Dance / Movement
Dance has been a part of every culture throughout the history of the world. We offer dance classes at the Arts Academy in traditional forms of dance as well as African Dance, Bellydance, Hip Hop, Flamenco and Latin Dance.
The Following Classes are available for 2006-2007:
African Dance
In the African dance class students will gain an awareness of African and Caribbean cultures. The African dance students will learn traditional African, Afro-American and Caribbean technique. The students gain strength, coordination and flexibility, and become knowledgeable of various African rhythms.
Afro-Caribbean
Anita’s Afro-Caribbean class will combine elements of Catherine Dunham, Primus and African influences that are strongly rooted in the techniques today. Her style and cultural based elements are well renown in the Florida Area. Anita has a simple mastery of conveying technique to beginners and advanced alike.
Ballet 1 (7-10 yrs.)
Begins the technical training of Ballet, which is fundamental to all dance forms. Ballet technique is taught in the classical tradition. The rigorous curriculum reflects the fact that consistent instruction is fundamental to develop the classical dancer. One class weekly is recommended for 7 & 8 year olds, two classes weekly for 9 & 10 year olds.
Ballet 2 (9-12 yrs)
Concentration on placement, coordination and control is emphasized at this level of training. Dancers learn the vocabulary of classical Ballet and work to acquire and develop the technique required for the art of Ballet. Two classes weekly are required.
Ballet 3 / Intermediate (By Audition)
An extension of classical Ballet technique. Pointe classes are a part of instruction at this level. Dancers are required to take a minimum of three classes weekly.
Ballet
Classical Ballet classes are offered at beginning and intermediate levels of instruction for the returning or continuing dancer. Classes include barre exercises, center floor technique, adagio, turns, petite and grand allegro work.
Ballroom
Learn all your favorite Ballroom and Latin dances in a fun and comfortable environment! We teach a six-week workshop for both children and adults, from beginner to advanced levels. Learn the Slow Waltz, Tango, Cha Cha, Swing, Rumba and more. This workshop is a great way to brush up for a wedding, cruise or just for fun! View our Ballroom Workshop schedule. Private lessons are offered as well. Please call for details.
Belly Dance
In ever woman’s heart there is a belly dancer. Women of all ages, shapes, and levels are welcome. Tone and firm muscles you never knew you had. Express the joy of women dancing together. Whether you want to tone your muscles, to dance for your significant other, to have fun, or to just look sexy in a swimsuit, Bellydancing will safely guide you in the right direction. The Middle Eastern technique of moving the body in this way helps to lengthen and strengthen the core center muscles in a very unique and unusual way. Bellydancing focuses on a seductive and smooth use of the core strength abdominal, gluteal, isolations of upper and lower torso and practices moving from the “center.” It helps with posture, body alignment, fluidity, control, balance and isolation strength. The mind works with the body to keep the music and the flow in unity. Students gain a deeper understanding of primitive styles of movement, also a kinesthetic awareness of their own bodies so that they can integrate the ideas learned in class into their daily lives.
Broadway Theater Jazz (Int.)
….a 5, 6, 7, 8! “And all that Jazz!” In theater, a song or dance occurs when the emotional state of a character, or characters, becomes so heightened that they can no longer express themselves in words. It`s about using dance to add another dimension to the character. The class is about teaching students how to tell a story through dance with the same specificity and as comfortably and confidently as they would through singing and acting. The warm-up is designed to create awareness of, and teach the proper use of, the muscles we use when we dance as well as to build strength and flexibility. Pieces are chosen from classic musicals, and often incorporate blocking, partnering, scene, song and dance. The atmosphere is fast paced, positive, professional and challenging allowing the performers to participate in a powerful Musical Theatre Company Experience. Combinations range in style and difficulty, but are always FUN!!! Learn the style of such Broadway greats as Bob Fosse and Jerome Robbins. Class focuses on developing performance technique and facial expressions.
Connections
Connections is a parents and children class for ages 18 months to 3 years old. Both connect to enjoy exploring movement and music through song, dance, nursery rhymes and games with the teacher’s guidance. The class uses a variety of props, instruments and different styles of music. These activities encourage the development of the whole child, enhancing physical, social, language and cognitive development. Connections also provides a wonderful opportunity for parent and child to spend quality time together, creating memories that will last a lifetime!
Connections
Connections is a parents and children class for ages 18 months to 3 years old. Both connect to enjoy exploring movement and music through song, dance, nursery rhymes and games with the teacher’s guidance. The class uses a variety of props, instruments and different styles of music. These activities encourage the development of the whole child, enhancing physical, social, language and cognitive development. Connections also provides a wonderful opportunity for parent and child to spend quality time together, creating memories that will last a lifetime!
Contact Improvisation
Contact Improvisation is a dance discipline of spontaneity that fine tunes your senses and enhances your ability to listen, respond and move to what is happening in the moment. What makes Contact different from other dance is that partners are often moving in and out of physical contact with each other while rolling, spiraling, springing and falling. They find ways to improvise while mutually supporting and following each other’s movements. The dancing is unpredictable and inspired by the physical and energetic contact the partners share.
Beginner: Learn the basic skills of contact improvisation that include giving and taking weight, following the point of contact, spontaneous dancing and enhanced body awareness.
