Dance Classes
*Ages are set as guidelines only, placement is based on ability.
LOWER LEVER PROGRAM
Creative Movement (Ages 3 – 4)
A class designed to help develop motor skills and movement, students will study beginning fundamentals of ballet, tap and tumbling. Class etiquette will be introduced, along with activities utilizing props such as bouncy balls for coordination, ribbons for creativity and sticks for finding rhythm. This curriculum enhances cognitive and social development, benefiting any child’s growth process.
Dance Exploration I (Ages 5-6)
In DE I students will study beginning ballet, tap and tumbling techniques while introducing proper dance terminology.
Dance Exploration II (Ages 7-8)
DE II is a preparatory class, designed to teach the techniques needed for the Upper Level Program. Students will attend two – three times per week studying ballet, tap, and beginning jazz techniques.
UPPER LEVEL PROGRAM
Ballet
The ballet program is designed to teach self discipline and etiquette. The structured curriculum teaches body alignment and technique while utilizing proper terminology. Students move through barre, center, progressions, and reverence throughout the class.
Jazz Technique
This class emphasizes technique and style while utilizing the fundamentals of jazz such as weight change, direction change, level change and use of space. Movement is held at a faster pace with a sharper dynamic.
Commercial Jazz
A highly choreographed, and stylized fusion of jazz, hip hop, and jazz funk. A mixture of both sharp and fluid movements with an emphasis on musicality often set to pop music. This style is often seen in commercials, music videos, tv shows, and concerts.
Broadway Jazz
Taken while wearing character heels, Broadway Jazz is an upbeat, performative class that incorporates many techniques. The curriculum often involves honing jazz skills across the floor and learning choreography at a fast pace through a variety combinations. This class allows for enhancing the dancers’ performance quality and expressiveness.
Lyrical
A fusion of ballet and jazz techniques. Dancers use a fluidity of movement to convey their emotional interpretation of the music and lyrics. There is a high concentration on the expressiveness of the dancer and allows for individual style within the choreography.
Contemporary
The contemporary class is a fusion of many forms of dance with a more organic influence. Focusing on developing texture, dynamics, and level changes, contemporary movement focuses on the spatial patterns and shapes of modern along with the lines of ballet. Students will explore a deeper sense of self-awareness through improvisation, progressions and weight sharing throughout the curriculum.
Modern
The modern program consists of exploring codified techniques such as Graham, Horton, Cunningham, etc. Students will learn concepts like fall and recovery, release technique, spiraling, head/tail connection, weight sharing and contact improvisation.
Hip Hop
The hip-hop program is a fun, upbeat, energized program where urban hip hop style is fused with street jazz. This dance style is full of rhythm and dynamic changes set to hip hop influenced music.
Tap
Rhythm and sound patterns are explored through tap steps and combinations. A great class to enhance rhythm and coordination while having fun!
Leaps and Turns
Progressions are explored utilizing jumps, leaps and turns in the center and across the floor.
Progressing Ballet Technique
Progressing Ballet Technique is a program designed to help students advance in all dance forms by training muscle memory. PBT focuses on core stability, weight placement and alignment.
Stretch and Strength
Students will utilize a variety of conditioning exercises and techniques to help increase strength, mobilization, and flexibility. This class is a great way to supplement dance training, or simply to stay in shape!