Dance Theatre Fairbanks
Class Descriptions
Please talk with DTF staff for placement in classes. Rough age guidelines for classes are as follows:
Ages 3-4 Creative Movement
Ages 5-6 Primary Ballet and Primary Tap/Jazz
Ages 7+ Level 1
Level 2 by placement
Level 3 by placement
Class level placement will be evaluated by our staff and involves factors including: physical, social, experience and additional classes being taken. Each level of class is designed to be a two to four-year process. Dancers should expect to progress through each level as a beginner, an intermediate, and an advanced dancer before advancing to the next level.
Creative Movement and Primary Ballet is an introduction to dance for the youngest dancers. Students learn through fun dance movements the concepts of counting, isolating body parts, balance, stretching, basic dance positions of the arms and feet, and basic choreography while developing increased attention and retention. These classes are dancer/teacher classes.
Ballet is considered the basis for all styles of dance technique. Regardless of what style of dance a dancer chooses to pursue he or she will undoubtedly be exposed to ballet terminology. Level 1 Ballet class is where true ballet technique is introduced. Young dancers learn basic ballet vocabulary and how to execute steps properly. Emphasis is placed on creating strong, well-placed dancers so the risk of injury is minimal. Dancers also begin to learn the art of expression and are taught to bring themselves out through their movements. Students will learn basic ballet class structure, body positions, ballet terminology, musicality and choreography in a fun yet structured environment. They will also learn dance etiquette where respect for the art of ballet, themselves, classmates and instructors is emphasized. Level 1, 2 and 3 Ballet classes typically begin with a slow warm up at the ballet barre and progress through a series of jumps and turns in the center.
Hip Hop classes will encourage students to step outside of the box by bringing their own individual style and personality to the movements. Hip hop dance requires students to have the strength and stamina to successfully perform moves. Therefore class includes upper and lower body conditioning as well as a rigorous warm-up to help prepare students for more intense movements.
Tap teaches rhythm, coordination, and an introduction to basic tap fundamentals, terminology and basic tap choreography. Students will put the fundamentals to work by learning new steps, rhythms, patterns, and combinations. Level “B” is designed to refine tap skills, while moving beyond the fundamentals of tap. Students will learn new steps, rhythms, patterns, and combinations. These technique classes will focus on faster and more intricate footwork. The dancer at these levels will develop speed, clarity, dynamics, and the ability to execute complex rhythmic combinations. Level “A” is for students with 3 or fewer years of Tap experience. Level “B” is for students with 4 or more years of Tap experience (pre-school Tap class does not count for experience years)
Contemporary is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical
and classical ballet. Contemporary dancers strive to connect the mind and the body through fluid dance movements. Contemporary dance stresses versatility and improvisation, unlike the strict, structured nature of ballet. Contemporary dancers focus on floorwork, using gravity to pull them down to the floor. This dance genre is often done in bare feet. Contemporary dance can be performed in many different styles of music.
Jazz class will focus on learning proper dance techniques such as isolations of the body, improving performance quality, and developing complex rhythms and patterns. Students will be exposed to various styles of jazz such as Broadway, Street and Contemporary to help develop a well-rounded dancer. The class curriculum is based on ballet technique layered with traditional jazz movement and includes a proper warm-up, stretches, isolations, across-the-floor progressions, and combinations. As students progress through each level curriculum will become increasingly more complex and intricate.