Jazz

Jazz dance is a dynamic, rhythm-driven form characterized by syncopation, improvisation, and a fusion of styles, reflecting the vibrant energy of contemporary pop, Broadway, and jazz music.

Jazz — Beginning Levels 1–2 Ages 6-10

Jazz — Beginning Levels 1–2
Upbeat intro to jazz fundamentals—alignment, isolations, basic turns/kicks, rhythm, and stage confidence.

What we focus on
  • Alignment, isolations, rhythm, and confident performance
How it works
  • Warm-up & conditioning: Dynamic stretch, core/leg strength, full-body isolations
  • Technique: Foundational kicks (battements), turn preps (chaîné preps, pirouette preps), small jumps/leaps, clean lines
  • Across the floor: Jazz walks/runs, chassés, pas de bourrée, ball-change patterns
  • Combination: Short, age-appropriate choreography that reinforces technique and transitions
Musicality & style

  • Counting and syncopation; accents and dynamics (sharp vs. smooth)
  • Stage presence, focus, and performance quality
You’ll learn

  • Proper body alignment and posture for jazz
  • Core vocabulary (kicks, turns, isolations, leaps) and safe technique
  • Creativity, confidence, and respectful studio habits

Jazz — Intermediate Levels 3–4 Ages 10–14

Jazz — Intermediate Levels 3–4
Builds on basics with faster tempos, layered rhythms, and cleaner technique—more complex turns, jumps, and performance dynamics.

What we focus on
  • Faster tempos, layered rhythms, greater precision, stamina, and style range
How it works
  • Warm-up & conditioning: Dynamic stretch, core/leg strength, ankle/foot articulation, isolation drills at increased tempo
  • Technique: Pirouette preparations to clean singles (working toward doubles), chaînés and piqué turns, battements and fan kicks, directional changes, floorwork transitions
  • Leaps & jumps: Jeté, assemblé, sissonnes, split-line development, safe landings and rebounds
  • Across the floor: Pas de bourrée variations, ball-change patterns, traveling turns, directional facings and pathways
  • Combination/choreography: Longer phrases with level changes, syncopation, accents, and performance dynamics
Musicality & style
  • Phrasing, breath, accents (sharp vs. sustained), and stillness
  • Style studies: contemporary jazz, funk, and lyrical jazz
  • Interpreting tracks from different genres and tempos
Creativity & ensemble
  • Guided improvisation prompts (textures, accents, timing)
  • Partner/group work: unison, canon, and call-and-response
Placement & expectations
Placement by faculty. Students should demonstrate clean Level 2 vocabulary, solid alignment, consistent spotting, controlled pirouette preps (single cleanly; working toward doubles), and safe jump/leap technique.

Jazz — Advanced Levels 5–6 Ages 12+

Jazz — Advanced Levels 5–6
Fast-paced, performance-driven training with advanced pirouettes, leaps, and polyrhythms—refining precision, stamina, and style range.

What we focus on

  • Technical precision at fast tempos, stamina, broad style range, and performance artistry
How it works
  • Warm-up & conditioning: Rigorous dynamic stretch, core/leg strength, ankle/foot articulation, isolation drills at performance tempo
  • Technique: Double/triple pirouettes, à la seconde turns, axels/barrel turns, layouts and tilts, fan/Russian kicks, calypsos, switch leaps, controlled floorwork transitions
  • Across the floor: Traveling turns with directional changes, speed pathways, accents/stops, level changes (standing ↔ floor ↔ standing)
  • Combination/choreography: Long phrases with syncopation, polyrhythms, dynamic contrast, and quick pickup/retention
Musicality & style
  • Advanced phrasing, breath, and accent work
  • Style studies across contemporary jazz, commercial/funk, and lyrical jazz
  • Interpreting tracks of varied tempos and meters
Creativity & repertory
  • Guided improvisation (textures, timing, motif development)
  • Partner/group work: unison, canon, counterpoint, call-and-response
  • Opportunities to learn repertory, work with guest choreographers, and perform
Placement & expectations
Placement by faculty. Students should demonstrate clean Level 3–4 vocabulary, consistent double pirouettes (working toward triples), strong alignment and spotting, safe leaps/landings, fast pickup, and mature performance quality.

