Ballet builds a strong foundation for all other dance forms. Students focus on technique and precision of movement while fostering each dancer's natural grace, beauty and poise.
Ballet refers to a system of anatomically correct strategies which, when applied, seeks to achieve the articulation, combined execution and artistic expression of the ballet vocabulary. Technique may also refer more generally to a dancer's training and ability. The core technique of ballet has only minor regional variations globally. Various training methods have been devised, these produce a different physicality of performance and aesthetic results. Ballet (especially classical ballet) puts great emphasis on the method and execution of movement.
Ballet technique can refer to the foundational principles and steps on which ballet steps are built. These foundational principles and steps include "pulling up" (a popular term used to describe proper posture and lifting the muscles so as to increase turnout, quantity and quality of turns, and proper alignment), posture, pointing the toe, and flexibility.
In general, referring to the execution of dance, a dancer with good technique requires good placement (or alignment), and turnout. Where alignment refers to the dancer's ability to keep the head, shoulders, and hips aligned vertically, turnout refers to the dancer's ability to complete movements with the legs rotated outward. This can be in areas such as clean footwork, graceful port de bras (carriage of the arms), and overall correct positions and lines/angles.
Pointe
A concentration of strengthening exercises in addition to barre, center and floor work. Focus is on strengthening for pointe or future pointe work through jumps, pirouettes, turns and bourrees. Dancers must have instructor's permission and are required to take an additional ballet class.
En pointe (pointe) is a form of ballet presented on the tips of the toes, made possible by specialized pointe shoes. There are different varieties of ballet en pointe, but for the most part they focus on grace and specific technique. Dancers must have sufficient strength and technique before beginning pointe work, the development of which can take anywhere from six months to three years or more. It is also important for students beginning pointe to usually be at least twelve years of age before going en pointe. This is because bones and growth plates in the feet are often not yet fully hardened and developed prior to this age, and can be injured very badly by pointe work, despite the strength and skill that the student may have. Ankles must be very strong on Pointe dancers.
Creative Movement
This class is for children ages 3 to 5 who love to dance! Creative movement helps children learn many concepts such as balance, coordination, rhythm, and is also an important tool for developing self-esteem and body awareness and the development of the child itself. With the use of music children can develop cognitive skills, such as counting, the alphabet, days of the week their address and phone number, just to name a few.
Dance Fundamentals
Our Dance Fundamentals program is a wonderful introduction to dance for children ages 5-7 years old. In these classes, students begin to learn the begin terminology and concepts of each of the different dance styles that are taught at the studio. These classes will prepare your little dancer for future Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Cheer, Hip Hop, and Ballroom classes offered here at Class Act. Not only is this class great at building a strong foundation for each of the students, it also will help them discover which dance style(s) they like and wish to continue learning.
Cheer Dance
For cheerleaders of all ages, this class is a must. Students will learn awesome cheerleading and dance team routines as seen in competition. Our Cheer Dance program fuses the athletism of cheerleading with the artform of dance to bring you classes that teach dance in a high energy, uplifting, and fun atmosphere. Students learn the foundation of cheering and "stunt work" while learning in a "team based" class setting.
Elite Cheer Team
This team is Class Act Dance Studio's competitive Cheer team that travels to 2-3 competitions each dance year. This class is available to cheer dancers with experience and there is an audition process with the instructor/coach for each new admittance to the team. If you are interested in being a part of this exciting performance/competition team please let us know. If you aren't ready to join the team this year, we'll be sure to point you in the right direction so that you can join in future years to come.
Hip Hop
Hip-Hop dance refers to social or choreographed dance styles primarily danced to hip-hop music or that have evolved as part of hip-hop culture. This includes a wide range of styles notably breaking, locking, and popping which were developed in the 1970s by Black and Latino Americans. What separates hip-hop dance from other forms of dance is that it is often freestyle (improvizational) in nature.
In our Hip Hop Classes, students will learn choreography along with dance technique that will allow them to dance to today's hottest and most popular music. Students will explore body movement and "trick work" that can only be found in Hip Hop. Every class is a guaranteed workout and an amazingly fun time!
Jazz Dance
Jazz dance has so many different genres within itself. There's broadway jazz or classic jazz dance from Robbins and Cole... Then there's fosse style jazz bordering on burlesque. Now we see lyrical jazz that borders on modern and ballet dancing, and pop jazz as you see in videos today.
In each of our Jazz classes students will learn from a large variety of different styles of Jazz Dance and will be encouraged to be creative with the movement that they have learned. Jazz, in the earlier levels, is taught in a "combo class" with Tap. In these classes, the students will spend equal amounts of time on Jazz and Tap. Once the students reach the Jazz 3 class they will spend the entire class on the different styles of Jazz dance.
Tap Dance
Tap dancing is a type of dance which demonstrates various rhythms made by movements of the feet. Metal taps are attached to the shoes to emphasize the sounds. Tap is truly an American style of dance. It develops exactness in rhythm and timing, coordination of the mind and body, ability to think fast and an overall feeling of “dancing” through the relaxation of its style.
Here at Class Act Dance Studio we offer Tap in combination with our Jazz classes until a student reaches Tap 3 level of dancing. At which point, a student will focus on only Tap in the Tap 3 class. Our Adult Tap class has always been a very fun and sought after addition to our program. Come on out and learn how dance can add so much fun and activity to your life.
Youth Ballroom
Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the globe. Its performance and entertainment aspects are also widely enjoyed on stage, in film, and on television.
While historically ballroom dance may refer to any form of formal social dancing as recreation, with the emergence of dancesport in modern times the term has become much narrower in scope, usually referring specifically to the International Standard and International Latin style dances. In the United States, two additional variations—"American Smooth" and "American Rhythm"—have also been popularized and are commonly recognized as styles of "ballroom dance".
In our Youth Ballroom classes, students will learn the foundation of partner dancing through Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Rumba, Cha Cha, & Swing. These classes are excellent at building social skills and etiquette for understanding and respecting one's personal space as well as working on team building and partnership skills that are applicable in all walks of life.
Dance Theater
Join GSPA's annual choreographer, Daniel McGee, in Class Act Dance Studio's Dance Theater Program. In these classes students will study the artform of theatrical dancing and how it relates to live stage performance. Staging, blocking, presentation, and stage presence will all be covered in these classes. The dance styles that will be covered range widely from Broadway style group numbers to more modern style solo work and everything in between. This class is definitely a huge benefit for anyone who is interested in participating in GSPA or any other theater program, whether it be through school or other community theaters. Join this fun and energizing class and put more performance quality movement in your dancing!
Parent Observation Policy
Our policy allows for parents to observe class on the first week of each month. We request that parents drop off your child in our care and pick them up promptly at the end of their class time. In our experience, students are more focused, learn and enjoy their dance experience more when parents are not present. We greatly appreciate your cooperation with us in this matter.
