• Directions
• Contact
• Registration
• Photos
• Videos
• Scholarship

Dance

Philosophy

Our approach to the education of dance is to offer instruction taught by highly trained professionals with experience and passion for their respective fields. These instructors, professional dance and theater educators, bring to the student a focus on method and technique found in New York studios.

Our Goal

To provide all students, whether beginner to pre-professional, child or adult, those with serious aspirations or those just looking for personal enjoyment; with a state of the art facility, where each person is encouraged to grow, experiment and enjoy their art form. To give each student the choice of as many performance opportunities as they wish, or to take only classes and work towards their own personal goals. To create an atmosphere of mutual respect and caring, where each individual is valued. To encourage an environment where all students feel comfortable and safe. To allow everyone the freedom to explore their own creative possibilities.

Catherine LaChioma, Executive Director
Adam Holms, Co-Director
Nikole LaChioma, Co-Director

Classes Offered

• Ballet
• Pointe
• Partnering
• Boys Class
• Jazz
• Modern
• Dance Composition
• Tap
• Lyrical
• Hip Hop
• Modern Jazz
• Creative Movement
• Musical Theater Dance
• Simonson Jazz
• Stretch and Strength
• Yoga
• Pilates
• Belly Dancing
• Salsa
• Privates
• Choreography Sessions

Dance Courses

WORLD DANCE WORKSHOP

Flamenco ~ Latin Dance ~ Rhythms Around the World

This exciting new world dance workshop, being taught by Melissa Frakman is an experience in dance and culture. Study Flamenco for 3 months, Latin Dance for 3 months and Rhythms Around the World for 3 months - the course finishes with a month of review and a performance. Take an exciting voyage without leaving the comfort of your own backyard -meet new friends- dance- get in shape- have fun! Registration begins immediatedly . Class size limited to 16 - no age restrictions! Call to find out more - don't miss this chance to expand your horizons in dance.

Creative Movement

Mommy&Me, 2-3Yrs

Creative movement and dance is an enjoyable way for young children to develop their physical skills, channel their energy, stimulate their imagination and promote their creativity. Creative dance involves using body actions to communicate an image (the wind), an idea (a journey) or a feeling (strength). This class sparks the child's imagination and develops coordination skills through pantomime and movement games with musical accompaniment.

Pre Ballet with Tap

Age 3-4

This class continues to develop coordination skills and imagination. Without learning the technical terms, children perform some elementary ballet and tap movements and positions through pantomimes and imaginative play.

Ballet/Tap Combination Class

5-7 yrs

This class will combine the basics of both Pre-Ballet and Beginner Tap for those students wishing to take a more abbreviated introduction to both disciplines. The student will be taught the basic ballet positions with their correct terms, elementary barrework, and the detailed breakdown of individual ballet movements. For tap they will work on simple tap steps, rhythms and coordination steps to associate the dancers with the music and their abilities. Later on they will work on steps or a short fundamental combination.

Ballet Technique I

Once a Week

Introduces the beginning student to basic ballet positions with their correct terms, elementary barre work, and the detailed breakdown of individual ballet movements.

Ballet Technique II

Once a Week

Encompasses the first year of the Russian syllabus, a universally recognized system of training ballet. Steps learned separately in Technique I are now combined into sequences of movement that become more varied and complex as the term progresses. The students learn new ballet steps, as well as he or she complete barre work.

Ballet III

Recommended Twice Weekly

Refines ballet movement combinations while adding new steps to the student's repertoire. Increasing emphasis on allegro movements (leaps), pirouettes (turns), and more complex rhythms of music.

Ballet IV

Recmd. Three Times Weekly

Continues expanding the student's repertoire of dance steps and movement sequences. Introduces pointe and simple pas de deux (male-female partnering). Refines skills through increased practice, develops pointe work . Special classes in stretch and strength and pirouettes are included.

Ballet V

Recommended Three Times Weekly

Student further develop technique, rep, partnering, pointe as relates to performance and technical skills.

Adult Ballet

Open to teens and adults with some prior training. Classes taught to develop the skills of each student and bring them to a higher level. Pointe shoes optional.

Pointe

Pointe work usually begins in Level IV Ballet, but there is no magical age or level - the body must be ready and strong enough or damage may occur. Care will be given to explain proper care and treatment of shoes and the dancer's feet. Work begins at the barre and progresses to center work.

Partnering

Primarily to build strength and confidence in the dancers while manipulating, lifting and supporting each other in a kinetic relationship. Traditional and contemporary material is presented in order to allow for possibilities of interaction in partnering. Repertory and variations will be introduced.

Boys Class

A class in which special attention is given to the technical requirements of the dance as it pertains to the male dancer. Men's ballet vocabulary, repertory and variations will be introduced.

Dance Composition

The term dance composition is used to describe the practice and teaching of choreography and the navigation or connection of choreographic structures. Choreography is the art of making structures in which movement occurs, the term composition may also refer to the navigation or connection of these movement structures. In its most general meaning, the term navigation refers to planning of motion. An act of connecting two or more physical entities in a physical sense or connecting concepts in memory or imagination In this class you will learn different forms of composition, and then put these concepts to work by choreographing your own pieces.

Yoga

The essence of yoga is to make the process of being fit as efficient and enjoyable as possible. In the beginning it is therefore essential that you learn not only what the stretches are, but how to stretch! How to relax! How to breathe! Then you will really be ready to workout -safely!

