Classes

Classes are offered from beginner to professional levels in classical ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, dance explorations and hip-hop. Adult classes are offered for those 18 years old and up.

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BALLET. The curriculum at the Manchester School of Dance Arts is based on the form and technique that is learned from the art of ballet. Having a strong ballet technique is the key to excellence in many dance forms therefore the ballet program is offered to all students. This dance form is taught using proper terminology, classical music and traditional dance steps. Each week students follow a properly structured technique class including barre, center work, strengthening exercises, stretching, turning progressions, and leaping across the floor. Students develop grace, poise, rhythm and the ability to perform with confidence.

POINTE. After several years of ballet training and upon achieving the form, strength, and alignment needed to make a successful transition into pointe work, our students have the opportunity to learn the proper technique to be able to properly rise on their toes with pointe shoes without the risk of injury.

DANCE EXPLORATIONS. This is the introductory program for beginner ballet and tap, designed to help the student develop coordination, rhythm, and self-discipline, as they express themselves through movement. Teaching tools include: scarves, tambourines, bean bags and hula hoops. Students learn to listen and follow instructions, as well as basic locomotor movements and simple dance terminology and concepts, while being exposed to different types of music and rhythm.

LYRICAL. This form of dance fuses ballet, modern dance, and jazz. It requires excellent technique to perform, as the moves are often difficult and precise. Students are taught to convey the emotion of song 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. Students participating in a lyrical class must also enroll in a ballet technique class.

TAP. This exciting form of dance allows dancers to use their feet like drums to create rhythmic patterns and timely beats. The focus is on the total body movement, placing emphasis on proper technique while executing the steps. Beginners start with simple steps and then progress to more intricate patterns.

JAZZ. These high energy classes offer a style that relies heavily on originality and improvisation, while focusing on classic jazz technique. Dancers have the opportunity to mix different styles into the choreography incorporating their own expression. The blend of upbeat music and dance makes this art form worthy of study.

CONTEMPORARY. For our more advanced level students, with Ballet training, Contemporary is now offered at the studio. This dance form stresses versatility and improvisation as dancers focus on floorwork, using gravity to pull them down to the floor. Many different styles of music are explored during class as Contemporary is an expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres including Modern, Jazz, Lyrical, and Ballet. Dancers strive to connect the mind and body through fluid dance movements.

HIP-HOP. Students are taught specific body isolations which help them execute various moves such as breaking, popping, locking. Improvisation and personal interpretation are essential to hip-hop dancing.

ADULT BALLET. This class is designed for adults who wish to study the art of classical ballet. Classes will consist of barre exercises that focus on proper body alignment, fostering core and leg strength, and improving flexibility. Center work will introduce elementary footwork and focus on building strength.

ADULT TAP. This adult class focuses on popular style of dance, distinguished by progressive footwork. Dancers develop a sense of rhythm and balance. This open-level tap class, is geared toward the adult with a few years of tap training and a general knowledge of tap terminology.