ALL of our classes are taught by an expert, professional, qualified faculty, with senior class assistants in many of our younger classes. Our adult instructors are members of various professional dance organizations and will guide the dancer in reaching their fullest potential, while gaining confidence and self esteem. And lets not forget... most importantly- with a smile on their face!
Most of our classes are an1 hour - 1.5 hours long (preschool classes are 45 minutes). It is our philosophical belief that anything less is not an appropriate amount of time for dance training. Students at all levels need adequate warm-up time to ensure that their muscles are stretched to avoid injury. Typically, a warm-up should last anywhere from 20- 45 minutes, depending on the level of the class and the dancer. Additionally, our philosophy is that dancers need to have adequate time in the subject area they have chosen to study, and cramming 3-4 subjects into any class is not the way to learn the art of dance! It is impossible to gain the technique and knowledge when the dancer is being forced to change their focus every 15-20 minutes. That being said, our classes center on a specific discipline in order for the students to adequately learn the vocabulary, technique, and genre in which they have chosen to study. Our students always progress and are constantly learning, each and every class.
American Ballet Theater ® (ABT) Program: Our ABT ballet program is the foundation for dancers who wish to gain confidence, poise and grace, through a proven technical ballet training curriculum. Classes are taught by Ms. Annette, who is certified through the American Ballet Theater National Training Curriculum, Primary - Level 3. ABT classes begin at 6 years of age.
BALLET: Ballet is fundamental to ALL forms of dance. Our professional staff will take the beginner dancers through the basics as well as our advanced dancers to the top. While we incorporate various methods and expose our dancers to various schools, we primarily teach the French method. From the barre, to adagio, allegro, and the grande reverance, students will experience a classical ballet class. Vocabulary is stressed, for when students attend class outside of our studio, we want to be sure they know their terminology! Pointe and pre-pointe classes are offered to dancers whose ability warrant an invitation to the appropriate class. (45 minute-1.5 hour class)
**BALLET NOTE: Ballet L1 & Above: it is recommended to take 2 classes per week to see progression at an appropriate pace. If only taking one ballet class, the "performance" class is the class to register for. If taking 2 classes, "performance" and the accompanying "technique" class are optimal. Powerhouse Team Members are required to take "performance" and "technique" class.
JAZZ: Jazz is a great way to experience dance! Students are introduced to a variety of styles, including Fosse, LA style, Broadway, Classical, and American. As contemporary dance becomes more prominant, this style has found it's way into our classes as well. Students who take jazz are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to also take ballet- as many terms cross over from class to class. (1 hour class)
TAP: Rhythm, syncopation, and fun are all part of our tap classes. From "hoofing" and getting down into the floor, to the up tall and Broadway tap style, we teach it all. Students are encourage to take ballet class, as ankle strength and foot flexibilty are an important element for the successful tap dancer. (45 minute-1 hour class)
LYRICAL: Lyrical is about "telling a story to the lyrics or feeling of the music". While one class may be working on a beautiful uplifting piece, the next class may be dancing to a tough "issue" that is being expressed. Requires concurrent UDF ballet class. We strongly believe this properly prepares them for the work involved with lyrical dance. (1 hour class)
CONTEMPORARY: Contemporary dance is an all-encompassing term referring to a broad culture of dance that can be anything from the fusion of known dance forms to an extrapolation of cultural dance. Contemporary dance is the dance of the times, with themes related to what is socially, culturally and emotionally relevant—right now. Contemporary dance has a unique power—it inspires artists to explore uncharted territory and choreograph unspoken truths. Requires concurrent UDF ballet class. (1 hour class)
ACROBATICS (and Preschool Tumbling): UDF acro classes are taught by an experienced professional. While many studios offer acro, we feel it is imperative for the safety of our students that we offer them a well qualified instructor with years of experience. Our students are placed by ability, and the instructor does have final say in their placement. We concentrate on flexibility, strength, and total proper placement and technique. Students may be moved from level to level as skills change. Ballet classes are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED for up to level 2, and required for level 3 and up. (45 minute-1 hour class)
MUSICAL THEATER: Our musical theater classes introduce the students to the fundamentals of acting, singing, and dancing all rolled into one! Musical theater is a form of theater combining music, songs, spoken dialogue and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an integrated whole. Musical theater works, usually referred to as "musicals", are performed around the world. They are taught some dance history as it pertains to the piece they are working on. This class is for the "drama king or queen!" Don't miss out on this great experience. (1 hour class)
HIP HOP: This class is all about the funk! Hip hop dance refers to dance styles, mainly street dance styles, primarily danced to hip hop music, or that have evolved as a part of the hip hop culture. The first and original dance associated with hip hop is breakdance, which appeared in New York City during the early 1970s and truly became a cornerstone (or "element") of hip hop as a culture. In the 1990s, as hip hop music took new forms, new dance styles began appearing, most of them danced in an upright manner in contrast to breakdance with its many ground moves. These later styles are sometimes referred to as new school or new style while the older styles, including breakdance and various funk styles that were incorporated into hip hop, are considered old school. Students will be exposed to both east coast and west coast styles, as well as "old school" as it makes its comeback and new school that is here now! Expect to break a sweat and have some fun in here as you bust that move! This class is assigned by age to keep moves and music age appropriate for the dancers. (45 minute- 1 hour class)
CREATIVE DANCE: For our preschool dancers, we offer a combination class of ballet and tap. This class is designed for the 3-PK4 year old dancer. Our professional teacher will instruct your dancer in the developmentally appropriate movement for their bodies and minds. This class is fun, yet the dancer will leave with a beginning vocabulary of ballet and tap terminology. (45 minute class)
MOVEMENT EDUCATION: Movement Education (ages 2-3) introduces to our sweetest little dancers the idea of movement to music. Rhythm, counting, left/right, and basic classroom procedures make this class an experience for the dancers to learn basic etiquette and have an ULTIMATE time as they enter into the dance world for their first time! (45 minute class)
MOMMY and ME: Mommy and Me class (18-30 months) is the perfect experience to create memories that last a lifetime, an ULTIMATE way of bonding with your child. Music, props and learning games create a fun and exciting atmosphere. Using pre-ballet, creative movement, and tumbling, your child will develop coordination, motor skills, body awareness, focus and self- confidence as they and sing and dance the time away. Parents, grandparents and guardians are welcome to the class. Come and watch your child grow as they get a head start on movement, self-expression and most importantly, their relationship with you and others. (45 minute class)
SPECIALTY CLASSES: Ultimate Dance offers leaps & turns as well as "Winning Form", the UDF version of conditioning for dancers (aka "stretch and flex) who wish to gain strength and flexibility, as well as athletes training for sports. The conditioning element just adds to the already hardcore stretch and flex component, truly making this class "Winning Form"! Please inquire at the studio if you are interested in taking your training to the next level! Technique class only! Specialty classes do not perform in the annual recital.(class offerings & durations vary)
POWERHOUSE DANCE TEAM: Our dance team consists of some of the finest dancers in the country!. Lifelong friends are made through this team experience. This dedicated group of dancers audition for a spot on our Platinum team each season- which encourages them to make sure they are continually striving to be the best! Advanced, cutting edge choreography is taught to our team dancers, as the compete regionally and nationally! If you are ready to be a part of this ULTIMATE team, please see Ms. Annette, Team Director.
