Tap
Offered from Beginner through advanced; Tap is a popular
form of dance that focuses on rhythm and intricate footwork, creating a
percussion instrument out of the dancer's feet. Classes are taught at all
levels and include rhythm and coordination skills to upbeat and popular music.
Tap classes address technique, rhythm, syncopation and phrasing. Through
progressive patterns, students are able to improve the manipulation of their
feet, sounds and speed.
Jazz
Starting in first grade, Jazz has its own strong technique
using the muscles in the body similar to the way they are used in Ballet.
Students will learn this technique and will develop proper ways of emotionally
expressing themselves through dance. Funk, Theatrical, Lyrical, Contemporary,
Liturgical and African styles of dance can all be found in Jazz classes. Jazz
students are encouraged to study ballet as well. Jazz dance is frequently
influenced by other dance styles such as tumbling, ballet, contemporary, lyrical,
and hip hop.
Hip-Hop
Grade 3 and older for Girls and grade 2 and older for Boys,
Hip-Hop is set to today's hottest music. Classes emphasize coordination,
creativity and rhythm in an atmosphere of "moving to the beat".
Isolation of body parts and learning more about musical beats is very important
to the training of hip hop. It encompasses movement that has elements of
poppin', locking, and breaking as well as freestyle movement to give students
the opportunity to develop their own sense of style. Hip Hop is urban, it's
street, it's diverse and forever changing.
Tumbling
From Preschool through adult, tumbling is an enjoyable class
focusing on flexibility and strength. Students are taught, with the use of
tumbling mats, in a self-paced manner working on physical strength, beginning
with basic skills moving toward advanced power tumbling. Examples of techniques
the student will learn are cartwheel, front and back rolls and back bends
moving toward aerials, handsprings, and tucks. Care is taken to master skills
in a safe monitored environment.
Contemporary
Contemporary is a newer dance style blending ballet, jazz,
lyrical and modern dance techniques to create a style focused on storytelling
and connection. These connections draw the dancers, the audiences, and the
stories together to encourage relationships and emotional draw. Students in
this class are stretched to think outside of the box to perform a different
style of movement as well as to incite social change.