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Our Dance floors are professional Sprung Floors

Dance and Fitness:   Dance is the poetry that the body speaks without words. It is as universal an art form as is music and is as universal in its ability to appeal. But while the poetry and grace of the dance performer are real, the seeming effortlessness of the dancer is an illusion. What seems easy and effortless is the result of great training and discipline. Dancers must be in the best of physical condition. They must be able to create and learn complex series of movement and they must be able to impart into their movements ideas and emotional qualities. It is this infusion that gives dance the power it has over both performers and viewers. Individuals who choose to study dance will find it challenging not only for the movement itself, but also for the demands the art will make to their inner resources. Yet meeting those challenges are part of the exhilaration and satisfaction that makes the study of dance so rewarding.

Our Dance program will train you from beginning to advanced movement through our highly qualified dance professionals. 

Our highly qualified staff will also provide dance movement programs designed to focus more on the fitness benefit of dance.  These additional classes are for individuals who seek an alternative and exciting form of exercise.

Our large dance floor

THE FOLLOWING IS A DESCRIPTION OF OUR DANCE PROGRAMS IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ALTERNATIVE DAYS AND TIMES FOR THESE PROGRAMS. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US VIA PHONE OR E-MAIL

Ballet

Why Ballet?

• Helps channel energy constructively.
• Discipline learned during ballet training can be applied to other areas of life, school and work. Refer to www.bellaonline.com/articles/art21225.asp
• Improves posture, coordination, rhythm, and memory.
• Develops strong and flexible bodies, and a knowledge of the correct way to exercise.
• Teaches healthy respect for ones body and mind.
• Develops poise and the ability to perform easily in front of others.
• Performing teaches organization and responsibility.
• Brings out a student's creative abilities.
• Encourages an appreciation for classical music.

We offer the Royal Academy of Dance Ballet.  The R.A.D. is based in London, England and is the largest examining and teacher education organization for ballet in the world and is offered in over 84 countries.  The classes offered begin with pre-primary ballet for children aged 4 1/2 to 5, primary for children aged 6 to 9.  The grades of ballet do not follow the same ages as public school grades.  Our instructor can assist you on finding the best class for your child.  We recommend that all our young dancers participate in one of our ballet classes.

Pre-primary (4 1/2-5yrs ): A fun class introducing Ballet positions and steps.  Great care is taken to progress a child in slow stages, demanding no more of a young body than it can cope with.  These classes encourage a sense of movement, rhythm, and an appreciation of music.

Classes are on Saturdays 10:30-11:30 am

Primary (6-9 yrs): This class is structured, while maintaining an atmosphere of fun.  Care is taken to establish the beginning of a strong basic technique, the foundation upon which the good dance is built.

Classes are on Saturdays 11:30-12:30 pm

 Dress Code:
Pink Leotard
Pink tights and/or pink socks
Pink leather ballet shoes fitting correctly and elastics
Short Pink Skirts by November for Pre-primary and Primary 

Jazz

Jazz and Hip Hop
What is the difference between Jazz and Hip Hop?
Jazz style of dance is what is seen in many Broadway type shows such as "Cats".  It is a more structured, stage style of dance.  Hip Hop is a fast, high energy type of dance seen in music videos and commercials. 

Pre-Jazz Hip Hop 6-8: This class is structured for ages 6-8. Class length is 1 hour, 1 time per week.  This beginner program allows students to take the 2 most popular forms of dance in one class.  The jazz/hip hop class teaches fundamental jazz steps and combines the elements of hip hop moves and contemporary music.  We have found that the combination of jazz and hip hop is ideal for this age.  Students learn the necessary elements of jazz which are crucial to success in hip hop, but also get to learn hip hop moves which require the coordination and balance learned from jazz.  When students complete this class they are ready to progress to the next level.

Classes are on Tuesdays 6-7 pm

Pre-Jazz Hip Hop 7-9:  The 7-9 class expands on the 6-8 class and introduces more complex moves and routines. 

Classes are on Thursdays 6-7 pm

Jazz (ages 10 and up) :  dress code- black leotard, jazz pants or shorts; male dancers-dance t-shirt and jazz pants

Classes are on Saturdays 2-3 pm.

