Dance
Rooted in the belief that dance is for everyone and every body, our dance program provides a variety of ways to discover the joy of moving. Physical, emotional, and social development, individual feedback, and engagement in collaborative dance making are hallmarks of our curriculum. Our program values and draws upon the varied and rich traditions of all dance forms to foster an appreciation and understanding of the universal language of dance.
Skill-building and movement vocabulary are woven into each lesson as students explore the artistry of dance as it relates to the school’s chosen curricular theme of the year. In our dance classes, students are celebrated as movers, performers, choreographers, and as a supportive community of dancers.
Children’s Dance Classes
Dance Explorers (Ages 5-7)
This class uses a variety of music and dance genres to guide students in developing rhythmic and spatial awareness, coordination, self-confidence, and age-appropriate movement skills such as leaping, galloping, jumping, skipping, etc. This is the perfect introduction to the foundations of dance.
Movers & Makers (Ages 8-12)
Many dance styles are woven in this dance class including jazz, musical theater, modern, and ballet, which builds fundamental skills such as rhythmic and spatial awareness, coordination, and age-appropriate dance steps. Additionally, students’ creativity is tapped into and fostered as they are invited to create their own movements and phrases in improvisational and choreographic opportunities.
Musical Theatre Dance (Ages 8-12)
Dance is an essential art form for every aspiring musical theatre performer. In this class, students will explore dances from a variety of Broadway shows and hit movie musicals as they develop skills as dancers and performers. Embracing the collaborative nature of musical theatre, equal focus is placed on supporting both individual growth and ensemble work, making this class the perfect fit for students of all levels and abilities with an interest in theatre and dance.
This class is geared to the beginner, but all levels are welcomed.
Tap (Ages 8-12)
Students will play the part of mover and musician in this beginner level tap dance class. Dancers will be introduced to the fundamentals of tap dance while developing their rhythmic and musical skills. This class honors the traditions and history of tap dance by exploring collaboration, social exchange, and improvisational play!
This class is for the beginner level.
Teen Dance Classes
Teen Musical Theatre Dance (Ages 13-19)
Dance is an essential art form for every aspiring musical theatre performer. In this class, students will explore dances from a variety of Broadway shows and hit movie musicals as they develop skills as dancers and performers. Embracing the collaborative nature of musical theatre, equal focus is placed on supporting both individual growth and ensemble work, making this class the perfect fit for students of all levels and abilities with an interest in theatre and dance.
This class is geared to the beginner, but all levels are welcomed.
Move On! (Ages 16+)
This inclusive dance class for ages 16+ welcomes developmentally disabled and neuro-typical participants in a collaborative atmosphere that celebrates individuality through movement. Participants will experience a fusion of hip hop, contemporary, tap, pop, and jazz dance styles throughout each session. Move On! Is a Dance Alliance outreach program presented in collaboration with the SPAC School of the Arts.
Rejoice-n-Rhythm (Ages 14+)
This is an inclusive tap dance class that makes the music, rhythms, and movement of the jazz tap form accessible to students with physical and intellectual exceptionalities. This course will focus on the fundamentals of tap technique, various musical time signatures, and expose the dancers to multiple styles of jazz music while they experience the joy of making music with their feet! Body percussion will be included as well.
*The movement and musical sound of tap dance encompasses neurobehavioral processes in sensory, fine & gross motor skills, cognitive, social, emotional, rhythmic, and creative domains, which can help strengthen these areas and promote cognitive flexibility.
Adult Dance Classes
Contemporary Dance (Ages 18+)
Musicality is a key component of this open contemporary class. Warm-up exercises will draw on elements of basic release work, anatomic understanding, and structural soundness; with emphasis on breath and weight. Based on the principles of Limon, Horton, Cunningham and Improvisational Techniques; the dancers will strive to achieve their individual goals by dancing from a neutral, relaxed body which will guide the dancer towards a new understanding of self-awareness.
Classes begin with a floor and standing warm-up followed by fun center and traveling exercises that focus on proper technique, spinal articulation (including contractions and spirals), musicality, and movement quality.
This class is geared to the beginner, but all levels, ages, and abilities are welcomed.
Tap (Ages 18+)
Students will play the part of mover and musician in this open level tap dance class. Dancers will progress through the fundamentals of tap dance with increased speed while improving their rhythmic and musical skills. This class honors the traditions and history of tap dance by exploring historical tap dance repertoire, social exchange, and musical improvisation.
This class is geared to the beginner, but all levels, ages, and abilities are welcomed.
Ballet (Ages 18+)
Open to all levels, this class celebrates the artistry of classical ballet in a non-competitive and fun environment. This is a perfect way to get started or to revisit technique as an adult dancer, as Adult Ballet focuses on foundational skills. Each class includes a sequence of barre exercises, center work, and movement across the floor. Participants will develop their awareness of alignment, coordination, strength, balance, and flexibility. Musical awareness and movement quality are also incorporated to exercise the brain as well as the body!
This class is geared to the beginner, but all levels, ages, and abilities are welcomed.
Lunchtime Series: Adult Ballet (Ages 18+)
Open to all levels, this class will begin with a ballet barre that leads into across the floor and center choreography that taps into the artistry of ballet.
Ageless Dancer: Core de Ballet (Ages 50+)
Class is offered both in person and virtually
CORE de BALLET’s format begins with a ballet-inspired warmup followed by floor work to improve core strength and stabilization. The class ends with a choreography segment to build fluidity of movement that allows participants to interpret the combinations at their own comfort level. Ballet or fitness attire and ballet slippers or split-soled sneakers are recommended. Please bring a mat for the floor portion. This hybrid class has both Zoom and in-person options.
Ageless Dancer: Barre & Balance (Ages 50+)
Class is offered both in person and virtually
Barre & Balance will begin with forty-five minutes of classical ballet technique offerings modifications and variations to accommodate all levels. The final fifteen minutes will be a Standing Center segment to improve balance and link barre exercises together to create simple patterns. The class will build sequentially to enhance participants’ understanding of the mechanics of ballet movements. Ballet or fitness attire and ballet slippers are recommended. This hybrid class has both Zoom and in-person options.