BALLET 

Ballet Movement: Age 3

This class is designed around creative movement, beginning ballet movement, and beginning acrobatic movement. Children naturally move when music is playing. This program combines music and movement to help develop balance, rhythm, body awareness, self-control, focus, respect, social skills, and self-esteem.

Ballet/Tap Combo: Ages 4, 5, 6

Students aged 4-6 are placed into a Ballet-Tap Combo class in accordance with their age. This program provides the student basic technique development in the two most fundamental forms of dance. The class meets one hour per week alternating between ballet and tap. It is convenient and affordable for the parents and provides a strong foundation for the early dancer.

Ballet: Levels I, II, III, IV, V, Intermediate, Advanced

At age 7, students begin taking ballet once a week. From age 8, ballet students begin taking classes twice per week. Since Ballet is considered to be the basis of most forms of dance, it is strongly recommended that students take Ballet along with the dance genres in which they are interested. The Studio+ ballet program adheres to a specific, primarily French & Russian-based, curriculum. This curriculum was carefully developed by the teaching staff using a more than 150 years of combined experience along with technical resources such as that provided by the Texas Association Teachers of Dance (TATD) and Ballet Masters such as Gretchen Warren, Lincoln Kirstein, and Anna Paskevaka. The curriculum is used studio-wide to ensure that all ballet students receive appropriate training that corresponds with their age and ability. Pilates training is also included in the most advanced level Ballet training. Each year, students are carefully placed in accordance with their mastery of this level-based curriculum.

Pointe: Levels I, II, III, IV, V, Intermediate, Advanced

Ballet students are placed into Pointe classes when they meet certain developmental criteria. These requirements help to ensure that the student is adequately prepared to work on Pointe safely and without long-term injury. In general, the student must be 11 years of age. Also, they must be able to releve’ with a fully straight leg, and to balance on demi-pointe for 30-45 seconds. Additionally, the student must have developed strong lower back and abdominal (core) muscles. Prior to placing a student on Pointe, it must be determined that the student meets and maintains these fundamental requirements.

While most serious ballet students advance into Pointe work, some do not. Students with under-developed core muscles, excessive weight, or other developmental circumstances that prevent safe, injury-free Pointe work may remain in Ballet shoes until those matters are corrected.

TAP

Tap: Levels I, II, III, Intermediate, Advanced

Tap dancing is an exhilarating style of dance that develops exactness in rhythm & timing, coordination of the mind and body, and the ability to think fast. While students take Tap at ages 4-6 in the combo classes (see above), at age 7, they begin taking tap as its own discipline. There is no pre-requisite to enroll in tap classes.

The Studio+ has a very strong tap program that follows curriculums established by The Texas Association Teachers of Dance, Al Gilbert, Ken Phifer, and others. Additionally, the studio’s tap instructors attend dance conventions each summer and receive continual education under noted artists and choreographers such as Jay Fagan, Keith Clifton, Rhonda Miller, and Gregg Russell.

The world of tap is challenging and ever changing. The teachers at The Studio+ are committed to answering the challenges.

IRISH

Irish: Levels I, II, Intermediate, Advanced

Irish developed its popularity after “Riverdance” hit the stage. Traditionally, students learn soft-shoe dancing during the first 2-3 years of their Irish dance training. During this time, students learn set dancing which is often used in competitions. After soft-shoe has been mastered, students move into jig (hard) shoes. The rhythm and technique required for Irish hard-shoe dancing is unlike any other discipline. It is extremely high impact and physically demanding. For this reason, to enroll in Irish, a student must be at least 8 years of age and be concurrently enrolled in ballet.

JAZZ

Jazz: Levels I, II, III, Intermediate, Advanced

The Studio+ Jazz program includes technique that comes from the genres of musical comedy, contemporary, and lyrical. Jazz dance is offered to students age 6 and up. However, at ages 6-9, students must be concurrently enrolled in ballet. From age 10, students may enroll in Jazz with no other enrollment necessary.

A technique-based discipline, Jazz is taught using a combination of barre, centre, and across-the-floor work. The Jazz program substantially follows the TATD established Jazz curriculum with strong style influences from greats such as Fosse, Keith Clifton, Lynn Cramer, Rhonda Miller, and many, many others.

MODERN 

Modern: Levels I, II, Int/Adv

The Modern class includes instruction in the fundamentals of beginning through advanced levels of modern dance technique. It explores movement as a creative medium through conditioning, technical training, and performance. The curriculum includes the history, vocabulary, and concepts of modern dance. Students improve their knowledge of body conditioning, injury prevention, dance kinesiology, and relaxation exercises. Movement and performance skills are enhanced through improvisation.

LEAPS, TRICKS, & TURNS

New to our 2020 schedule is our leaps, tricks, & turns class! Taught by Nicole Dean this will be an intense class full of fun and flexibility! Technique and safety of all of the fun tricks you see performed by the professionals will be taught in this class. 

HIP HOP 

Hip Hop: Levels I, II, III

The Studio+ offers hip hop beginning at age 6. Students age 6 – 9 requires concurrent ballet classes. Additionally, The Studio+ offers separate Hip-Hop workshops with guest industry professionals.

Musical Theatre

Music Theatre will focus on learning proper dance technique while diving into the various dance styles used in Broadway shows. Emphasis will also be placed on learning performance skills such as connecting with the audience and telling a story through dance and facial expressions.