Intro to Dance [Suggested Ages: 3-5 – must be potty-trained; not enrolled in Kindergarten]

In this fun and exciting class, dancers will march, gallop and roll; jump, twirl, wiggle and giggle while using their minds to go on exciting adventures. Fine and gross motor skills are developed through class dances, props, and fun creative movement. The dancers will learn basic tap steps, which is a wonderful activity to nurture a sense of rhythm and timing. We introduce and teach basic ballet positions and movements. A portion of this preschool class also allows the dancers to be able to freely experience their own moving body and find joy in dancing. This preschool dance class is a wonderful introduction for the young student to a basic classroom structure in a fun and nurturing environment.

Kinder-Combo [Suggested Ages: 5-6, enrolled in Kindergarten]

In this class, dancers are introduced to more formal dance technique. We will lay the foundation for correct, safe and successful dancing in years to follow. Students will expand on the basic steps and terminology from the Intro to Dance level and will continue to explore their own creative movement in a safe, positive environment. Along with the introduction of more skills and techniques, instructors continue to foster creativity and imagination in class through movement and imagination. This class will focus on ballet and tap techniques and periodically introduce dancers to jazz technique (at the instructor’s discretion).

Suggested Ages for Fundamentals I: 6-9 and Fundamentals II: 7-10
Students may choose Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary and/or Hip Hop

Ballet Fundamentals

This class will cover the fundamentals of classical ballet technique. It is a more formal setting that will give students the discipline to mature as dancers. The importance of strength, flexibility, rhythm, musicality, and memorization will be stressed.

Tap Fundamentals

This upbeat class covers the basics of tap while also teaching musicality and rhythm. Try tap fundamentals for fun and fitness.

Jazz Fundamentals

This energetic and fun class introduces jazz dance to the younger student. Dancers will combine technique fundamentals with the upbeat aesthetic of jazz dance and work in the center and across the floor to learn stretching, rhythm, and movement coordination.

Hip Hop Fundamentals [2022-23 — Combined I & II]

This high-energy class teaches rhythm, coordination, and balance through age-appropriate movements set to fun upbeat music. Hip Hop instills rhythm and helps young dancers develop muscle memory. This style is upbeat and great for girls and boys who like to move! In all hip hop levels, teachers may choose to introduce level-appropriate hip hop tricks.

Contemporary Fundamentals [2022-23 — Combined I & II]

This class blends elements of Lyrical and Modern dance, such as freedom of expression, interpretation of music, principles of fall and recovery, control, breathing, balance and contraction/release. Contemporary dance allows students to explore their individual dance styles outside of the structure of traditional ballet and jazz classes.

CONTEMPORARY REQUIREMENT: Students must be enrolled in Ballet Fundamentals II or above to take this class.

Suggested Ages for Essentials I: 8-11 and Essentials II: 9-12
Students may choose Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary and/or Hip Hop.

In these classes, students will gain a more complete understanding of technique. Emphasis will be placed on proper technique, alignment, and increasing strength and flexibility. Students are expected to have prior experience in these genres and be more self-disciplined. In all hip hop levels, teachers may choose to introduce level-appropriate hip hop tricks.

BALLET REQUIREMENTS: Students taking Ballet Essentials I may take both classes per week OR choose to take only one class per week. Students taking Ballet Essentials II must take both classes per week.

CONTEMPORARY REQUIREMENT: Students must be enrolled in a ballet class.

Students are placed in these levels based on teacher evaluations.
Students may choose Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary and/or Hip Hop.

In these classes, students will take the skills learned in Essentials Levels I & II and build upon them to strengthen their precision and ability. Students will advance to more difficult skills and utilize both barre and center floor work to improve their technique. In all hip hop levels, teachers may choose to introduce level-appropriate hip hop tricks. Dancers must show proficiency as well as keep excellent attendance to progress to, and remain in, these levels.

