Ballet | Pointe | Tap | Jazz | Lyrical | Hip-Hop | Ballroom

In addition to dance class a dancer should consider learning how to play a musical instrument. You not only learn about the structure of music, but more importantly, you learn dynamics, breathing, tempo and
pacing as well as how to communicate mood and emotion, all very important qualities to dancers.

Before you read on, here are some tips for students that will make dance class more enjoyable and increase your ability to get the most out of your classes!

• Be on time.

• Wear the proper dancewear.

• Do not talk over the teacher.

• Do not mark (marking is a term for not dancing full out.)

• Be considerate of other dancers.

• Be respectful of the teacher.

• Above all, go to class to learn.

Ballet:

Ballet develops strength, control, teaches the classical positions of the body and teaches the dancer musicality. It gives the dancer presence, carriage and grace. Ballet class is where the dancer learns
terminology needed for this hobby or for theprofession. Most importantly, it is where the dancer learns discipline.

Ballet class is a great start for new dancers and essential to established dancers. Ballet is the foundation for all types of dancing. It gives the dancer a center and builds flexibility, cardiovascular, strength, good posture and increases motor skills. In ballet class you will learn:

• How to turn out and pull up.
• How to increase flexibility and extension.
• How to “spot” and improve your turns.
• How to improve balance and grace.
• A whole new vocabulary that you will understand and be confident speaking.
• How to perform these new steps kinesthetically and mentally.
• How to prevent injuries.
• All your questions answered and much, much more…

Pointe:

Pointe work is an extension of ballet and is offered to students who have completed a certain level of ballet. It varies with each student’s physical development, strength of feet and ankles, and attendance in ballet class. In class you will learn:

• How to properly fit and adjust your Pointe shoes and extend shoe life.
• How to prevent nagging heel blisters, corns and sore bunions.
• How to balance on Pointe.
• How to improve your turns while on Pointe.
• How to maintain and improve grace while on Pointe.

Tap:

To learn tap is to learn music – how it phrases, flows, begins, ends, divides and breaks. Tap is also instrumental in teaching the dancer how to pick up and learn new combinations quickly. Tap class is not only
fun and challenging, but it improves your rhythm. In tap class you will learn:

• How to dance on your “toes” while not forgetting your heels
• Learn the classic steps such as Maxi Fords, Buffalos and Waltz clogs
• How to perform pick-ups, time steps and paddle rolls
• Learn Irish’s, buffalos and much more
• Learn time sequencing and tap dynamics

Jazz:

Jazz emphasizes style and attitude. While incorporating many elements of ballet, tap and hip-hop, jazz is unique because it is not one style of dancing; it is many. It is comprised of many styles from past choreographers including Fosse, Robbins, etc. Jazz is forever evolving just as music is. Jazz is the primary medium in which the professional show dancer will work. While a dancer should get his or her technique in ballet class, he or she should work on his or her style and knowledge in jazz class. A personal favorite of mine, jazz classes provided me with years of great memories and can do the same for you too. In jazz class you will learn:

• How to improve your flexibility and extension
• How to perform multiple turns
• Improve isolations and contractions
• Learn how to incorporate the seven movements of dance into your dancing
• Learn level changes and rhythm changes
• How to perform leaps and kicks
• How to learn different styles of dance
• Meet new friends and much, much more…

Lyrical:

Lyrical dance is a mix between ballet and jazz. There is a lot of expression and feeling. The choreography is designed around the lyrics of the song. In class you will learn:

• How to “feel” the music and perform.
• How to improve extension.
• How to perform cambres and arabesques.
• How to count music and improve your timing.
• Meet new friends and much, much more….

Hip-Hop:

This is a relatively new style of dancing in the entertainment field and has many qualities important to a dancer. Hip-Hop has a certain raw energy and feel that is popular today especially in music videos,
television and concerts. It has its own technique and style and is important for today’s dancer to add to their repertoire.

Ballroom Dancing:

Ballroom dancing is fun in its own unique way because you always dance with a partner. The man leads by providing signals to the woman with his hands and body and the woman follows by easily moving her body in the direction indicated by the man.

Ballroom dancing is a lot of fun provided the man is a good leader and the woman a good follower. Clear signals must be given by the man and then accepted and executed by the woman. Typical ballroom dancing includes the quickstep, slow Fox Trot, waltz, Viennese waltz and tango. Other Latin American ballroom dances emerged including the rumba, Paso doble, jive, samba and cha cha.

At En L’air, we offer a beginner ballroom course consisting of six one-hour sessions. In class you will learn a slow and quick Fox Trot, a traditional waltz and East Coast Swing.
Brett and I teach this class together. Brett conducts the class and I assist as his partner. This way both the man and the woman attending will be able to see what should be done from both perspectives.

Everyone who attends one of our courses receives a FREE CD with music for each of these styles so you may practice at home. Ballroom is offered Friday evenings from 7:00 – 8:00 pm. To sign up for our next class call the school now at 508.636.9276 or email nguinard@earthlink.net.

Click here for a class schedule.