Class Description

Jazz dance at BDCS is for dancers who want to move. Jazz dance focuses on isolations, contractions, dance combos, musicality, and strength training. Jazz helps with stylistic dance expression, coordination and speed. Our jazz classes are a positive environment that will instill confidence in the dancer. The music that is played in our jazz classes is always upbeat, positive and fun, which makes it a favorite class to take. One famous jazz dancer and choreographer was Bob Fosse.

Today, hip hop is extremely popular and can be seen on popular dance TV shows like So You Think You Can Dance, World of Dance and Dance Moms. Hip Hop dance is usually high energy and can include break dancing, street style dance, popping, locking, isolations, sharp and smooth movements both on and off the beat. Hip Hop dance can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels. Our BDCS dancers love the current hip hop music that is played in this class. They will get to warm-up, practice across the floor exercises and combos as well as practice freestyling. Hip hop dance is an amazing way to let a dancer express themselves through movement and learn to dance with others.

Contemporary dancers must use a vast range of motion that connects the mind and body through fluid dance movements. Contemporary requires dancers to use their energy to express the emotions that they are trying to convey in contemporary choreography. Our contemporary classes will include across the floor combos, center of the floor combos, choreography and dance improvisation.

Pointe takes a lot of dedication and patience to achieve the correct foot placement and execution. Students wishing to dance en pointe should take a minimum of at least two ballet classes per week to gain the strength, technique and skill that is required to become a pointe dancer. The dancer’s ankles and feet have to be strong enough to support the entire body weight in order to reduce the chance of injuries. Although both men and women are capable of pointe work, it is most often performed by women.

Preschool Dance is a great way to get your child started in dance and allows the young dancer to start to explore movement, musicality, dancing with others and performing. Preschool Dance classes at BDCS help children develop motor skills, agility, coordination and flexibility while building their own self-confidence and social skills. Students are taught the fundamentals of dance to begin their dance journey. Preschool dance uses imagery and age-appropriate music that’s perfect for their age group to encourage students to explore movement. Our Preschool dancers love listening to Disney and fun animal songs that they can act out. Our classes often include fun props the kids can play with like scarves, hula hoops, colored square spots and more.

The costume of a performer is not just about their clothes, but also their overall look (make-up and hairstyling) and everything that they may carry such as a hat or a cane. Costumes can tell you a character’s personality, social class, gender and more just by looking at them. Students will learn basic sewing skills and get a chance to create their own designs. They will learn about different fabrics and some background history about costuming as well. After students learn basic sewing skills, they will get a chance to create their own designs.

The set is very important since it sets the stage for the entire theatrical performance. Props add to a character’s persona and makes them more three-dimensional. Students will learn how to build sets out of several different materials and also learn how to choose and create props that may be used in the spring Production.

The Music Theory class will strengthen listening skills that are required to develop the skills necessary to undertake musical projects such as music composition, arranging, and learning music by ear. Music theory also examines the elements that make up a piece of music including notation, chord progressions, key signatures and time signatures. Students will love learning about how their favorite artists hone their craft.

The Vocals class is a fun, engaging class that will explore vocal techniques and tips and tricks for improving voice quality. In this class, students will learn more about vocal techniques, drills for practicing their vocals and also get a chance to perform a singing part in the spring Production. The class will also teach students to practice singing into a microphone to improve their performance abilities.

The Acting class will use drama and improv games as a way to get students to open up, engage and encourage creativity with each other. They will work on facial expressions, performance skills, voice projection and much more. Students will have to memorize a monologue and then perform it for the class. There will be some acting opportunities throughout the year to help students feel more comfortable acting in front of others.

Production cast members have speaking and singing parts in the Spring Production that they will need to go to extra rehearsals for. Auditions will determine the character role that they will play in the show. Each student is responsible for learning their own lines and practicing at home as well.

Acro/Jumps & Turns is for intermediate and advanced dancers who want to improve their jumps, turns and acro tricks. This is a very unique class that our students love. Students will work on completing turn sequences, jump sequences, acro tumbling passes and more. This class pairs well with all other dance classes and improves strength, flexibility and stamina as well as the ability to add “tricks” into regular dance routines.

The Conditioning & Stretching class will include stretching exercises and low-impact endurance exercises that focus on technique and core strength development. This class is recommended for any dance student who wants to become a stronger dancer who is able to do more and maintain flexibility. Expect lots of stretching, exercises and strength training. This class will help build strength and stamina that will help with any other dance classes the student is taking.