Class Descriptions

We are currently enrolling for our Main 2010/2011 Session, which begins Friday, September 17th. Classes are available in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hip, Lyrical/Contemporary, Pointe, Tumbling, Basic Movement, Stretching and Mobility, and more. Classes are available for ages 3 through adult, beginner through advanced. We are also offering a few boys-only and adults-only classes. Please see the Schedule of Classes for all the class offerings. Below are brief descriptions of the various dance classes offered.

BASIC MOVEMENT CLASS:
Basic Movement for Preschoolers is a 30-minute class focusing on basic movement and dance skills to develop coordination, balance, musicality, timing, and flexibility. Beginning ballet technique is also introduced in this class and students are taught proper technique and basic vocabulary and even do some introductory barre work. Most of the music used in Basic Movement Class is fun, upbeat children’s music, although some great classical music is also incorporated. Even with students this young, we focus on proper technique and execution while having a great time moving to music.

BALLET CLASS:
Ballet is the technical foundation of most other dance genres, and we like to encourage our students to study ballet in addition to their other dance classes. Since ballet class provides such a strong technical framework, we encourage children who are new to dance to start with ballet before adding tap, jazz, hip-hop, etc. Our ballet classes stress proper technique at the barre and center floor, with an emphasis on correct body placement, strength, and flexibility. Students learn not only correct technique, but also correct terminology. We teach classical ballet, based on the Cecchetti method with some Vaganova influence.

TAP CLASS:
Tap is all about rhythm, footwork, and taking dance beyond the visual to the auditory, using your feet as a percussive “instrument” to create sounds as you dance. Key elements in tap class are timing, rhythm, and musicality, and a variety of music is used, although at times we dance a cappella (with no musical accompaniment) to better hear the sounds we are making with our feet. We incorporate various tap styles into our tap classes, including Broadway tap and Rhythm tap.

HIP-HOP CLASS:
Hip-Hop is a form of street dance, featuring popping and locking, body isolations, and current popular moves. It is related to Jazz, but with a less technical foundation and more of a freestyle feel. Hip-hop music, pop music, and rap music are used in class, and we are diligent about making sure the lyrics and movements are “clean.” Our hip-hop classes cover a range of hip-hop styles, including East Coast, West Coast, Jazz Funk, and Krumping, with a little classic jazz thrown in to strengthen technique.

LYRICAL/CONTEMPORARY CLASS:
Lyrical/Contemporary is a ballet-based dance genre with an emphasis on balance, control, and extension. It is expressive, emotional, and interpretive, and the name “lyrical” comes from the word “lyric” since this dance form is about expressing the lyrics and emotion of the music. Lyrical dance, sometimes called Contemporary, sometimes called Lyrical/Contemporary, has influences from Modern Dance, Jazz, and Ballet. Because Lyrical/Contemporary is technical in nature with a strong ballet foundation, students are required to have prior ballet training.

TUMBLING CLASS:
Tumbling focuses on acrobatics that are floor-based (rather than gymnastics with full apparatus such as bars, vault, pommel horse, etc.) In tumbling class, skills such as rolls, cartwheels, round-offs, walkovers, and hand springs are covered. Our tumbling classes utilize mat work, mini-trampoline work, and low balance beam work, with the goal of developing proper technique to apply to the tumbling skills covered in class. Students work toward individualized goals to master skills at the appropriate level for their development.

EXERCISE CLASS:
Centering Movement for Adults: This class is open to all fitness levels, including those with limited mobility. Class consists of gentle, flowing sequences of movements to help the student reconnect to his/her body, develop balance, coordination, concentration, and a sense of peace. Movements come from a variety of sources including Tai Chi, Chi Gung, Yoga, and Modern Dance.

Health Play Level One for Adults: This class is open to all fitness levels, but is slightly more demanding than Centering Movement. Class consists of a series of games and playful activities, some solo, some with a partner, and some with the entire class, since being fit should be fun. These games work on core strength and balance as well as cooperation and teamwork. Continuous aerobic activity is not part of the class, but some aerobic benefits may be achieved. Play promotes creativity, health, and well-being – students reawaken the creative spirit of play and become more fit in the process.

Health Play Level Two for Adults: This class is open to the moderately fit, and is a bit more demanding than Health Play Level One, still consisting of a series of games and playful activities. This class steps up the intensity and vigor of the games to increase core strength, and build arm and leg strength. The focus is still on having fun, playing alone, with a partner, and in a group.

Stretching and Mobility: This class is open to the moderately to highly fit, and the aim of this class is to increase flexibility and functional mobility. Strength exercises are added to ensure that the proper control accompanies flexibility. A variety of stretching techniques are used.

BOYS-ONLY CLASSES and ADULTS-ONLY CLASSES:
We offer adults-only and boys-only classes because we realize that adults are sometimes more comfortable in an adults-only setting, and likewise, boys may be more comfortable participating in dance in a boys-only setting. Please note that boys are welcome in any of our other classes of the appropriate age and level and are not limited to our boys-only classes, just as adults are welcome in our other classes and are not limited to our adults-only classes. The above class descriptions (Basic Movement, Tap, Tumbling, etc.) also apply to our boys-only and adults-only classes. Please refer to our class schedule for boys-only and adults-only options.

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If you have any questions about classes, please e-mail us at info@cincinnatidance.com or call the studio at 521-8462.