Classes for ages 10-19yrs
Arts with Heart is dedicated to utilizing the whole-child approach to create an encouraging, positive learning environment with a passion for providing solid and challenging technique, form, and artistry. Kinesiology is vital in teaching dance. Dancers will learn basic anatomy and biomechanics behind each skill which increases body awareness, improves technique, and builds awareness how to proactively avoid injury. Our instructors are dedicated to providing our students with strong technique- breaking down skills into progressions, teaching pathways, and patiently providing practice with encouragement. Skills are taught in an approachable manner that builds strong technique and create series of successes that foster healthy self esteem. Students are challenged and encouraged to build their technique and form and to grow as a dancer. We believe nurturing and supporting our students' social emotional growth fosters healthy self esteem and an environment where students thrive.
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Ballet and Pre-Pointe/Foot and Ankle Strengthening
Ballet class provides a classical ballet foundation. Class incorporates building ballet vocabulary, technique, and rhythm while fostering a love of the craft. Ballet builds body awareness, grace, poise, and technique that are the building blocks of most forms of dance. Ballet classes will help a student with posture, flexibility, balance, grace, strength, timing, spatial awareness, and body awareness. In teaching ballet, we foster self confidence and self esteem.
Pre-pointe exercises are beneficial to all- not just students who are working towards going en pointe, and are included in Ballet class. Exercises help improve body alignment and build foot and ankle strength. Curriculum will focus on improving foot/knee alignment, turnout, and strengthening feet, Exercises that strengthen the metatarsals and stabilize the ankles will help dancers relevé straight up and down in their shoes, and avoid common mistakes like moving through a dangerous sickled or winged foot that create potential injuries. Students will work on alignment, turnout and strength with exercises that encourage being over the center of the foot, with knees over toes, spines long, with hips and shoulders properly placed. Students will use a Thera-Band for foot and metatarsal flexibility exercises. They will also do abdominal work to strengthen their cores.
Pointe
Pointe dancers appear to move with grace and ease. In actuality, pointe is a very physically and emotionally demanding art and sport. Beginner Pointe skills will incorporate releve, shaping feet, and building strength and balance. Students will be invited to Pointe with instructor recommendation and are required to regularly attend Ballet classes. Pointe is a physically and emotionally demanding art and sport. We are very careful to keep our students safe. Students are required to have proper posture and turnout, a well-elevated releve on demi-pointe and correct distribution of body weight. Pointe students will execute the same exercises as pre-pointe students- starting on demi-pointe and progressing to pointe as strength and technique improves.
Conditioning
AWH's dance conditioning class works on exercises to improve balance for turns, flexibility for dance technique and skills, strength and power for jumps, and exercises that develop turnout. Conditioning exercises are an invaluable supplement to any dance class. ( non-recital class)
Jazz & Hip Hop
In this class we will explore two dance mediums. Classic jazz technique is taught to build a solid skill foundation and to provide history of where jazz dance originates and the basis of many newer jazz mediums, We will " pop and lock" and learn energetic, funky dance moves in ( age appropriate) hip hop. (Ballet class registration is recommended.)
Theater Dance
Theater dance uses classical jazz technique to build a solid skill foundation and infuses expression, music and influences from Broadway choreography and production numbers. Theatrical dance numbers tell a story through song, acting and dance. (Ballet class registration is recommended.)
Lyrical
Lyrical combines ballet and jazz technique to emphasize interpretation of music lyrics while telling a story with movement that can be fluid or abstract. Students will also explore partnering and weight sharing exercises. ( Ballet class registration is required.)
Tap
Tap dance classes at Arts With Heart introduce skills and techniques from rhythm tap (hoofing) and Broadway tap. All tap classes focus on rhythm, musicality and timing. Class begins with energetic warm up exercises that increase control, coordination, and rhythm. Rhythmic center and across the floor combinations introduce/reinforce tap fundamentals, teach dynamics and musicality, work on clarity, and emphasize maintaining correct body placement while keeping the tappers having so much fun they do not realize how much they are taking in and learning!
