Dance Foundations

Level 1

This is the first level in our Dance Foundations program. Students will gain a strong base for technique by learning that their muscles and alignment can help them control their movements.They will be challenged with musicality and memorization of level appropriate exercises. This level also introduces a greater use of the entire body while dancing, using the head, arms, and legs simultaneously. Students will enjoy the structure and also the creative dancing exercises that are incorporated into this level.

Level 2

In this second level of our Dance Foundations program, dancers build on what they acquired in level 1. There is more emphasis on maintaining technique through the entire movement and a greater ability to memorize class exercises and paying attention to "counts" is expected. In this level dancers will also be challenged to attain an increased range of flexibility. Students in level 2 will enjoy the new challenges this level brings as well as the free movement exercises that our incorporated into their class work.

Level 3a

There are three divisions within this 3rd level of Dance Foundations. Normally students will spend a year in each division beginning in 3a, while in some cases, students may move to the next division mid- year. In 3a dancers will be challenged in musicality and technique of movement, spending more of class time at the barre. Students in this level will see their weekly exercises at the barre emphasized in their center work as they learn better use of angles, alignment, and control.

Level 3b

There are three divisions within this 3rd level of Dance Foundations. Normally students will spend a year in each division beginning in 3a, while in some cases, students may move to the next division mid- year. In 3b dancers will be challenged with more port de bras (incorporating their arms) in their movements. They will also be expected to memorize longer exercises while maintaining their technique from start to finish. At this level dancers are learning how to engage and control their muscles to bring fluidity and strength to their movements.

Level 3c

There are three divisions within this 3rd level of Dance Foundations. Normally students will spend a year in each division beginning in 3a, while in some cases, students may move to the next division mid- year. In addition to learning more complex combinations that require attention to detail and technique, dancers in this level will be spending more time in center work, learning how to stay properly aligned on their supporting leg. Students in this level will also spend time in demi pointe work preparing them for going on pointe.

Level 4

Arriving in level 4 means that dancers fully understand what their "core" is and how to activate it properly. While they will still strive to maintain correct alignment and technique through the entirety of class, dancers at this level understand that no movement can be executed without the important use of their technique. Dancers in this level are expected to have an awareness of their body placement and will be challenged to develop a greater stage presence and expression in their movement. At this level most students will also be going on pointe.

Dance Progressions

Level 5

At this first level in Dance Progressions, students are given a more intense focus on learning more petit and grand allegro (small and big jumps). They are being challenged to maintain technique while truly dancing through their movements with fluidity, use of head and port de bras. Flexibility is a crucial element in this level as well as strength building exercises. As second year pointe students they will sometimes be taking ballet classes in pointe shoes as well as spending time in separate pointe classes.

Level 6-10

In these 5 levels of Dance Progressions, dancers will refine their technique with increased hours of training. They will progress to each of these levels acquiring greater skill and technique in barre and center work, advanced pirouettes, adage, petit and grand allegro. These years in Dance Progressions will prepare students for a future career in professional dance or for majoring/minoring in a dance college.

Pointe 3c

Dancers in Level 3c who take one to three ballet classes are invited to join this pointe preparation class. Students will be doing pointe exercises in their ballet shoes to better strengthen their ankles, alignment and prepare them for basic pointe work. Dancers will also benefit from this class because there will be instructions about how to properly take care of your feet and findpointe shoes that are right for you when the time comes. This is not a performing class.

Pointe 4

This is a class for first year pointe students. Dancers will spend most of their time at the barre learning how to correctly go up and down in their shoes, work through their metatarsals, and keep their body in proper alignment while on pointe. This is not a performing class.

Pointe 4 & 5

This is class for second and third year pointe students. New level 4 pointe students may be asked to take this class in ballet shoes. In this class dancers will be challenged with a greater articulation of their movements, increased balance and more advanced footwork. Students will spend time at the barre as well as in the center and moving across the floor. Dancers in this class may or may not have a pointe dance in the show.

Pointe 6-7

This is an intermediate Pointe Class for dancers who are technically strong in ballet.

Pointe 8-10

This is an advanced Pointe Class for dancers who are technically strong in ballet.