DANCE CLASSES

Ballet

Ballet is a performance based dance form that requires grace, control, alignment, precision and elegance. Ballet originated during the Italian Renaissance and later developed into a concert dance form in France and Russia. It has since become a widespread and highly technical style with its own vocabulary of set movements. Ballet has been influential globally and has defined the foundational techniques that are utilized in several genres of performance based dance.

Pointe

Pointe technique is the part of Classical Ballet in which a Ballet dancer supports their body weight on the tips of fully extended feet and toes within pointe shoes. Pointe technique was created from a desire for dancers to appear weightless and offer an ethereal aesthetic. Extensive discipline and training is required to develop the proper strength and control necessary for safe and effective pointe work.

Pointe technique is the part of Classical Ballet in which a Ballet dancer fully supports their body weight on the tips of fully extended feet and toes within pointe shoes. Pointe technique was created from a desire for dancers to appear weightless and to offer an ethereal aesthetic. Extensive training and practice is required to develop the proper strength, control and technique necessary for safe and effective pointe work.

Tap

Tap is a dance form that originated in the United States in the early 19th Century. In prior centuries, Africans used drumming for communication, including for slave revolts. When Slave Laws in the 1740s prohibited drums in an attempt to stamp out rebellion, enslaved Africans further developed percussive dancing and footwork as a substitute to maintain their cultural identities. Tap then became a fusion of several other ethnic percussive dances including West African Sacred & Secular Steps combined with Scottish, Irish, English Clogging & Jigs. There are multiple styles within Tap as it continues to evolve, but is best described as dancers who wear shoes fitted with heel and toe taps creating audible sounds by striking a hard surface. Tap is the closest form of dance to playing an instrument, making it extremely musical, improvisational, rhythmical and fun!

Jazz

Jazz dance is rooted in African traditions of music and dance that were brought to the Americas during slavetrade. Dances such as the Cakewalk and Pattin’ Juba were performed on plantations which laid the groundwork for Jazz Technique as we know it today. Drumming, Jazz Music, Rhythm & Blues, along with Spirituals, Marches and Ragtime music all had a large influence on Jazz dance. In the 1920’s, club attendees would accent the rhythms through different isolations and movements in their body and dance trends emerged such as the Jitterbug, Charleston, Swing and Boogie Woogie. Jazz dance began to fuse with classical European Ballet and became a technique that was studied in studios rather than solely executed socially. As American culture shifts, so does Jazz. There are several techniques and branches of Jazz dance including Vernacular, Broadway, Commercial, Street, Modern and so much more! Each brings a new life and energy to the original core traditions & roots. Performative elements of Jazz dance include energy, power, passion, style, texture, personality and confidence.

Contemporary

Contemporary is the outgrowth and evolution of Modern dance. Modern was developed in the 20th Century thanks to dance pioneers Isadora Duncan, Loie Fuller, Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn. Considered an act of social rebellion at the time, these Modern pioneers rejected the rigid techniques, requirements and constructs of Ballet. They embraced the human body’s natural shape through freedom of expression, dancing barefoot and integrating more fluid forms of movement. Contemporary dance gathers from dance styles all over the world and is limitless in its ability to creatively explore. Contemporary may utilize, but is not limited to fixed techniques. Instead, Contemporary strives to produce new dynamics involving oppositional resistance, weight shifting, off-center alignment, contract and release, fall and recovery, systematic breathing, raw expression of emotions, partnering, improvisation and extensive floor work. Contemporary dance continues to thrive through experimentation and will consistently surprise, expand, transcend and push the limits of the human mind, body and soul.

Hip Hop

Hip Hop Dance is a style of movement characterized by bounces, rocks and social dances executed to Hip Hop music. It has deep historical roots in African American & Latino culture having emerged from those communities living in New York City during the 1970’s. While frequently referred to as a singular dance style, Hip Hop dance is part of an entire culture that includes DJing, Graffiti, MCing and Breaking. Knowledge is the characteristic that connects all of these elements together. “Knowledge of self” refers to the Afro-diasporic mix of political and spiritual consciousness designed to empower members of oppressed groups through igniting social change. “Hip” = present, “Hop”= action. Hip Hop was a movement created by the people, for the people that still serves its original purpose today. It is highly energetic and an infectious style to witness and participate in. Hip Hop continues to evolve while inspiring and amplifying freestylers and choreographers, elevating minority communities and positively impacting lives around the globe.

