Class Descriptions

Mommy & Me (Ages 2 – 3.5)

This class provides a wonderful opportunity for a parent and child to spend time together dancing. The child will learn to strengthen their motor skills by developing a sense of balance and control through dance related movement. The children will enjoy games, use props, sing, dance and even tumble. And the best part is that you as a parent get to be there with your child.

Parent and child wear comfortable clothing: sweatpants, t-shirts with comfortable athletic shoes. Dancewear (leotard and tights) with ballet slippers is fine for the children. Tap shoes are not needed. Dancewear is not required for the parent.

Creative Dance (Ages 2.5 – 3.5)

This class offers the beginning student a structured curriculum while still incorporating fun. Teachers will capture the child’s attention with familiar songs, fun props, singing and pretending. This class will include a combination of ballet, tap and tumbling, and provides the child with a basic knowledge of dances names and steps as they prepare themselves to move into the next level of discipline.

Dance leotard (any color), ballet pink tights, pink ballet slippers, black patent tap shoes, any detachable chiffon skirt (optional). No attached skirts and no tutus! Hair is to be worn up if it is long. A ponytail is permissible at this age.

Pre-Dance (Ages 3.5 – 5)

This class offers the beginning student a structured curriculum while still incorporating fun. Teachers will capture the child’s attention with familiar songs, fun props, singing and pretending. This class will include a combination of ballet, tap and tumbling, and provides the child with a basic knowledge of dances names and steps as they prepare themselves to move into the next level of discipline.

Dance leotard (any color), ballet pink tights, pink ballet slippers, black patent tap shoes, any detachable chiffon skirt (optional). No attached skirts and no tutus! Hair is to be worn up if it is long. A ponytail is permissible at this age.

Jazz

This class focuses on technique and style through strong and sharp movements. This class emphasizes strength and stretch in the warm-up and practices those entities in technique across the floor and routines center floor.

Jazz pants, legging and tights under bike shorts are permissible. Jazz capris or jazz split skirt is ok. Tank or fitted t-shirt is an appropriate top. Clothing with spandex works well. No baggy clothing and no jewelry. Hair is to be worn up and secured in a ponytail or bun. Black split sole style jazz shoes are to be worn.

Contemporary/Lyrical

This class use motion to interpret music and express emotion. Dancers will learn to demonstrate balance, extension, isolations and control utilizing the lyrics or mood of the music. Contemporary/Lyrical requires solid ballet technique as well as experience in jazz.

A form-fitting top or tank top is acceptable. No T-shirts are worn in Contemporary/Lyrical. Wear convertible tights, leggings, jazz capris or jazz pant and come barefoot. If you want to wear shoes, jazz shoes or half-soles are acceptable. Hair is to be worn up and secured.

Ballet

This class is very structured, beginning with a ballet warm-up at the barre and continuing with exercises done center floor and across the floor. Ballet is a classical dance form known for its grace and precision of movement. Ballet technique is considered necessary in order to perform well in all other dance techniques.

Black dance leotard, “ballet pink” tights, pink ballet slippers, any color detachable tie-on chiffon skirt (optional). Ask teacher if she prefers no skirt. Knit ballet shorts or dance shorts are acceptable. No bandanas, T-shirt, bike shorts, boxer shorts, jazz pants, or pajamas bottoms are to be worn in ballet class! Hair is to be worn in a bun.

Tap

This class is a class based on precise rhythmical patterns made by the tap sounds. Tap is performed by making tap sounds with the taps on the heel and toe of the tap shoe.

Wear comfortable lightweight clothing so movement is not restricted. Capris, sweatpants, shorts or loose fitting pants with a T-shirt. Recommended tap shoes: Bloch or Capezio, oxford style.

Tumbling

This class is a gymnastics class where students will learn a variety of moves such as somersaults, rolls, and handsprings. This class is taught without the use of special apparatus.

Fitted clothes. Bike shorts with either a leotard, crop top or fitted tank. No shoes required. Hair to be worn off face.

