Delaware Arts Conservatory

Private lesson fees vary and are based on the individual instructor. There is a studio rental fee of $10/hour for all private lessons.

This option is ideal for those who cannot commit to a weekly schedule, don’t have the time to make up classes, or for those wishing to take a class here or there. Pay-as-you-go students can attend a class in any discipline, providing that the level is appropriate to the student’s skill set.

For students ages 5 and up, these classes focus on strengthening and adding to basic technique in ballet and tap, building on the skills taught in Tot Dance. Creative movement and a minor introduction to jazz is also included in this hour-long class.

Tot Dance classes offer young dancers ages 3 - 4 an introduction to tap and ballet, with an emphasis on creative movement and fun! This 45 minute class provides the basis for future study.

Creative movement class is a wonderful way to introduce preschoolers to movement and music in a group setting. Less focused on defining steps such as in a ballet class, it draws on children’s curiosity about rhythm, music, shapes and play.

Tumbling classes focus on a wide variety of skills including forward rolls, handstands, back and front walkovers, aerials, front and back handsprings, jumps, and leg holds. These classes provide important supplemental training for dance students but are open and accessible to non-dancers as well.

Students must have strong pointe work with solid core strength, pointe technique, and placement. Students who show a lack of development in these areas will not be allowed to continue in this class. If students / parents have any questions about their ability level for this class, they should contact Miss Heather Reynolds . Class size is limited.

Beginning tap levels focus on basic tap technique as well as vocabulary and an introduction to the history of tap. Intermediate tap levels add to this study with a focus on the development of rhythmically accurate footwork, accompanying body movements, and improvisation. Advanced tap levels focuses on maintaining a high integrity of tap skills where students will be challenged with more complicated material including dance notation, tap history, improvisation, and greater demands on speed of learning combinations.

Modern dance technique is designed to develop the mind, body, and spirit to be an expressive communicator through movement. Structured technical exercises that condition the body for strength, coordination, and flexibility are developed. Physical activities which focus on the aspects of space, time, shape, and movement dynamics are explored through individual work as well as group participation.

Lyrical is a type of dance that relies on a direct relationship between the music and lyrics of various songs/poems and specific dance movements. Lyrical dance is a fusion of ballet and jazz dance techniques and challenges choreographers and dancers to use motion to interpret music and express emotion. A lyrical dancer's movements attempt to show the meaning of the music.

Beginning levels of jazz will focus on basic technique including isolations, body positions, stretching, turns, and jumps. Through daily warm-ups and exercises students will gain strength, flexibility, endurance, and coordination. Musicality and performance skills are also taught through a series of dance combinations. Intermediate and advanced jazz classes build on those skills taught in the beginning levels, placing greater emphasis on developing rhythmic awareness, individual expression, and the use of the body as a rhythmic percussive instrument. Instruction focuses on performance qualities, dynamics, varied movement qualities, and strong versatile technique. Advanced classes require the study of ballet, utilizing the technique, strength, and placement taught in that discipline.

This high-energy class uses the latest sounds in rap, R&B, and pop music, together with movements influenced by the hip hop styles of the past as well as some of today's hottest video choreographers. This style of dance encompasses movement that has elements of poppin', locking, and breaking as well as freestyle movement to give students the opportunity to develop their own sense of style. DelArts is proud to provide Hip Hop classes in which all of the choreography is clean and appropriate for all ages.

Contemporary dance is a style which emerged in the 20th century as an outgrowth of modern dance and other 20th century dance techniques. It is an extremely fluid and very nebulous style of dance. Unlike traditions such as ballet, it is not associated with specific dance technique, but rather with a dance philosophy. In contemporary dance, people attempt to explore the natural energy and emotions of their bodies to produce dances which are often very personal.

Beginning ballet levels provide students with a firm foundation of ballet fundamentals, including basic center floor technique, stretching and flexibility, and creative movement. Intermediate levels of ballet prepare students for more intricate technical skills, adding barre work, body placement, and developmentally appropriate choreography. Students at the intermediate level also begin Pre-Pointe and Pointe classes based on developmental readiness and physical ability. The study of Pointe requires 2 ballet classes per week. Advanced levels of ballet and pointe focus on high levels of technique including technical skills and vocabulary from Royal Dance Academy, Ciccetti, and Vaganova curriculum, and add a more professional level of choreography.

The students also get to take master dance classes by world renowned teachers.

The goal of our Competition Teams is to allow the students the opportunity to be adjudicated by dance and performing arts professionals while giving them more performance opportunities. The students also get to take master dance classes by world renowned teachers.

The goal of our Company is to train, inspire, and nurture young dancers toward artistic excellence. The DelArts Company provides opportunities for serious dancers to perform and compete at performance venues and selected competitions.