Dance Classes
From beginner to advanced students, we offer dance classes in a variety of styles all taught in an individualized, growth-driven, and fun way!
Ballet Classes
- Ballet is a classical dance form that uses a set of precise and graceful movements. It emphasizes form, musicality, and dynamics to create artistry and express emotion. The dance steps progress cumulatively, to form more intricate patterns and composition as the levels advance.
- Ballet is very detail-oriented and technical. It creates long, elegant lines; clean footwork and positions, a sense of balance and alignment, effortless coordination, and above all, poise. Ballet is a disciplined and challenging art form but the resulting beauty and joy is timeless.
- Poise Dance Academy follows the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus and also incorporates elements of the Vaganova training method.
Acro Classes
- Acro, or acrobatic dance, combines techniques of classic dance forms with the precision and athleticism of acrobatics. Acro requires mastery of control, musicality, emotional expression, and line extension, just like ballet. This dance form emphasizes energetic lyricism largely from acrobatic movements such as balancing, limbering, tumbling, and partnering, all of which are showcased in its choreography.
- Acro is detail-oriented and challenging. In order to perform acrobatics successfully, dancers must master body awareness, flexibility, contortions, and strength; in addition to mastering their dance technique.
- Poise Dance Academy follows the Acrobatic Arts syllabus but also adds enhancements according to the physical abilities of each child.
Hip-Hop Classes
- Hip Hop is a modern dance form inspired by pop culture which includes a wide range of styles like breaking, locking, and popping. This art form requires excellent timing to the beat of the music and the mastering of the muscles’ isolation, contraction, release, fluidity (liquid dancing); and quick, sharp and exact movements of the arms and legs. It plays with many levels of space – sometimes standing, sometimes close to the floor, and sometimes directly on the floor. Freeze poses and acrobatics may also be involved.
- Hip Hop is generally less structured and more improvisational, requiring dancers to find their own inner groove and unique dance style. The dancers may add their own flavours and self-expression to each piece of choreography.
Jazz Classes
- Jazz dance is an umbrella term encompassing several different styles of dance that became popular in the early 20th century. Jazz dance has mixed roots extending back through African and European traditions and developed in America simultaneously with jazz music in New ORleans.
- In the 1940’s, the improvised, social aspect of jazz dance began to be replaced with intricate choreography as dancers with ballet and modern dance training took up the dance form, especially on Broadway stages. Today, jazz dance continues to blend with other dance styles – for example, street dance, jazz funk, and theatre jazz.
- Jazz dance is technical and stylistic. To master this dance form, dancers need to combine clean technique, musicality, and a strong sense of expression and personal style.
Contemporary Classes
- Contemporary dance incorporates elements of ballet, jazz dance, and modern dance to create new, expressive, and interesting movements. It abandons the standard and centred aspects of classical dance forms, and utilizes unconventional movements from styles around the world.
- Contemporary dance emerged in the 1950’s as dancers reacted against the rigid constraints of ballet technique. Seeking to move with ease and fluidity, dancers experimented with manipulating their cores – a thought unheard of in classical ballet teachings, which develops an upright and steady core.
- In order to break the rules, you must first learn the rules. Dancers must have an understanding of classical techniques to truly grasp the concepts of and excel in contemporary dance. Through the contemporary dance form, dancers explore and develop movement quality, dynamics, and musicality.
Tap Classes
- Like jazz, tap dance was born from a fusion of European and West African cultures. In the mid-1600s, slaves in the Southern United States began to imitate the jigs and social dances of the Irish and Scottish, combining them with the West African Juba dance.
- Tap dance continued to evolve through the end of the century, and was performed either in hard-soled wooden shoes (Buck and Wing) or soft-soled leather shoes (Soft Shoe). In the 1920s, metal taps were added to dancers’ shoes, which helped to further differentiate the emerging style of dance from its predecessors. With the rise of the musicals on stage and screen, tap dance became a part of America’s cultural fabric.
- Tap dance is driven by rhythm and footwork. Dancers learn how to listen to music closely and in turn add their own rhythms to complement it. Musicality, precision, and personal style are required to master this dance form, on top of developing tap technique.
Conditioning Classes
Stretch & Strength / Jumps & Turns
- Traditionally dancers train in dance class, and while classes work to improve technique, artistry, and dance skills, they don’t necessarily develop strength and cardiovascular conditioning. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing ballet, jazz, hip hop, acro, contemporary, lyrical, or tap dance styles, all forms of dance have a disparity between the cardiovascular fitness required for class and rehearsal, compared with what is needed for the dance performance.
- Body and core conditioning is a hugely important part of the rehearsals and off-stage preparations. If the body’s strong and able, performing the choreography becomes easier. Many dancers undertake conditioning exercises in order to define their muscles further however the most important part of body conditioning is ensuring the body is healthy, strong and ready for the demands made on it. The body and muscles are used efficiently as a strong base to perform the movement from.
Combo Classes
- Combination of two dance disciplines: Jazz/Hip-Hop and Contemporary/Lyrical
- Dance choreographers and performers often create routines that blend various dance forms to create unique and dynamic performances. This can add variety and excitement to a dance performance, showcasing the versatility and skill of the dancers.
Adult Classes
- Adult dance classes offer a wide range of physical, mental, and social benefits. Whether you’re a beginner or someone with previous dance experience, participating in adult dance classes can be a rewarding and enjoyable activity
- Overall, adult dance classes offer a holistic approach to physical and mental well-being while fostering social connections and creative expression. Whether you choose ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, or any other dance style, you can reap these benefits while having a great time on the dance floor.
Pre-teen & Teen Classes
- Pre-teen dance” typically refers to dance classes, events, or activities designed for children who are in the pre-adolescent age range, typically between the ages of 9 and 12. These classes are tailored to meet the developmental and physical needs of children in this age group.
- Pre-teen dance classes often focus on introducing children to various styles of dance, such as ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, or contemporary dance. These classes aim to provide a fun and structured environment for kids to learn basic dance techniques, improve coordination, and build confidence in their movement abilities.
Toddler Classes
- Toddler ballet classes are typically designed to introduce young children, usually between the ages of 2 and 4, to the basics of ballet in a fun and age-appropriate way. These classes aim to promote physical coordination, rhythm, and creativity while also fostering a love for dance.
- The primary goal is to make the experience enjoyable and age-appropriate for young children while introducing them to the fundamentals of ballet.
NOW STILL Accepting Registration
Winter Term 2024
December 4, 2023 – March 10, 2024