Class Descriptions

Young Dancers Programs Ages 2-8

Parent/Tot ~ Parents/Caregivers will help and encourage their tiny dancer. Props, music and play will encourage any child to develop a love for dance.

Creative Movement/Pre Ballet ~ Designed for the young mover, props such as bean bags, parachute, hula hoops, and magic wands will encourage children and keep them engaged as they learn balance, coordination, and body awareness. Basic Ballet terminology and movements will be incorporated and taught to children's music.

Ballet/Tap ~ Fundamentals of Ballet and Tap are honed and built upon in our young dancers. Correct alignment, balance, and coordination are stressed. Creative exercises are used to encourage the dance concepts and to engage the imagination of the dancer.

DanceMix ~ This is a continuation of the Ballet and Tap syllabus with an introduction to the basic elements of Jazz dance. Correct alignment, body placement, and execution of movement are stressed. Improvisational exercises are used to encourage imagination and character development.

Ballet Programs

Ballet ~ Traditional Ballet technique encourages poise, balance, and grace. The syllabus will follow a dancer through the levels and build upon skills as they develop. Correct alignment, body placement, flexibility, and execution of movement are stressed.

Ballet Intensive ~ This is an intensive program that requires dancers to take Ballet two times per week. This level stresses the intermediate-advanced Ballet terminology and movements. The syllabus will challenge the dancer to attain a greater sense of alignment, placement, flexibility, and allows for more time to be spent on honing individual movements.

Pointe ~ Ballet foot work is translated to the pointe shoe. Strength and safety is stressed. The Pointe program includes a year of pre-pointe work on demi-pointe, giving the dancer the opportunity to learn the exercises without pointe shoes and then when the dancer is ready to translate the work to the pointe shoes.

Jazz and Hip Hop Programs

Jazz ~ Jazz uses the elements of Ballet technique as its foundation, but is very stylized by using syncopation, body isolations, the down beat of the music, and sharp angular movements. There are many styles of Jazz dance including Traditional, Fosse, Latin, Broadway, Lyrical, and Pop. Jazz/Hip Hop ~ Jazz technique is the base for this class. Correct alignment, flexibility, and posture are stressed in the warm up and beginning exercises. Hip Hop combinations are used to incorporate rhythm, style, and personal expression.

Tumble/Hip Hop ~ Combines the fundamentals of Jazz technique and Tumbling. Upper body strength, flexibility, coordination and tumbling skills are stressed. This combination allows for a unique experience for the gymnast who wants more dance training, or the dancer who wants to learn tumbling.

Hip Hop ~ Originally a form of street dance, now translated to stage dance. Hip hop incorporates body isolations and waves to accentuate the rhythm and beat of music. Elements of locking, popping, and break dancing will be introduced. Self expression and style is encouraged.

Tap and Musical Theater Program

Tap ~ Combinations of sounds and rhythms made with taps. Tap dancing develops and promotes a sense of rhythm, coordination, and musicality.

Musical Theater Jazz ~ focuses on a variety of dance styles from some of Broadway's most famous choreographers. We begin with basic jazz technique, adding personality and character to dance routines.

Contemporary Programs

Modern ~ Originally founded to rebel against the restraints of Ballet, Modern/Contemporary is a technique all its own. Dancers will explore the weight of movement, twist, contract, and undulate the spine, and use the floor as a place to explore full body movements. Self expression is encouraged.

Performance Opportunities Performance Group ~ This is a faculty led repertory company that will perform throughout the local community and showcase their work. Dancers will work in many genres under guest choreographers. Performance quality and choreography will be the focus.