Training Core
Overview
It is important to note that although we do have an adjacent training curriculum, we are not a dance studio. Our focus is to cultivate our dancers for a successful outcome in our company and beyond. As our dancers prepare for performance opportunities and potential careers in dance, it is important that they master certain skills. To ensure that our entire company is consistently growing and equally well-rounded, they are required to take core classes necessary for their development. Therefore, dancers are trained in all genres. There is also a set rehearsal schedule where dancers review old pieces and learn new ones.
Class Descriptions
A weekly class that revisits the foundational elements of Baller, Jazz and Modern dance, focuses on proper body alignment.
Each week dancers are exposed to some of the most sought- after instructors. Classes are of various genres to create well-rounded dancers. This class is MANDATORY for all company and competition team dancers
Juniors are dancers who are between the ages of 10-11 who are preparing to ideally transition to the company. They are building and advancing on skills they have mastered as Petites
These classes are specially designed with our younger dancers in mind. It is comprised of jazz, ballet, modern, Hip Hop and flexibility.
Rehearsals
Repertoire, also known as Rep is a collection of timeless pieces that our fanbase and supporters have come to know and love.
So that our dancers are exposed to the most talented creative minds, we will hire guest artist to place choreographic works on them
Middle School
This level is used as a transition level from lower school to middle school. These students have mastered or on their way to mastering the required terminology and technique for Lower School (must have 3 years of previous dance training or take a placement test)
Students are building on the blocks that were established in previous levels. Students from this level will eventually transition to upper school
Middle School Students (Intro and Level III)
Classes will be suitable for beginner to intermediate students. This class will focus on the importance of rhythm and musicality, memorization, and strength. Students will also learn footwork and hip-hop fundamentals.
This class will build on dancer’s flexibility as well as strengthening their core while learning the fundamentals of flipping and tumbling.
Pre-pointe allow teachers to assess readiness, offering an atmosphere for proper evaluation of important skills necessary to progress to Intro Pointe. Taking this class does not guarantee a dancer to be placed on pointe.
Intro Pointe: Once a dancer has completed pre-pointe training and her teachers have assessed her readiness, there is a transitional class needed before full pointe training can begin. This is an introduction to pointe.
Upper School
Classes will be suitable for intermediate-advanced students. This class will focus on the importance of rhythm and musicality, memorization, and strength. Students will also learn footwork and hip-hop fundamentals at a faster and intricate pace.
Open Classes
Technique at the beginning level is taught through vigorous movement classes that focus on rhythm, songs, and culture as well as dance choreographies that are traditionally performed for rites of passage, courtship, and other cultural occasions. The class emphasizes community building and individual potential.
In this class, postures are practiced to align, strengthen and promote flexibility in the body. Breathing techniques and meditation are also integrated. You can expect an emphasis on simplicity, repetition, and ease of movement. Full-body relaxation and balance are the goals, as we make a full circuit of the body’s range of motion with standing postures, twists, backbends, forward folds, and hip openers.
Elite Performers Program
Our Jr. Elites are working on the skills necessary to become effective performers.
The Jr. Elite Performers Track is designated for students who have demonstrated an enhanced level of skill, enthusiasm, and dedication for the art of dance. Students are trained at a more intense pace and will perform more often to develop their overall performance quality.
These classes are designed with our performance groups in mind, but they are open to anyone who wishes to take their performance quality and dancing to another level.
Jr. Elite classes do not perform in the final production. In order to participate in the final student performance, dancers will need to take General Track Classes.
As part of our Elite Training Track, students are also able to take all General classes with no additional charge. There’s no limit on the number of classes a student may take, however, dancers must meet skill/ age requirements to participate. Private lessons (limited to one 30-minute lesson per session
The Sr. Elite Performers Track is designated for students who have demonstrated an enhanced level of skill, enthusiasm, and dedication for the art of dance. Students are trained at a more intense pace and will perform more often to develop their overall performance quality.
These classes are designed with our performance groups in mind, but they are open to anyone who wishes to take their performance quality and dancing to another level.
Elite classes do not perform in the final production. In order to participate in the final student performance, dancers will need to take General Track Classes.
As part of our Elite Training Track, students are also able to take all General classes with no additional charge. There’s no limit on the number of classes a student may take, however, dancers must meet skill/ age requirements to participate. Private lessons (limited to one 30-minute session per week)
Our Elites Summer Dance Intensive is specifically for dancers who desire to take their training to the next level. We employ highly qualified staff from various backgrounds and genres to help them accomplish their goals. This program is audition-based and is exclusive to dancers who have been training for at least 3 years.
Training groups are broken up into
- Jr.s.: Ages 7-12
- Sr.s.: Ages 12 and up