A Performing Arts Academy

Introduction To Movement & Dance ( 1st year ) 30 Minutes

This class is designed to familiarize the student with the classroom environment, work on basic concepts such as balance, stretching, listening and moving to music, and basic coordination skills through fun songs and dance games. The class also introduces work on tempo and rhythm of music and some basic ballet steps and movements.

Pre-Ballet (2nd year) / Kinder Ballet (3rd Year) 30 Minutes

This class works on all of the above skills and also focuses on elementary ballet steps and movements, introducing new ballet terminology, and learning about self expression in dance. Students are encouraged to participate in free dance exercises where they listen to music and get to make up and take a turn performing their own sequence of dance steps. The progression of the class is always age and attention span appropriate!

Intro. To Tap / Kinder Tap (to be combined with Pre-B or Kinder B) 30 Minutes

This class introduces the student to the basic movements, steps, terminology and music of tap dancing.

Ballet: Levels I - Advanced

Students start off by learning the most basic steps and terminology, and progress to advanced combinations and routines. The study of classical ballet technique has much to offer students. This includes the development of self discipline, good posture, grace and poise.

Lyrical Ballet: Intermediate and Advanced Levels

Lyrical dance incorporates both ballet and jazz technique. Through lyrical choreography, the dancer tells the story of the music he/she is dancing to. Along with developing strength, flexibility, control, and balance, emphasis is placed on emotional and expressive qualities.

Pointe: Intermediate and Advanced Levels

Students who are at least 11 years old, who have been dancing at an intermediate level for at least 2 years, with the advice of the instructor are able to start taking lessons on pointe. Pointe lessons are in addition to ballet classes, and it is also recommended that an additional ballet class be taken in conjunction with the initial ballet/pointe class taken weekly if the student decides she wishes to progress in this field. The ultimate goal of this study is to take all of the learned ballet skill, coordination, balance and technique to the next level by doing much of the dancing on the tips of the toes while wearing special “pointe” shoes.

Tap: Levels I – Advanced

Students learn beginner, intermediate and eventually advanced tap – steps, terminology, combinations and routines throughout their years of tap training.

Jazz: Levels I – Advanced

In jazz class, students work extensively on stretching, balance, technique, and learning about styles of jazz that are demonstrated in combinations and routines.

Hip Hop

A very popular dance form at this time, hip hop (also known as funk) builds strength and stamina. Along with jazz technique, hip hop also incorporates body isolations which helps build coordination and rhythm. Music used is contemporary and top 40.

Irish Step

This is a beginner class that teaches basic steps and combinations of traditional Irish step dancing.

A Performing Arts Academy

POLICIES & PRACTICES

Please read and make note of the following information. All policies are final and will be strictly enforced!!. No exceptions. All students must wear the appropriate dancewear and shoes in the corresponding classes. If you have questions or concerns, please call the studio (978) 744-8277 / (978) 745-0465 / (781) 596-8650

DANCE WEAR

Leotards:

Intro. To Movement & Dance through level III - light pink, leotard (above levels may wear a light pink, elastic waist, short ballet skirt - no ribbon ties please)

Levels IV and V - navy blue, leotard (boys all levels - black dance or sweat pants or shorts and a white t-shirt)

(Levels IV and V may wear a color coordinated, short ballet skirt - elastic waist if possible)

Levels VI through VIII - black leotard

(Levels VI through VIII may wear a color coordinated skirt to match their leotard)

Advanced & Company Classes - navy blue, black, maroon, or dark green leotard

(Advanced & Company Classes may wear a color coordinated skirt to match their leotard)

Irish Step - solid colored leotard

Hip Hop - leotard and jazz pants or bike shorts

Tights:

All female students in all levels must wear light pink, footed or convertible tights to class at all times. Microfiber or Hold & Stretch tights are the type of tights that are recommended for the students to wear to class and the recital. Boys in all levels wear black thin dress type socks. For the recital some jazz and tap classes will also need tan tights.

T-shirts, tank tops, sweat shirts, sweat pants, shorts, any other kind of street clothes, costumes and dress up clothes are not allowed in dance classes at any time. If students do not follow these guidelines, they will be asked to leave the classroom until the situation is resolved. Light pink ballet sweaters are allowed in all classes, and tight fitting jazz shorts or hemmed jazz pants are allowed in jazz classes only. Jazz pants that are too long or too large for students are not allowed. During the winter months, knit dance pants and knit dance unitards may be worn in all classes.

SHOES

Ballet:	Intro. through level III - pink, soft sole ballet slippers (boys all levels wear black) Levels IV through XV - pink, split sole ballet slippers (leather or canvas) Lyrical – beige slip on jazz shoes (all students must have elastic sewn on ballet slippers)
Tap:	Kindergarten through level V - black, flat tap shoes with black elastic or buckle in place of ribbon tie. (Class time is interrupted when students stop to tie or have shoes tied.) Levels VI through XV - black, leather, 1½ inch high heel tap shoes (advanced & company classes might also be required to purchase flat tap shoes. Check with instructor.)
Jazz:	Levels I through VIII - black, leather split sole jazz shoes (no hard or cardboard soles please) Intermediate & Advanced Levels and Hip Hop - black, leather or canvas jazz sneakers (check w/ instructor) Advanced and Company classes might also need to purchase black or tan, leather, character shoes.
Pointe:	Levels to be determined by instructor - pink or peach pointe shoes (students should have shoes checked by instructor before sewing ribbons and elastics on to shoes)
Irish Step:	Soft sole Irish step shoes.

MISCELLANEOUS

Hair	Student's hair should ALWAYS be off of face and neck so that the instructor is able to make proper alignment and posture corrections. In ballet class, buns are preferred. In tap or jazz classes, hair must be worn in a ponytail or French braid. (Students who come to class with hair down, will be asked to leave the class room and put hair up before returning.)
Dance Bag	Students should have a dance bag with their shoes, cup or water bottle, face cloth, hairbrush, hair elastics, barrettes, bobby pins, and hair spray as we can not supply these things for students if they are forgotten. Older students should also have a sewing kit, deodorant, and personal hygiene products.
Attendance	Attendance of all scheduled classes and rehearsals is very important and mandatory. If the student must be absent due to illness or family emergency; you should call the studio before class time in case an announcement was made or a notice was given out. A student with too many un-excused absences may be required to move into a lower level class to make up missed work. More than 3 absences per term could also result in the student loosing the privilege of performing in the recital.
Final Notes	Student's full name should be in each and every article of clothing, their dance bag and all shoes that they bring or wear to the studio. We can not be responsible for things left behind. After one month, lost and found items are donated to local charities. Proper conduct is expected from students and parents while at the studio or any studio related activity! No food or drinks other than water is allowed at the studio! - THANK YOU. Please call the studio with any questions or concerns.