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
The Twinkle Star program is designed for toddlers and offers the perfect amount of structure and fun based on sound child development principles. Each class contains stories, music and props in a child-friendly setting which helps students develop body awareness, rhythm, flexibility, coordination and confidence. Dancers in our Twinkle Star program will study Ballet, Tap and pre-Jazz movements.
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 45 minutes per week (split between 2 days)
Ballet 5: Placement of teacher, 3 hours 3o minutes per week (split between 2 days)
Ballet 6: Placement of teacher, 5 hours per week (split between 3 days)
Beginning Ballet: Ages 9-11, one 30 minute class per week
Teen Ballet 1 & 2: 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 Teen Jazz 1 & 2.
Jazz 1: Ages 5 1/2 to 7, one 30 minute class per week
Jazz 2: Placement of teacher, one 30 minute or 45 minute class per week
Jazz 3: Placement of teacher, one 45 minute or 1 hour class per week
Jazz 4: Placement of teacher, one 1 hour 15 minute class per week
Jazz 5: Placement of teacher, one 1 hr 30 min class per week
Jazz 6: Placement of teacher, 3 hours per week (split between 2 days)
Beginning Jazz: Ages 9-11, one 30 mininute class per week
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: Placement of teacher, one 30 minute class per week
Tap 3: Placement of teacher, one 30 minute class per week
Tap 4: Placement of teacher, one 30 minute class per week
Tap 5: 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
Hop 2: Placement of teacher, one 45 minute class per week
Hop 3: Placement of teacher, one 45 minute class per week
Hip Hop 4: Placement of teacher, one 45 minute class per week
Hip Hop 5: Placement of teacher, one 1 hour 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
Beginning Modern: for dancers ages 9-12, one 1 hour class per week
Endurance: Conditioning for the Dancer: one 1 hour or 1 hour 30 minutes class per week