Class Descriptions

Tippy Toes/Dance Mania

Tippy Toes/Dance Mania provides students the opportunity to learn about rhythm and improve motor skills by introducing the basics of creative dance movement and fundamental ballet techniques. This class is 30 minutes long.

Morning Dance

Morning Dance provides students the opportunity to learn about rhythm and improve motor skills by introducing the basics of creative dance movement and fundamental ballet techniques. This class is 45 minutes long.

Adaptive Dance

Adaptive Dance is a class designed for dancers of all abilities which enables students to learn a variety of dance steps in ballet, jazz and creative movement and helps to improve social skills and inspire confidence.

Ballet/Jazz Combo

The Ballet/Jazz Combo class provides an opportunity for beginning dancers to learn the basic form and techniques of Ballet and the upbeat and expressive style of Jazz dancing. A half hour is dedicated to each dance style totaling one hour per week.

Pre-Ballet

Pre-Ballet is a 45 minute introductory class for young dancers where they learn the basic positions, form and techniques of ballet dancing both in the center and across the floor. Barre work may be introduced during this class.

Ballet/Tap Combo

The Ballet/Tap Combo class offers students an opportunity to learn the basic positioning, form and poise required for ballet dancing along with the fun, energetic rhythm of tap dancing. A half hour is dedicated to each dance style totaling one hour per week.

Tap/Jazz Combo

The Tap/Jazz combo class provides students with the opportunity to learn the basic skills of rhythm in both Tap and Jazz and explore the differing movement by performing choreographed foot work and floor work sequences to music. A half hour is dedicated to each dance style totaling one hour per week.

Ballet

Ballet is a classical form of dance focusing on elegant and graceful movements, proper positioning, and the building and maintenance of a strong physique. We instruct in the Vagonova, RAD methods. Pointe wok is introduced when the students is deemed ready.

Jazz

Jazz dancing is an upbeat style of dancing that uses techniques from a variety of dance styles. Students develop skills for stretching, jumping, and floor movements.

Lyrical

Lyrical dance is a style that combines elements of Ballet, Jazz and Modern dance. Students learn to form movements which express the lyrics or mood of a variety of music.

Tap

Tap dancing allows students to learn the art of making music with their feet through the rhythmic movement of the choreography. This is a unique style since dance steps can be audibly matched to the beat of music.

Modern

Modern dance employs self-expression and free movement to convey emotions and moods. Techniques from a variety of dance styles, including Ballet, are used to form movements but they are less structured.

Hip Hop

Hip Hop offers students the opportunity to learn the basic techniques of the urban, street culture style of dancing which focuses on creating a variety of strong physical movements to the beat of music.

Hip Hop dance is a relatively new style of dance that has evolved with the Hip Hop music culture. It is danced primarily to hip hop and pop artists, but is branching out in to new styles of music including classical. Hip Hop dance is composed of 3 main elements; popping (waving, ticking movements), locking (roboting), and breaking. But, choreographic styles are expanding to fit more of the different genres of music being used. Hip Hop dance focuses heavily on the beats of the music, with movements that are more into the ground vs. up on the toes like in Ballet. Students can expect to be challenged in all elements of Hip Hop including breaking which will include movements similar to handstands and floor work.

Suggested Classes by Age

If your dancer is interested in attending multiple dance classes throughout the week, follow the guidelines below. The guidelines will help identify the various dance technique classes (styles) frequently attended as the dancer matures throughout their career at MSDT. We have listed below some scenarios and suggested classes per each age range: keep in mind that final class placement will be determined by the instructors, based on the dancer's ability. MSDT staff will assist in the fine tuning of the process for families. All Dancers may enroll in any number of classes per week, as long as they fall within the age requirements and attend on their registered day. Drop in classes for adults are available and can be taken with any age level appropriate to skill level. We also have a company class on Saturday mornings, (inquire with the office for this BSDE Co. program).

Child's Age	Suggested Classes
Age 2-6	Toddler Dance Ballet/Tap Combo Ballet/Jazz Combo Tippy Toes or Dance Mania Beginning Ballet Beginning Hip Hop Pre Ballet
Age 5-8	Beginning Ballet 1 & 2 Tap Jazz Combo Beginning Hip Hop
Age 7-8	Beginning Ballet 2 & 3 Beginning Tap Beginning Jazz Beginning Lyrical Beginning Hip Hop
Age 8-9	Intermediate Ballet 1 Beginning Ballet 3 Jazz 1 & 2 Tap 1 & 2 Hip Hop 1 & 2 Lyrical 1
Age 9-10	Intermediate Ballet 1 & 2 Jazz 3 & 4 Tap 2 & 3 Lyrical 2 & 3 Hip Hop 2 & 3
Age 11,12, 13 & up	Intermediate Ballet 3 Jazz 3 & 4 Tap 2 & 3 Lyrical 2 & 3 Hip Hop 2 & 3
Age 13 & up	Advanced Ballet Pre- Professional Program Big Sky Dance Ensemble Company Class Advanced Jazz Jazz 4 Lyrical 3 Advanced Lyrical Hip Hop 3 Advanced Hip Hop Tap 3 Advanced Tap