Choosing
All dance forms have ballet technique as their base. Students with strong ballet technique will progress more rapidly in other dance forms. We strongly encourage students who study jazz, tap, or musical theatre to include a ballet class as part of their training.
Why Take More Than One Class?
Students who wish to intensify their training in a particular dance style should take more than one class, as well as ballet, to enhance their development of technique. Students taking more than one class per week, including one of each of the different dance styles, will enjoy the technical cross-over benefits.
Students taking the following dance classes do not necessarily advance to the next level each year. Often it takes at least 2 years to learn, complete, and be proficient in the technical work of each level. Please see the teacher or coordinator for the appropriate class placement each year.
Creative Dance
Ages 5 to 8 years.
Child must be three to four years old by December 31.
No previous dance experience is needed. The focus is on self-expression, creativity, rhythm and musicality through movement. Emphasis is placed on proper placement and spatial awareness. These classes prepare the child for entry into more technical dance classes.
Classical Ballet
Ages 6 and up.
Child must be 6 years old by December 31 of the current registration year.
The University School of Dance follows the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus as training for ballet. Ballet technique is the root of all performance oriented dance forms and helps develop poise, flexibility, strength, and proper alignment as well as precision, agility, and fluidity in movement. Students who include ballet as part of their dance training, will experience it’s technical benefits in their other dance classes and should advance in level and skill more rapidly than those who do not include ballet. It is recommended that those dancer’s involved in competitions and in the advanced levels of jazz and tap take at least one ballet class to strengthen their technique.
Beginner Ballet
Ages 10 to 14.
No previous dance experience is necessary. For those students just beginning or wish to improve their technique in another discipline.
Advanced Ballet (Senior and Open)
Designed for the dancer who has worked at the equivalent of the RAD Grade 6/Intermediate Foundations or higher. These classes are non-syllabus classes.
Pointe Classes
Must be taking at least two ballet classes per week. Permission required from coordinator and instructors.
Attendance is mandatory.
Modern Jazz
Ages 5 years and up.
This class is for the student who wishes to learn the technique and various styles of Modern Jazz Dance. The class consists of a warm-up, jazz/ballet technique and movement combinations done to a variety of popular music.
Those students who are wishing to register in the Open or Advanced Jazz class must also be taking a ballet class.
Lyrical Jazz
Ages 9 and up.
This class explores self-expression using ballet, jazz, and modern/contemporary technique, to tell a story, present a theme, or emotion. This focuses on smooth movement techniques that emphasize the lyrics of modern music.
Those students registering for lyrical jazz or contemporary must be taking one jazz and one ballet class per week.
Musical Theatre
Ages 7 years and up.
These classes will emphasize the techniques of singing, acting/drama, theatre dance as well as music reading, theory and harmony. Students will develop a repertoire of solo and group songs and dances appropriate to their age level. Particular emphasis will be placed on breath control and the challenges of speaking and singing while dancing.
Highland Dance
Ages 7 years and up.
This is a high-energy dance form that uses similar techniques as ballet. Children learn a variety of dances (Fling, Sword and Lilt) to both traditional bagpipes and modern celtic music.
Tap Dance
Ages 5 years and up.
These classes will explore the variety of rhythmic patterns through the development of basic tap techniques with an emphasis on creativity and self expression.
Dance for Special Populations
Kids…in motion Dance Team
Ages seven and up for children and youth with mobility challenges whose primary mode of transportation is the wheelchair.
The focus of the class is the development of a variety of locomotor, rhythmic and creative skills using enjoyable dance experiences. Children have the opportunity to explore a variety of dance forms such as ballet, jazz dance and creative dance and to gain confidence through performances and workshops.
Agility Ballet Company (ABC)
Agility Ballet Company members by permission only from coordinator.
Spirit Flyers
Ages seven and up for children and youth who have cognitive and/or physical challenges.
The program exposes the children/ youth to a variety of dance forms such as ballet, creative movement, jazz and musical theatre. The primary focus is on developing proper technique for dance, expression of self through movement and confidence through personal presentation. Associated benefits include: the ability to follow instructions, and the development of concentration and socialization skills. Participants must be able to participate in the program independently.
Yoga Dance
Ages 4 to 9
Yoga Dance is a creative dance program that combines yoga and breath with music from around the world. Children have fun as they sway, jiggle, stomp, skip, jump, flow and rest. This joy-filled dance emphasizes improving body, brain and heart health. It helps children of all ages experience a blissful body, a joyous heart and a peaceful mind.
Ten weeks/term
Mighty Mini Dance (Creative)
Ages 3 and 4
A fun-filled creative movement class for little ones and their caregivers using stories, poems, songs and games. This class encourages self-expression and creativity, and focusing on rhythms, spatial awareness and large locomotor skills.
Ten weeks/term
Adult Dance Classes
These classes are for the beginner or experienced adult dancer who either has never had the opportunity to take classes and would like to experience the benefits of dance or who is quite experienced but has not danced for several years and wishes to get back to taking classes for both fitness and enjoyment:
- Ballet
- Jazz
- Tap Dance
- Yoga Dance
- Yoga for Parents
Each term runs for 10 weeks.
Yoga for Parents
Take a yoga break while your child is dancing!
Ten weeks/term