Pre-Dance Program
For many parents, finding the appropriate environment for their young child can be quite a challenge. Assortments of questions come into play when tackling such a difficult decision. Is this the best time for my child to begin stepping away from the home? Is this new environment safe and productive for my child?
The pre-dance program at Rhythmic Sky Studios is structured to accommodate all of a young dancers needs and desires. The first and foremost concern on most parents’ minds is whether or not it is time to begin enrolling their child in extra-curricular activities. For many children, their experience at Rhythmic Sky Studios will be their first structured group activity outside of the home.
We believe that the age of three is the optimal time to begin their dance training. At this age, they are conversational and primed to absorb information. Many of our students quickly grow accustomed to the class routines, and most even go home and play teacher. We have had many parents walk into our classes before the session begins and tell us that their family spent the evening playing dance class with their three-year-old serving as “Miss Stefanya” or “Miss Katie”. For most children, the studio quickly becomes a second home.
The greatest concern for parents is whether or not the environment is safe and productive. The preschool program at Rhythmic Sky Studios is a perfect introduction to the school atmosphere. They learn to follow basic classroom procedures from the moment they step into the first class. For example, the students learn the importance of standing in lines, taking turns and asking permission. If students need to use the restroom, they must raise their hands and be accompanied by a teacher or parent.
A typical pre-dance class has very little down-time. The classes are designed to squeeze the most information into the allotted amount of time. A preschool combination class includes pre-ballet/pre-tap and some creative movement. The class is 60 minutes in length. Our Acrobatics I class is a 45 minute class and includes tumbling on mats and some creative movement.
Most classes begin with pre-ballet students not only learning basic of all dance movements, but large and small motor skills as well. The child inadvertently learns the fundamentals of rhythm and timing within their tap classes and larger coordination in tumbling. What makes the class most interesting is that at RSS we’ve masked our technique by using fun phrases and upbeat music while still expressing the correct terminology. Many steps are described, or taught in such a way that the child utilizes commonplace ideas to remember classic positions and terms.
The preschool ballet includes a mixture of creative movement and classical technique. Ballet class includes everything from walking on the balls of their feet (never their toes) to develop leg and foot muscles to bending their knees to establish flexibility and control. One of the most popular exercises for the young preschooler is "Story Time" where they have to make their way through the forest encountering creatures that will not allow them to pass until they perform certain dance movements. At the end they must rescue the princess from the top of the tower. This allows the ballet technique to be creative and exciting.
Overall, the preschool experience at Rhythmic Sky Studios is truly unique. The combination structure caters to developing a holistic approach to dancing. In essence, we strive to establish the total dancer – one who is versatile and knowledgeable in many different styles. Moreover, our program creates polite and graceful young people equipped to handle any environment.
Ballet
Ballet is the foundation of dance; every dance form uses ballet positions and vocabular. It is imperative for all dancers and aspiring dancers to know ballet technique and terminology. Ballet is not a supplement for any other dance forms, it is the substance. If Dance were a language, ballet would be the letters that form the words. Ballet is best known for dancers with “stream-lined” bodies in Pointe shoes, with high extensions, dancing precise, graceful, ethereal movements. But don’t let that intimidate or discourage you; Ballet is for dancers at any age, with every body type, at every level of dance knowledge. It promotes the development of flexibility, long lean muscles and strength.
Beginning Levels are for ages 6 and up. Technique, choreography, and terminology are taught at this entry level. Conditioning and flexibility training, and theatre are introduced. Positions for the feet, arms and body are introduced and reinforced. This class will follow an actual format of an actual ballet class to include basic barre exercise and center practice. Dancers will also demonstrate skills and combinations traveling across the floor.
Intermediate Levels are for ages 7 and up. The class continues introduction in the above through technique, choreography, theatre, terminology, conditioning and flexibility. Physical discipline, general body awareness, and control coordinating with elementary technique and terminology are necessary.
