2022-2023 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, 2022 for class participation.
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.
Classes Available
Monday
3:45-4:30 Creative Movement 3/4yr – CM
Wednesday
11:00-11:45 Creative Movement 3/4yr – KM
6:30-7:15 Creative Movement 3/4yr – SG
Friday
5:00-5:45 Creative Movement 3/4yr – LM
Saturday
11:00-11:45 Saturday Movement Exploration 3/4yr – LM*
The Saturday Movement Exploration class is an 8-week session and will operate 4 times. August 27-October 15, October 22-December 17, January 7-February 25, and March 11-May 6. This class will not be in recital.
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.
Classes Available
Monday
5:15-6:00 Pre-Ballet 5/6yr – SW
Wednesday
5:45-6:30 Pre-Ballet 5/6yr – JE
Friday
5:45-6:30 Pre-Ballet 5/6yr – LM
Saturday
10:15-11:00 Pre-Ballet 5/6yr – LM
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.
Classes Available
Beginning Ballet
Monday
4:30-5:15 Beginning Ballet – CM Full
Saturday
11:45-12:30 Beginning Ballet – BL
Ballet I
Wednesday
4:15-5:15 Ballet I – CM
5:15-6:15 Ballet I – CM Full
Ballet II
Tuesday
6:15-7:30 Ballet II – CM
Wednesday
6:45-8:00 Ballet II – JE
Ballet III
Tuesday
4:15-5:30 Ballet III* – CM
Ballet III/IV
Thursday
6:00-7:30 Ballet III/IV* – OA
Friday
4:15-5:45 Ballet III/IV* – CM
Ballet IV/V
Tuesday
6:30-8:00 Ballet IV/V* – OA
Ballet V/VI
Wednesday
5:15-6:45 Ballet V/VI* – EM
Thursday
7:30-9:00 Ballet V/VI* – OA
Advanced Ballet
Tuesday
3:45-5:15 Advanced Ballet* – OA
Wednesday
5:15-6:45 Advanced Ballet en pointe* – EM
Thursday
3:45-5:15 Advanced Ballet* – OA
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.
Classes Available
Wednesday
6:45-7:30 Intermediate Pointe* – OA
Thursday
5:15-6:00 Advanced Pointe* – OA
Friday
5:45-6:30 Pointe Prep/Beginning Pointe* – CM
Variations
(Age 8 & up)
The studio becomes a stage in Variations class as students learn excerpts from classical and contemporary ballets. A portion of the repertoire will be performed in Act II of our Annual Spring Performance. **Requires enrollment in 1 ballet level III or higher class per week.
Classes Available
Tuesday
5:15-6:00 Advanced Variations (Act II) – OA
5:30-6:45 Beginning Variations (Act II) – CM
8:00-8:45 Intermediate Variations (Act II) – OA
Progressing Ballet Technique
Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) is an innovative body-conditioning and strengthening program that has been designed to enhance students' technique by focussing on training the muscle memory required in each exercise in all forms of dance. PBT focuses on core strength, weight placement and alignment of the body with a gradual approach of carefully designed exercises and repetitions of these exercises that trigger their muscle memory. The program helps with injury prevention and rehabilitation and enhances the ability of athletes to perform at their best.
Classes Available
Saturday9:00-10:00 Progressing Ballet Technique – LA
10:00-11:15 Progressing Ballet Technique – LA
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.
Classes Available
Modern I
Thursday
6:30-7:15 Modern I – NF
Modern II
Tuesday
7:30-8:30 Modern II – NF
Modern III
Monday
7:45-9:00 Modern III – KU
Modern IV
Monday
6:30-7:45 Modern IV – KU
Advanced Modern
Monday
5:00-6:30 Advanced Modern – KU
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.