Stretch and Strength

Class involves principles of Yoga, Pilates and Dance technique to provide students with a balanced work out that will achieve optimal results through minimum stress on joints. The exercises and yoga postures in these classes focus on extended deep stretching, breathing, and body-mind awareness. Geared toward dancers and non-dancers alike this class helps to improve posture, increase strength and flexibility, release tension, develop new physical awareness and heighten concentration.

Modern

Emphasis in this class will be to challenge the student to work outside of their 'comfort zone'. The class encourages moving into spatial extremes, connecting with the body's structure and using the effects of gravity to move in space. Class combinations consist of dynamic phrase material that involves focus on the details, dropping in and out of the floor and fast changes of direction and levels. Warm Up for class consists of Limon, Horton and Release techniques.

Jazz

These classes offer jazz warm-up and technique, which emphasizes correct body alignment for the beginner through professional, for children through adults.Our approach is to "instruct" while offering diversified, exciting, up-to-date choreography in lyrical, Latin, theatrical, and funky jazz! These classes bridges the gap between technique and performance, teaching performers to personalize their performance material while they are learning it - a skill necessary for both auditioning and company work. This class is offered at Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels.

Hip-Hop

The objective of this class is to get the student moving! Breakdown of this class includes a warm-up focusing on strength, stretch, isolations, and breathing. Then, we will move across the floor with movements that will get you read to dance. Class will offer you the insight of a jazz technician and combine it with the physical strength of Hip-Hop. Learn various street and club moves to help you nail your audition, or to just stay funky! This class is offered at Beg-Int and Advanced levels.

Beginner Tap

For the first 15 minutes to half hour of the class, we will begin with simple tap steps, rhythms and coordination steps to associate the dancers with the music and their abilities. Then, for the remainder of the class, we will either go across the floor learning steps or work on a short and fundamental combination.

Intermediate Tap

This class will be based on the basic steps learned in the first few years of tap. Dancers will learn how to increase speed while executing more difficult steps and include style in their movements.

Advanced Tap

This class is aimed for the more seasoned tapper. The class will entail a short warm-up and then an integration of rhythm and coordination combinations. Depending on the students' abilities and desires, the end of the class is open to improv and call and response.

Musical Theatre Tap

This class will be based on different dances and numbers from well-known musicals and productions. Choreography from shows will be taken and adapted to fit the ability of the class. Dancers will be encouraged to integrate movement with acting.

Theater Rep Jazz

This class will focus on improving your skills in dancing, acting and performing while learning choreography from Broadway. The class will begin with a warm up, then work on basic dance skills and technique, and culminate in a dance combination. (Chicago, Hairspray, Mamma Mia, Grease, Footloose, etc.). The emphasis here is on technique, style and having fun!

Open Ballet

This class will be focused on learning classical ballet technique. All levels focus on correct technique, using core strength, and correct body placement for injury prevention. As students progress to higher levels, the technique will become more complex and they will begin to investigate movement quality, musicality, and other creative element involved in advanced ballet technique.

Simonson Jazz

This class is based on the Simonson Jazz Technique in New York City. It was created for dancer of all ages and abilities. This technique allows dancers to explore jazz movement to the fullest within their own body using their natural abilities.

Beginner/Intermediate Jazz

This class will consist of a warm up, across the floor and/or a short fundamental combination. The focus in this class will be proper placement of the body and an emphasis on style. This will demonstrate that in order to become a true dancer you can not have one element with out the other. Each week we will try to change the style of dance to help the students become more versatile at their young age

Intermediate/Advanced & Open Jazz

The focus of this class will be to challenge the students' ability to adapt to different styles of jazz dance. We will begin with a warm up that will focus on lengthening and strength. The class will then progress to across the floor exercises. These exercises, at times, will be things put into a later combination although reversed. This will prepare dancers to think quickly. The class will end with a combination. Each week we will try to change the type and approach we use to ensure that the dancer has a well rounded and versatile repertoire of both methods and styles of jazz. It will be a class full of energy and excitement. Most of all, its fun!

Private Lessons and Choreography

Available upon request!

Faculty

View all of our staff's information on the bios page of the website!

Attire

Ballet Dress Code

Leotards-short or long sleeved. Warm Ups may be worn only in cold weather. Hair must be worn completely off the face in either a bun or french braid.

Boys

White T-Shirt~ blue or black men's tight (heavy weight) ~ black or white ballet shoes (leather or canvass, split sole).

Creative Movement

Pink Ballet Shoes ~White Ankle Socks~White Leotard

Pre Ballet

Pink Ballet Shoes~White Ankle Sock~Light Pink Leotard

Ballet I

Pink Ballet Shoes~Pink Tights~Light Blue Leotard

Ballet II

Pink Ballet Shoes~Pink Tights~Royal Blue Leotard

Ballet III

Pink Ballet Shoes~Pink Tights~Navy Blue Leotard

Ballet IV

Pink Split Sole Ballet Shoes (leather or canvas)

Pink Seamed Tights~Navy Blue Leotard~Matching Skirt

Ballet V A & B

Pink Split Sole Ballet Shoes (leather or canvas)

Pink Seamed Tights~ BlackLeotard Matching Skirts

Adult Ballet

Pink Split Sole Ballet Shoes (leather or canvas)

Tights (pink or black)~Leotard~Matching Skirt

Note

All leotards may be sleeveless, shoes for Level IV and up

Attire for other dance classes is listed under the info page.

Performances