Student Class Placement
Students progress through these levels as through grades in any school; however, all students move at different rates. Some spend more than two years in one level while the mind and the body learn to work together; some may progress much faster. When the student has learned the technique appropriate for each level and when the student’s body has become strong enough to accomplish those movements, then, at the discretion of the instructor, the student is moved to the next level. Advancement is based on ability, not age. In this way, the student begins to assimilate the layers of knowledge that form the foundation of dance. The primary levels are the most important levels as they solidly prepare the student for more technical work.
***At The Pointe Dance Arts, the majority of our students remain in the same level between two and three years.
Twinkle Babies & Twinkle Stars (Ages 2-4 1/2)
Ages 2 to 4 1/2, one 45 minute or 1 hour class per week. The Pointe Dance Arts is the only studio in the area to offer the highly acclaimed Twinkle Star Dance Curriculum for preschool dancers. Our young dancers develop their imagination, body awareness, rhythm, flexibility, coordination and confidence. Most importantly, it’s fun! This program is a prelude to formal ballet instruction and involves creative group interaction. Each class combines stories and music in a child-friendly setting. Students in Twinkle Babies will perform one recital number, and students in Twinkle Stars will perform two recital numbers.
Ballet
All students are encouraged to study Ballet, the base form of all dance, along with any other dance forms they choose. Ballet increases strength & flexibility, enhances coordination, and develops grace & discipline inside and out of the studio. This training is the most important dance training a student will have. Ballet is required for all jazz students.
Ballet 1: Ages 5 1/2 – 7, one 30 minute class per week
Ballet 2: Placement of teacher, one 45 minute class per week
Ballet 3: Placement of teacher, one 1 hour class per week
Ballet 4: Placement of teacher, 2 hours 30 minutes per week (split between 2 days)
Ballet 5: Placement of teacher, 3-5 1/4 hours per week (split between 2 or 3 days)
Ballet 6: Placement of teacher, 5 1/4 hours per week (split between 3 days)
Beginning Ballet: Ages 9-11, one 30 minute class per week
Beginner Teen Ballet: Ages 12 and up, one 45 minute class per week
When will your dancer get pointe shoes?
Without proper technique, an attempt at dancing en pointe can cause injury. Children with growing feet should not dance en pointe unless under the strict supervision of an instructor, nor should anyone lacking adequate strength and training. The introduction to pointe work must be gradual. Dancers should train for several years in soft slippers before they wear pointe shoes. Then only a few minutes of each class are devoted to special pointe exercises. Eventually dancers progress to wearing pointe shoes for half, or all of class.
At The Pointe Dance Arts, we are very focused on our dancers. The proper training and care of our students takes priority over a dancer’s desire for pointe shoes. All dancers with the technique, strength, discipline and work ethic will be promoted to beginning pointe at the time that is right for them individually.
Jazz
A stylistic, energetic dance form using contemporary music. Jazz can be seen from Broadway Musicals to Music Videos. This form of dance involves isolations of the body, stretching, and rhythmic exercises combining a variety of styles into an overall discipline that can broaden any student’s repertoire. NOTE: ballet is required for all jazz students with the exception of Beginning Teen Jazz.
Jazz 1: Ages 5 1/2 to 7, one 30 minute class per week
Jazz 2: Placement of teacher, one 45 minute class per week
Jazz 3: Placement of teacher, one 1 hour class per week
Jazz 4: Placement of teacher, one 1 hour 15 minute class per week
Jazz 5: Placement of teacher, 1 1/2-3 hours per week (1 or 2 days)
Jazz 6: Placement of teacher, 3 hours per week (split between 2 days)
Beginning Jazz: Ages 9-11, one 30 mininute class per week
Beginner Teen Jazz: Ages 12 & up, one 45 minute class per week
**Please note that these are the minimum requirements for each level. Students are encouraged to take more than the minimum.
Tap
Tap dancing turns beats of the music into a fun way of feeling rhythm. Students learn tap terminology and to apply rhythm and timing to tap combinations. Tap dance develops a keen sense of rhythm as well as coordination.
Tap 1: Ages 5 1/2 – 7, one 30 minute class per week
Tap 2/3: Placement of teacher, one 30 minute class per week
Tap 4/5: Placement of teacher, one 45 minute class per week
Tap 5/6: Placement of teacher, one 45 minute class per week
Hip Hop
A style of energetic dance form derived originally from urban street dance. Hip Hop is the most widely used commercial dance style.
Hip Hop 1: Ages 7-9 or those who have completed at least 1 full year of jazz class, one 45 minute class per week
Hip Hop 2: Placement of teacher, one 45 minute class per week
Hip Hop 3: Placement of teacher, one 45 minute class per week
Hip Hop 4/5: Placement of teacher, one 45 minute class per week
Hip Hop 5/6: Placement of teacher, one 45 minute class per week
Beginner Teen Hip Hop: Ages 12 & up, one 45 minute class per week
Additional Classes
Intermediate Turns & Leaps Technique: for dancers in levels 3 & 4, one 1 hour class per week
Flexibility & Strength: for dancers in levels 3 & up, one 45 minute class per week
Lyrical 1: one 45 minute class per week
Beginning Modern: ages 9-12, one 1 hour class per week