Our Upper Division invites dancers to explore beginner through advanced technique and movement fun with ballet, tap, modern, jazz, or hip hop. These school-year long classes perform in the year-end Performance.

Our Programs

Ballet Program - Ages 8+

Ballet is a classical dance form characterized by grace, precision, and determination, performed to classical music. It is known for its formalized steps, flowing patterns, and ethereal movements. Ballet's foundational techniques, such as turnout, pointed toes, and specific body alignments, significantly influence most other dance forms and promote good physical health for dancers. Ballet also often tells a story, using expressive movements and gestures to convey emotions and narratives. At the Academy, our curriculum foundation includes aspects of the Cecchetti, Vaganova, Balanchine, and Bournonville methods of Ballet.

 

The influence of ballet extends beyond the stage, shaping the world of dance and inspiring artists across various disciplines. Moreover, ballet's physicality offers numerous benefits, promoting good posture, strength, and overall physical well-being. Whether you're a dancer or an admirer of the arts, ballet holds a timeless allure and serves as a testament to the power of human creativity and expression.

 

Ballet levels:

Dancers generally spend 2-3 years at each level, advancing from level 1 based on teachers’ recommendations. 

Ballet 1: Beginner, Ages 8-10

Ballet 2: Progressing, Ages 8-12

Ballet 3: Strengthening, Ages 10-12+

Ballet 4: Pre-pointe conditioning, Ages 12+

Ballet 5: Intermediate, Ages 12+

Ballet 6: Advanced, Ages 12+; Final level of Ballet for most dancers

Ballet 7: Pre-professional, Ages 14+; 

For students considering pursuing a career in ballet and dance, dancers at this level must be committed to attending classes for the full school year season (missing fewer than approximately 80% of classes).

 

Modern Program

What is Modern Dance?

This highly expressive dance began in the late 1800s as a reaction to the classical, structured technique of ballet. Pioneers of the art form involved more abstract, organic, free flowing movement to portray ideas and emotions, involving no footwear and less restricting costumes. Modern dance has evolved over the years as many artists and choreographers created their own unique methods and styles, but it continues to maintain the following characteristics: bare feet, more grounded movement and body contact with the floor, elements of improvisation, and a focus on breath. It is most often performed in concert and theatrical settings.

Students at the Academy of Dance Arts study a blend of Modern Dance that includes technical elements inspired by Martha Graham, Lester Horton, Jose Limon, and Paul Taylor. For 16 years, Ms. Sara trained with Dr. Melissa Hauschild-Mork, who studied, trained, and danced with Bill Evans. As a result, our modern dance curriculum largely incorporates the Evans Method of using Bartenieff Fundamentals and Laban Movement Analysis. Students follow a somatic dance approach that is academic and investigative: integrating the mind and body. Students “dance from the inside out” with a focus on how you feel when you move. Dancers learn to perform using a strong foundation of advanced kinesthetic and spatial awareness, a variety of technical elements, and improvisation tools. Ms. Sara encourages students to discover their own unique voices as dancers while also learning to work together as a group to be part of something larger than oneself. The modern dance class environment creates a safe space for dancers to challenge themselves and take artistic risks while feeling supported. 

Levels of Modern:

Modern 1: Beginner, Ages 8-10 (School Grades 2-4)

Modern 2: Intermediate, Ages 10-13 (School Grades 4-7)

Modern 3: Advanced, Ages 13+ (School Grades 7-12)

Modern 4: Pre-professional*, Ages 13+ (School Grades 7-12)

*Students in this course are required to have some ballet experience and must be committed to attending classes for the full, school-year season (missing fewer than approx. 80% of classes).

 

Lyrical/Contemporary

This interpretive dance style combines foundational disciplines such as ballet, modern, and jazz. It connects movement, expression, and feeling by expanding the energy in dance beyond known limits. Contemporary dance explores movement possibilities, transcending everyday experiences and expressing the internal emotions often called the soul. The lyrical aspect of this style will challenge dancers to express their movement to the story within the lyrics, and musical details. Dancers generally spend 2-3 years at each level, advancing from level 1 based on teachers’ recommendations. 

 

Jazz

Jazz dance is a form of dance that showcases individual style and originality. It is energetic and fun, emphasizing unique movements, improvisation, and the exploration of various musical rhythms. Jazz dance often incorporates elements of other dance styles, allowing for a diverse and dynamic expression of movement. It's a great way to build coordination, flexibility, and strength while allowing for personal creative expression.  Dancers generally spend 2-3 years at each level, advancing from level 1 based on teachers’ recommendations. 

 

Hip Hop

Hip hop dance is all about creativity, self-expression, and embracing the powerful connection between freestyle movement and music. It’s vibrant and energetic. Whether you're popping, locking, breaking, or incorporating other elements of hip hop dance, it's all about embracing the groove and letting the music move you. It's a dynamic and expressive dance form that allows individuals to develop their own unique style while moving to the rhythm.  Dancers generally spend 2-3 years at each level, advancing from level 1 based on teachers’ recommendations. 

 

Tap

Tap dance is known for the percussive sounds made by tap shoes striking the floor. It is a lively and rhythmic form of dance that focuses on creating sounds with the feet and legs. Students learn various tap techniques and musical rhythms while working on body coordination and teamwork. As they progress through levels, dancers learn more advanced skills, complex progressions, repertoire, speed, articulation, and sound refinement.  Dancers generally spend 2-3 years at each level, advancing from level 1 based on teachers’ recommendations. 

 

Stretch/Turns/Leaps

This fast-paced class focuses on helping students improve their dance skills by incorporating deeper stretches, cleaner turns, and higher leaps. It aims to facilitate progress while ensuring an enjoyable experience for the participants.

 

Clogging

Clogging is known for its energetic and entertaining performances, and it continues to be popular in traditional and modern dance communities. The dance form has evolved over time and incorporates elements of Irish, Scottish, and English step dances. It involves rhythmic leg and foot movements to create sounds that accompany the music. Cloggers wear special shoes with taps on the toe and heel to produce distinctive sounds.  Ages 12+