Erie Dance Conservatory

Females & Males: Attire as above except with bare feet, hair in a ponytail, or short hair pinned neatly off face.

Females: Solid colored leotard (no halters or strap designs), solid-colored athletic pants (no prints, designs, or words), black jazz shoes/dance sneakers, hair in a ponytail, or short hair neatly pinned off the face. Males: Solid colored t-shirt, solid-colored athletic pants, black jazz shoes/dance sneakers, hair combed neatly off face.

Females & Males: Attire as above, except with black flat tap shoes, hair in a high ponytail, or short hair pinned neatly off face.

Females & Males: Attire as above, bare feet.

Females Tiny Tots to Level 3: Pink tights, black leotard (no halters or strap designs) pink leather ballet shoes, hair in a bun/ pulled off of the face. Females Levels 4 and 5: Pink tights, solid-colored leotard (no halters or strap designs), pink leather ballet shoes, hair in a bun or french twist, short hair neatly pinned off the face. Males Tiny Tots to Level 5: Black or white tights, white t-shirt, black or white leather ballet shoes, short white socks, dance belt, hair combed neatly off face.

Graded by age and skill, the Acro program emphasizes the art, skill, and performance of an acrobat. This display of spectacular skill and agility is very similar to the “floor routine” of a gymnast that integrates tumbling, musicality, and strength training.

Graded by age and ability, the Tap program incorporates a blend of both buck and rhythm tap styles by using the sounds of tap shoes striking the floor as a form of percussion. These classes will emphasize technique, terminology, precision, and strong rhythmic skills.

Graded by age and ability, Hip-Hop dance refers to street dance styles primarily performed to hip-hop music or that have evolved as part of hip-hop culture. It includes a wide range of styles primarily breaking which was created in the 1970s and made popular by dance crews in the United States. This class is designed for students with or without formal dance training. These upbeat classes will focus on rhythm, isolations, freestyle, and choreography.

Graded by age and ability, the Jazz program focuses on developing strong lines, technique, a command of proper jazz dance terminology, and an understanding of the body’s center of movement. Styles of concentration include modern jazz as well as a combination of vernacular and contemporary movement.

Graded by age and ability, the Modern dance syllabus is based primarily on the Graham and Horton techniques. Movement theories and common steps are also introduced and further explored at upper levels. Students are challenged by increased complexity and length of the sequence, constant level change, and the use of non-traditional phrasing.

Studied in its traditional form and structure, EDC’s Ballet classes are graded by age and ability, levels 1 through 5, and are taught in the Vaganova and French School styles. Proper body alignment, classical line, musicality, and ballet vocabulary are emphasized at all levels. Students are taught the basic elements of classical ballet that are common in all major ballet syllabi.

Children are encouraged to participate independently from their parents/caregivers. Using ballet principles and vocabulary, students learn classroom etiquette, body awareness, movement exploration, and musicality in a positive and encouraging environment. This is preparation for basic ballet study.