Spring 2015 After School Course Descriptions
 Dance Renaissance: Classes will focus on creative movement and ballet; Students will study a
variety of dance concepts while working on spatial awareness, problem solving, and strengthening
the body and brain. The program culminates with an “informance” at the end of the semester for
parents, school and community, showcasing the technique and concepts learned over the
semester.
 Zumba: Zumba fitness is a fun and action filled fitness class based in Latin and hip hop dancing. In
the hour of class, students be moving, grooving, and shaking with a smile on their face. They will
be exercising without even realizing it. Get your girls in on the Zumba fitness craze!
 Beginner Parkour: This class teaches the fundamentals of parkour, promotes a high level of
physical fitness, and emphasizes the relationship between the two. Students will learn basic skills
including quadrupedal movement, landings, rolls, basic gymnastics, jumps, cat leaps, vaults,
underbars, tic tacs, wall runs, and basic freerunning tricks. Additionally, students will apply these
skills to complete longer movement combinations and obstacle courses.
 Intermediate Parkour: *Beginner Parkour is a pre-requisite for taking this class* This course is
designed to further challenge those participants with solid fundamentals and a capable fitness
level. Through repetition and skill refinement, students will learn intermediate skills and be
expected to complete more difficult workouts. Dedication to conditioning and skills training outside
of class is necessary to progress at this level.
 Improv and Shakespeare: Ever wanted to be an Actor? A Movie Star? On Broadway? Join
experienced actors from the Black Actors Guild as they play Improv games, recite Shakespeare,
and study the fine art of Acting. Class with the "BAG" is safe, fun, and friendly. As the class
evolves, you'll have a chance to audition for the Denver Shakespeare Festival- which is one of the
largest festivals in the world! Come and see what Acting is all about!
 Rock Band 2.0: This class is open to any student who has taken rock band in the past. Use the
fundamentals that you learned on drums, keys, guitar and vox to really rock out in a band
setting. We will play lots of songs together and even write some of our own. Collaboration and
creativity are the most important components of this class. The rest of it is simply rocking out!
 Capoeira: Capoiera was created by slaves brought to Brazil to work on the sugar cane plantations.
Disguising their martial art as a dance served as a way for them to train to escape from their
captors and their oppression. Years later, the beautiful martial art/dance fusion has spread over the
world as both a fun physical activity and, for many, a lifestyle. Students will learn the fundamentals
Spring 2015 After School Course Descriptions
of Capoiera movement, music and history through segments of exercises, games, music, and
crafts to, self-confidence, cultural awareness and a healthy lifestyle.
 French Conversation and Culture: Taught by our very own Jenn Green! This class will be geared
towards beginner and intermediate learners. Students will have the opportunity to play fun games
that will expand their vocabulary and knowledge of French art and culture.
 My Body, My Voice, My Expression…: A creative arts exploration towards discovering,
developing, and navigating our personal inner power through the use of movement, music, art, and
voice.
 Bgirl 101: This program will take teens on a Bgirl journey, where the participant will learn the Bgirl
style of dance and art through Hip-Hop Culture. The class focus is on style and technique of
Breaking for females, and will include foundations of the dance, mixed with fun street art projects,
all fused together in a cool event produced by the teens to showcase the Bgirl style. This class is
empowering to young females and helps them learn style, as well as helps build their individual
character while working together as a group. No dance background necessary, athletic ability is a
plus but not necessary. This class will help you if you are shy as well!
 Hip Hop Dance: Break it down and feel the beat as you rock out, conditioning your body and
learning the “fun”damentals of Hip Hop. The instructor will guide the students through strength &
flexibility exercises to heighten mobility & stamina while developing fun & challenging dance
combinations in order to build confidence in performance & presentation opportunities.
 GALS Choir: Join us in singing beautiful melodies and harmonies. Students will learn singing
technique while also learning songs in a choral setting. We will finish the semester with a choir
performance for friends and family!
 Latin Dancing with the Stars ¡en español!: Join us for this unique experience which fuses the art
of Latin dancing with conversational Spanish vocabulary. Students will learn different styles of Latin
dance, Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cha Cha, learning basic steps, techniques, body movements
and terminology, with the majority of their directional instruction in Spanish only. All levels of ability
are welcome! We will also use fun projects and games to teach kids the history of different dance
styles and their countries.
 Sticky Fingers Cooking: A healthy cooking class created by a GALS parent (Erin Fletter). The
girls will have the opportunity to learn some fun recipes and try out their cooking skills as well as
expand on those learned in previous semesters!
Spring 2015 After School Course Descriptions
 Visual Art: This series will include pastel and charcoal drawing as well as painting. The instructor
will introduce a variety of techniques and students will also have the opportunity to view different
painter's work, discussing their techniques and having an opportunity to work in their style.
 Guardian and Gal: Exploration towards non-verbal and verbal skills through movement to develop
and strengthen relationships between parents and your GALS's girl. This workshop is a
parent/child workshop that will meet twice a month.
 Students of Color and Allies (SOCA): This class will meet bi-weekly starting Jan. 8th. We will be
researching different social justice movements throughout history and what they can teach us
about the #blacklivesmatter anti-police brutality movement that is currently happening. This group
exists as a space for students to bring their honest thoughts and emotions about race, power,
oppression and injustice as they experience them both in and outside of the GALS community.
Students who participated in the “Curly Hair Girls” class are also invited to join this class and
expand on the topics discussed last semester.
 Spelling Bee: Taught by Monica Flanigan (a GALS parent) who creates her curriculum using the
Scripps National Spelling Bee guidelines. GALS spellers will participate in spelling bees throughout
the Denver metro area, including the interschool City Written bee on February 19th. This class will
end on February 27th.