Perfomers Academy

Centre for the Performing Arts

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Class Descriptions

 

Below is a list of the genres offered by Performers Academy.  For more detailed information, please feel free to contact us at :

We are excited to bring to you quality instruction and choreography throughout the performing year.

(225) 658-7697

Pointe - ADVANCED BALLET STUDENTS ONLY!  This advanced ballet class  incorporates both soft shoe as well as training en pointe.  Your instructor will inform you when you have reached the level in your training that will allow you to begin training "sur la pointe". This means on the points.  The raising of the body to the tips of the toes.  First introduced in the late 1820's at the time of Taglioni.  It is very harmful to the body to begin pointe training before approx. 11 years of age.  This class makes up our classical ballet production which is perfomed annually at our end of the year revue.

 

Ballet -  A theatrical representation of a story or abstract idea by means of dance or pantomimic actions, usually accompanied by music.  Students begin serious ballet training at approx. 7 years of age.  Students will learn classical ballet technique and terminology.  They will learn many short combinations in class as well as a performance routine to be used in our revue at the end of the year.

  Ballet is the foundation of all forms of dance.  In order to be a great jazz/lyrical/ballet dancer, it is important to have a strong foundation in ballet.   

 

Tap - To dance while making rhythmic clicking sounds by means of metal plates screwed to the bottom of a dance shoe.  Tap Dancing has joint roots in Irish/Scottish dancing and African dancing and had developed greatly thoughout the last 150 years.  Students will learn Tap Dance history as well as technique.  They will perform a tap dance in the revue held at the end of the spring session.

 

Jazz -  A stylized form of theatrical dancing conceived in America, given birth by the established and varied techniques of folk and classical dance.  It is a blend of European and African traditions in which the European influenced contributed the elegance and the African influenced the rhythmic propulsion.

  Students may enter this class at the age of 6 years of age.  Students will learn stretching and flexibility techniques as well as locomotor skills, progressions across the floor, short center combinations as well as a routine to be performed at our end of the year revue.

 

Lyrical Jazz -  A fluid stye of jazz dance blending movemements from European classical ballet, American modern dance and ethnic dance forms.  The chorographic expression of the performer, with respect to content and projection, interprets the lyrics and/or quality of the music.  Students will perform a lyrical dance piece at the performance held at the end of May. 

 

Hip Hop Jazz -  A style of dance that incoporates street dance.  It redefines and reinvents many early vernacular jazz dances and movements.  Backed up by popular music, many characteristics of African dance are evident.   Students will learn Popn & Lockn Wavin, Tickin, B boyn and breakdancing basics as well as hiphop history .Students tear up the stage at our end of the year show!

 

Dance Team - This class is designed for students interested in trying out for their high school dance lines.  Jazz, kick and pom techniques will all be covered in this class, as well as short combinations and a routine to be performed in the end of the year revue.  To receive the best training possible, it is recommended that these students also take at least on ballet class in addition to this class.

 

Twirling Class -   Baton Twirling has been said to have been born of Swiss flag swings and Polenysian Fire Twirling.  Students will learn the history and fundemental technique and terminology for one baton, two baton and various other pieces of equipment.  This class prepares students for competative baton twirling as well as Majorette style competitions. It would also benefit students wishing to trying out for school majorette lines or Feature Twirler position.  To receive the best training possible, it is recommended that these students also take at least on ballet class in addition to this class.

 

Tumbling/Acrobatics -

 

Color Guard - Color Guard is the use of various styles as sizes of Flags as well as Rifle, Sabre and numerous other large props.  We will be teaching  routines for both the football field as well as indoor venues.  This class would benefit those wanting to audition for your school's Flag Line, Rifle Line, or looking for a performance oppuritunity other than school association.  This group will compete annually at at least one competition in addition to numerous performance oppuritunities throughout the year.  To receive the best training possible, it is recommended that these students also take at least on ballet class in addition to this class.

 

Exercise Class -  

Pointe Readiness and Shoe Preparation

Pointe work is for

ADVANCED S TUDENTS ONLY!!

It takes many years of ballet training to prepare yourself to begin training en pointe.  There are many factors to be considered before your training may begin.

As with any potentially dangerous activity,

 PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BEGIN DANCING EN POINTE WITHOUT THE SUPERVISION OF A QUALIFIED DANCE PROFESSIONAL.

 

Please see Mrs. Christine for a pointe readiness evaluation BEFORE purchasing pointe shoes.

 

For more information on the history of pointe, the anatomy of the pointe shoe, how to sew on ribbons and a few pointe shoe companies, please visit the link below:

Http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Strasse/5503/pointeshoes.html

 

To view a short (2 minute) movie on the production of pointe shoes, please visit the link below

http://www.martin-ballettschuhe.de/content/presse5.aspx?language=e