Curriculum

Placement begins at the Pre-School Level and increases to Level VI. Every student is evaluated on a regular basis to ensure proper placement. Changes in a student’s class placement are based on the recommendations of DDC Director and Faculty. Do not be concerned if your child repeats a level of training, students will not necessarily be promoted to a higher level on an annual basis. Placement and advancement from one level to the next is based on the student’s own merit; overall strength and maturity; knowledge of vocabulary and technique, and the ability to demonstrate those skills.

All students must meet the age requirement by September 30, 2017 for class participation.

Music, Movement & Make-Believe Club
(Age 2-4)

Children will have the opportunity to gain valuable skills that will prepare them for pre-school and kindergarten through musical and dramatic play and exploration. Little ones will play pretend (complete with costumes), enjoy crafts, and be guided in expressing themselves through music and movement. Parents are welcome to join their child in the class.

Creative Movement
(Age 3-4)

This program focuses on coordination, motor skill development, listening skills, and creative expression. Promoting imagination, while building physical ability; this program introduces the concepts of warming up, stretching and using movement to communicate both concrete story lines and abstract idea with interactive group exercises. Students develop classroom discipline, body awareness and control while exploring their own creativity, and begin to develop an understanding of the connection between dance, rhythm and music. *Must be potty trained.

Pre-Ballet
(Age 5-6)

This program is designed to introduce students to a more formal study of classical ballet through age appropriate skill development, creative expression and music appreciation, while exploring the connection between dance, rhythm and music. Age appropriate ballet vocabulary is included in the lessons complemented by stretching and strengthening exercises in preparation for more formal training.

Beginning Ballet – Advanced
(Age 6 with Pre-Ballet experience & up)

Provides students with a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles of classical ballet technique. Encourages students to achieve a significant level of self-discipline, physical control and flexibility, and correct body placement and alignment. Students will learn to develop a sincere appreciation of the historical contributions of ballet to the overall development of dance as an art form.

Pointe Preparation/Pointe
(Age 10 & up)

Requires Director permission and enrollment in 3 ballet classes per week. Pointe work is undertaken when the student has developed a strong foundation of ballet technique, and when the legs and feet are sufficiently developed. Requires Director permission and enrollment in 3 ballet classes per week.

Modern I – Advanced
(Age 7 & up)

Requires enrollment in 1 ballet class per week. Introduces the fundamental principles of Horton modern technique, which is reputed to fortify, stretch and strengthen the human body. It is anatomically corrective and utilized in the widest possible range of motion, with an emphasis on large, full movements done to musical phrases of varying lengths and dynamics. Requires enrollment in 1 ballet class per week.

Contemporary 1 - Advanced
(Age 8 & up)

Requires enrollment in 1 ballet class per week. A form of dance that combines ballet technique, strength of jazz and freedom of modern to interpret and tell a story through movement with emphasis placed on developing dramatic expression and creative articulation of the body. Dancers must have a strong foundation in ballet and be enrolled in ballet class to participate in this class. Requires enrollment in 1 ballet class per week.

Beginning Jazz – Advanced
(Age 6 with Beginning Jazz experience & up)

Emphasis is placed on appropriate technique of jazz dance skills and its application in the development of rhythm, syncopation, coordination, musicality, and variation of style. Coordination of these elements will focus on increasing body strength, flexibility and kinesthetic awareness. Students will study current and traditional jazz vocabulary and styles.

Theatre Jazz
(Age 8 & up)

Students are provided with an understanding of the skills and knowledge necessary for American Musical Theatre. This class trains students age 7 and older in the basics of acting combined with dance. Students are educated on body conditioning, stage directions/movement and basic choreographic elements utilized in musical theatre. They spend a large amount of time working through basic acting exercises preparing them for the stage.

Pre-Tap I & Pre-Tap II
Pre-Tap I (Age 4), Pre-Tap II (Age 5-6)

Beginning Tap – Advanced
(Age 6 with Pre-Tap experience & up)

A form of dance where rhythmic sounds are created with the feet. Works to develop rhythm, musicality, precision and physical expression.

Tap Rudiments & Drills
(Age 8 & up)

**Requires enrollment in 1 tap class per week. Tap Rudiments and Drills will focus on tap dance drills and rudiments to build stamina, precision, speed, and clarity through footwork and repetition. Rudiments and Drills class is the strength and conditioning of tap dance.

Pre-Hip Hop
(Age 5)

Beginning Hip Hop - Advanced
(Age 6 & up)

Students learn isolations, rhythm, and basic technique associated with a broad spectrum of hip hop styles. Hip Hop Technique is for students with enough understanding of movement and rhythm to begin mastering specific hip hop styles.

Teen & Adult Classes
(Age 12 & up)

Recreational ballet and jazz classes for preteens, teens and adults interested in learning dance technique all while having fun. Designed to develop muscle tone, physical discipline and musical expression.

Dance Conditioning
(Age 8 & up)

The goals for this class are to educate dancers on proper movement quality and it’s importance, increase strength to improve work and recovery capacity, increase body awareness, balance patterns of overuse to prevent injuries and to serve as a mock “screen” to get a sense of whether a dancer is over-trained, injured, or recovering poorly.

Repertoire
(Age 8 & up)

**Requires enrollment in 1 ballet level III or higher class per week. Repertoire refers to a complete inventory of dance pieces or numbers that a dance company knows or has ready to perform. In this class dancers will learn a variety of classical ballet excerpts. The repertoire will be a part of the Act II Ballet in the Annual Spring Performance.