Class Offerings

Pre-Ballet is an introduction to the fundamentals of classical ballet and the structure and discipline of a dance class. Instruction will include basic ballet exercises, floor stretches, and moving steps. Each month will have a theme incorporating the movements and vocabulary learned in class.

Dress Code for Pre-Ballet:

Pink Leotard with skirt attached (Motionwear - Style #4354).
White anklet socks.
Pink Technique Shoes (leather) with elastics (please ensure proper fitting at a dance wear store and not at a discount shoe store).
Hair must be neatly secured in a bun. No pony tails, please. If hair is too short, pin or tie securely away from face.
No necklaces, bracelets, watches, rings, or long earrings.
If child must wear eyeglasses, please secure with a safety strap.
Boys: White T-shirt tucked into black trunks; white canvas or leather shoes with elastics, and white socks.

Dance Fundamentals is designed to teach the basic concepts of dance as well as develop technical ability. The concepts to be covered are the following: SPACE (site, level, direction, etc.), TIME (speed and rhythm), FORCE (energy and weight), BODY (parts, shapes, balance), and MOVEMENT (locomotor and non-locomotor). Technique will include Centre work utilizing proper ballet terminology to teach correct alignment, coordination and musicality.

Dress Code for Dance Fundamentals:

Lavender leotard with skirt attached (Motionwear - Style #4354).
White anklet socks.
Pink Technique Shoes (leather) with elastics (please ensure proper fitting at a dance wear store and not at a discount shoe store).
Hair must be neatly secured in a bun. No pony tails, please. If hair is too short, pin or tie securely away from face.
No necklaces, bracelets, watches, rings, or long earrings.
If child must wear eyeglasses, please secure with a safety strap.
Boys: White T-shirt tucked into black trunks; white canvas or leather shoes with elastics, and white socks.

Beginning Ballet I-A is a continuation of teaching your child the fundamentals of classical ballet in a slow and careful process, which includes understanding the concepts of Stance, Rotation, Placement, Balance, Transfer of Weight, and Coordination, as well as incorporating ballet terminology. All Barre work will be executed with two hands on the Barre to emphasize correct placement. The Centre work will include combinations that will promote musicality and coordination, such as running, skipping, walking, and jumping. Permission of Instructor is needed.

Dress Code for Beginning Ballet I-A:

Yellow Leotard with skirt attached (Motionwear - Style #4354)
For sizes beyond 12-14, Yellow Camisole Leotard Mitella #201-L or #207-L and yellow skirt
White anklet socks.
Pink Technique Shoes (leather) with elastics (please ensure proper fitting at a dance wear store and not at a discount shoe store).
Hair must be neatly secured in a bun. No pony tails, please. If hair is too short, pin or tie securely away from face.
No necklaces, bracelets, watches, rings, or long earrings.
If child must wear eyeglasses, please secure with a safety strap.
Boys: White T-shirt tucked into black trunks; white canvas or leather shoes with elastics, and white socks.

Beginning Ballet I-B continues to stress the importance of proper technique with alignment. Balancing skills will also be developed so that strength and coordination can be maintained in the Centre with various jumps, transitional steps, and turning. Repetition of ballet vocabulary will be encouraged, along with the introduction of three of the eight body positions. Permission of Instructor is needed.

Dress Code for Beginning Ballet I-B:

Light Blue Leotard with skirt attached (Motionwear - Style #4354).
White anklet socks
Pink Technique Shoes (leather) with elastics (please ensure proper fitting at a dance wear store and not at a discount shoe store).
Hair must be neatly secured in a bun. No pony tails, please. If hair is too short, pin or tie securely away from face.
No necklaces, bracelets, watches, rings, or long earrings.
If child must wear eyeglasses, please secure with a safety strap.

Beginning Ballet II is a continuation of Beginning Ballet I-B. Barre work will be executed with one hand on the Barre, and Centre work will introduce five of the eight body positions, as well as transitional movements to encourage moving in space to develop awareness, concentration, and focus necessary to perform connections between dance and healthful living will also be encouraged. Permission of Instructor is needed.

Dress Code for Beginning Ballet II:

Royal Blue Leotard (Motionwear - Style #2515 or #2603) with matching royal blue skirt (Motionwear - Style #1022)
Pink tights
Pink Technique Shoes (leather) with elastics (please ensure proper fitting at a dance wear store and not at a discount shoe store).
Hair must be neatly secured in a bun. No pony tails, please. If hair is too short, pin or tie securely away from face.
No necklaces, bracelets, watches, rings, or long earrings.
If child must wear eyeglasses, please secure with a safety strap.