Tap (ages 10 and up): tap shoes with ties required

Classes are on Thursdays 4:30-5:30 pm

Hip Hop

"Hip Hop" is the newest genre of dance. It is a very high impact and fast pace form of dance. Hip Hop takes a whole new approach to dancing. It combines unconventional movements, such as shoulder rolls, pops and quick arm and leg isolations. Conditioning exercises and drills will be incorporated to develop the physical skills and capacities necessary to execute more advanced movements. The movements will be instructor choreographed, but will allow the opportunity for students to express their individuality and creativity by developing signature techniques, as well as, group formations. Students will "compete" in class in small groups as part of the experience. The history and evolution of hip hop dance will also be examined with emphasis placed on the positive message that Hip Hop brings to today's soceity. Our class will include extensive strenght training, coordinating exercises, flexibility activities, leaps, turns and combinations in the center to recognizable age-appropriate music. This class can only enhance coordination needed for cheer leading and any athletic activity.

Hip Hop 12 and up :*For those who are younger we suggest that you make an appointment to "observe" a class, as the movements are fast paced and high impact.*

Dress code: Dance top, jazz pants or shorts. Thin socks or dance sneakers. As class progresses we do recommend dance sneakers.

Advanced class is on Saturdays 3-4 pm.

Intermediate class is on Tuesdays 4-5 pm.

Private sessions

Introducing private sessions for jazz, tap, lyrical and hip-hop! This is offered for the more experienced dancer and suggested for the adult beginner. These sessions are based on instructor and space availability. Must purchase in advance a minimum of 4 sessions that must be scheduled within a semester. For details, please call.

Lyrical Dance

Lyrical dance is a modern dance form which fuses modern dance, jazz, and ballet. Lyrical dance is often referred to as contemporary dance. It requires excellent technique to perform, as the moves are often difficult and precise. Moreover, the dancer must be well aware of facial expressions, essentially acting, to properly perform a lyrical dance piece. The goal of the lyrical dancer is to convey the emotion of a song's lyrics. Intense emotional expression of the face and body are necessary to tell a story that evolves along the lines of the song to which lyrical dance is performed.Unlike other dance forms, lyrical dance is far less concerned with a dancer's physique. Often excellent jazz and ballet dancers are drawn to the lyrical style because they lack the traditional dancer's build. It is quite common to see lyrical dancers who have are not extremely thin. However, lyrical dance demands a high degree of flexibility and complicated lifts, so dancers with a nontraditional build still need to be in excellent physical shape to perform lyrical pieces.
Intermediate Lyrical: This class introduces students to the art of lyrical dance.  Due to the difficulty of the lyrical style, it is required that students enrolled in this class have previous experience in both ballet and jazz.  Open to ages 12 and above (children younger than 12 need instructors' permission)

*Minimum of 2 1/2-3 years of ballet training required, jazz training preferred*

Dress code: leotard, tights and shorts (no pants)

Classes are Saturdays 1-2 pm

Ballroom Dance

Ballroom dance, refers collectively to a set of partner dances, which originated in the Western world and are now enjoyed both socially and competitively around the globe. Its performance and entertainment aspects are also widely enjoyed on stage, in film, and on television. It is for young and old. While historically ballroom dance may refer to any form of formal social dancing as recreation, with the eminence of dancesport in modern times the term has became much narrower in scope, usually referring specifically to the International Standard and International Latin style dances.

We will have available a limited selection of ballroom shoes on site to purchase.

Adult group classes: (75 mins, 8 sessions)- Adults will be instructed in the basic steps of  Latin American rhythms that will provide them with the necessary skills  and knowledge to enjoy dancing socially. Class will end with a Social Dance Night to celebrate your new talent!  **Ballroom shoes required*

Mondays 6:30 - 7:30 pm

 

Kids Class: ages 5-7-(45 mins, 15 sessions) Fun class for the little ones! They will learn the basis of cha-cha steps learning about beats and rhythmic movement. A mini graduation and performance will be planned on the last class. **No shoe requirement**. Children will dance in their stocking feet.

Call for date and time

 

Private Classes: (60 mins)- Teens and adults (1-4 attendees in class)
For those who already have ballroom skills and would like to boost up their technique and choreography or enjoy learning with some of your friends then this option is for you!  Students will be instructed in Latin Ballroom dancing at their appropriate level. Instructor will be able to customize instruction to fit the group. You have the flexibility to schedule times of instruction at your convenience contingent upon the availability of dance space and instructor availability. Feel free to join us also at Social Dance Nights. **Ballroom shoes required**.

