For information about Fees and Tuition click here.
30 minutes / 2 days a week
A "play" time with mom (or Dad) introducing your future dancer to our studio, beginning movements to music and letting them get started. Fun for both you and your dancer. Your enrollment entitles you to any two of the classes each week. This is also open to drop-ins. Classes will begin on the mats, Moms will need to remove street shoes. Some time will be spent each class on the dance floors. We have portable ballet barres adjusted for the little ones.
Instructors: Sharon Tiller, Luke Anderson, Amanda Stevens, Becky Jackson
Keeping it light and fun, we start with them skipping, jumping and hopping to music. This introduces them subtly to the elements of dance; rhythm, beat, and working with others in a group setting. Children will do exercises to begin strengthening their ankles and legs, coordination skills and various patterns of movement to help develop spatial awareness. We incorporate creativity, teamwork, classroom manners which help to build self-confidence for your child. Most of all, we present an atmosphere that allows them to explore and develop a love for dance. A special performance with the Combo II classes will be presented in December. This gives your little dancer the opportunity to perform before a group without the trauma of the big stage. Your dancer may wear ballet slippers, or a soft soled slipper/shoe. Please no street shoes.
Instructors: Luke Anderson, Sharon Tiller, Amanda Stevens
Ballet * Tap * Pre-Jazz
Children will be introduced to basic ballet, tap and pre-jazz disciplines. Our instructors will teach and use basic vocabulary/terminology and body positions with barre work and centre floor, emphasizing creative movement, coordination exercises and motor skills. Your child will further develop the skills learned in Combo Class I. This class gives a wonderful foundation for learning all forms of dance for the future. Your dancer will need both ballet and tap shoes. Appropriate dress is neccessary, tights and leotards or stretchy well fitted pants/shorts. Please tie back long hair. A special performance takes place end of semester with Combo I classes for parents to enjoy. Your child may be asked to participate in the Recital, as well.
Instructors: Becky Jackson, Sharon Tiller
A: Primary B: Secondary C: Advanced D: Pointe
This is the classical form of dance that provides a technical base for all other dance forms. These classes consist of barre, centre floor, and progressions across the floor. We focus on the classical elements of ballet, utilizing proper technique, presentation and body alignment. Instructors will evaluate and move your dancer as his or her skill levels improve. If your dancer has gone through the Combo II class sucessfully, do not sign up for Beginning ballet, A class. This class is for learning positions, basic barre work, beginning progressions, which your dancer has already learned. Required attire: Leotards and tights. Ballet slippers. The advanced classes are 1½ hrs in length. Class C will work with the Choreography class for part of the semester.
Instructor: Sharon Tiller
A: Primary B: Secondary C: Advanced
Learn the classic steps of tap dancing and how to execute clear tap sounds with movement. Leg, ankle and feet strengthening exercises will be learned and practiced. These classes coordinate variations of tap disciplines, focus on developing vocabulary, terminology and movement of feet with body, in centre and across the floor combinations to different styles of music. Instructors will evaluate and move your dancer with his or her ability. Some of the steps taught are: the shuffle, shuffle ball change, flap, flap heel, single and double pullbacks, wings, the shim sham shimmy, shuffle hop step, running flaps, running shuffles, slap, stomp, running flaps, brushes, scuffs, and single and double toe punches, heel clicks, single, double and triple time steps, riffs, and chugs. In B: Make combinations using the basic steps. C: Also incorporates toe work, which are steps performed on the toes of the tap shoes. This may vary from simply jumping up onto the toe in a toe stand or doing steps mentioned above on the toe such as shuffles or wings. Successful completion of the Combo II class will have introduced many of the steps to your dancer. We request you start with A: primary as there are many steps still to be learned. Your child may shift to B class somewhere in the semester - there is no charge related to this switch. Required attire: Comfortable, stretchy dance clothing required. No excessively long pants, as they interfere w/ the tap shoes. Tap shoes required. Advanced classes are 1 ½ hrs in length. Our Choreography class will work with this class part of the semester.
Instructor: Luke Anderson, Thomas Benson
JAZZ: THEATRICAL, LYRICAL, & MODERN DANCE
Ages 7-Adult A: Primary B: Secondary C: Advanced
A style of dance originating in New Orleans around the beginning of the 20th century, is defined by intricate, explosive rhythms. It is a fun, upbeat style of dance that uses many of the skills learned in ballet and tap. Our jazz classes take many forms from classical to theatrical to lyrical. Classes always begin with a warm-up, followed by technique, turns, progressions, isolations and across the floor combinations.
A: This allows new dancers from 7 up to begin learning jazz techniques. Students moving up from Combo II usually stay in this class only briefly and may move up to B in the same semester.
B: Secondary: Builds skill levels and incorporates all forms of jazz. Each of the 3 areas, theatrical, lyrical, and modern will be introduced. One dance incorporating all styles will be performed at the recital.
C: Advanced Classes: Placed by Instructor's Evaluation
Theatrical explores the "broadway" style emphasizing the energy levels of showmanship.
