Class Descriptions
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Descriptions for the Pre-Classes (Ballet, Hip Hop, Intro) Zumbatomics and
Creative Movement are at the bottom of this list, from where we build the very
young student's training into the different forms!
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Ballet
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Let every dancer discover the beauty and passion within the discipline of a rigorous ballet
technique, a technique that can help a dancer of any age or background acquire agility and
precision! Beginning I concentrates on body alignment and a careful introduction to the basics
of ballet. Subsequent classes expand on this foundation. All classes consist of barre work,
center work, and learning dance sequences. Our emphasis is on understanding and learning
technique from the “ inside out,” on combining the forms of the classical with contemporary
themes, music, and influences, and on developing the musicality and expressiveness within
each dancer. Please remember: we need to see body lines to give appropriate
feedback…Dress codes are firmly enforced!
For dancers with previous training who are unsure of where they would fit in our syllabus: We
suggest that you do a paid single, at either the level you are currently working at or a slightly
lower level, and let the teacher place you after having seen you in class.
Our teachers have both a very strong classical background in addition to work in contemporary
ballet. There is a distinct Balanchine and Russian training to the syllabus.
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Modern/ Contemporary Dance
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It began in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, as an artistic revolution against the dance of its
era, and has come to influence both jazz and ballet and become an integral part of a dancer’s
training. Because the development of Modern technique, (now often called Contemporary or
Post-Modern,) was based on the personal vision of different individuals, there are multiple
approaches to this technical form.
We focus on building a strong core, a technical base of correct alignment, vocabulary that
includes outward rotation and parallel work, contraction and release, fall and recovery, leaps,
turns, and jumps, and transitions between the three movement levels. Our emphasis is on
expanding the strength, flexibility, and agility of the dancer’s body, while cultivating the
personal vision, expressiveness, and musicality that each individual brings to movement.
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Pointe
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This class focuses on point technique and may be taken only with the instructor’s permission,
and only by teen/adult students who are currently enrolled in a minimum of three intermediate
technique classes a week at the Dance Workshop. It may not be done as a drop-in. We not
only require students to possess the correct technical level, alignment, and physical strength
for this work, but also that the student’s physical development (bone and muscle) is
sufficiently advanced. We want you to dance for a lifetime…not just until you’re 40.
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Jazz
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Born out of the African dance that was brought to this country during the slave period, jazz
evolved into a theatrical style in post-slavery America. Through its history of minstrel shows,
vaudeville and burlesque, its interaction with other dance styles, and its relationship to the
music that came to be called jazz, it has made its mark as a “made in America” dance form. It
is characterized by the use of isolations, syncopated rhythms, polyrhythmic patterns, and the
use of movement that “ripples” out from the center of the dancer’s body.
Our jazz classes also include a ballet component which allows dancers to become fluent in
technique that utilizes outward rotation as well as parallel work. Choreography in this style may
range from dance for musical theater, to street funk or hip hop, to lyrical or old style jazz.
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Dance Team
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This class focuses on all the elements of great dance team performance: building a vocabulary
of Jazz and Hip Hop to create exciting dances, developing and enhancing musicality, timing,
group work, crisp presentation, performance skills and sequential movement memory.
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Breakdancing
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This class focuses on building the skills necessary for this form: strength, flexibility, balance,
endurance, and ability to improvise. In this class we will be learning the foundations of
breakdancing. Among the different types of moves we will learn include (but are not limited to):
toprock, footwork, and power. Students will also learn concepts that will enable them to
increase their musicality.
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Hip Hop
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Blending traditional African, the “stepping” of black fraternities, and break dancing, students are
taught the original street-funk moves as well as dances consisting of various street styles.
Dancers are not only challenged to form their own style within the movement, but also to
adhere to the discipline of choreography and the aerobics of street dance.
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Improvisation
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Discover the art of creating dance without prior rehearsal or preparation. Improvisation allows
the dancer/mover to explore his/her own personal impulses for movement, movement
vocabulary, and sense of aesthetics, while composing on a structure. Great for the brain, it is
an exercise in creative thinking within a set of clearly defined parameters.
An excellent class for both new and trained dancers, participants have found an increased
comfort with moving their bodies in space, a sense of creativity that extends into other areas of
their lives, and a sharpened ability to think and respond to new situations quickly and
effectively. Performance opportunities are available for those interested in an Improvisation
Company.
