Frequently asked questions
Ballet
What is Ballet?
Ballet is the foundation of all dance forms and will maximize technique and longevity in a career of dance. It provides grace, poise, and technique needed to be proficient in all other areas of dance. Ballet classes will help dancers with posture, flexibility, fitness, balance, self-discipline, and self-confidence.
Ballet I
Ages 7-9 For beginner dancers, ready to learn the basics of ballet (recommended for ages 6+). Students will build off of the five positions, master plié variations and tendus, among other level-appropriate skills. Dancers will use both barre and centre floor. Classes may be split by age, when appropriate. Dancers will work to master level I curriculum to move on to level II with the instructor’s recommendation.
Ballet II
Ages 9-12 This class will take the skills learned in level I and build upon them to strengthen the dancer's precision and ability. Students will advance on to more difficult skills and utilize both barre and center floor work to improve their technique. Dancers must show proficiency and receive recommendation to progress to this level. Classes will be split by age level (9 – 12 and 12 +).
Ballet III
Ages 12-14 For intermediate ballet dancers looking to challenge their previous knowledge and training. Students will learn more difficult combinations and skills, while developing finesse and classic style. Dancers must master all level I and II skills and technique to enroll in this level with instructor’s recommendation.
Ballet IV
Ages 13+ Intermediate class. Required for students invited to take pre-pointe. Placement will be by teacher recommendation.
Ballet V
Ages 13+ Advanced class. For advanced ballet dancers looking to challenge their previous knowledge and training. All pointe class, students will learn advanced combinations and variations. Dancers must master pre-pointe and level IV skills and technique to enroll in this level with instructor’s recommendation. Required an additional Ballet Class or Ballet Fit/Barre class.
Pre-Pointe
Ages 12+ w/Approval This class is by invite only from ballet instructors. Upon selection, students receive a pre-pointe handbook with important information. Required 2 Ballet classes on the previous year.
Ballet Fit/Barre
Ages Teen-Adult. This class focuses strictly on barre work and strengthening through ballet styled exercises. Dancers will work to master combinations using all five positions, while building strength and proper alignment. Great for all skill levels...even professional dancers continue to take barre classes to maintain and fine-tune their technique! Classes may be split into age levels, if appropriate.
Adult Ballet
Ages Teen-Adult. This course is geared towards those who are seeking a more laid back, fun, introductory class on Ballet dance. No matter where your interest stems from, this is the perfect class for you! Ballet is one of the most challenging but gratifying forms of dance. In this no-pressure class, students will be taught ballet basics and movements catered to your level, as well as working on flexibility and strength! Ballet is an incredible workout and leaves you feeling strong, poised, and graceful.
Jazz
What is Jazz?
Jazz dance is an exploration of style and presentation. Classes emphasize musicality and body alignment, conditioning, stretch and strengthening, rhythm and stylization as well as fun and innovative choreography.
Jazz I
Ages 7-9 Introduces dancers to the jazz genre and basic technical skills (i.e. jazz walk, chaine turns, single pirouettes, jetes and kicks). Builds dancers' style and confidence while working on musicality and the ability to pick up choreography and connect steps and skills together with fun, upbeat music.
Jazz II
Ages 9-12 Appropriate for beginning dancers, or those looking to work on the basic technical skills. This class focuses on the breakdown of foundational skills such as splits, single pirouettes, chaine and pique turns, jetes and extensions. Beginning jazz dancers will focus on learning basic steps of the style! They will start with an instructor-led stretch, followed by across the floor work.
Jazz III
Ages 13+ Intermediate class. This intermediate level is for dancers who have learned the basic technical skills already, and wish to perfect those as well as work on new progressions. Dancers will learn the proper technique for more difficult skills, such as calypsos, center leaps, double pirouettes, begin working on fouettes and skill progressions across the floor.
Jazz IV
Ages 13+ Advanced class. For advanced dancers with previous technical training. This class will build off of prior knowledge and ability to develop precision and accuracy in technical skills. Students will also work on advanced skill combinations, multiple fouette combinations and positions, switch leaps and turning discs, among others. Students should master levels I and II skills to progress on to level III. Some sessions will offer a separate level III and IV, if space permits.
Tap
What is tap?
Tap is one of the oldest, most beloved forms of American dancing - distinguished by percussive footwork and a reputation for being an exhilarating, vibrant, joyful form of dance that is a ton of FUN! Transform your body into a percussion instrument! Dancers will not only learn to find rhythms and beats in the music, but in their own bodies. All levels of dancers will build flexibility in their ankles in knees, develop hand-eye-foot coordination, and increase speed of movement.