Hip-Hop

Hip-hop dance is a dynamic, expressive form of movement rooted in hip-hop culture, characterized by energetic rhythms and elements of breaking, popping, locking, and freestyle improvisation.

Hip-Hop — Beginning Levels 1–2 Ages 6-10

Hip-Hop — Beginning Levels 1–2
High-energy foundations in groove, isolations, and footwork—counting, musicality, and confidence onstage.

What we focus on
  • Grooves, isolations, foundational footwork, rhythm, and confident performance
How it works
  • Warm-up & conditioning: Mobility, coordination, core activation, bounce/rock groove drills
  • Technique: Foundational grooves and isolations (head/shoulders/ribs/hips), basic footwork patterns and transitions, level changes (standing ↔ floor)
  • Across the floor: Traveling steps, rhythm drills, timing exercises
  • Combination: Short, age-appropriate routines that build pickup, memory, and stage presence
Musicality & culture
  • Counting, accents, and phrasing; feeling the beat
  • Intro to hip-hop culture and history (level-appropriate)
  • Guided freestyle to encourage creativity and personal style
You’ll learn
  • Core vocabulary (grooves, isolations, simple footwork)
  • Body awareness, timing, and performance confidence
  • Respectful studio habits and teamwork

Hip-Hop — Intermediate Levels 3–4 Ages 10–14

Hip-Hop — Intermediate Levels 3–4
Faster tempos and tighter precision—layered grooves, traveling footwork, clean transitions, and quick choreography pickup.

What we focus on
  • Faster tempos, layered rhythms, precision, stamina, and clean transitions
How it works

  • Warm-up & conditioning: Groove drills and isolations at increased tempo; mobility, core/leg strength, stamina work
  • Technique: Layered grooves, complex isolations, directional changes, traveling footwork pathways, level changes (standing ↔ floor), clean entries/exits
  • Across the floor: Rhythm/travel drills, accents and stops, speed control
  • Combination/choreography: Longer phrases with dynamics, facings, syncopation, and quick pickup/retention
Musicality & style
  • Counting, phrasing, and texture (bounce, rock, groove)
  • Exposure to old-school, commercial, and contemporary hip-hop vocab
Creativity & freestyle
  • Guided prompts (call-and-response, textures, timing)
  • Cypher etiquette, confidence, and individual style development
Placement & expectations
Placement by faculty. Students should demonstrate clean Level 1–2 vocabulary, solid timing, control in isolations, safe floor/standing transitions, and the ability to retain 16–32-count phrases.

Hip-Hop — Advanced Levels 5–6 Ages 12+

Hip-Hop — Advanced Levels 5–6
Performance-tempo class emphasizing speed, accuracy, and texture—intricate footwork/level changes, long combos, and freestyle development.

What we focus on
  • Speed, precision, texture, stamina, and stage presence at performance tempo
How it works

  • Warm-up & conditioning: High-tempo groove/iso drills; mobility, core/leg strength, stamina work
  • Technique: Complex isolations and layering, intricate footwork pathways, directional changes, floorwork transitions, speed control and stops
  • Across the floor: Traveling footwork, slides/glides, accents, and level changes (standing ↔ floor ↔ standing)
  • Combination/choreography: Long phrases with quick pickup/retention, syncopation, polyrhythms, and dynamic contrast
Musicality & style
  • Advanced counting and phrasing (subdivisions, off-beats)
  • Exploration across hip-hop vocab and adjacent grooves (old-school, commercial, popping/locking foundations as appropriate)
  • Interpreting tracks with varied tempos and textures
Creativity & freestyle
  • Guided cypher work, call-and-response, motif development
  • Building individual style, confidence, and authenticity
Performance & opportunities
  • Learning repertory; periodic workshops with guest choreographers when available
  • Optional showcases or performance opportunities as scheduled
Placement & expectations
Placement by faculty. Students should demonstrate clean intermediate vocabulary, strong timing and texture changes, control through fast transitions and floorwork, rapid choreography retention, and mature performance quality.