Dance Classes -

Creative Dance —Ages 3 1/2–5 yrs

Children ages 3 1/2 – 5 yrs. dance together while focusing on rhythm, movement, music and fun! creative dance In this class we will be exploring the basic elements of dance including movement qualities and dynamics, use of space, simple rhythms and body part differentiation. Class exercises will develop the student’s range of motion and coordination, articulation, and locomotion, including galloping in all directions, skipping, leaping, and encouraging use of both right and left sides. Students will play with movements that are inspired by stories, games, words, music and various props. This class offers students a fun-filled and safe environment to enjoy and appreciate dance, as well as opening up endless possibilities to be creative as individuals and as a group and to work together in a social atmosphere.

Classes meet once a week for 45 min.

Pre-Ballet

This class is for 5 1/2 to 7 year olds and functions as a bridge between creative dance and formal ballet training. In this class students will begin to explore the fundamental concepts of classical ballet. We will focus on proper placement and alignment, working to build strength, flexibility, poise, and good class etiquette. Basic ballet vocabulary will be introduced through barre and center work and traveling through space with triplets, polka steps and various jumps and leaps. This class is designed so that the students will have lots of fun in a safe environment while building an interest in the art form.

Classes meet once a week for 1 hour.

The Ballet Training Program

The ballet training program begins with Ballet I (for all ages, but no younger than 8 yrs). Placement in classes is not based on age or previous training. The Director will place students according to where they can make the greatest progress. The program progressively builds in difficulty and number of weekly class hours to prepare the students for pointe work (around the age of 12), and later, pas de deux and advanced training. ballet training

A traditional ballet barre is given which may be preceded by floor or barre exercises that are tailored to the needs of the students in the class. Center floor exercises and combinations will include a repetition of some barre exercises, port de bras and adagio, pirouettes, petite and grand allegro, and traveling turns.

The ballet classes utilize the principles of correct alignment and the aesthetic classical ballet ideal while working within the anatomical confines of individual dancers. Classes also stress musicality, dynamics of movement, use of opposition, co-ordination of the entire body and artistic expression. Also encouraged is the use of breath and the release of excess tension which is necessary for the body to more sensitively develop the neuromuscular connections and responses that allow one to dance in a balanced and fluid manner. Combinations at the barre and in the center are structured to help dancers achieve the ultimate goals of that day’s class. Careful correction and attention is generously given to everyone in the class.

Listed below are the number of weekly class hours required of students enrolling in the ballet program. The progression of levels is very individual. Students are encouraged to take additional classes that are below their scheduled level at no additional cost.

Basic Ballet: 1 hour 1x-2x per week
Ballet I: 1 hour class 2x per week
Ballet II: 1½ hour class 3x per week plus pointe work as needed
Ballet III: 1½ hour class 4x per week plus pointe work as needed
Ballet IV: 1½ hour class 5x per week plus 30 min. pointe class 2x per week
Ballet V: 1½ hour class 6x per week plus 1 hour pointe class 2x per week

Pointe

As well as being approx. 12 years of age, and having laid a strong foundation in ballet technique, strength in the back, core area, legs and feet must be gradually built to prepare girls for pointe work. Readiness for pointe work is based upon many factors. It is very individual and at the discretion of the instructor. Students must be in Level II/III to be considered for pointe work. They must attend a minimum of their 4 scheduled ballet classes each week.

Teen/Adult Open Ballet

An introduction to classical ballet training including an explanation of its origins and terminology. A physically, mentally, and spiritually engaging class that will help to foster an appreciation of the art form. A traditional ballet barre is given which may be preceded by floor or barre exercises that are tailored to the needs of the students in the class. Center floor exercises and combinations will include a repetition of some barre exercises, port de bras and adagio, pirouettes, petite and grand allegro, and traveling turns.

