CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Class ages are APPROXIMATE; dancers are placed in classes based on ability and maturity
MINI MOVERS 3-4 year old (50 minutes)
An introduction to the world of dance through a fun filled class of ballet, tap, creative movement and story time. Children need to have turned 3 by the start of the session and be potty-trained.
ACROJAZZ
AcroJazz is a combination class where the students learn skills in both gymnastics (floor tumbling) and Jazz dance technique. This class is a tool for the dancers to perfect skills while using the mats during gymnastics time and working on leaps/turns during Jazz time.
AERIAL SILKS
Class will begin with a warm up consisting of strength, flexibility and conditioning exercises that will help prepare the kids transition into the air. Students will learn basic climbing skills, as well as how to create “locks” around your body using the fabric. As the students strength grows, they will begin to learn and put together sequences in the air.
AERIAL LYRA
Class will begin with a warm up consisting of strength, flexibility and conditioning exercises that will help prepare kids transition into the air. LYRA- Suspended in the air, Aerial Hoop (aka “lyra”), is a circular metal apparatus. Dancers will learn how to create beautiful shapes below, inside, and above the apparatus. Hoop trainings will teach them various techniques to enter and exit the hoop. Conditioning exercises will help build strength, body awareness and coordination.
BALLET
Mini Ballet (ages 3-4)
Ballet classes designed with the young child in mind. The basics of ballet are taught through creative movement and age appropriate music.
Ballet 1-2 (ages 5-8)
Ballet classes that are designed to incorporate the fundamentals of ballet through age appropriate song and movement. Basic barré and floor work will be empathized.
Ballet 3-5 (ages 9-12)
Ballet classes that move the student from the fundamentals of ballet instruction to a stronger classical technique based class. Ballet vocabulary and understanding of proper alignment and body position is stressed.
Ballet 6 & 7 (ages 13+)
Ballet classes that are designed for the older student who is ready for more complex combinations, jumps, lifts and overall technique. Many students are ready for Pointé once reaching this level, which will follow each Ballet 6 class.
Advanced Ballet (ages 13+ and subject to instructor’s approval)
Advanced ballet classes that are designed for the older student who is ready for advanced ballet combinations, jumps, lifts and overall technique. Training is rigorous and requires strict discipline to the art of ballet. Many students in Advanced Ballet follow this class with Advanced Pointé.
Pointé
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 pointé shoes.
Floor Barré
Want to increase your flexibility and turn out, strengthen your core, improve your technique, and build body awareness? Floor barré will help you achieve all of these goals! This class is done laying on the floor and is based on the basic ballet barré exercises. It is slow paced and designed to help dancers find proper placement and strengthen muscles needed for success in ballet and other styles of dance.
CHOREOGRAPHY COMPOSITION
Choreography Composition is a modern based program that focuses on the creation of movement, rather than the technique. Dancers will explore their natural movement abilities without the use of “tricks” or “dance moves.” All classes are age based and not dance level based. Students will have to work together with their individual abilities.
- Class will begin with a Modern Dance floor warm up. The students will be split off into groups for daily assignments.
- Class will end every week with a 15-minute improvisation exploration using Viewpoints*.
- Class Assignments: All assignments are based in Laban Movement Analysis**
- The presentation at recital (for Spring Session students) will be a dance that the student has choreographed themselves.
* Viewpoints– Viewpoints is a technique of composition that acts as a medium for thinking about and gesture and creative space. Originally developed in the 1970s by master theater artist and educator Mary Overlie, Anne Bogart and Tina Landau, the Nine Viewpoints has been studied and practiced for decades in theatre and dance. Spatial Relationship, Kinesthetic Response, Shape, Gesture, Repetition, Architecture, Tempo, Duration, and Topography
**LMA– Rudolf Laban was an Austro-Hungarian dance artist and theorist. He is considered as one of the pioneers of modern dance in Europe as the “Founding Father of the Expressionist Dance” in Germany. His work laid the foundations for Laban Movement Analysis. Laban named the combination of the first three categories (Space, Weight, and Time) the Effort Actions, or Action Drive. The eight combinations are descriptively named Float, Punch (Thrust), Glide, Slash, Dab, Wring, Flick, and Press.
