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 in rebellion against Pointe shoes), Ruth St. Denis, Doris Humphrey and Martha Graham, to name a few. Their motivation to move in a way that differed radically from classical ballet was inspired by: 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 and 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”!

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.

Stott Pilates

Stott Pilates exercise improves core strength and balances the muscles around the joints, improving the way your body functions, looks, and feels.

Zena Rommett Floor-Barre®

Zena Rommett Floor-Barre® is a ballet based technique that incorporates anatomical principles of alignment to center, lengthen, and strengthen the muscles and joints of the body. Using the floor and eliminating the pressure of gravity, Floor-Barre® gently corrects placement, sculpting the body and creating long, exquisite lines. Used by both dancers and non-dancers, as well as athletes, it is used for injury prevention, rehabilitation, and developing correct anatomical placement. Whether starting off in your performance career, seeking to extend your career, or simply looking for a way to properly align and strengthen your body for your own personal well-being, Floor-Barre® is a highly effective Technique that is taught and respected around the world.