Register Online NOW for 2011-2012 CLASS TYPES RECREATIONAL CLASSES Through the exploration of all elements of dance, recreational classes offer an excellent venue for students to experience and learn the fundamental basics. With these tools, we encourage and guide each student through skill development and self-expression, working towards a final piece of work performed in our Final Show. Each style of dance chosen will have one instructional session per week. RECREATIONAL COMPETITION Recreational Competition - A dancer considering recreational competition classes is looking to be challenged and strengthened in both their technique and performance. Each style of dance chosen will have two instructional sessions per week. COMPETITIVE COMPETITION Aged 6-9 requires 8 hours of instruction per week, Aged 10+ requires 10 hours of instruction per week This program is for the committed and focused student who understands the importance and benefit of full support of all members of their dance team. Attendance is extremely valuable throughout the year and competition is mandatory. Entrance into this program is by teacher approval only. It is strongly suggested that students take two hours each of ballet, tap and jazz, with the remainder filled with students choice. CLASSES CLASSICAL BALLET Classical Ballet is a dance related arts and sports basic. It is the foundation for all other forms of dance and gives students control, strength, flexibility, coordination, poise, technique, expression, terminology, and grace. Ballet exercises not only the body, but also the mind. Above all, Ballet imparts discipline that can be applied to all areas of life. It is recommended that Classical Ballet be studied by all forms of dancers to enhance their progress and allow the most benefits from each style of dance. Many athletes, such as football players and ice skaters, study Ballet in order to attain more grace and control resulting in less injury. In the professional dance field, dancers with Ballet backgrounds tend to be taken more seriously. The best dancers of any troupe, group, company, or show are always those with a very special presence obtained through a Ballet background. Ballet instruction is strongly recommended for the health and success of every dancer. TAP Tap is an exciting and vigorous form of dance, where dancers use specially-equipped shoes to create rhythmic patterns and timely beats. Lessons in Tap are designed to develop rhythm, coordination, flexibility in the knees and ankles, speed and finesse. Dancers build aerobic fitness as well as muscle control while practicing a series of basic steps, and with more proficiency, learn increasingly more complex combinations. JAZZ Jazz is a combination of several dance forms expressed through popular music that is fun and energetic. Although Jazz is often considered more free than Ballet, it is actually a structured dance form. Dancers acquire flexibility, fast, accurate footwork, and power for lifts, leaps, and quick movements. To excel in Jazz, dancers should have a solid background in Ballet, as it enhances the necessary grace and balance needed for this popular dance style. ACRO Acro is a skillful blend of fluid dance movements, acrobatics, and gymnastics. It is defined by its athletic character, its unique choreography, and its use of acrobatics in a dance context. Classes in Acro help to develop balance, agility, strength, flexibility, physical control, and above all, discipline and concentration. Acro dancers must be in excellent physical condition for this demanding activity. Students will learn walkovers, balances, tumbling, and contortions, as well as conventional dance steps. CONTEMPORARY Contemporary combines elements of Jazz and Ballet in an evolving dance form arising from an early 20th century rebellion against Ballet. Its elegant style and smooth movements teach students musicality, improvisation, and use of space with a lot of contractions, parallel legs and flexed feet. Modern dance focuses on graceful movements using weight and dynamics, and also develops disciplined, highly controlled and physically powerful dancers. Lyrical pieces require high energy and stamina with extreme strength, control and ease of movement, portraying the intense feelings of passion, pain, joy, sadness, fear, and anger. HIP HOP Hip Hop is a highly energized, passionate, motivating dance style accompanied by the latest in music. It combines a flow of movements, different forms of isolations, and athletics, all while working on endurance, flexibility and strength in a freestyle format. Hip Hop dance is considered particularly helpful in building abdominal muscles. Belly Dancing is a Western-coined name for a traditional Middle Eastern dance style that has many women envisioning themselves as sultry, captivating objects of desire. These days, women are more comfortable with their sensuality and are more aware of the importance of maintaining good mental and physical health. Belly dancing increases body awareness through non-impact, weight bearing exotic movements enhancing femininity and heightening fitness of the body and mind. This dance style works to isolate and improve flexibility of the torso while focusing on strengthening the legs and long muscles of the back with hip and pelvic movements. DRAMA Drama is more than acting. Drama is learning to express oneself. Drama is learning to communicate. Drama is learning about and tapping into one’s own innermost feelings. Drama classes encourage children out of their shells, teach them to harness their emotions and streamline them into a form of expression, whether through voice (musicals), movement (dance), or acting. Drama introduces children to a whole new way of looking at the world. VOCAL Vocal allows for the discovery of one’s voice, no matter one‘s age. Vocal students will expand their range, improve their quality, increase their strength, and have greater vocal security. Many who perform in a vocal choir tend to breathe better, develop poise and confidence, and acquire a resonant speaking voice. There are three choir levels of children (8-12), youth (13-18), and adult which will perform throughout the year in Kiwanis Music Festival, the community, and MSPA‘s Annual Recital.. MUSICAL THEATRE Musical Theatre is an art form combining song, dialogue, and dance while promoting camaraderie and teamwork. In the three hours of class per week, emphasis will be on acting skills, scene study, character development, singing and choreography. During acting sessions focus will be on imaginative play, stage technique, basic acting skills, improvisation and character development. Within the vocal sessions students will cover a variety of songs, emphasizing proper vocal technique, intonation, diction and musical styling. Dance sessions will teach basic choreography and dance skills. Our goal is to develop a strong foundation and appreciation for all performing arts. BALLROOM DANCING Ballroom Dancing is defined as a set of partner dances, enjoyed socially. Not only is it a fun social activity, where couples can be out together and meeting new people, but Ballroom Dancing is also great cardio-vascular exercise, giving the full body a complete work-out. Through various high-spirited dance styles and rhythms, this dance form releases stress, revitalizes, builds self-confidence and self-esteem, all while working on posture, balance, coordination and memorization. Classes are offered in Pembroke with opportunity to attend two monthly Practice Nights and two monthly Formal Dance Evenings.