Class Descriptions

Preschool - 45 minute class

Ages 3-6; An age-specific class containing ballet, tap, and creative movement.  The purpose of the class is to introduce young dancers to three styles of dance and inspire movement and creativity within a positive environment.  Dancers will also learn basic steps and terminology in all three styles.  For example, all dancers will learn what a “plie” is and how to demonstrate one.  The use of fun, age appropriate music engages young dancers’ minds and bodies. 

Primary 1, 2, and Level 1 Styles

Ballet, Tap, and Jazz Combination Classes; Ages 5-7 (Primary 1) and ages 7-9 (Primary 2 and level 1)

Ballet fosters musicality, body awareness and movement potential in a format that encourages individual artistry.  Inspired by the work of Rudolf Von Laban and Irmgard Bartinieff, the class explores the elements of dance; Body, Space, Force, and Time, through creative exercises that are movement focused rather than story focused.  The knowledge gained in these classes prepares the student for the attention to detail required in the study of formal ballet training. 

Tap is an exciting rhythmic exercise and dance form which is enjoyable to both kids and adults.  Rooted in African American History, tap offers a variety of styles and techniques.  Students will realize results in dance movement after a minimum number of classes.  The classes stress the basics of tap and allows dancers to build into combinations which are great to watch and delightful to hear. 

Jazz combines many styles and techniques from ethnic and contemporary dance, to ballet.  Rhythm, upon which all dance forms depend, is particularly integral to jazz dance.  The first half of class consists of exercises which stretch and tone muscles and develop support for proper stress-free alignment of the skeletal structure.  Using jazz, soul, R&B, ethnic and pop music, jazz classes are a great workout and a fun way to release tension while attaining a body awareness. 

Lyrical is a fusion of ballet with jazz and contemporary dance techniques.  Lyrical dancing is performed to music with lyrics to inspire movements to express strong emotions.  Lyrical dancing focuses on the dancers’ individual approach and expressiveness than the precision of their movements.  *TBD on schedule; combined with Acro for a level 1 or 2 class.

Acro is a unique blend of dancing and gymnastics disciplines designed to teach in these five areas: flexibility, strength, balancing, limbering, and tumbling. Skills learned will combine classical dance elements with physical conditioning. Choreography will be taught for a recital performance.

Primary 1 - 45 minute Class

Ages 5-7, beginner and intermediate level ballet, tap, jazz

Primary 2 - 1 hour Class

Ages 7-9; Beginner and intermediate level ballet, tap, and jazz; Curriculum comparable to level 1 classes

Ballet 1, Tap 1/Jazz 1, and Jazz 1/Acro 1 - 1 hour class each

Ages 7-9; beginner and intermediate levels; Introduces and/or continues classical ballet techniques with proper placement of feet and arms/body alignment; Movements are taught using center floor, barre, turn and jump combinations.  Ballet develops good posture, poise, and grace. 

Ballet 2 - 1 hour Class

Ages 9 and up; Beginner and Intermediate Levels; Previous ballet experience recommended.  The goal of this class is to strengthen the ballet techniques and skills learned previously as well as introduce the basics of pointe work. 

Ballet 3: Pre-Pointe Preparation and En Pointe - 1 hour Class

Ages 11 and up; For intermediate to advanced levels. Requires previous ballet experience and approval to take Pre-pointe by the ballet instructor at APA.  The goal of this class is to strengthen the ballet techniques and skills learned previously as well as introduce the basics of pointe work. 

Tap 1 - 1 hour class in combination with Jazz 1

Ages 7-9; Beginner and intermediate levels

Tap technique is taught with basic steps, emphasizing rhythm and musicality, progressing into foot repetitions to strengthen and quicken movement as well as improve balance.  Simple combinations will progress to full choreographed dance numbers.

Tap 2 - 45 minute class

Age 9 and up; Beginner and intermediate level; Previous tap experience recommended

Tap technique is taught with basic steps, emphasizing rhythm and musicality, progressing into foot repetitions to strengthen and quicken movement as well as improve balance.  Simple combinations will progress to full choreographed dance numbers.

Jazz 1/ Acro 1 - 1 hour class

Ages 7-9; Beginner and intermediate level class; Previous ballet experience recommended

Jazz improves overall body coordination, rhythm, and hand/foot synchronization.  Includes styles such as pop, contemporary, lyrical, Latin, and Broadway.  

Jazz 2 - 1 hour Class

Ages 10 and up; Intermediate Level; Previous ballet experience recommended

Jazz improves overall body coordination, rhythm, and hand/foot synchronization.  Includes styles such as pop, contemporary, lyrical, Latin, and Broadway.  

Contemporary 1 - 1 hour Class

Ages 10 and up; Previous ballet experience recommended

Fusion of several dance styles- ballet, jazz, modern.  Technique of turns, leaps, and jumps is taught as well as choreography adaptability to the music.    

Hip-Hop 1 - 45 minute Class

Ages 5-7; Beginner level.

Hip Hop provides a structured method of learning various Hip-Hop dance movements in a fun-filled and vibrant class environment.  From R&B and House to Club and Pop, Hip Hop classes utilize upbeat music from various genres, in addition to the latest Hip Hop hits.  The resulting outcome is an energetic class that not only teaches you hip hop movements and technique, but also instills rhythm and precision in your muscle memory.  

Hip-Hop 2 - 1 hour Class

Ages 7-10; Beginner and Intermediate level.

Hip Hop provides a structured method of learning various Hip-Hop dance movements in a fun-filled and vibrant class environment.  From R&B and House to Club and Pop, Hip Hop classes utilize upbeat music from various genres, in addition to the latest Hip Hop hits.  The resulting outcome is an energetic class that not only teaches you hip hop movements and technique, but also instills rhythm and precision in your muscle memory.  

Hip Hop 3 - 1 hour class

Ages 10 and up; Intermediate level

Kids Yoga - currently not on schedule

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Dance Team Prep (DTP)/Leaps, Turns, Kicks Technique Class -

Workshop dates TBD for Spring and Summer

Middle school and High school students interested in auditioning for the high school dance team or the current members may take for additional stretching and conditioning and improvement of technique and skills.  Class is also open to students looking to simply refine their technical skills.  Includes jazz, lyrical, hip-hop styles.  Skills, terminology, and technique taught to include leaps, turns, kicks, and jumps.  

Adult Classes - Ballet, Tap, Yoga, and Fitness

Class is taught for conditioning, stretching, technique, and fun combinations.  Dance styles include ballet and tap. Fitness includes yoga. Mat pilates, barre, and low impact cardio fitness class TBD on schedule.

Musical Theatre - 1 hour Class

Ages 6-10; Musical theatre focuses on applying and bringing together the disciplines of singing, acting, and dancing, to create an effective presentation.  Students will learn to use rehearsal tools and techniques as well as enhance performance skills such as connecting with the audience and telling a story interpreted through facial expressions, song, and dance.

Theatre Jazz- 1 hour Class

Ages 11-18; Musical theatre plus dance skills and technique of a broadway style jazz class.