Dance Programs

 Click on the link below and find classes listed according to age!

     usercontent/file/Backstreet%20Schedule%20by%20age%2012.15.pdf

          PRE-SCHOOL DANCE

The primary goal is to foster a love of movement, individuality and creativity in children as early as two years old. Fun and special activities happen in each of these classes for such young children. The creative component is quite large and imagination is encouraged; a scarf or magic wand can facilitate the dancer’s own expression. Classes cover a basis of movement found in all dance forms. The goals in these classes are to foster creativity, freedom and expression in movement and a love for dance. The classes include concepts that are found in older children dance classes. The concepts will prepare the students for the following year when they graduate to higher levels of ballet, jazz or tap. The goal is by the end of the year, the students can dance set work independent of the teacher, memorize simple exercises and sequences, and make a start of musical interpretation.

      PRE-DANCE PROGRAM

Children learn the magic of dance and how to use their imagination. Every task a child is given is related to education in dance. They learn to take turns, follow directions and participate in group activities. In all pre-classes children learn – not just play. They will be taught plies (bend), tendus (stretch), jumps, leaps, shuffles, flaps, hopping, skipping and much more. They learn to develop coordination and motor skills; learn the correct names and techniques for beginning dance steps; work on balance, rhythm and learn to work with other children.

      JAZZ

Jazz style dance is what is seen in many Broadway type shows. It is more structured and one of the most popular styles of dance. It teaches rhythm, stage presence, basic to advanced jazz steps, balance, coordination, turns,Leaps and routines from simple to complex. Students are taught basic isolation moves which will help further improve their dance coordination. Learning jazz moves is crucial to success in other genres of dance. It can combine such styles such as character, hip-hop, and lyrical. Classes include warm ups, across the floor combinations and routines.

      AFRO-JAZZ

A combination jazz dance technique course that will include movements of funk, street style, African Dance Technique, contemporary jazz techniques, and choreography.

I. Center Floor Stretch and Flex

II. Warm-up and Conditioning

III. Progressions Across the Floor

IV. Jazz Walk, Turns, and Combination Movements

V. African Progressions-Fast Foot Movement

VI. Jumps, Leaps, and Gestures

VII. Choreography

Students will perceive and respond, using elements of jazz dance and African technique. Students will demonstrate movement's skills, process sensory information and describe movement, using the vocabulary of dance.

Develop motor skill and technical expertise by demonstrating focus, physical control coordination, and accurate reproduction in performing locomotors and axial movement. Incorporate a variety of force and energy.

Artistic perception-Analyzing and responding to sensory information through the jazz language and skills unique to Afro-Jazz Styles.

      AFRO-MODERN

A combination dance technique of modern dance styles which includes: Katherine Dunham Technique of modern African movements.

I. Dunham Barre Warm-Ups

II. Center Floor Warm-Ups

III. Movement Across the floor

IV. Choreography

Students will develop and learn motor skills and expertise of contemporary modern dance movements that includes Dunham Technique. Students will perceive and respond using the elements of the African and modern dance style of Katherine Dunham Techniques.

Students will process sensory of dance information, describe movement, demonstrate movement, incorporate a variety of force energy and identify and use force energy variations. These movements include the following:

Locomotors, movements, earth movements of traditional African-Haitian Movements. Turns, jumps, leaps, gestures and will work towards a performance.

        TAP

Our studio starts children in tap at the age of four (4). Tap requires a great deal of coordination and can be a challenging style of dance. Various styles are taught including traditional, rhythm, Broadway and musicality tap. Younger children are taught at a slower pace which helps build up their coordination and skills. We have many levels of tap for placement of students. We focus not only on ability of students, but age when placing in classes.

      BALLET

Ballet is a form of dance that is used throughout life and is the basis of all dances - it all starts here. It is powerful, intricate and elegant, with the use of French terms used to refer to steps. These classes begin with pre-school/creative movement classes starting at two years, through our higher levels of ballet. It starts with basic moves and progresses on to learning positions, barre exercises, steps, jumps, and turns. Ballet classes build dancer’s skills, confidence, strength, flexibility, coordination, posture and technique. Classes geared toward younger participants are structured with basic movement taught through fun and creative activities. Dancer’s placements in these classes will be determined by the Director.