Tap I
Ages 7-9 This class is designed for those with little to no experience with tap dance. The core of the class will focus on the development of basic technical skills (shuffles, paradiddles, flaps, pickups, cramp-rolls, etc.), as well as the ear, or ability to understand music. A small portion of the course will be dedicated to learning about and honoring historical tap figures to gain a holistic understanding of the art form.
Tap II
Ages 9-12 This dynamic course is geared towards those with little to no tap dance experience. It will promote the development of the core tap skills developed in Tap I (7-9), but will do so at a slightly faster pace. The history of tap dance will also be discussed.
Tap III
Ages 13+ Intermediate class. This course will be fast-paced and exciting. It is designed for those with prior experience in tap, and will focus on further developing both technical skills and the ear. Other course objectives include the ability to quickly learn combinations without vocal instruction, a deep understanding of tap history, and an ability to improvise comfortably.
Tap IV
Ages 13+ Advanced class. This course will be fast-paced and exciting. It is designed for those with an advanced level in tap, and will focus on further developing both technical skills and the ear. Other course objectives include the ability to quickly learn combinations without vocal instruction, a deep understanding of tap history, and an ability to improvise comfortably.
Adult Tap
Ages Teen-Adult. Perfect for the former dancer, continuing dancer, or brand new dancer! Come one, come all to a class where you can build on the basics of tap and break a sweat while you're at it! All classes will focus on creating patterns and combinations with basic tap steps and improving clarity, musicality, and strength. More than getting the tap steps "just right", we focus on letting loose, having fun, and learning fab tap moves in the process! Vibrant music and a diverse selection of tap styles will encourage all students express themselves through performance!
Contemporary
What is contemporary?
Contemporary combines ballet and modern techniques with musical and emotional expression with a strong focus on modern techniques (contractions and release, off-center balances and suspension) as well as musicality and self-expression.
Contemporary I
Ages 7-12 Explores the contemporary style with introductory level technique and focus on interpreting music and choreography. Students will work on ability to pick up stylized choreography and movements.
Contemporary II
Ages 13+ Intermediate class. This level uses more intricate movement and incorporates more technical skills to achieve the choreography. Students should show proficiency in level I before moving up to level II.
Contemporary III
Ages 13+ Advanced class. For students with a strong dance background and desire to challenge themselves. This class will use advanced technique and more difficult choreography.
Hip hop
What is Hip Hop?
Hip Hop incorporates a variety of old and new urban dance styles. The dancing represents body movements that go with the beat and rhythm of hip hop music. Hip hop dancing is very dynamic and helps the dancers improve flexibility, develop body balance, and coordination.
Hip Hop I
Ages 7 – 12 Great for beginner/intermediate level dancers looking for a fun, upbeat class.
Hip Hop II
Ages 13+ Intermediate class. Incorporates more intricate choreography and movement with faster-paced routines and music.
Hip Hop III
Ages 13+ Advanced class. This class is full of attitude and fierceness! Channel your inner hip hop diva and join us for an intermediate/advanced level of choreography with dynamic movements, footwork and personality.
Modern
What is modern?
Modern Dance being a more relaxed, free style of dancing, often danced in bare feet and looser costumes. Modern Dancers favors use of emotions and moods to design their own steps and routines, as opposed to following a structured code of technique, as in Classical Ballet. There is also a deliberate use of Gravity, as Modern dancers use their body weight to enhance movement.
Modern I
Ages 7-12 This class is geared toward the student with no previous modern dance training.
Modern II
Ages 12+ Intermediate class. This class is geared toward the student with previous modern dance training and/or substantive training in another genre of dance. The primary aim of this course is to encourage you to continue the guided exploration and development of an artistic and creative movement practice, via the synthesis of your physical, cognitive, emotional and spiritual capacities. Throughout this class, you will study principles, movement activities and language common to a variety of modern dance styles.
Modern III
Ages 13+ Advanced class. This class is for the advanced modern student. You will explore modern techniques, across the floor combinations and center work in a detailed fun manner.
Acro
What is acro?
Acro (acrobatics/tumbling) is centered on fundamental acrobatic technique to increase flexibility, strength, balance, coordination, endurance, timing, body awareness, self-discipline, and confidence. Classes focus on proper hand placement and body alignment with emphasis on the muscles and flexibility required to perform proper technique.
Acro I
Ages 6+ Introductory level class that will build acro skills and knowledge of the basics. Students will learn skills including a baby bridge, forward pike roll, pre-cartwheel, somersault, straddle and tuck jumps, and more.
Acro II
Ages 8+ This class will cover somersault variations, right & left cartwheels, handstand, elbow handstand, bridge kick-over, bridge straight legs feet together, backbend from standing up, round off, backbend stand up.