CONTEMPORARY
Contemporary level 1 to Advanced (ages 9-13+)
Contemporary dance does not have fixed or established movement patterns. Therefore its dancers make use of varied modern and classical dance techniques to train. Our experienced contemporary instructors are excited to share this dance style to the students of Synergy Dance Academy.
JAZZ
Jazz 1 (ages 5-6)
Beginning steps of jazz are introduced and explored using age appropriate movement and music.
Jazz levels 2 to 4 (ages 7-12)
Our Jazz classes are fun, fast paced and energetic. Our instructors go through a series of stretches that progress to floor and combination work. The latest music and jazz steps are incorporated making this style of dance one of the more popular to participate in.
Jazz levels 5 to 7 (ages 11+)
Our Jazz classes are fun, fast paced and energetic. Our instructors go through a series of stretches that progress to floor and combination work. The latest music and jazz steps are incorporated making this style of dance one of the more popular to participate in. Students must be enrolled in a ballet class to be eligible for these classes.
Beginner Jazz (ages 9-12)
A fun class designed for students without any previous dance experience. No ballet requirement needed. Just come and have fun with this energetic style of dance!
Advanced Jazz (ages 13+ or subjected to instructors approval)
An advanced class designed for the older student who has mastered a variety of jazz techniques. Students must be enrolled in an advanced ballet class to be eligible for Advanced Jazz.
HIP HOP
Hip Hop levels 1 to 6 (ages 7-14)
A very popular style of dance that is primarily danced to hip-hop music. Hip Hop classes include a wide range of styles notably breaking, locking, and popping.
Advanced Hip Hop (ages 13+, subject to instructors approval)
An advanced hip hop class. Several years of hip hop instruction is needed to be allowed in this level class.
Little Hip Hop Crew (ages 7-11)
This class is for dancers age 7-11 who are potentially interested in joining our “HIP- HOP CREW” for ages 12+ when they are older.
This class will be an immersive step into the world of Hip-Hop and street styles. Dancers will expand their knowledge on battling, freestyle, creating and learning choreography and performance etiquette.
Hip Hop Crew (12+)
Synergy’s “HIP- HOP CREW” for ages 12+ (younger dancers can join our “LITTLE HIP- HOP CREW”).
This class will be an immersive step into the world of Hip-Hop and street styles. Dancers will expand their knowledge on battling, freestyle, creating and learning choreography and performance etiquette.
Dancers will travel, locally, to perform in age appropriate Hip-Hop Battles. Approval by instructor required for participation.
LYRICAL
Lyrical dance is a dance style that embodies various aspects of ballet, jazz, acrobatics, and modern dance.
MODERN
Modern is an expressive dance style that started in the early 20th century as a reaction to classical ballet. Modern later evolved into what we know as Lyrical and Contemporary today. Modern focuses on the different types of techniques. Dancers will be exposed to Graham, Limóne, Horton and Cunningham technique. Class will begin with a Graham based floor warm up that consists of stretching and strengthening. Across the floor work will be comprised of mostly Horton technique. The students will learn exercises such as lateral Ts, balancing exercises that create strength in the legs and core. As well as Limóne based leaps and turns. Class will end every week with a 5-minute improvisation exploration using different physical prompts.
TAP
Mini Tap: 3-4 year olds (30 min)
Tap classes designed for children ages 3-4. Focus is on the enjoyment of dance through age appropriate song and movement. Girls will need tan tap shoes and boys will need black.
Tap levels 1 to 7 (ages 5-13+)
Tap dancing is a type of dance in which the rhythm is kept by the noise of the dancer’s shoes on the floor. Our accomplished tap instructors use a variety of techniques when educating tap students. It is a fun, energetic style of dance that young and old enjoy participating in.
Advanced Tap (ages 14+ or subject to instructors approval)
Tap classes designed for the older, accomplished tap dancer. Complex, intricate combinations and variety are stressed for the advanced tapper.
PRIVATE/DUET/TRIO
Private, Duet and Trio Classes are available in all dance forms. Please see the current schedules for instructor availability. They are listed as “PRIVATE” on the class schedule but can be changed to a “duet” or “trio” upon request. All private/duet/trio classes are 30 minutes in length.