Classes
Ballet
Created by Louis XIV in the seventeenth century, as part of his court dances, ballet has evolved into the most ethereal of dance forms, which emphasizes beautiful lines, high extensions, brilliant jumps and turns, and breathtaking choreography. In the age of fast food and instant gratification, ballet is a welcome discipline, instilling strong work ethics, personal responsibility, and respect for self and others. Margot Fonteyn said that it takes ten years to make a dancer and Rudolf Nureyev said it takes a lifetime to make an artist. Any dancer, athlete or novice can improve agility, balance, control, speed and strength by taking ballet. Ballet is the foundation for all dance forms and the teachers at The Ballet and Dance Center strongly recommend that all dancers take ballet as part of their dance curriculum.
Modern Dance
Modern dance has developed enormously from free spirited thinkers such as Isadora Duncan (who was one of the first to dance barefoot and disliked the restrictions of the pointe shoes), Ruth St. Denis, Doris Humphrey and Martha Graham, just to name a few. Their motivation to move in a different way than classical ballet was: natural movement (Isadora Duncan), fall and recovery (Doris Humphrey) and the breath of life (Martha Graham). These pioneers have influenced other modern dance greats such as Jose Limon, Merce Cunningham and Lester Horton. The teachers at The Ballet and Dance Center will use these techniques as the foundation for the modern dance curriculum. As times change so will modern dance. New symbols, new motivations will conjure different thoughts and realities. Modern dance will function as reflections of our times.
Jazz
Rooted in the traditions of African dance and music, jazz dance has been influenced along the way by music of the twenties through the fusion sounds of today resulting in many styles. Pioneers of jazz dance technique include Jack Cole, Matt Mattox, and Luigi. They have influenced the theatrical styles of Fosse, Robbins, and Ailey. Jazz explores rhythm, coordination, and dynamic performance energy. Join us for an energetic and upbeat class!
Tap
Shim Sham Shimmy, Timesteps, B.S. Chorus, all Classic Steps. Tap was developed in North America and involves rhythm, coordination and style. Learn traditional tap dances along with increasingly intricate tap patterns and rhythms. Experience tapping of the feet and style in the body with great music, become a “hoofer”!
Workshop
Our Workshop is a weekly class which will incorporate various components from week to week: strength, stretch & tone exercises, shared weight partnering, classical & contemporary partnering, musical theatre oriented lifts and steps and an approach to audition classes. Just to name a few! It will be an exciting and varied class taught by BDC Faculty Member, Larry Crabtree.
Theatre Dance Repertoire
West Side Story, A Chorus Line, Singing in the Rain, Gypsy, Hairspray. Theatre Dance is great music, dance, and history through the decades incorporating many styles of dance from vaudeville to MGM to Broadway. Join us for a fun, invigorating dance class learning vocabulary and musical theatre repertoire.
Andrea Leigh Smith will share her Broadway dance background with all her students!
Hip Hop
Hip Hop is a blend of today’s high energy street style movement. Typically performed to popular rap music, this style of dance has been very sought after by teens and preteens. It is sometimes percussive and at other times incorporates house or club dancing.
Creative Movement
Creative movement is designed for children 3-5 years of age, and introduces them to the wonderful world of movement and dance. The class combines large and small loco motor movement, the Elements of Dance (time, space and energy), rhythm exercises and basic ballet terminology. Children have fun learning movement skills with bean bags, scarves, maracas, ribbon sticks, parachutes and books. The class will help the student achieve better coordination, flexibility, balance, and self-confidence in a respectful and caring environment. Karen Menter has been developing her curriculum over the past 20 years and shares her love of dance with all her students.
Call 446-6600 or email
3470 Erie Blvd. East, P.O. Box 375, Dewitt, NY 13214
