Our
Classes
NOW ACCEPTING 2023-2024 REGISTRATION FOR THE FOLLOWING AGE GROUPS:
BALLET I-V
Ballet is the foundation of all dance forms and will maximize technique and longevity in a career of dance. It provides grace, poise, and technique needed to be proficient in all other areas of dance. Ballet classes will help dancers with posture, flexibility, fitness, balance, self-discipline, and self-confidence. Students are taught proper body placement, body alignment, barre and center floor work, along with across the floor combinations. Each level is customized to help the dancer learn and grow at their maturity level and ability. Each level builds on their existing knowledge of Ballet. The Vaganova Method, a full-body, step-by-step approach, is the method used to teach our students. The Vaganova method highlights understanding the body as a whole. Movements encompass arms, legs, core and facial expressions supporting each other, rather than the legs propelling movement and the rest being purely aesthetic. Level progression is at the discretion of the instructor.
PRE-POINTE
This is an introductory class to the world of Pointe. Placement in this class is by invitation of the instructor. Dancer must understand Ballet technique and terminology at the level of Ballet that they are currently attending. Dancers are informed in April of their placement and Pre-Pointe study begins in the summer. At the end of the summer training an assessment is conducted to determine if dancer is ready to be placed in Pre-Pointe for fall classes that begin in August. Instructor recommendation required.
POINTE
Pointe is a part of the classical ballet technique where dancers perform in special shoes called pointe shoes. These specific shoes look like a ballet sipper but have stiff structural elements. These shoes permit a dancer to be all the way on the tips of their toes. The same classical ballet technique is applied to pointe dancers, but they face the challenge of doing the work on the tip of their toes – en pointe. Dancers need to be proficient in ballet technique and have strong feet, ankles, arches, caves, and core muscles. Without these strengths and abilities, a dancer will not be able to dance on pointe and can be seriously injured. Dancers should not start pointe too young, children’s bones in the feet are still growing and not fully developed. Attempting pointe too early can cause damage. Instructor recommendation required.
JAZZ I-V
The study of Jazz will focus on technique, terminology, strength, and flexibility. Dancers are exposed to various styles of Jazz to develop through Ballet technique layered with traditional Jazz that includes a proper warm-up, stretches, isolations, center work (that includes floor work also leaps, jumps, turns, and kicks), progressions across the floor, and combinations. Each level is customized to help dancer to learn and grow at their level of maturity and ability and will build on their existing knowledge of the art form of Jazz. Progression into levels are at instructor's discretion.
TAP I
A class designed for beginners. The fundamentals of tap dancing are introduced, stressing rhythm and the production of clear tap sounds.
MUSICAL THEATRE TAP (TAP II & III)
Musical Theatre Tap is a tap-based class filled with Broadway style dancing and music. Classes incorporate the style of tap on would typically see on a Broadway stage.
KID HOP & HIP HOP II-III
This class is a high-energy class that involves street dance which encourages finding your own individual style and personality and adding it to each movement taught, we encourage uniqueness. This style of dance involves upper and lower body strength and conditioning.
ELEMENTARY COMBO Levels I & II (Ballet, Jazz, and Tap)
A combo class exploring all three dance genres (ballet, jazz, and tap) each week. Students will learn introductory Ballet, Jazz, and Tap steps focusing on musicality, rhythm, and technique.
BALLET LAB TECHNIQUE/VARIATION CLASS
This class is the foundation for training and focus on developing a solid ballet technique with emphasis on understanding correct body placement, proper use of turn out, coordination of the upper body, and use of arms. Variations are short dances from full-length ballets that include solos, duets trios or small groups. The mastery of a dancer's ballet technique is the heart of a variation. This class is open to Ballet III students and above. This class ultimately, prepares you for ballet auditions.
ENSEMBLE DANCERS FOR MUSICAL THEATRE
This class is designed for individuals that do not want acting/speaking roles but only want to dance in the musicals. This class will be by semester. In other words, the Fall class will be for students participating in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". The Spring class will be for "The Wizard of Oz". Your dancer and/or you can participate in one or both semesters. Participants in each musical will have a minimum of 5 public shows and 4 school shows per production.
COMPANY PREP
This is a preparatory class that prepares dancers for Company. Dancers are assessed from Ballet/Jazz IV & V and asked to join this special time of training. It is out of Company Prep that dancers are placed into SDPAC’s performing/ministry company, Spirit & Company. Company Prep dancers are required to study Ballet and Jazz.
PRESCHOOL
A child must be 3 years old by August 1st AND potty trained before enrolling in our Preschool Class. The Preschool Class is a combo class for girls and boys, that is designed to introduce children to Ballet, Tap, and Jazz while teaching several skills including rhythm, coordination, listening and following direction. The students will have the opportunity during class time to participate in a variety of interactive activities.
LYRICAL
Lyrical dance combines elements of ballet and jazz to create a soft style that emphasizes the storytelling quality of music. An emphasis is placed on grace and fluidity, musicality, and expressiveness to capture emotion through movement.