OUR history & MISSION
So Fly Kids was founded in 2006 with the goal of empowering kids through movement with our in-school dance, and swim programs. In 2017, we expanded our programming to add our highly sought after winter, spring & summer camp, as well as our Performing Arts Studio at Runway, Playa Vista.
SFK Academy of Dance, opened its doors with the aim of providing quality, technique-driven dance instruction, in a positive, supportive, environment.
Our goal is to cultivate young dancers into confident, well-rounded individuals who not only have an appreciation for dance, but who reach for high achievement in academics, and community service. Our instruction is structured, and curriculum based, but also age-appropriate and individualized, to ensure each and every one of our students become excellent dancers, who love, and enjoy dance. In addition to dance skills, we aim to instill life skills such as respect, teamwork, and outreach, educating and inspiring our dancers to excel in the studio, on-stage, and beyond!
the benefits of dance and music
why dance and music?
Today we know more about how our children learn and grow than ever before, with solid data from experts in their field confirming the benefits of music and movement.
In addition to the clear physical benefits, even if a dancer eventually decides to hang up their shoes, dance lessons are still a great investment.
Not only will the student have a greater physical advantage of balance, timing, and flexibility for other sports, but dance education also has positive long-term effects on a child’s and adult’s socialization, cognitive functioning, academic performance, and emotional well-being.
cognitive development
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Scientists found that dancing incorporates several simultaneous brain functions like rational thinking, music, and an emotional sense of well-being.
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Dancing in a structured dance class environment with choreography fosters calculation and planning; sequential learning; patterns; spatial development; increased motivation to learn; mental flexibility and mastery; problem solving skills; holistic thinking (right and left brain inclusion); and memory.
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Music engages the brain while stimulating neural pathways associated with such higher forms of intelligence as abstract thinking, empathy, and mathematics.
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Music’s melodic and rhythmic patterns provide exercise for the brain and help develop memory. Who among us learned the ABC’s without the ABC song?
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Developmentally appropriate music activities involve the whole child-the child’s desire for language, the body’s urge to move, the brain’s attention to patterns, the ear’s lead in initiating communication, the voice’s response to sounds, as well as the eye-hand coordination associated with playing musical instruments.
“A rich voice opens the ear and gives energy to the nervous system. Not only does it help children process and memorize the message, but it also increases their desire to listen more, learn more, and know more. A good voice fills the cognitive and emotional brain.”
– Paul Madaule, Founder and Director, The Listening Centre
academic performance
Not surprisingly, the cognitive benefits of dance often translate to academic success.
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School children exposed to dance may do a better job at mastering reading, writing and math than those who focus solely on academics.
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Dancers work holistically using the right and left brain. The right brain dictates creativity, intuition, and a look at the whole, whereas the left brain is the logical, sequential and analytical side. In creating movement phrases (choreography), both sides work in conjunction with each other giving a more comprehensive approach than traditional schooling.
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Students who take dance lessons often have better listening skills and better recall.
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Students who participate in the arts are not only more likely to participate in a math and science fair, but also out-perform their peers on the SATs by 87 points.
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Children who study dance and music score significantly higher than the national average on the Scholastic Aptitude Test.
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A 2007 poll found that 88% of all post-graduate students in college and 83% of all people earning $150,000 or more had extensive music training.
“Speech and music have a number of shared processing systems. Musical experiences which enhance processing can therefore impact on the perception of language which in turn impacts on learning to read.”
– Susan Hallam, Institute of Education, University of London
“Students who participated in performing arts such as dance and music, scored an average of 31 to 50 points higher for the math and verbal sections.”
– College Entrance Examination Board
social emotional benefits
Going far beyond better test scores, dance and music helps relieve stress and gives students a healthy outlet for creativity and self-expression, helping build self-esteem, self-confidence, and strengthened social skills.
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Students participate in a community where appreciation and positive encouragement are held in high value, with kids encouraging one another in class.
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Students gain a sense of accomplishment when a dance is memorized or a performance has been executed.
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Performing on stage in front of an audience gives a dancer exposure to ‘doing or speaking’ in front of others.
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Music is a creative experience which involves expression of feelings. Children often do not have the words to express themselves and need positive ways to release their emotions.
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Participating in dance classes and performances allows individuals to work with others which will prepare them for future relationships, both personal and professional.
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Social fundamentals enhanced in dance classes include team exploration; communication; camaraderie; cooperation; responsibility; tolerance; respect for peers, teachers, mentors and elders; problem solving; and patience.
“Resiliency — to bounce back after a disturbing event — is not something we are born with; it must be learned, and sometimes that takes many years. There is no vehicle more joyful and playful for providing such training than early childhood music and movement.”
– Dee Joy Coulter, Ed.D., Neuroscience Educator
“Music brings people together. Through music, children take an inner experience and move it into a shared creative experience. Group music-making releases energy which can be channeled in creative, productive directions. Children learn about themselves and others by playing music together and by listening to each other — tapping into hidden courage that can be played out by singing together or discovering the inner resources to listen quietly to another child’s playing.”
– Judi Bosco, Board Certified Music Therapist
Dance and music has the ability to inspire, move, and empower those it touches.
Here at SFK, we look forward to sharing that gift of dance and music with you.
*Sources: artsusa.org, examined existence.com, Reuters, Ltd., Early Childhood Connections, College Entrance Examination Board, Front and Centre Productions, The Movement Center