Our Classes

Tiny Tots & Mini Movers Class Overview: Our youngest dancers deserve a carefully designed and well planned class which encompasses all areas of learning. We address the auditory, visual and physical learner through classroom exercises designed to improve both gross and fine motor skills. Since every child develops at their own rate, we try to maximize their naturally occurring development through structured exercises and imaginative free dancing, which enhances creativity and encourages self expression. A variety of different hand held props, floor mats with different colors & shapes, coloring pages and reward stickers are utilized each and every class along with correct ballet, jazz, tap and modern movement terminology. Classroom skills necessary for school, such as listening, following directions, taking turns and sharing, are also addressed while learning about body parts and shapes, weight and energy, rhythm, balance, directions through space and different sizes of movement. Dancers also get to wear a dance costume to class the last week of each month!

Tiny Tots! Level 1: (ages 3-4) A pre-school age combo class based on ballet steps done entirely center floor. Students will learn and present two recital dances for each semester to be performed at the Academy in Dec and May. Jazz or Tap is taught the last 15 min of class. (Please note: students must be potty trained to enter this class)

Mini Movers! Level 2: (ages 5-6) A kindergarten age combo class building upon the themes of Level 1 with more advanced and challenging movements. Students will learn and present two recital dances for each semester to be performed at the Academy in Dec and May. Jazz or Tap is taught the last 15 min of class.

Small Stars! Level 3: (ages 6-8) A 1st and 2nd grade combo class incorporating basic ballet training for 45 minutes along with either tap, jazz, hip hop, modern or lyrical as part of class for 15 or 30 min. Age appropriate music and movements are used for all dance styles.

Ballet 4-7: A technique class based primarily on the Vaganova method, with elements of Cecchetti, RAD, Bournanville, and Balanchine techniques taught. Barre work, stretching, center floor and across the floor exercises are part of every class. Correct placement and terminology are emphasized, along with proper class etiquette. Ballet is the most graceful, beautiful and DIFFICULT of all dance styles, if you master this, you can dance anything!

Hip Hop 4: A basic technique and choreography class including beginner break moves. Age appropriate technique and music with clean lyrics and messages. An exciting, fun, upbeat and fast paced class, great for core and upper body strengthening! Feel the funk!

Jazz 4-7: A comprehensive technique and choreography class including isolations, floor stretching and strengthening, center combinations and across the floor exercises. Classes will also incorporate Hip Hop and Latin jazz styles for Levels 5-7 (YEAH!). Our most upbeat and all out fun classes to fabulous music!

Lyrical 4-7: A mostly choreography class that is a fusion of jazz, modern and ballet which uses emotion and feelings to express the music through movement. May include isolations,  stretching and strengthening exercises, floor technique and add-on progressions across the floor. Dance from your heart for your soul!

Modern 4-7: A technique and choreography class that teaches different ways to move through space with a more solid and grounded connection to the floor. Self expression, feelings and emotions specifically related to music and movement are explored. Our favorite class for stress relief!

Tap 4-7: A technique class that teaches the dancer to become the rhythm and music themselves. Broadway Style Tap involving traditional, large tap movements, and Rhythm Tap, involving small complex rhythmic steps are taught. Looking towards musical theater productions in regular school? Learn to tap NOW!

SYCD 4-5: An all choreography class to prepare for scheduled performances. Youth Community Dancers will perform any combination of ballet, jazz, lyrical or modern dances for these shows and may have additional rehearsal time scheduled as needed. Performance venues include the Ronald McDonald House and area nursing homes, bringing the joy of dance to those that might not otherwise be able to see a dance performance. SYCD dancers will also perform the PARTY scene in the Nutcracker and additional choreography in our Spring Show. Want more stage and social time with dance friends? This group is for you!

Pre-Pointe 5 & Pointe 5-7: Specific exercises to strengthen legs and feet at the barre and/or center floor are given along with Theraband exercises to be done at home weekly for pre-pointe students. ALL students must be evaluated and have director approval to take pre-pointe and maintain consistent attendance in ballet classes to continue to be allowed to dance on pointe. *Sat L6-7 pointe class will include Variations 2nd semester only. Fulfill your dancing dreams!

ACE-Competition 5-7: An all choreography class to learn dances to perform at local competitions for judges critique and additional performing experience. Ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, lyrical and/or modern styles may be presented at 2 competitions during 2nd semester. Designed to work in depth on choreography to refine it into a polished presentation. Looking for a challenge and a TON of fun? Come and see what you can do! See Academy front desk for additional info.

SDA ENROLLMENT GUIDELINES & MINIMUM CLASS REQUIREMENTS

Weekly class requirements per level: students MUST take the following classes each week to be enrolled in any tap, jazz, lyrical jazz, hip hop, musical theater or modern classes.

L1-3: 1 combo class      L4-5: 1 ballet class     L6-7: 2 ballet classes

POINTE requirements: all pointe students must have Academy Director approval first.

Pre-pointe 5: 2 ballet     Pointe 5-6: 2 ballet, 1 pointe     Pointe 7: 3 ballet, 2 pointe

SYCD L4-5: 1 ballet class plus 2 others: jazz, lyrical, tap or modern AND Friday SYCD class.

ACE-Academy Competition Ensemble: See separate information for minimum class requirements.

LEVEL PLACEMENT INFO: Our level placement is determined in the following method: for Levels 1-4 we use age first, then ability. For Levels 5-7, placement is by ability first, then age. Our curriculum is designed for a student to be in a level for 2-3 years before advancing; however, students may advance at any time if they are really ready for the next level. *NOTE: these are guidelines only and exceptions may be made for beginner or extremely gifted students.

Level 1: 3-4 years (preschool)          Level 4: 8-10 years          Level 7: 14-20 years

Level 2: 5 years (kindergarten)          Level 5: 10-13 years          Teen/Adult Open: 13-Adult

Level 3: 6-8 years (1st & 2nd grade)           Level 6: 12-15 years

*NOTE: all NEW students in Levels 4-7 must take a ballet placement class to determine correct level.