, Eliot Feld's Ballet Tech, and Ballet Academy East. Candace developed the Dance Lab in order to share her many years of teaching experience, dance training and education, and love for moving with another generation of creative movers. Candace is also a certified Pilates teacher and kids Yoga instructor.