Ballet:

●One of the most technical forms of dance ●We teach proper pointe-work ●We teach both Russian and American styles of ballet

Ballet is an old form of dance that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts in the 15^th century.   A fair- sized portion of ballet class is spent at the barre, where dancers go through exercises to strengthen their feet, increase turnout, solidify body alignment, and prepare them to move with technical precision in the center floor.  When dancers demonstrate proper strength of the ankles and feet and technical readiness, they have the opportunity to begin dancing en-pointe (special shoes that enable them to dance on a full pointed toe), with emphasis on correct training to avoid injury and avoid bad habits that are hard to break.  At Expressions, dancers will learn both Russian and American styles of ballet, to increase their ballet vocabulary and prepare them for future opportunities anywhere they should choose to go.

Jazz:

●We teach solid, technically based jazz, rather than sensual MTV style jazz ●We use clean movement, music, and modest costumes ●Jazz emphasizes strength, power, expression, technique, and innovation

At Expressions Dance Center, our jazz classes begin with a solid technical base, using ballet as our base technique and encouraging all serious students of dance to take ballet in conjunction with their jazz classes.  Jazz dance is different from ballet in a few ways.  In jazz, there is an emphasis on strength and power in the arm positions and the use of space.  Floor-work is used to increase levels, and choreography is more open to expression and interpretive movement.  Class starts with a 20-40 minute warm-up in the center of the room, depending on the class level.  The purpose is to warm up the body for optimal movement, spend time doing technical exercises, strengthening, and stretching to increase flexibility.  Exercises are then done moving across the floor, to further solidify proper technique in movement.  At Expressions Dance Center, we stick to the more technical and contemporary styles of jazz, rather than what is seen on MTV.  We do not do moves or choreography that is sensual or sassy in nature, and costumes and music are kept clean as well.

Combination (or Combo) Classes:

● Includes Jazz, Tap, and Ballet, as well as some Tumbling ●Instruments and props are used to make dancing fun and teach concepts ●Class sizes are kept small for optimal attention to the kids - classes are full at 8 students

Combination classes at Expressions Dance Center are a lot of fun!! We currently have one of the largest tots programs around due to what a great experience it is for the kids.  Props such as drums, maracas, princess crowns, fairy wings, and jumping/lily pads are used in class to make learning dance concepts and technique fun for the kids.  Kids learn a variety of dance forms, which keeps their attention span, gives parents more bang for their buck, and helps students know where their interest lies when it comes time to choose what style they focus on (at age 6 or 7).  We cap our tots classes at 8 students so that each student will feel important and like they are getting plenty of attention.  Combination classes are offered for children ages 2-6.

Contemporary:

●Combines jazz, ballet, and modern dance ●We use very up-to-date styles ●Expressive and technical - a very advanced form of dance

The new contemporary movement that is sweeping the world right now is many of our student's favorite part of dancing at Expressions Dance Center.  We are right on the cutting edge of the contemporary movement, which is oftentimes misunderstood.  Contemporary, rather than being an alternative to the technical aspects of jazz and ballet, is really an extension of that technique.  Contemporary combines the technical expertise of ballet and jazz, while adding some of the interpretive elements of modern dance, and takes all three of them to a higher level into a beautiful fusion.  To be successful in contemporary, students must have a solid understanding of technique - which is why we do not start incorporating it into our jazz and company classes until our upper two to three levels of classes.

Hip Hop:

●A form of street dancing ●Free style included ●We use clean music, modest costumes, and clean movement

Hip Hop is a style of street dancing that has come out of the Hip Hop culture originating in New York.  Hip Hop is more free-style than other forms of dance, and is usually done to hip hop music or music with a strong beat.  Many different styles of hip hop all qualify in the genre, including but not limited to popping and locking, breaking, krumping, and lyrical hip hop.  Hip Hop is usually done in street clothes, with sneakers or tennis shoes.  At Expressions Dance Center we are careful to make sure our hip hop teachers don't use music in their hip hop that is offensive in nature - meaning they do not use music that has swearing in it or sexual innuendos or references.  Movement and costumes are kept to the same standard.

Tap:

●Rhythms created with feet/shoes ●Often seen in musicals

Tap dance is a form of dance where dancers create rhythms with their feet- or with their tap shoes.  Tap is usually seen in musicals as it is often more theater-style in nature.  As dancers advance in tap, they learn more complex and faster rhythms.

Ballroom:

●Partner dance ●We emphasize teaching students respect and manners for peers ●We teach both Latin and Standard styles

Ballroom is a partner dance done with males and females in pairs.  Styles include both Latin and Standard styles, including but not limited to cha-cha, waltz, foxtrot, swing, samba, rumba, and quickstep.  In ballroom class at Expressions Dance Center, students are encouraged to learn and develop respect and good manners towards their partners, which greatly benefits them in all social aspects of their lives.