Class Descriptions

Preschool & Elementary Classes: Creative Movement and Dance Basics

Beginning, Intermediate & Advanced Classes: Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical & Contemporary, Hip Hop, Creative Movement/Contact Improvisation and Fusion (Modern/Partnering/Hip Hop)

Preschool & Elementary Classes:

Creative Movement – Dancers will begin learning body awareness by simply moving. An incorporation of ballet and jazz movement will allow beginning dancers to get a feel for the art and movement quality of dance. Dance skills and techniques will be taught along with the use of dance and movement games.

Dance Basics – Dancers will begin working on the fundamentals of ballet (plie, eschappe, etc.) and tap (shuffle, flap, etc.). Although this class will be more structured as far as ballet and tap discipline, dancers will be able to free dance and use creative movement.

Beginning, Intermediate & Advanced Classes:

Ballet 

Beginner: At this level dancers will begin barre and adagio floor work. They will learn various ballet combinations which will be incorporated into their adagio floor work (movement across the floor).

Intermediate: At this level, dancers will continue with barre and adagio floor work, however, the combinations will be more intense. Their adagio floor work will require more balance and strength.

Advanced: At this level dancers will be expected to increase their strength and balance when executing their barre and adagio floor exercises. Combinations will become more difficult and require far more balance and strength than that of the intermediate level.

Jazz

Beginner: At this level dancers will begin the fundamentals of jazz movement and progression. Such skills will be basic splits and leaps, as well as basic turn combinations (pirouettes).

Intermediate: At this level dancers will continue with the fundamentals, however, they will become more intense. For example, instead of a basic leap, dancers will learn reverse leaps, side leaps and other variations. The turn combinations will become a bit more intense as well.

Advanced: At this level dancers will be expected to increase their strength and balance when executing their jazz skills and progressions. Leaps learned in the intermediate level will continue along with more difficult turn combinations including a la seconde and fouette turns.

Tap

Beginner: At this level dancers will begin learning basic tap steps and combinations. The focus will be on balance and coordination.

Intermediate: At this level dancers will continue with basic tap skills and combinations, however, they will be expected to take responsibility for their tap education by keeping a notebook, writing down tap combinations/steps that have been taught in class.

Advanced: At this level dancers will be expected to increase their strength and balance when executing their tap combinations. Further incorporation of turn sequences and arm movement will be implemented as well as various tap tricks.

Lyrical & Contemporary

Lyrical: This type of dance discipline is for the younger dancer (ages 8-13). Choreography is based on musicality rather than specific counts and requires dancers to be emotional when performing.

Contemporary: This type of dance discipline is more intricate, however, much like lyrical it tells a story. Also similar to lyrical is the use of musicality rather than counts. Contemporary is for the more advanced dancer (ages 13-18). *Teacher approval is required.

Hip Hop

Hip hop has become quite popular, particularly when seen on various television programs (So You Think You Can Dance and America’s Best Dance Crew). Dancers will learn various hip hop techniques and genres (East versus West Coast). Depending on the form, hip hop requires great strength and rhythm, as well as the use of musicality.