Creative Movement

Activity oriented class. Children practice coordination and basic dance movements. Obstacle courses and props are used to engage children and to encourage cognitive recognition of sound paired with movement. Ballet pantomime is used to encourage expressive behaviors.

Ballet Level I

Students practice classroom etiquette, stretching techniques, basic body positions and proper alignment. Turnout is taught and executed per body position and advances with weight transfers. Combinations of 2-4 movements are introduced. Music and movement are paired by clapping to beats and counting beats thus beginning to move to counts. Activities and pantomime are used to encourage absorption and self expression.

Ballet Level II

Movement becomes much more personalized at this crucial level. Class begins with floor stretching and ankle strengthening. A classical ballet barre routine focuses on technique and alignment, coordination of foot and arm, and strengthening exercises. Combinations gradually increase to 4-8 movements which are performed repetitively. Students are encouraged to reverse combinations on their own as they advance. Terminology expands. Pantomime, props and activities are used to encourage expressive understanding of the individual dancer within the group.

Ballet Level III

Dancers have acquired the strength to focus on extension and suspension while maintaining alignment. New terminology is introduced as new movements are. Adagio combinations gradually become larger and proper use of the sternum and head are encouraged. Dancers begin to advance turns and learn to add beats to steps. Combinations increase in difficulty. Basic plyometrics are introduced. Repertoire is practiced thus developing a confident ability to add an expressive nature to ones movement.

Ballet Level IV

The curriculum moves at a faster pace and dancers are knowledgable of the terminology and the array of combinations in ballet. Coordxinating the head with the body at fast and slow paces is emphasized and every combination is encouraged to become expressive. Dancers learn advanced movements by stretching and strengthening muscles they will use for these movements. Training in plyometrics is gradually advanced. Dancers are challenged to execute traveling zig-zags, circle waltzes and other staging movements that are crucial for performance. Repertoire becomes more advanced in a broader range of ballet styles.

Pointe

Pointe training generally begins at the age of 12 yet there are many factors that determine whether a student is ready. A private assessment with instructor, parent/guardian and student will be made regarding such decisions. Student is assessed based on number of years of ballet training and the following will be reviewed: ankle and foot strength and flexibility, proper alignment and core and back strength. All students dancing on pointe are required to attend weekly pointe and technique classes as well as their regularly scheduled ballet class. All students are encouraged to have a regular stretching and strengthening routine outside of class.

Modern

Class begins with warm-up rituals involving strengthening techniques and flexibility training. Students will learn isolations, contractions, spirals, and basic inversions. Exciting group and individual activities are in place to help students absorb the fundamentals of spacial awareness and force. Students will learn to move on and off the beat and at varying tempos. Traveling steps are introduced. Improvisation is used each class and gradually becomes individualized. Stage patterns, lines and formations are practiced and students are given the opportunity to invent and reinvent. With advancement, improv activities last longer durations and students are encouraged to perform these activities in situational and elemental fashions, within specified formations, and at varying tempos.

Contemporary
Dancers are encouraged to explore their own unique movement style and convey their emotions through their movements. Warm-up is featured in center to loosen up the muscles of the body. Breathwork is used to enhance expression. Combinations of movements are practiced repetitively to encourage movement to become larger and more refined. Incorporates elements of improvisation, allowing dancers to respond and adapt to the music, space and other dancers in the moment adding spontaneity and creativity to the classroom.