Ballet I is a continuation of Beginning Ballet II emphasizing the fundamentals of Classical Ballet: Stance, Rotation, Placement, Balance, Transfer of Weight, and Coordination. Barre work is now done with one hand on the Barre in first, second, fourth, and fifth incorporating the proper use of arms and simple epaulement. Both the Barre work and Centre work will be more rigorous with longer class time, thus, promoting more stamina and endurance. In the Centre, the eight body positions will be mastered to promote a clear understanding of epaulement, along with jumps, petit allegro, quality single pirouettes, and traveling combinations to encourage musicality and performance. Permission of Instructor is needed.

Dress Code for Ballet I:

Blue Leotard (Block Style #5402).
Blue skirt may be worn for Center work.
Pink tights.
Pink Technique Shoes (canvas or leather) with elastics.
Hair must be neatly secured in a bun. No pony tails, please. If hair is too short, pin or tie securely away from face.
No necklaces, bracelets, watches, rings, or long earrings.
If child must wear eyeglasses, please secure with a safety strap.
Boys: White T-shirt tucked into black trunks; white canvas or leather shoes with elastics, and white socks.

Ballet II is an Intermediate level of ballet which emphasizes at a higher level of understanding the six fundamentals of Classical Ballet as listed above for Ballet I. Continued execution of double pirouettes from fourth position will be mastered en dehors and en dedans in the Centre. With an increase in stamina, more complicated Centre work is introduced, in addition to beats in the petit and grand allegro. Permission of Instructor is needed.

Dress Code for Ballet II:

Maroon Camisole Leotard (Major Motion Style #2515 or Mitella Style #201-L or 207-L).
Maroon skirt may be worn for Centre work.
The remainder of the items are the same as Ballet I.

Ballet III is an Intermediate/Advanced level of ballet which emphasizes the development of consistency and continuity in movement in both the Barre and Centre work with an increased understanding of terminology. The Barre work includes more intricate patterns, including turns and transfer of weight, and the Centre work is more complex than in the past, including the execution of triple pirouettes, and promoting the artistry and stamina necessary for performance. Permission of Instructor is needed.

Dress Code for Ballet III:

Black or Dark Leotard in any style.
Skirts may be worn for Centre work.
The remainder items are the same as Ballet II and I.

Pre-Pointe will incorporate Therabands to increase ankle mobility and strength in the feet, along with increased turn-out from the hips, and promote a better understanding of the proper alignment that is needed to go en pointe. Additional props such as Fitness Balls and wood blocks will enhance the strengthening needed for future pointe work. The design and history of pointe shoes will also be discussed, along with what to expect from the first pointe shoe fitting, and how ribbons and elastics are sewn. A different Classical Ballet will be introduced each month, including the music to promote a better understanding of dance history. At mid term in December and May, each dancer will be evaluated by an Exercise Physiologist to determine if the dancer is ready for pointe work.

Beginning Pointe applies the principles of Classical Ballet with increased strength and flexibility, only after proper alignment is understood and maintained so that the student's musculature can support her en pointe. Barre and Centre work are taught en pointe, with an individual approach. Permission of Instructor is needed.

Intermediate/Advanced Pointe includes both Barre and Centre work and Classical Variations as the dancer advances to promote artistry, as well as a historical perspective of dancing en pointe and its effect on the Classical Ballet Technique. Permission of Instructor is needed.

Dress Code for Pre-Pointe, Beginning Pointe, and Intermediate/Advanced Pointe:

White Camisole Leotard (Major Motion Style #2515 or Mitella 201-L or 207-L).
White skirt.
Pink tights.
Pointe shoes (pink or peach). Fitting must be approved by Instructor before ribbons are sewn.
Hair neatly secured in a bun; if hair is too short, pin or tie away from face.
If eyeglasses are needed, secure with a safety strap.
Bra if needed.

Classical Ballet Instructors:

Lesa R. Broadhead, M.F.A.
Sarah Christman, B.F.A.
Christina Seyerle, M.S. P.T.
Meghan McSherry

Modern

Modern I is an introduction to a dance form that begins from a central source and radiates throughout the extremities. Oppositions of movement such as contraction and release, fall and recovery, tension and relaxation will be taught along with basic modern dance concepts (such as undercurves and overcurves, swings, and flat backs) and locomotor movements. Different techniques of modern dance will be discussed to give a better understanding of the growth of this dance form in the last century.

Dress Code for Modern I:

Black or dark leotard (any style).
Black convertible or footless tights.
No shoes.
Hair pulled away from face and securely clipped.
No necklaces, bracelets (ankle or wrist), watches, rings, or excessively long earrings.

