MODERN

(BEGINNING, INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCED, & ADULT CLASSES)

Modern dance is a style of western concert dance which began loosely in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Modern dance, which has birthplaces in the United States as well as Germany, was a direct response to ballet as the primary form of concert dance. Modern dance refused aspects of classical ballet and broke away from codified movements and balletic narrative structures. Because of early pioneers like Martha Graham, modern dance now encompasses a wide range of styles, many of which are associated with renowned schools and masters. Eventually, postmodern dance would reject the formalism of modern dance and include elements such as performance art, contact improvisation, floor work, release technique, and improvisation.

BALLET

(PRE-BALLET, BEGINNING, INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCED, & ADULT CLASSES)

Ballet is a type of performance dance that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century and later developed into a concert dance form in France and Russia. It has since become a widespread, highly technical form of dance with its own vocabulary based on French terminology. It has been globally influential and has defined the foundational techniques used in many other dance genres. Ballet requires years of training to learn and master, and much practice to retain proficiency. It has been taught in ballet schools around the world, which have historically used their own cultures to evolve the art.

POINTE

(PRE-POINTE, BEGINNING, INTERMEDIATE, & ADULT classes)

Pointe technique is one of the most iconic elements of ballet. The inspiration for pointe technique is the wish that the ballet dancer appears weightless, lightfooted, and graceful while jumping and looks lightweight as though defying gravity.

Pointe work in classical ballet is formalized by the pointe technique. It is performed in pointe shoes. Pointe technique means that the ballet dancer performs on the tips of fully extended feet and in this way the ballet dancer supports all body weight.

Ballet dancers must have great strength and good technique to be able to do pointe work, so a lot of practice is required. Dancers have to dance for a few years before they can start practicing pointe technique.

JAZZ

(PRE-JAZZ, BEGINNING, INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCED, & ADULT CLASSES)

Jazz dance is a classification shared by a broad range of dance styles. Before the 1950s, jazz dance referred to dance styles that originated from African American vernacular dance. In the 1950s, a new genre of jazz dance — modern jazz dance — emerged, with roots in Caribbean traditional dance. Every individual style of jazz dance has roots traceable to one of these two distinct origins. Jazz was a big hit in the early 50s and it is still a well-loved style of dance all over the world. Moves used In Jazz Dance include Jazz Hands, Kicks, Leaps, Sideways Shuffling, Rolled Shoulders, and Turned Knees.

TAP

(BEGINNING, INTERMEDIATE, & ADULT CLASSES)

Tap dance is a type of dance characterized by using the sounds of metal taps affixed to the heel and toe of shoes striking the floor as a form of percussion, coupled with both characteristic and interpretative body movements.  Its roots were in minstrel shows, it gained prominence in Vaudeville, then emerged into an art form and means of expression alongside the evolution of jazz. Dancers Studio Tap classes cover the basic tap movements in our Tap I class, and more advanced movements in our Tap II class.

PILATES

Pilates is a type of mind-body exercise developed in the early 20th century by German physical trainer Joseph Pilates, after whom it was named. Pilates’ intention was to develop a culture of exercise that would not only improve the mind, but also improve the body, balance, and muscle conditioning within the body.