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Class Descriptions
Combination Classes
Combination Classes are approximately 25 minutes of one style and 25 minutes of the other style (or 20/20/20 for classes with 3 styles), allowing some time to change shoes.
All shoes that are listed for each combination class are required.
Each combo class will either focus on all styles listed or styles will be focused on according to the instructor’s discretion on a rotating basis.
Mini Movers - 22 to 34 month olds
This class introduces are tiniest dancers to music and movement. Using imagery and exploration during movement, students develop their gross motor skills in a fun, creative environment. They also have the opportunity to experience a class structure alongside their peers to prepare them for the future.
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Twirl, Tumble, and Tap - 3-4 yr old Ballet/Tap/Acro
This is an introductory class for young dancers in ballet, tap, and acrobatics. They will learn the basic positions, movement, and concepts of ballet and tap. Students will work on balance and coordination in acrobatics. Dancers can creatively explore movement and develop their gross motor skills in a positive, fun environment which increases their strength and confidence. We also practice following directions, listening, and interacting with peers in a healthy way. Children will learn basic ballet movement and terminology through fun songs and the use of props. Activities constantly change to hold onto those short attention spans!
Twist, Tumble, and Tap - 5-6 yr old Ballet/Tap/Acro
This class teaches young dancers the foundations, movements, and creativity of ballet, tap, and acrobatics. They will work on coordination, remembering patterns, agility, and body awareness. With an upbeat and encouraging class, students have the opportunity to increase their exploration of directional movement, work as a team, and experience the joy of dance.
ACROBATICS
Acrobatics is a type of movement that challenges one’s balance, agility, and motor coordination. It utilizes floor tumbling elements from gymnastics and the technique of dance to create a graceful, yet powerful movement method. Students work on flexibility, body awareness, strength, and partnering with their peers. Some skills that are taught and mastered in Acrobatics are:
Forward and Backward Rolls
Front and Back Walkovers
Handstands
Cartwheels
Front and Back Handsprings
Front Aerial Walkovers and Side Aerials
Back Tucks, Layouts, and Half or Full Twists
Partnering/Counter Balancing
Contortion
​We have different levels for acrobatics based on a student’s age, skill level, and experience. Safety is priority so please speak with your instructor or our Director for proper level placement.
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BALLET
Ballet is the foundation of all dance forms. Dancers learn proper body placement or posture, grace, poise, technique and flexibility. All of these components enable them to learn other styles of dance quicker with more strength and competency. Students work on balance, agility, coordination, musicality, memorization, strength, self-discpline and self-confidence. Some concepts include turns, jumps, quick movement, leg extensions, long fluid movement, and control. As dancers progress, they develop improvements in precision and strength that allow them to master more difficult and challenging skills with grace and control. Terminology is an important component of studying ballet and will be part of students’ experience.
CONTEMPORARY
Contemporary can refer to a style of contemporary ballet or contemporary jazz. It combines elements of multiple dance styles including modern, jazz, and classical ballet. Contemporary ballet uses more recent music than some classical ballet and contemporary jazz often utilizes music with lyrics, stories, and popular exposure. Contemporary dance connects the mind and body through fluid dance movements and creates an opportunity for dancers to explore movement and body shapes outside of the structure of classical ballet and jazz. Contemporary classes are available for level 2 and above. Dancers are required to take 1-2 ballet classes per week, depending on their level, in order to enroll in contemporary.
JAZZ
Jazz dance started around the 17th century and was inspired by African ritual and celebratory dances. At that time music and dance were an integral part of everyday life and movement was a form of expression. Jazz music was primarily used. By the 1950s, a teacher named Jack Cole led the movement of establishing a structured technique and style for jazz dancing. It has continued to evolve over the years and blend other forms of dance to create new styles of jazz like lyrical jazz, contemporary jazz, musical theatre jazz, latin jazz, and more. Jazz uses the foundation of ballet principles and technique while concentrating on parallel positions and twisting movements.
In jazz class, dancers will utilize ballet technique, steps, and body placement and have the opportunity to fully express their personality. Parallel placement of the feet and legs originate the movement and help ground dancers to create twisting movements and opposing directions of body parts that create what is known as “style”. The type of twisting and opposition as well as the combination of the parallel positions create countless pictures that make up different jazz styles. Dancers work on skills such as extensions, turns, leaps, strength and conditioning, getting low to the floor, strength, quick movement, and agility. All of these movements are put together to create choregraphed combinations and routines for students to perform and practice these skills.
LYRICAL (JAZZ)
Lyrical class, also known as lyrical jazz or a style of jazz, is available for students who are in level 2 or higher. It utilizes the technique, skills, and concepts of ballet with the addition of emotional connection and expression and complex choreography. Lyrical dancing works on increasing flexibility, improving musicality, improving strength, and incorporates the isolation of certain body parts while allowing a dancer freedom of expression of their personality. Dancers are required to take one ballet class per week to enroll in a lyrical class.
MUSICAL THEATRE
Musical theatre class incorporates dancing, singing, and acting. Students will work on songs from various musicals while learning proper singing technique. They will use acting exercises and technique to create and explore musical theatre scenes. Dance choreography and staging will be added in as well. This class will have a few performances throughout the season including a final performance at the Annual Spring Concert in May.
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POINTE
Pointe is style of ballet that uses pointe shoes. Dancers must be recommended to this class by their instructor and must meet minimum requirements. Safety is important and if the dancer does not have the proper strength or skill level then they can injure themselves temporarily or permanently. Please see your instructor or Director if you are interested in this class. Dancers who are accepted into the Pointe program are required to take 2 ballet classes per week in their level.
TAP
Tap dancing originated many years ago in America through a fusion of ethnic percussive dances like Irish Dance and West African musical and Step dance traditions. Dancers used their feet as percussive instruments as a form of expression, entertainment, and music. The movement incorporates musical concepts and rhythms in footwork and tap technique. Students learn to listen for and identify rhythms in music and movement. They will start with the foundation of foot articulation, ankle relaxation, and timing along with tap steps and technique. As dancers progress they work on more complicated musical time signatures, swing rhythms, call and response, structured improvisation, and varied tempos of tap.