Breaking

Breaking, born in the early 1970’s in New York City, was the first form of Hip Hop dance. DJ Kool Herc was a Jamaican born DJ who noticed that the dancers at the clubs enjoyed the music most during the instrumental “break” in the songs. He then repetitively zeroed in on the fundamental vibrating loop at the heart of the record. Despite the negativity in the South Bronx during that time, Hip Hop was created as an outlet for individuals to rise above their environment and create a healthy form of release. Debates were settled through dance battles rather than physical fights. Instead of violence and utilization of substances, Bboys and Bgirls redirected their energy to values like originality, creativity, identity, respect and community. Breaking began with Toprock and Footwork and later transitioned to more movements oriented on the floor involving Freezes, Downrock, Threading, Power Moves and more. It is a combination of martial arts, gymnastics and several dance styles derived from multiple cultures forming one of the world’s most exhilarating, athletic, explosive and dynamic freestyle dance forms to exist.

House

House is a style of dance that originated in the late 70’s & early 80’s from underground clubs in Chicago & New York. The genre was influenced by several cultures & styles of movement including Tap, African, Latin, Hip Hop, Martial Arts and flavors from the LGBTQ community. House dance provided a safe space of inclusion for individuals with a variety of backgrounds, sexual preferences and identities. During this time, it was an outlet imperative for survival. House cultivated connection, community, well-being and freedom as the outside world raged with violence and prejudice. House represents the unity of all people and is rooted in love, acceptance, release, spirituality and authentic expression of the music. House is best recognized by the “jack” or constant groove in the body while simultaneously maintaining detailed footwork patterns that compliment the upbeat tempo of House music.

Jazz Funk

Jazz Funk, also known as “street jazz,” combines Hip Hop foundation with the extended lines, isolations, poses and body angles of traditional Jazz. Jazz Funk is executed to Pop music, is typically lyrically driven and is widely showcased in music videos, on TV, in films and on commercial stages around the world.

Acro

Acrobatic traditions can be traced back to thousands of years ago in cultures such as Ancient China, Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece. Tumbling, one of the many aspects of Acro, was performed throughout medieval times in circuses and theaters before ever becoming a competitive sport. Acro establishes a strong mind and body connection through discipline and concentration. Dancers focus on developing flexibility, strength, balance, coordination and muscle control in order to create beautiful lines and advanced shapes with their bodies. It is the bridge (no pun intended) between classical dance technique and gymnastics. Dancers train in Acro to explore how these elements can be applied to enhance other dance forms.

Mondays

Studio 1: Evening
4:00-5:00 PM Pre-Pro Acro
5:00-6:15 PM Pre-Pro Ballet
6:15-7:30 PM Pre-Pro Jazz 
7:30-9:00 PM Pre-Pro Rehearsal

Studio 2: Evening
4:00-4:30 PM Tots Hip Hop
4:30-5:00 PM Tots Contemporary
5:00-6:00 PM Tots/Mini Acro
6:00-6:45 PM Mini Contemporary
6:45-7:30 PM Mini Hip Hop
7:30-8:30 PM Mini Hip Hop & Contemporary Rehearsal

Tuesdays 

Studio 1: Morning
9:00-2:00 PM Junction II + Junction Dance Co 

Studio 2: Morning
9:00-10:00 AM Tots Hip Hop/Tap Combo Class
10:00-10:45 AM Tiny Dancer/Tots Tumbling
10:45-11:45 AM Tiny Dancer Hip Hop/Tap Combo Class
11:45-12:15 PM Dance With Me

