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Class Descriptions and Placement

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Children's Classes

Placement: Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet, and all level 1 classes are considered entry level classes for students of appropriate age. Students advance past these levels by permission of instructor only. Our emphasis is on an individual student's experience and ability. 

Ballet Placement: our Ballet 1-4 students are evaluated at the end of every semester by a team of instructors who decide placement for the following semester. Students must be routinely on time for class, have regular attendance, as well as meet the minimum technical requirements of their current level to be considered for advancement. If your student is transferring from another school, please email MotionArts for information on attending a required placement evaluation class. 

Our Contemporary, Lyrical, and Jazz students also advance per instructor's and school director's discretion.

Classes: 

Creative Movement: ages 3-5 (must be 3 before the start of the class) in this playful class children learn to become comfortable in a studio setting, learn to follow directions, and explore their body moving in space. This is all done with follow the leader and game style movement exercises using music, sound, books/stories, props, and of course imagination! Play clothes and bare feet are appropriate, as well as dancewear of choice. Dancer must be comfortable without a parent in the room. 

Pre-Balletages 5-7 This class introduces basic dance technique and musicality. Both structured exercises and game styled activities are used, as well as imagination. Students learn not only technique, but also studio etiquette and how to follow multi-step directions. 

Ballet 1: Two semester minimum ages 7 and up This class introduces the student to the basic technique of Ballet. Students will also learn musicality and class room etiquette. Black leotard (needed for performance- student may also have other colors), pink tights and pink ballet slippers for girls, white t-shirt and black shorts or leggings and black ballet slippers for boys. Hair must be pulled back. Skirts are optional but must be removable from leotard.

Ballet 2:  Two semester minimum. This class builds on Ballet 1, students need permission of instructor to advance. Students continue to learn more advanced ballet technique and increase their musicality. Black leotard (needed for performance- student may also have other colors), pink tights and pink ballet slippers for girls, white t-shirt and black shorts or leggings and black ballet slippers for boys. Hair must be pulled back. Skirts are optional but must be removable from leotard.

Ballet 3: Two-three semesters typical. This class builds on Ballet 2, students need permission of instructor to advance. Students continue to learn a large amount of new vocabulary as well as complex combinations, and to start to refine their technique and musicality. Students with ballet 3 experience should consider taking Ballet 3/4 in addition to ballet 3 after one semester and with permission from instructor, but it is not required. Black leotard (needed for performance- student may also have other colors), pink tights and pink ballet slippers for girls, white t-shirt and black shorts or leggings and black ballet slippers for boys. Hair must be pulled back. Skirts are optional. 

Ballet 3/4: students need a minimum of two semesters of ballet 3 and permission of instructor to advance. This class is considered a second weekly class for upper level 3 students and lower level 4 students. Students continue to learn more advanced ballet technique and combinations, as well as musicality and performance quality.  Black leotard (student may also have other colors) pink tights and pink ballet slippers for girls, white t-shirt and black shorts or leggings and black ballet slippers for boys. Hair must be pulled back. Skirts are optional. This class does not always prepare a piece for the end of semester performance since it is a support class with a focus on technique only.

Ballet 4: Two semester minimum, students need permission of instructor to advance. Students continue to learn and hone ballet technique, complex combinations, musicality and performance quality. Students should consider taking two ballet classes per week, but it is not required. Black leotard (needed for performance- student may also have other colors), pink tights and pink ballet slippers for girls, white t-shirt and black shorts or leggings and black ballet slippers for boys. Hair must be pulled back. Skirts are optional.

Ballet 4/5: This class is considered a second weekly class for upper level 4 students and lower level 5 students. Upper level students are may attend this class en pointe. Students continue to learn more advanced ballet technique and combinations, as well as musicality and performance quality.  Black leotard student my also have other colors, pink tights and pink ballet slippers for girls, white t-shirt and black shorts or leggings and black ballet slippers for boys. Hair must be pulled back. Skirts are optional. This class does not always prepare a piece for the end of semester performance since it is a support class with a focus on technique only.

Ballet 5, 5/6. 6: Students need permission of instructor to advance. Students continue to learn more advanced ballet technique and combinations, as well as musicality and performance quality.  Upper level students are may attend this class en pointe. Black leotard student my also have other colors, pink tights and pink ballet slippers for girls, white t-shirt and black shorts or leggings and black ballet slippers for boys. Hair must be pulled back. Skirts are optional. 

Pointe: By permission of instructor only, minimum age for consideration and required testing is 11. Students must have a minimum of one year experience in level 4 Ballet and must take a minimum of 2 ballet classes per week in addition to Pointe class.

Contemporary / Modern 1: ages 7 and up Students will learn a variety of  Modern/Contemporary dance techniques. Body awareness, movement quality, musicality, improvisation and dance creation are also incorporated. 

Contemporary/ Modern 2: ages 9 with dance experience. Students will learn a variety of  Modern/Contemporary dance techniques. Body awareness, movement quality, musicality, improvisation and dance creation are also incorporated. 

Lyrical 3/4 (level corresponds with ballet placement- student must be enrolled in ballet to qualify to take lyrical):  (ages 9 and up) a relatively new style of dance that grew out of bringing together ballet and rock/folk/pop music. It draws movement vocabulary from ballet, jazz, and modern dance styles and challenges the choreographer/dancer to communicate emotion passionately. Previous or concurrent dance technique experience needed.  Level 4/5 by permission. . 

Jazz 1 : ages 6-8 Students will learn jazz technique and dance combinations at an age appropriate level. This class is high energy and fun! Yoga/active/dance wear and black jazz shoes are appropriate, hair pulled back.

Jazz 2: 9+ Students will learn more advanced jazz technique and dance combinations at an age appropriate level. This class is high energy and fun! Yoga/active/dance wear and black jazz shoes are appropriate, hair pulled back.

Child Tap: ages 7+ Dancers learn Tap technique and combinations in this fun filled class! Students will also explore rhythm and musicality. 


Teen/Adult Classes (ages 13 and up)

 

Ballet 3/4, 4, 4/5, 5, 5/6, 6: these classes for the advanced ballet dancer. The focus of this class on complex combinations, maintaining and perfecting technique, musicality and performance quality.

Pointe: minimum age is 11 or teen/adult with previous Pointe experience, students should take 2 ballet classes a week in addition to Pointe class. By permission of instructor only.

Contemporary 3& 4: Previous experience needed. Students will learn a variety of modern dance techniques, combinations, improvisation and choreography. Dance experience required. Yoga/active/dance wear and bare feet are appropriate, hair pulled back.

Lyrical 5: (Must be Ballet 5 level to enroll or have significant previous or concurrent Ballet and or Contemporary Dance experience)  a relatively new style of dance that grew out of bringing together ballet and rock/folk/pop music. It draws movement vocabulary from ballet, jazz, and modern dance styles and challenges the choreographer/dancer to communicate emotion passionately.  

Jazz 3&4: Students will learn advanced jazz steps, leaps, turns and dance combinations at an age appropriate level. This class is high energy and fun! Yoga/active/dance wear and black jazz shoes are appropriate, hair pulled back.