Lyrical is a highly technical style of dance that uses ballet and jazz to create a story. This style challenges students to develop creativity with motion and emotion. These classes focus on strong techniques in centre and across the floor combinations. Combined movement of ballet, jazz and modern choreography is danced to inspirational music.
Modern is less regimented, tends to be stronger in mood and makes more use of group synchronization than does lyrical. Theses classes offer a strong focus on modern technique and movement beyond technicalities. Dancers develop more on body awareness and alignment while moving "outside the box". A creative, mature and open mind is a must for this class.
Required attire for all classes: form-fitting dance clothing - jazz pants or capris, tights, leotards, tanks OK. Hair must be pulled back. Jazz shoes are required.
Instructor: Cynthia Farrell
A: Beginning skills B: Beginning Dance. C: Intermediate Skills D: Advanced Dance
High energy dance form that has evolved from breakdancing, streetdancing, and jazz into one of the most popular forms today. "B-boy", "Crunk" and "Freestyle" are types of hip/hop explored. "Ghettotech" (music only - no lyrics), Jazz Rap and music from Deepspace 5 (Christian hip/hop) is also used. Classes A and B should be taken simultaneously, but A can be taken 1st. Until the instructor advances you, you cannot sign up for C or D. There are no exceptions, no matter how much you have learned already, you must signup for A and B first. If your skills are appropriate, you will advance quickly. It has been our experience that skills learned "on the streets" are often assimilated with poor techniques which leave the dancer prone to injury. So many of your skills may have to be relearned. This is an extremely physical dance style with many opportunities for injury. Our instructor is certified in First Aid. We REQUIRE your dancer's full cooperation for his/her safety as well as the other dancers around them. Skills classes are 1:1 with much free time for your dancer. Patience is required. During freetime, stay limber with exercises or practice what you already have been "passed on". No skill is EVER to be practiced without first having the instructor "pass" you. At this point, a student from the D class will work 1:1 with your dancer practicing the skill learned. SAFETY FIRST. The advanced class will perform with the "Benders" at the end of each semester. This course requires basics of ballet and jazz be taken previously.
Instructor: Luke Anderson
Ages 4 and up & Competition Teams
This class specializes in the dance form specific to school spirit. This is not cheerleading - but many basic tumbling skills are introduced in this class, i.e. backbends, cartwheels, handstands, aerials, and more. This always starts with warm-ups, work on skills, partnering, and creating routines for performance. We concentrate on the fluidity of movement and the beauty of the dance. Coordinate this with ballet and jazz for a well rounded POM dancer. This class focuses on refining the student's jazz technique, vocabulary, strength and flexibility required for today's School dance teams. Dancers will learn routines in jazz/funk, pom and novelty. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of team work and individual roles once on a team.
Jr and Sr. High Dance Team - The competition dancers cover a broader scale focusing on various dance styles including pom, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop. To participate at competition level, there is more emphasis on technique; evaluations are held for class placement.
Our instructor will set up private lesson times for your school squad for refinement of your routine, choreograph a routine for competition level. A team of 10 or less is $350, ($500 for 11-15, $750 for 16-20) for 8 practices, plus a choreographed routine. No makeups after scheduling is complete.
Instructor: Amanda Stevens
Juniors: Grades 5-9th Seniors: 10th - Adult
Our Classes follow the standards of USA DANCE.
We Teach the Waltz; both slow and Viennese, Tango, Rumba (with Cuban hip movement style), Swing; both jive and East Coast Swing, and the Foxtrot.
Competitions are available for both Juniors and Seniors. Our instructors will aide you in any registrations and keep you appraised of times and dates.
We can also prepare you for the Dad and Daughter Dance, 1st Husband/Wife Dance for your wedding with private evening classes. These will be available on request. $150 includes 4 private sessions of 1 hour each. These were created for the wedding but can be used in any manner for any occasion. Music should be brought with you on CD or Cassette. We can help you with music selection, if necessary. These sessions can be divided between Dad/daughter and Man/Wife or either one of your choice. 2 instructors are assigned.
Instructors: Thomas Benson, Becky Jackson
We understand this is not traditionally called a class, but since so much time is required along with weekly meetings, it is added to our list of classes. We start this year with an open audition.
Parents must be aware that there are many additional costs, both financial and time consuming. Please be willing to make the commitment before allowing your child to join the troupe.
The dance instructors will select their choices and you will be notified if your child is chosen. You can click here (and then click on August 2) for more information about the open audition. There are several spots open. We expect there to be several performances throughout the year as well as a trip to Lafayette, Ga. for competition in the spring. This takes place during the school break.
Among the performances in which we expect to participate this year include the Spring production of the City's Players, and the Christmas Extravaganza at the Civic Center. Historically we have also put on shows for the schools in our area.
8 members are returning from last year, that leaves 7 openings for this year.
Instructors: Amanda Stevens, Thomas Benson, Cynthia Farrell
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