Creative Movement & Ballet LevelsMusic & Movement
This fun, 30-minute class introduces children to the basics of movement and music. Children will learn about following directions, staying with the beat of the music, and exploring their creativity. Their foundation of dance begins here!
Creative Dance & Tumbling Creative Dance & Tumbling is a great beginning and introduction to dance and tumbling. This class explores the basics of ballet & movement such as skipping, galloping and other locomotive movements through imagination and creativity. Exercises for stretch and strength as well as beginning tumbling are included. Steady beat and musicality are emphasized while dancers learn and grow in a nurturing environment each week.
Pre-Ballet & Tumbling Pre-Ballet & Tumbling builds on the foundation taught in Creative Dance & Tumbling and includes a heavier emphasis on ballet. Dancers will begin learning ballet terminology and basic technique. Self-expression and fun are key components, though attention and ability to follow directions is expected. Students in these classes are also able to remember a slightly more complex combination of movements. Dancers will continue tumbling and work on cartwheels, somersaults, and more.
Primary Ballet I-III
Ballet & Movement levels I-III focus on beginning ballet steps, technique, proper placement, and posture. Dancers who attend regularly will see great improvement each year and build their repertoire of ballet steps. Classes also include folk dancing, tumbling, general creative movement work, ballet barre warm up, and an introduction to ballet stories. Depending on grade level, some dancers are also eligible to take tap, hip hop, modern, and musical theater.
Classical Ballet IV & V
These beginning intermediate ballet classes will follow a progressive program from Elementary through middle school. Dancers will continue improving on technique, vocabulary, and more. They will not only learn a dance, but will learn how to dance through barre work, adagio, jumps, turns, and more. Dancers will begin learning spelling of basic ballet steps and growing on longer combinations. Dancers in ballet IV & V are encouraged to take another style of dance as well. We pride our students on being well-rounded dancers. Great options for this age include modern, musical theater & jazz, tap, & hip hop.
Intermediate Ballet VI & VII
These intermediate ballet classes will follow a progressive program from middle school through high school and beyond. Students are placed by ability (not age or grade) to provide the best learning situation and opportunity for success. Once dancers reach this level of dance, they typically remain in the same level for a minimum of 2 years. Dancers learn technique and variations through barre work, adagio, petite allegro, grand allegro, pirouettes, and more.
Advanced Ballet VIII & IX
Advanced ballet classes begin in high school and will prepare the dancer for whatever dance journey they seek beyond the high school years. Students are placed by ability (not age or grade) to provide the best learning situation and opportunity for success. Dancers enhance their technique and begin focusing on the details and placement to carry their skills. Classes will include variations through barre work, adagio, petite allegro, grand allegro, pirouettes, and more. Pointe will be included in most of these classes, as options, for dancers at this level.
Pointe (ALL LEVELS MUST HAVE TEACHER RECOMMENDATION)
Pointe students are typically aged 12 & up, must take at least 2 VDS ballet classes per week for strength, and must be recommended by the teacher. Pointe is the part of classical ballet technique in which a dancer supports all body weight on the tips of full extended feet within pointe shoes. Ankle strength, strong core muscles, and maintaining turn out are key components for pointe. Dancers are assessed on individual levels for advancement.
Fitness Class OfferingsAdult Ballet & Stretch
This class is geared towards adults who have an interest in ballet & improving their strength. Dancers can wear anything they are comfortable in, but ballet shoes are recommended. The class will be structured depending on who signs up and can be tailored towards each person's invdividual goals. During the 60-minute class dancers will enjoy a 30 minute barre, 15 minute stretch time, and 15 minutes in the center/across the floor. This class provides a relaxed, non-judgemental environment for any ability. Pricing is structured at the drop-in rate of $70 for 10 punch pass or $10/class. Tap Fitness (Teens & Adults) This class is geared towards adults & teens who want to work up a sweat and tap their toes! Think zumba and tap with technique included. This is a great class for all ages and abilities. Pricing is structured at the drop-in rate of $70 for 10 punch pass or $10/class. |
Tap, Musical Theater & Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, & more
Tap (1st gr & up)
Tap dance is created by using the sounds of tap shoes striking the floor as a form of percussion. Tap is a fun, immediately satisfying, expression of dance through the use of feet to make fast, repetitive movements that compose the sounds and rhythms. Dancers in beginning levels will become familiar with rhythms and basic tap steps such as shuffle, flap, toe-heel, and more. The basic steps are foundational for tap and you’ll notice that dancers may not progress to the next level until they have mastered the basic skills. Through continuous training, dancers will see the many intricacies of tap dance and learn more steps such as pull-backs, wings, and more. Tap has been passed down through generations and no two teachers will ever teach tap the exact same, making it a truly unique form of dance.
Musical Theater & Jazz (2nd gr & up)
Jazz dance features sharp yet fluid motions, improvisation, combining African & European dance styles. Jazz is an expressive form of dance with a variety of styles, steps, and footwork, each with a unique flare and technique. Musical Theater I-III will expand dancers knowledge in basic jazz steps often seen in theater, musicals, show choir, and more. Dancers will gain confidence in their movement and further their stage presence. Jazz IV-VIII dive further into technique and picking up choreography quickly. Variety of jazz styles will be taught to help dancers be well-rounded while developing their own style. The Teen Musical Theater & Show choir prep class will help the beginning/intermediate teen, who has minimal previous dance experience, gain confidence and exposure to dance, along with preparation for theater & show choir auditions. Most musical theater & jazz classes are a 2 year level for most.
Hip Hop (3rd gr & up)
Hip Hop dance is a range of street dance styles performed to age-appropriate hip hop or pop music. Dancers will work on complex footwork, high energy movements, breakdancing, funk, locking and popping, and much more. As dancers progress into higher levels they will refine the technique, begin more difficult movements, and learn about hip hop crews from our around the country.
Modern (3rd gr & up)
Modern dance focuses on expression and features more floor work and movement beginning through the core. Instead of more traditional ballet positions. and focuses on body, action, space, time, and energy. Modern I/II will focus on the beginning elements and foundation of movements, including spatial & body awareness. As dancers progress in each level they will continue building on the skills learned and finding new challenges. Partnering work will begin in the upper levels as dancers understand how their bodies move in relationship to others.
New Dancer Remix (3rd-6th gr) This is the perfect class for someone who has never taken a formal dance class before, but is interested in getting started in something other than ballet. The class will introduce basics for hip hop, musical theater/jazz, and modern. This class is NOT recommended for those who have taken ballet regularly as the level 1 of the individual styles would be more appropriate since you have had consistent dance training. Int Teen & Adult Ballet This class is geared towards teens and adults who have previous dance experience, but want to catch up to their peers, or jump back in after taking some time off from dance. The class will be structured depending on who signs up and can be tailored towards each person's individual goals. During the 60-minute class dancers will be introduced to and expand on terminology and technique, while also providing a relaxed, non-judgemental environment for any ability. |
