WELCOME TO OUR SCHOOL

Established in 1980, Mark Spivak's Institute and Dance Extension has been providing the Jacksonville community with outstanding dance classes for over twenty-six years.

Mark Spivak's Institute and its staff are dedicated to reach out to every student and help them discover the wonderful magic within themselves through the beauty of dance.

Our school offers high quality dance classes for students of all ages, from toddlers to adults. Our program includes Ballet, Pointe, Character, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Modern, Cheerdance, Acrobatics, Tumbling, Pre-School Creative Dance, and a Summer Program: Fun Dance Camp and Summer classes for those who would like to keep in shape, and for those who needs to try a different class in order to find out what they like best.

We encourage all students, age eight and older to take at least two classes weekly to ensure maximum benefit from their training. This is the normal standard in all professionally oriented dance schools. It is recommended, but not mandatory. Quality teaching remains in all classes; every student deserves the same high level of teaching and attention, regardless of their dance goals!

Different classes and levels are available for children, teens and adults.

Creative Dance (18 month through 2 year old) - one time a week class offered to young age children with parent/adult, stimulates children's spontaneity and self-expression. In a playful atmosphere, children discover the joy of dance through the exploration of space, time and energy. A variety of music and props as well as ballet, jazz, tap, tumbling and games are used to enhance the learning experience and develop social skills.

Ballet/Tap/Tumbling (3 - 4 1/2 year old) - one or two times a week introductory combination classes help children to explore the basic elements of dance while having fun moving, using props and hearing a variety of music (age appropriate classical and Disney). This class will help students develop concentration, music appreciation, social skills, self-confidence and coordination. Children will gain basic knowledge of ballet, tap, or tumbling.

Ballet Beginning I-II, Intermediate and Advance (5 year old & up) - students are being introduced to formal study of classical ballet through age-appropriate skill development, creative expression and the relationship between music and dance. Using French terminology, Vaganova's system along with Chicetti's, young dancers learns the French vocabulary of classical ballet, technique and emphasis on body placement.

Pointe class and Ballet Variations - Pointe is essential for the serious dancer. The dancer must be at least 11 years of age, with 3 to 5 years of disciplined experience. Pointe may only be taken at the discretion of the teacher. Classes for different levels and ages are offered. In order to take Pointe student must take two Ballet classes per week for at least 2 years.

Character Dance (9 year old & up) - this course offers a wide variety of a fusion of cross- cultural dance from around the world. Russian, Ukrainian, Greek, Moldavian, African, European, Latin and more...

Hip-Hop/Jazz - children of all ages will have fun listening to their favorite popular artists while learning basic steps and techniques of Hip-Hop and Jazz dance. Hip-Hop is a high-energy dance form. This class will keep students in shape as they learn new upbeat moves.

Tap - Students learn tap terminology and to apply rhythm and timing into a tap routine. Tap dance develops a keen sense of rhythm as well as coordination.

Jazz - various forms of movement and the wide terminology utilized in this form of dance. Two basic styles are used:(1) modern or contemporary jazz, and (2) the new rock, video and stage dance.

Modern (9 year old & up) - contemporary dance movements with self expression.

Acrobatics (3 year old & up) - the art of body flexibility. It also teaches balance, strength, muscle control, and above all, discipline and concentration.

Cheerdance (5 year old & up) - this classes includes but not limited to précised cheerleading hands movements, jumps, elements of jazz.

ANNUAL SHOW

At the end of the dance year, in the mid of June, students from all classes will have the opportunity to present what they have achieved during the course of the year to friends and family in our annual performance. It will be the culmination of a year's work of studying dance style and technique.

Mark Spivak was born, raised and began studying dance in Kiev, Ukraine and graduated from Professional Dance School in his native city.

After performing as a principal dancer for a number of years with different companies in Russia and Ukraine, he was accepted to the Institute of Culture and Arts in Kiev where he graduated as a teacher, choreographer and business administrator.

After graduation, Mark applied his knowledge and talent to Tripoli Dance Ensemble and was awarded the Gold Medal at the National Festival in Moscow. Mark has traveled as a guest teacher and choreographer throughout the USSR and Europe.

After immigrating to the United States in 1979, Mark became well known as a Master Teacher, Choreographer and an active member in the dance community throughout the country.

Mark's professional membership include past president for 3 consecutive years of Dance Masters of America Florida Chapter President, and national board member of Dance Masters of America. He is an active member of the same organization; and the Florida Dance Association.

Mark has taught master classes in ballet, character dance and choreographed productions for the Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Ohio and Texas Dance Masters of America conventions, Tampa and Colorado Ballet, National Dance Association in Washington, D.C., Texas Association Teachers of Dance, Virginia School of Arts and for the 14th International Ballet Seminar in Benton Harbor, Michigan; Orlando City Ballet Company as well as for American Colleges and Florida Dance Festival.

For seven consecutive years, Mark had been invited to the Oregon Ballet Theater as summer stuff member, where he served as a choreographer and teacher. The past three years he has also been a guest teacher for the Tulsa Ballet Summer Program.

Locally, Mark is one of founding directors of the Community Nutcracker. He also served as one of the Artistic directors for the First Coast Nutcracker from 1981-1991.

Since 1980, Mark has been Artistic Director of Mark Spivak's Institute and Character Dance Ensemble. It is a non-profit group comprised of students from the Mark Spivak's Institute and Dance Extension. Founded in 1985, Mark Spivak's Character Dance Ensemble has brought audiences unique and diverse repertoire of character dance.
Original work, choreographed by founding artistic director, Mark Spivak, offers the dance enthusiast a thoroughly unique experience of international dance diversity in the best tradition of world known companies, like Moiseyev, Berezka, and Mozovshe.
Repertoire of Mark Spivak's Character Dance Ensemble includes work based on the folkloric tradition of Russia, Ukraine, Greece, Israel, Mexico, Hungary, and many more.