      LYRICAL

Lyrical classes integrate most all forms of dance techniques, while focusing in interpreting the lyrics of contemporary music through personal emotions and feelings. It combines dance movements from jazz and ballet to create a story. Focus is on the ease of movement while nurturing the dancer to explore the inner passion for dance through interpretation.

         MODERN

Modern is a technical and free form of dance done in bare feet. It explores movement, rhythm, space, and the dancer’s own creativity. It is inspired by human emotion, music, nature, earth, and art. Modern is a very athletic type of dance, concerned with transitions of weight, fall and recovery as well as alignment. There is constant movement across the floor, elevations and turns. It can contain very basic technique up to very technical technique, depending on level and class. It is a way in which the body may express itself – free from ones own inhibitions.

      HIP-HOP

Hip-hop dance is a fun, high energy type of dance seen in music videos, TV shows and commercials. It can be a combination of smooth organic blend of urban/hip-hop, contemporary jazz, modern or techno music. The moves are very strong and yet flowing, full of expression. Warm ups, across the floor and routines are incorporated into the class. These classes range from five year olds to adults with age appropriate moves and music.

      TUMBLING AND RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS

This class uses floor mats and apparatuses in combination with varied body movements. You learn front and back rolls, round offs, back hand springs, back flips, cartwheels, floor routines and more. Through exploration and discovery, students learn fun and interesting ways to use their bodies and manipulate ribbons, hoops, balls, scarves and ropes. Once basic skills are learned they can be linked together to form sequences. Sequences can then be linked together to form fun and interesting routines. The opportunities for creativity in movement and skill development with apparatus are endless.

      MUSICAL THEATRE

Students will learn the history, origin, story, music and choreography of selected musicals. There are two levels of classes – a younger class for age’s five to seven and an older class for ages eight and up. They learn basic acting and musical theatre performance techniques, while developing self confidence, poise, and stage presence. Emphasis on projection, character, memorization, stage direction and audition techniques are taught.

      STRETCH AND CONDITIONING

Stretching is for everyone, no matter what age – young and old and from all walks of life. Stretching can help you to feel better and even to look better. Stretching is a cardiovascular exercise, which raises your heart rate and is an essential component of a complete fitness regime. Regular controlled stretching improves and maintains flexibility and mobility, reduces the risk of injury, relieves pain and even helps counteract the effects of ageing. It aims to align the joints, which reduces wear and tear on them. Stretching affects more than 602 muscles of the body. When you stretch muscles, you mobilize joints, elongate skin, and affect connective tissue, nerves, tendons, and sometimes ligaments. By making it an integral part of your lifestyle, you will reap many benefits.

      ZUMBA FITNESS

ZUMBA is a thrilling, exuberant dance aerobic fitness workout done to Latin, Hip-Hop, Merengue, Salsa, and even Belly Dancing music. The saying “Ditch the Workout and Join the Party” is an exact explanation of ZUMBA. It is full of freshness and excitement and high energy moves like no other workout. ZUMBA dance is a means of mentally and physically exercising health and balance in ones life. No one knows your body better than you, so – less squats and more pop and come join a ZUMBA dance workout.

          YOGA 

Basic Hatha: Basic Yoga Poses and breathing techniques are taught using music, partner work & relaxtion. Increase strength, flexibility, balance, focus, calmness, self-confidence & creativity. Great cross-training for athletes, and fun!

      BELLY DANCING

Belly dancing is a class that teaches technique for improving the quality of movements. In this class you learn body awareness, stretching, expression of music through the body and rhythms typically found in Middle Eastern music. Dance steps, transitions and combinations and routines are also taught, along with the use of skirts and finger cymbals. A workout that will spark your inner soul.

      ADULT CLASSES

Backstreet offers a full range of adult classes which includes jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, modern, stretch/conditioning, ZUMBA FITNESS, Yoga and Belly Dancing. Parents whose children are on the Dance Team may take ZUMBA for free, and other dance classes at an unprecedented low fee.