Classes

Class Descriptions

Creative Movement is designed for 3 and 4 year olds and focuses on improving loco-motor skills, building a movement vocabulary and exploring music and rhythms. Most importantly, the class allows each child to explore his/her own creativity.

Pre-Ballet is designed to nurture the love for dance that comes naturally to many 5 and 6-year-olds. These young dancers are introduced to ballet vocabulary and basic ballet technique. While focusing on body alignment, the students are asked to challenge their dance and movement skills while learning ballet etiquette and the stories of classical ballets.

Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Hip-Hop classes are carefully graded by the age and ability of each student. Students are promoted according to their individual progress. Students are encouraged to attend all classes of their level to assure consistency in their training. Jazz students are encouraged to attend ballet class as ballet technique is very beneficial to jazz dancers.

Pointe is for those students who demonstrate a clear understanding of proper execution of ballet technique. Students prepare for pointe work with every class they attend throughout their training. A required Alignment class is offered to pointe candidates, which focuses on strengthening the back and abdominal muscles. The dancer’s ability to maintain proper alignment of the torso is essential to pointe work. Students will be counseled on their progress in the fall and new pointe students generally begin pointe work in January. Pointe students are required to attend three ballet classes per week.

General Information

Attendance: Consistency in attendance is so important to the progress of the student. If a student must miss class, please contact the office to report the absence. Students over ten minutes late will be asked to observe class as lack of proper warm-up may lead to injury.

Missed Classes: Students may make up missed classes in another class of the same or lower level. This policy also applies to classes missed due to Center holidays. No credits or refunds will be given for missed classes unless due to documented injury or illness.

Viewing Windows: Family and friends are welcome to observe classes through the studio viewing windows at any time.

Performance Opportunities: All students are invited to perform in the annual spring performance. Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet and Ballet students are given roles in a story ballet, usually a well-known fairy tale. Students in other classes perform a piece of their instructor’s choice. Students may also have the opportunity to audition for productions of Premiere Dance Company, including the annual production of The Nutcracker.