BALLET REQUIREMENTS: Students taking Int Ballet Tech must take both classes per week.

TAP, JAZZ & CONTEMPORARY REQUIREMENT: Students taking Int Tap Tech, Int Jazz Tech, or Int Contemporary Tech must be enrolled in a ballet class.

Suggested ages: 12+

This unique class is designed for the older beginning student with little or no experience in ballet and contemporary training. Dancers are introduced to the history and concepts of classical ballet. Barre work incorporates learning and mastering ballet alignment, core strength, muscle strength and stamina, flexibility, and working with music. The instructor will blend elements of Lyrical and Modern dance such as freedom of expression, interpretation of music, principles of fall and recovery, control, breathing, balance, and contraction/release. Contemporary ballet allows students to explore their individual dance styles outside of the structure of traditional ballet classes.

Students are placed in these levels based on teacher evaluations.

Students may choose from Tap, Jazz, Contemporary and/or Hip Hop.

In these classes, students will work to perfect skills already learned, as well as build off prior knowledge and ability to develop the precision and accuracy needed for a more difficult skill set. Students will also work on advanced skill combinations, as well as multiple turn combinations and styles. In all hip hop levels, teachers may choose to introduce level-appropriate hip hop tricks.

Students should master Intermediate Tech levels in order to progress to these levels. Dancers must show proficiency as well as keep excellent attendance to progress to, and remain in, these levels.

REQUIREMENTS: Students taking Advanced, Tap, Jazz or Contemporary Performance I, II, and/or III must be enrolled in a ballet class.

Students are placed in these levels based on teacher evaluations.

iDance instructors guarantee a slow, thorough, and careful approach when teaching Pointe to ensure a safe and solid foundation that will help students to be in control and at ease when dancing en pointe.

Pointe Prep

This class is created for students who want to transition to a higher level of ballet (pointe shoes). More difficult technique will be introduced with an emphasis on strength needed to safely transition to pointe shoes.

REQUIREMENTS: Students must be enrolled in both weekly classes at this level.

Elementary Pointe

Students will be placed in these classes by teacher recommendation only. Students will learn and practice pointe barre work with emphasis on correct foot and body alignment, as well as study of the proper technique for the execution of more difficult steps. These Pointe students will execute some exercises on demi-pointe and some on pointe, progressing to more exercises on pointe as their strength and technique improves. Exercises for all students will begin at the barre and progress to the center in order to master balance and increase strength.

REQUIREMENTS: Students must be enrolled in both weekly classes at this level.

Intermediate & Advanced Pointe

Students will be placed in these classes by teacher recommendation only. Students placed in these classes are understood to be at an advanced level. Students should be disciplined, professional, and possess the desire to dance. Each class will include more complex and difficult technique, building on the skills mastered in the previous level. Advanced pointe work will be emphasized, and dancers must show proficiency as well as keep excellent attendance in order to progress to and remain in these levels.

REQUIREMENTS: Students must be enrolled in both weekly classes at this level.

Open Tech/Pointe

This class is a co-requisite for all students enrolled in Intermediate and Advanced Pointe. This 1.5-hour class is designed to stress ballet technique placement of the body, alignment of posture, and knowledge of ballet terminology.

REQUIREMENTS: Students must be enrolled in Intermediate or Advanced Pointe

VARIATIONS

Dancers will further increase their repertoire of steps, combinations, and turns by learning variations from both classical and contemporary ballets. The stamina required for this level takes a true love of ballet. The curriculum moves quickly and this class is meant for the focused and dedicated ballet dancer.

Students must have been taking pointe classes at least two times a week for two or more years and have proven themselves through hard work and a dedication to ballet.

Trainees

To ensure the safety of each dancer and maintain the integrity of this class, the instructor may designate novice students as “trainees” at his or her discretion. A trainee is held to the same class requirements (below) but is not guaranteed a performance opportunity in the Annual Showcase for this class. However, if selected for performance, a lesser costume rental fee will be assessed instead of a full costume fee for this class.

