Our faculty is composed of professionally trained, experienced instructors whose major concerns are the education, enjoyment and enrichment of the students.  We will teach proper technique and correct terminology to maintain our high standard of training.  We believe that each teacher contributes directly to the studio's growth and success.  Each one of our teachers takes great pride in being a member of this team of educators for and with the grace of God.  We offer complete professional training for all ages in the following class combinations and styles:




Twinkle Stars/Rising Stars
Our youngest classes-18month-2 1/2 years and 3-4 year olds-introduce our students to the magical world of dance through fairy-tales, acting, imagination, and costumes.  Your child will learn that the dance classroom is a special place and that only dancers are allowed to share in these wonderful secrets.  We use a variety of props, such as flowers, wands, crowns and teddy bears to stimulate the students' imaginations and spark their creativity when dancing.  This level introduces students to proper ballet and tap movements, while encouraging their creativity and imaginations.  We emphasize exploring the student's natural passion for melody, rhythm and movement, as well as listening to the music.  "Free dance" time is important to the students at this level, as it allows them to express themselves and show their love of movement.  Students will also dance with partners, play games, hear stories and memorize short dance combinations at this level.  The main goals at this level are listening to the teacher, following directions, cooperating with others, sharing with other dancers, and will begin to develop spatial orientation and use basic counting skills. 
Shooting Stars 
These 5-7 year old dancers learn proper technique in simple movements, can already repeat dance terminology on their own, learn how to identify correct and incorrect movements, and learn how to self-correct while dancing.  The class structure is beginning to mimic that of a full dance class.  The students develop basic dance coordination and body alignment through exercises at the barre and in the center.  The use of props and story-time is still important elements at this age to stir the dancers' hearts and creativity.  However, at this age students begin the transition from fairy-tale excitement to the self-awareness and pride of dancing.  The class time is extended to a full hour and a half. 

Junior/Senior Levels I & II

Level I students will reach beyond the fun of fairytales into a more self-reflective and serious stage of development.  The culminating class of our beginning dance program builds upon the prior levels to produce dancers with a balance between the technical and artistic elements of dance.  Class structure and discipline are emphasized, with students following proper dance etiquette in the classroom.  Students develop self-esteem by being challenged to dance the classical technique and feeling pride in a sense of accomplishment, with positive encouragement from their teacher.  Students learn to demonstrate a variety of dance movements independently.  Other skills learned at this level are how to give and receive appropriate feedback from their peers, how to self-correct their own technique, and memorization of combinations with correct musical timing. 

Level II students build on the strength of their prior ballet experience and continue to develop as confident and capable dancers.  Combinations become more complex and complete, with emphasis on head and arm position as well as consistent turn-out of the legs.  Dancers learn a variety of combinations at the barre, as well as in the center in allegro and adagio sections of the class.  These students consistently demonstrate an understanding of proper technique and poise, as well as the self-control necessary to progress through the program.  Cooperation with partners is encouraged and demonstrating choreography of their own choosing may be elements at this age.  Musicality and expression are being developed in these dancers to encourage the artistic expression of dance. 

Level III students integrate their arms, legs, head positions with artistic expressions in all movements to produce a strong quality of dancing.  Before graduating to the next level of our program, these students must exhibit a consistent understanding of the material from the prior levels and have a degree of mental focus and physical technique that will allow them to join our advanced ballet program safely.  Students continue to work on the harmony of their dancing and on equal emphasis of the arms, body carriage, posture, and leg action.  Greater consistency of turn-out is expected at this level as is a strong understanding of the fundamental rules and theories of dance.  Students are expected to learn new combinations quickly and be able to extrapolate rules learned at prior levels to new movements that are introduced.  A faster pace of the class and center work is expected.  Turns and spotting technique are introduced and refined.  

Level IV  In this class focus is placed on the graceful movements of the dancer’s entire body, as opposed to the solely focusing on footwork and leg action.  Center combinations develop more complexity by adding three or more elements at a time.  Dancers have experience with the discipline and self-control of dance by this time. They are motivated to apply self-correction and to demonstrate a higher level of self-awareness.  Students continue to work on the harmony of their dancing and on equal emphasis of the arms, body carriage, posture, and leg action.  Turns and spotting technique are refined and a greater consistency of turn-out is expected at this level.  A fundamental understanding of rules and theories of dance is developed and reinforced.  Students are expected to learn new combinations quickly and be able to extrapolate rules learned at prior levels to new movements that are introduced.  A faster pace of the class and center work is expected.  The consistent development of fluid movement is a primary goal at this level. 

 





Ballet The foundation for all forms of dance!  It enhances coordination and grace while requiring discipline and focus.  Ballet strengthens the body while improving balance and achieving the goal of excellence through determination and  commitment to the art of dance.




Tap This style is the musical instrument of Dance.  Dancers learn to make music with their feet and in turn, it enhances their rhythm, musicality and dynamics.  Tap is highly recommended for all students who wish to pursue their dancing extensively,  and for anyone who wants to have some fun.





Jazz This class incorporates Ballet technique for its base, but branches out into more creative, powerful and energetic movement through strength and expression.  We offer a wide range of training in all styles of Jazz, from  Traditional to Broadway and Contemporary to Fosse.  Jazz is offered to students ages 5 through Adult.



Hip Hop The style is more connected with street dance and is constantly changing its style.  We use age-appropriate music and movements. We recommend this class for all of those who want to challenge themselves, have a great time and learn a style that can be used almost  anywhere.





Modern/Lyrical/Liturgical These styles are a cross between Ballet and Jazz.  It is choreographically more expressive and free in both emotion and style. (*Liturgical is worship)

Ballroom

Social dances usually performed by couples, including the fox-trot, waltz, tango, rumba, swing, mambo, samba, and cha cha.