Jazz

JAZZ DANCE has developed as a counterpart to popular music. This pattern of growth has resulted in a few components of movement key to the dance style. The most important component is that jazz is a physical embodiment of the current music of a given time period. Jazz dance has is roots in traditional social dances and African dance. Current jazz dance is a genre shared with a broad range of dance styles including ballet, hip-hop, African, Caribbean, Broadway, and contemporary.

Ballet/Tap/Jazz (Kindergarten): This class is a 90 minute class that explores 3 styles of dance. In the ballet portion, dancers are introduced to exercises at the ballet barre and will learn about body control and alignment. Dancers explore proper ballet technique at the barre, in center floor and across the floor. In tap dancers continue to learn basic tap steps center floor and across the floor. They will learn various tap sequences and rhythms. During the jazz section dancers focus on flexibility, musicality, body awareness, coordination, and style.

Teen Ballet/Jazz (6th grade and up): This is a 90 minute beginning level class for middle and high school students. Dancers will be introduced to foundational skills and concepts in both genres of dance. Students will also be challenged to increase their strength, flexibility, coordination, and ability to learn choreography quickly. This is a great class for the older student who is interested in trying dance for the first time or has limited dance experience.

Jazz 1 (First grade and up): Level 1 is a 45 minute introduction to the style of jazz dance. Dancers focus on performance, style, flexibility, and body awareness. Dancers work in center floor and across the floor learning exercises and technique to strengthen and increase their dance ability. Dancers will learn basic jazz vocabulary and skills. This is a high energy class and a fun introduction to dance!

Jazz 1/2 (Age 7-10): This is a one hour class designed to introduce the skills and concepts of jazz dance. This class will move at a quicker pace than Level 1. Dancers will work on center floor and across the floor exercises and technique to strengthen and increase their dance ability. This class is for the older beginner or experienced beginning dancer.

Jazz 2 (Teacher recommendation): Level 2 is an hour long class that builds up on the skills and concepts taught in the beginning levels. There is a continued focus on performance, style, flexibility, and body awareness. Dancers in this class begin to understand the connection between jazz dance and the fundamentals of ballet technique. Dancers are taught more complex sequences across the floor and in center floor. Dancers will continue to increase strength and flexibility. This class is for the experienced beginner who has at least one year of jazz.

Jazz 2/3 (Teacher recommendation): Level 2/3 is designed to introduce dancers to an intermediate level of technique and performance. The class will build upon the skills that were taught in the beginning levels by learning longer combinations in all areas of the class, dancing to more complex rhythms, and performing more difficult skills. This class is for the dancer who has successfully completed the beginning levels of jazz.

Jazz 3 (Teacher recommendation): Level 3 is a class that concentrates on performance and movement quality. The dancers are given more advanced sequences in warm-up, center floor, and across the floor. Dancers begin to learn choreography on a weekly basis and apply new dance skills within it. Dancers are also introduced to the differences between various types of jazz dance (Broadway jazz, classical jazz, contemporary jazz, and street jazz). Dancers work towards increased flexibility and consistent execution of basic skills. This class if for the interemediate dancer who has completed the lower levels or has 2+ years of classical ballet.

Jazz 4 (Teacher recommendation): Level 4 is an upper intermediate class. Dancers are expected to apply ballet technique, yet be able to release from it when needed in choreography. Dancers focus on their connection to the choreography and learn to dance with dynamic changes. This class is for the accomplished intermediate dancer who has a strong technical foundation and has completed the beginning and intermediate levels of jazz.

Jazz 5 (Teacher recommendation): Level 5 is an advanced jazz technique class that centers around jazz performance and style. Dancers in this class are given choreography and skills that are the most advanced and complex in concepts. Dancers continue to build their flexibility and strength through warm-up, across the floor and center floor exercises. Dancers in this class have a strong technical ability and are challenged to perform with artistry and style. This class is fast moving; dancers are expected to be able to learn choreography quickly.