Early Childhood Division
Our Early childhood division is designed to provide boys and girls ages1.5-6 a fun introduction to dance, movement, and music. Classes are grouped into age specific levels and meet once a week for 50 min. Content is based on age appropriate developmental skills, and in addition to music and dance, teaches self-awareness, team work, creative expression and imagination. Children will also learn classroom manners and behavior
Early Childhood Curriculum
Children will experience an introduction into the world of dance in a playful, encouraging environment! Classes focus on the basic physical elements of space & how we relate to it, basic loco motor & non-locomotor movements, musical awareness, opposites, directions, pathways, and elementary positions & movements of ballet as well as tap and jazz where listed.
In addition to these physical elements, we integrate the intellectual concepts of self-awareness, teamwork, creative expression, imagination, and basic body health awareness.
Educators now know that training young children in the above concepts lays a strong foundation for the later development of reading, mathematics and other educational skills. Early dance training is great preparation for all athletic activities.
Combo I Ballet/Tap
Three and four year olds learn how to behave in the classroom environment and have fun while exploring pre-ballet movements. Pre-ballet skills are introduced through games, center practice and creative expression. Some concepts taught include: stretching the feet, jumping, balancing on one leg, arm movements, weight transfers, stretching, and moving across the floor. Class length: 50 minutes
Combo II Ballet /Tap
Students at this age learn to further control their movements. They also begin to learn concepts such as patterns, partners, and opposites. Pre-ballet and introductory tap skills are introduced through games, center practice and short dances. Class length: 50 minutes
Pre- Ballet
Kindergartners continue to build on the same concepts taught in the previous levels but in greater degrees of complexity. Primary Ballet skills are presented in an age appropriate manner, while maintaining a fun, encouraging atmosphere. Curriculum is based on the Cecchetti Council of America's primary ballet syllabus. Class length: 55 minutes
Kinder Jazz/Tap (Ages 5-6)
Introductory jazz skills are presented to kindergartners in an age appropriate manner, while maintaining a fun, encouraging atmosphere. Short routines are taught to children's pop music. Classes help students develop coordination and gross motor skills as well as provide an outlet for all of the energy these youngsters have! Students will learn concepts such as jumping, balancing on one leg, weight transfers, stretching, moving across the floor, patterns, partners, and opposites, as well as how to behave in a classroom and interact with peers. Class length: 55 minutes
Little Jammers
Students will explore movement, tumbling and rhythm through hip hop dance. Class length: 50 min
Student and Open Division
Our classes challenge each student while maintaining enjoyment of learning and FUN! The following is a brief description of our classes along with the minimum ages and class requirements. Classes meet once a week for 50-90 min depending on level and discipline. Content is based on our graded curriculum, which meets high artistic standards. Placement is based on proper execution/master of skills and teacher recommendation
Ballet (offered to ages 6 and up)
The foundation for all other forms of dance commonly practiced today, Ballet is a classical dance form dating back to the fifteenth century that involves formal technique including arm, leg, and foot positions to make lines with the body. Balance and correct body posture are the basis for turning, lifting and jumping. Instruction in Ballet is an important first step for any new dancer.
In their Ballet classes at CPAA children are treated to a fanciful and creative introduction to dance, and older students are offered technique, proper body alignment and musicality. Most important is the nurturing of each student's unique qualities and personality.
Ballet Barre (offered to ages 14 and up)
By utilizing classical ballet barre, exercises focus on precise movements that help lengthen and strengthen the body as well as improve flexibility and posture. This class works on and off the barre and is accessible to both non-dancers and dancers. Ballet Barre will help develop long lean thighs, toned arms a strong core, greater range of motion in joints and muscles, and a lifted seat. All levels are welcome!!!
By utilizing classical ballet barre, exercises focus on precise movements that help lengthen and strengthen the body as well as improve flexibility and posture. This class works on and off the barre and is accessible to both non-dancers and dancers. Ballet Barre will help develop long lean thighs, toned arms a strong core, greater range of motion in joints and muscles, and a lifted seat. All levels are welcome!!!
Jazz (offered to ages 6 through adult)
There are many forms of jazz dance; lyrical jazz, modern jazz, and street jazz. We will be focusing a little bit on all of these. Lyrical is slower and uses more extension in the moves, modern uses more contractions and off-center shapes, and street jazz (also called L.A. Jazz) involves more shoulder shrugs, hip isolations, and neck rolls emphasizing walking and moving on beat.
Broadway Jazz (offered to ages 7 and up)
Broadway Jazz is a class that focuses more on different styles of theatrical dance. It involves learning combinations to music from Broadway Musicals in which there is a specific story that is being expressed in the dance. All musicals have a different story, therefore in Broadway dance, you are always acting within the dance itself. This class is fun and exciting and students will be learning many different styles since the world of theatre dance is so versatile in styles. Some styles include: Luigi, Fosse, traditional, and comedy/character dance!
Contemporary (offered to ages 11 through adult)
Contemporary is a hybrid of ballet, jazz, lyrical and modern dance styles. It is a ballet-based technique that allows a greater range of movement than the strict body lines and foot work in traditional schools of ballet. Contemporary exposes dancers to a wide range of techniques that fosters versatility. This class focuses on centering, strengthening the body, increasing flexibility, improving balance, proper placement, body alignment, fluidity and emotion. The dancer learns to let the music and their own passion guide the movement. The class consists of a warm up with stretching, floor barre, centre work, and a full dance routine at the end of the class which is all set to contemporary music. The class will let you express yourself through dance and is a benefit to all levels of dancers.
