Junior Classes
3rd–5th Grade
Junior classes are designed to introduce 3rd–5th grade children to the world of dance. Instructors use age-appropriate coursework to nurture the young dancer’s physical, emotional, and social skills. Classwork develops the basic elements of creative movement, basic skills, as well as vocabulary, and music. Primary objectives are geared toward inspiration, self-expression, creativity, and imagination. Dancers experience the love of learning through dance and music.
Benefits of Children’s Dance
Classes are focused on learning basic dance terminology and technique as well as life skills. During each class, dancers will improve upon their gross and fine motor skills, balance, alignment, and kinesthetic awareness. These classes will be one of their first steps into a classroom – they will experience the importance of sharing, waiting our turn, and working in groups!
Children’s Dance classes run full year (Sept-June), and end in an optional (but highly recommended) end-of-the-year recital in June.
Junior Class Schedule
September 2022–June 2023
Acrobatics uses strength and flexibility to perform gymnastic-based tricks. In this 45-minute beginner-level class, students perform conditioning exercises to prepare them for increased difficulty. It teaches flexibility, balance, strength, and coordination. DIDC Acro Instructors are certified by Acrobatic Arts and classes follow the Acrobatic Arts syllabus.
The classic dance form of ballet teaches strength, poise, and balance using specific terminology, technique, and choreography. Dancers are trained at the barre in order to develop correct posture and to prepare the body for the demands of classical dance. The main goal of Ballet is to learn and improve upon one’s technique, which will be used as a foundation in every subject of dance. In this 45-minute ballet class, dancers learn to execute classical movements with grace.
Similar to the fluidity of lyrical but with less emphasis on ballet-based technique. Dancers are taught to express themselves through movement by interpreting the words, music, and emotion of a song.
Hip Hop is a dance style, usually danced to hip hop music, and includes a wide range of styles like breaking, locking, and popping. This class requires stamina, hard work, and a strong core. Students should be prepared for a challenging and rewarding class. Dancers will improve their musicality, strength, stamina, and more!
The roots of jazz dance borrow from a melting pot. As we know it today, jazz is a blend of two main movements – folk dance and theatre dance. It teaches strength, power and flexibility and is performed to contemporary music. Jazz dance is lively, fun, and full of rhythm for all ages.
A fun and expressive class covering the variety of styles used in Broadway theater choreography. Dancers will work on developing a combination of jazz dance and theatre performance technique using music, props, narrative, and facial expression. A great class for those who just love to put on a show!
Tap dancing is an American art form. It is a step dance tapped out audibly with hard soled shoes. It was born in the 1800’s meshing a wide spectrum of percussive dance styles – African, English, Irish and Scottish. This 45-minute tap class teaches dancers the beginnings of understanding rhythm and timing as well as footwork and agility.