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

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

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 and Ia: 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 and Ia need only take 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. At 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. At the end of the year, dancers in Intermediate Ballet Technique will be given a baseline assessment for pointe readiness.

BALLET REQUIREMENTS: Students taking Intermediate Ballet Technique must take both classes per week.

TAP, JAZZ & CONTEMPORARY REQUIREMENT: Students taking Intermediate Tap Technique, Intermediate Jazz Technique, or Intermediate Contemporary Technique 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 I

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.

Pointe Prep I

Students will learn and practice pointe barre work with an emphasis on correct foot and body alignment, as well as study 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 improve. Exercises for all students will begin at the barre and progress to the center to master balance and increase strength.

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

Elementary, Intermediate & Advanced Pointe

Students placed in these classes are understood to be at an advanced level. Students should be disciplined, and professional, and possess the desire to dance. Each class will include more complex and difficult techniques, built 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 to progress to and remain at these levels.

REQUIREMENTS: Students in Elementary Pointe must be enrolled in both weekly classes at this level. Students in Intermediate and Advanced Pointe must be enrolled in Open Tech Pointe. Dancers may need to pancake pointe shoes for performances at the teacher’s (or company director’s) discretion; this may require dancers needing more than one pair of pointe shoes for performances.

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 Tech/Pointe, and dancers new to Variations must be assessed by Ms. Shannon. Only dancers given permission to take Variations will be enrolled. Dancers must show proficiency and keep excellent attendance in this class, as well as BOTH weekly tech/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: Open to students ages 8+.

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.

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

Whether you are new to dancing en pointe or have been for years, this special dynamic art form requires certain muscles to be very strong and provide stability as you relevé completely up onto your toes. In this 30-minute class, we will focus on strengthening your calves, ankles, and feet to allow you to spring up more easily, increase the flexibility of the ankle and foot, reduce your chance of injury, and improve articulation through pointe shoes.

NOTE: This class is designed for dancers in Pointe Prep I and above.

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 I or above. Teen Ballet students may be approved for this class based on assessment.

NOTE: All TMB Company members must take this class.

This class introduces students to a range of expressions and experiences on the classical ballet stage. Swan Lake, Coppélia, and Le Corsaire come to life as students develop their dance acting and musicality, while also strengthening their classical technique. A break from the repetition so important in ballet technique classes, this class aims to inspire, connect, and prepare younger dancers for the elite ballet levels. Skills like extensions, turns, and leaps will be refined and understood as powerful ways to tell a story, impact an audience, and feel the freedom that comes with high-quality performance.

REQUIREMENTS: Must be enrolled in Ballet Essentials I or above. This class may not be taken in place of a student’s current leveled ballet technique class; must be taken in addition to required classes.

Ages 8-18

The Community Performers are a group of young dancers who perform at events in and around our community. In this class, dancers will learn various acting skills that can be applied to their dance performances, discover the joy in public speaking, and develop their overall self-confidence.

REQUIREMENTS: Students must be enrolled in Ballet Essentials I or above AND Jazz Essentials I or above.  A non-refundable production fee of $50 will be collected at registration to assist with production costs and includes a Community Performers t-shirt to be worn at performances. Dates of performances TBA.

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.

Street Jazz is a high fusion of jazz dance and elements of hip hop. This class will focus on jazz technique partnered with the intricate styling that hip hop dance has to offer.

REQUIREMENTS: Students must be eligible for Advanced Performance I jazz or hip hop 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.