Breakdown of Various Techniques

At Center for Dance Arts we believe a strong and stable foundation in Classical Ballet is the most important discipline necessary to produce a strong and versatile dancer. Ballet is the key ingredient to making every dancer perform at their best regardless of the form or dance. Therefore, our instructors are working with the Cecchetti Council of America to insure our program is able to offer such pre-professional to professional ground work.

Classes Offered

TINY TOES (Ages 2.5-4/ 45 mins.)
An introduction to ballet and creative movement for the earliest beginner. Dancers will explore the technique of ballet through creative movement while re-enforcing basic motor skills. An introduction to tap will be offered after the first part of the year.

TIPPY TOES (Ages 4-6/ 1 hour)

A ballet & tap combination class that will start the dancer in the center of the floor to encourage balance and coordination.  Dancers will be introduced to a professional ballet syllabus governed by the Cecchetti Council of America.

PRIMARY 1 (Ages 5-7/ 1.5 hours)

Dancers must have 1 or more years of prior training and/or at the highest of this age range. This is a combination class of ballet & tap with an introduction to jazz.  A professional ballet syllabus governed by the Cecchetti Council of America is used at this level.  Dancers 7+ may take “beginner level” courses in lyrical/contemporary, acro dance, hip hop and turns & leaps to supplement their training.

LEVELED COURSE WORK: (Levels 1-4)

*All Dancers enrolling in Leveled Course Work will need Instructor Evaluation and Placement Approval.
Dancers entering this level have completed all required primary work. Dancers are committed to their training and are offered 2 ballet classes a week. They may also take Level courses in tap & jazz, as well as, all supplemental classes in approved application in lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Acro-Dance, Modern & Progressions.

YOUTH HIP HOP: (Ages 6 & up)

Music video form of dance. Dancers will gain experience in movement and choreography relative to this genre. All classes begin with a warm-up that includes flexibility and conditioning, traveling movement & choreography.

TEEN HIP HOP: (Ages 10 & up)

Music video form of dance. Dancers will gain experience in movement and choreography relative to this genre. All classes begin with a warm-up that includes flexibility and conditioning, traveling movement & choreography.

ACRO DANCE: (Ages 6 & up)

Flexibility with acrobatic principles and integration of same with dance movement and choreography.  Classes offered at the Beginning, Intermediate & Advanced Levels.

CONTEMPORARY/LYRICAL: (Ages 7 & up)

Movement based on the principals of ballet and modern techniques. Dancers learn to incorporate the technical principals learned in ballet and modern into “story telling” movement with emotional expression.  Classes offered at the Beginning, Intermediate & Advanced Levels.

MODERN: (Ages 10 & up) (LEVELS 4 & 5/ INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED LEVELS)

Curriculum and teaching based from the fundamentals set for by various creators of this dance form. Dancers are instructed in movement based from the center of their bodies through natural positions and traveling principals. Dancers will experience principals of movement by such creators as Jose Limon, Alexander, Martha Graham and others.  Classes offered at Intermediate & Advanced Levels.

PROGRESSIONS: (Ages 9 & up)

Progressions is a classes built to assist in the growth of a dancer at each level.  This class will consist of a warm up combining stretch, strength & flexibility.  Dancers will focus on movement combinations that travel across the floor, focus and strengthen ability to perform “tricks” as well as basic technique.  Dancers will also work to perfect their ability to perform basic & complex turn/turn variations.

TEEN BEGINNER: (Ages 9 & up)/ LEVEL 3

A specialized program offered in Ballet, Tap and Jazz for dancers with little or no prior training. With the influence of dance in our society through media and school offered programs, our Teen Beginner program was developed with the awareness of a creating a comfortable learning environment for all “late starters” to learn and grow and art of dance.  Class Level Indicated as Level 3 on the Fall 2015-2016 Schedule.