Fundamentals
Ballet II
Qualified returning students; New students must be skill tested
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 II
Qualified returning students; New students must be skill tested.
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 II
Qualified returning students; New students must be skill tested
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 II increases a student’s tap vocabulary while advancing footwork and speed. Students continue working on developing clarity of sound and precise movements.
Modern II
Qualified returning students; New students must be skill tested
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/II
Qualified returning students; New students must be skill tested
Hip-Hop I/II 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. A basic concept of “step” dancing and rhythmical body percussion is introduced. As always, age appropriate music and themes are selected.
Acrobatics II
Qualified returning students; New students must be skill tested
Acrobatics II is for those who have mastered cartwheels on both sides, handstands, back walk-overs, and round-offs. Students must be skill tested for flexibility, coordination, and strength. Students will continue to work on all floor aspects of our gymnastics program, including front walk-overs, aerials, and axils. A ballet class is recommended in conjunction with this program, to aid in the development of proper technique.
Musical Theatre II
A class geared for the older student with little or some previous theatrical experience.
Activities will include singing, dancing and acting through various theatre games, exercises and choreography work. Improvisation will also be introduced. The focus will be on a group number but there may also be some opportunity for solo work as well. This class is great training for those students interested in participating in local or theatre productions.
