Dance Style Definitions

Ballet Beauty, flow and elegance are inherent in the elements of ballet. Ballet is the classical dance form that can be mastered by itself or used as a technical base or supplement to other dance forms. Classes focus on overall body alignment and awareness with emphasis on proper usage of feet and legs and execution of turnout. Carriage and usage of upper torso and arms are also stressed. Traditional barre work, center work and combinations are included in all classes.

Break Dance “Breaking” is one of the core elements of hip hop dance.  Popularized in the 1980’s by such movies as Breakin’, Beat Street and Flashdance, the form was developed on the streets of New York by mostly Latino and African-American dancers.  Learn the basics of this exciting form, from the top-rock, the steps one does before hitting the floor, to the six-step and other floor moves and freezes, to battling with a partner.

Creative Movement Class encourages free expression, while teaching basic elements of dance, including rhythm, movement quality, space, body awareness and shape. The child’s imagination and self-esteem are encouraged and strengthened through dance.

Hand Dance Hand Dance, as it is affectionately referred to by Washingtonians, can be traced as far back as the 1920's, when Harlem gave birth to the Lindy Hop.  From the Lindy Hop emerged the Jitterbug in the 30's and during the 50's D.C. developed its own version and named it Hand Dance.  From the early 50's to mid 60's, Hand Dance was the hub of our ( Washingtonians ) dancing experience.  It features hand holding and other forms of graceful embracing while executing simple to complex turns and moves.  In the 80's, following an extended hiatus, Hand Dance resurfaced and has gradually moved to reclaim its place in the Washington dance community.

Hip Hop A high-energy class that uses the latest sounds in rap, R&B and pop music together with movements influenced by some of today’s hottest video choreographers.  Hip hop encompasses movement that has elements of poppin', locking, and breaking as well as freestyle movement to give students the opportunity to develop their own sense of style.  Hip hop is urban, it’s street, it’s diverse and forever changing. Please do not wear street shoes into class.

Jazz An exciting and ever evolving dance form full of rhythm, syncopation, passion and life.  Steeped in the rhythm of jazz music, a true American art form, jazz dance brings energy and life to all those who dance it.   Classes explore body isolations of the head, shoulders, ribcage, feet and arms and encourage individual expression and the development of personal style. Jazz can be powerful and percussive or expressive and lyrical.  Ever evolving, jazz dance is taught with the music of today together with the classical jazz of yesterday.  Classes teach basic jazz dance technique, terminology and movement quality with an emphasis on proper execution of jazz isolations, rhythms and style performed to contemporary music.

Liturgical  Praise and workshop through the medium of dance. The class will cover several different dance techniques. Classes are very high energy and prove to be an incredible workout for all levels.

Modern Modern dance is a contemporary dance form that has its roots in ballet.  It emphasizes the use of the floor for centering and grounding oneself in movement. This class focuses on the breath (inhale/exhale), which brings quality to one’s movement. Concepts of overcurve/undercurve, contraction/release, musicality and rhythm are explored. Teachers incorporate an eclectic blend of contemporary and post-modern movement into their classes.

Pilates Whether you want to tone your muscles, rehabilitate from an injury, or train for an athletic event, Pilates Mat will safely guide you in the right direction. The Pilates Method helps to lengthen and strengthen muscles while building a uniformly developed body. Pilates focuses on core strength—abdominals, gluteals, inner thighs—and practices moving from the “inside out.” It helps with posture, body alignment, breathing, control, balance, flow and strength. The mind works with the body to help realign movement patterns, and to work muscles properly and efficiently. Students gain a kinesthetic awareness of their own bodies so that they can integrate the ideas learned in class into their daily lives.

Poms Unlike the cheerleaders, poms have all the moves.  Learn the basic arm alignments and placements and precision needed to compete with the areas top teams. This class will give students the skills needed to tryout for pom squads and dance teams in High School and College. 

Salsa Be a part of the Latin explosion in today's music and culture!  Learn the skills and moves to get you on the dance floors of the hottest clubs from New York to Miami, including right here in Washington, D.C.  Singles and couples welcome. Partners will be switched frequently during each class.  Learn the basic rhythm and footwork of salsa dancing, lead and follow technique, and elements of style while building confidence and a foundation for progression.

Soul Line Dance This interesting social phenomena, with the introduction of the Electric Slide in 1992, has enabled many people, from Philadelphia to L.A., to enjoy themselves socially at clubs, cabarets, dances and an array of other social functions. It was created to provide the general population, in particular the 30+ crowd, the opportunity to learn the art of urban or soul line dancing and to promote improved physical well being. Soul line dancing helps to strengthen the cardiovascular system and relieve the stresses and tensions of everyday living.

Tap Classes emphasize the development and strengthening of basic tap technique and terminology highlighting the importance of rhythm and sound.  Tap focuses on rhythms and intricate footwork, creating a percussion instrument out of the dancer’s feet. Just like jazz vocalists who add rhythms to music by scatting, tappers add their voice by “scatting” with their feet. Rhythm tap tends to be a heavier or harder-hitting form of tap than Broadway tap, and sounds are made not only with the bottom of the shoe, but also with the back, sides, and tip. Rhythm tap is a broad category that encompasses the hoofing styles of current stars such as Savion Glover and the late Gregory Hines and past masters such as Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and Jimmy Slyde.

Video Dance This class is a dance form combining jazz, hip-hop and funk. This style of dance can be seen in videos by artists such as: Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, Mya and Usher to name a few. Students are asked to have some background in jazz and hip-hop along with a desire to strive for their best in class. Please do not wear street shoes into class.