Ballroom Fitness: (55 mins) (8 sessions, ages 16 and up)
Latin Dancers have some of the best bodies in the world...and they have the most fun getting them! Dancing in heeled shoes optimize the toning and lengthening of the body's muscles. Let the driving Latin beats work your body into shape! **Ballroom shoes required** .

Thursdays 7:30-8:30 pm.

 

Competitive Ballroom- Ages 15 and up. This program is for the dancer who is interested in competing and the youth collegiate and adult competetive level. **Ballroom shoes required** Call for details.

MIDDLE EASTERN DANCE Class

8 sessions (60 mins)

Women of all shapes and sizes can enjoy learning this form of dance. This course session is designed for those who have no previous exposure to this form of dancing. Class instruction teaches specific controlled movements that are used in Middle Eastern Dancing. Initially students will learn a choreographed dance routine to learn how to link individual movements together.

Some of the basic moves include: Snake Arms, Hip Lifts and Drops, Shamu (Camel Walk), and Large Hip Circles

This Class is open to all ages but catered to adult women who are looking to try something new.

In order for the instructer to confirm that you are doing the moves correctly, it is helpful to wear clothes that are not baggy yet comfortable. Stretchy pants or leggings are best to practice in. Please, no large t-shirts. Soft ballet shoes or bare feet are recommended for the class.

Mondays 7 - 8 pm starting March 31 until May 26

ACROBATICS/TUMBLING

Acro Leve 1: Ages 6-9 - In this beginning acro class, students will learn basic acro skills, including forward and back roll, front and back straddle role, cartwheel, headstand and headstand front roll. 

Dress Code: Leotards, Tights, Close Fitting Workout Clothes.
Saturdays 2 - 3 pm

Acro Leve 2: Ages 7-12- In this low / Intermediate acro class, students will learn progress to more advanced techniques of acrobatics, including one armed cartwheel, round-off, back extension roll, back bend kick-over.  Open to students who have had past experience in acrobatics.

Dress Code: Leotards, Tights, Close Fitting Workout Clothes.
Saturdays 3 - 4 pm

Acro Leve 3: Ages 10 and up- This middle/ Intermediate acro class is for students with prior experience with acrobatics.  Class includes work on advanced techiques, including; back walkover, front walkover, front handspring, press handstand and back handspring.

Dress Code: Leotards, Tights, Close Fitting Workout Clothes.
Wednesdays 6 - 7 pm

 

DANCE/FITNESS Department  Fees and Tuition

Other fitness classes coming soon! Keep checking back!

Note: All fees must be paid by pre-authorized debit or pre-authorized credit cards at time of registration.
Auto-debit from bank account and credit card payments are only available for regular auto-charge recurring monthly fees. Incidental fees such as costumes, dance recital tickets, dance recital dvds and music recital accompaniment must be paid by cash or check. Credit cards are not accepted for individual in-person payments for lessons each month.     
Tuition fees subject to change.

Martial Arts

The American Martial Arts Institute (AMAI)has two full-time locations in the state of New York and now will also have a satellite location here in Clinton. Grandmaster Clifford C. Crandall, Jr. heads AMAI and is assisted by over 47 black belt instructors

The American Martial Arts Institute which teaches "American Eagle Style" has a heritage of tae kwon do, karate and wu shu styles with self-defense that meets the needs of men, women and children of all ages. As an institute of learning the school has become also known as a certified center in the teaching traditional Laido from Headmaster Tsuneyoshi Matsuno, called "Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno" and "Tai Chi Chuan".

AMAI uses hands and feet techniques equally, resulting in a more well-rounded physical program. The style is called "The American Eagle Style". The style has strong roots in the historical formulation of traditional martial arts. The given breakdown of the American Eagle Style reagarding national influences is:                                        
American (Self-Defense & Forms) = 40 %
Korean (Tae Kwon DO) = 35%
Japanese (Karate) = 15%
Chinese (Wu Shu) = 10 %

Martial Arts 6-12 years old (60 mins)
Monday & Wednesday 6-7 pm

Martial Arts 13 years old and up (60 mins)
Tuesday & Thursday 6.30 pm-7.30 pm

MARTIAL ARTS  Fees and Tuition

Note: All fees must be paid by pre-authorized debit or pre-authorized credit cards at time of registration.
Auto-debit from bank account and credit card payments are only available for regular auto-charge recurring monthly fees. Credit cards are not accepted for individual in-person payments for lessons each month.    

Tuition fees subject to change