For most of us, the thought of teaching ballet to a group of toddlers might seem daunting. How do you encourage a group of 3-6 year olds to plié? Or tendu? For Y Arts instructor Imij Armstead, it's all part of the program offered at the YMCA. 

Armstrong, who graduated from high school in June, has been teaching ballet at the Y Annex for about three years after being a student in classes there.

Emily Mirabile, arts and humanities director, asked her to help with the "Itty Bitty" class and, in time, Armstead took on the teaching responsibilities. "Imij has been in the Y Arts program for many years and has blossomed into a wonderful teacher," Mirabile said. "We are fortunate that she is continuing her studies in Maine so she is able to continue to be a mentor and teacher to our youngest group of Y Arts youth."

Armstead's classes now include the very young aspiring ballerinas and danseurs as well as beginner ballet (ages 8 -14), tap (ages 3-8) and musical theater.

"It's definitely a lot different teaching younger kids," Armstead said. "There are lots of challenges; they get distracted and ask questions."

"A lot of kids in these classes just want to have fun dancing," she said as was apparent at the start of the weekly class. Since the Itty Bitty dancers can't yet reach the barre in the studio, Armstead focuses on teaching them ballet positions so they can learn how to use their feet. Over the series of weeks, each class puts together a dance. She usually has an assistant or two helping. On the day the Register visited her class, older student Lily Billings and Imij's mother Gretchen were there to help. 

Asked if she has any advice for parents of budding dancers, Imij Armstead advised, "Before introducing a kid into any sort of dance class, introduce them to music at home, start clapping along with them so they can register the rhythm." 

The next set of classes will begin in January, with registration in December.