Lake Bluff School of Dance continued Class Descriptions

Pre-Ballet (Beginner–Pre-School) and Dance Medley

In these levels children will develop poise and musicality in a fun and creative environment. The instructor will introduce children to a creative yet disciplined classroom structure that challenges their curious minds while introducing age-appropriate dance material. The students will express themselves physically through exercises intended to increase their coordination, strength, flexibility and their awareness of spatial concepts while beginning their understanding of classical ballet. The strong emphasis on musicality and rhythmic timing will increase their ability to listen to and dance with the music.

Ballet, Demi-Pointe and Pointe

These levels more formally offer children a challenging and disciplined classroom structure that is appropriately geared to their growing emotional and physical maturity. The students will build their knowledge of the basic structure of a ballet class with a growing vocabulary and develop proper placement of the torso, hips and legs without exceeding their anatomical limitations. They will develop a coordination of their arms and heads with a concentration on smooth transitions throughout the exercises. As they progress through the levels, the difficulty and sophistication of the classwork will increase accordingly. In addition to their dance education, students will learn about musicality, ballet terminology and general stage and theater craft.

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 such as Broadway, Street and Contemporary 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, jumps, leaps, turns, and across-the-floor progressions and combinations. As students progress through each level curriculum will become increasingly more complex and intricate.

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. As students’ progress through each level curriculum will become increasingly more complex and intricate.

Pre-Hip-Hop

Hip hop is a high-energy class that infuses the latest styles of street dancing, breaking, popping and locking. Classes 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.

Jumps, Leaps, and Turns

In this class, you will be learning the proper technique, alignment and execution of the most popular turns, leaps and jumps; fouette turns, turns a la seconde, pirouettes, chaine and pique turns, grand jetes, center leaps, surprise leaps, turning leaps, barrel leaps, Russian jumps, attitude jumps, ring jumps and much more. This class is great for those that are interested in doing Poms in grade school and in high school.