Classes
Combination I (basic level / ages 3 to 5) - An introduction to dance for the very young student, this class provides the foundation for developing fundamental ballet and tap skills. A brief period of basic tumbling is included at the end of the class to improve strength, body control and flexibility. Combination I develops basic motor skills and physical coordination, encourages self-expression and instills the concept of structural learning. It prepares the students for longer classes, more detailed dance vocabulary and more complex motor skills.
Combination II (basic to intermediate basic levels/ages 5 to 7) Greater emphasis on establishing a structured learning environment is provided in this class. As in Combination I, a small portion of the class is devoted to tumbling, however, the primary focus is instituting and reinforcing elemental ballet and tap skills. As students progress, more complex vocabulary and combinations of movement are incorporated, improving the students' coordination and spatial awareness. The students' dance vocabulary is expanded and attention is given to proper technique and increasing mental focus. Muscle memory is improved through repetition of basic movement patbody terns and emphasis on , leading to increased coordination and physical strength.
Dance I (basic to intermediate basic level / see schedule for ages) - Students in this class devote more time to the development of skills essential to the two dance disciplines included in the hour long session. Dance I A includes Ballet and Tap; Dance I B includes Ballet and Jazz. Understanding of ballet principles is reinforced through greater emphasis on correct body alignment, repetition of elemental ballet exercises, progression of technical ability and improvement in flexibility. In both disciplines taught in the class, attention is given to integrating movement and musicality, providing a foundation for the students' artistry to evolve. This is a good class for continuing students between the ages of 6 and 8 or new students at the older end of that age range (without learning disabilities) who are not yet ready for individual classes devoted to each dance discipline. Dance I classes are appropriate for students who wish to move forward to more focused dance training as well as students who are enrolled for recreational or general fitness purposes; both will benefit from the increased confidence and improved physical development gained through the discipline provided by a strong dance foundation. Note: on the schedule, immediately following Dance I classes, supplemental Add-Ons are offered for students who wish to add 15 minutes of a third dance discipline to their class period.
Ballet I (basic to intermediate basic level) - This class is devoted entirely to fundamental ballet training. It is the foundation for students who wish to progress beyond a basic level of dance instruction, whether for recreational/fitness purposes or for the purpose of beginning training that leads to a more focused education in dance. The class consists of traditional barre and center work taught in a disciplined progression-oriented manner with attention given to both the technical and artistic aspects of dance. Ballet I students are strongly encouraged to enroll in more than one class per week, creating a better opportunity for advancement.
Ballet II (advanced basic to beginning intermediate level) - Students in Ballet II continue to expand their ballet vocabulary. They will perform more difficult barre progressions, more damanding center work and longer combinations across the floor. Improving strength, technical ability, flexibility, musicality and artistry is consistently emphasized at this level. Attention is given to developing students' understanding of becoming a well-rounded dancer. Students who wish to progress beyond this level should be enrolled in more than one ballet class per week.
Ballet III/IV/V (intermediate to advanced levels) - Students in these classes consistenty demonstrate good to excellent technical ability with increasing artistic awareness. Class work at these levels is progressively more physically and mentally challenging, requiring excellent attendance. Enrollment in more than one class per week is strongly recommended for level III students and is required for level IV and V students.
Pointe I/II/III/IV (permission only) - Pointe students must be well focused and must demonstrate a level of proficiency in their ballet training that meets the physical demands of pointe work. Participating in Pointe class requires strength, excellent understanding of body placement and consistency in both technique and attendance. Although enrollment in two ballet classes is recommended, enrollment in at least one ballet class, in addition to Pointe is required for level I and II students. Students dancing at level III and higher are required to attend at least two ballet classes per week . Attendance must be excellent in all classes to participate in a pointe class.
Modern I/II(basic to beginning intermediate levels) - Students are familiarized with the fundamentals of modern dance through a variety of techniques and styles. Understanding of rhythm, dynamics, movement qualities and use of space is cultivated. Proper technique and body alignment are continually reinforced. Enrollment in a ballet class is recommended.
Modern III/IV(intermediate to advanced levels) - At these levels, awareness of artistic intention is increased as student continue to explore and improve their use of distinquishihg characteristeics of modern dance. Improvisation is sometimes used as a tool to encourage students' artisticexptression. Enrollment in a ballet class is strongly recommended.
Jazz I/II(basic to beginning intermediate levels) - In these classes, students are introduced to steps, skills and movement qualities characteristic of jazz dance. As students progress, they incorporate these characteristics in combinations using floor patterns. Musicality, technical skils and self-exptression are developed. Enrollment in at least one ballet class is recommended.
