DANCE CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Dance Tots (ages 2y6m – 3y11m)
Children will explore music, rhythm, and movement, while nurturing their energy, vitality, and imagination. These first dance classes help young students to develop mental, physical, and social skills through a fun, age-appropriate dance curriculum.

PreBallet  (ages 4-5)
Introduces the young dancer to simple ballet technique, French terminology, and proper ballet classroom procedures, while continuing to nurture and develop the same skills/goals as introduced in the Dance Tots.

Classical Ballet (ages 6 & up – must be in 1st grade) 
Ballet is the foundation of all dance. Students will learn fundamental concepts of classical ballet, learn ballet terminology and proper ballet technique, and will study exercises both at the barre and in the center. Repetition will be used to increase strength, flexibility, and coordination. Students will also gain an appreciation for ballet as an art form and will learn to express themselves through movement to classical music. The number of classes required per week increases as students progress into the intermediate levels & higher. Pointe work will be offered to female students who have achieved sufficient technique, strength, & dedication, with approval of faculty.

Tap (ages 6 & up)
Tap is a rhythmic form of dance that is performed in special “tap shoes”. Beats and rhythms are executed through the feet. Students will learn to tap in an energetic and music-filled atmosphere, improving their memory, coordination, musicality, and stamina. Tap is offered in combination with Jazz for ages 6-9.

Jazz/Hip-Hop (ages 9 & up)
Jazz is an upbeat and energetic form of dance that incorporates everything from classic jazz dance to funky jazz, musical theatre jazz, lyrical and hip-hop. Focus is on technique and building the dancer’s ability to execute and perform a variety of movements and combinations.

Hip-Hop (ages 13&up)
Hip-Hop dance is a combination of jazz and urban street dance that has gained popularity throughout the years. Dance warm-ups include strength-conditioning exercises for flexibility, balance and endurance. Appropriate popular music is used combined with fun and energetic dance moves and routines that are artistically expressive and fun.

Dance Team Skills/Prep (ages 10&up)
This class will help dancers to gain and develop the skills needed in preparation for competition precision dance teams. Focus is on the skills and technique needed to execute and perform a variety of competition-quality routines, including such styles as pom, military, jazz, high kick, novelty, lyrical, and hip-hop.

Modern Dance (ages 10&up)
Beginning through advanced levels are offered. Classes will focus on an eclectic blend of different styles of modern dance technique. Modern dance itself was first created as a rebellion against ballet and later became a fusion of new expressive ways of moving incorporating technical dance forms. Classes will incorporate technique with a more athletic style of movement including contract & release, fall & recovery, prances, partner work, and improvisation. Expression & exploration are key elements that will be included.

Boys Only! Dance Classes  - 
Classes Just For Boys – No Girls Allowed!   “Bounding Boys” (ages 4-7) offers a creative, athletic experience while developing coordination, dance and motor skills, and rhythm through movement & music.   “Athletic Boys Dance” (ages 8-11) offers a unique curriculum of dance training structured to develop strength, flexibility, and coordination along with the discipline, confidence, focus and drive that professional male dancers and athletes have. A variety of dance disciplines will be explored, including hip-hop, jazz, modern, conditioning, and ballet. The focus is on jumps, turns, strength and specific steps and tricks that are unique to male dancers.

DANCE CLASS ATTIRE

Hair
For all Ballet classes (Dance Tots, PreBallet, Ballet), hair must be pulled away from the face and pinned securely into a ballet bun (no bangs for ages 6 and up). For all other classes, hair must be in a ponytail, secured off the shoulders and away from the face.

Dance Tots 
Light pink leotard*, light pink tights, Pink leather ballet slippers**
Boys: White t-shirt, black bike shorts or tights, white socks, black ballet slippers

PreBallet
Light blue leotard*, light pink tights, Pink leather ballet slippers**
Boys: White t-shirt, black bike shorts or tights, white socks, black ballet slippers

Boys Only Dance Classes
White t-shirt, black bike shorts, white socks, black ballet slippers

Classical Ballet
Black leotard*, light pink tights, Pink leather ballet slippers**
Boys: White t-shirt, black bike shorts or tights, white socks, black ballet slippers

* All leotards for Dance Tots, Preballet, & Ballet must be simple in style.  Preferaby tank, cap, or short sleeve.  No attached skirts, ruffles, lace, rhinestones, or criss-crossing straps.

** Please do not wear the “bedroom slipper” style shoe that is on display with the dance attire at some local stores (i.e. Target, WalMart).  These are not appropriate for dance class.  They do not have the elastic across the instep and are constantly slipping off the dancers’ feet.  They also do not have the appropriate sole – and are slippery on our dance floor.

