Classes
The main focus of the Academy's dance program is the Combination Class, which always includes ballet and tap. In addition, our younger students have tumbling in their Combination Class while the older ones have jazz. The Academy strong believes in the Combination Class structure because of the well-rounded dancers it produces and the inter-connectedness of the different dance forms. Also, in today's busy world the Combination Class allows students to experience multiple dance forms with a reasonable time commitment.
Our classes begin at three years old (toilet trained required) and continue through adult. Male and female students currently attend the Academy and all are welcome. The Academy schedule follows the school year, and also offers a shortened summer program.
Independent of our Combination Class, the Academy offers HipHop classes beginning at age 8. Many of our HipHop students also take Combination Class, but this is not required. The Academy offers HipHop classes for students who are entirely new to dance and those with other dance experience.
The Academy does offer Pom Pom classes beginning at age 6. Due to the strength and coordination required in Pom Pom instruction, Pom Pom students must attend a Combination Class concurrently. Students learn formations, leaps and tricks, and mounts. The focus is on group cohesion and presenting a precision routine.
The Academy also offers private music lessons!
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Ballet Ballet is the oldest and most developed form of theatrical dance. It is an athletic form of dance requiring flexibility and strength. The discipline and control emphasized in ballet carries over into all other subjects. |
Tap Tap dancing combines dance traditions from Britain, America, and Africa. It is known for its strong rhythms, and relies on a great deal of intricate footwork. The feet become musical instruments, marking rhythms with the heels and toes. The strength, balance, and body awareness developed in ballet and jazz create a more accomplished tap dancer. |
Tumbling In addition to the strength and flexibility developed in tumbling, the dancer learns balance, inverted movements, and works the upper body. This benefits the dancer's tap and ballet training. |
Jazz Jazz dance, like jazz music, relies strongly on rhythm. Dancers learn to use the various body parts, such as shoulders, hips, and head, in isolated movements. Body awareness established in ballet is essential for the jazz dancer. |
HipHop This modern dance form is a combination of street and break dancing. It developed in the late 1980s, and is the most widely viewed dance form since many musicians use HipHop in their music videos. Although most closely related to jazz dance, HipHop requires the rhythmic awareness of tap and the discipline of ballet. |
