Ballet
At Belliston Academy we strongly believe that ballet is the foundation of all dance forms and will maximize technique and longevity in a career of dance. It provides grace, poise, and technique needed to be proficient in all other areas of dance. Ballet classes will help dancers with posture, flexibility, fitness, balance, self-discipline, and self-confidence.
Pointe
All pointe classes are designed for students with previous ballet training. Students will utilize previously learned ballet technique while working in pointe shoes. Each class includes barre exercises, center floor work and across the floor combinations. These exercises focus on strengthening the feet, ankles and core. Dancers must have director approval for this class.
Repertoire
This class teaches more advanced pointe students different variations or excerpts from ballets they would see on stage. Dancers will learn variations and choreography from all different styles of ballet to help prepare them for a career in dance no matter which style they choose to pursue.
RAD (Royal Academy of Dance)
The Royal Academy of Dance is an internationally recognized organization that provides a certification program in classical ballet. Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is one of the largest and most influential dance education and training organizations in the world (www. rad. org.uk). The assessment process allows students and educators alike to know exactly what skills have been attained, and where further study is required.
Pointe Conditioning
Pointe Conditioning is a class that is taught through the Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT). 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. The program helps with injury prevention and rehabilitation and enhances the ability of athletes to perform at their best. It can be difficult for students to feel which muscles initiate the correct alignment in training.
CCA (Cecchetti)
Cecchetti training is a rigorous method which pays careful attention to the laws of anatomy. It develops all of the qualities essential to the dancer: balance, poise, strength, elevation, elasticity, etc. It is classic in its purity and clear-cut style. This class focuses a lot on the what and how of ballet.
Pre Dance
This is an introductory class for our 3-5 year olds containing ballet, tap and tumbling. Young dancers will learn the basic ballet steps while learning how to follow direction and imitate movement and gross motor skill development games in a positive and fun environment. Engaging music is used to get these little ones inspired to dance.
Kinder Pre Dance
This is a class designed specifically for dancers in Kindergarten. This class combines ballet, tap, tumbling and requires an additional ballet class called Pre/Primary RAD. Young dancers will learn the basic ballet steps while learning how to follow direction and imitate movement and gross motor skill development games in a positive and fun environment. Dancers will begin combining steps to create age appropriate combinations and patterns.
Jazz
Jazz class will focus on learning proper dance technique such as isolations of the body, improving performance quality and developing complex rhythms and patterns. Students will be exposed to various styles of jazz to help develop a well rounded dancer. Class curriculum is based on ballet technique layered with traditional jazz movement and includes a proper warm-up, stretches, isolations, across-the-floor progressions, and combinations.
Tap
Tap classes are designed to develop rhythm, style and sound. Students will learn a variety of tap styles from Broadway to Rhythm tap. Exercises focus on building flexibility of the knee and ankles, coordination, and speed of movement. The class emphasis is on developing proper tap technique, producing clear tap sounds, and having fun.
Contemporary Modern
Contemporary Modern is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Contemporary Modern helps dancers connect the mind and the body through fluid dance movements.
Tumbling
Tumbling is the artistic use of movements and tricks. Conditioning and control of the muscles are obtained through a balanced exercise program and progressive training from basic through advanced work. Tumbling develops limberness, strength, balance, speed and coordination.
Leaps & Turns
This class is designed to focus on the mechanics and technique behind leaps and turns. Dancers will do many exercises to build core strength, build strength and power for leaping and turning.
Hip Hop
A high-energy class encourages students to step outside of the box by bringing their own individual style and personality to the movements. Hip hop helps dancers isolate different parts of the body by incorporating different hip hop styles.