Belfast Academy of Dance & Performing Arts Center

Tap technique is about making music and understanding it. Dancers will learn music theory in all levels of training and gain an understanding of rhythms, tempo and counting as well as an understanding of note values in different time signatures. As the dancer increases their vocabulary and mastery of the technique, dynamics such as accenting and shading are introduced. Exposing students to tap improvisation is an important component of becoming a well-rounded percussive dancer. Faculty also make time to share the history of this American art form by sharing dances of legendary tap artists and teaching students the stories of the “old dances” that are part of the rich history of the art of tap dancing.

In this fun and exciting class dancers will march, gallop and roll while learning fine and gross motor skills through class dances, props, and fun obstacle courses. Dancers must be ready to enter the classroom on their own, actively participate in class, and have emerging communication skills. Dancers must be fully potty trained.

Hip-Hop class focuses on a combination of three main elements in hip hop dancing, popping, locking, and break dancing. Class begins with a warm-up in the center, progresses through isolations and end with a combination.. The emphasis is on finding a comfort zone for the dancer and teachers encourage individuality and confidence in movement. Dancers enrolled in hip-hop classes are encouraged to train in jazz dance to become a well-rounded jazz/hip-hop dancer.

Jazz technique will focus on elements of weight, rhythm, and sharp movement qualities. These classes begin with a center floor warm-up, continue with isolations, and end with across the floor exercises and contemporary combinations. These classes will touch upon the many styles of jazz dance including classic jazz, Broadway jazz, contemporary jazz and commercial jazz. Students enrolled in this class must be enrolled in both ballet class to be eligible.

Ballet classes are the foundation for a dancer. Ballet focuses on developing a solid ballet technique with emphasis on understanding correct body placement, proper use of turn out, coordination of the upper body (epaulement), and use of arms (port de bras). Careful explanations of exercises and theory help students to use the ballet vocabulary in a simple, practical way. Exercises at the barre prepare for more complicated rhythms and combinations in the center.

Class focuses on the fundamentals of hip-hop. Dancers will start with a warm-up in the center, progress through isolations and continue by working on coordination and technique. Teachers focus on incorporating rhythmic qualities of music into the dancers’ body. The emphasis is on finding a comfort zone for the dancer and teachers encourage individuality and confidence in movement.

Students will learn ballet technique, tap fundamentals and jazz dance basics. This class is structured to give students a well-rounded dance education and will prepare them for all of our advanced technique classes.

This class is designed specifically for ages 5-7. Students will learn proper ballet technique and vocabulary and tap fundamentals. Creative movement activities are also used to support technical training and vocabulary. This class is structured to teach interpersonal skills and group dynamics while fostering self-confidence.

In this fun and exciting class dancers will march, gallop and roll while learning fine and gross motor skills through class dances, props, and fun obstacle courses. Dancers must be ready to enter the classroom on their own, actively participate in class, and have emerging communication skills. Dancers must be fully potty trained.