Creative Movement: This class will encourage self-discipline and confidence while working on rhythm, coordination, and spatial relations. Basic ballet steps will be taught. (Ages 3–4)
Just Dance: This class will focus on developing gross motor skills, musicality, and fitness. The class is designed to introduce fundamental body positions and establish proper ballet body alignment. This class will also introduce Tap skills for the second part of class. (Ages 5–6)
Introduction to Ballet & Deep Stretch: This class is designed to introduce fundamental body positions and establish proper ballet body alignment. Students will be introduced to basic barre exercises, center work and across the floor exercises.
*First year ballet students must enroll in the Tuesday class. To attend twice a week, you may also join the Thursday class. *
Ballet 1: Students are expected to learn fundamental ballet vocabulary as well as proper execution of the movement. Level 1 students will build onto the basic barre and across the floor exercises. Proper body alignment and the expansion of classical vocabulary will be emphasized.
Ballet 2A: Students must demonstrate proper execution of Level 1 ballet syllabus, along with the advancement of ballet vocabulary, technique, and musicality. Emphasis will be placed on strength, balance, port de bras and overall body coordination at the barre and center. At this level, students will be introduced to the proper resistance band exercises to strengthen the ankle, foot, and leg.
Ballet 2A: Students must demonstrate proper execution of Level 1 ballet syllabus, along with the advancement of ballet vocabulary, technique, and musicality. Emphasis will be placed on strength, balance, port de bras and overall body coordination at the barre and center. At this level, students will be introduced to the proper resistance band exercises to strengthen the ankle, foot, and leg.
Ballet 2B: Students continue to build strength and alignment at the barre and center. There will be special focus on resistance band exercises to ensure foot, ankle, and body strength for future pointe work. Large poses at 90 degrees are introduced and practiced in exercises and in adagio.
Ballet 3A: Students must demonstrate proper execution of the Level 2B ballet syllabus, along with expanded knowledge of ballet vocabulary. Students will be given bigger positions of the body at the barre, center work and across the floor. Students will continue to work foot flexibility & strength needed for pointe work. Advanced combinations will be introduced along with increasing tempo at the barre and center, with a focus on allegro.
Ballet 3B: In this level, students will begin to do more challenging combinations. Bigger positions at 90 degree and higher will be encouraged, and a special focus on grande and petit allegro. Partnering will also be introduced.
Ballet 4/5: Students must demonstrate proper execution of the Level 3 ballet syllabus, along with an expanded knowledge of ballet technique and pointe work. Advanced combinations, as well as an increased tempo throughout the class, will be incorporated.
Pointe Technique: Students will focus on gaining flexibility and strength in their pointe shoes. This class is designed to advance the dancer’s knowledge of ballet technique and its kinetic breakdown, bio-mechanical awareness, and analysis of the movement. The overall emphasis is on vocabulary, technique and understanding of motion and placement. Students will focus on gaining flexibility and strength in their pointe shoes through combinations at the barre, center and across the floor. Special emphasis will be placed on how to articulate the foot in the pointe shoe.
Men’s Ballet & Partnering: Designed specifically for boys & men ages 7+, this class will focus on strengthening, stretching, and correcting ballet technique in a fun atmosphere where young men can feel comfortable dancing and learning. As class attendance allows, students will learn proper technique for partnering in Classical Ballet contexts.
Beginner Contemporary & Musical Theater: This exciting class introduces dancers to the expressive movement of Contemporary Technique while exploring the energy and storytelling of Musical Theater. Dancers will build a strong foundation in technique, coordination, musicality, and performance skills through fun combinations and age-appropriate choreography. Students will gain confidence as they learn to connect movement with emotion, develop stage presence, and bring characters and stories to life in a positive and encouraging environment.
Contemporary Technique: This class focuses on genre specific movement concepts, improvisational techniques, and individual artistry. Students will participate in a warmup, center technique, across the floor, and a culminating center combination followed by a brief cool down. Emphasis will be on musicality, choreography, and personal expression.