Contemporary Jazz (offered to ages 11 through adult)
The objective of the class is to create a challenging environment where the students feel comfortable taking risks and pushing themselves past their limits. Fusing elements of release technique, ballet, theatrical dance, yoga and jazz, Students enjoy fun, full-bodied movement. Flexibility, strength, musicality and are keystone to a dancer's progress.
Contemporary Lyrical (8 through adult)
This class is a fusion of ballet and contemporary movement designed to enhance students technique and performance. Solid technique and artistic invention coexist in active interplay.
Leaps and Turns ( 12 and up)
This is specifically a technique class that focuses on jumping and turning, two technical aspects of dance that are used in almost all forms of dance and choreography. This class will teach students how to properly prepare for a jump safely to prevent injury to the body and also how to turn properly on the body's center access to prevent from falling over or feeling unstable. The ability to jump and turn correctly is very crucial to a dancer's technical progress.
Hip-Hop (offered to ages 5 through adult)
In Hip Hop, movements are often times fast, fluid and funky. It is foot oriented, but uses body isolations, popping, and break dancing. Hip Hop is highly energetic and allows the dancer to perform with freedom of movement. This dance is ideal for developing improvisational skills as well as musical interpretation.
Tap (offered to ages 5 through adult)
A popular American dance form in which metal taps are mounted on shoes and are used to make rhythmic sounds and patterns by striking the floor. Various styles including Buck & Wing, Soft Shoe, Broadway and Jazz Tap are incorporated into our curriculum. Classes include warm-up, skill development, progressions, center combinations and routines. Emphasis is placed on musicality and sound quality as well as developing proper technique and style, while having FUN! Dancers will learn history of tap as it pertains to class work
Pop Theatre (offered to ages 8 through adult)
*Pop Theater* is a fresh approach for children who may be new to the theater world. A mix of new and old pop musicals and movies will be introduced through song and dance. This class is perfect for the High School Musical and Hairspray fanatics. Pop theater runs much like a jazz class with a warm- up to enhance strength and flexibility, across the floor for individual attention and a chance to perform small dance combinations. Finally, a song/dance will be constructed with students performing bits from Broadway shows and films. Pop Theater is a great way to associate music with movement and perform small productions. It builds imagination, teamwork, confidence, respect, and dedication in a positive environment, allowing kids of all personalities to thrive.
Musical Theatre (offered to ages 8 and through Adult)
12 week course that focuses on vocal training and technique, learned choreography and selected scene study to enhance musical theatre performance. All sessions conclud with a final performance for friends and family to enjoy!
Scene Study from Classic and Contemporary Theatre (offered to ages 12 and up)
Whether you are new to the acting world or an experienced performer, this course will expand your craft through various technique and exercises rooting from Uta Hagen and Stanislavski methods. A great way to take your performance to the next level.
Improv (offered to ages 12 and up)
Class focuses on various exercises and games played from shows like who’s line is it anyway. A great way to keep your mind sharp by having to think on your feet, and excerise you funny bone!
Comedy Kidz- Improv (offered to ages 8-12)
This class is specifically designed for the imaginative and comedic child who loves to perform! A great way to build self-confidence and challenge your creativity.
Acting/TV Commercials (offered to ages 8 and up)
A fun and energetically paced class geared for both the recreational and professional student alike. This class will touch on all aspects of acting: stage, television, film and commercials. Find out what the professionals go through from first audition to final performance. Students will let their imaginations run wild as they create and use the building blocks of acting to explore character, story, subtext, relationship and environment. Working on-camera, with carefully selected scripts and monologues or by using improvisation techniques, each class will bring a new and exciting approach to acting, culminating in performance opportunities for industry professionals.
Imagination Theatre (offered to ages 4-7yrs)
Students explore creative drama games and use of their imagination to explore and stretch their creativity. Students will complete arts and craft projects such as puppets, mask making and painting as well as bringing literature to life through storytelling, music and movement. Class will be 50 minutes long
Zumba
A Latin and hip hop based calorie busting cardio dance workout. All levels and ages welcome!
Pilates
Pilates is a form of exercise created by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s. It is a system of physical and mental conditioning. Benefits include: improved posture, elimination of pain (muscular in nature), improved strength and flexibility, muscle tone, and feeling more energetic. Pilates can be applied to dance technique and can enhance a dancers understanding of the body and its alignment.
Stretch and Conditioning
This class is designed to release tension in the body, opening the hips hamstrings, shoulders and back. Basic core strengthening will be incorporated into the class.
Yogance
A combination of yoga and dance suitable for all ages and levels.
Ballet Barre
By utilizing classical ballet barre, exercises focus on precise movements that help lengthen and strengthen the body as well as improve flexibility and posture . This class works on and off the barre and is accessible to both non-dancers and dancers. Ballet Barre will help develop long lean thighs, toned arms a strong core, greater range of motion in joints and muscles, and a lifted seat. All levels are welcome!!!
Floor Barre
Class focuses on Pilates based methods and various Ballet Barre technique restructured for mat work. Long, lean strong muscle are the effects of this dancer’s (and non dancer’s) workout
Cabaret Fun Fosse 101
Adults, bring your energy to the dance floor in this fun and easy to follow dance class that incorporates chairs and Fosse Fun. Grab your fishnets and character shoes. All levels are welcome.