Dance Explosion School of Performing Arts

Middle and High School Levels 5 and 6

(Ages 11 and Up)

 

Our middle and high school levels of dance classes are for dancers in 6th-12th grade either continuing dance from our elementary or middle school levels, or are new or returning dancers. These dancers are able to receive training in multiple styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical (optional), pointe and prepointe (by invitation only) and acrobatics class (optional). Dancers are broadening comprehension and perfecting their prior known skills in the given styles of dance. Classes vary in times between an hour, an hour and a half and two hours. If a class is a combination class, it will be divided into ballet, tap and jazz. However, if the instructor has a goal in a specific area of training, they may spend more time on a specific area and shorten another area's time frame or only work two of the three areas if this occurs. Pointe/Pre-pointe, lyrical, and acrobatics classes are all an hour long and follow a separate schedule from the combination classes.

Beginning June 2016, our Middle/High program will be divided into Level 5 (Beginning/Intermediate Level) and Level 6 (Intermediate/Advanced Level)

 

About the Ballet and Pointe Curriculum:
Our dancers are exposed to the ABT (American Ballet Theater) Level 3 Training Curriculum as well as the Balanchine understandings and development for pointework. The dancers are learning the importance of correct body alignment in classical ballet training as well as articulation of movements, positions and beginnings of incorporating the usage of the head with porte de bras and comprehension of vocabulary, directional pathways, and maximizing turnout. The dancers will work barre work, adagio, center work, as well as across the floor work pirouette and grande allegro work. Pre-pointe students (by invitation only)  will work pointe class on flat for 6-8 months before gaining pointe shoes and then must work 6 months strictly at the barre. After the 6  months of training pointe dancers are welcome to work in center. If they have not reached the 6 months on pointe, they must take their shoes off after barrework and continue flat. After 6 months of prepointe work, pointe dancers are welcome to perform the entire class en pointe. This is for injury prevention and bone growth and development of the feet and ankles. All of these tools combined together will aid in their summer and fall technique growth and can also be seen in their end of the year recital as well.

 

About the Tap Curriculum:
Our dancers are exposed to two different styles of tap. These include Broadway show tap as well as rhythm tap/hoofing. The dancers are learning the importance of hearing rhythms as well as the snare vs. bass usage of the tap shoe to enhance new tap steps. The beginnings of hoofing and rhythm are combined with the Broadway show tap to create Ms. Melanie's unique presentation of tap created by her tap instructor of 10 years; Jared Grimes. The dancers at this stage are working quick footwork and hearing the quick odd ends sounds to give the ability to convert to all tempos heard within a song. This allows the diversity and development for comprehension of the relaxation of the ankle to create new or enhanced tap steps.

 

About the Jazz Curriculum:

Our dancers are exposed to multiple jazz styles. These styles have been influenced by multiple choreographers of both the east and west coast training. The jazz includes a west-coast flavor of what our kids like to call "sassy" included with our technical high energy nature of  jazz! Our kids are also incorporating their ballet technique to demonstrate their jazz to show not only energy, but articulation, as well as an ability to adapt to both quicker and slower jazz styles demonstrating versatility. The dancers will also perfect and develop their 

THE MIDDLE AND HIGH LEVELS DRESS CODE:

Ballet Class and Pointe Class:

Leotard (any color) and pink or tan tights. 

Shoes needed: Pink ballet shoes. If working on pointe, the brand and shoe will be decided by the instructor based on the dancer's foot shape.

Jazz Class and Tap Class:

Leotard (any color) and pink or tan tights with booty shorts or leggings OR sports bra or tank top and booty shorts or leggings

Shoes needed: Black oxford lace up tap shoes and black or tan jazz shoes (either lace up jazz shoes or slip ons)

Lyrical and Acro Class:

Leotard (any color) and pink or tan tights with booty shorts or leggings OR sports bra or tank top and booty shorts or leggings

Shoes needed: For Acro; Bare Feet. For Lyrical; Bare feet, Jazz shoes, or lyrical half shoes or foot paws/ foot undeez.

 

Hair: Out of the face. If your child has shorter hair, either pull the bangs back and clip them back or half-up, half down. If your child has longer hair either a ponytail, braid, or bun.