Modern II is an intermediate approach to contemporary dance. The students will explore a more post-modern based style rooted in the concepts of inversion, fall and recovery, rolling, and off-balance work. The importance of parallel alignment, abdominal strength, and upper body strength are emphasized. The class will also stress the skills of moving the body through space. Permission of the instruction is needed.

Dress code for Modern II same as Modern I.

Modern III is an advanced approach to Modern II which emphasizes more of the performance aspect of the contemporary art of Modern Dance. Permission of the instructor is needed.

Dress code for Modern III same as Modern I.

Modern Instructors:

Erika Young, B.F.A.

Jazz

Jazz I is an introduction to moving with a free and flexible body, while isolating separate parts of the body. This form of dance will increase speed in movement, strengthen the body, and promote better coordination. Jazz I will focus on basic jazz steps while also discussing the history and development of jazz through musicians, singers, dancers, and choreographers.

Dress Code for Jazz I:

Black or dark leotard (any style without pattern).
Black convertible tights.
Instructor will determine when jazz pants may be worn.
Black Jazz Shoes. Jazz sneakers are NOT allowed because of excessive scuff marks left on dance floor.
Hair securely clipped and pulled away from face.
Socks.
No necklaces, bracelets (ankle or wrist), watches, rings, or excessively long earrings.

Jazz II is an intermediate approach to Jazz Dance. It focuses on moving with a free and flexible body, while emphasizing the isolation of separate parts of the body. This class will also focus on speed in movement, improving coordination, and increasing upper body and abdominal strength. Jazz II is based in the hip-hop style. Permission of the instructor is needed.

Dress Code for Jazz II is the same as Jazz I.

Jazz III is an Intermediate/Advanced level with focus on a more classical style, such as found in Broadway musicals. The intricate patterns, use of rhythm, and speed, as well as directional changes in space make the movements of jazz as rhythmic as jazz music itself. Permission of the instructor is needed. Pre-requisites are Jazz I and Jazz II.

Dress Code for Jazz III is the same as Jazz I.

Hip Hop

Mini's Hip Hop. This class is aimed towards children ages 7 through 9. In the class we will focus on introductory Hip-Hip. Fundamentals, such as isolations, rhythmic patterns and syncopation will be taught as well as basic jazz dance techniques. This class will prepare the young dancer for a pre-professional level Jazz or Hip Hop class.

Co-requisite: Youth program classes for ages 7-9, or by special permission of the Instructor.

Dress code for Mini's Hip Hop:

Black or dark leotard.
Black tights.
No shorts.
No jewelry.
Hair pulled back from face and tied securely.

Hip-Hop I is a beginner level Hip-Hop class for students ages 10 and up. We will focus on moving with a free and flexible body while emphasizing the isolation of separate parts of the body. This class will also focus on speed in movement, improving coordination, and increasing upper body and abdominal strength. Permission of the Instructor is needed.

Co-requisite: Jazz I, Modern I, or by special permission of the Instructor.

Dress code for Hip-Hop I is the same as Mini's Hip-Hop.

Hip-Hop II is a continuation of Hip-Hop I. The class is geared toward the intermediate/advanced hip-dancer. The focus will be on more intricate combinations with an emphasis on hip-hop as a performing art. Permission of Instructor is needed.

Co-requisite: Jazz II or Jazz III.

Dress Code for Hip-Hop II is the same as Mini's Hip-Hop.

Hip-Hop II focuses on moving with a free and flexible body while emphasizing the isolation of separate parts of the body. This class will also focus on speed in movement, improving coordination, and increasing upper body and abdominal strength. Permission of the instructor is needed. Pre-requisites are Jazz I and Jazz II.

Dress Code for Hip-Hop II is the same as Jazz I.

Jazz and Hip Hop Instructor:

Erika Young, B.F.A.

Classes for Adults

Adult Ballet is designed to teach the fundamentals of Classical Ballet which include Stance, Rotation, Placement, Balance, Transfer of Weight, and Coordination. The Barre and Centre work will promote strength and flexibility in the body, stimulate the mind, and encourage the release of tension, promoting a sense of enjoyment.

Dress Code for Adult Ballet:

Leotard (any style).
Pink tights.
Pink technique shoes (canvas or leather.)
Hair securely clipped off the nape of neck, pulled away from face OR in a bun.

Adult Class Instructors

Sarah Christman, B.F.A.
Cynthia Koehler, B.A.

Circle Dance

Artistic Director

Faculty

Classes