Class Descriptions

CHILDREN’S WORK

TINY DANCER (30 – minutes):

TINY DANCER (1st year, ages 3 or 4): For the little dancer who just can’t wait to start dance class! Children will explore basic rhythm and dance movements and have fun! (Pink Ballet shoes recommended. Tap shoes are not needed) We ask that our little tiny dancers be potty trained before taking the class.

TINY DANCER (2nd year, ages 3 or 4): Geared towards returning Tiny Dancers, please note that some 1st year dancers can and will also be placed in this class. Again, children will explore basic rhythm and dance movements and have fun! (Pink Ballet shoes recommended. Tap shoes are not needed) We ask that our little tiny dancers be potty trained before taking the class.

COMBO (45 – minutes):

For the little dancer who just can’t wait to start dance class! Children will explore basic rhythm and dance movements and have fun! (Pink Ballet shoes recommended. Tap shoes are not needed)

COMBO I: (AGE 5 OR 6) or by teacher recommendation:

Focus is on basics in ballet, tap and creative movement.

COMBO II: (AGE 6 OR 7) or by teacher recommendation:

A continuation from Combo I or a starting point for children age 7. It is strongly recommended to stay in Combo II for two years before moving into Combo III.

COMBO III: (AGE 7-9)

Children will be working on more structured movements in ballet, tap and jazz. Recommended for students who have had 2 or more sessions of Combo II.

ADULT CLASSES

These classes are designed to give you a feel for the style it represents and it is also a fun way to learn the latest dance steps while burning calories. No dance experience is necessary! Jazz shoes are recommended for the jazz section.

ADULT TAP (recital class by choice): This is a fun, low-key class for those adults who want to learn the different sounds & rhythms of Tap. A great form of exercise for the body mind & spirit. Exercise, meet friends & have a great time! tap shoes are recommended for the tap section of class. We have several tap shoes that are available to rent. (Shoe rental – $5 for the entire class session).

ADULT JAZZ (recital class by choice): This is a fun, low key class for those adults who want to enjoy the benefits of jazz dancing. For beginners, rusty ex-dancers who want to jump back in the game, and for those interested in gaining strength, flexibility & all around dance conditioning. We us fun upbeat music to make you want to dance! This class will have the opportunity to perform in the and of year annual recital. A costume deposit will be due only if you choose to participate in the recital.

ADULT VARIATION (Non-Recital Class): This is a newly offered class for those adults who want to experience and learn various styles of dancing. Throughout the session we will focus on learning dance styles like jazz, hip hop, contemporary, ballet, musical theater and more.

JAZZ CLASSES

PRIMARY JAZZ I: Students will learn basic jazz skills, combinations, and technique. (Minimum age 8 or teacher placement)

PRIMARY JAZZ 2: This is a continuation of Primary Jazz I. Concentration will be on a variety of steps, skills and combinations. (Minimum age 10 and by teacher placement)

PRIMARY JAZZ 3: Must have completed and accomplished the necessary skills required for Prim. 2 and or 2b. Concentration will be on a variety of steps, skills and combinations. (Minimum age 11 and by teacher placement

PRIMARY JAZZ 4 (Accelerated Primary/Intermediate leveI): This is a continuation of Primary Jazz III and must have completed and accomplished the necessary skills required for Prim. 3. Concentration will be on a variety of steps, skills and combinations. (Minimum age 12 and by teacher placement)

TEEN JAZZES:  For students who have had some jazz experience or by teacher placement. Concentration will be on technique, skills and combinations. (Minimum age 13 and by teacher placement)

INTERMEDIATE JAZZES (ages 12+): For students who have completed the necessary skill level and technique and are ready to advance into an intermediate/Advanced level class. Concentration will be on technique, stage presentation, turns, leaps, and a variety of combinations. (Minimum age 12 and by teacher placement)

ADVANCED JAZZ: Continuation of intermediate level classes. (Minimum age 14 and by teacher placement)

COMPETITIVE TROUPE: DDH Dance Troupe is a jazz based performance team that was developed for dancers who desire to perform more often and compete in dance competitions.

MODERN / CONTEMPORARY CLASSES

Modern dance techniques designed to develop the mind, body and spirit to e an expressive communicator through movement. They will learn and perform structured technical exercises that condition the body for strength, coordination and flexibility. Dancers will focus on aspects of space, time, shape, and movement dynamics.

