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Hip Hop Class

NEW TO DANCE?

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TECHNICAL ADVICE FROM OUR STUDIO DIRECTOR, LINDSEY CURRY

TECHNICAL ADVICE 

Preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten Ages

For dancers in Preschool, Pre-K and Kindergarten, Creative Ballet and Tap/Jazz Combo are the most important classes.
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  • Ballet teaches etiquette such as listening, following instructions, and showing respect to others. In pre-ballet classes, students learn exercises to increase their creativity, flexibility, concentration, and focus, laying the groundwork for future dance education.
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  • As a dance form, tap helps children develop coordination, rhythm, timing, and musicality, which is essential for all forms of dance.
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  • The reason Jazz and Tap are taught together in a combo class is that Jazz is often the genre that young dancers want to take; however, Tap is an important and critical building block for young dancers.
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  • Additional dance classes that are available for dancers at this age: Hip Hop Tots

Level 1 - Level 4 : 1st grade - 2nd grade - 3rd grade - 4th grade age

The three most important classes for dancers at this age:   Classical Ballet, Tap, and Jazz/Turns & Leaps.
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  • Classical ballet provides the technical foundation and quality of movement which supports most genres of dance. In ballet levels 1-4, our focus is to develop a strong technical foundation and proper body alignment.
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  • In ballet levels 5 and up we layer the focus on artistry and performance. In addition to the many physical benefits of classical training, ballet helps develop the mind and attitude of the dancer with discipline, focus, and appreciation of structure which are critical attributes for a dancer's success.  Ballet training is essential for any dancer who wants to excel in jazz and contemporary styles as the technique and vocabulary for these disciplines come from ballet.
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  • Tap is important for dancers from preschool through the fourth grade because it helps dancers develop rhythm, timing, musicality, and coordination. These skills serve as critical building blocks for all dance genres.
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  • Jazz builds strength, flexibility, body and mental awareness, and style; providing the necessary skills for possible participation in junior and senior high school extracurricular activities such as dance company, drill team, and musical theatre. Because of the technical demands in jazz, students are encouraged to supplement their jazz training with a Turns & Leaps class.
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  • If a dancer trains in Ballet and Tap until the fourth grade, they will be technically ready for level 5 Jazz without ever taking a jazz class. This is because ballet will instill proper technique and tap will provide the intricate skills of musicality and rhythm. Jazz will help to layer style and performance quality to the dancer’s foundation. If a dancer in levels 1-4 wants to prepare for one of Footnotes performance programs (Elite jazz) is essential as these programs are jazz-based.
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  • Additional dance classes are available for dancers this age: Hip-Hop, Lyrical, and Combo Classes.
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  • Programs available for dancers at this age: Elite Jazz, ELite Hip-Hop, and Fusion Competitive Co. 

Level 5 - Advanced : 5th grade - Adult

The most important classes for dancers at this level: Are classical Ballet/Jazz/Turn & Leaps, and Lyrical.
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  • Classical Ballet provides the technical foundation and quality of movement which supports most genres of dance. In ballet levels 1-4, our focus is to develop a strong technical foundation and proper body alignment. In ballet levels 5 and up we layer the focus on artistry and performance.
​
  • In addition to the many physical benefits of classical training, ballet helps develop the mind and attitude of the dancer with discipline, focus, and appreciation of structure which are critical attributes for a dancer's success.
​
  • Ballet training is essential for any dancer who wants to excel in jazz and contemporary styles as the technique and vocabulary for these disciplines come from ballet.
​
  • Jazz builds strength, flexibility, body and mental awareness, and style; providing the necessary skills for possible participation in junior and high school extracurricular activities such as dance company, drill team, and musical theatre. Because of the technical demands in jazz, students are encouraged to supplement their jazz training with a Turns & Leaps class.
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  • Lyrical/Contemporary has become a popular dance genre that promotes versatility and improvisation; giving dancers the freedom to explore emotions as they connect mind and body through movement. Contemporary is an important study for dancers who want to be on a competitive dance team or high school dance company, as most high school dance companies are contemporary/modern based.
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  • Programs available for dancers at this age: Elite Jazz, ELite Hip-Hop, and Fusion Competitive Co. 

WORDS OF WISDOM

A few more pointers regarding registration and participation in our studio:
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  • Take technical dance classes. You are laying the groundwork for continuing your dance education.
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  • A class in a dance genre that provides opportunities in high school or higher education would be a worthwhile investment.
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  • A hip-hop class is a good option for dancers who wish to dance for recreation since it is a "street style" of dance that does not require any classical training.
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  • Dancers who wish to receive technical training should add "turns and leaps" to their schedule.
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  • Ballet students who want to dance on pointe should enroll in Footnote's Pre-Pointe class when they are in 5th grade or older.
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  • For students aged eight and up, Elite Jazz & Elite Hip-Hop is a performance-only, non-competitive program without the added cost or intensity of competitive dance.
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  • Students ages 7 to 18 who plan to continue dancing in higher education or as a profession are encouraged to audition for Footnotes Fusion Competitive Program under the direction of Simon & Nina Anowia.
 
Cheers to the beginning of your dance journey! We are so glad you are here! - Lindsey 
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