DARIEN, CT — The Darien Arts Center has announced its fall 2026 programming in dance, visual arts, acting and music for children, teens and adults of all skill levels.
The center is also offering art and dance birthday parties led by professional instructors.
Registration is open for all fall 2026 programs. Classes begin the week of Sept. 8 and continue through December 2026 or January 2027.
The Darien Arts Center Dance Academy welcomes dancers ages 1½ to 18 and adults of all ages. The academy is directed by Claire Mazza, whose training began at the School of American Ballet and whose work includes classical and contemporary dance.
Mazza is also a co-founder of East Coast Contemporary Ballet. The company recently performed in Pietrasanta, Italy, as part of the DAP Festival alongside artists and companies from around the world.
The Petite Dancer Program serves children ages 1½ to 5 and focuses on coordination, confidence and movement through classes such as Grown-Up & Me, Dance Beginnings, Pre-Ballet and KinderBallet.
Classes for students ages 6 to 18 include ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, lyrical and Latin jazz. Students may perform in signature shows throughout the year, including the annual "Nutcracker" and the end-of-year Spring Concert.
Adult offerings include ballet, jazz and Latin jazz/salsa, in what's described as a "supportive, judgment-free environment designed for fitness, artistic expression, and community."
Advanced students may join the Pre-Professional Program, which includes trainee, apprentice and company divisions and provides intensive training and performance opportunities.
The Visual Arts program offers beginner through advanced classes for children and adults. Youth classes include Cartooning I & II, Art Explorations, Drawing & Painting, Little Artist & You: Sensory Studio for ages 2 to 4, and Beginning Art Adventures. Workshops are also offered throughout the year.
Adult classes include Oil Painting with local artist Felcia Feldman, Learn & Relax with the Joys of Drawing & Painting and Transparent Watercolor Flowers. Carolyn Childs will lead a series of encaustics workshops involving hot-wax painting. Sip-and-paint workshops will also be held throughout the semester.
The acting program, led by acting coach Brian J. Carter of The Acting Gym, offers instruction in on-camera acting and micro-short film. Students in grades 3 to 5, 6 to 8 and 9 to 12 will study scenes, character development, auditioning and the business of entertainment.
Adults ages 18 and older can participate in the Connecticut Professional Acting Class, which covers emotional connection, scene work and the entertainment industry.
Carter has appeared in more than 40 television shows and films, including "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," "Law & Order" and "Ocean's Eight," as well as Broadway productions. His students have booked professional roles and studied at acting schools across the country.
The DAC Music Program offers private lessons for children and adults in classical, jazz and pop styles. Instruments include piano, violin, guitar, voice, flute, trumpet and harp. Flexible scheduling and personalized instruction are available for students at all levels.
The program will introduce a new "Triple Threat Class" for middle and high school students beginning Saturday morning, Sept. 12. Students will learn singing, dancing and acting skills for musical theater.
The arts center is also offering birthday parties at its state-of-the-art facilities, with professional art and dance instructors.
Families can choose from art workshops, dance parties and combination art-and-dance parties. Families provide refreshments and decorations, while the center provides the activities.
Registration is available at darienarts.org. More information about classes, workshops and birthday parties is available by calling the DAC office at 203-655-8683.
The Darien Arts Center is a nonprofit organization that has supported the arts in the community for more than 50 years. It is located at 2 Renshaw Road in Darien.
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