Belliston Academy of Ballet and Dance

Tumbling is the artistic use of movements and tricks. Conditioning and control of the muscles are obtained through a balanced exercise program and progressive training from basic through advanced work. Tumbling develops flexibility , strength, balance and coordination.

Hip Hop is a high-energy, street-style dance class encouraging students to step outside of the box by bringing their own individual style and personality to their movements. Hip hop helps dancers isolate different parts of the body by incorporating different hip hop styles.

Jazz class focuses on learning proper dance technique such as isolations of the body, improving performance quality and developing complex rhythms and patterns. Students will be exposed to various styles of jazz to help develop a well rounded dancer. Class curriculum is based on ballet technique layered with traditional jazz movement and includes a proper warm-up, stretches, isolations, across-the-floor progressions, and combinations. In these classes the dancer will turn, kick, and leap to age-appropriate music. Tap classes are designed to develop rhythm, style and sound. Dancers will learn a variety of tap styles from Broadway to Rhythm tap. Exercises focus on building flexibility in the knee and ankles, coordination, and speed of movement. The class emphasis is on developing proper tap technique, producing clear tap sounds, and making music! Contemporary Modern is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Contemporary Modern helps dancers connect the mind and the body through fluid dance movements.

RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) is an internationally recognized organization that provides a certification program in classical ballet. Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is one of the largest and most influential dance education and training organizations in the world (www. rad. org.uk). The assessment process allows students and educators alike to know exactly what skills have been attained, and where further study is required.

CCA (Cecchetti) is a ballet technique class that pays careful attention to the laws of anatomy. It develops all of the qualities essential to the dancer: balance, poise, strength, elevation, elasticity, etc. It is classic in its purity and has a clear-cut style and method. This class focuses a lot on the what and how of ballet and is used in addition to the dancers ballet class.

Pointe Conditioning is a class that is taught through the Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT). PBT is an innovative body-conditioning and strengthening program that has been designed to enhance students' technique by focussing on training the muscle memory required in each exercise in all forms of dance. The program helps with injury prevention and rehabilitation and enhances the ability of athletes to perform at their best. It can be difficult for students to feel which muscles initiate the correct alignment in training. This class is highly-recommended for dancers looking to advance to pointe shoes or those already on pointe.

Repertoire teaches more advanced pointe students different variations or excerpts from ballets they would see on stage. Dancers will learn variations and choreography from all different styles of ballet to help prepare them for a career in dance no matter which style they choose to pursue.

Pointe classes are designed for students with previous ballet training. Students will utilize previously learned ballet technique while working in pointe shoes. Each class includes barre exercises, center floor work and across the floor combinations. These exercises focus on strengthening the feet, ankles and core. Dancers must have director approval for this class.

At Belliston Academy, we strongly believe that ballet is the foundation of all dance forms and will maximize technique and longevity in a career of dance. It provides grace, poise, and technique needed to be proficient in all other areas of dance. Ballet classes will help dancers with posture, flexibility, fitness, balance, self-discipline, and self-confidence. Dancers learn barre work, centre floor work, and across the floor combinations in all classes.

Kinder Pre Dance (Age 5-6 & enrolled in Kindergarten) is designed specifically for dancers enrolled in Kindergarten. This class combines ballet, tap, tumbling and requires an additional ballet class called Pre Primary RAD. Young dancers will be introduced to ballet class etiquette and basic ballet steps in an age-appropriate way. Dancers will begin combining steps to create combinations and patterns.

Pre Dance (Age 3-5) combines ballet, tap, and tumbling to help your child develop a strong foundation in dance. Dancers learn basics steps and terminology in all three styles. Our goal is to inspire movement and creativity in a positive environment. No parent/guardian participation required.

Mini Movers (Age 2-3) introduces toddlers to creative movement and music with a structured class setting. This class introduces ballet positions and basic dance terminology while promoting independence in the classroom. No parent/guardian participation required.

Tiny Tots (Age 18mo - 30mo) introduces toddlers to creative movement and music with a structured class setting. Parent/Guardian participation required.