Classes
To view all classes offered in the 2011/2012 school year (organized by age and level), proceed to Schedule.
Pre-ballet
Intended for preschool and kindergarten students, dancers enrolled in pre-ballet focus on ballet basics, dexterity, and creativity. Dancers develop studio manners, team-working skills, self expression, and interacting with others. Various props and age appropriate music allow students to use their imagination while learning lively choreography. At this age, focus is on developing large motor skills and coordination through fun activities such as skipping, leaping, jumping, galloping, and stretching.
Recommended dancewear is form-fitting (this enables teachers to easily view body lines and technique). Black ballet shoes are available for purchase at our school.
Jazz
Jazz is characterized by powerful, energetic movement and music making this style appropriate for boys and girls wanting to increase self-awareness, confidence, and freedom of movement. Students will learn techniques such as spotting, turns, kicks and leaps; jazz progressions that lead from beginning through advanced.
Recommended dancewear is form-fitting, spandex-style clothing (this enables teachers to easily view body lines and technique). Black jazz shoes are available for purchase at our school.
Hip Hop
The origins of hip hop trace back to ancient African tribal dances. Hip hop is known for its strength of expression and 'street feel'. This style is great for students looking to develop social dance skills, confidence, and stage presence. Age-appropriate music combined with entertaining choreography make it a favorite. Students will learn choreography with isolations and locked movement.
Hip hop classes wear loose fitting street clothes or regular dancewear and black jazz shoes. Note: Regular street shoes are not permitted on the studio floors.
Ballet
Creative Ballet is an excellent introduction for children preparing for classical ballet. It offers dancers the opportunity to learn the basics of ballet technique in a more relaxed, fun, and interactive environment. Classical and contemporary music accompanies students as they develop poise, technique, strength, rhythm, grace and lyrical movement. Intended for children grades 2-4.
Classical Ballet follows traditional technique and is generally accompanied by classical music. We focus on turn out, high extensions, pointe work, posture, poise, and grace as well as flexibility, strength, endurance, combinations of movement, and balance. This form of dance is rigorous and challenging. Students hoping to attain Performance Team status should prepare by starting with Creative Ballet in second grade and Classical Ballet in third grade in addition to their other classes.
Note: pointe work is considered an advanced form of ballet and is only allowed in students older than age eleven who have carefully trained and have the teacher’s recommendation.
Recommended dancewear is form-fitting, spandex-style clothing (this enables teachers to easily view body lines and technique). Black ballet shoes are available for purchase at our school.
Performance Teams
Dancers are expected to have trained in dance for many years prior to attaining team level. Team members perform approximately ten times per year. This level represents years of dance training in ballet, jazz and hip hop. Dancers are invited to be on Team or will audition to participate and be placed by Kathryn. Performance Teams work together to develop many forms of dance, but primarily focus on jazz, classical ballet, contemporary, musical theatre, and hip hop.
