Young Arts
Nurturing Young Minds and Bodies
Classes from 6 months – adult
Where creativity begins.
Your child is growing, learning, and discovering new ways to express themselves every day. At MoCo Arts in Keene, NH, our Young Arts Program nurtures that growth through joyful, play-based dance and theatre for children ages 6 months through grade 1.
Students in grade 2 may choose to remain in Young Arts for one more year or advance to MoCo’s School of Dance or Theatre Program, depending on their comfort and readiness.
In every class, children explore movement, imagination, and teamwork in a caring, supportive environment. Through storytelling, rhythm, and creative play, they develop confidence, coordination, and self-expression while having fun and making friends.
MoCo’s Young Arts classes and camps are infused with creativity, cooperation, and joy — helping each child blossom in their own unique way.
Scroll down for class descriptions, performance details, and class etiquette.
For in-class handouts, rehearsal, costume, or tech week information, please visit our Parent Page.
Access for All.
Every child deserves the chance to move, create, and shine.
MoCo Arts offers tuition assistance for all programs, ensuring cost never stands in the way of creativity.
How to sign up for classes:
1. Create an account on Studio Pro > HERE
2. Email us about which class you want to take at info@moco.org
3. DANCE!
Semester Focus
Fall Semester: Emphasizes foundational technique and concludes with a fun, age-appropriate unit on The Nutcracker.
Spring Semester: Focuses on creative performance and culminates in the Creative Dance Festival each June.
Summer Semester: Explores storytelling through choreography, movement, and improvisation in a relaxed, imaginative setting.
Creative Dance Levels
Creative Dance introduces children to the fundamentals of dance (ballet, tap, modern, jazz, and hip hop) while honoring their creative ways of moving.
- Creative Dance A – Age 3: While playing games, dancing with props, and listening to a variety of music, the dancers learn basic ballet positions, how to move to the beat, and how to travel through the room in new ways. The class is structured, with repetition for mastery.
- Creative Dance A/B – Ages 3 & 4: A mixed-age class that blends fundamentals of dance from levels A and B. Suitable for any children ages 3 or 4.
- Creative Dance B – Age 4 & 5: Building on the skills taught in level A, children are introduced to more complex fundamentals of dance that match their developing minds and bodies.
- Creative Dance C – Kindergarten: The class offers lots of new and challenging material, but meets the needs of children who just started school. Developing musicality, teamwork, and memorization skills, children focus on choreography that taps into their imagination and storytelling. Our curriculum believes in a broad foundation of dance skills, allowing the students to focus on specialization when they enter second grade. The age-appropriate class content inspires creativity and self-expression while having fun.
- Creative Dance C/D – Ages 5 – 7: Children will receive a brief, but well-rounded foundation in ballet, tap, modern, jazz, and kids bop. They will get to explore these new skills through creative use of props and games.
- Creative Dance D – Grade 1: The most challenging level of Creative Dance, prepares the child to choose which type of technique they will study when they “graduate” from Creative Dance when they enter second grade. This course helps students differentiate between the different styles of dance and explore their own stylistic preferences.
Creative Dance
Runs Year-Round
Movement, imagination, and growth through every stage.
At MoCo Arts in Keene, NH, Creative Dance is a fun, engaging program designed to follow the physical, emotional, and cognitive development of the growing child. Classes build coordination, confidence, and creativity through playful movement, rhythm, and storytelling — all while meeting each child where they are in their journey.
Course levels follow age, though we recognize that all children develop at their own pace. If you’re unsure which level is the best fit for your child, please call us at (603) 357-2100 — our team is happy to help.
Students should be able to participate in class independently, without consistent adult assistance when possible.
Why Families Love Creative Dance
Encourages healthy physical and cognitive development
Builds confidence, imagination, and social skills
Provides a gentle introduction to dance and performance
Offers age-appropriate opportunities to learn, move, and shine
Discover how movement becomes magic through Creative Dance at MoCo Arts, where every step inspires growth and joy.
Storytime Theatre
Runs Fall & Spring Semesters only
Where imagination takes the stage.
At MoCo Arts in Keene, NH, Storytime Theatre introduces children ages 4 through grade 2 to the magic of musical theatre. Through acting, singing, and dancing, students work together to create and perform a 45-minute theatrical production complete with costumes, sets, and lots of fun along the way.
Every child is cast in a role and guided through the creative process from start to finish — learning about stage direction, cues, character development, and teamwork. Along the way, students build memorization skills, confidence, and a love for storytelling through movement and song.
Students should be able to participate in class independently, without the consistent assistance of another adult whenever possible.
Each semester concludes with a live performance in The Founder’s Theatre, MoCo’s intimate black box performance space. These productions offer a supportive, joyful introduction to the stage — the perfect first experience for any young performer.
Babies Boogie
A dance class for caregivers and their infants 6 to 18 months.