Low Intermediate: This class will focus on developing the skills necessary to explore contact improvisation for advanced partnering work, choreographic inspiration and contact improv jams.
Watch this YouTube video of Contact Improvisation.
Hip Hop (Adult & Teen)
A hip-hop dance technique that is characterized by liquid-like body rolls and simultaneous isolations of multiple body parts while performing seamlessly integrated dance movements of diverse disciplines, including but not limited to hip-hop, jazz, ballet, break dancing, street dance, modern, tap, poplocking and other dance genres.
Jazz (8 yrs and up)
“At the core of jazz dance is the interpretation of music.” Frank Hatchett Jazz focuses on the ability to move, isolate and control the parts of the body. There is a strong focus on jumps, leaps and turns through progression and incorporated into choreography. The Academy offers Jazz classes in many genres.
Ballet as a Recommended Prerequisite for Jazz
Jazz teaches the student contemporary styles of movement. The exercises in Jazz teach and develop the ability to move, isolate and control the parts of the body. Jazz dance follows the rhythmic beat of the music. Jazz is an exciting form of dance. The Academy offers Jazz classes in both lyrical and popular styles of Jazz.
Latin Dance/Salsa
Love partner dancing?…. Black tie event? Wedding? Dinner and dancing at a Special Party? Get ready for upcoming festivities with a Latin Dance session. For beginners or dancers brushing up, these classes will review partner dancing skills to get you out of your chair and enjoying the party. Look great on the dance floor with any partner. Spinning, styling, body movement, classic, partnering and freestyle. Classes for all levels and no partners needed. Please bring a pair of hard-soled shoes for class.
Musical Theater
This course offered in musical theater is a culmination of acting, singing and dancing. The students will be taught the fundamentals of each sub-field and given exercises that will facilitate both quick and quality growth. It is recommended that the student not be a beginner in all areas (i.e., he/she should have previous dance experience…). This is not to discourage all beginners. It is also strongly encouraged that students take class in these areas outside of this course. Other classes may include private voice lessons and or chorus, dance classes and or acting workshops. All of which are offered here at the Academy.
Modern
Modern emphasizes the use of the floor for centering and grounding oneself in movement. This Modern dance enrollment class introduces the fundamental principles of Modern dance and will build week to week. Basic movement concepts such as over curve/under curve and contraction/release of the torso, articulation of the spine, and modern dance vocabulary, musicality and rhythm are explored.
Class will also focus on proper alignment, musicality, turns, leaps and center work. It also focuses on the breath (inhale/exhale), which brings quality to one’s movement. This class will break down the movement and provide students with exercises that build strength, increase flexibility and provide a foundation that can be applied to all dance styles. The instructors will incorporate an eclectic blend of contemporary and post-modern movement into their classes.
PreBallet (5 & 6 yrs)
PreBallet introduces the young ballerina to the art of Ballet in a creative structured environment. An awareness of the body and how it moves is integrated into this class. The basic steps and positions of Ballet are introduced. Children travel through space learning patterns and formations.
PreBallet (5-6 yrs)
PreBallet introduces the young ballet dancer to the art of Ballet in a creative and structured environment. The dancer learns the basics of barre, center and progression exercises with a focus on proper turnout and body alignment. An awareness of the body and use of space is integrated into this class. Ballet is introduced as an expressive art form that involves telling stories and showing emotions.
Senior Repertory
The senior repertory group is a performance-based troupe. Each student is required to be actively involved in his/hers performance development here at the Academy. They should be enrolled in at least three classes weekly and serious about his/her progress as a performer. This corps requires dedication and determination. Students will have mandatory performances often throughout the year. This class is not for the beginning dancer and an audition is mandatory.
Tap
What is Tap? Tap is an American art form. It is a form of dance where rhythmic patterns and sounds are executed with the feet.
Youth Classes (9 – 12 yrs of age):
- Rhythm Tap – Close to the floor footwork; a traditional style of tap dancing. Classes will include a warm-up routine to be used all year, turns and progressions and combinations or specialty work. 1 hour Levels 1 & 2
- Tap Performance Group “Rhythmatists” – This is an Arts Academy of Hollywood performing troupe which rehearses weekly. AAOH will hold auditions each fall. Ages Nine and Up. Members of this group are required to attend at least two tap classes weekly in addition to a choreography/rehearsal class weekly.
Teen Classes ( 13 – 18 yrs of age):
- Jazz Tap – Brings tap dancing and jazz dancing together. This class will focus more on the contemporary/theatrical style of movement incorporating the entire body as well as executing tap steps. Students will work with several different musical genres, such as Broadway, jazz, blues, and popular music. 1 Hour All Levels.
Adult Tap Classes:
- Beginner Tap – This class will introduce the student to both traditional and contemporary tap styles, with particular focus on technique and rhythms. The pace is moderate. Flat tap shoes are required. 1 Hour.
- Intermediate Rhythm Tap – This class is designed for tap dancers with at least two to three years of experience tap dancing. Class will include a warm-up routine that will be used all year. The pace will be brisk with a primary focus on sound clarity, precision, and rhythm patterns. Each class will include turns and progressions, combinations, and specialty work (flash tap). 75 Minutes