Advanced Levels ages are for 10 and up. These classes are for the developmental & continuing ballet student. Students must meet age requirements, mental and physical preparedness before being considered for developmental classes and pointe work. Regular attendance, focus & desire are also important considerations when placing students in these classes. Understanding the relationship between music, rhythm and controlled movement with proper ballet technique are necessary. New and more complex material will be taught at an accelerated pace. Student will begin to learn basic ballet history and develop a knowledge and great appreciation of the great ballets, classical music and famous dancers. The advanced levels combining skills from previous level classes and correlating steps to lengthy and complex combinations with correct technique, extensive terminology and knowledge of the art of ballet itself. A Ballet Prep class must be taken con-currently with Pointe classes.
Jazz
Jazz is the most popular dance form amongst amateur dancers. Its movements are big, exaggerated and there is typically an attitude the dancer wants to convey to the audience. Jazz emphasizes isolation, which is moving one part of the body such as the head, shoulder, or pelvis, while the rest of the body is still. It also emphasizes suspension, which is moving through a position rather than balancing. It is fast paced, so even though Jazz looks easy and fun, dancers must be in really good shape. Though both Jazz and Modern dance techniques are based on ballet, both are considered a rebellion against it.
Beginning Levels for ages 7 and up This class is designed as an introduction to basic jazz technique, focusing on basic jazz positions, turns, jumps, & leaps. Students will also learn center and locomotors progressions as well as proper stretching techniques to enhance strength & flexibility. Basic Jazz dance terminology are discussed as well as stage directions, center and across the floor techniques and short choreographed combinations.
Intermediate Levels are for ages 10 and up This is an intermediate jazz class designed to augment basic jazz training. It will continue basic skills learned in Beginning Jazz , including positions, turns, jumps, & leaps, as well as elements of dance conditioning. A strong focus on technique is incurred and will focus on the basics as well as the newest trends in the dance arts. For the serious dancer, it is strongly recommended, but not required, to take a ballet class to complement jazz training. While some students have no prior dance training, others will have several years of experience in ballet.
Advanced Levels are for ages of 12 and up This class will continue to cover jazz fundamentals , but will be taught at an advanced level. Students will improve within their own ability levels through center work & progressions.
All levels of advanced classes are tailored to the serious dancer. Students will focus on dance conditioning and alignment while improving their overall jazz technique. All concepts of jazz will be explored including Concert Jazz, Theater Jazz and Contemporary Jazz. It is highly recommended that Advance Jazz students are participating in a ballet class to ensure the best well-rounded dance training possible.
Tap
Tap Dance started during the 19th century, and is a uniquely American dance form. Tap flourished in the U.S. form 1900 to 1955, when it was the main dance style performed on Vaudeville and Broadway. Vaudeville was inexpensive entertainment before television and it employed droves of skilled tap dancers. The name “Tap Dance” comes from the tapping sounds made when the metal plates on the dancer’s shoes touch the hard floor. This lively rhythmic tapping makes the performer not just a dancer, but also a percussive musician. Some of the greatest hoofers include: Fred Astaire, Donald O’Connor, Anne Miller, Eleanor Powell, Gene Kelly, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, and Gregory Hines. There’s something undeniably energizing and liberating about this great Americana style of dance. Beginning Levels for ages 9 and up The beginning tap level is for students with less than 3 years consecutive tap training. This class with multiple ability levels will focus on tap fundamentals including basic tap steps, cramp rolls, center and across the floor work . Tap dancers make frequent use of syncopation. Choreography typically starts on the eighth or first beat count. Another aspect of tap dancing is improvisation. This can either be done with music and follow the beats provided or without musical accompaniment, otherwise known as a capella dance.
Intermediate Levels for ages 9 and up. Once again this class with multiple ability levels will focus on tap fundamentals including basic and intermediate tap steps, wings, cramp rolls, & pull backs. Students will progress according to their own prior training and ability and will build onto solid basic tap skills. More advanced students will be given more advanced progressions to suit their skill levels.