Classes Available
Beginning Jazz
Monday
4:30-5:15 Beginning Jazz – AN
Wednesday
4:30-5:15 Beginning Jazz – AN
Jazz I
Monday
6:45-7:30 Jazz I – SW
Jazz II
Monday
6:30-7:30 Jazz II – AN
Jazz III/IV
Wednesday
8:00-9:00 Jazz III/IV – JE
Jazz V/VI
Monday
5:15-6:30 Jazz V/VI – AN
Advanced Jazz
Monday
7:30-8:45 Advanced Jazz – AN
Theatre Jazz
(Age 7 & 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.
Classes Available
Theatre Jazz
Wednesday
7:15-8:00 Theatre Jazz 7-11yr – SS
8:00-9:00 Theatre Jazz 12 & up – SS
Pre-Tap I & Pre-Tap II
Pre-Tap I (Age 4), Pre-Tap II (Age 5-6)
Classes Available
Pre-Tap I 4yr
Wednesday
5:15-5:45 Pre-Tap I 5/6yr – JE
Pre-Tap II 5/6yr
Thursday
6:30-7:15 Pre-Tap II 4yr – JP
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.
Classes Available
Beginning
Thursday
4:30-5:15 Beginning Tap – JP Full
Tap I
Thursday
5:45-6:30 Tap I – JP
Tap II
Thursday
6:30-7:15 Tap II – JP
Tap III/IV
Saturday
10:30-11:30 Tap III/IV – KH
Tap V/VI
Saturday
8:30-9:30 AM Tap V/VI – KH
Advanced Tap
Saturday
9:30-10:30 AM Advanced Tap – KH
Beginning Jazz Funk - IV/V
(Age 6 & up)
Jazz Funk is a fusion of styles, incorporating jazz roots into a melting pot of hip hop and contemporary. Students will learn isolations, rhythm, and movement associated with a broad spectrum of genres. It is comprised of movement that is funky, expressive, and fun.
Classes Available
Beginning Jazz Funk
Monday
6:00-6:45 Beginning Jazz Funk – SW Full
Jazz Funk I
Tuesday
5:45-6:30 Jazz Funk I – SW
Jazz Funk II
Tuesday
5:00-5:45 Jazz Funk II - NF
Jazz Funk III
Tuesday
6:30-7:15 Jazz Funk III - NF
Jazz Funk IV/V
Tuesday
4:15-5:00 Jazz Funk IV/V – NF
Adult Dance Series
(Age 16 & up)
Learn step-by-step choreographed routines to utilize at your next wedding reception, social outing or with a group for fun. No experience required! It’s a great class to learn rhythm and timing, body control and how to interact with individuals of varied dance experiences and personalities. In addition, you will gain increased flexibility, improved endurance and burn calories. This course is the perfect opportunity to unwind and have some fun! In this class, you will explore several genres of dance including jazz, jazz funk, line dancing and more. This class can be taken in 8-week sessions.
Classes Available
Monday
7:30-8:15 PM Adult Dance Series
Int/Adv. Conditioning
(Age 12 & 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.
Classes Available
Monday4:00-5:00 Conditioning – SSW
Art & Movement for All
(Age 5 & up)
An inclusive dance program that will provide children with developmental disabilities the opportunity to further develop social, emotional and physical skills in a safe environment through the discipline of dance. Dancers are supported by their teacher and peer mentors who will lead children in working on the following: Gross & fine motor skills, body control & awareness, strength & flexibility, social skills, coordination, memory & recall skills.
Classes Available
Thursday
7:15-8:00 Art & Movement for All (5-12) - LM
Saturday
9:30-10:15 Art & Movement for All (13+) - LM
Contemporary
(Age 10 & up)
Based on a blend of ballet, modern and jazz, dancers will challenge their technique and artistic expressions while deepening their exploration of movement in this grounded and explorative style of dance. Enrollment in 1 ballet class.
Classes Available
Thursday
7:15-8:00 Beginning Contemporary – NF
5:00-6:00 Intermediate Contemporary – NF
8:00-9:00 Advanced Contemporary – NF
