Ballet & Tap Classes

ar•tist (är’tist) > n. 1.One who practices any of the fine or performing arts 2. One whose work shows skill

Ballet - Where it all begins
"Ballet gives you the technique necessary to dance many, many different styles of dance."
- Mark Morris

Our ballet classes are classically structured in an age-appropriate manner. Class includes barre, center barre, petit and grand allegro, adagio and reverance. Students learn to maximize their turn-out, extension, artistry,

and performance skills.

The basic positions of ballet including the positions of the feet, the arms and the body as well as poses such as attitudes and arabesques are all introduced as the students progress through the levels. Directions of the movement of the legs and directions of travel through space as well as the seven basic movements fundamental to ballet are incorporated in Ballet II.

Barre work consists of a series of exercises designed to build progressively warming up the muscles in preparation for the center. In addition, barre work is designed to develop flexibility of the muscles and joints, continuity of movement, quick precise footwork, as well as generally strenghtening the muscles of the legs and feet.

As always, classes are structured in an age-appropriate way as to avoid injury and progress with the student's age and skill level.

Ballet Classes are as follows:

Young Children's Division
Pre-Ballet Age 3-4
Ballet I Age 5-7
Ballet II Age 8-9 - Barre work introduced *

Core Dance Division
Ballet III Age 10-11
* Junior Ballet Age 12-14
Senior Ensemble Ballet Age 13-18

* Junior Ballet Ensemble focuses on simple combinations of previously learned steps. Extension (the height of the leg) is developed and pointe work is introduced. Barre work becomes faster and the vocabulary of dance steps increases. Pointe work is an important part of study at these levels, and there is a strong emphasis on expression and artistry.

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When are ballet classes offered?

Tap

Tap classes teach children about music; how it phrases, flows, begins, ends, divides and breaks. It is instrumental in learning how to pick up new combinations quickly.

Tap students will learn how to dance on the balls of their feet, an important technical part of all dancing. Traditional steps including Buffalos, Time Steps, Maxi Fords, pickups, paddle & rolls, and paradiddles are taught along with time sequencing and tap dynamics. Plus, the little ones get to wear "the shoes." As always, all of our dance programs progress at an age-appropriate level.

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