Dance Disciplines

Storybook Ballet
Ballet

Ballet Intensive
Jazz and Lyrical Jazz
Hip Hop
Tap
Musical Theatre
Modern/Contemporary
Move and Groove
Lets Dance
Adult Programs
Bollywood Bhangra Fusion
Storybook Ballet
Storybook ballet is a creative introduction to the world of dance for preschoolers.  Steps will be introduced using storyline, song and rhythmic movement.

Students will learn basic positions of feet and perform introductory steps including leaping, turning, galloping, and skipping.   Using seasonal and imaginative themes, storybook ballet offers an enjoyable program tailored to suit this age group.

Ballet – Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) and Open Classes
Classical ballet technique is the foundation for many other dance forms. Students will study syllabus from the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) which originates from England and is currently taught in over 50 countries worldwide. This syllabus is versatile, offering excellent training for both the professional and the recreational ballet student.

The classical ballet grades, which include free movement work and character dance, are designed to promote proper body alignment and include developmentally appropriate exercises. Grade examinations are given by RAD examiners and are held on completion of each grade’s work. Although annual examinations are not compulsory, exams give students a sense of achievement and allow an opportunity for constructive feedback. Teachers will advise students when they are ready for exams.

Intermediate to senior level students will also study open work (non syllabus) to augment exam work with further adage, allegro and advanced pointe work.  Senior level students study Variations from classical ballet’s such as Sleeping Beauty, La Bayadere, and Giselle.

Deas Island Dance also conducts a Ballet Intensive Program which offers students an opportunity to further their studies in advanced classical work.  The program will include additional daytime training for students ages 11 and upwards 2-3 afternoons per week.    Students wishing to audition for the program are asked to contact our office as well as consult their academic school to determine eligibility.

Ballet Intensive
The Ballet Intensive is a program for dance students looking to pursue serious dance studies. The Ballet Intensive program will include open ballet classes, Pointe work, repertoire and conditioning.  Pilates and Dance Conditioning will also supplement the program.  Students will gain an in-depth understanding and strengthening of their classical technique, which is the framework for other styles of dance.Although the program is not syllabus based, the training will help further technique required for Royal Academy of Dance examinations.  Students will continue to take their syllabus classes in conjunction with the ballet intensive.
Jazz and Lyrical Jazz
Jazz and Lyrical classes typically include warm-up, stretch, progressive steps including jumps and turns, jazz technique and choreography.   The essence of jazz dance is individual style, syncopation, improvisation, and expression of the music.

Jazz classes are set to popular music and will contain fast, funkier style movement contrary to lyrical which is typically a softer, more flowing style of jazz.

Hip Hop
A popular dance style which challenges both coordination, memory and endurance.  Classes will include warm up, hip hop technique and choreography.

As students advance, they learn different hip hop styles including locking, popping, housing, grooving, and breaking.

Tap
Learn to use a new instrument – your feet!  Tap is an energetic class with a strong emphasis on rhythm.  This dance form evolved from a variety of dance types including the Irish jig, various types of African dance, Spanish flamenco, and English clogging.  Tap is an enjoyable and challenging form of dance for the beginner or the accomplished dancer.
Musical Theatre
Musical Theatre classes are dance and acting based.  This class will benefit the students’ expression and performance both in class and on stage.

Students will learn dynamic choreography set to familiar Broadway tunes and will prepare a piece for our year end production.  Examples of past pieces include Seussical the Musical, Newsies, A Chorus Line, Beauty and the Beast, West Side Story, Broadway Babies, and Aladdin.

Modern/Contemporary
Modern is a free, expressive style of dance that makes use of release of body weight, contraction and release, spiral, flexibility of the limbs and spine, and joy of movement.

The students will study a variety of genres with a focus on Horton technique.  The Horton technique emphasizes a whole body, anatomical approach that includes flexibility, strength, coordination and body and spatial awareness to enable unrestricted, dramatic freedom of expression.

Ballet is  a prerequisite for the Modern program.

Move and Groove
A combination of jazz, hip hop and creative movement for boys and girls aged 4-6.
Lets Dance
Lets Dance is a movement class specifically designed to encourage students with developmental needs to believe in their potential and uniqueness through the art of dance.
Adult Programs
Adult programs generally take place in 10-week sessions including fall, winter and spring. Adult programs are offered on demand so please let the office aware if you are you are interested in a particular style or session.
Bollywood Bhangra Fusion
The class will be a mixture of Bollywood and Bhangra.  Bhangra is a very lively form of folk music and dance that originated in the Punjab region of India. While Bhangra began as a part of harvest festival celebrations, in the last 30 years it has gained widespread mainstream popularity, both in its traditional form and as a fusion with genres such as hip-hop, bollywood, house, and reggae.  Bhangra, as a dance form, exuberates high energy and impact through its graceful movements. Bhangra is danced at competitions, festivals, wedding celebrations, parties and as part of aerobic workout regimens.
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