Class Descriptions

INTERPRETING THE SPECTRUM DANCE CLASS SCHEDULE

YOUTH CLASS SCHEDULE
The Fall, Winter + Spring youth class schedule is enrollment-based for youth ages 3 - 14+ years and runs from September through May. All enrolled youth classes perform in the Spring Performance in June unless otherwise noted. Enrolled students can opt into or out of the performance.

The summer youth schedule runs for 6 weeks between July + August with no performance.

YOUTH PLACEMENT
Youth students who wish to enroll in classes at Spectrum Dance should reference both the age guidelines and teacher placement recommendations before enrolling. Generally, students 9 and under will participate in classes based on their age; students ages 10+ are placed according to teacher recommendation from prior years. All level III, Preteen (except Preteen Beginning Ballet), Teen and Teen | Adult classes are invitation only. Other invitation-only classes are clearly marked on the Youth Schedule.
New-to-Spectrum students aged 10 and older may contact us with placement questions.

Please note:
Older teens (14+) who do not wish to enroll into the entire September - May school year may attend classes designated as TA (Teen + Adult) on a drop in basis by purchasing a class card. Youth classes (those not designated as TA or Teen Adult) cannot be dropped into using a class card and must be enrolled into.

Please see below for more information about our Teen + Adult drop in class schedule.

TEEN + ADULT SCHEDULE
Classes included on the Teen + Adult schedule are open to dancers aged 13+ on a drop in basis by purchasing a single drop in or a class hours card. Some Teen + Adult classes are a mix of enrolled classes (older teens) and drop in students; these classes are listed on both the Youth and the Teen | Adult class schedule and these classes are considered performing classes (however, drop in + class card students are welcome to take class and are not required to perform).

CONTEMPORARY CLASSES
The Tuesday + Thursday Contemporary classes are considered Intermediate-Advanced and Intermediate levels, respectively.
These classes require experience in contemporary as well as ballet disciplines.

OPEN CLASSES
Preteen and Teen | Adult classes designated as “Open” classes are appropriate for advanced (more progressed) beginning to (low) intermediate levels. These classes are appropriate for students who have good fundamental knowledge and technique.

New students and returning students with questions about placement: please contact us.

CREATIVE MOVEMENT

AGES 3-4

Creative Movement is an introduction to movement, with an emphasis on basic ballet and tap fundamentals. Dancers will explore basic concepts of movement and rhythm while learning spatial awareness, listening skills, group socialization, and class etiquette. Dancers will develop increased coordination, self awareness, confidence and self expression through imaginative exploration and improvisation, and will learn movement vocabulary as they are introduced to dance fundamentals.

CREATIVE COMBO +
KINDER COMBO

AGES 4-6

Creative Combo is an extension of Creative Movement. Dancers will refine their basic concepts of movement and rhythm while continuing to increase spatial awareness, listening skills and group socialization. Dancers will develop increased coordination, self awareness, confidence and self expression through ballet, tap and basic jazz fundamentals while increasing movement vocabulary.
ages 4-5

KinderCombo is similar to Creative Combo but for a slightly older age groups who have progressed beyond Creative Combo.
ages 5-6

COMBO CLASSES

COMBO I
Ages 6-7
Ballet, Tap and Jazz vocabulary and technique will be taught during the duration of this class. Dancers will increase their strength and flexibility, balance and coordination, musicality and rhythmic awareness while mastering more complex patterns and combinations. Dancers will continue to build self expression, confidence and self awareness.

TAP JAZZ COMBO I
Ages 7-9
Tap Jazz Combo builds on the Combo classes, and drops ballet to further enrich the experience of the jazz and tap disciplines. Vocabulary and technique will be taught during the duration of the class. Dancers will increase their strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, musicality and rhythmic awareness while mastering more complex patterns and combinations of movement. Dancers will continue to build self expression, confidence and self awareness. This class enriches the experience of two major dance disciplines (jazz and tap).

Students are invited to enroll into Ballet I (ages 8+) if they’d like to continue their ballet training.

BALLET

AGES 8+

For balance, grace of movement, strength, stamina, flexibility, posture, and music interpretation. We highly encourage ballet study for all students, especially for dancers training seriously in other dance disciplines and athletics. All ballet classes offer classical technique at barre and centre. Pointe is offered for the most advanced ballet dancers. Students younger than 8 who wish to explore ballet are encouraged to enroll into Creative Movement, Creative Combo, Kinder Combo or Combo I depending on age.

JAZZ

AGES 9+

Musical Theater, street/urban, hip hop, funk, ethnic, and other styles are explored. Dancers will learn syncopation, rhythm, and isolation of body movements resulting in increased physical control and fitness. Students younger than 10 who wish to explore jazz are encouraged to Creative Combo, Kinder Combo or Tap Jazz Combo, depending on age.

TAP

AGES 9+

An American dance discipline for rhythm development, aerobic fitness, and focus, providing an infinite range of styles and interpretation. Tap styles have become increasingly varied from classic American to contemporary Rhythm. Students younger than 10 who wish to explore tap are encouraged to enroll into Creative Movement, Creative Combo, Kinder Combo or Tap Jazz Combo, depending on age.

HIP HOP

AGES 6+

Dancers will learn Hip Hop fundamentals ranging from basic (beginner) to more progressive skills including freestyle and choreography (intermediate-advanced). Social Hip Hop and freestyle movement are explored in class, and community and connection are emphasized in every class. Age appropriate music is used for all classes.

CONTEMPORARY

AGES 12+

Explores contemporary movement and music with a strong technique of Modern Jazz elements. Intermediate+ levels should request Instructor/Director approval for placement. Students are recommended to have at least 5 years consistent and solid training in ballet or modern dance.

Note:
First year Contemporary class students (ages 12+) are required to have ballet experience AND enroll into a year-long ballet class - please contact us for placement.

LYRICAL

AGES 11+
Class focuses on musicality, emotion, and fluidity of technique as characterized by lyrical phrasing of music. This discipline is heavily influenced by contemporary ballet techniques.

Note:
All Lyrical students are required to have ballet experience AND enroll into a year-long ballet class - please contact us for placement.

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