- All Classes at Dance Connection follow a curriculum appropriate for each class and level, the skills which students focus on for each class will be distributed to students/parents in the first 2 weeks of class. Students must not only "know" but display exemplary knowledge and execution of skills in order to move up to the next level in any genre. Curriculum are developed by owner in conjunction with instructors of each class as well as masters classes instructors take throughout the year to increase their own skills and development.
- The last class of each month will be open for any parent to attend to observe. Parents are required to turn off all cell phone noises, photos are ok, Parents must ask permission before recording in the classroom and are asked to stay seated for the duration of the class to limit distractions to the class. Instructors reserve the right to ask any parent to leave if there is too much distraction.
- DANCERS ARE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW ALL DRESS REQUIREMENTS AND TO HAVE A DANCE BAG TO KEEP BELONGINGS IN.
Hip Hop:
Our hip hop classes include basics of pop & Lock, Bboy/Bgirl (break dancing), & waving. Hip Hop classes also include current trends/styles in hip hop and incorporate learning combinations, battling, & Free Style.
Dress: Dancers should wear comfortable athletic clothes which allow for easy movement. Hair should be pullout of face, no Jewelry allowed. Shoes should comfortable sneakers which are not worn for daily ware. STREET SHOES NOT PERMITTED . Many students wear converse, sneakers, or combat boots. Performance shoes will be announced by mid September and need to be purchased AT LEAST 1 month before performances.
Ballet:
Our ballet curriculum includes technique from Chechetti, American Ballet, and Russian. Each level of ballet has a set curriculum (distributed the first week of class) and works to achieve all skill set throughout the year.
Dress: Girls are to wear a leotard (any color) and pink ballet tights free from holes. Hair is to be in a proper ballet bun (no whispies or bangs for levels 1 and up). Jewelry is not permitted. No shorts or skirts allowed for levels 1 and up. Warmups may be worn in cold months for warm up and plies only. proper ballet slippers are required for all levels. undergarments are not permitted for levels 1 and up. Boys are to wear fitted athletic pants (must be able to see knees) or shorts and a fitted sleeveless top. Black ballet slippers or black lace up jazz shoes are required, proper under garments are expected.
Tap:
Our tap curriculum consists of a strong foundation in classical tap as well as education in hoofing style. Curriculum for each level is distributed the first week of class and include basic skills of shuffle, flap, tip, heel, ball, ball-change, times steps, and more complex combinations of movements.
Dress:Tap dancers are to wear fitted and comfortable athletic attire, all dancers are required to have tap shoes. For Ballet/Tap combo classes, no clothing change is required.
Modern/Contemporary/Lyrical:
Our curriculum for these styles include modern basics from the following techniques: Graham, Limon, and Horton. Each level will focus on curriculum skillset (distributed the first week of class) and work towards achievement and profieiency for each skill.
Dress: Girls are to wear fitted athletic clothes, shoes may be bare feet, dance paws, or other shoes as directed by the instructor. Hair is to be pulled off face and neck (pony tail is ok). Boys are to wear fitted athletic pants or shorts, and a fitted sleeveless top. Shoes may be bare feet, dance paws, or other shoes as directed by the instructor.
Jazz:
Our jazz curriculum is technique focused with strong emphasis from classical jazz dance "father" Luigi. Classes also include classical broadway/fosse style as well as skills from more current styles of Jazz funk & Pop Jazz. These classes focus on skills of leaps, kicks, turns, combinations, and isolations.
Dress: Girls are to wear dance shorts with tights, tight leggings ok for colder months, hair off face and neck, Jazz shoes, no jewelry. Boys are to wear fitted athletic pants or shorts, and a fitted sleeveless top. Black jazz shoes (lace up) are required.
Variations class for Jazz/Ballet:
These classes focus on progression of movement for Ballet & Jazz. Combinations are built upon each week, 3-4 entire progresses will be learned and perfected throughout the year. This class is required for all dancers enrolled in ballet levels 1 and above and highly recommended for dancers in jazz level 1 and above. Dancers should follow dress requirements of Ballet and Jazz classes.
Gymnastics:
Our Gym classes focus on strong and correct execution of basic skills of gymnastics such as hand stands, head stands, cartwheels, rolls, bridges, strength holds and strengthening exercises. As the levels advance skill such as limbers, kick overs, cartwheel variations, roundoff, handsprings, flips, & ariels are taught and perfected. Our more advanced classes include aspects of all above mentioned worked into circuits and combinations. Our gym instructor and assistants are highly trained in spotting.
Dress: students are to wear fitted clothing, no lose or baggy tops or bottoms permitted. No tights, bare feet.
Combination classes:
All ballet/tap combo. classes focus on basics necessary for the genre of dance. In Ballet dancers will learn termonolgy and skill such as eleve, plie, tendu, chasset, jumps, skipping, hopping, partner work. Tap will be introduced with educaitonon parts of the tap shoe, how to control sound and basic sills, of ball, heel, toe, tip, shuffle, shuffle combinations, and digs, terminology will also be a focus. Children in These classes will also learn classroom etiquette and work towards increasing attention span.
Dress: Girls are to wear tights of any color with a leotard of any color. Shorts & skirts are permitted. Hair must be pulled off face in any fashion. Pink Ballet slippers & black tap shoes are required. Boys are to wear comfortable athletic ware (no overly baggy pants or shorts) and are required to wear black ballet slippers or jazz shoes and black tap shoes.