Studio 1: Evening
4:00-4:45 PM Tots Breaking 
5:00-6:00 PM Pre-Pro/Adult Crew Jazz Funk
6:00-7:00 PM Pre-Pro/Adult Crew Rehearsal
7:00-8:00 PM Pre-Pro/Adult Crew Hip Hop Fundamentals
8:00-9:00 PM Pre-Pro/Adult Crew Open Session

Studio 2: Evening
4:00-4:45 PM Mini/Junior/Studio House
4:45-5:30 PM Mini/Junior/Studio Breaking<
5:30-6:45 PM Junior/Studio Ballet
6:45-8:00 PM Junior/Studio Jazz
8:00-9:00 PM Junior/Studio Jazz Rehearsal

Wednesdays

Studio 1: Morning
9:00-2:00 PM Junction II + Junction Dance Co 

Studio 2: Morning
9:00-10:00 AM Tots Ballet/Jazz Combo Class
10:00-10:45 AM Tiny Dancer/Tots Tumbling
10:45-11:45 AM Tiny Dancer Ballet/Jazz Combo Class
11:45-12:15 PM Dance With Me

Studio 1: Evening
4:00-5:15 Pre-Pro Contemporary
5:15-6:30 PM Pre-Pro Rehearsal
6:30-8:00 PM Pre-Pro Ballet
8:00-9:00 PM Pre-Pro Tap 

Studio 2: Evening

4:00-4:45 PM Junior/Studio Ballroom
4:45-5:30 PM Junior/Studio Ballroom Rehearsal
5:30-6:30 PM Junior/Studio Contemporary
6:30-7:30 PM Junior/Studio Hip Hop
7:30-9:00 PM Junior/Studio Hip Hop & Contemporary Rehearsal

Thursdays

Studio 1: Morning
9:00-2:00 PM Junction II + Junction Dance Co 

Studio 1: Evening
4:00-5:00 PM Pre-Pro/Adult Crew Hip Hop
5:00-6:00 PM Pre-Pro/Adult Crew Rehearsal6:00-7:00 PM Pre-Pro/Adult Crew House 
7:00-8:00 PM Pre-Pro/Adult Crew Breaking 
8:00-9:00 PM Pre-Pro Ballroom

Studio 2: Evening
4:00-4:30 PM Tots Jazz 
4:30-5:00 PM Tots Tap
5:00-5:30 PM Tots Ballet
5:30-6:15 PM Mini Balletv6:15-7:00 PM Mini Tap
7:00-7:45 PM Mini Jazz
7:45-8:30 PM Mini Jazz & Tap Rehearsal

Fridays

Studio 1: Morning
9:00-2:00 PM Junction II + Junction Dance Co 

Studio 1: Evening
4:00-5:00 PM Pre-Pro Ballroom 
5:00-5:45 PM Pre-Pro Ballroom Rehearsal
5:45-6:30 PM Mini Ballroom
6:30-7:15 PM Mini Ballroom Rehearsal

Studio 2: Evening
4:00-4:45 PM Junior/Studio Tap 
4:45-5:30 PM Junior/Studio Tap Rehearsal
5:30-6:30 PM Junior/Studio Ballet
6:30-7:15 PM Junior/Studio Acro
7:15-8:00 PM Mini/Junior/Studio Breaking
8:00-8:30 PM Mini/Junior/Studio Breaking Rehearsal  

Saturdays

Studio 1: Morning
9:00-10:30 AM Adult Contemporary Jazz Technique
10:30-11:30 AM Adult Contemporary
11:30-1:00 PM Adult Contemporary Rehearsal

Studio 2: Morning
9:00-10:30 AM Pre-Pro Ballet
10:30-11:00 AM Pre-Pro Pre-Pointe/Pointe
11:00-11:45 AM Pre-Pro Ballet/Pre-Pointe/Pointe Rehearsal
11:45-1:00 PM Mini/Junior/Studio Ballet/Pre-Pointe
1:00-2:00 PM PM Mini/Junior/Studio Ballet/Pre-Pointe Rehearsal