Descriptions & Levels
Our progressive dance program offers training in dance technique grounded in Ballet, Modern and Jazz dance, while including Tap, Hip Hop, Modern Fusion, Musical Theater, Progressing Ballet Technique and more. It is important as a dancer to have a well-rounded education in many different forms of dance. Our schedule and curriculum allow each and every student to learn and grow in many different genres of dance.
BALLET
a classical dance form demanding grace and precision and employing formalized steps and gestures set in intricate, flowing patterns to create expression through. Ballet helps develop strength, flexibility, musicality, and provides the foundation for the other forms of dance.
JAZZ
a form of dance that showcases a dancer's individual style and originality. Jazz dancing is energetic and fun, consisting of unique moves, fancy footwork, big leaps, and quick turns. To excel in jazz, dancers need a strong background in ballet, as it encourages grace and balance.
MODERN
a compliment to ballet classes, it is a form of contemporary theatrical and concert dance employing a special technique for developing the use of the entire body in movements expressive of abstract ideas.
POINTE
Pointe technique is the part of classical ballet technique that concerns pointe work, in which a ballet dancer supports all body weight on the tips of fully extended feet within pointe shoes.
HIP HOP
a high energy type of dance, originating from funk and street dance. The classes focus on different stylized techniques, rhythm, and isolations. Hip Hop class encourages dancers to engage in freestyle to help build style and confidence.
TAP
a type of dance characterized by using the sounds of tap shoes striking the floor as a form of percussion. The sound is made by shoes that have a metal "tap" on the heel and toe.
MODERN
FUSION
a dance form which fuses modern dance, jazz, and ballet. It requires excellent technique to perform, as the moves are often difficult and precise. It is performed to music with lyrics to inspire movements to express strong feelings and emotions the choreographer feels from the lyrics in the chosen song.
MUSICAL
THEATRE
a dance form that focuses on learning proper dance technique while exploring the various dance styles used in Broadway shows.
IMPROVISATION
the process of spontaneously creating movement. Movement is created through a variety of creative explorations through levels, shapes, and dynamics. Involvement of the exploration of one's body in relationship to others by using the fundamentals of sharing weight, touch, and movement awareness is also used.
YOGA
Yoga is an ancient art based on a harmonizing system of development for the body, mind, and spirit. This class will provide dancers the opportunity to build knowledge, flexibility and strength. This will in turn add to their overall body capabilities and offering injury prevention and related therapy.
PILATES
Pilates is a form of exercise emphasizes the balanced development of the body through core strength, flexibility, and awareness to support efficient, graceful movement.
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. Read more about PBT here.
Pre- Dance Division
Ages 3 - 6
The Pre-Dance Division is an exciting introduction to the world of dance designed especially for the young beginner. The main goal of this program is to help the young student enjoy the process of learning dance by keeping it fun and encouraging.
-
Pre-Ballet 1 – for students 3 to 4 years old
-
Pre-Ballet 2 – for students 4 to 6 years old
-
Fancy Feet – Ballet and Tap combination class for students 4 to 6 years old
Student Division - Junior
Ages 6 - 12
The Junior Division lays the groundwork for all future dance training. Lower level classes are taught slowly and carefully in order to emphasize proper posture and placement, while upper level student division classes work on the coordination of the full body in jumps, turns, and leaps. This division is divided into further sub-categories to ensure that each student is paced for optimal growth. These placements are based on the individual student's age, grade, skill level, and learning processes.
-
Junior 1 – for students grades 1-2
-
Junior 2 – for students grades 2-3
-
Junior 3 – for students grades 3-4
-
Junior 4 – for students grades 4-6
Student Division - Senior
Ages 12 - Adult
The Senior Division continues dance training for higher level dancers. Classes emphasize proper posture and placement and work on the coordination of the full body in jumps, turns, and leaps. This division is divided into further sub-categories to ensure that each student is paced for optimal growth. These placements are based on the individual student's age, grade, skill level, and learning processes.
-
Senior 1-3 – for students grades 6-12
-
Senior 4-7 – for students grades 8-12 by instructor approval only
-
Adult – for dancers ages 18+
Pre-Professional Division
Ages 10 - Adult
The Pre-Professional Division challenges the dedicated advanced level student both technically and artistically. This division requires each student to be enrolled in ballet at least 2 times per week, modern and jazz at MPA in the Pre-Professional level classes. Pre-Professional Level 7 dancers must be enrolled in 3 ballet classes per week. Pre-Pointe and Pointe classes are only available to dancers in the Pre-Professional Division. This division’s requirements are designed for dedicated dance students and will prepare these dancers for the potential next step in their training, either in a college program or in a professional setting.
-
Pre-Professional 1 - placement by instructor recommendation only
-
Pre-Professional 2 - placement by instructor recommendation only
-
Pre-Professional 3 - placement by instructor recommendation only
-
Pre-Professional 4 - placement by instructor recommendation only
-
Pre-Professional 5 - placement by instructor recommendation only
-
Pre-Professional 6 - placement by instructor recommendation only
-
Pre-Professional 7 - placement by instructor recommendation only