CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Dance Classes are offered in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical/contemporary, and combination classes during the school year. We also offer musical theater classes. Classes meet once a week. All classes begin with a very important warm-up and stretch. During the first half of the year, emphasis is on technique. The latter half is spent preparing a routine for the annual dance celebration performance. This routine utilizes the technique learned during the year.

Pre-dance classes are for students ages 3 through 4, Level 1 is for students ages 5-6, Level 2 classes are for students ages 7-8, Level 3 is for students ages 9-10, Level 4 is for students ages 11-12, Level 5 is for students ages 13-15, and Level 6 is for students ages 16-18. We also are offering Adult classes.

The age recommended for each level is a suggestion. However, skill level will determine final placement. Skill level will be evaluated by an instructor during the first class, and students may dance up or down a level in a class the best fits their experience level and interests. The goal is that the students will be challenged, but still enjoy the experience of learning.

PRE-DANCE CLASSES

The Dance Academy offers Pre-Dance classes. Pre-Dance classes are for students ages 3 through 4 years old.

TEEN CLASSES

Level 5 is for students ages 13-15, and Level 6 is for students ages 16-18 years old.

ADULT CLASSES

We offer Adult Classes at the The Dance Academy.

LEVEL 1 & LEVEL 2

Classes combine primary ballet and tap, or ballet and jazz for new dancers. Hip Hop and Musical theater is also offered. Level 1 is for 5-6 year olds. Level 2 is for 7-8 years old. Basic technique is emphasized. Children are prepared for future classes by learning to follow and perform combinations, while maintaining a strong focus on the enjoyment of dance

LEVEL 3, LEVEL 4, LEVEL 5 & LEVEL 6

Level 3 is for students ages 9-10, Level 4 is for students ages 11-12, Level 5 is for students ages 13-15, and Level 6 is for students ages 16-18.

OUR CLASSES

BALLET

Ballet is a theatrical art form using dancing, music, and scenery to convey a story, theme, or atmosphere.

LYRICAL/CONTEMPORARY

A style of contemporary, modern or jazz dance that has emerged from the fusion of one of those three types of dance with ballet and pop music (mainly). It combines simple choreographic vocabulary with technically difficult moves, in an expressive style that follows the lyrics of songs and is often interpreted in the short solo format.

POINTE

Pointe teaches students to learn to be able to get on a position on the extreme tips of the toes.

HIP HOP

Hip hop is a high-energy form of dance that incorporates much individuality and rhythm into the executed movements. There is a lot of room for personal style and creativity to come through in hip hop, and it is much more diverse rather than structured when compared to most other varieties of dance.

JAZZ

Jazz is a form of dance that builds on the technique of ballet but adds a more rhythmical tone and allows opportunity for personal expression and style throughout. Jazz is always evolving, but also maintains roots within the classical jazz style, technically difficult moves, in an expressive style that follows the lyrics of songs and is often interpreted in the short solo format.

STRENGTH & FLEXIBILITY

Flexibility can be improved with stretching exercises. While stretching does not increase your muscle strength, it is an important part of reducing injury risk and soreness that results from activity.

PRE-POINTE

To ensure aspiring ballerinas are ready for pointe, many schools require students to take pre-pointe, a class separate from regular ballet technique. The curriculum allows teachers ample time to help students build the strength and alignment necessary for pointe work. It also helps them assess readiness, which lessens the risk of injury once students are in their shoes.

TAP

Tap dance is a rhythmic dance done with small metal plates attached to the bottom of the dancer’s shoes that make a “tapping” sound when they touch a hard floor. Tap involves rhythmic patterns and percussion along with many technical moves.

TUMBLING

Tumbling class is the act, practice, or art of performing acrobatic tumbles, especially on a mat or on the ground.

ADAPTIVE HIP HOP FOR SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS

The Dance Academy of Puyallup is pleased to offer adaptive classes for students experiencing special needs. At this time we offer a pre-teen/teen adaptive hip hop class. We will offer a class for younger students and or in different styles based on interest. Please inquire at the desk or send an email to TDApuyallup@comcast.net to express interest in an adaptive class for your child.

Adaptive Hip Hop teach the latest hip hop moves while working on body awareness, strength flexibility, concentration, self confidence and social skills.