Ballet

Ballet is a systematic dance based on formalized positions of the arms, feet, and body designed to enable movements that create the greatest possible agility, control, speed, lightness, and grace. Classical-ballet technique is based on the turned-out position of the legs. This position increases the range of movement through the hip and imparts pleasing body lines through the extended leg. The choreography of classical ballet may be romantic, realistic, or mythological, representing a variety of dramatic and emotional situations. Ballet an art that simultaneously requires strength, resilience, elegance and grace. It may be difficult to master and takes lots of patience and practice to learn. Ballet can be studied at any age, although early age beginnings facilitate strength, spatial/temporal awareness, and coordination. Some studies have shown that girls retain the flexibility established through ballet across their adulthood.

Ballet lessons emphasize stretching to strengthen and enlongate posture. Additionally, the correct French names for steps and positions need to be learned. As dancers progress, barre work becomes an essential tool for learning the steps and positions as well as building strength, agility and flexibility. Respect is a pervasive aspect of ballet and proper ballet etiquette is learned and practiced. Ms. Raena teaches a fusion of Russian and American ballet and Ms. Shawna teaches a fusion of Chechetti and Russian ballet.

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Contemporary

Contemporary dance is an expressive communicator of the mind, body and spirit through movement. Contemporary dance founders originally composed dances to express the spirit, soul, and heart of social problems associated with the condition of the human spirit. In contrast, today's Contemparary dance has more sophisticated techniques and technologies applied to express a broader variety of social issues. Each style goes in unique directions and is usually a radical and interesting presentation. The essence of Contemporary dance is to look forward, not backward. Ballet and Contemporary are sometimes fused together, enriching both forms; however, neither is loses its identity in the process.

Structured, technical exercises condition the body for strength, coordination and flexibility. Physical activities develop the dancer’s sense of space, time, shape, and movement dynamics. Contemporary dance promotes individual work and group participation.

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Funk

Funk dance is a highly energetic dance that incorporates a free-style melting pot of hip hop, jazz, break, popping and locking styles, along with an enhanced street flavor or style. Funk is visually close to Hip Hop but is more technically inclined to the element of jazz which is visible in the lines and pirouettes. Funk is a fashionable dance genre developed in the 1970s in California in response to pop music, and popping, locking and electric boogaloo movements that emerged around the same time. Funk styles are primarily are concentrated in the upper torso, arms and head, although also include liquid dancing and gliding movements. Funk is one of the most popular dance forms of the century.

Dancers progress to learn the hottest new dance moves from hip hop/rnb/pop music film clips. Funk will incorporate some age appropriate bad-boy moves and dance tricks to depict a funky street style of hip hop. Funk is taught with a lot of spunk, attitude and style while being grounded in solid dance techniques.

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Hip Hop

Hip hop dancing is an urban, ethnic dance form that has recently gained popularity among youth. Hip hop dancing began in the early 1900's, when the youth in and around Bronx, New York started dancing on the streets and is related to the modern break dance.

Hip hop dancing provides opportunities for the dancers to express their creativeness. It features impressionistic movements from the soul. Hip hop dance represents body movements that compliment the beat and rhythm of hip hop music. Hip hop movements include: breaking, popping, locking, and free styling. Jumps, breakages, and rotation movements are combined, creating a dance style that is informal and explosive.

Hip hop dancing is a good exercise workout for performers. Hip hop improves flexibility, body balance, and muscle coordination. Some claim that hip hop leads to a state of spiritual wholeness because it allows the dancers to create their own style and maintain fitness.

Hip hop dancing includes unique steps and movements that are not introduced in ballet or ballroom dancing. Jazz, ballet, and other dance forms are technical requiring more formal training (including terms for movements) than hip hop. Hip hop provides more avenues for freedom of expression while dancing.

Hip hop can be learned by anyone interested in dancing. There is no age limitation or restriction for learners and dancers other than their personal physical abilities and creativity. Hip hop is slightly difficult to learn because of its assortment of body movements.

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