Rhodes Ranch exercises arts, residents

Ballet, tap and Tae Kwon Do classes are growing in popularity at Rhodes Ranch's R-Club recreation center, according to Virginia Kaplan, program manager for the master plan's 35,000-square-foot recreational center.

Open to residents of the master-planned community, the classes provide children with an opportunity to learn new skills and aid in the development of their self esteem, Kaplan said.

"We have recently finished the first sessions for both the Tae Kwon Do and ballet/tap dancing classes," she said. "With the new sessions starting, we have seen enrollment increase as more and more parents find out about this great offering at The R-Club."

The Tae Kwon Do classes are being offered on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 5 p.m. and are open to kids 6 to 12 years of age. According to instructor Jason Valez, the class centers on basic techniques as the students learn form and focus.

"In addition to teaching these kids the basics of Tae Kwon Do, I also try to educate them on discipline and courtesy. There are rules that were established during the first class that they must follow," Valez said. "If they stray from those rules, we stop and try to refocus on the task at hand."

The combined ballet and tap class is offered on Wednesday at 4 p.m. and is open to children 3 to 9 years of age. The instructor MarQue Smith is a professional dancer and former New York Rockette.

"I try to teach the students about discipline and how to focus their energies to accomplish tasks," Smith said. "In addition to those items, I also guide them through the basic steps and movements associated with both ballet and tap. They really seem to enjoy it and I enjoy watching them as they begin to notice that they can do the steps."

Rhodes Homes opened The R-Club at Rhodes Ranch in October 2005. The facility houses an indoor workout facility with weights and cardiovascular equipment, a full-length basketball court, two racquetball/handball courts and six billiards tables.

In addition to fitness amenities, the facility has social areas that feature three fireplaces along with social areas. The center will open its 10,000-square-foot waterpark, The Fun Zone this summer.

It will include a 13,000-square-foot lagoon pool with wading areas, three speed slides, five kid slides, rope bridges, multiple squirt gun stations and a 1,000-gallon bucket that fills and tips over every half hour. It will also include a 25-meter lap pool; two eight-person spas; a 12-person group spa; four covered cabanas; one exterior lighted basketball court; two sand volleyball courts; four lighted tennis courts and a children's play area with activity structures.

"Teaching these kids helps to keep me in a pure state. I like to meet them where they are, in terms of their knowledge of dance and bring them to where they need to be to excel in our classes," Smith said.

For more information on classes and activities, residents can call 736-1796.

Rhodes Ranch is anchored by the signature Ted Robinson Jr.-designed golf course, a guard-gated community with 24-hour roving security patrols and mature green spaces. For information on homes and the community visit rhodeshomes.com