Class Descriptions

Ballet

Ballet is the foundation of all dance styles. Progress is made gradually, requiring repetition of basics and introduction of new steps to develop strength, correct alignment, technique and musicality.  Required class attire.

Primary Division: See Pre-Ballet

Contemporary

An expressive form of dance, contemporary draws from ballet and jazz movements in a less structured style.  Body contractions, flexed feet, asymmetrical body shapes, and floor work are examples of this dance form.  It is strongly recommended, but not required, to enroll in ballet as a complement to contemporary training.  Required class attire.

Hip Hop

This high energy dance class will introduce students to the latest trends in hip hop and break dancing.  Hip hop classes always utilize age appropriate movement and music free of questionable lyrics.  Required class attire.

Primary Division

Level I Prerequisite: Age 4 by December 1st

Jazz

Jazz is a highly exciting dance form, building on the fundamentals of ballet for placement, stability and line.  Classes are eclectic in style, drawing on the background of each individual teacher.  It is strongly recommended, but not required, to enroll in ballet as a complement to jazz training.  Required class attire.

Jazz/Hip Hop

This class enables students to take two popular forms of dance in one class—jazz and hip hop.  It is strongly recommended, but not required, to enroll in ballet as a complement to jazz/hip hop training.  Required class attire.

Jazz/Tap

This introductory dance class focuses on the basic dance techniques of jazz and tap encouraging rhythm, poise and motor skills. Students develop cognitive and social skills while learning classroom etiquette through jazz and tap technique.  It is strongly recommended, but not required, to enroll in pre-ballet as a complement to jazz/tap training.  Children should be toilet-trained and developmentally ready to separate from their parent in order to enroll.  Required class attire.

Primary Division Only

Level I Prerequisite: Age 3½ by December 1st

Level II Prerequisite: Age 5 by December 1st or Jazz/Tap I 

Pre-Ballet

This is the first step for the young dancer, incorporating ballet movement in a semi-structured class.  Students will study basic coordination, gross motor skills, sequencing skills, and dance class etiquette in a fun atmosphere.  Basic terminology, which gives children a solid foundation for further studies in ballet, will be incorporated.  Children should be toilet-trained and developmentally ready to separate from their parent in order to enroll.  Required class attire.

Primary Division Only

Level I Prerequisite: Age 3½ by December 1st

Level II Prerequisite: Age 5 by December 1st or Creative Dance I, Pre-Ballet I, Jazz/Tap I 

Tap

Class emphasizes rhythm, style and sounds. As students progress, increasing emphasis will be placed on clarity of sounds, speed, intricacy, precision and execution of movement.  It is strongly recommended, but not required, to take ballet class to complement tap training.  Required class attire.

Primary Division See Jazz/Tap