Class Descriptions
BALLET is the fundamental and technical form from which all other dance styles stem. All the names of basic dance steps (derived from the French) and related terminology arise from “Ballet.” This style is the most classic and often serious dance form. Ballet teaches young dancers the most rudimentary terms and techniques. and is monumentally important for all dancers to establish and maintain proper form. Our classes include intensive barre work, center exercises, patterns in movement across the floor, allegro and adagio combinations.
POINTE is the most advanced form of Ballet, and can therefore only be taught to more advanced dancers. The distinguishing characteristic of this style is that dancers perform all the steps completely on the tops of their toes, which can be painful for the performer, but appears lovely and graceful on stage. Our “Pointe” class includes intensive, large amounts of barre work, ankle strengthening, center turn preparations, patterns across the floor, both allegro and adagio combinations, and an extensive knowledge of ballet terminology.
JAZZ combines the basic techniques of ballet with more modern steps found in Pop and Broadway. Jazz is an upbeat, stylish, and versatile dance form. Our classes include intense strengthening warm ups, stretching techniques to elongate and encourage muscle strength, across the floor movements, leaps, turns, and center combination work to upbeat music.
TAP focuses on rhythms and intricate footwork to create a percussion instrument out of the dancer's feet. Tap is a syncopated movement dance style that is exhilarating and great fun for all ages.
HIP HOP is a high-energy style that uses the latest sounds in rap, R&B and pop music together, with movements influenced by some of today’s hottest video choreographers. Hip hop encompasses movement that has elements of poppin’, locking, and breaking, as well as freestyle movement to give students the opportunity to develop their own sense of style. Hip hop is urban, it’s street, it’s diverse and forever changing.
LYRICAL is an expressive style often performed to slower, gentler music. It is called “Lyrical” because the movements are meant to tell the audience a story through dance. The form combines Ballet technique with a jazz and modern influence. This emotionally driven dance form depends greatly on the passion and interpretation of the performer - not just the movements themselves.
CONTEMPORARY explores the musicality of gesture infused movement combined with Jazz steps. Dancers are encouraged to push the envelope and step outside the box in idea and movement. Contemporary incorporates a variety of techniques that focus on weight transfer, fall and recovery, movement on and off center, and slow and fast movement. Students explore abstraction and pedestrian movements to help develop performance.
MUSICAL THEATRE is an amalgamation of dance, acting and singing. Dancers learn how to sing by practicing several types of vocal warm up techniques. They combine music, expression, and learn dance combinations from popular Broadway shows and musicals.
BALLET/TAP COMBO is built on the basic movement and fundamentals of ballet, but is still appropriate for the first-time dancer. At this level, students learn challenging tap and ballet skills through imagination activities, movement games and singing. Dancers enjoy learning basic ballet and tap terminology along with fun games.
ACRO is short for "Acrobatics," which teaches flexibility, balance, strength, muscle control, discipline and concentration. This class focuses on fundamental acrobatic technique. Students learn handstands, chin stands, elbow stands, cartwheels, back bends, walkovers, balance, and contortion tricks. Acro is not the typical tumbling or gymnastics class - it is great for students looking to enhance their agility, flexibility, and strength.
Acro Syllabus - All skills listed on each syllabus are the prerequisite for moving up to the next level. Please review syllabi for each level before choosing or registering for a class. Instructors will also evaluate dancers to ensure correct level.
IMPROV is the process of spontaneously creating movement. Development of improv is facilitated through a variety of creative explorations including body mapping through levels, shape and dynamics schema. It is a free, seemingly unstructured, less technically strict and impulsive form of dance that draws inspiration from everyday influences. Dance improvisation is not only about creating new movement, but also frees the body from habitual movement patterns. Through the emphasis of instinctual, unpredictable, free movement, the dancer is able to explore authentic feelings and inspirations.