Jazz III/IV (intermediate to advanced levels) - Classes at these levels build on students' basic skills, integrating more complex combinations, including changes in levels and dynamics. Progression of technical abilities continues and is emphasized. Avareness of performance art is developed through use of expression and movemnent quality. Enrollment in at least one ballet class is recommended for level III students and is required for level IV and V students.
Tap I/II(basic to beginning intermediate levels) - At the fundamental tap levels, students learn how to execute basic tap steps. These steps are developed into more difficult skills and progressions as students advance. Aptitude for rhythm and coordination is developed and progressed.
Tap III/IV (intermediate to advanced levels) - More focus is given to timing and clarity of sounds at these levels .Combinations become more difficult with increased speed, more complicated rhythms and more intricate foot work. Improvisation is sometimes used in these classes to encourage students to experiment with sound and rhythm.
Hip Hop -In these classes, students will learn a variety of hip hop steps and styles in expressive, energetic combinations. Degree of difficulty of skills and progressions increase as students' level of ability improves.
T'ai Chi Ch'aun* - This class is designed for beginners and for people who want to "revisit" the basics: breathing and relaxation; ch'i gong; sensing ch'i; posturing; T'ai Chi Fundamentals movement patterns. Students will not have to memorize a particular sequence of movements and postures, but will gain a foundation for any style regular t'ai chi form while practicing techniques that provide many physical and emotional benefits.
Cheng Man Ch'ing Yang Style T'ai Chi Ch'aun*- For people who have learned at least the first section of CMC form. Former students who took classes through SIUE and Lewis and Clark are welcome. Besides form correction, we wil be doing additional exercises taught by Professor Cheng and some of his senior students.
*T'ai Chi classes are taught by Anne Gricevich. Anne has been practicing T'ai Chi Ch'aun since 1985. She and her fellow teachers studied with Robert Goodwin in the 1980's and have continued studying with Cheng Man Ch'ing's senior student, Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo of San Francisco. Anne is also certified in Tricia Yu's T'ai Chi Fundamentals (TCF) which is solidly based in CMC style t'ai chi. She offers group and individual instruction in CMC form and TCF ,and provides demonstrations for group/health fairs. More information about CMC and TCF, including peer reviewed t'ai chi studies , can be found at http://www.taichihealth.com. You may contact Anne at alg50@yahoo.com or by calling 618 656-8284 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 618 656-8284 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Combination II (basic to intermediate basic levels/ages 5 to 7) Greater emphasis on establishing a structured learning environment is provided in this class. As in Combination I, a small portion of the class is devoted to tumbling, however, the primary focus is instituting and reinforcing elemental ballet and tap skills. As students progress, more complex vocabulary and combinations of movement are incorporated, improving the students' coordination and spatial awareness. The students' dance vocabulary is expanded and attention is given to proper technique and increasing mental focus. Muscle memory is improved through repetition of basic movement patbody terns and emphasis on , leading to increased coordination and physical strength.
Dance I (basic to intermediate basic level / see schedule for ages) - Students in this class devote more time to the development of skills essential to the two dance disciplines included in the hour long session. Dance I A includes Ballet and Tap; Dance I B includes Ballet and Jazz. Understanding of ballet principles is reinforced through greater emphasis on correct body alignment, repetition of elemental ballet exercises, progression of technical ability and improvement in flexibility. In both disciplines taught in the class, attention is given to integrating movement and musicality, providing a foundation for the students' artistry to evolve. This is a good class for continuing students between the ages of 6 and 8 or new students at the older end of that age range (without learning disabilities) who are not yet ready for individual classes devoted to each dance discipline. Dance I classes are appropriate for students who wish to move forward to more focused dance training as well as students who are enrolled for recreational or general fitness purposes; both will benefit from the increased confidence and improved physical development gained through the discipline provided by a strong dance foundation. Note: on the schedule, immediately following Dance I classes, supplemental Add-Ons are offered for students who wish to add 15 minutes of a third dance discipline to their class period.
Ballet I (basic to intermediate basic level) - This class is devoted entirely to fundamental ballet training. It is the foundation for students who wish to progress beyond a basic level of dance instruction, whether for recreational/fitness purposes or for the purpose of beginning training that leads to a more focused education in dance. The class consists of traditional barre and center work taught in a disciplined progression-oriented manner with attention given to both the technical and artistic aspects of dance. Ballet I students are strongly encouraged to enroll in more than one class per week, creating a better opportunity for advancement.
