DANCE PROGRAMS
Tutu Division:
The Tutu Division is a creative movement program that introduces students to primary dance movements, coordination, music and terminology in a child-friendly setting to help students develop body awareness, rhythm, flexibility, coordination, and confidence while learning technical vocabulary.
These classes are suitable for dancers ages 3 to 6 and offers Pre-Ballet, Ballet/Tap Combo and Pre-Jazz/Tap Combo Classes. Refer to our current schedule for current classes,
The Pre-Ballet class introduces students to beginning ballet steps, terminology, and the basics of dance. The students in this class will have a structured ballet class focusing on proper posture, technique, and ballet terminology.
The Ballet/Tap Combo and the Pre-Jazz/Tap Combo classes introduce students to beginning ballet, jazz and/or tap steps, terminology, and the basics of dance. The students in these classes will have a structured class focusing on proper posture, technique, rhythm, coordination, and dance vocabulary.
It is our goal at Alius Dance School to teach all dancers within their own capabilities, be inclusive, teach with excellence, and maintain a fun and friendly environment for our young dancers.
Classical Division: (Levels 1-6)
The Classical Division offers classical ballet and contemporary training for dancers ages 7 and up, incorporating the EBAS system as an integral part of the dancers training. The classes are designed around a structured technical ballet class. Students use the ballet barre to learn proper technique and vocabulary, flexibility, coordination, proper posture and alignment while building confidence.
Students are promoted according to individual progress in acquiring proper technique and body strength (not by age). Age recommendations listed herein are general guidelines and do not define ability level. These ballet levels ensure the student’s mastery of the fundamental movement methods and prevent injury.
Level 1 – This is a beginner ballet level for recommended ages 7 & up and dancers growing out of the Tutu Division. Students in this level are required to take 1 ballet class and 1 jazz or tap class per week.
Level 2 – This is a beginner ballet level for recommended ages 9 & up with at least 1-year ballet experience. Students in this level are required to take a minimum of 2 ballet classes and 1 contemporary/jazz class per week.
Level 3 – This is a beginner to intermediate ballet level for dancers with at least 3 years of ballet experience. Students in this level are required to take a minimum of 3 to 4 classes per week. This could be: 3 ballet classes; or 2 ballet classes minimum and 1 contemporary/jazz class per week.
Level 4 – This is an intermediate ballet level that are in preparation for pre-pointe level or had just started pointe work. Students in this level are required to take a minimum of 4 to 5 classes per week. This could be: 4 ballet classes; or 3 ballet classes with 1 contemporary/jazz; or 2 ballet classes minimum, 1 pre-pointe, and 1 contemporary/jazz. Students in Level 4 are recommended to take 1 EBAS class per week. At this level, students can be promoted to Pre-pointe and Pointe by instructor’s recommendation only and are required to take at least 2 ballet classes per week in addition to the pre-pointe class.
Level 5 – This is an intermediate to advance ballet level for dancers that have been in pointe for at least 1-2 years (varies by dancer). Students in this level are required to take ballet at least 4-5 days a week, and a minimum of 6 to 7 classes per week. This could be: 2 to 4 ballet, 2 pointe, 1 contemporary and/or 1 jazz, and 1 EBAS class per week (offerings vary by season). At this level, students shall be taking pointe technique at least twice a week. Classical variations and Partnering classes are considered a pointe technique class.
Level 6 – This is an advanced ballet level as appointed by the Artistic Director. This is a pre-professional level that offers training in ballet and contemporary incorporating EBAS cross-training. This level provides training for the dancer that would like to continue to the professional dance world. Students in this level should be registered for unlimited classes per week (7+ classes and take ballet technique at least 5 days a week), including a minimum of: 5 ballet/pointe classes per week, contemporary, jazz, and EBAS classes.
Open Division: (Ages 7 & up)
The Open Division is for students that would like to attend a class once a week and/or would like to participate in a variety of dance classes without the commitments of our Classical Division. This division is suitable for dancers ages 7 & up. Classes include: Beginner and Intermediate Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip-hop, and Flamenco. These classes can be combined or taken individually. The open division also includes special workshops in other dance techniques, which will be offered frequently thru the year. Below are descriptions of the different classes offered.
