Out of His Mind Dance

Adult classes are geared toward people from all walks of life. Both seasoned and aspiring dancers join these classes to continue learning a new skill, keep old skills sharp, discover a new hobby, or to pass the time while their children are in the other room! The classes' curriculum are tailored to the enrollment in each session, allowing the class to progress as quickly or as slowly as members of the class are capable. We are currently offering four separate classes, including tap, modern, ballet, and hip hop.

Musical theater dance can be performed in any style of dance. The style is more of a description of dancing that is rooted in the history of Broadway musicals. This class focuses on performance skills as they relate to musical theater dance style and uses dance as a method of storytelling as it relates to musical theater. Students will gain an understanding of how dance and choreography create and bring dramatic elements to life on stage. In this class the dancers will explore dance, improvisation and acting.

Hip hop refers to styles of dance primarily developed outside of the traditional dance setting and in conjunction with evolving popular music styles. Our classes expose students to a wide range of styles. They will experience techniques such as breaking, locking, and popping. Hip hop is a fun, energetic, and completely contemporary form of dance.

In modern class, dancers will explore how the body moves and the "why" behind movement. At Out of His Mind Dance, students are exposed to Graham, Horton, and Hawkins techniques. Students will experience a deeper understanding of breath and spatial awareness through floor work, inversions, and weight sharing activities. Self-expression and improvisation play a larger role in modern, asking students to bring more of their creativity into the classroom. Modern is an ideal class for older students wishing to begin their dance journey, and for established dancers wishing to expand their understanding of performance.

Tap is a percussive form of dance that is the most linked with making music. In these classes, the student will learn the historical classics of tap, such as soft shoe, time steps, and the shim sham. Students will master musicality, weight transfer, and pattern replication. They will learn to view their feet as musical instruments. Tap is ideal for students pursuing musical theatre, and those who wish to develop their understanding of musicality.

Jazz dance began development in the 1940s as a contemporary expression of the music of the times. It has continued to develop and respond to changing social climates. Our curriculum focuses on a blend of Giordano, Luigi, and Horton techniques, which provide students with a solid footing in both past and present jazz styles. In these classes, students will study isolations, turns, leaps, and progressions across the floor. Jazz tends to be an upbeat and athletic form of dance.

As the longest-standing formal technique in dance, ballet is regarded as the foundation for any student who desires to truly learn to dance. At out of his mind DANCE, we teach a blend of Vaganova and Cecchetti techniques. Students begin each class at the ballet barre where they can focus on building strength, balance, and proper technique. Each class progresses to the center of the room where those skills are challenged and developed through adagio, petit allegro, pirouettes, and grand allegro exercises. Pre-Pointe is designed to establish practical strengthening skills to pointe work. Students do not begin the year in pointe shoes. Pointe 1 and 2 are progressing levels of pointe work. Pointe 1 will focus on bourees, piques, echappe, walking, and running. Pointe 2 will add pirouettes and more complicated patterns. Students will progress through the pointe program based on their particular skills rather than based on grade level. Please note that pointe is not required when taking ballet.

Our acro classes blend classic dance styles with acrobatic elements while preparing the dancer to execute skills safely on a hard stage floor. Some of the skills look similar to gymnastic elements but are trained differently to accommodate for a difference in flooring. Basic acrobatic elements are introduced to all of our dancers in the curriculum in Creative Movement up through Combo 2 . Beginning at Level 3, dancers have the option to take an additional class focused solely on developing their flexibility and strength, leading to mastery of acrobatic or acrodance skills.

Our combo-level classes are designed as a "sampler platter" of dance forms, allowing elementary-age students to experience several forms of dance without the burden of attending multiple classes throughout the week to experience all of them.These classes are ballet, and jazz/tap. The classes lay the groundwork for a strong understanding of the ballet barre basics, jazz progressions, and fundamental tap skills. The ballet class is immediately preceding jazz/tap to allow more flexibility in scheduling. It is recommended to take both classes for the best educational foundation.Classes are designed to encourage discipline in young children while maintaining a fun and playful atmosphere.

In these classes, young dancers will experience ballet, tap, and basic acrobatics in one convenient class per week. They will learn the six foundational movements of ballet, and expand their understanding of rhythm and music through tap fundamentals. Self-expression and creativity are developed alongside discipline.

Creative Movement is designed to introduce the tiniest dancers to the fundamentals of dance through creative play. Dance stories and games are used to teach coordination and self-expression. The use of props and imagination allow young minds to flourish and encourage mental development. Classroom etiquette is also an important part of these early years and will be reinforced through activities that require taking turns and listening skills. Kinderacrobatics are also introduced to encourage flexibility and strength.