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PHILPSBURG, St. Maarten — The National institute of Arts (NIA) reopened for the 2014-2015 school year on Monday, September 1 with a full roster of established and new classes at the John Larmonie Center.

Classes being offered for the new school year include Ballet, Modern, Creative, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Afro-Caribbean, African, Folk Dance, Hip Hop, Modern, Brain Dance, Yoga, Pilates, Conditioning, Bharatanayam, Belly Dance, Capoeira, Zumba ,Sound Engineering, Art of Laughter, Performance Skills, Drummer, and Choir. Newer classes also being offered for this artistic year are Gymnastics, Visual Arts, Salsa Classes, Sound Engineering and Afterschool programs.

With the assistance of NIA instructor, Peggy Ouelerich, the Gymnastics program will be taught by Gratienne Riom, an instructor, who runs her own gymnastics school on the French side of the island, Club de Gym SXM. Riom is licensed to hold competitions on St. Maarten.

"NIA's Gymnastic program will be held at the Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School in Cay Hill, with the aim making our students competition ready.

This class is open to students 3 and up and will include floor exercises, balance beam and tumbling and various other gymnastic techniques," stated Co-Director of NIA, Arlene Halley.

Salsa class is also new to the NIA schedule and will be taught by dance instructor, Davy Pivert winner of the TelCell's Sabor Latino Salsa Dance off. This class will be open to adults and children at the beginner level.

Visual Arts is also being introduced this year with a new class. Silvia Carty will provide classes in textile, art and craft making. Classes will provide participants with an outlet for self expression and motor skills development.

NIA will also be offering courses in Sound Engineering. The course aims to teach the basics of sound engineering. Students will also learn the history of sound equipment, how various sound equipment works, including where and when they are most effectively used. Students will also acquire knowledge of basic studio skills, open-air stage setups, in-door setups and setting up and mixing their own recordings.

In addition to their regular classes, NIA has been providing In-School and Afterschool programs, during the morning and afternoon hours, to various schools including the 6 schools that fall under the Foundation of Catholic Education.

"NIA offers a wide variety of creative, expression classes geared towards offering a holistic integrated approach to learning. Unique to NIA, this program uses the visual and performing arts as vehicle to introduce students to St. Maarten culture in a meaningful and tactile experience that celebrates and honors those pioneers who forged this island nation, and vice versa use culture as a vehicle to access the arts After School Classes to all schools within NIA's After School programs," stated, NIA Co-Director, Clara Reyes.

For more information on NIA's class schedule call 543-0600 or e-mail niasxm@gmail.com.

To register for classes visit NIA's office at the John Larmonie Center, on weekdays between the hours 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:00am – 12 noon.
Photo Caption: NIA students during end of year performance in June 2014.