MODERN 1:(Ages 10 – 12)

MODERN 2:(Ages 11 & up)

MODERN 3:(Ages 12 & up)

MODERN 4:(Ages 13 & up)

MODERN 5:(Ages 14 & up or teacher placement)

MODERN 6:(Ages 14 & up or teacher placement)

TAP CLASSES

PRIMARY TAP I:  For students who have had 3 years of Combo or who have had 1 to 2 years of a straight Tap class. Students will learn basic tap skills, combinations, and technique. (Minimum age 8 or by teacher placement)

PRIMARY TAP 2:  This is a continuation of Primary Tap I and must have accomplished the necessary skills for advancement into Prim. Tap II. Concentration will be on a variety of steps, skills and combinations. (Minimum age 10 and by teacher placement)

PRIMARY TAP 3:  This is a continuation of Primary Tap II and must have accomplished the necessary skills for advancement into Prim. Tap III. Concentration will be on a variety of steps, skills and combinations. (Minimum age 11 and by teacher placement)

(Beginning) TEEN TAP 1:  Students will work on beginning skills, technique, style, and a variety of combinations. Great place to start for teens with little to no tap experience.

TEEN TAP 2 & TEEN TAP 3:  Progression level from Teen Tap 1 and/or Primary 3

INTERMEDIATE TAP:  Must have accomplished the necessary skills for advancement into Int. Tap. Students will build on skills they have learned in previous tap classes. This is a faster-paced class with more combinations of a variety of steps and rhythms. (Minimum age 12 and by teacher placement)

INTERMEDIATE TAP:  Faster-paced class for the more experienced tapper. Must have accomplished the necessary skills for advancement into Int. Tap II. Focus will be on technique, and to enhance more advanced steps and combinations. (Minimum age 12 and by teacher placement)

ADVANCED TAP:  Students will work on advanced skills, technique, style, and a variety of combinations. (Minimum age 14 and by teacher placement)

BALLET/LYRICAL CLASSES

PRIMARY BALLET I:  For students who have been in Combo class or those dancers 8-11 years old interested in starting ballet (Minimum age 8)

PRIMARY BALLET II:  Students will learn classical ballet technique. Emphasis on barre work and center. Will also begin an introduction to Lyrical. A continuation for students who have had 1 to 2 years of Primary Ballet I or by teacher placement. (Minimum age 10)

PRIMARY BALLET III:  Students will learn classical ballet technique as well as Lyrical technique. Emphasis on barre work and center. Teacher placement.

TEEN BALLET I:  Should have a good understanding of basic ballet positions and barre work. Students will work on both classical style and lyrical style ballet. (Minimum age 12 or by teacher placement). It is not uncommon for students remain in this level for several years until proper technique has been achieved. Good starting point for those teenagers just starting out in ballet.

TEEN BALLET II:  A continuation from Teen Ballet I. Must have achieved a good understanding of technique and is able to accomplish the ballet elements from Teen Ballet I. (Minimum age 12 or by teacher placement). It is not uncommon for students remain in this level for several years until proper technique has been achieved.

TEEN BALLET III:  A continuation from Teen Ballet II. Must have achieved a good understanding of technique and is able to accomplish the ballet elements from Teen Ballet II. (Minimum age 12 or by teacher placement). It is not uncommon for students remain in this level for several years until proper technique has been achieved.

INTERMEDIATE CLASSICAL BALLET I:  Recommended for students who are at an intermediate level. Faster-paced. Should have a good understanding of basic ballet positions and barre work. Students will work on both classical style and lyrical style ballet. (Minimum age 13 or by teacher placement). It is not uncommon for students remain in this level for several years until proper technique has been achieved.

INTERMEDIATE CLASSICAL BALLET II:  This is a one-hour class for older students who are at a more advanced level. Students will work on both classical style and lyrical style ballet. (Minimum age 13 or by teacher placement). It is not uncommon for students remain in this level for several years until proper technique has been achieved.

ADVANCED CLASSICAL BALLET:  This is a one-hour class for those who are at an advanced level. (Minimum age 14 or by teacher placement).

A note to students interested in Lyrical: We are taking the title “Lyrical” out of our class titles. All of our ballet/lyrical classes at DDH are classical study as they have always been and the instructor has the choice of a lyrical ballet style routine or classical style routine. This change should avoid the confusion parents and students are experiencing by thinking “Lyrical” is something different from our “Ballet” classes.

POINTE CLASSES

PRE-POINTE:  By recommendation only. MUST BE ENROLLED IN AN ADDITIONAL BALLET CLASS. Students work on strength technique which is necessary before placement into Pointe I level. Some dancers will need to remain in pre-pointe for 2 years before being placed into a Pointe 1 class. This is necessary to assure the safety of a dancer. (NON-Recital class)

POINTE I:  Classical Ballet technique. MUST BE ENROLLED IN AN ADDITIONAL BALLET CLASS. Focus will be on technique with barre and center work. Pointe shoes will be fitted and ordered on the first day of class. (By teacher placement only)

POINTE II:  Classical Ballet technique. (By teacher placement only) MUST BE ENROLLED IN AN ADDITIONAL BALLET CLASS.

ADVANCED POINTE:  Classical Ballet technique. (By teacher placement only) MUST BE ENROLLED IN AN ADDITIONAL BALLET CLASS.