Ballet II (advanced basic to beginning intermediate level) - Students in Ballet II continue to expand their ballet vocabulary. They will perform more difficult barre progressions, more damanding center work and longer combinations across the floor. Improving strength, technical ability, flexibility, musicality and artistry is consistently emphasized at this level. Attention is given to developing students' understanding of becoming a well-rounded dancer. Students who wish to progress beyond this level should be enrolled in more than one ballet class per week.
Ballet III/IV/V (intermediate to advanced levels) - Students in these classes consistenty demonstrate good to excellent technical ability with increasing artistic awareness. Class work at these levels is progressively more physically and mentally challenging, requiring excellent attendance. Enrollment in more than one class per week is strongly recommended for level III students and is required for level IV and V students.
Pointe I/II/III/IV (permission only) - Pointe students must be well focused and must demonstrate a level of proficiency in their ballet training that meets the physical demands of pointe work. Participating in Pointe class requires strength, excellent understanding of body placement and consistency in both technique and attendance. Although enrollment in two ballet classes is recommended, enrollment in at least one ballet class, in addition to Pointe is required for level I and II students. Students dancing at level III and higher are required to attend at least two ballet classes per week . Attendance must be excellent in all classes to participate in a pointe class.
Modern I/II(basic to beginning intermediate levels) - Students are familiarized with the fundamentals of modern dance through a variety of techniques and styles. Understanding of rhythm, dynamics, movement qualities and use of space is cultivated. Proper technique and body alignment are continually reinforced. Enrollment in a ballet class is recommended.
Modern III/IV(intermediate to advanced levels) - At these levels, awareness of artistic intention is increased as student continue to explore and improve their use of distinquishihg characteristeics of modern dance. Improvisation is sometimes used as a tool to encourage students' artisticexptression. Enrollment in a ballet class is strongly recommended.
Jazz I/II(basic to beginning intermediate levels) - In these classes, students are introduced to steps, skills and movement qualities characteristic of jazz dance. As students progress, they incorporate these characteristics in combinations using floor patterns. Musicality, technical skils and self-exptression are developed. Enrollment in at least one ballet class is recommended.
Jazz III/IV (intermediate to advanced levels) - Classes at these levels build on students' basic skills, integrating more complex combinations, including changes in levels and dynamics. Progression of technical abilities continues and is emphasized. Avareness of performance art is developed through use of expression and movemnent quality. Enrollment in at least one ballet class is recommended for level III students and is required for level IV and V students.
Tap I/II(basic to beginning intermediate levels) - At the fundamental tap levels, students learn how to execute basic tap steps. These steps are developed into more difficult skills and progressions as students advance. Aptitude for rhythm and coordination is developed and progressed.
Tap III/IV (intermediate to advanced levels) - More focus is given to timing and clarity of sounds at these levels .Combinations become more difficult with increased speed, more complicated rhythms and more intricate foot work. Improvisation is sometimes used in these classes to encourage students to experiment with sound and rhythm.
Hip Hop -In these classes, students will learn a variety of hip hop steps and styles in expressive, energetic combinations. Degree of difficulty of skills and progressions increase as students' level of ability improves.
T'ai Chi Ch'aun* - This class is designed for beginners and for people who want to "revisit" the basics: breathing and relaxation; ch'i gong; sensing ch'i; posturing; T'ai Chi Fundamentals movement patterns. Students will not have to memorize a particular sequence of movements and postures, but will gain a foundation for any style regular t'ai chi form while practicing techniques that provide many physical and emotional benefits.
Cheng Man Ch'ing Yang Style T'ai Chi Ch'aun*- For people who have learned at least the first section of CMC form. Former students who took classes through SIUE and Lewis and Clark are welcome. Besides form correction, we wil be doing additional exercises taught by Professor Cheng and some of his senior students.
*T'ai Chi classes are taught by Anne Gricevich. Anne has been practicing T'ai Chi Ch'aun since 1985. She and her fellow teachers studied with Robert Goodwin in the 1980's and have continued studying with Cheng Man Ch'ing's senior student, Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo of San Francisco. Anne is also certified in Tricia Yu's T'ai Chi Fundamentals (TCF) which is solidly based in CMC style t'ai chi. She offers group and individual instruction in CMC form and TCF ,and provides demonstrations for group/health fairs. More information about CMC and TCF, including peer reviewed t'ai chi studies , can be found at http://www.taichihealth.com. You may contact Anne at alg50@yahoo.com or by calling 618 656-8284 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 618 656-8284 end_of_the_skype_highlighting