Ballet
The most technically demanding of all the dance styles, Classical Ballet forms a solid foundation in Dance technique, from which the dancer can master other styles of dance more easily. Complimented by a study of other dance styles including Modern Dance, Tap and Contemporary, Ballet requires a level of discipline, commitment and concentration to reach an accomplished level. Technical training in class leads to the reward of performing on stage in a theatrical and expressive way, usually to music, utilising costumes, scenery and lighting to tell a story through dance. Ballet is recommended to all students wishing to gain a well-rounded and solid foundation in any form of dance.
Modern Theatre Dance
Modern Theatre dance is a rhythmic dance style which originated in America before travelling to the rest of the world. It is often seen on the stages of musical productions and is known for its theatrical qualities. Modern helps to promote a good sense of self-expression and encourages self- confidence through the performance of a solo. The style uses travelling steps, high kicks, leaps and turns which all need strength and flexibility. This is a highly energetic dance style which is complimented by the study of Ballet and Tap Dance.
Tap Dance
Tap has evolved as an American dance form, popularised throughout the world, with debate about its origins coming from African dance, Irish dance and/or clog dancing. The dancer uses their feet to strike the floor, beating out different rhythms, with dancers wearing tap shoes which have small metal plates on the toe and heel to give the distinctive sound. Tap dance is a theatrical art form often seen on stage in musicals.
Contemporary
Our contemporary classes focuses on building technique and performance skills in an environment where the dancers can release their energy and connect with the joy of movement. Combining different contemporary dance methods (Release, Limon, Cunningham, Gaga and other) students are challenged to explore a range of dynamics and qualities in order to access different ways of moving.
Creative Dance
Creative Dance is a fun and ‘loose’ class in which the dancers build on their improvisation and choreographic skills while sharpening their imagination and connecting with each other. Familiarising with ways of inspiring and setting movement the students participate in different creative tasks and games, explore the relationship of dance with other art forms and make up their own routines!
Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT)
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. It is a unique training system using ballet-technique specific exercises to train skill acquisition in a graded and progressive manner from junior through to advanced levels. PBT helps teachers around the world prepare their students to receive the strength they need to achieve their personal best.
It can be difficult for students to feel which muscles initiate the correct alignment in training. However, with the use of an exercise ball, the students gain a great sense of posture and weight-placement whilst feeling each correct muscle group working throughout each exercise, which then stays with them when whilst performing in dance or their chosen field of sport