Jazz
Solid dark-colored leotard, black tights, black jazz pants (Capri or full-length)
Black split-soled jazz shoes
Boys: Solid dark-colored t-shirt, black jazz pants, black socks, black split-soled jazz shoes

Tap
Solid dark-colored leotard, black, tan, or pink tights
Optional: Tap skirt, black bike/dance shorts, black Capri dance pants – (No long pants)
Black, low-heeled, tie, tap shoes / Intermediate level & higher – see instructor.
Boys: White or solid dark-colored t-shirt, black bike shorts, white socks, black tap shoes

Hip-Hop
Baggy comfortable clothes you can move in. NO SHORTS.
Non-marking athletic shoes or Dance Sneakers.

Modern
Solid dark-colored leotard, Nude or Pink Footless Tights.

Dance Team Skills/Prep
Same Attire as Jazz classes

ALL CLASSES:  NO LOOSE CLOTHES OVER LEOS!

DANCER'S ETIQUETTE

1. Proper dance attire and dance shoes should be worn for all classes.
   
   
2. A cover-up should be worn over your child’s dance clothes to and from the studio.
   
   
3. Dance shoes should not be worn to and from the studio.
   
   
4. No gum, food, drink, or cell phones, allowed in the studio.
   
   
5. No jewelry or watches; no fingernail polish (except clear).
   
   
6. Dancers should not enter the studio before the teacher.
   
   
7. Dancers may not leave class without permission.
   
   
8. Parents are asked to not open the studio door, or enter the studio while a class is in session. If you need to pick up your child early, please inform the teacher before the class begins.
   
   
9. Good attendance is imperative, as absences and tardiness can hold back the progression of the entire class. Please make every effort to have your child at every class.
   
   
10. Being late is very disruptive to the class. Please be sure your child is at the studio at least 5 minutes before their class begins. Coming in to class late is not fair to the children who have arrived on time and the dancer who is late is losing valuable class time. Students arriving more than 15 minutes late will be asked to observe, for protection against injury.
    
    
11. If your child is ill or will not be able to attend class, a courtesy call is very much appreciated; make-ups will not be granted without calling in your absence in advance.
    
    
12. Please be prompt in picking up your child.
    
    
13. All students are expected to conduct themselves in a safe, courteous, respectful, and responsible manner.
    
    
14. Parent Watch Week is held twice throughout the year – in the Fall and in the Spring. These dates are noted on the Sun Country Sports Center master calendar.
    
    
15. Our annual Recital is held each year in May. The dates for the Recital and dress rehearsal are noted on the Sun Country Sports Center master calendar.
    
    
16. Please note that all classes in the month prior to the Recital are of the utmost importance to your child, as well as the entire class. Please plan for your child to be in attendance for the benefit of your child and the entire class’s dance performance.

Let's Welcome Judy Benton to our family!

Judy Benton served as the Studio Manager and instructor with the Joni Messler Studio of Dance in Gainesville, FL, from 1983 to July 2007. She has been teaching classical ballet, creative movement, tap, and jazz classes, from the beginner to the professional for nearly 30 years. She received her early training from Joni Messler Studio of Dance, and has also studied in New York at the American Ballet Theatre School, Joffrey Ballet School, and Luigi’s Jazz Center, as well as attending countless workshops and master classes with many greats of the dance world, including Gus Giordano, Al Gilbert, Leah Darwin, Dorothy Lister, Gretchen Warren, Marie-Jeanne, Patsy Swayze, and Savion Glover.  While her husband served in the Air Force, she was Director and Instructor for the Youth Center Dance Program at Blytheville Air Force Base, as well as instructor of adult ballet, tap and jazz classes at Mississippi County Community College in Blytheville, Arkansas.  She also taught at numerous private studios in Arkansas, as well as Panama City, Florida. She has taught community education tap and jazz classes at Santa Fe Community College, and had also created tap choreography for the Dance Theatre of Santa Fe. In October 2006, she was a guest teacher for the Florida Dance Association’s Florida Dance Festival on Tour, teaching multi-level tap classes. Judy was one of the original performing members and soloist with the Gainesville Ballet Theatre from 1974-1979.  She served as the Artistic Director of the Gainesville Ballet Theatre (GBT) for 23 years (1984-2007). In addition to the complete overall artistic and business management and directing of this non-profit regional ballet company, she created literally hundreds of works of choreography, in various styles of dance, such as classical and contemporary ballet, modern dance, jazz, musical theatre, and tap.  She has created and choreographed several original one-Act story ballets,  including “Hansel and Gretel”, “The Dancing Princesses”, “La Boutique Fantasque”, and “Alice’s Adventures”. Throughout her numerous years as a dance professional, Ms. Benton gains her greatest satisfaction through watching the development of the students that she teaches. The lessons taught in dance class reach far beyond the classroom, into the lives and futures of our youth, and knowing that you have played a part in shaping the lives of hundreds of dancers, while at the same time enhancing the arts and cultural climate of our community, is truly gratifying.