ELITE DANCE ACADEMY
Directors
Benefits of Dance Classes for Young Children
Young children learn such skills as listening carefully and not talking while instructions are being given. They also learn to be a member of a group and to take turns. Dance classes offer the opportunity to move to a beat, increase musicality and the use of the imagination. They learn to express their feelings and emotions physically in a non-aggressive manner. Students are helped to become more familiar with their bodies and to use their bodies creatively. Dance can also offer experiences of different cultures. To this list of benefits, we must add physical flexibility, and co-ordination. Also, cardiovascular and general fitness are improved. Dance lessons are a team-building and confidence-enhancing activity.
TINY TOTS
Ages 2.5-3 years old
Creative movement and dance are a joyful and constructive way for young children to develop their physical skills, channel their energy, stimulate their imagination and promote their creativity. This class is perfect for these young children because their motor skills are being defined and refined. What better way to help them through this important phase?
RISING STARS I & II
Ballet and Tap
Ages 3.5-5 years old
An introductory course where students learn basic stretches, coordination, movement development, classroom procedures, confidence and self-expression in a fun and nurturing environment.
JAZZ
Ages 6 and up
Modifying ballet technique from turned out to parallel, jazz dance is a style performed from the core, with clean and strong lines emanating from the hips and chest. Dancers will learn all the fundamentals of jazz dance: proper technique, body isolation, grounded movement, syncopation, contractions, performance quality, and improvisation.
TAP
Ages 6 & up
In this class, children learn fundamental tap techniques using rhythmic footwork in specially equipped shoes. The benefits of tap are that it increases rhythm and motor skills and it is extremely helpful in developing musicality in dances.
LYRICAL
Ages 6.5 and up
Lyrical dance is defined as a fusion of Ballet and Jazz technique. This style of dance utilizes subtle, dynamic, and expressive emotion through movement to tell a story. It is a combination of intricate, highly technical, and pedestrian/naturalistic moves choreographed to a song about freedom, love, of releasing sad emotion, or of overcoming obstacles. A solid, ballet based technique is an essential component of this advance style of dance.
CONTEMPORARY
Ages 10 and up
Must take 2 ballet classes
Modifying ballet technique from turned out to parallel, jazz dance is a style performed from the core, with clean and strong lines emanating from the hips and chest. Dancers will learn all the fundamentals of jazz dance: proper technique, body isolation, grounded movement, syncopation, contractions, performance quality, and improvisation.
LEGS & FEET
Legs & Feet class is divided into two parts. First, in a controlled environment, dancers learn dynamic stretching and overstretching to increase leg flexibility, range of motion, and injury prevention to be able to perform leg extensions and tricks. Second is the strengthening of feet and ankles to develop pointed feet, elevated arches, strong ankles, and proper alignment of the metatarsals and heels to ensure correct balance, finished lines, and injury prevention.
HIP-HOP
Ages 5 and up
Hip Hop is fun, high energy class for all ages. Our instructor infuses different styles of street dancing, breaking, popping, locking, as well as confidence building. These classes’ help students step out of their comfort zone and develop their own style.
JUMPS & TURNS
Jumps and Turns class is divided into two parts, First is strength training to increase muscular strength in ones core, upper and lower body to provide support to the joints for the dancer so as not to comprise alignment and to increase position stability. Second is skill development/technique to facilitate the breakdown and execution of jumps and turns, performed in ballet, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary dance.
BALLROOM
Ages 10 and up
Ballroom dancing is a captivating form of dance in which dancers gracefully navigate step-patterns, synchronizing their movements to the rhythm of the music while expressing its unique qualities. This exquisite art encompasses two distinct styles: Smooth, also known as Standard, and Rhythm, commonly referred to as Latin. The Smooth or Standard style emphasizes the enchanting allure of elegant and fluid movements.
ADULT CLASSES
Adult Classes – Ballet, Tap & Hip Hop
BALLET
Our young students progress through the study of classical ballet beginning with Pre-Ballet through Ballet Levels 1-8. Their training incorporates a syllabus rich in Italian, French, and Russian influence. Students learn the French names, meanings, and the precise technique for each movement. To further expand our students’ classical ballet education, they perform a suite of dances from some of the best known classical ballets during the spring and The Nutcracker annually.
Please visit our ballet program page to learn more