Ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop for the young dancer is taught in a fostering environment making dance a fun experience. These classes introduce students to the basic fundamentals of dance, including locomotive movements (hopping, skipping, jumping), musical rhythm and counting, stretching exercises, coordination skills, left and right discrimination and patterns of movement. In addition to these physical concepts are the developmental concepts of self-awareness, creative expression, teamwork, and self-confidence. Students will learn the basics of classroom behavior and manners starting on day one.

All styles of dance for this age group and level are geared to prepare students for the Passion Program. Students will focus on proper classroom behavior, begin to test their memories, be accountable for simple technical corrections, be challenged with longer and more intricate combinations, and practice to master basic dance steps and skills. Students will be invited into the Passion Program based on their achievement of these skills as well as their displayed work ethic.

Classical ballet is the foundation to all other dance forms and should be regarded as such. Core strength, body alignment and control, flexibility and extension, and classical terminology will be taught in each class through movement of Vagonava and Chiceti ballet structures. Students in level 3 and 4 are required to take ballet twice a week. Class time will be filled with barre work, center work and progressions across the floor.

Pointe work is an extension of ballet for advanced students. Dancers will practice dancing through their feet and onto their toes in a variety of barre and center exercises. Students must have director approval to begin pointe because it is not appropriate for the weak and/or underdeveloped ankle or for students with unprepared technique.

Jazz classes will be filled with a variety of styles including upbeat pop style, theatrical, stylized and smooth, showy, lyrical etc. No matter which style we are focusing on… class will be technical, vigorous and infused with passionate movement. Class time will be filled with a warm up, technical skill work, progressions across the floor and unique choreographed combinations.

Lyrical is a combination of ballet and jazz created to tell a story or share a feeling through movement. Lyrical combinations will be emotional, gripping and delicate all at the same time. Class time will be filled with flexibility exercises, turn variations and transfixing/expressive choreography meant to act as a release for students who will be literally dancing their hearts out.

Modern class is challenging and stylistic. Movements are based on strength, expression and the un-ordinary. Dancers must be willing to try new movements and appreciate the artistry of unique choreography. Dancers should have a strong grasp on their technique and be prepared to let their emotions flow through poses the body is not accustomed to. Class time will be filled with Lester Horton warm up technique, strength exercises, and passionate choreography created on the spot by the instructor.

Students will pop and lock and flow freely through the beats of the latest hip hop music. Dancers will learn tricks and the universal dance moves being performed around the country. Choreography will be athletic, energetic, intricate, animated and passionate. Hip Hop is all about style and choreography. Dancing full out in hip hop class is sure to be a highlight of the students’ week based on the creative style of movement shared. Class time will include an upbeat warm up, strength exercises, freestyle practice and exciting combinations.

Students in tap class will literally make music with their feet. Dancers will train using all parts of the foot to create the many sounds of tap, practice rhythm and timing, increase speed of movement and beats per second as they progress through each level and express passion through their feet. Class time will consist of warm up for the feet, time step practice, technical footwork at various speeds and original choreography either to music or without it.

This is a fast paced class designed for extra practice and correction on turns and leaps introduced in technique classes per level. This class is most beneficial if taking with a jazz technique class prior to it. Please make sure you are stretched and warm prior to class.

Master Classes will be taught by various instructors inside the studio and outside and in a variety of styles. These will be offered to all students in the Passion Program as well as non-students as an optional event on scheduled Friday evenings. Students may choose which master classes they wish to attend and show up without registering ahead of time. These classes are meant to be FUN and exciting. Versatility is important and students are encouraged to dabble in different styles of dance and with different teachers. This is a great way to do that and to let loose for an evening! Master Classes offered may include but are not limited to Broadway, Salsa, Music Video, Country Line Dance, Ballroom, Swing, Battle Hip Hop, Choreography, etc.

It is important for students to be prepared for class at all times. Students must stick to the following dress code or they will be asked to sit out of class.

For all Levels:

• Hair must be in a tight bun for “ballet” days and pulled back for other class days
• No jewelry other than small stud earrings
• No underwear showing, nude under garments and sport bras are ok
• Young dancers must be out of diapers and pull ups
• No t-shirts and no baggy clothing for any class other than hip hop
• Young dancers should tuck ties inside their shoes
• Ballet and pointe shoes MUST have elastics and ribbons sewn on

Prep Program:

• Ballet – Pink or black leotard, pink tights, pink leather ballet shoes
• Tap – Pink or black leotard, pink/black/tan tights, black tap shoes
• Jazz – Pink or black leotard, pink/black/tan tights, black jazz shoes, black jazz pants or shorts ok
• Hip Hop - Any leotard, pants or shorts, hip hop sneakers or jazz shoes

Passion Program:

• Ballet – Black leotard, pink tights, pink canvas ballet shoes, no skirts, hair in a tight bun
• Pointe – Black leotard, pink pointe shoes, no skirts, hair in a tight bun
• Lyrical – Black leotard, pink tights, tan split sole soft shoes, skirt or shorts ok, hair in a tight bun
• Modern – Black leotard, pink/black/tan convertible or footless tights, bare feet
• Tap – Black leotard, pink/black/tan tights, shorts or Capri pants ok
• Jazz – Black leotard, pink/black/tan tights, tan/black soft jazz shoes, shorts/pants ok, camisole tank top ok, hair pulled back
• Turns and leaps - Black leotard, pink/black/tan tights, tan/black soft jazz shoes, shorts/pants ok, camisole tank top ok, hair pulled back

To meet the needs of all different types of dancers, the Passion Dance Project is split into two different programs. Please refer to the following guidelines to better understand our levels of progression and see where you fit best!

• Dancers should enroll in the appropriate level matching their age. If instructors feel a student excels enough to be challenged in a higher level more quickly exceptions will be made but this is a rare occurrence.
• When students are ready to “graduate” from the Prep Program they will be invited into the Passion Program by instructors. This will only happen when students have mastered basic technical skills and have proven to have the ability to hold attention during class, apply corrections and work hard.

• Dancers will be invited by instructors into higher levels and should never try to register for a harder class on their own.
• Age has no bearing on placement into levels in the Passion Program.

Students should plan to remain in their level an entire dance year and will most likely be moved up before the January session of the following year if they are ready.

Most students will dance in each level between 2 and 3 years but some will move more quickly and some will move more slowly.