Class Descriptions
Ballet is the backbone of all dance training. A good foundation in ballet will allow a dancer to excel in many other forms of dance. Ballet students will develop poise, strength, flexibility, technique, discipline, endurance, and coordination. Younger students learn the basics, including stretching, locomotor skills, rhythm and timing, and proper positions of the feet and arms with creative exploration. As the ballet student progresses, the emphasis is on basic discipline for ballet skills with concentration on barre exercises, center work, adagio, allegro and both short and long ballet combinations set to classical music. We offer ballet classes from beginning to more advanced levels, including pointe.
Jazz is a combination of ballet, African dance, Musical Theater, Modern, and social dances. It is a common form of dance used in musical theater, professional dance teams/companies, and in the commercial/entertainment industries. Students of jazz are strongly encouraged to study ballet simultaneously for the best possible jazz dance experience. Beginning jazz dancers learn the fundamentals of body isolations, walks, runs, jumps, turns, and leaps set to upbeat music. As students advance, combinations become longer and more complex.
Contemporary dance is a combination of ballet, modern, and jazz dance. It focuses less on the structured movement and classical techniques instead more emphasis is put on philosophy and an emotional connection to the music. Class time is spent on warm-ups, contractions, progressions, improvisations, and choreography.
Tap dancing is like playing the drums with your feet! It is a dance of strong rhythms and relies almost totally on footwork. The feet mark out rhythms with the heel and the toe. This class helps the student develop a strong sense of music, timing and discipline. Beginning tappers learn the fundamentals of toe and heel taps and locomotor and non-locomotor movements focusing on single sounds with each tap. As students advance, combinations involve multiple sounds with each technique.
Hip Hop has it’s roots in African and street dance. It’s a freestyle form that is set in a high energy, fun, fast paced environment. It’s loads of fun!!
Princess Ballerinas A (creative movement) Students develop an enjoyment of music and movement as well as a positive self-image while learning basic directions for class, songs, dances, and basic ballet terms. Level A - 3 -4 years
Princess Ballerinas B - (preballet) Students develop an enjoyment of music and movement as well as a positive self-image while learning basic directions for class, songs, acrobatics, and dances. More emphasis is placed on basic ballet terminology. Level B - 4-6 years
My Buddy & Me - Special Session Ages 18mo -5 year olds. An introduction to dance for our very youngest dancers. Ages 18mos. - 5 year olds are invited to attend with one adult buddy. These classes are structured to stimulate coordination skills, listening skills, balance, music interpretation, creative movement and motor development in the youngest dancers:)