Class Descriptions

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Dancers will be evaluated to confirm they have achieved the needed skills in each level

• Beginning (Level 1): One to two years of dance training in a dance style
• Beginning/Intermediate (Level 2): At least two years of prior dance training in a dance style
• Intermediate (Level 3): At least two to three years of prior dance training in a dance style
• Intermediate /Advanced (Level 4): At least three to four of prior dance training in a dance style
• Advanced (Level 5): Requires teacher's approval to register for these classes

This class is for children ages 18 months to 3 years old to aid in the beginning exploration of the world of dance. This class is designed to introduce your toddler to a wide variety of music and movement in a fun and safe environment. This also provides a wonderful opportunity for parents and children to bond.  A parent or adult must accompany the dancer and remain with them throughout the class.  

This class offers a half hour of ballet & a half hour of tumbling. Preschool dance classes are designed to enhance and develop motor skills and cultivate imagination, creativity & social development in a caring environment. Students will grow and develop as they learn the fundamental vocabulary and skills associated with dance. Learning to dance has a unique, elegant and special way of increasing your child’s self-esteem and self-image.

This class offers a half hour ballet & a half hour of tap. Dancers at this age will learn the procedures of a dance class, tap rhythms, ballet foundations, coordination, and musicality.

Ballet is the foundation of all dance forms and will maximize technique and longevity in a career of dance. It provides grace, poise, and technique needed to be proficient in all other areas of dance. Ballet classes will help dancers with posture, flexibility, fitness, balance, self-discipline, and self-confidence. 

For beginner dancers ready to learn the basics of ballet, students will build off of the five positions, master plié variations and tendus, among other level-appropriate skills. Dancers will use both barre and centre floor. Classes may be split by age, when appropriate. In Intermediate Ballet, students will take the skills learned in Beginning Ballet and build upon them to strengthen the dancer's precision and ability. Students will advance on to more difficult skills and utilize both barre and centre floor work to improve their technique. Dancers must show proficiency and receive recommendation to progress to this level. For advanced ballet dancers looking to challenge their previous knowledge and training. Students will learn more difficult combinations and skills, while developing finesse and classic style. Placement will be by teacher recommendation.

Tap classes are designed to develop rhythm, style and sound. Students will learn a variety of tap styles from Broadway to Rhythm tap. Exercises focus on building flexibility of the knee and ankles, coordination, and speed of movement. The class emphasis is on developing proper tap technique, producing clear tap sounds, and having fun. As students’ progress through each level curriculum will become increasingly more complex and intricate.

Jazz class will focus on learning proper dance technique such as isolation's 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. Class curriculum is based on ballet technique layered with traditional jazz movement and includes a proper warm-up, stretches, isolation's, across-the-floor progressions, and combinations. As students’ progress through each level curriculum will become increasingly more complex and intricate.

 Musical theater  combines songs, spoken  dialogue, acting, and dance.   Musical theater stage works have generally been called, simply,  musicals. Examples  are the earlier  works of Gilbert and Sullivan  & Harrigan and Hart . These were followed by the works of  George M. Cohan. Enjoy a fun filled class with Music, Acting and Dance.

Hip hop is a high-energy class that infuses the latest styles of street dancing, breaking, popping, and locking. 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. Beginning Hip Hop students do not need prior dance training.. Hip Hop is a blend of modern and contemporary dance styles, performed to current day Hip Hop music and beats. Emphasis will be placed on a variety of styles. Intermediate and Advanced Levels must be teacher approved.

Lyrical is an interpretive style of dance. Lyrical dance is very similar to ballet, combining the many technical elements of classical ballet with the freedom, fluidity, expressiveness and airier aspects of jazz, contemporary and modern dance. It is typically considered a sub-category of jazz and/or contemporary dance. Students must have prior ballet training for this class. A solid, ballet-based technique is an essential component of this advanced style of dance, as is a facility with various other forms of jazz, some contemporary/modern dance, and proper placement and bodily alignment. Intermediate and Advanced Levels must be teacher approved.