Babies love to clap, wiggle, shake, and move to the music even before they can stand. And neuroscience is just catching up on what we’ve known for eons: music and movement are good for their bodies and brains which are developing at an incredibly fast rate. Exposure to a wide variety of music while moving with sensory props like scarves, textured balls, and shakers provides a great foundation for babies to learn all kinds of things, from developing the language centers of the brain to building fine motor skills like reaching, grabbing, and grasping. Babies learn to creatively express themselves with confidence, curiosity, and in connection with their caregivers. Plus, class is a great way to meet other families, give yourself a little workout, and dedicate some time to bonding and connecting. We welcome the new youngest members of the MoCo family!
Toddler/Adult Dance
This course is designed for toddlers (18-36 months) and their accompanying adult to spend time dancing, singing, and playing with each other and with peers. With sing-along songs, simple dances, and the use of fun and colorful props, children dance to the music and interact with other toddlers. Toddlers move and explore at their own pace and work on basic skills such as following directions, sharing, and taking turns. The course is structured and consistent, giving little children lots of time for mastery.
Babies and Toddlers
Runs Fall & Spring Semesters, and a mini Summer Session
Move, play, and grow together.
Would you love to learn the language of your baby’s or toddler’s dance — moving together in rhythm and joy? Are you looking for a big, welcoming space to play while helping your child grow, explore, and develop confidence? These classes are for you!
At MoCo Arts in Keene, NH, our Caregiver & Child Creative Movement classes are designed for any adult (16+ years old — parents, grandparents, nannies, or caregivers) to share meaningful time with their little one through dance, music, and creative play.
Each 8–9 week session features age-appropriate activities that support physical, cognitive, and emotional growth, all while building a special bond between caregiver and child. Together, you’ll move, dance, sing, and explore in a nurturing, fun, and imaginative environment.
Mini Sessions provide a shorter, four-week introduction to the curriculum during the summer — the perfect way to experience MoCo’s joyful approach to early childhood arts education.
Why Families Love Caregiver & Child Classes
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Encourages movement, connection, and communication between child and caregiver
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Builds confidence, coordination, and creativity from the start
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Welcoming environment for all types of families and caregivers
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Short, engaging sessions that fit easily into busy schedules
Discover the joy of moving, playing, and learning together — where every giggle, wiggle, and step is part of your child’s creative journey.
Young Arts
Thank you for joining MoCo Arts’ Young Arts Program! Please use the tabs to navigate through ticketing, performance photos and videos, dress code and class etiquette.
Tickets
All tickets go on sale to the general public five weeks before the performance.
A presale is offered to the performer’s parents, for shows held in MoCo’s facility, one week before tickets go on sale to the public, to ensure each family secures a seat to their child’s show.
Tickets to performances held in MoCo’s black box, The Founder’s Theatre, can be purchased online, by calling MoCo Arts at (603) 357-2100 or visiting MoCo Arts at 40 Roxbury Street, Keene, NH 03431.
Livestream tickets to MoCo performances in The Founder’s Theatre can be purchased through MoCo’s Eventbrite page.
Tickets to performances held at the Redfern Arts Center at Keene State College can be purchased by visiting their website, calling (603) 358-2168, or stopping by the Redfern Arts Center box office at 90 Wyman Way, Keene, NH 03431. Tickets for the Redfern Arts Center are exclusively available for purchase by credit card.
Performance Photos and Videos
Photos of MoCo Arts’ performances are available for purchase online through Scott Hussey Photography at https://scotthussey.com/moco
For photos of performances prior to the spring of 2023, visit Steve Holmes Photography’s website by clicking here.
Videos of MoCo Arts’ performances are available for purchase online. For phsyical DVDs, please email info@moco.org.
Dress Code & Class Etiquette
Creative Dance
- Please wear comfortable clothes for moving.
- Female identifying; leotard and tights preferred.
- Male identifying; dark pants, white t-shirt preferred.
- Street shoes are not allowed in the studios
- Hair must be tied back— buns and ponytails are best.
- Ballet slippers or bare feet only. Shoestrings should be tucked in or trimmed off.
- No jewelry or toys. No candy or gum.
- Whenever possible, parents are expected to wait in the lobby during class.
Storytime Theatre
- Please wear comfortable clothes for moving.
- Street shoes are not allowed in the studios.
- Ballet slippers or bare feet only. Shoestrings should be tucked in or trimmed off.
- No jewelry or toys. No candy or gum.
- Whenever possible, parents are expected to wait in the lobby during class.
- Students should come to class prepared with scripts.
Babies and Toddlers
In classes where adults accompany a child, please wear comfortable clothes for moving. Both children and adults will be sitting, dancing, and rolling on the floor, so plan accordingly. Please leave personal belongings in the lobby, as young children are curious and will rifle through your bags.
Looking to bring performing arts opportunities to your organization or club? Check out MoCo's ArtREACH program.
Bring performing arts opportunities to your organization or club!
Interested in hosting a workshop with MoCo Arts? We’d love to hear your ideas! Please fill out the contact form and a staff member will reach out to you.
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MoCo Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts education organization