Aerial Dance

This exciting new dance form is like dancing on air. Classes in Aerial Dancing will challenge you mentally, physically and emotionally. This class is taught with ribbons suspended from the ceiling and it will increase your muscle tone and flexibility.

A unitard or leotard and leggings. A tucked in t-shirt is not allowed. Form fitting tights or workout pants that cover the back of your knees as well as a form fitting long sleeved shirt that covers your arms completely from wrist to shoulder. Jewelry and body peircing must be removed or covered with a band aid. Men are required to wear a dance belt or support briefs. Long hair must be tied back or braided.

Hip Hop

This class is an athletic class. Hip hop dance consists of breaking, popping and locking combined with some common dance techniques. It is a high energy class dance to upbeat, rhythmical music.

Wear comfortable lightweight clothing so movement is not restricted. Capris, sweatpants, shorts (knee length) or loose fitting pants with a T-shirt. No short shorts, booties shorts, shirts or skorts. Kneepad recommended. Sturdy lace-up athletic shoes are recommended. No bare feet or jazz shoes.

Intro to Musical Theater (Ages 3 – 7)

This “first time” class is perfect for both the little-one with an outgoing personality, ready to perform, or the reserved type, just beginning to come out of their shell. The musical theater class introduces the students, in a structured, yet fun way to music, dance and acting. Through fun theater games, singing exercises, and dance numbers your child will begin to explore the performing world; build their confidence and skills to an entirely new level. Small musical numbers incorporating singing, dancing and expression will be taught and performed throughout the class sessions.

Wear comfortable lightweight clothing so movement is not restricted.

Musical Theater I (Ages 8 and Up)

These beginning/intermediate classes are great for students who are beginning to hone their love for singing, dancing, and acting. This class is designed for “first timers” as well as those who would still benefit from introductory techniques and knowledge. Students already savvy with one of the three disciplines, wishing to branch out into musical theatre would greatly benefit from this class. Every class begins with a fun and detailed vocal, dance, and acting warm up. The class continues with focus on each of these areas, and combining them in fun activities, in order to mold students into well rounded performers, musical theater lovers, and “triple threats.” Class activities will involve theater games, improvisation exercises, vocal scales, singing and breathing techniques, memorization exercises, dialogue, stage and theatrical terminology, movement, dance styles, focus techniques, audition tips, and general fun and silliness! The students will also spend a great amount of time studying scene work and acting styles, especially those related to musical theatre. Small musical numbers incorporating singing, dancing and expression will be taught and performed throughout the class sessions.

Wear comfortable lightweight clothing so movement is not restricted.

Musical Theater II

These classes are geared towards children that have taken at least one year of our musical theater program or another reputable program, at least one year of dance or voice, and participated in at least one musical theatre performance. Students in this class will be exposed to more advanced theater games, improvisation, voice and singing techniques, intermediate acting, intermediate dance, and more complicated choreography. Students will be asked to read sheet music and will be given more complex music to perform. They will develop basic sight reading techniques, as well as focus on character work and “performance” technique. Mock auditions are also held periodically during the year to prepare students for auditions. There will be various guest master teachers brought in throughout the year to offer specialized training and students will be invited to both learn and perform for these guest artists. These class sessions will help to create well rounded performers, as well as provide outside exposure and feedback for students wishing to continue and promote their theatrical career and academics. The class will also cover important areas of musical theatre history and general knowledge of contemporary songwriters, playwrites, and choreographers. Students will regularly work on musical theatre pieces and be given steady performance opportunities throughout the year to share with friends and family what students are learning and to get students used to performing in front of an audience. Children from this class are invited to audition for our musical theater performing groups, as well as our Secondary Musical Theatre Productions and Shows.

NOTE: Any Class that is Level II or higher is by invitation or audition only. All musical theatre students are encouraged to take voice, dance, and acting classes concurrently. Level I students must take at least one of these in addition to their musical theatre class. Levels II must take at least two of these in addition to their musical theatre class.

Wear comfortable lightweight clothing so movement is not restricted.