Contemporary is a combination of ballet and modern dance and is an emotionally expressive dance style that pushes today’s boundaries of movement and movement innovation. Due to technical elements involved with contemporary dance, this class may only be taken in conjunction with a ballet class. Contemporary is offered for all levels (Beginners, Intermediate & Advanced); placement of a dancer is decided by the instructor.

The Ballet Variations Class offers students a unique opportunity to delve into the world of famous classical ballets, such as Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Giselle, La Bayadere, Coppelia and more. Designed for students with at least 2 years of ballet training, this immersive class focuses on learning solo and group variations from these iconic ballets. Each month, students will explore a different variation, combining technical refinement, expressive movement and an in-depth understanding of the ballet’s historical context.

Each class will include a barre warm-up and transitions to center work focusing on movements and sequences specific to the variation of the month. The use of musicality and expression develops the students’ ability to embody different characters of the variation. This class expands the student’s repertoire of classical works, ballet technique, artistic expression, interpretation and stage presence. 

Instructor placement is required for this class. Beginning Pointe is a half hour class; Intermediate and Advanced Pointe is an hour class. Beginning Pointe class can be taken in ballet shoes or in pointe shoes at the instructor’s discretion. All pointe classes are designed for students with previous ballet training. Students will utilize previously learned ballet technique while working in pointe shoes. Exercises focus on strengthening the feet, ankles and core.

The goals of the competition team class are to work on mastering the technique, musicality, and improving dance ability needed to perform at a competition and other venues. The competitive dance team is focused on participating in dance competitions and events, striving for excellence and recognition in the dance community. Members of the competition team usually dedicate more time and effort to training, often attending multiple classes per week and engaging in rigorous rehearsals. There are many benefits to dance competitions, from teaching teamwork and discipline to learning how to take constructive criticism. It is compulsory to be taking a Ballet or Jazz Class at Dussich Dance Studio to register for this class. All dancers interested in joining the competition team must be evaluated before registering. Fees for competitions are separate from tuition and fundraising will be done during the year to help offset the cost.

Designed to stimulate the posture, alignment and muscle memory for the dancer. Early training is essential for the student to feel and develop the correct movement patterns by activating the correct muscles. The activation of the intrinsic muscles assists to prepare the feet, calves and hamstrings for the very important transition onto pointe. A multifaceted movement routine with repetition to music will set up the body’s proprioceptive system.

Irish 1 - introductory level - is for dancers who have never taken an Irish Dance class or are reviewing and perfecting foundational technique and movements. Dancers are required to wear socks, ballet slippers, or Irish Soft Shoes. This level focuses on Foundational technique, skills, and posture, musicality and timing, as well as beginner solo movements and steps. 

Irish 2 - Must have at least one-year prior Irish Dance training.

This class is specifically for dancers ages 5 to 10 years old. They will learn to follow instruction as well as lead activities. In this class, we work on rhythm and coordination skills, while providing an introduction to Ballet, Tap, Tumbling, and Creative Dance. This class is a NON- Performing Class

Our growing Adult Program offers training and enrichment for beginning through advanced professional Tap, Ballet, Jazz and Social Dancers (Adults & Teens 13+), including dance rudiments, technique and repertory classes, ensemble performance opportunities, seasonal performances & special events.

Students learn the basic elements of partnering, exploring various tools of partnering such as listening skills, moving through space simultaneously, non-contact partnering, spatial interweaving, levels of contact, opposition, and full lifting. Qualities of good partnership are addressed, including listening and communication skills, responsibility toward one’s partner, awareness, focus on task, enabling trust, risk taking, dissolving tendencies of fear, and timing.  Girls must be in Intermediate Level Ballet or higher.

This class will offer a variety of styles during the season. It is a fun way to learn new dances and gather with friends. You do not need to be a couple to join.