Class Descriptions

Ballet & Pointe

In this class dancers will learn the foundations of Ballet technique as well as the names of their bones and muscles and how they work in dance movements. This class incorporates barre work, center work and across-the-floor combinations. Along with Ballet dance steps, this class teaches students proper body alignment, body and spatial awareness, self discipline, mind and body connection, and confidence while also training their strength, flexibility and control. Concepts and skills learned in this class will help students progress in all genres of dance.

Variations

This class is for our dancers in Ballet levels 6 through 8. In this class students learn choreography from famous variations in well known Ballets. After a few classes of learning the piece and refining it, students will perform for their classmates and have the opportunity to record their solo if they would like for use in a future dance reel or video audition. This class not only helps students learn to pick up choreography quickly, but also teaches them how to put the Ballet technique they’ve learned in class into choreography.

Tap

Tap is a style of dance characterized by the sound of the metal tap striking the floor. Tap utilizes rhythm, syncopation, and sound in addition to movement. An emphasis is placed on musicality, expression, and improvisation. This class develops the elements of tap dance vocabulary, musicality, and individual style. The goal is to develop the dancer’s coordination, clarity, rhythm, timing, and phrasing in a fun, challenging way.

Hip Hop

Hip Hop is a high energy class that has developed from funk, soul, and street dance and uses popular hip hop and pop music. The intricate movements, dynamics, and body isolations build a dancer’s stamina while keeping them current with the varied, ever-evolving trends of hip hop. An emphasis is placed on learning foundational hip hop styles including popping, locking, house, waacking, breakdancing, vogueing, and new jack swing along with the history of each style. Hip Hop is a fun and fast-moving class taught in a positive environment that encourages dancers to not only improve technique, but to engage in freestyle dance and build confidence.

Acro

Acrobatics dance, or “Acro,” is a style of training that combines classical dance technique, the tumbling of gymnastics, and the flexibility of contortion. Classes consist of training in flexibility, balancing skills, conditioning exercises, and gymnastics elements to create strong and versatile dancers. Dancers are taught skills with safety as the primary objective and utilize simple, effective strength-building progressions. The Dance Center proudly uses the Acrobatic Arts curriculum with Acrobatic Arts certified instructors. 

Ballet/Jazz

This class provides 30 minutes of Jazz instruction and 30 min of Ballet instruction. This class is an introduction to Jazz and an extension of the Ballet foundation developed in our Creative Movement classes. Dynamics, tempo, imagination, props, upbeat music, and more are incorporated into this enriching class experience. 

Ballet/Tap

This class provides 30 minutes of Tap instruction and 30 min of Ballet instruction. This class is an introduction to Tap and an extension of the Ballet foundation developed in our Creative Movement classes. Rhythm, tempo, imagination, props, and more are incorporated into this enriching class experience. 

Creative Movement

An introduction to dance and movement for our youngest dancers, ages 2.5 to 4. Dancers will use imagination, literature, props, sing-along songs, and more in this fun and interactive class that also builds an understanding of classroom expectations and listening skills.

Musical Theater

Class includes all three aspects of musical theatre: dancing, acting, and singing. During your time in class, you can expect to work through and improve your technique and skill in all three avenues. Through exercises and improvisational acting techniques, you will gain the confidence you need to take the lead on stage. By working through and learning various dance genres, you will be equipped for dance auditions at your local theatre. And lastly, you will learn to sing on pitch and use the proper techniques that are most healthy and sustainable for your voice, giving you longevity in your performance and theatre career. 

Jazz

Jazz is an upbeat, high-energy class that builds rhythm, precision, dynamics, style, technique, flexibility, strength, and more! Class begins with a warm-up and includes center skills, progressions, and center combinations. Isolations, turns, leaps, jumps, classic jazz technique, and more are featured within this class.

Theatre Jazz

This class explores several approaches to “Broadway-style” jazz with movement inspired by classic choreographers such as Jerome Robbins, Bob Fosse, and Michael Bennett as well as contemporary choreographers such as Andy Blankenbuehler and Josh Bergasse.  The class will explore the history and movement of various Broadway and off-Broadway musicals such as Hamilton, Sweet Charity, The Prom, Into the Woods, among others.  There will be a strong focus on jazz technique as well as incorporating our dance technique with on-stage acting.  This class may be taken in heels or jazz shoes.

Contemporary

An exploration of movement emphasizing Ballet, Jazz, and Modern technique with attention to storytelling and performance. Improvisation is utilized to help dancers develop their own artistry. Dancers will experience a fusion of styles in this classes to help build on interpretation, musicality, self-expression, and more.

Modern

Dancers will learn the foundation of modern technique, explore movement through improvisation, movement concepts such as fall & release, floorwork and basic strengthening. Dancers will perform combinations across the floor that incorporate directional and weight changes, sequencing of steps, jumping, learning how to stay grounded in certain movements and more. The advanced level classes will touch upon learning about the pioneers of modern dance and the different modern styles associated with them. For levels 1-5, ballet is a requirement to taking Modern.

Composition

This class explores the choreographic process while working with the principles and elements of choreography. We will work to develop the inner voice of the artist and further grow one's personal style in movement. Improvisation, exploration, journaling, and more will be used as we create, form, and bring our dance visions to life. Teamwork and leadership are emphasized within this class through the various tasks given. Composition will be explored in the form of solos, duet/trios, and groups to provide many opportunities for creation and sharing during the year. 

Conditioning

This class is designed to prepare and supplement all of the work that we do for the rigors of our dance training. Conditioning includes cardio to help with our endurance and stamina. This class includes strengthening to safely build the muscles, aid the function of movement patterns common to our dance training, facilitating the health of our joints, and more. Stretching & flexibility will also be a component to lengthen and aid in the extension of lines and shapes that are so common within our dancing. Mentally, this class also prepares the mind for all of the work that we do. Overall, conditioning is an excellent supplement to one’s training, as it helps the body to work safely and efficiently in all that it is being asked to do with all the dance styles we perform. This class is mandatory for Intermediate & Team dancers.