Music & Me ~ Classes for ages 2 - 3, 4 - 6, and 6 - 8

As most early childhood educators know, music and movement are linked even from birth and infancy. Bouncing and/or rocking to the sound of a mother or father singing/humming are children's first experiences in music and movement. Children cannot help but respond to the rhythm, beat and moods that different kinds of music suggest. Undeniably, music in many forms is an accessible accompaniment to either improvised or more structure movement sequences. In Music & Me classes, students will learn creative movements, basic beats and rhythms, all with the implementation of musical instruments such as Maracas, Bongo Drums, Rain-Makers, Triangles, and so many more.


Creative Movement ~ Ages 2 - 3

Creative movement and dance is an enjoyable way for young children to develop their physical skills, channel their energy, stimulate their imagination and promote their creativity.  Creative movement involves using body actions to communicate an image (the wind, a frog, a rabbit), an idea (a journey, a dream) or a feeling (strength).  Creative dance in early childhood education corresponds to the fundamental phase of movement development that occurs between the ages of two to seven.  During this time, motor skills (e.g., hopping, rolling, crawling, walking, running, jumping, leaping and galloping), non-motor skills (e.g., stretching, bending, twisting, turning, shaking and swinging), and stability and balance skills are able to flourish when children are provided with sufficient practice opportunities.  A social benefit of creative movement is that it encourages an interactive environment where children share space as they explore movement together but in their own way. Gradually, opportunities for children to observe different responses to movement ideas are given and the possibility of creating movements together becomes more appealing.


Combo ~ BTA (Ballet, Tap, Acro) ~ Ages 4 - 6

This sixty minute class is structured for younger children who are interested in a more comprehensive dance environment. Classes will begin with ballet (barre work, positions, enhancing turnout, traveling, and beginning leaps and turns), followed by tap (stationary tapping, traveling, and sound identification), and finally, acro (strength, flexibility, and basic tumbling skills).  This class acts as a precursor for more advanced levels of Ballet, Tap, and Acro. Therefore, children may remain in this class for 1 to 3 years to fully learn the basics of dance such as body and feet positions and beginner jumps, leaps, and turns.

Trio ~ BTJ (Ballet, Tap, Jazz)

For children ages 7 and up.  This ninety-minute class is structured for older children who are interested in more styles of dance and a more comprehensive dance environment.  Classes will begin with ballet (barre work, positions, enhancing turnout, traveling, and beginning leaps and turns), followed by tap (stationary tapping, traveling, and sound identification), and finally, jazz (jumps, turns, traveling and rhythmic movement).  This class acts as a precursor for more advanced levels of Ballet, Tap, and Jazz. Therefore, children may remain in this class for 1 to 3 years.

Ballet I, II, III

In Ballet I students are introduced to fundamental exercises, techniques, and steps of classical ballet, basic ballet terminology, correct body alignment, and simple adagio and allegro combinations are introduced in barre and center work.  Through level progression, the emphasis is on developing an aesthetic awareness of the art, understanding ballet theory, perfecting technique, review of basic exercises and terminology, pirouettes are introduced, body alignment, technical accuracy is stressed, increased movement vocabulary, and performance quality, combinations, musicality, style, and theatricality, etc.

Pointe ~ Beginners to Advanced

Basic techniques of dancing on pointe. An introduction to correct pointe positions and exercises to strengthen the feet and legs. This class will challenge the beginner through advanced dancer with choreography, pointe work, & repertoire.  Dancers enrolled in pointe class are required to be taking at least 1 hour of ballet training per week.  Classes are conducted in a professional manner - proper dance attire is absolutely enforced!  All students are required to arrive to class on time, hair should be securely placed in a bun, black leotards, pink tights,  and pointe shoes.  There are absolutely no baggy clothes or messy hair permitted in class!

Tap ~ Beginners to Advanced

Simple key techniques, basic exercises, and movements. Variety of rhythmic patterns, fundamental steps, and graded routines. Brief history, choreographic principles, and improvisation. Shuffles, ball changes, heel drops, time steps, flaps, and beginning turns are introduced. Through level progression, emphasis is on developing on-stage choreography, further development of pre-dance warm-up exercises to include exercises for balance and body alignment, turns, spins, and focus are introduced and coordinated with precision tap combinations. Further level advancement includes the study and performance of popular tap dancing styles to include the ease of Fred Astaire, the aggressiveness of Gene Kelly, the contemporary style of Tommy Tune, and the timeless vaudeville style of Honi Coles. Concentration is on technical accuracy, increased movement vocabulary, and performance quality. Wings, pull-backs, turns, and precision steps are stressed.
 

