Our technique classes are offered at various levels to accommodate every dancer. Each student is placed in the class or level that is most appropriate for his/her needs and development as young dancer. Placement is up to the discretion of the teacher and school director. See diagram below. For a breakdown of tuition, please see the Tuition Web page. For a Schedule of Classes, please visit the Schedule Web page.

Elementary Dance Classes

• Parent and Child/Movement and Song: Encourage your child’s imagination as you explore creative dance using stories, props and movement. (This class is offered through Howard County Recreation and Parks only. Appropriate for ages 2-3 years old. Call 410-313-PARK to register or visit the HCRP web site.)
• Creative Dance: Introduces children to the joy of moving using stories, props and lots of imagination.
• Dance Basics: An introduction to pre-ballet/tap movement and basic dance skills, incorporating locomotor and rhythmic patterns.
• Dance Fundamentals: Students continue to build on their knowledge of pre-ballet and pre-tap movement. As students progress, movement patterns become more complex and students begin to develop sustained attention for learning technique more directly.
• Creative Movement: Fundamentals of Modern Dance: Introduces students to creative dance as a way to explore their own way of moving and creating. Students will learn about space, shape, time, and rhythm and body awareness while beginning to use them as tools for expression.
• Pre-Ballet: Introduces students to beginning ballet movement and traveling exercises. Emphasis is on the coordination of the beginning standard arm and leg positions as well as basic floor vocabulary.
  Pre-Jazz: Introduces the student to syncopated rhythm patterns, isolated movement of the body and simple traveling sequences.
• Pre-Tap: Introduces basic movement and rhythmic patterns in the tap dance vocabulary.
• Elementary A Ballet, Jazz, Tap: Students will continue to review and build on their skills acquired in their pre-dance classes. They will begin to focus on combining pieces of movement vocabulary in ballet, longer more complex movement phrases in jazz and combining both axial and loco motor movement in tap. Please note that two or more years in Elementary A may be needed prior to moving to Elementary B.
• Elementary B Ballet and Jazz: Students will review and build on their skills acquired in their Elementary A classes. New vocabulary will be introduced in their ballet and jazz classes. More emphasis will begin to be placed on technique, phrasing and more complex movement. Please note that two or more years in Elementary B may be needed prior to moving to Level A. *Students in this level are encouraged to take two ballet classes per week.*
• Elementary Modern: Students will continue to review and build on their skills learned in Creative Movement. More emphasis will be placed on technique,
  phrasing and more complex movement and combinations. *It is recommended
  that students have a year of Creative movement prior to elementary modern.*
  

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Performance Dance Track

• Level A - Ballet, Jazz, and Modern: Reviews skills from elementary B classes and begins to place more emphasis on technique, phrasing and more complex movement sequences. Prerequisite: Completion and mastery of Elementary B skills. Please note that two or more years in Elementary B may be needed prior to moving to Level A. *Students in this level are encouraged to take two ballet classes per week.*
• Level B1 – Ballet and Modern: Reviews skills taught in Level A classes and emphasizes further development and mastering of skills learned in Level A. Prerequisite: Completion and mastering of Level A skills. Please note that two or more years in Level A may be needed prior to moving to Level B1. *Students in this level are encouraged to take two ballet classes per week.*
• Level B2 – Ballet and Modern: Reviews skills taught in Level B1. Dance technique at this level introduces a mature perspective of musicality, quality and dynamic differences along with clear understanding and performance of brief and simplistic movement phrases. Prerequisite: Completion and mastering of Level B1 skills. Please note that two or more years in Level B1 may be needed prior to moving to Level B2. *Students in this level are encouraged to take two ballet classes per week.*
• Level C – Ballet and Modern: Dance technique classes at this level expand on musicality, quality and dynamic differences for the mature dancer by emphasizing performance of long and complex movement phrases. Prerequisite: Completion and mastering of Level B2 skills. Please note that two or more years in Level B2 may be needed prior to moving to Level C. *Students in this level are encouraged to take two ballet classes per week.*
  

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Recreational Dance Track

• Ballet I (Ages 10-12) and Ballet II (Ages 12-14): Students are introduced to standard barre and center vocabulary. Time is spent on phrases that emphasize slow, controlled movement, fast footwork, turns and jumps.
• Jazz I (Ages 10-12) and Jazz II (Ages 12-14): Students will learn basic syncopation and isolation movements and combine them with larger motor work that demonstrates strength and flexibility in longer movement patterns as they move through the levels.
• Modern I (Ages 10-12) and Modern II (Ages 12-14): Students are introduced to the use of the spine and torso and involvement of the whole body in simple movement patterns that become more complicated as the student progresses.
• Teen Ballet, Jazz, Modern and Tap (ages 14 and up): Students are introduced to basic movement phrases and patterns in all classes allowing them to work at their own pace.
  

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Classes for Children with Special Needs

• Combo Class (ages 11-16): This class covers several aspects of dance including jazz, modern and creative movement. This class is designed for children with special needs. Students will enjoy exploring different ways of moving through various dance activities.

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Fitness Classes

• Yoga 1 and 2 (ages 16 and up): Hatha Yoga strengthens the body and improves flexibility while increasing relaxation and reducing stress. Become aware of breathing techniques, meditation and chakras (energy centers). (Yoga I is offered through Howard County Recreation and Parks only. Contact HCRP at 410-313-PARK to register.)
• Pilates-Mat Class (ages 16 and up): The Pilates Method is an exercise system focused on improving flexibility and strength for the whole body without building bulk. It is a series of controlled movements that provide a refreshing and energizing workout.
• Dance Fitness to the Oldies (ages 16 and up): Work out to your favorite music of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, back when it was recorded on vinyl! Your favorite dance steps combined with dance aerobics will make you feel great! No experience necessary. (These classes are offered through Howard County Recreation and Parks only. Contact HCRP at 410-313-PARK to register.)
• Barre Core Fitness (ages 16 and up): A full body workout without impact on the knees or joints. Gain tone and strength using your own body weight as you glide through a series of ballet/fitness based exercises at the barre. (This class is offered through Howard County Recreation and Parks only. Contact HCRP at 410-313-PARK to register.)
  

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Specialty Dance Classes

• Musical Theatre I (ages 7-9), Musical Theatre II (ages 10-12), and Musical Theatre III (ages 13 and up): Musical theater is a form of theater combining music, song, dance, and spoken dialogue. A great introduction to show tunes and Broadway style choreography for students interested in musicals. No experience is necessary.
• Hip Hop I (ages 7-9), Hip Hop II (ages 10-12) and Hip Hop III (ages 14 and up): A high energy dance class based on street dancing that uses popular hip hop and pop music. Dynamics and isolation of the different parts of the body make this form easily recognizable.
• Lyrical I (ages 12-14) and Lyrical II/Contemporary ( ages 14 and up): Learn to express yourself through the music, lyrics and movement in this new, free flowing dance class. This class is a blend of modern dance and ballet, executed to contemporary music with meaning and definition.
• Belly Dance I, Belly Dance II, and III (ages 16 and up): Enjoy a great workout while performing this tradition-enriched dance. (Beginning I class is offered through Howard County Recreation and Parks only. Please call 410-313-PARK to register.)

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