Class Etiquette

Students are requested to respect the space in which we work by only wearing dance shoes on the floors. The Marley surface floor covering provides dancers with a smooth surface with excellent traction on which to dance. It is very expensive and is easily ruined by dirt and grit ground into it by street shoes. Therefore, it is absolutely crucial that shoes that are worn outside are not on our dance floors. All students are expected to bring their dance shoes (which are never worn outside) with them to class and change their shoes before entering the studios. group picture

Students must be on time for class. If the ballet students have missed the first exercise (plies) then they must sit and observe class. This is necessary not only to prevent disruption of the class for others, but also for the student’s safety, as the warm-up is progressive, and missing plies prevents one from warming up the muscles properly. Instructors in the other classes may make their own policies regarding when it’s too late to join a class, but generally one should never be later than 10 minutes. A late student should stand in the doorway until motioned by the instructor to join class. Also, students should not leave classes early.

Visits to the bathroom and water breaks should be taken care of before or after class. Only water in enclosed non-glass containers is allowed in the studios. At the discretion of the instructor, students may get a quick sip if needed after the barre, or after warm-up.

The Academy is a no smoking zone. Smoking is prohibited inside the building, and please refrain from smoking near the entrances. Thank you.

Food and chewing gum is never allowed in any of the studios. The School is a carry-in/carry-out facility. When students bring a lunch or snack during workshops, they should take all food trash back home with them. Students must be properly dressed for class with hair neatly pulled away from the face. Ballet students must have their hair pulled all the way up off their necks and hair must firmly secured with hair pins, bobbi pins, and hair net before entering the studio. For the safety of all students, jewelry is not allowed. Small stud earrings with firm clasps are ok. Legwarmers, skirts, extra t-shirts, shorts and cover-ups are not allowed in any of the children’s or teen classes. Instructors need to be able to see the muscles to properly correct the students. All Creative Dance, ballet, modern, and tap students must follow the dress code. Adult students do not have a dress code, but are encouraged to wear appropriate dance attire as well. If you have questions, please see your instructor regarding appropriate attire.

It is customary for students to thank their instructors at the end of class.

Dress Code

Creative Dance I & II:

Girls: Pale Pink short sleeved leotard. (No attached skirts or tutus) Hair secured away from face into a ponytail, pigtails, braids, etc.
Optional: Pink ballet slippers and pink tights (Convertible tights are preferred.)

Boys: Plain White t-shirt, black bike shorts or jazz pants or boys tights. Optional: White socks and Black ballet shoes.

NOTE:

All girls in levels Pre-Ballet & Ballet I and up must wear:
Capezio Convertible Pink Tights and Pink ballet slippers.
Hair must be neatly and securely pinned up off the neck into a bun.
Students may wear a pink ballet wrap sweater and pink leg warmers if needed in the wintertime.

All Boys in levels Pre-Ballet & Ballet I and up must wear:
Plain White t-shirt, black bike shorts, jazz pants, or boys tights and White socks and Black ballet shoes. All men and young men 13 yrs and up must wear a dance belt. Participants in the special “Boys Class” may wear jazz shoes, tap shoes, &/or character shoes as the class requires.

Pre-Ballet: Capezio Camisole Princess-Seamed Lavender Leotard
Basic Ballet: Mirella Camisole Princess-Seamed Seafoam
Ballet I: Capezio Camisole Princess-Seamed Pale Blue Leotard
Ballet II: Mirella Camisole Princess-Seamed Blackberry Leotard
Ballet III: Capezio Camisole Princess-Seamed Royal Blue Leotard
Ballet IV: Capezio Camisole Princess-Seamed Navy Leotard
Ballet V: Capezio Camisole Princess-Seamed Black Leotard
Modern & Tap: Solid color leotard with black jazz pants, leggings, or bike shorts. Tap shoes for tap and bare feet for Modern.
Hip Hop: Appropriate dance attire and dance shoes (such as jazz dance sneakers that are never worn outside)
Adults in all classes: Appropriate dance attire and shoes with non-marking soles that are clean and never worn outside. Modern, Bellydance, and Yoga are done in bare feet. Please see your instructor if you have questions.