Classes for Beginners
Our classes for beginners provide correct technical progressions for growing minds and bodies. Through class performances and preparation for the June production, students gain self confidence and poise while developing artistry and a joy of dance.
Beginners’ classes include:
Pre-Ballet
New 8 & 9 year olds and qualified returning students
Pre-Ballet is our formal introduction to the study of ballet. The class incorporates basic ballet steps and French terminology into the curriculum. Students learn a series of warm-up and conditioning exercises as well as the formal use of the ballet barre for technical development. We highly recommend this class in conjunction with Tap/Jazz and Tumbling.
Tap/Jazz
New 8 & 9 year olds and qualified returning students
Designed for Dance Sampler graduates and as an introductory class for new 7-9 year old students. Tap/Jazz builds on motor skills introduced in Sampler; focusing on beginning tap skills while introducing the “razz-a-ma-tazz” of jazz dance. Students learn set tap and jazz conditioning warm-ups, and focus on the technical development. We recommend taking Pre-Ballet and Tumbling in conjunction with this class.
Tumbling II
Ages 7-9 year olds and qualified returning students
Tumbling II continues to develop full body coordination, strength and flexibility. Students focus on the basics of forward and backward rolls, cartwheels, back bends, round-offs and handstands. We recommend taking this class in conjunction with Pre-Ballet, Intro to Hip-Hop and Tap/Jazz, as well as Level I Ballet, Tap, and/or Jazz classes.
Intro to Hip-Hop
New 8 & 9 year olds and qualified returning students
Hip-Hop is a modern evolution of jazz set to urban music, and it has developed into the predominant dance form in pop culture today. Hip-hop technique includes work on isolations of the body, pop and lock movements, and rhythm work. Our Intro to Hip-Hop class teaches age appropriate moves and combinations to introduce children to this exciting and fun discipline. We recommend students have 1 year of Tap/Jazz experience prior to enrolling in Intro to Hip-Hop.
Ballet I
New students ages 10 & up and qualified returning students
At BDT, we consider the study of ballet to be key to a student’s success in all disciplines. Ballet technique is the foundation for all other dance forms – it develops self-discipline, poise, and musicality, while encouraging a clear understanding of the art and science of movement. Students studying ballet share in the rich heritage passed down through generations of dancers from its origins in the royal courts of Italy and France.
Jazz I
New students ages 10 & up and qualified returning students
Created in the U.S. as a synthesis of African and European ethnic dance styles, jazz dance has become the predominant form of American musical theatre dance. Jazz allows students to express themselves using isolated movements of the body combined with jumps and turns set to contemporary music. As a student advances within our program, the necessity of ballet training increases in order to progress.
Tap I
New students ages 10 & up and qualified returning students
Tap is another American invention studied and performed throughout the world. While developing a strong sense of rhythm, students work toward the control of weight distribution in the foot along with a pleasing style in the arms, head and torso. Tap I introduces the basic vocabulary for tap which provides the building blocks necessary for intermediate and advance footwork. Students work to develop a clarity of sound and precise movements.
Modern I
Qualified students ages 8 & up with a minimum of 1 year ballet
Modern dance developed as a revolt against classical ballet in the early twentieth century. It enhances a student’s dance program by encouraging the pursuit of individual creative energies and instincts through improvisation and imagery. It explores the contrasts of movement: rise-fall, expand-contact, extend-flex, while stressing the important integration of breath and movement. Students must be enrolled in a Level I or II ballet class in conjunction with modern.
Hip-Hop I
New 10 & up and qualified returning students
Hip-Hop I continues to develop the basic movements learned in Intro to Hip-Hop. Students explore the fundamentals of this developing discipline while building the movement vocabulary to proceed to intermediate work in the future. As always, age appropriate music and themes are selected.
Acrobatics I
New ages 10 & up and qualified returning students
Acrobatics I is for those who have mastered forward and backward rolls, cartwheels on at least one side, and are able to stay up in a back bend. Students build on the forward and backward rolls they already know, and work toward mastery of cartwheels on both sides, handstands, and round-offs. Back walkovers are also introduced at this level. Students must be skill tested for flexibility, coordination , and strength. A ballet class is recommended in conjunction with this program, to aid in the development of proper technique.
Musical Theatre I
A class geared for the younger beginner student with little or no theatrical experience.
Students will be introduced to the basic art of musical theatre (singing, dancing and acting), learning a basic warm-up and participating in various theatre games and exercises. The focus will be on a simple group number. This class is great training for those students interested in participating in local or school theatre productions.
