Expressions Dance Academy of Wolfeboro

The entire class is dedicated to working on the choreography for our Annual Spring Performance Opening Number, usually a jazz-based style routine with a lot of energy and personality. Please come stretched and ready to have a lot of fun!

Pointe work is an essential part of upper-level ballet training.

The words imply “funky” and use movements that are in nature while maintaining their integrity as a technical dance form. Video also incorporates some urban and Hip-Hop moves into its style, giving it the contemporary “music video” look. The hard-hitting style combines clean-line Hip-Hop/Jazz with a lot of sensuality—learning not only the dance moves, but how to sell them! Students should be able to be versatile in class and must have a strong jazz background as well as Hip-Hop to perform in class. Therefore, beginner to intermediate-level students are required to take a technique class, such as Jazz or Ballet, to attend.

This class offers an opportunity to explore both Modern and Lyrical techniques. The Modern portion of the class mainly focuses on Horton’s technique (the major influence on Alvin Ailey), but also incorporates Limon, Graham, and Dunham techniques. Modern is a dramatic and more poetic way of moving, which evolved as dancers found the need to break away from the rigidity of Classical Ballet and express themselves using a freer style. Modern Dance is characterized by its bending of the spine into spirals and contractions, as well as the use of off-center movement such as tilts, layouts, and fall-and-recover technique. It lends itself to various types of music, including alternative and New Age, and is traditionally danced barefoot. This is offered at 2 different levels to competition groups only.

Lyrical maintains the percussive, rhythmic characteristics that define Jazz, but it incorporates elements of Ballet, and sometimes even Modern Dance, to give it a smooth, lengthened look and lyrical quality. Lyrical routines are usually danced to ballads. Lyrical is offered at 2 different age levels.

Hip-Hop is an upbeat, high-energy street-style dance that incorporates some technical jazz elements. It is seen primarily on TV during rap and R&B music videos and usually catches the eye of the more “recreational” dancer. It is a form that evolved out of street and breakdancing moves and is characterized by its vigorous athletics and bouncy style. Hip-Hop is danced primarily to rap and R&B music and is a great workout that enhances creativity while dancing cutting-edge choreography.

The Competition Companies are classes for students who excel at dance and wish to make dance their primary extracurricular activity. There are 5 levels: Mini Jazz, Petite Jazz, Junior Jazz, Senior Dance, and Master Dance. Students are held to a high standard of behavior and dance etiquette.

A fast-paced mixture of dancing and cheerleading. This class is high-energy and includes a warm-up based on a combination of Jazz and Hip-Hop techniques, across-the-floor exercises, tumbling, and cheerleading movement. It is a complete combination of a dance class and a cheerleading practice.

Classes teach technique aimed at achieving good, clear sounds while encouraging individual expression through rhythm. Dancers learn about musical structure and develop improvisation skills.

The foundation of all dance forms. Body placement, flexibility, balance, alignment, strength, and technique are achieved through barre and center floor work. Ballet 1: Physical discipline, general body awareness, and control, coordinating with elementary technique and terminology. Ballet 2: Understanding the relationship between music, rhythm, and controlled movement with proper ballet technique. Ballet 3: New and more complex material will be taught at an accelerated pace. Students will begin to learn basic ballet history and develop a knowledge and great appreciation of the great ballets, classical music, and famous dancers. Ballet 4 (Advanced): An advanced class combining skills from previous level classes and correlating steps to lengthy and complex combinations with correct technique, extensive terminology, and knowledge of the art of ballet.

This class offers a full ballet class, including a complete barre warm-up, center work, and across-the-floor combinations. During the jazz portion of class, students are challenged with many different forms of jazz, all high-energy but with different styles. Students enjoy learning the fun and fast-paced mixture of various techniques.

Creative Movement is a precursor to pre-ballet, concentrating on gross motor skills. It is a joyful way for children to explore movement, develop physical skills, channel energy, stimulate imagination, and promote creativity. This class focuses on developing balance and skills necessary for traditional dance instruction. Creative movement activities should encourage all children to participate. Both boys and girls enjoy these classes.

Classwork consists of more complex and detailed movement than in previous classes, while still allowing time for fun, creative exercises. Every class starts with tap barre, then proceeds to center exercises. Children learn about musical structure and develop improvisation skills. After tap, the class will follow the actual format of a ballet class, including basic barre exercises and center practice. Children will also demonstrate skills and combinations traveling across the floor.

For children ages 3-4 who like to move. Children will learn basic coordination exercises such as fundamental tap steps and are introduced to ballet, incorporating basic terminology, positions of the feet, hands, and body. Students will also learn social skills for the dance classroom. Creativity is encouraged! Children must have a good attention span and be out of diapers.