Youth Class Descriptions

Wondering which classes your child should take?

Here’s a shorthand sense of our classes with more detailed class descriptions below. If you would like a more specific recommendation or have any questions, please contact us!

 

• Best Introductory Classes: Creative Movement and our Ballet/Tap or Ballet/Tap/JazzCombination Classes

• Best Styles for High Energy Kids: Tumbling, Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop

• Best Styles for Serious/Foundational Dance Training: Ballet, Modern, Jazz

• Best Styles for Students Interested in Theater: Ballet, Jazz, Tap

 

Creative Movement: In this class, we explore the foundational elements of movement/dance:body, space, force and time. We will practice moving with different body parts, at different levels, through space, and with rhythms. We will cover some basics of both ballet, modern, and tap dance styles in this class. We will also learn foundational class etiquette, such as listening, respecting each other's personal space, and moving safely.

 

Ballet/Tap Combo Class (Level 1): Welcome to your first technique class! In this class, students begin to learn the primary steps and positions of Ballet and Tap dance. We continue to explore movement possibilities through imagination and play while introducing these traditional movement vocabularies. This class provides students with a great basis for all our other classes and styles.

 

Ballet/Tap/Jazz Combo Class (Level 2): As we continue to develop our Ballet and Tap foundation, students start to explore the language of Jazz dance. While Ballet promotes body control and Tap works on rhythm, Jazz offers us the ability to leap big, turn fast, and perform to the rafters. After students build a solid foundation in this class for a year or two, they are invited in the years following to continue with all styles or dive deep in their favorites.

 

Modern: Our Modern classes explore the infinite creative possibilities of the human body in motion. Students gain a foundation in traditional modern dance technique (primarily Limón Technique) and explore their own artistic voice through improvisation and composition exercises. Modern dance asks us to connect to the greater world and draws a vocabulary of movement from nature. Our Modern classes also include more contemporary techniques, such as release technique and a concentration on floor work.

 

Tap: A student who can’t keep still? Tap is the remedy! Our Tap classes bring the joy of rhythm, percussion and musicality to each student. Our program covers both Broadway based tap styles and contemporary rhythm styles. Students accumulate step progressions over time, starting with the foundation of shuffles and stomps and growing to the Time Step, Maxi Ford and beyond. We love sharing this quintessential American dance with our students.

 

Jazz: Our jazz classes combine traditional jazz dance technique with the joy of exuberant theatricality. Students gain the strength and technique required for high kicks, turns, leaps and jumps of all kinds. This class is highly recommended for any student interested in pursuing musical theater and those who have a flair for performance.

 

Ballet: Ballet is hallmarked by precise technique that leads to stunning lines, beautiful turns, and strong jumps. We strongly suggest that students interested in excelling in Modern or Jazz should study Ballet in depth, as Ballet provides crucial training in control, detail and alignment.  Our beginning Ballet classes teach technique and basics through games and imagination before students advance over the years to study at the barre, in center and eventually enpointe, if the student is dedicated.

 

Hip Hop: Hip Hop dance emerged as a form of street dance in the 1970s in tandem with HipHop music and culture. Since then, Hip Hop has cross-pollinated with many other contemporary dance forms to create a unique style of commercial, popular dance. At Axis Dance Center, our Hip Hop classes combine Hip Hop dance foundation with flair from today’s popular culture and music trends. Students love this highly performative, fun style and dancing to their favorite pop music!

 

Tumbling/Acro: In this class, students learn tumbling skills and acrobatic tricks that can be used in dance performance. Our curriculum serves to build the strength and technique necessary to perform these high level skills. Students love getting to use the mats, working on full body skills, and seeing their progress so tangibly in this class. Open to all students 5 and up, based on level. This class may or may not perform their own routine in the recital. We may decide to focus on skill-building for the whole year and highlight tumbling skills in their other recital dances, depending on student goals and interests.