Advance Levels for ages 12 and up. This class with multiple ability levels will focus on tap fundamentals including intermediate and advanced tap steps, wings, cramp rolls, pickups & pull backs. Students will progress according to their own prior training and ability. More advanced students will be given more advanced progressions to suit their skill levels.
Hip Hop
Hip-Hop refers to dance styles primarily danced to Hip-Hop music, or dance that evolved out of the Hip-Hop culture. Because of how it was formed and how it’s being practiced, it is considered a street dance. This means, with or without a formal dance background, whether or not you’ve had the resources to have been dancing since you were four, you can dance this style! Today, many classes practice elements of various Hip-Hop dances, often mixing them with more structured dance styles such as Jazz. Being such a broad genre, it gives students room to interpret the movements in various ways. Although Hip-Hop classes are fast-paced and challenging, it allows each dancer to emphasize their creative rhythmic talents. Hip Hop dance is a popular form of jazz dance that incorporates street style dance with choreographed expression. It does not follow the technical jazz curriculum that you see in the Broadway style of jazz where progressive technical skills are practiced. Hip Hop is the style that you see in the pop music videos. Hip Hop performance choreography at Rhythmic Sky Studios is kept to a policy standard that assures conservative movement that is appropriate to all audiences.
Beginning Levels for ages 11 and up. This high energy dance class will introduce students to the basics of hip hop, including the latest hip hop trends & break dancing moves which prepare them for more advanced hip hop training. All movement will be modest & age appropriate. All music will be free of questionable lyrics.
Intermediate Levels for ages 12 and up. Past hip hop experience is great, but even beginners will have a blast in this fast paced, high energy dance class which introduces basic hip hop, the latest trends, & exciting break-dancing moves. Dance conditioning will be introduced to strengthen the body for more advanced hip-hip training. All movement will be modest & age appropriate. All music will be free of questionable lyrics.
Advance Levels for ages 13 and up. Designed for the advanced dancer, this high energy dance class will go more in depth with hip-hop training, including the latest dance trends and break-dancing moves. This class is great for the student who just wants to come & get funky as well as the serious dancer looking to improve their hip hop skills. All movement will be modest & age appropriate. All music will be free of questionable lyrics.
Lyrical
Lyrical dance is a fusion of ballet and jazz techniques. Lyrical challenges choreographers and dancers to use connecting and flowing movements to interpret music and express inner emotions. This emotional expression is a critical element in Lyrical dance. Its lines are on a central axis, but often use tilts, arches, spirals, and curves as an aesthetic addition. When running, dancers lead with toes and connect with the floor with a light, airy quality. This dynamic dance form allows dancers expand their knowledge of ballet and jazz techniques, while challenging them to express their emotions and tell the music’s story.
Beginning Levels are for ages 7 and up. Intermediate II is for ages 9 and up. The class continues introduction in the above through technique, choreography, expression, awareness of breath in the body and musicality. Physical discipline, general body awareness, and control coordinating with elementary technique and terminology are necessary. All students will be placed by recommendation of their instructor.
Advanced Levels ages are for 11 and up. These classes are for the developmental & the continuing lyrical student. Students must meet age requirements, mental and physical preparedness before being considered for advanced lyrical classes. Regular attendance, focus & desire are also important considerations when placing students in these classes. Understanding the relationship between music and expression, the controlled movement with proper ballet and jazz technique are necessary. New and more complex material will be taught at an accelerated pace. The advanced levels combining skills from previous level classes and correlating steps to lengthy and complex combinations with correct technique, extensive terminology and knowledge of the art of dance itself. Technique, choreography, and terminology are taught at this entry level. Conditioning and flexibility training, and musicality are introduced. This class combines the strength of jazz with the concept of turn out used in ballet technique. Dancers must be enrolled in ballet training con-current with the lyrical class. Included are basic barre exercises and center practice. Dancers will also demonstrate skills and combinations traveling across the floor.