Children’s Dance Programs

Class Descriptions

Ballet (live accompaniment)

PreBallet

Ages 4-5. A first exposure to classical ballet for children with the ability to sustain 40 minutes of focused activity. Emphasis is on introduction to ballet vocabulary and creative expression. Students share an informal year-end performance with parents in class. Attire: Girls - pink leotard, tights and ballet shoes, with hair worn pulled back. Boys - white T-shirt, black tights and black ballet shoes. 40 minutes.

Ballet 1

Ages 6-8. Classes provide students with a foundation of classical ballet skills. Our approach builds strength and stresses center of balance in the spine by breaking steps into their simplest form and gradually adding specific poses for head and arms. Proper French terminology is used as well as both classical and popular music. Attire: Girls - powder blue leotard (no attached skirts, please), white tights, pink ballet shoes; hair must be worn up and pulled back. Boys - white T-shirt, black tights and black ballet shoes. 60 minutes.

Ballet 2

Ages 9-11. Classes provide students with a foundation of classical ballet skills. Our approach builds strength and stresses center of balance in the spine by breaking steps into their simplest form and gradually adding specific poses for head and arms. Proper French terminology is used as well as both classical and popular music. Attire: Girls - powder blue leotard (no attached skirts, please), white tights, pink ballet shoes; hair must be worn up and pulled back. Boys - white T-shirt, black tights and black ballet shoes. 60 minutes.

Ballet 3

Ages 12-14. This class concentrates on proper alignment and building strong legs and feet through barre work and center practice. Attire: Girls - black leotard, white tights, pink ballet shoes; hair must be worn up and pulled back. Boys - white T-shirt, black tights, black ballet shoes. 75 minutes.

Ballet 4

Ages 14-17. This class concentrates on proper alignment and building strong legs and feet through barre work and center practice. Pointe work is a possibility in this class but not mandatory. Students must have at least two years of ballet and be evaluated by the teacher before going en pointe. Attire: Girls - black leotard, white tights, pink ballet shoes and Pointe shoes (see teacher for pointe shoe requirements); hair must be worn up and pulled back. Boys - white T-shirt, black tights, black ballet shoes. 75 minutes.

Ballet 2-3 Ensemble

Ages 9-14. Students are encouraged to participate in dance ensembles as a supplement to their regular technique classes. Ensembles concentrate on choreographic techniques and performance of dance pieces. Dancers have the opportunity to perform in the Winter and Spring concerts. Interested students should speak with their teacher about qualifications prior to registering. Attire: Girls - dance clothes, pink ballet shoes; hair must be worn up and pulled back. Boys - white T-shirt, black jazz pants, black ballet shoes. 40 or 60 minutes.

Ballet 3-4 Ensemble

Ages 12-17. Students are encouraged to participate in dance ensembles as a supplement to their regular technique classes. Ensembles concentrate on choreographic techniques and performance of dance pieces. Dancers have the opportunity to perform in the Winter and Spring concerts. Interested students should speak with their teacher about qualifications prior to registering. Attire: Girls - dance clothes, pink ballet shoes; hair must be worn up and pulled back. Boys - white T-shirt, black jazz pants, black ballet shoes. 40 or 60 minutes.

Modern Dance (live accompaniment)

Creative Dance

Ages 4-5. A pre-Modern dance class for children with the ability to sustain 40 minutes of focused activity. Discover creative expression and experience the fun of exploring shape, size, speed and levels in space. Scarves, ribbons and hoops add to the joy of hopping, skipping, jumping and galloping. Students will share their discoveries in a fun year-end, in-class performance. Attire: Girls - pink leotard, black footless tights/leggings, bare feet; hair must be worn up and pulled back. Boys- white t-shirt, black jazz pants/leggings and bare feet. 40 minutes.

Modern 1

Ages 6-8. Attire: Girls - white leotard, black footless tights/leggings, bare feet; hair must be worn up and pulled back. Boys - white t-shirt, black jazz pants/leggings, bare feet. 60 minutes.

Modern 2

Ages 9-11. Attire: Girls - white leotard, black footless tights/leggings, bare feet; hair must be worn up and pulled back. Boys - white t-shirt, black jazz pants/leggings, bare feet. 60 minutes.

Modern 3

Ages 12-14. Attire: Girls - black tank unitard or black leotard with black footless tights/leggings, bare feet; hair must be worn up and pulled back. Boys - white t-shirt, black jazz pants/leggings, bare feet. 75 minutes.

Modern 4

Ages 14-17. Attire: Girls - black tank unitard or black leotard with black footless tights/leggings, bare feet; hair must be worn up and pulled back. Boys - white t-shirt, black jazz pants/leggings, bare feet. 75 minutes.

Jazz

Jazz 1 & 2

Ages 6-10. For the student with some dance experience. The basic fundamentals of jazz and proper alignment are taught throughout the class with verbal and visual identification. Combinations using learned vocabulary are incorporated into formations and patterns. This fun class uses jazz and contemporary music as well as music from Broadway shows. Attire: dance clothes, leotard and tights/jazz pants or unitard, black jazz or ballet shoes. 60 minutes.

Jazz 2 & 3

Ages 9-14. For the student with dance experience. The basic fundamentals of jazz are incorporated into focused warm-up exercises as well as combinations using all learned vocabulary. Jazz, contemporary music and music from Broadway shows add to this exciting class. Attire: dance clothes, leotard and tights/jazz pants or unitard, jazz shoes. 60 minutes.

Hip-Hop

Hip Hop 1 Beginning/Intermediate

Ages 7-9. A high-energy introduction to the funk/hip hop culture focusing on dance technique and sequence. Attire: black tank tops, black jazz pants/leggings, black dance sneakers. 60 minutes.

Hip Hop 1 & 2

Ages 7-12. This is a mixed level, energetic class. See description for Hip Hop 1 and Hip Hop 2. Attire: black tank tops, black jazz pants/leggings, black dance sneakers. 60 minutes.

Hip Hop 2 Beginning/Intermediate

Ages 10-12. A fun, energetic funk/hip hop experience, focusing on dance technique and sequence. Hip Hop I is not a prerequisite for this class but some dance experience is helpful. Attire: black tank tops, black jazz pants/leggings, black dance sneakers. 60 minutes.

Hip Hop 3 Advanced

Ages 13-15. Experience is a must for this intense, high-energy funk/hip hop class. Technique is used in fast-paced and exciting choreography. Attire: black tank tops, black jazz pants/leggings, and black dance sneakers. 75 minutes.

Tap

Intro to Tap

Ages 4-5. A fun introduction to basic tap steps and rhythmic patterns. Attire: tap shoes, dancewear, any colored leotard, tights/leggings or jazz pants. 40 minutes.

Tap 1 & 2

Tap 1 for ages 6-8 and Tap 1 & 2 for ages 6-11. These multi-level classes are for the beginning or intermediate tap student. They include review of basic steps and rhythms used in fun and challenging combinations. Attire: tap shoes, dancewear, any colored leotard, tights/leggings or jazz pants. 60 minutes.

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