3 Year Old Combo Class

This class is a combination class lasting 45 minutes and provides dancers with a sampling of ballet, jazz and tap class. Creative Movement is rooted in the conventions of a ballet class structure while allowing for individual creativity, set to children's music. This class also increases enthusiasm for learning through music, dance and creative dramatic exercises where children will improve self-awareness and build motivation by fostering group participation in the dance classroom.

 

4 - 5 Year Old Combo Class

This class is also a combination class lasting 1 hour and provides dancers with fast moving class including ballet, jazz and tap principles. This class is a continuation of the creative movement experienced in the 3 year old combo class. It is set to children's music and it continues to open to the dancers a world of enthusiasm for music, dance and movement.

 

Ballet I

Beginning Ballet I students will reach beyond the fun of fairytales into a more self-reflective and serious stage of development.  Class structure and discipline are emphasized, with students adhering to a dress code and following proper ballet etiquette in the classroom.  Students develop self-esteem by being challenged to dance the classical technique and feeling pride in a sense of accomplishment, with positive encouragement from their teacher.  Students learn to dance for the first time with one hand on the barre and can demonstrate a variety of ballet movements independently.  Other skills learned at this level are how to give and receive appropriate feedback from their peers, how to self-correct their own technique, and memorization of ballet combinations with correct musical timing.  Performance opportunities include the winter recital and the annual recital in the spring.

 

Ballet II

These students build on the strength of their prior ballet experience and continue to develop as confident and capable dancers.  Combinations at the barre become more complex and complete, with emphasis on head and arm position as well as consistent turn-out of the legs.  Dancers learn a variety of combinations at the barre, as well as in the center in allegro and adagio sections of the class.  A Beginning Ballet II student consistently demonstrates an understanding of proper ballet technique and poise, as well as the self-control necessary to progress through the ballet program.  Cooperation with partners is encouraged and demonstrating choreography of their own choosing are elements at this age.  Musicality and expression are being developed in these dancers to encourage the artistic expression of dance.  Performance opportunities include the winter recital and the annual recital in the spring.

 

Ballet III

In our first class of the Junior Ballet level, the focus is placed on the graceful movements of the dancer’s entire body, as opposed to the solely focusing on footwork and leg action. The development of the fluid por de bras, first through fourth, as well as the  the carriage of the upper body are primary goals.  At this level, fifth position of the feet is introduced for the first time and center combinations develop more complexity by adding three or more elements at a time.  Dancers have experience with the discipline and self-control of ballet by this time. They are motivated to aply self-correction and to demostrate a higher level of self-awareness.  Performance opportunities include the winter recital and the annual recital in the spring.

 

Jazz I, II, III, IV

Drawing from LA, New York and London-based jazz styles, the Jazz classes emphasize body line, precision, flexible torso work, isolation, turns and the hottest dance techniques in street and funk! Introduction to locking, popping, and break are interspersed with high kicks, leaps and jumps in a well balanced classical jazz lesson that dips into other genres. Jazz is segmented into Jazz I, II, and III, where each level involves steady progression of complexity as the students improve. (Jazz, Lyrical and Contemporary styles are all explored in Jazz 1, 2, & 3)

 

Tap I, II, III, IV

An American theatrical dance form, Tap is distinguished by percussive footwork that marks out precise rhythmic patterns. Students of all ages can brush, flap, shuffle or ball change! to learn the basic principles of rhythm and timing taught in every level of tap. Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4 iintroduce dancers to weekly combinations that are put to a variety of music styles, showcasing both traditional Broadway Tap with the latest Tap Jam and Stomp techniques.

 

Hip Hop

Hip-Hop will have you jumpin', turnin', spinnin', movin' forwards and backwards! The best of urban dance, Hip-Hop is the latest cultural trend on the dance scene, and our Hip-Hop offers exposure to street, funk and break as part of this class. Prior dance training is helpful, but not required, therefore a supplemental jazz class is strongly recommended to prevent injury and introduce the traditional connective steps necessary to put routines together.

 

Leaps & Turns

This class focuses wholly on the technical aspects of dance by cultivating the necessary skill-base to execute stunning leaps, mystifying multiple turns and every dance trick the serious student of dance wants to master! Starting with a Jazz/Lyrical warm up, L&T then progresses to center exercises for alignment and stability in turns and layouts, ultimately leading to across the floor turns and leaps with fun, varied repetitions. Required for competition and company members. L&T does not perform in the annual summer concert.