Tap is an exciting rhythmic exercise and dance discipline that is enjoyable to both kids and adults. Students will learn to articulate the feet, with the use of tap shoes, to create intricate rhythms and sounds. The tap classes offered stress the basics of tap and build into combinations and rhythms which are great to watch and delightful to hear.
Tap 1 (beginner) – This is a beginner tap level class for recommended ages 7 & up starting tap for the 1st time or for dancers with at least 1 year of dance experience or moving up from combo classes.
Tap 2 (intermediate) – This is a beginner to intermediate level tap class for recommended ages 9-& up with at least 3-years of tap experience.
Tap 3 (int/adv) – This is an intermediate to advance level tap class for dancers with at more than 4 years of tap experience.
Open Tap – This is an intermediate tap class geared towards adult tap dancers.
Jazz is a more free-formed style of dance than ballet. With a strong focus in technique, class consists of movements to stretch and tone muscles and develop support for proper stress-free alignment of the skeletal structure, jumps and turns, across the floor and center floor combinations. Using jazz, soul, R&B, ethnic and pop music, jazz class is a great way to expand your dance repertoire and further develop your artistry.
Jazz 1 (beginner) – This is a beginner level jazz class for recommended ages 7 & up starting jazz for the first time or for dancers with at least 1 year of dance experience.
Jazz 2 (intermediate) – This is an intermediate level jazz class for recommended ages 9 & up with at least 2-years of dance experience (preferable jazz or ballet).
Jazz 3 (int/adv) – This is an intermediate to advance level jazz class for recommended with a ballet or jazz background. A minimum of 3 years of ballet or jazz experience is preferred.
Open Jazz (int/adv) – This is an intermediate to advance level jazz class for recommended with a good ballet or jazz background. This class is open to adult dancers.
Contemporary combines the strong but controlled legwork of ballet with modern movements that stresses on the use of the torso. With a strong focus on technique, the class consist of stretching, conditioning, contract-release, floor work, fall and recovery, and improvisation. Contemporary dance incorporates elements of many dance styles such as classical, modern, and jazz. It uses unpredictable changes in rhythm, speed, and direction.
Contemporary (beg/int) – This is a beginner to intermediate level contemporary dance class for youth dancers, at least 1-year of ballet/modern/contemporary dance experience is recommended. Recommended for dancers ages 8 & up.
Contemporary (int/adv)– This is an intermediate to advance level contemporary dance class for dancers with at least 3-years of ballet/modern/contemporary dance experience. Recommended for ages 12 & up and Adults.
Hip-hop dance refers to street dance styles performed mostly to hip-hop music. This is a fun class that incorporates stretching, strengthening and a wide range of urban styles, as well as freestyling (improvisation).
Mini Hip Hop – This is a fun filled dance class suitable for young dancers. The class is recommended for dancers ages 5 to 7. Class placement is based on teacher’s recommendations.
Youth Hip Hop 1 – This is a fun filled dance class suitable for students beginner through intermediate level. The class is recommended for dancers ages 8 & up. Class placement is based on teacher’s recommendations.
Youth Hip Hop 2 – This is a fun filled dance class suitable for students level intermediate through advance. The class is recommended for dancers ages 10 & up with 1-2 year of hip-hop dance experience. Class placement is based on teacher’s recommendations.
Youth Hip Hop 3 – This is a fun filled dance class suitable for students level intermediate through advance. The class is recommended for dancers ages 12 & up with 2+ years of hip-hop dance experience. Class placement is based on teacher’s recommendations.
Recreational Division:
This division is designed for high school students through adults that will like to incorporate dance into their fitness routine. This division will offer Adult Ballet for the Beginner and Intermediate, Contemporary, Jazz and Tap. It also incorporates fitness related classes like Stretching & Conditioning, EBAS and other aerobic and cross-training practices (offerings vary through the year).
Extra-curricular Program:
The purpose of the extra-curricular program is to bring the dance experience to the student at their schools to alleviate working parents of the after work extra-curricular activities for small children.
The Pre-school Program is part of the Tutu Division and offers pre-ballet classes to kids ages 2-5 inside the pre-school/daycare environment.
The In-school Program is part of the Open Division and offers ballet, jazz, contemporary, and fitness classes to school-agers inside the school environment.