MUSICAL THEATER

Students will learn to express themselves in a Jazz-based, musical Broadway style. Students will be asked to act, sing and dance throughout this creative an upbeat dance style.

MUSICAL THEATER 1: Beginner / Intermediate

MUSICAL THEATER 2: Intermediate

MUSICAL THEATER 3: Intermediate

MUSICAL THEATER 4: Intermediate/ Advanced / Competitive

HIP HOP CLASSES

HIP HOP 1: A high-energy fast paced, upbeat style of hip hop geared towards ages 8 to 10 & up. Black Hip Hop shoes required.

HIP HOP 2:A high-energy fast paced, upbeat style of hip hop geared towards ages 10 to 13 & up. Black Hip Hop shoes required.

HIP HOP 3 (TEEN):A high-energy fast paced, upbeat style of hip hop geared towards ages 14 & up. Black Hip Hop shoes required.

AUDITION REQUIRED:

JUNIOR CREW HIP HOP:A high-energy fast paced, upbeat style of competitive hip hop for ages 8-15 or (unless recommended by Janelle or Dee Dee). Shoe Purchase – Black GlamPie Sneaker

SENIOR CREW HIP HOP:A high-energy fast paced, upbeat style of competitive hip hop geared for ages 14+ (unless recommended by Janelle or Dee Dee). Shoe Purchase TBD.

TRICKS / ACRO CLASSES

With the changing dance styles, the elements of performing tricks within a routine has become popular. This class will provide students with skills to help achieve a variety of tricks and acrobatic skills within their routines. Students will also explore partnering tricks as well as group work. Some tumbling skills are required.

TRICKS 1 (RECITAL CLASS – FULL SEASON):

• Ages 9 & up (Beginner/Intermediate) limited class size
• Emphasis is to build on skills needed to progress into level 2 Tricks
• Please note that this class is a recital performing class unless the enrollment is less than 5, then the class will be considered a skill building class.
• Recital costume deposit required if the class enrolment reaches 5 or more students.

Required skills in Level 1: must be able to do somersaults (forward and backward), cartwheels, headstands, able to hold a bridge position and also hold a handstand.

TRICKS 2 (RECITAL CLASS – FULL SEASON):

• Ages 12 & up (Intermediate / Advanced) limited class size.

• Please note that this class is a recital performing class unless the enrollment is less than 5, then the class will be considered a skill building class.
• Recital costume deposit required if the class enrollment reaches 5 or more students.

Required skills in Level 2: must be able to do cartwheels, one-handed cartwheels, somersaults, handstands,handstand walks, back bends, round-offs, back or front limbers

*TRICKS/ACRO WILL NOT ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE YEARLY, THESE SKILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED AND TOUCHED ON IN THE TECHNIQUE SERIES CLASSES.

TECHNIQUE CLASSES: TURNS, LEAPS, JUMPS, ACRO, ETC.

TECHNIQUE 1:These classes will focus on elements of dance to help improve technique. Will work on turns/leaps, flexibility, core strength, proper alignment & perfecting concise movements

• Ages 9-12
• One hour
• Technique class free for those dancers that take 5 or more full season classes

TECHNIQUE 2: These classes will focus on elements of dance to help improve technique. Will work on turns/leaps, flexibility, core strength, proper alignment & perfecting concise movements

• Ages 13 & up
• One hour
• Technique class free for those dancers that take 5 or more full season classes

PRIVATE LESSONS

(SOLO, DUETS, TRIOS, ETC.)

Improve your technique with private technique lessons with one of our qualified professional instructors. Whether you’re looking to improve yours turns, brush up on ballet technique,learn about creating choreography or giving students a more individualized approach. Private lessons will benefit a dancer no matter what skill level or age.

Other private lessons can simply improve your overall dance technique in Tap, Ballet, Modern,Jazz or Pointe etc… The instructors will customize your class to fit your specific needs to improve. This is on a first come basis beginning at registration.

Contacts for Private Lessons: Private lessons may be arranged with any of the DDH Dance Staff for any style of dance. Times and prices may vary. Extra fees regarding renting out studio space may be applied in addition to private lesson charges.

SUMMER CLASSES

DDH offers a variety of summer classes and workshops classes may vary on a yearly basis. Some classes we have offered in previous years are:

• Tiny Dancer Class (ages 3 & 4)
• Combo Camps (ages 5 – 8)
• Technique classes (ages 10 & up)
• Pointe / Ballet classes
• Tricks class (Beginning/Advanced)
• Hip Hop
• Master Classes(Various styles)
• Fitness classes (Pilates/Zumba/etc.)
• Variations Class: These classes are a non-recital performance classes, that offer students an hour’s worth of original choreography. Be prepared, students will be taught at a faster pace than regular year-round classes. This upbeat and fun learning style engages the dancers from start to finish. Every class will be different choreography, giving a new experience for each class.