T L Williams Academy of Dance

These classes are for the recreational dancer and work to build strength, flexibility, musicality, and technique in their respective styles. Students of varied experience and age can enjoy the health benefits of dance classes while in a fun, supportive environment. This class should be fun and challenging enough for adults to succeed in dance and fitness.

A high energy dance class based on street dancing that uses popular hip hop and pop music. The intricate movements, dynamics and body isolations build a dancer’s stamina while keeping them current with the varied trends of Hip Hop in today’s ever changing dance arena.

Tap combines dance and percussion and explores a variety of styles including the two traditions of rhythm tap (hoofing) and Broadway tap. Each of these styles focus on exercises that increase control, coordination, and rhythm. Classes include across the floor exercises that teach dynamics, shading, phrasing, and musicality along with extended rhythmic phrases and improvisation exercises center floor. The goal is to develop tap dancers that are equally strong musicians, dancers, and performers.

Contemporary class explores the creative, artistic soul through a strong foundation in ballet and jazz technique. Emphasis will be on moving in and out of traditional techniques while picking up on new, subtle movement challenges. This style of dance is constantly changing and evolving with current trends in contemporary movement. Due to the technical demands of this style, this class is by invitation only. Students wishing to take this class must be enrolled in two ballet classes and a jazz class to be eligible (ages 12 & up).

These classes focus on traditional jazz vocabulary and various styles of jazz including Broadway jazz, lyrical jazz, and commercial jazz. The class focuses on developing strength, flexibility, correct alignment and coordination, which will draw heavily from ballet technique. The goal is to develop dancers who are expressive, dynamic, musical, and passionate.

Dancers who are technically ready and wish to take Pointe MUST obtain permission from the director. The dancer MUST take at least two ballet classes/week to enroll in Pointe. This class is a yearlong commitment. Pointe class concentrates on the transference of ballet steps from demi-pointe to pointe and is introduced only when a dancer has developed sufficient strength in the feet and legs necessary for this discipline. Pointe classes build upon the ballet technique and offer students the chance to study classical ballet variations. Pointe work requires continuous study to develop the correct musculature and all Pointe shoes must be approved by the instructor prior to wearing.

These classes are designed to give students a detailed knowledge of classical ballet which includes technique, alignment, terminology, musicality, and artistic expression. Basic anatomy and kinesiology is also taught to develop their understanding of how their body moves. Students are evaluated and placed in these levels by the Academy Director.

These classes are offered separately and start to build the fundamentals of dance in each dance style. They develop the dancer’s movement vocabulary in each dance style and work to build a solid dance technique.

These classes are for dancers who are age 5 thru 12 focusing on teaching the basic fundamentals of jazz and hip-hop. This comb class will help dancers develop technique, vocabulary, and confidence in performing both styles of dance

These classes are for dancers who are age 3 thru 11. Each level of Tapping Tutus (I, II, III) focus on teaching the basic fundamentals of dance through creative movement and technique. Class times are divided between both dance styles to give students a chance to develop their movement base and rhythm. As the dancer progresses he/she will be moved to more technical classes.

These lessons are taught with care for the developing voice. Students focus on resonance, breath control, intonation, and development of high and low registers. Vocal class at TLWAD will prepare the vocal student to perform appropriate repertoire ranging from the classical to Broadway styles. Our vocal classes help the student to learn how to sing properly in order to prevent damage to the vocal cords, to maximize the singer's vocal performance.

This class introduces students to contemporary and traditional West African dance styles, history, culture, and geography. In a supportive, community centered environment, students will gain a new consciousness about themselves, as well as learn strength building and movement techniques set to high energy, West African drum rhythms.