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Earth Rhythms
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Incorporating the three primary purposes of all ethnic dance forms and a strong base in African
dance, this class emphasizes a sense of community and reconnection to self, others, and the
world. Working with live drummers, each class includes a thorough warm up, an aerobic
section, stretches, across-the-floor work, and choreography.
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Belly Dance
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We currently offer classes in both Cabaret and American Fusion Belly Dance. Both styles of
dance require the same fundamental set of isolations and technique that make up the
foundation of belly dance. This includes isolations, turns and floor work: the most basic skill
set a belly dancer (of any style) should know. However, from this common starting point the
two styles of dance diverge and become more stylized. Cabaret style is the more traditional of
the two, while American Fusion integrates other dance forms, including jazz and ballet, into the
style. For more information, please click on the link: More on Belly Dance
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Fire Dance
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We could also call this: "Dances with Poi." The use of poi as a performance art originated in
New Zealand, although the first account of a fire poi performance is from the Hawaiian islands.
This class offers an introduction to poi techniques. Students will learn fire safety, the basic poi
moves, special tricks, transitioning between moves, and how to incorporate poi into a full body
dance form. Even though we can not use fire inside the studio, we will be able to practice and
perfect poi moves without it.
Students should make or purchase their own practice poi/sock poi. If you need instructions on
how to make either of these look here:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Homemade-Practice-Poi/
Practice poi/sock poi are also pretty inexpensive if you want to purchase some already made; I
suggest looking on eBay or Home of Poi. Glow poi will work to practice with as well, and
although they are a bit more expensive they are a lot of fun at night!
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Cheer Dance
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The Cheer Dance class will include an introduction to the basics of cheerleading. Cheer dance
consists of a Warm up of body and voice, learning Motions (the name of all the Cheer hand
positions,) Jumps and Kicks, and the "Main Event" a short dance, cheer, or jump sequence.
Each week will consist of a new routine so that each participant can experience the full cheer
experience
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Second Wind
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The Second Wind classes are designed for 40 – 90+ year olds who have had little to no dance
experience or have had a significant vacation from their previous training. The “survey class”
format covers technical work in ballet, modern, jazz, and improvisation. Classes include a
warm-up, center floor work, across the floor movement, and learning choreographed
sequences. Funded by the PTDT and The Third Stage, Second Wind classes are free to
seniors 65 and older.
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Lyrical Jazz & Lyrical Contemporary
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Lyrical Jazz & Lyrical Contemporary
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These classes are primarily choreography classes. The warm up includes conditioning
exercises, stretches, and some vocabulary review, but the expectation is that dancers are also
taking technique classes in the appropriate technical style. The “lyrical” designation refers to
the movement quality, one that incorporates sustain, flow, and a strong ballet and
contemporary influence. It also refers to the “interpretive” aspect of dance that is most often set
to music with lyrics.
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All of the Pre-Classes focus on developing several aspects of your child's development in
movement; building body awareness and symmetry (you may notice, for example, that your
child likes to hop on one leg more than the other) spatial awareness, musicality and
awareness of rhythms, tempos, and sound qualities, in addition to teaching the "etiquette" of
dance class. All of these classes also help the young dancer build their ability to focus.
Each style does this with an introduction to the vocabulary and skills needed for the specific
technical area. Pre-Ballet classes focus on learning beginning ballet vocabulary, while Pre-Hip
Hop uses isolations and rhythmic awareness. Intro To Dance provides a learning experience
in skills for contemporary dance, utilizing both the vocabulary of ballet, the rhythms of hip hop
and jazz, and the floor work of modern. These classes are great for 4 to 6 year olds who
separate easily from mom and dad... (We don't do "drama at the door") and can maintain focus
for a 45 minute class.
Zumbatomics is Zumba for young children! Our Zumba teacher, Sarah Graham, just got her
certification in this very special dance class for children. Additionally, she teaches a Mommy &
Me Zumba class, for parents and children ages 3 and older AND a Baby/Mommy Zumba class
for new moms who want to get moving and still want to stay "close" to their young ones.
Babies stay strapped to mom during this class and must be able to hold their heads up by
themselves.
Pre-Tap is basic tap skills for children ages 4 -6, and introduces the new dancer to basic tap
vocabulary and steps.
Creative Movement is for children ages 3 1/2 - 5, who may need a little more freedom in their
beginning movement explorations. This class uses props, songs, and stories as inspirations
for movement. We don't currently have one on the schedule, but if enough people ask, we will
make it happen!
Pre-Classes & Creative Movement & Zumbatomics
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