REQUIREMENTS: Students must be enrolled in Pointe, and dancers new to Variations must be assessed by Miss Shannon. Assessment opportunities are August 11 at 5:30pm during Miss Shannon’s last summer upper level Pointe class or by appointment only during our Open Registration times. Dancers must show proficiency and keep excellent attendance in this class, as well as BOTH weekly pointe classes. Failure to do so will result in immediate removal from Variations.

This class will focus on developing flexibility and strength. Students will learn basic contortion and acrobatic tricks such as front and back walkovers, scorpions, chin stands and cartwheels. Dancers who need work on their flexibility should consider adding Acro to their class schedules.

REQUIREMENTS: Students new to Acro must be assessed by Miss Valdie to determine placement. The first assessment opportunity will be at the iDance Open House on August 22.

In this class dancers will focus on training and developing a solid ballet technique with emphasis on understanding correct body placement, proper use of turn out, coordination of the upper body (epaulement), and use of arms (port de bras). This class is a necessary addition to all upper level pointe students and can be used by upper level dancers (not on pointe) as their primary ballet class.

REQUIREMENTS: Students must have progressed beyond Ballet Essentials II or above.

NOTE: This class is STRONGLY recommended for any students taking any Pointe class. All TMB Company & Apprentice members must take this class. 

In this class students will focus on strength, flexibility, stamina, and kinesthetic support necessary for correct ballet technique. While conditioning is not something one normally thinks of as necessary in ballet, it is important for enhancing and strengthening ballet training. Ballet conditioning targets technique fundamentals like the creation and maintenance of turnout, the line of the leg, articulation of the feet, flexibility, port de bras shape and stamina, and core engagement for posture. Conditioning improves much of what a student does in ballet, from the power in jumps, to the speed in petit allegro, coordination for turns, height of extensions, endurance, and balance. Conditioning can protect a dancer’s body from injury and make it strong and versatile for a long and happy dance career.

NOTE: This class is designed for Ballet Levels Essentials I through Advanced.

Character dance is an important component of training for a possible career in classical ballet. It is taught at esteemed preparatory and pre-professional ballet programs throughout the country. It is high energy, fun, and is enjoyed by both students and audiences alike!

REQUIREMENTS: Must be enrolled in Ballet Essentials II or above. Teen Ballet students may be approved for this class based on assessment.

NOTE: All TMB Company & Apprentice members must take this class.

Ages 7-18

The Community Performers are a group of young dancers ages 7-18 who train in both ballet and jazz classes at the studio. The dancers perform at events in and around our community.

REQUIREMENTS: Students must be enrolled in Ballet Essentials I or above AND Jazz Essentials I or above.

In this class students will learn specific exercises that will promote a healthy approach to stretching where each individual works within their own limitations instead of forcing the body into unhealthy places. Students will also learn strengthening exercises that will improve stamina and technique. Each body is different, and the goal of this class is to build strength and flexibility that is individualized to each student.

REQUIREMENTS: Students must be enrolled in Essentials I or above classes.

In this class dancers will “sample” a different style of dance each week! Students will work on fine-tuning their performance skills, challenging their ability to pick up choreography, and preparing for future auditions.

REQUIREMENTS: Students must be enrolled in Intermediate I or above classes.

In this class, students will work with each other on skills necessary to successfully dance with a partner; PLUS learn to break down music and “develop their ears” by working with various rhythms and patterns. This much-needed skill will help dancers with choreography, freestyle, and improv.

REQUIREMENTS: Students must be enrolled in Intermediate Tech or above.

This class is designed for middle and high school students who have a love for musical theatre and a desire to improve their tap and jazz skills. The level of difficulty in this class will be customized for the class as a whole —no more trying to “catch up” with more experienced dancers or feeling “out of place” with younger dancers.

REQUIREMENTS: Students must be in middle or high school.