Class Descriptions
Ballet, Tap, Jazz and more... Melrose Dance Academy has it all! See below for a full list of classes which are designed to increase your dancer's desire to learn and grow.
Ballet
Ballet is the foundation of all dance forms and will maximize technique and longevity in a career of dance. It provides grace, poise, and technique needed to be proficient in all other areas of dance. Ballet classes will help dancers with posture, flexibility, fitness, balance, self-discipline, and self-confidence. Students are taught proper body placement, body alignment, barre and center floor work, along with across the floor combinations.
Tap
Tap classes are designed to develop rhythm, style and sound. Students will learn a variety of tap styles from Broadway to Rhythm tap. Exercises focus on building flexibility of the knee and ankles, coordination, and speed of movement. The class emphasis is on developing proper tap technique, producing clear tap sounds, and having fun.
Jazz
Jazz class will focus on learning proper dance technique such as isolations of the body, improving performance quality and developing complex rhythms and patterns. Students will be exposed to various styles of jazz to help develop a well rounded dancer. Class curriculum is based on ballet technique layered with traditional jazz movement and includes a proper warm-up, stretches, isolations, across-the-floor progressions, and combinations.
Musical Theater
A class blending the three key components of musical theater: dancing, singing and acting. Students will focus on each individual component before collaboratively fusing the three techniques together to form a full musical theater performance piece to songs from today's best, well-known musicals. This class includes a proper warm-up, across-the-floor progressions, and combinations. Emphasis will also be placed on learning performance skills such as connecting with the audience and telling a story through dance and facial expressions.
Lyrical
This class is a combination of ballet and jazz that challenges dancers to use choreography and movement to interpret music and express emotion. Dancers learn to express emotions derived from lyrics to convey the dance’s meaning. It emphasizes interpretation of music lyrics while telling a story with movement that can be fluid or abstract. This class is designed for intermediate to advanced students with previous training in ballet.
Hip Hop
Hip hop is a high-energy class that will encourage students to step outside of the box by bringing their own individual style and personality to the movements. Hip hop dance requires students to have the strength and stamina to successfully perform moves. Therefore class includes upper and lower body conditioning as well as a rigorous warm-up to help prepare students for more intense movements.
Acro
Acro Dance is an art form that incorporates the fluid movements of dance with the exciting tricks from acrobatics. It is “gymnastics for dancers”, where students develop specific strength, flexibility, and technique, to learn how to execute acrobatic tricks, to then be used in dance choreography. The training students receive in their acro dance classes helps to reinforce the technique in all other dance genres. Adding acro dance is next-level training that will develop a specific skill set, and creates well-rounded and versatile dancers. Acro focuses on flexibility, muscle control, balance, tumbling technique, and strength. Melrose Dance Academy is a certified Acro Dance Teacher’s Association Acro Dance Studio and follows their syllabus. Ballet or Jazz classes are required for dancers enrolled in JR II Division Acro classes and higher.
LEVEL REQUIREMENTS
Kinder Acro: We have two levels, Preschool (3-4 yrs) and Pre-Junior (5-6 yrs), no experience required. Students will develop gross and fine-motor skills and control, learn introductory acro body shapes and tricks, and develop kinesthetic awareness. At the same time, children will learn how to be in a class, and develop their focus, listening, and co-operative skills. Students spend 1-2 years in each level before moving on.
Junior Division: No previous experience required. Once dancers move on to JR II, they are required to take a ballet or jazz class.
Intermediate Division: For students who have mastered the Junior Division, must be tested before moving into this level. Ballet or Jazz class required.
Advanced Division: For students who have mastered the Intermediate Division, must be tested before moving into this level. Ballet or Jazz class required.
(Each division is about 3-4 years of student training, please email us if your dancer is ready to be tested to move to the next division)
Learn more about our new Competitive Acro Team
Creative Movement
A 30 minute class for 2 year olds. This class uses props and exciting music to emphasize the creative art of dance. Some of the skills learned and carried beyond the dance classes include communication skills, memory development, and social involvement.
Contempoary
A free flowing form of dance with elements of modern, jazz, ballet, lyrical and styles unique to itself. This class encourages natural movement and personal interpretation. It focuses on self-expression, awareness of space and body movement, use of body weight, efficiency of muscle use and body alignment.
3-4 Yrs Ballet/Tap Combo
This is an introductory class for our 3 & 4 year olds containing ballet, creative movement, and tap. Young dancers will learn the basic ballet steps while learning how to follow direction and imitate movement and gross motor skill development games in a positive and fun environment. Engaging music is used to get these little ones inspired to dance.
Production
This class is for members of our Performance Team only. In this class, dancers will learn a large dance number consisting of a variety of styles. This class focuses on one theme to create a fun and exciting piece for our recital and competitions.
Pre-Pointe & Pointe
Pre-Pointe class is a pre-requisite for pointe work and is designed for students ages 11 and up who have had at least 2-3 consecutive years of ballet training. Pointe class can be taken on flat or in pointe shoes at the instructors discretion. All pointe classes are designed for students with previous ballet training. Students will utilize previously learned ballet technique while working in pointe shoes. Each class includes barre exercises, center floor work and across the floor combinations. These exercises focus on strengthening the feet and ankles. Dancers must have instructor approval for this class. Dancers must be enrolled in an additional ballet class along with pointe classes. Dancers must visit Jillian at The Movement Mechanic Physical Therapy to be evaluated and cleared for pointe shoes.
Hip Hop & Tumble
A fun-filled class perfect for kids that want to learn to dance and tumble! Each class will consist of part dance instruction followed by part tumble lesson. Students will learn hip hop moves and combinations to enhance and develop coordination followed by tumbling that will cover basic fundamentals and challenge each student at their individual skill levels. Dancers will learn hip hop steps to appropriate and motivating music while becoming aware of all the creative ways their body can move. This class will help develop confidence and self esteem, all while the kids are learning and having a great time!
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