CONTEMPORARY
Contemporary dance is not a specific dance technique but a combination of ballet, lyrical, modern, jazz, and unique movement sometimes referred to as “dance fusion.”
HIP HOP
Hip Hop is an athletic form of dance that involves isolated body movements and some beginner level gymnastics skills.
JAZZ
Jazz dancing is a fast paced style of dance. We incorporate Lyrical and Contemporary styles into our dance routines when possible for variety, especially at the Intermediate levels and above.
BALLET / POINTE
We offer three different types of ballet classes: Lyrical Ballet, Classical Ballet and Pointe. Classes focus on ballet basics and technique. For beginners under the age of five, at least one year of Creative Movement is suggested.
• Lyrical Ballet is an interpretive style of ballet.
• Classical Ballet is a traditional and formal. Our Classical Ballet classes do not perform in the Recital.
• Pointe is the part of classical ballet technique that concerns pointe work, in which a ballet dancer supports all body weight on the tips of fully extended feet. Pointe work is performed while wearing pointe shoes, which employ structural reinforcing to distribute the dancer’s weight load throughout the foot, thus reducing the load on the toes enough to enable the dancer to support all body weight on fully vertical feet. Typically, years of training and practice are required to develop the strength and technique needed to perform pointe work. Advanced Classical Ballet, pre-pointe, and teacher recommendation are prerequisites for this class.
MODERN
Modern dance focuses on creativity and self-expression rather than on technical virtuosity. Modern dance is a more relaxed, free style form of dance in which choreographers use emotions and lyrics to design their own steps, in contrast to ballet’s structured code of steps. Dancers often rely on each other in modern dance to tell a story.
TAP / STOMP
Tap dance is a form of dance characterized by a tapping sound that is created from the metal plates on the bottom of the dancer’s shoe. These metal plates, when tapped against a hard surface, create a percussive sound. Common tap steps include the shuffle, shuffle ball change, flap, flap heel, single and double pullbacks, wings, brushes, scuffs, and single and double toe punches, hot steps, heel clicks, single, double and triple time steps. This style of dance increases motor skills and rhythm. Please note that our Stomp classes are co-ed.
BREAKING
Break-dancing, or breaking, originated in the streets of New York City in the 1970’s. It is not a studio-derived dance and is improvisational by nature. The essential features that distinguish breaking from other dance forms are the sophisticated steps, moves, and combinations performed on the ground.
CREATIVE MOVEMENT
Creative Movement is for students two-five years old who are interested in dance. This class focuses on movement to music with hand held props, an obstacle course and an indirect attention to ballet and jazz styles of dance.
ACRO
Acro is a style that incorporates both dance and gymnastics. Acro teaches skills such as handstands, cartwheels and walkovers. As students become more advanced, they also work up to skills such as aerials and handsprings. Acro focuses on increasing strength, flexibility, and creating fluid dance pieces.