Contemporary Jazz

 Contemporary Jazz approaches Jazz dance from an artistic/concert dance perspective. Technique is based in the Giordano and Luigi methods of Jazz dance. Importance is placed on a strong Ballet foundation, alignment, control, athleticism, building professional stamina, and artistry in movement quality.  The program incorporates all styles of Jazz: Percussive, Funky, Lyrical, Commercial, as well as Theatre and Concert styles.  Upon completion of the program, in the advanced pre-professional level, a student is fully prepared for college dance programs, concert companies, and theatre productions.  Mrs. Sullivan-Coyle has developed her own Jazz Syllabus that is technically based, allows the dancers to progress in an age appropriate and physically appropriate manner. 

Beginner: (no prior dance training)- The beginner level stresses proper body placement and alignment with an introduction to isolations and basic Jazz steps.  This is a recreational level of training, focusing more on coordination, weight placement, and having a lot of FUN! 

Intermediate: (3-4 years of Jazz or 3-4 years of Ballet)- The intermediate level begins to focus on turns, jumps, leaps, and more intricate choreography. Dancers are introduced to the Jazz Syllabus that incorporates adagio for control and allegro for sustained jumps. 

Advanced/Pre-Professional: (5+ years of Jazz or pre-professional level Ballet dancers)- The advanced level focuses on advanced conditioning, adagio, allegro, our unique vocabulary of jumps and turns, concert level choreography in all styles of jazz. Allows the advanced/pre-professional dancer to have a “master class” experience in each and every weekly class!

Master Classes Fall/Spring: Each season the studios professional Jazz company in residence, Queen City Jazz Company, hosts Jazz teachers from all over the country to enhance the Jazz program.  Master Classes are open and offered to all students on the intermediate/advanced level. These master classes supplement the dancer’s weekly training and serve as a window to the Jazz world. 

Classical Ballet

Preballet (ages 3-4) and Basic Ballet (ages 5-6): These are introductory classes focusing on motor skill development, musical awareness, ballet terminology, and creative dance. Students will learn basic ballet steps from all main areas of ballet technique (barre, adagio, small jumps, large jumps, turns).

Ballet Technique Classes: The “1” levels are the basic/beginning levels; “2” levels are intermediate, requiring prior training to participate; “3” levels are advanced to professional levels. Each class consists of barre and center work. Classical Ballet classes are designed to make the dancer’s body strong, develop excellent posture and develop rhythm, coordination, and line. These classes draw upon the various styles of classical ballet (Russian, English, Balanchine, etc.) to create a well-rounded, strong dancer who is capable of meeting the demands of any style of choreography from classical to contemporary. Students can expect to spend 1-3 years at each level and are allowed to progress at their own pace.

LEVELS 1A, 1B, and 1C  (Beginning) ages 7-11                 LEVELS 2A, 2B, and 2C ( Intermediate) ages 8 and up

LEVEL 3A ( intermediate/advanced)                                    LEVELS 3B/3C ( advanced/professional)

Pointe Classes: Dancers continue the development of their ballet technique to include pointework. Students are allowed to begin pointe classes at the discretion of the faculty, but never younger than 10 years old. Students must be taking a minimum of 2 ballet classes per week (not including pointe)and have the teacher’s recommendation in order to enroll in a pointe class. Many times a student will be encouraged to take a pointe class in ballet shoes to gain the strength needed for pointe work. The 3B/3C ballet classes have the students put their pointe shoes on for center work (if the student is on pointe)

Variations Class: This is an advanced pointe class in which students learn choreography (variations)  from various classical ballets as well as repertoire from original ballet pieces.

Teen (10-17)/Adult Ballet: This class teaches the basic principles of classical ballet. Proper body placement and terminology is emphasized. A perfect refresher class.

Character Class: Character work, or “folk dancing” is important for the development of strength, rhythm and style. These classes introduce steps from the Hungarian, Czech, Russian, and Polish styles. These styles are of historic importance in the development of such ballets as “Swan Lake”, “Sleeping Beauty”, “Giselle”, and “Coppelia”.

Tap

Tap dancing is certainly America’s most popular form of theater dance. With the exception of Native American dance, tap is America’s only indigenous form.  Tap dancing combines the rhythmic foot stomping of African dances with the step dances of Irish settlers. Tap is a style of dance which is natural to do and entertaining to watch. Tap dancing is a means of rhythmic exercise and a dance form, for both boys and girls, children and adults. It can be enjoyed on a simple one-a-week-class basis or pursued as a professional career.  In short, tap dancing is for just about everyone.

Beginner: Exercises are at the barre in a straight line for easy viewing by the teacher. Students learn to work the foot toward the center of the room invariably staying on the same foot and facing the same direction. (no small chore for young tappers!).

Intermediate: Focus will be on center of floor warm ups, combinations, both center and traveling, routines as well as fun steps (i.e. Wings, trenches, pullbacks, toe stands, etc.) Sound and style as well.

Advanced: At this level focus will be on rhythm, sound, tempo and style, along with teaching formations, musical comedy (high kicks and precision work and hoofing.

Hip Hop

Students will be introduced to basic Hip Hop movements which are age appropriate. Hip Hop is a mixture of Jazz, Modern,  African movements, and choreographer's interpretation of modern day moves. A greater appreciation of Hip Hop music will be acquired as students progress through weekly lessons. Lyric content of music used in class is carefully screened to be appropriate for all ages.