Jazz & Pom Technique (Middle School & Up): This class is designed for middle and high school dancers. This high-energy class focuses on developing the technical skills needed for dance teams and collegiate dance programs. Dancers will strengthen jazz fundamentals while mastering sharp pom motions, precision, turns, leaps, flexibility, stamina, and synchronization. Emphasis will be placed on performance quality, musicality, and clean execution through across-the-floor progressions and dynamic combinations. Whether preparing for school dance teams or looking to enhance overall technique, this class provides the training and confidence to perform at the next level.
Beginner Jazz & Modern: This is a combination class that introduces dancers to the fundamentals of both styles. We will explore movement that is both sharp and precise while working on timing in Jazz. The Modern portion of class will explore movement that is more grounded and freer flowing, while expanding on the student’s knowledge of ballet.
Modern (Intermediate and Advanced): In this class the dancer will learn technique (dance steps and combinations) through inventive, exciting, original choreography that is structured specifically for each age and ability level. The dancer will use highly expressive style of dance that challenges the structured dance technique of classical ballet. This class will focus on dance expression, rather than following ballet’s rigid set of postures and technical positions. Each student will be challenged in their core work and strength. (Must have 1 year of ballet experience and be currently enrolled in ballet.)
Jazz (Intermediate and Advanced): In this class the dancer will focus on strength, flexibility and conditioning technique and progressions including turns, kicks, and leaps. The class is a combination of classical ballet and modern dance technique with contemporary influence. There will be a strong emphasis on energy, rhythmical accuracy, and style. The dancer will learn many fun and trendy dance steps that are used for all forms of dance. Jazz helps a dancer to become well-rounded and accustomed to a variety of all dance steps. Dancers will learn choreography to popular and age-appropriate music along with vintage styles of jazz from past decades. (Enrollment in ballet and modern are encouraged.)
Beginning Tap: This class is for the beginner tap student. It will focus on basic tap sounds, rhythm, and coordination.
Intermediate/Advanced Tap: This class is for the tap student with at least three years of tap training. Emphasis will be placed on more complex tap choreography and sounds.
Conditioning: This class will focus on the body-conditioning and strengthening required to enhance a student’s technique. A variety of techniques will be used to lengthen and strengthen dancer’s muscles including IM=X Pilates, Progressing Ballet Technique, and more!
Leaps and Turns Technique: In this class, dancers will focus on developing the skills necessary to perform a variety of turns and leaps. They will be challenged to their highest potential, with goals set and met throughout the season. There will be a focus on proper alignment of their facility for turns and on their foundation for leaps to get higher off the ground. Cross training with weights and yoga blocks will be implemented. (Must be enrolled in Ballet Levels 2-5.)
Adult Ballet: Whether this is your first dance class, you haven’t danced in a few years, or if you want to brush up on your ballet skills you use often, this class is for you! In this class, we will work on our strength, flexibility, and musicality at the barre through ballet exercises. We will then briefly move across the floor and explore ballet terminology in the center.
Adult Stretch and Pilates: This class is designed for adults who are looking for an evening exercise class. We will use the IM=X Pilates method to strengthen and stretch our muscles on the mat. This will be a great warm-up class for adults looking to attend the Adult Ballet class!
Adult Dance Techniques and Conditioning: This class will rotate weekly to provide variety to adult students. Classes will include Ballet Fundamentals, IM=X Pilates, Contemporary Technique, Stretch and Unwind, Nutcracker Party Parent Prep, and more! No experience is required!
Stretch and Unwind: This class will explore a variety of techniques including Yoga, Energy Massage, Stretch and Sound Bath, and Meditations. This class is ideal for students who are looking to decompress mid-week. There will be an emphasis on self-reflection and gaining tools to navigate busy schedules.
Studio Company: The GDT Studio Company is designed for the dancer who desires a deeper study of dance. The purpose is to provide an opportunity for dancers to receive intense training in various styles of dance. This program will help each dancer reach his/her individual goals, whether that goal is to become a professional dancer in a company, a collegiate dance team member, or an acceptance into a university dance program. The GDT Studio Company will build on each dancer’s skills, strength, and determination to follow their dreams.
Studio Company Repertory: This class will be used to work on certain skills used in the upcoming performances. Students will engage in a variety of exercises designed to enhance their training and stage presence. Choreographers will have the opportunity to use this class to go over certain material used in upcoming performances. This class will be tailored to address the specific needs of performance ensuring that the dancer feels prepared and capable of delivering their best. *This class will run as needed.
