Class Descriptions, Dress Code and School Policies

 Class Descriptions
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 Dance Basics & Tap: 3 & 4 Year Dancers​                                                           An introduction to the basic elements of dance. Using movement concepts such as level, directions, time, shape and rhythm, teachers instruct young children in becoming aware of and exploring their own movement and devel­oping skills that prepare them for dance. The class includes a warm-up of stretching and strengthening muscles, developing loco motor and non-loco motor skills, exploring concepts and dancing a story.

 Jump & Jive: 3 & 4 Year Dancers​                                                                    Jump & Jive teaches the same basic techniques as Dance Basics except in a more energetic manner. For those children who love to rock & roll, jump & jive, upbeat music in a structured yet non-stop fun environment.

 Acrobatics:
This style combines jazz dance with basic tumbling moves such as cartwheels, head rolls, handstands and students work their way up to aerials, walkovers, handsprings and flips. Work is first done on mats with a spotter and ends up on the stage in a production number. Student's progress at their own pace and each of their strengths are used in the recital depending on ability.

 Modern: Fundamentals of modern dance: emphasis on skeletal alignment, breathing, relaxation, and the use of dynamics and rhythm in space.
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Ballet: An introduction to vocabulary, techniques, and theories of ballet. Emphasis on body alignment and effective methods for gaining strength and flexibility necessary for proper ballet training. Basic ballet technique is presented in a traditional ballet class consisting of exercises at the barre in the center, and across the floor. Emphasis is placed on body and spatial awareness in addition to ballet terminology.

​Hip-Hop: or “Street Jazz”, is fun, funky, aerobic and great for students aged seven to adult, with plenty or no previous dance experience. As seen in the music videos and concert tours of Hip Hop recording artists, this style is a must for any performer considering a career in commercial dance.

 Jazz: is the most commercial dance form. Emphasizing presentation, extension of the limbs and isolations of the torso, jazz is a great workout. From lyrical to funky, jazz gives all dancers a broader range of style and vocabulary of movement.
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Lyrical: Fusion of Ballet with Jazz and Contemporary dance techniques.  Lyrical dance is expressive, simultaneously subtle and dynamic, focused on conveying musicality and emotion thru movement. 

​Tap: is the fun, aerobic dance style that is an integral part of the musical theatre performer‘s skill set. Tap gives all dancers a greater understanding of rhythm and style.

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Dress Code

No Street Clothes, T-shirts, Sweatshirts, Loose Fitting Clothing Permitted

Pre-School (Ages 3 & 4 yrs. old)
Dance Basics: Pink leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers.
Jump and Jive: Black leotard, pink tights and pink ballet slippers.
Jump and Tap : Black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers & black baby doll tap shoes with tap ties.
No detached skirts or tutus please. Hair up off face & neck.

All Styles (Grades K & 1)
Acrobatics: Black leotard, black jazz pants,tights or leggings bare feet
Ballet Ages 5 & 6: Pink leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, pink waist elastic and hair in a Bun or French twist.
Ballet/Jazz: Black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers.
Jazz/Hip-Hop: Black leotard, black jazz pants, black jazz shoes.
Tap/Ballet: Black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers & black baby doll tap shoes with tap ties.
Hair up off face & neck.
 
Ballet (Grades 2 & up)
Grade 2-3 : Light Blue leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers and pink waist elastic.
Grade 4-5: Maroon leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers pink waist elastic
Grade 6-7: Navy blue leotard, pink seamed tights, pink ballet slippers pink waist elastic
Grade 8-12; Black leotard, pink seamed tights, pink ballet slippers, pink waist elastic

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School Policies

All students should come to class on time and in appropriate dance attire. Please reference the dress code above.  Please send your dancer with their hair in the proper style for the class. We do not supply hair elastics or bobby pins. 

​Students and parents are expected to be respectful to ACD teachers and staff. We want your dancer to have the best and most productive dance experience.  Classroom etiquette will be discussed with the students on  an age appropriate level.  Parents are asked to call the office for any discussions and we will set up a time to meet with you. It has been our experience that we are not able to adequately address concerns or questions between classes. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

​If your child will arrive on the activity bus, please remind them to clean up their area after snack and before entering class.  Please be mindful of the volume of activities in the lobby area as it can be distracting to the dancers when there is a lot of outside noise.

​If you have a young dancer, we ask that you accompany them to the restroom and help them to keep the bathroom neat.  Books and magazines should be returned to the rack and crayons to the boxes on the table.
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​If your dancer arrives late, they should wait at the door of the studio they have class in until the current exercise is completed. The teacher will let the dancer know when it is safe to enter the room.  

​If your dancer arrives more than 15 minutes late, they will observe class. This is not meant to be punitive. It is the policy we have in place for the safety of your dancer. The majority of the warm up is done in the first 1/3rd of the class. We take seriously our responsibility to keep your dancer injury free.  We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

​New Pointe ladies: Plum/Purple leotard, pink seamed tights, matching skirt for pointe class only, pointe shoes *
* Pointe shoes must be checked by teacher prior to sewing
Competition Team
Juniors- Navy blue leotard, pink seamed tights, pink ballet slippers, pink waist elastic
Seniors-Black leotard, pink seamed tights, pink ballet slippers, pink waist elastic, black skirt for pointe

​Ballet Skirts may be worn for Pointe Class & Variation Class. Hair will be in a Bun or French Twist
Acrobatics (Grades 2 & up)
Any black leotard, tights or leggings, bare feet and hair up off face and neck.
 Hip Hop (Grades 2 & up)
Any black leotard or tank top, jazz pants, sweatpants or dance shorts. Black and white converse.. Hair up off face & neck.
Jazz & Latin Jazz (Grades 2 & up)
Any black leotard or tank top, tights, jazz pants or dance shorts.
Black split sole jazz shoes. Hair up off face & neck.
Lyrical (Grades 2 & up)
Any black leotard or tank top, tights, jazz pants or dance shorts.
Bare feet or foot undies. Hair up off face & neck.
 Modern (Grades 2 & up)
Black leotard, black tights, black jazz pants or black dance shorts. (shorts only allowed with tights underneath)
Bare feet. Hair up off face & neck.
Tap (Grades 2 & up)
Any black leotard or tank top, tights, jazz pants or dance shorts.
Black Jazz tap shoes. Hair up off face & neck.

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