CLASS DESCRIPTIONS - East Coast Dance Academy

Mommy & Me:

Help your child discover movement, expression and an introduction to the joy of dance. Students will learn class structure and interaction with others through a safe and special experience with mommy *or Dad/Grandparent. Class activities are focused to develop body awareness, imagination, rhythm and a love for movement and dance. Ages 18 months-36 months.

Creative Movement:

Having fun, exploring movement concepts, developing dance skills, strengthening the body and brain, interacting with others – it all happens in Creative Movement class. Dance activities are focused to develop body awareness, rhythm, flexibility and co-ordination; in a fun and nurturing atmosphere. Ages 3-4yrs.

Pre-Ballet:

Students begin to learn syllabus from the RAD and CDTA, preparing for preliminary dance examinations. Exercises are focused to develop co-ordination, rhythm and flexibility using fun and imaginative concepts to capture the attention of young minds. Ages 5yrs.

Pre-Tap/Jazz:

Explore the foundations of Tap and Jazz dance in this combo class. Following CDTA syllabus exercises are focused to develop co-ordination, rhythm and fun. Ages 5 yrs.

Primary Level:

6 years old. Recreational & Competitive dance classes are offered in the following styles for this age group. Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Acro & Hip-Hop.

Dancers who reach the Primary level become eligible to participate in dance competitions. (dancers must be taking 1 ballet class per week as a prerequisite).

Dancers in both recreational and competitive classes strive for technique development, flexibility and focus in class. CDTA and RAD syllabus are used as the foundations of ballet, jazz and tap training. Dancers who decide on competitive level classes must also commit to missing no more than 3 classes per term. (15 weeks).

Mini Level:

7-8 years old. Recreational & Competitive dance classes are offered in the following styles for this age group. Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Acro & Hip-Hop.

Dancers who reach the Mini level are eligible to participate in dance competitions. (dancers must be taking 1 ballet class per week as a prerequisite).

Junior Level:

8-9 years old. Recreational & Competitive dance classes are offered in the following styles for this age group. Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Acro & Hip-Hop.

Dancers who reach the Junior level are eligible to participate in dance competitions. (dancers must be taking 1 ballet class per week as a prerequisite).

Dancers in both recreational and competitive classes strive for technique development, flexibility and focus in class. RAD and CDTA syllabus are used as the foundations of ballet, jazz, tap and lyrical training. Dancers who decide on competitive level classes must also commit to missing no more than 3 classes per term. (15 weeks).

Elementary Level:

9-10 years old. Recreational & Competitive dance classes are offered in the following styles for this age group. Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Acro & Hip-Hop.

Dancers who reach the Elementary level are eligible to participate in dance competitions. (dancers must be taking 1 ballet class per week as a prerequisite).

Intermediate Level:

11-12 years old. Recreational & Competitive dance classes are offered in the following styles for this age group. Ballet, Pre-Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Acro & Hip-Hop.

Dancers who reach the Intermediate level are eligible to participate in dance competitions. (dancers must be taking 1 ballet class per week as a prerequisite).

Senior Level:

13-15 years old. Recreational & Competitive dance classes are offered in the following styles for this age group. Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Modern Acro & Hip-Hop.

Dancers who reach the Senior level are eligible to participate in dance competitions. (dancers must be taking 1 ballet class per week as a prerequisite).

Advanced Level:

15-17 years old. Recreational & Competitive dance classes are offered in the following styles for this age group. Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Modern Acro & Hip-Hop.

Dancers who reach the Advanced level are eligible to participate in dance competitions. (dancers must be taking 1 ballet class per week as a prerequisite).

Ballet:

A classical dance form performed to music using precise and highly formalized set steps and gestures. Classical ballet, which originated in Renaissance Italy and established its present form during the 19th century, is characterized by light, graceful, fluid movements and the use of pointe shoes. At ECDA we follow the Royal Academy of Dance and Canadian Dance Teachers Association Syllabus.

Pointe:

Pointe technique is the part of classical ballet technique in which a ballet dancer supports all body weight on the tips of fully extended feet within pointe shoes. Dancers must have a strong background in ballet technique and be at least 12-13 years old.

Jazz:

A style of dance that evolved from early African American vernacular dances during the early 1900s. It incorporated unique moves, elaborate footwork, large leaps, rapid turns, and imaginative improvisation to bring an energetic and entertaining experience. Jazz dance requires the foundation of classical ballet to embody balance and agility. Performed to classical jazz music and or todays popular music. At ECDA we follow the Canadian Dance Teachers Association Jazz Syllabus.

Tap:

A style of dance in which a dancer wearing shoes fitted with heel and toe taps sounds out audible beats by rhythmically striking the floor or any other hard surface. Tap originated in the United States through the fusion of several ethnic percussive dances, primarily African tribal dances and Scottish, Irish, and English clog dances, hornpipes, and jigs. At ECDA we follow the Canadian Dance Teachers Association Tap Syllabus.

Hip Hop:

A style of dance that is primarily performed to hip-hop music or that have evolved as part of hip-hop culture. It includes a wide range of styles that have evolved over decades. Hip Hop Dance is a style of dance with deep historical and social roots in African American culture.

Modern:

Dancers must have strong ballet technique and an understanding of their body. Modern dance employs a special technique for developing the use of the entire body in movements expressive of abstract ideas.

Lyrical:

A dance style that embodies various aspects of ballet, jazz, acrobatics, and modern dance. Lyrical dance is “strongly associated with clearly displayed emotional moods and illustration of song lyrics.

Acro Dance:

A dance style that combines elements of acrobatics and floor gymnastics with classical dance. At ECDA we follow the Acrobatic Arts Syllabus and Canadian Dance Teachers Association Acro Syllabus.