Dance Class Descriptions

Tap is a dance performed wearing shoes with metal taps, recognized by rhythmic tapping of the toes and heels. Tap classes perform tap dances during the end of year recital.

Jazz 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 50’s and it is still a well loved style of dance all over the world. Today’s jazz classes incorporate a variety of styles, while working traditional jazz technique, turns, leaps and stylizations. Jazz classes perform jazz dances during the end of year recital.

Hip-Hop originated as a street dance, very urban, very funky. Younger hip-hop classes express lots of style and rhythm, as they achieve simple coordination goals. As levels increase, more detail is given to style and execution of movements. This class performs a hip-hop dance during the end of year recital. Dancers who would like additional performing experience should look into the “electricks” hip-hop group.

Drill Prep is a class geared towards the goal of making a high school dance team or drill team. Emphasis is placed on team-oriented dance, such as kick lines, turns, leaps, etc. Exposure is also given to the variety of routines a team learns, the audition process, and flexibility/strength of a dancer. This class performs a dance in the end of year recital, as well as a possible additional community performance.

Singing, Acting, and Dance are incorporated into this wonderful American art form. Short pieces are studied and performed during informal in-class presentations from various musicals throughout the year. This class takes part in a holiday caroling event, as well as performs a musical theater piece during the end of year recital.

The turns and leaps class is a technique based class that does not perform in the end of year recital. Instead class time is spent perfecting various leaps and turns through exercises, across the floor, flexibility work, etc.

The stretch and strength class is a technique class that does not perform in the end of year recital. Instead class time is spent stretching muscles and developing core work. This is a great class for students looking to strengthen core, increase flexibility, or cross-train with other dance disciplines!

Contemporary dance often blends modern and jazz dance together, to create this latest dance craze. Students must be enrolled in ballet classes to take these classes. This class performs a contemporary dance during the end of year recital.