Description of Classes
Ballet
"A classical dance form demanding grace and precision and employing formalized steps and gestures set in intricate,
flowing patterns to create expression through movement." Ballet is the basis of all other dance genres. The technique of ballet helps with all other genres of dance, including hip hop!
There are also two different forms of ballet: classical and lyrical.
-Classical Ballet is any of the traditional, formal styles of ballet that exclusively employ classical ballet technique. It is known for its aesthetics and rigorous technique (such as pointe work, turnout of legs, and high extensions), its flowing, precise movements, and its ethereal qualities.
-Lyrical Ballet is a more relaxed form of classical ballet. While all of the technique is the same, lyrical ballet is usually performed to a songs with lyrics and most of the time tells a story.
flowing patterns to create expression through movement." Ballet is the basis of all other dance genres. The technique of ballet helps with all other genres of dance, including hip hop!
There are also two different forms of ballet: classical and lyrical.
-Classical Ballet is any of the traditional, formal styles of ballet that exclusively employ classical ballet technique. It is known for its aesthetics and rigorous technique (such as pointe work, turnout of legs, and high extensions), its flowing, precise movements, and its ethereal qualities.
-Lyrical Ballet is a more relaxed form of classical ballet. While all of the technique is the same, lyrical ballet is usually performed to a songs with lyrics and most of the time tells a story.
Pointe
"Pointe technique is the part of classical ballet technique that concerns pointe work, in which a ballet dancer supports all body weight on the tips of the fully extended feet within pointe shoes." Admissions from your ballet instructor is required before taking pointe class. It is important not to start pointe until the growth plates in the dancers foot are finished developing.
Jazz
Jazz dance is fast and fun. It uses upbeat music and leaps and turns to interpret traditional and not-so-traditional movements. Like other genres of dance, its base technique comes from ballet. Its movements come from both ballet and contemporary dance. Jazz dance was originated by African Americans and it started hitting dance studios around the 1940s!
Tap
Tap is a dance performed wearing shoes fitted with metal taps, characterized by rhythmical tapping of the toes and heels. This genre of dance is fun and upbeat! It also really helps dancers better understand how to move to different rhythms in music. Tap dance has its roots in the fusion of several ethnic percussive dances, including African tribal dances and Irish jigs; the relative contribution of different traditions is a point of disagreement among historians and dance scholars.
Contemporary
Contemporary dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Contemporary dancers strive to connect the mind and the body through fluid dance movements. This genre of dance teaches dancers the technique of ballet, but also how to move their bodies in new and creative ways. It teaches structure, but also leaves plenty of room for students to use their imaginations on how they can make different shapes with their bodies. Contemporary dance stresses versatility and improvisation, unlike the strict, structured nature of ballet. This dance genre is often done in bare feet. Contemporary dance can be performed to many different styles of music.
Modern
Modern is a form of contemporary theatrical and concert dance employing
a special technique for developing the use of the entire body in movements expressive of abstract ideas.
Modern dance is often considered to have emerged as a rejection of, or rebellion against classical ballet. Socioeconomic and cultural factors also contributed to its development. In the late 19th century, dance artists such as Isadora Duncan , Maud Allan, and Loie Fuller were pioneering new forms and practices in what is now called aesthetic or free dance for performance. These dancers disregarded ballet's strict movement vocabulary, the particular, limited set of movements that were considered proper to ballet, and stopped wearing corsets and pointe shoes in the search for greater freedom of movement. In other words, modern is a very free genre of dance teaching students to use creativity and an open mind when moving their bodies.
a special technique for developing the use of the entire body in movements expressive of abstract ideas.
Modern dance is often considered to have emerged as a rejection of, or rebellion against classical ballet. Socioeconomic and cultural factors also contributed to its development. In the late 19th century, dance artists such as Isadora Duncan , Maud Allan, and Loie Fuller were pioneering new forms and practices in what is now called aesthetic or free dance for performance. These dancers disregarded ballet's strict movement vocabulary, the particular, limited set of movements that were considered proper to ballet, and stopped wearing corsets and pointe shoes in the search for greater freedom of movement. In other words, modern is a very free genre of dance teaching students to use creativity and an open mind when moving their bodies.
Hip Hop
Hip Hop dance refers to street dance styles primarily performed to hip hop music or that have evolved as part of hip hop culture. It includes a wide range of styles primarily breaking, locking, and popping which were created in the 1970s and made popular by dance crews in the United States. Hip Hop has a variety of styles and techniques. It can either be fast, slow, upbeat, or sharp. The fun part about this genre of dance is that their are so many different styles and variations of hip hop that can be taught and utilized in class!
Tumbling
Tumbling is the skill of executing gymnastic feats such as somersaults, handsprings, tucks, ariels and more. Tumbling is done using mats and the close supervision of a talented and trained tumbling instructor. This genre is unique and helps in all other dance genres. It broadens a students dance skills and also builds body strength.
Heels Class
Heels will incorporate styles from commercial jazz, contemporary and musical theater. This class is for students who are already comfortable with other styles of dance. This will be a fast paced, up beat class with lots of kicks, jumps, turns, and splits. This class will focus on hitting your mark and preforming quick sharp choreography in perfect unison. Heels dance was a form that emerged in the 1920's and is now seen on TV, in Music Videos, at Concerts, and on Broadway. This class will be sure to keep you "on your toes!"
Pre-K 2-3 Toddler Class
Added by popular demand, we will be offering a Pre-K 2-3 year old toddler class on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 taught by our very own Nikki Houston. This class will introduce the art of dance style with focus on rhythm and coordination. In lieu of a recital, we will teach this class a routine, order a costume for them, and let them perform in their classroom environment that they are use to for all of their family. We feel at ADA that putting most toddlers on stage before the age of 4 can be frightening and intimidating, especially as big as our shows can be. This will give them a chance to show off what they have learned and look forward to the big stage when they are four. We are very excited and look forward to teaching your precious little ones!