Creative Movement Suggested for students aged 3 to 6, Creative Movement’s main objective is to instill a genuine love for dance and movement. Creative Movement classes will comprise of exercises that cultivate imagination, foster basic word-to-action instruction following, and embody joy. The class will utilize props to spark smiles and activate the student’s body in organic embodied expressions. Students will spend half to three quarters of the class in ballet slippers and the remainder of the time in tap shoes to learn basic rhythms. It is recommended that Creative Movement students take this one-hour class once a week.
Dance Foundations Suggested for students aged 6 to 8 and inexperienced movers, Dance Foundations’ main objective is to establish a lexicon of essential dance movements while fostering a loving discipline for the craft. Dance Foundations will prepare the student for success in Western Concert Dance forms, such as ballet or modern, and elements of diasporic dance styles, such as jazz, hip-hop, and tap. Exercises at this level are geared towards enhancing body awareness, muscular engagement, skeletal alignment, and overall anatomical safety of the dancer for years to come. It is recommended that Dance Foundations students take this one-hour class twice a week.
Elementary Program Suggested for students aged 8 to 11, the Elementary program is designed to introduce students to a range of dance styles including ballet, tap, and jazz. Male-identifying students are also eligible to take Boys Class. At this stage in training, the objective of classes becomes specific to the style of dance, developing unique vocabularies, approaches to movement, and aesthetic preferences across classes. All classes at this level are one-hour in duration, but classes of different styles may be back-to-back. It is recommended that Elementary students take at least 3 hour-long classes per week, one of which must be ballet. It is not recommended that students take more than 5 technique classes in a week, as this can lead to fatigue and burn-out.
Intermediate Program Suggested for students aged 11 to 14, the Intermediate program is designed to further the scope of student knowledge across multiple styles including ballet, tap, jazz, and now hip-hop, Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, and Flamenco. At this stage in training, the objective of classes becomes specific to the style of dance, developing unique vocabularies, approaches to movement, and aesthetic preferences across classes. At this level, class lengths vary, and are now billed on a rate congruent with the number of hours the student spends in class. Typically, ballet classes range from one to two-hours in length, and students may be considered for pointe work at the discretion of the Director of Dance and individual instructor. Non-ballet classes are usually one-hour in length. It is recommended that Intermediate students take at least four (4) classes per week, with at least two (2) of those being ballet classes. It is not recommended that students take more than 9 hours of technique classes in a week, as this can lead to fatigue and burnout.
Advanced Program Suggested for students aged 13 and up, the Advanced program is designed to further the scope of student knowledge across multiple styles including ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, Flamenco, and now mid-century modern dance. At this stage in training, the objective of classes becomes specific to the style of dance, developing unique vocabularies, approaches to movement, and aesthetic preferences across classes. At this level, class lengths vary, and are now billed on a rate congruent with the number of hours the student spends in class. Typically, ballet classes range from one to two-hours in length, and students may be considered for pointe work at the discretion of the Director of Dance and individual instructor. Non-ballet classes are usually one-hour in length. It is recommended that Advanced students take at least six (6) classes per week, with at least three (3) of those being ballet classes. It is not recommended that students take more than 14 hours of technique classes in a week, as this can lead to fatigue and burnout.
Adult Program Suggested for anyone who wants to learn dance, the Adult Program is a choose-your-own adventure buffet of dance. With offerings in ballet, tap, and jazz/hip-hop, this program gives options for the adult learner to dip their toe into any style of dance they wish to learn from scratch or pick up from a history of dance.
Recreation Program If you’re interested in taking one of our classes, but don’t want to commit to the full-time commitment of the Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced program, the recreation program is for you! Through this program, class expectations and payment policies are a little different, but you get access to the same great instructors and classes! The Recreation Program is only available for classes that are one-hour in duration including Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, Flamenco, Musical Theatre, Elementary Ballet, Dance Foundations, and Adult Classes.
Musical Theatre Suggested for ages 10 and up, this independent program can be taken as an elective with the Elementary, Intermediate, or Advanced Programs, or can be taken as an independent class! This fulfilling class gives the practitioner the change to stretch themselves into performance avenues of song, dance, and spoken text.
Beginning Ballet Folklorico de Mexico and Flamenco Suggested for ages 6 through 10, this independent program can be taken as elective with the Elementary, Intermediate, or Advanced Programs, or can be taken as an independent class! This class is for beginners of the Latin Diaspora, and introduces basic rhythms, cultural history, and dances of Mexico and Spain.
Baile Folklorico de Mexico Intermediate/Advanced Folkloric is for dancers with previous experience who wish to further excel in the art of Folkloric dance. Emphasis is on learning and developing both technical and artistic elements of traditional Folkloric Dance.
Flamenco Characterized by hand clapping, percussive footwork, and intricate hand, arm, and body movements, the class also focuses on body posture, movement and coordination, flamenco turns, taking the student beyond the steps to incorporate style and expression.
