Styles
Classes are offered from beginner through advanced levels ages 3- adult
Creative Movement: This is for preschool-age dancers. This style is taught by the school’s former director, Miss Heidi. She seeks to teach age-appropriate skills that relate to and expand upon the children’s understanding of their bodies in motion and seeks to expand their concept of dance. The program incorporates the use of music, imagery, storytelling, props, and instruments. The main elements of dance – space, time, shape, and energy – are explored creatively while paired with a technical objective, such as moving from the center, articulation of the feet, elongation of the spine, hip-knee-ankle alignment, etc. Basic dance positions and movements are taught and practiced using this approach. Every lesson ends with the “Goodbye Dance”, when each child is provided the opportunity to do a short solo, demonstrating what they have learned that day as well as sharing their own creative way of moving. These students perform in the Creative Dance Festival. Their own separate show at the senior center in early May.
Creative Dance: This is for dancers in kindergarten & 1st grade. Classes of this style are also taught by the former studio director, Miss Heidi, and follow a similar structure to the Creative Movement lessons while building on the dancers' movement vocabulary. Creative Dance introduces the fundamentals of dance that students will carry into other styles. Two levels of this program are offered.
Ballet: is offered to students in 2nd grade and up. This timeless art form has captivated audiences for centuries. Known for its elegance and rigor, ballet emphasizes the beauty of turned-out dancing, along with a rich vocabulary of terminology and precise technical skills. Ballet fosters proper muscle toning, alignment, and posture, embodying the artistry of movement. Each class incorporates essential components such as barre work for foundational techniques, center exercises that build strength and stamina, and across-the-floor progressions that enhance movement fluidity. Ballet is a cherished part of the studio's legacy, instilling tradition and artistry.
Pointe: Entrance by invitation only. Dancers must also be enrolled in ballet. Pointe takes ballet dancing to a new level by allowing dancers to perform on their toes, adding a magical touch to their graceful movements!
Tap: Classes are offered for dancers in 1st grade and up. Tap is a dance form where dancers create rhythmic sounds by striking the floor with shoes fitted with metal taps on the heels and toes. This energetic dance showcases technical skill and artistry while inviting joy and rhythm that captivates audiences. 1st grade tap dancers must also be enrolled in Creative Dance 2.
Jazz: Classes are offered for dancers in 2nd grade and up. While traditionally performed to jazz music, it can also be set to other genres, including pop. Jazz empowers dancers to enhance their flexibility and stage presence. 2nd grade jazz dancers must also be enrolled in ballet or tap 1.
Modern: Classes are offered for dancers in 3rd grade and up. Modern dance emphasizes the use of gravity and natural movement, allowing dancers to explore their bodys’ natural capabilities. Dancers in this style frequently work with parallel and flexed feet, which helps them express a wide range of emotions and physicality. This focus on groundedness and flow enables a more organic connection to the music and movement, distinguishing modern dance from more traditional forms. 3rd grade modern dancers must also be enrolled in ballet, tap, or jazz.
Lyrical: Classes are offered for dancers in 5th grade and up. This style primarily relies on ballet technique while incorporating elements from jazz and modern dance. It is a highly expressive form of dance where movements are closely connected to the lyrics of the music and the emotions they convey. Many jumps, leaps, and turns are incorporated into the choreography of this style. Dancers of this style must also currently be enrolled in ballet.
Hip-hop: Classes are offered for dancers in 5th grade and up. Hip-hop is a vibrant street dance style that emerged from hip-hop culture in the late 1960s and early 1970s. These dynamic classes focus on freestyle movements and rhythmic expressions set to hip-hop music. These classes use a variety of popular contmpoary music.
Theater: A class for dancers in 4th grade and up. This class focuses on acting, singing, and movements to match. Many games and fun activites are incorporated into these lessons.