Jazz ~ Beginners to Advanced

Introduction to fundamental jazz techniques, exercises, walks, and movement phrases of the jazz style. Basic knowledge of changing jazz styles through the years. Emphasis on perfecting techniques, creating basic jazz compositions, and developing a more in-depth understanding of the historical growth of American jazz dance. Review of basic exercises and terminology. Rock, funky lyric, and percussive movements are studied. Jazz turns, body isolations, and steps of elevation are incorporated. Proficient technique, correct body alignment, and performance are stressed. Jazz isolations, body rolls, turns, and slides are studied. Movement vocabulary to include jazz styles of contemporary choreographers. Increased technical skill is developed through complex phrases of movement. Performance, style, and musicality are stressed.
 

Lyrical ~ Beginners to Advanced

Lyrical dance is best described as a mix between ballet and jazz.  Dancers will be exposed to a unique style of dance that will enforce emotional performance along with technical movement.  Dancers will perform a stretch, centerwork, and travel across the floor.

Contemporary ~ Intermediate, Advanced

Contemporary dance is characterized by its versatility: contemporary can be danced to almost any style of music, or united with other dance forms to create new styles of movement. Contemporary seeks to work with the natural alignment of the body, and is therefore safe and accessible for beginners. At the same time, the ease of movement promoted by contemporary dance technique allows experienced dancers to push new boundaries of body movement.  Contemporary dance principles include: centering, alignment, gravity, breath, contraction, release, fall and recovery, suspension, balance and off-balance, tension and relaxation, opposition and emotion.  Rather than emphasizing technique per se, which is seen more as a tool for the dancer and a means by which to strengthen the body, increase flexibility, and through a deliberate exposure of the contemporary dancer to a wide range of techniques to ensure versatility, contemporary dance as a field is more concerned with examining the choreographic and performing process: as a result there has been limited development of dance techniques by seminal dance artists. Instead, contemporary dance draws on modern dance techniques (developed in the first sixty years of the 20th century) and an array of still developing philosophies of movement based on study of the human body and body/mind inter-relationships.

Modern ~ Beginners to Advanced

Introduction of fundamental exercises, techniques, and movement phrases of modern dance. Basic modern dance principles are introduced in axial and locomotor exercises. Modern dance innovators and their styles are discussed. Includes an understanding of contemporary dance as a creative art form, perfecting technique, developing improvisational skills, experimenting with creative movement studies, and analyzing rhythmic patterns. Review of basic exercises and terminology. The study of contemporary modern dance on an intermediate level. Correct body alignment, development of technique, and efficient use of the body through movement are stressed. Various falls, turns, and contractions are studied. Elements of time, flow, weight, space, and varied rhythmic structures are incorporated into movement phrases. Improvisational skills are employed. Emphasis is on more complex movement phrases. Individual expression, musicality, style, and performance are stressed. Improvisational skills are employed.
 

Hip Hop Beginners to Advanced

This high energy dance class will introduce students to the basics of hip hop, including the latest hip hop trends & break dancing moves which prepare them for more advanced hip hop training. All movement will be modest & age appropriate. Music is carefully selected to avoid questionable content. Past hip hop experience is great, but even beginners will have a blast in this fast paced, high energy dance class. Dance conditioning will be introduced to strengthen the body for more advanced hip-hop training. Designed for the high school dancer, this high energy dance class will go more in depth with hip-hop training, including the latest dance trends and break-dancing moves. This class is great for the student who just wants to come & get funky as well as the serious dancer looking to improve their hip hop skills. All movement will be modest & age appropriate.
 

Acro. ~ Beginners to Advanced

The class will focus on basic acrobatics skills such as bridges, rolls, cartwheels, standing backbends, and limbers.  Dance elements will be incorporated into the class as well.  Level progression will include cartwheels on both sides, walkovers, handsprings, tucks, and aerials.  Advanced tumbling passes along with more complex dance elements will be incorporated into the class as level progression proceeds towards the advanced level. Dancers should always come to class in dance/gymnastic attire - no baggy street clothes for safety reasons.  Dancers will be barefoot during all acro. classes and jewelry is never permitted.
 

Polynesian ~ Beginners to Advanced

In this class you will learn about the dying cultures of the Hawaiian and the Tahitian natives, and their different styles of dance, as well as the implementation of instruments used in these very elaborate and visually stunning forms of dance.  This is an educational experience to last a lifetime.

Ballroom ~ Beginners to Advanced

Drama/Musical Theater

This fun class will engage students with basic drama games, focusing on character, emotion, & actions. It will introduce students to monologue & scene study through a variety of interactive activities which lead them to the world of acting.  Through level progression, students will learn to channel their creative energy, focusing on character, plot, & basic acting techniques through monologue, scene study, & dramatic improvisation.

Art Classes ~ All mediums

Private Lessons Offered ~ One on One

Piano, Voice, Guitar, Bass, Violin, and Cello