A Child's First Class
A Child's First Class
Hot Shots Dance Company
Photos Courtesy of Sara Wise Photography
http://sarawisephotography.com
This class introduces little ones to the world of dance through the use of imagination and play. We use a variety of props such as hoops, ribbon wands and scarves as we teach the basics of ballet. This class also incorporates basic tumbling techniques. We believe strongly in "saying and doing" as we introduce the terms and techniques that will lay the foundation for more advanced classes.
Ballet classes are offered from a beginner level to advanced. Students are taught proper body placement, body alignment, barre and center floor work, along with across the floor combinations. Beginner classes introduce vocabulary, proper alignment, and classical ballet technique. Advanced classes include adagio and allegro work, and combinations using balance, strength, and style. All students are urged to study ballet, as it is the foundation of all other dance styles and facilitates further success in these disciplines.
Pointe is only open to dancers who have mastered the necessary level of ballet and have been approved. While similar to ballet, students wear pointe shoes with a hard, full soled shank and a boxed toe, so that the ballerina may go fully onto pointe while in releve. This class is for the advanced ballet dancer and requires an additional ballet class, as well as instructor permission in order to participate. Not everyone is made for pointe class, so ankle and foot bone structure, stage of growth and strength must all be considered.
Jazz classes are fun and energetic. Students will learn elements as kicks, leaps, turns, splits, and isolations, while incorporating elements of ballet technique. Classes include stretch and strengthening exercises, floor work, and across the floor progressions in addition to a center floor combinations. A variety of combinations utilizing rhythmic variation, multiple turns and level changes are also incorporated into the class.
Classes blend elements of Contemporary and Modern dance, such as freedom of expression, interpretation of music, principles of fall and recovery, control, breathing, balance and contraction/release. Teachers incorporate an eclectic blend of contemporary and post-modern movement into their classes. Modern and Contemporary Dance forms allow students to explore their individual dance style outside of the structure of traditional ballet and jazz classes.
Acrobatics teaches flexibility, balance, strength, muscle control, coordination, and endurance. Beginner classes focus on fundamental techniques. As the student advances skills will include front and back walkovers, limbers, handsprings, chest rolls, cartwheels/round offs, handstands, back handsprings, back tucks, side and front aerials. This class is great for students looking to enhance agility and flexibility and is important for any student considering competition level classes.
Tap utilizes special metal-tipped shoes to produce various rhythms. Our program instructs students in both Classical Tap and Rhythm Tap. Classical Tap emphasis more upper body movement along with making sounds. Rhythm Tap employs close footwork including many heel drops and toe drops to bring in a syncopated rhythmic beat.
Baton twirling is a unique sport in that in order to perform at the highest level, baton twirlers must be able to demonstrate strength, flexibility, physical fitness and harmony in coordination with the twirling of their baton. Students in beginner classes will learn baton terminology and basic twirl skills while developing hand-eye coordination and wrist flexibility. Basic dance moves are introduced with emphasis on proper form and hand placement. More advanced student classes focus on hand twirls, rolls and tosses and a variety of catches and releases are introduced.