A great sampler of important movement styles. This class will help students learn more about different dance styles and the importance of versatility in dance. Dancers will alternate between two different styles weekly. Popular music and show tunes are incorporated while working to develop technique along with expression.

At the start of the intermediate levels, students will begin to use one hand on the barre with an emphasis on continuing to work on placement and alignment. Dancers will be encouraged to count the music and name the steps.  They will begin learning about turnout and correct body placement.  They will expand their repertoire of jumps in simple form at the barre.  Center work will consist of combining three or more steps and dancers will work to improve their turns through spotting and proper use of the arms.  Corner work will combine two or more steps which travel across the floor.  Students at this level are taking 2 ballet classes weekly and may add Pointe Preparation class.

Dancers at this level will begin coordinating head and arm positions with legs. A full barre will be increasingly complex. Correct posture and body placement as well as connecting movement will be the theme. Center work will consist of simple adagio, body positions, jumps – including petite allegro and pirouette and traveling turns.  Corner work will include various traveling combinations kept in time to the music. Students at this level are taking 2 ballet classes weekly and may add Pointe Preparation Class.

This Modern Dance class focuses on both modern dance technique and dance improvisation for any style. The modern aspect of the class focuses on full-body movement, fluidity, floor work, and beginning partnering and lifts. Dancers will also become familiar with improvisation: creating movement on the spot without prior planning or choreography. The class will use fun, game-like improv exercises to increase dancers’ confidence and creativity in a supportive and encouraging atmosphere. 

Perfect for dancers who like to portray emotion. Lyrical is the fusion of Ballet and Modern Dance, often set to music that tells a story. Lyrical dancers interpret the lyrics of a song through movement. Lyrical students should have a foundation in Ballet and Jazz as these classes assume that technique is already present and primarily focus on emotion. Students will learn to feel the music through emotion as they are dancing.

The perfect class for students that are interested in Broadway dance, a school theater production or musical. This class will prepare students to learn to move with confidence in a theatrical manner. Facial expression and learning to engage the audience will be the theme. Lyrical styles of Modern and Jazz will also be introduced. 

Students have the option to add Pointe Prep in Russian Tech or Ballet II. Pointe Prep is a preparatory class for beginning Pointe and is always done in soft ballet slippers as opposed to Pointe shoes. Students will focus on proper spine alignment, ankle strength, rolling through the foot, ability to hold turn-out from the hips, a well-elevated releve on demi pointe with straight knees, and correct distribution of body weight. A dancer may progress to Pre-Pointe work in Pre-Pointe shoes upon instructors approval. This class will include exercises designed to strengthen calf muscles, ankles, and arches of the feet. 

Photo: Abbey Hauf Photography

Dancers at this level will start class at the Ballet barre to work on classical technique, executing combinations at different musical tempos and on different musical counts.  They will also build strength and learn how to put several steps together while smoothly transferring their weight and holding correct posture and body placement.  Dancers will add several new steps to their repertoire.  Center work will consist of an adagio, a tendu combination, jumps,including petit allegro and pirouette preparations and turns.  Corner work will consist of jump, waltz, and various traveling combinations kept in time to the music. Students at this level are taking 2 Ballet classes weekly and may add Beginning/Pre- Pointe class.

Time to get funky and free while learning the creative movements of Hip-Hop.This class combines the cool exciting moves of Hip-Hop with age appropriate music that they love! Learning the techniques of Hip Hop will focus their mind and challenge their bodies. Students expiriment with expressive movement and learn to engage and captivate an audience.

Expand on a love of Dance and foster expression in movement with this exciting blend of traditional Tap technique. This class combines the cool exciting moves with the fun percussive sounds of Tap. Learning the basic techniques of this dance style is great for students with a lot of energy. They’ll channel all that energy into learning more than the basics and start tapping with more intricate moves and style.

This Modern Dance class focuses on both modern dance technique and dance improvisation for any style. The modern aspect of the class focuses on full-body movement, fluidity, floor work, and beginning partnering and lifts. Dancers will also become familiar with improvisation: creating movement on the spot without prior planning or choreography. The class will use fun, game-like improv exercises to increase dancers’ confidence and creativity in a supportive and encouraging atmosphere. 

Students will focus on proper spine alignment, ankle strength, rolling through the foot, ability to hold turn-out from the hips, a well-elevated releve on demi pointe with straight knees, and correct distribution of body weight. Beginning Pointe dancers must be able to maintain turn-out while performing center combinations, hold a proper Ballet position with straight back and good turnout, pull up properly in the legs, and balance securely on releve. Students must have the emotional maturity necessary for the hard work and commitment that Pointe entails. Exercises will begin at the barre for safety and stability. Students will progress to exercises in the centre to practice their balance and increase their strength.

One of the most popular and well known forms of dance. Jazz dance includes strength, flexibility and conditioning technique and progressions including turns and leaps. In a Jazz class the dancers also learn many fun and trendy dance steps that are used for all forms of dance. It is a wonderful class to get a well rounded variety of all dance steps. Dancers will learn choreography to popular and age-appropriate music  along with vintage styles of Jazz from the previous decades. This is a perfect class to start your dance training.

This class allows dancers the opportunity to strengthen their bodies to compliment their technical training and  prevent injuries. A typical class will include some or all elements of the following:

• Cardiovascular Exercises

• Flexibility Exercises

• Strength Exercises

• Core/Abdominal Work

• Arm/ Back/Leg Work

When you incorporate conditioning into your curriculum, you are bound to see vast improvements in performance, stamina, and technique.