Classes / Schedule
Click above to download the current/upcoming schedule. Read below to see descriptions of classes
JAZZ
Jazz is an upbeat form of dance that includes leaps, turns, jumps, kicks, and quick movements. Jazz focuses on flexibility, strength, and balance. We offer a variety of jazz classes that are based on age, skill level, prior year's experience, and learning ability. Our hour long jazz classes are for children 6 years and older, but we incorporate some jazz skills into our combo classes for the younger aged students (we call it creative movement since it also has some other skills as well).
HIP HOP
Hip hop is also upbeat movements done to more urban style music. It focuses on strength and sharp movements that include popping, locking, and freezes. We have hour long hip hop classes that are based on age, skill level, prior year's experience, and learning ability. Our hour long hip hop classes are for children 6 years and older, but we incorporate some of these skills into our combo classes for the younger aged students (we call it creative movement since it also has some other skills as well.
TAP
Tap can either be upbeat or more laid back, and is done with special shoes on the balls and heels of the foot make noise. This special type dance focuses on balance and making crisp and clear foot movements. All of our combo classes/preschool/younger child classes have tap in them. They usually will divide the hour into 20 or 30 minute sections, and tap is included. With this breakdown of dance styles within the same class, the dancer not only maintains better focus but also gets introduced to the style without it being so lengthy. As they grow older, they can choose to take hour long tap classes as well. Tap involves movements that are pre-determined, much like ballet, and here at Expressions Dance Academy we use the Al Gilbert Tap Technique.
LYRICAL/CONTEMPORARY
​Lyrical is a slower moving dance style. It has the same technique as jazz that includes the leaps, jumps, turns, and flexibility, but done to a slower music that emphasizes the lyrics and style of the song that would more resemble ballet. Although we don't offer a full hour long lyrical class until the dancer is 7, most dancers who like ballet usually end up liking lyrical because it has that slower movement with similar technique. Even though this style of dance is done to slower music, that is not to say that it isn't challenging, as balance and expression must be as emphasized as the movements and technique. More contemporary styles of lyrical include sharper movements with flexed feet. If lyrical is a slower jazz/ballet, then contemporary is a slower hip hop. We try and incorporate all these elements into our lyrical to remain true to the style and evolve with changing times.
BALLET
Ballet is a slow type of dance that also involves lots of balance, technique, and strength. Ballet is a form of dance that has been around for hundreds of years, and therefore is a developed discipline with pre-determined movements. All of our combo classes/preschool/younger child classes have ballet in them. They usually will divide the hour into 20 or 30 minute sections, and ballet is included. With this breakdown of dance styles within the same class, the dancer not only maintains better focus but also gets introduced to the style without it being so lengthy. As they grow older, they can choose to take hour long ballet classes as well. Ballet classes usually start at the barre learning the basic steps that warms up the muscles as well as teaches them placement of the legs, arms, hips, and body to properly execute the more complicated movements. Dancers will then either be brought center floor or across the floor to help build on the skills and technique as well as improve flexibility as well as work on foot placement. Again, even though ballet may seem easy because it is slower, it still takes a lot of dedication to getting the steps right. Getting the steps right as well as correct body placement will help in all forms of dance as well as proper posture in daily activities.​
POINTE
Pointe is the next step of ballet, where the dancer wears special toe shoes that makes the dancer able to go up on their toes. They still do the same technique as ballet. Pointe is a class only for advanced students, as it takes good strong ankles to be able to dance on pointe and not to hurt themselves. If your dancer wishes to take pointe, they should have at least three consecutive years of ballet training and be at least 12 years of age. Please talk to one of the directors (Miss Jen or Miss Kelly) if you or your dancer is interested in doing a pointe class. Our pointe classes are an hour long, and still focus on building on the ballet technique that was previously learned. Many times the dancers will warm up without their pointe shoes, and then transition to pointe shoes doing warm up exercises to help strengthen the ankles. Dancers will then do things center floor or across the floor. While pointe shoes are specially designed to have a thick strong box so the dancer can go up on their toes, pointe is still a difficult class where the foot has to learn things that it has never done before. To do pointe, the dancer must have strong dedication and commitment to dance, making sure to come every week and even practice their exercises at home.
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Musical Theatre:
Musical theatre dance is rooted in the diverse history of Broadway musicals. It is a combination of ballet, jazz, tap, modern, and hip hop. Dancers should place a high focus on musical interpretation and the intersection of choreography and written text. It usually encompasses lip syncing. Dances are usually done to a Broadway Musical songs or similar type songs.
OTHER CLASS TYPES:
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Combo Classes: For our younger dancers we offer Combination Classes that are an hour long and have 30 minutes of Tap and 30 minutes of ballet. This is a great way to keep the dancer motivated for the whole hour by offering variety, as well as getting them to try different forms of dance before committing to one specific dance style. Dancers who are in this class will only pay for 1 costume but will do two dances in recital (tap and ballet). While teaching the proper technique of dance is very important to the directors and the teachers, we also do recognize that dance is a fun activity and the dancers should have fun while doing it. We incorporate fun activities into each class that keep the kids moving, interested, and having fun.
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Competition Team Classes: Expressions Dance Academy has a competitive team that works on their dances early at the beginning of the year and performs them around the area. These classes are offered in all the different disciplines of dance, but are ran differently than regular classes. The classes are a little more per month and take more time and commitment, but are well worth it. Please see the "Comp Team" page for more information.
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All Boys Hip Hop - While boys are able to take any class that they would like, we have a class that is designed especially for boys only if they feel more comfortable in that setting. It is geared more towards boys in that there is alot of hip hop and acrobatic movements. The price is the same for this class.
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Solos/Duos/Trios - These are half hour classes that a dancer can choose to take if they want to have one on one interaction or a small group interaction with the teacher. The dancer(s) get the teacher's undivided attention and the dancer can really improve their skills. The class can be any discipline of dance as listed above. The dancer(s) can choose to participate in recital with their own costume and everything, or they can just use it as a technique class to improve. These slots fill up fast, so make sure you talk with the directors as soon as possible and come to the open house to get a time space. Check the "Pricing" section below for information.
Acro Dance:
Acro dance uses more acrobatic skills in the routine which can include but not limited to cartwheels, somersaults, walkovers, springs, hip hop tricks, floor and inversional movements strung together with dance transitions.
POM/CHEER:
Pom/Cheer is a style of dance that may have movements associates with jazz, acro, or hip hop dancing, but has sharp and precise movements, especially in the upper body. It can be used with or without the use of pom pons.