Acro III
Ages 12+ The next progression of acro focuses on backbend kick-over, chest stand, handstand tuck and roll, handstand to backbend, forearm stand, fish-flop, front walk over, back walkover, switch leg back walkover, switch leg front walkover, one-handed back walkover, one-handed front walkover, front hand spring, side aerials (introduction), Arabian limber, headstand variations, standing back handspring (with spot) some partner or group acro stunts and more. Students will learn how to execute one handed front walk-over, one handed back walk-over, side aerial, front aerial, back hand spring, round off back hand spring, back hand spring step out, press hand stands, walking on hands, spider, connections (ex: cartwheel back walk-over back hand spring step out), some partner or group acro stunts.
Musical Theater
What is Musical Theater?
Musical theater dance is the study of Broadway dance and dance styles. Young students as well as teens and adults learn choreography from selected musicals, such as “High School Musical”, “Hair Spray”, “Annie”, “Fosse”, and many more. Our focus is on Broadway musicals old and new! Our instructors introduce song and choreography into dance techniques and styles.
Musical Theater I
Ages 7-12 In this class students will use basic skills from ballet, jazz and spoken instrumentation to create Broadway-themed musical routines. Theatrical vocabulary, improvisation, acting, audition techniques and singing will also be covered in this high energy, performance-based class. This class is ideal for any young artist that dreams of a professional performing career or a dancer just looking to have some fun!
Musical Theater II
Ages 13+ In this class students will use intermediate to advanced skills from ballet, jazz and spoken instrumentation to create Broadway-themed musical routines. Theatrical vocabulary, improvisation, acting, audition techniques and singing will also be covered in this high energy, performance-based class. This class is ideal for any young artist that dreams of a professional performing career or a dancer just looking to have some fun!
Mini
What is Mini?
Our Mini dancers are very important to us. These classes focus on following directions, motor skills, social class skills and most of all building confidence. We want our mini dancers to leave loving the art of dance. Mini I and Mini II are great for beginner dancers. Moms are allowed in the room from time to time. All Mini dancers must be potty trained.
Mini I Ballet/Tumble
Ages 3-4 This class offers young children an introduction to the fundamentals of tumbling that will provide the building blocks necessary for their potential development in dance and overall fitness. Young dancers will learn the basic ballet steps while learning how to follow direction and imitate movement and gross motor skill development games in a positive and fun environment.
Mini II Ballet/Pre-Tap
Ages 3-4 This is an introductory class containing ballet and Tap movement. Young dancers will learn the basic ballet steps while learning how to follow direction and imitate movement and gross motor skill development games in a positive and fun environment. Engaging music is used to get these little ones inspired to dance.
Petite
What is Petite?
Petite Classes continue the love and learning of the art of dance. In these classes, we start stepping up learning basics in dance, class etiquette, team work, and beginning technique. Both Petite I & Petite II are great for beginning dancers. All Petite dancers must be potty trained.
Petite I Ballet/Tap
Ages 5-6 This is a great way to get your little one rocking. It consisting of 30 minutes of Ballet and 30 minutes of Tap.
Petite II Pre-Jazz/Hip Hop
Ages 5-6 This is a great way to get your little one rocking. It consisting of 30 minutes of Jazz and 30 minutes of Hip Hop.
Combo
What is Combo?
Combo classes are a great way for a young dancer to rock multiple types of dance all in the same class. This fast-paced class allows for great learning while still having fun. These classes focus on following directions, dance skills, social class skills and most of all building confidence. We want our dancers to leave loving the art of dance.
Combo I Ballet/Tap/Jazz
Ages 7-9 This class is 1.5 hours made up of 30 mins. Ballet I , 30 mins Jazz I, 30 mins Tap I. Each type of dance is covered building skill. Our level one classes are great to get a young dancer going.
Combo II Ballet/Tap/Jaz
Ages 7-9 This class is 1.5 hours made up of 30 mins. Ballet I , 30 mins Jazz I, 30 mins Tap I. Each type of dance is covered building skill. Our level one classes are great to get a young dancer going.
Adult
Adult Ballet
Ages Teen-Adult. This course is geared towards those who are seeking a more laid back, fun, introductory class on Ballet dance. No matter where your interest stems from, this is the perfect class for you! Ballet is one of the most challenging but gratifying forms of dance. In this no-pressure class, students will be taught ballet basics and movements catered to your level, as well as working on flexibility and strength! Ballet is an incredible workout and leaves you feeling strong, poised, and graceful.
Adult Tap
Ages Teen-Adult. Perfect for the former dancer, continuing dancer, or brand new dancer! Come one, come all to a class where you can build on the basics of tap and break a sweat while you're at it! All classes will focus on creating patterns and combinations with basic tap steps and improving clarity, musicality, and strength. More than getting the tap steps "just right", we focus on letting loose, having fun, and learning fab tap moves in the process! Vibrant music and a diverse selection of tap styles will encourage all students express themselves through performance!