BALLET MOVEMENT:
AGE 3

This class is designed around creative movement, beginning ballet movement, and beginning acrobatic movement. Children naturally move when music is playing. This program combines music and movement to help develop balance, rhythm, body awareness, self-control, focus, respect, social skills, and self-esteem.

BALLET/TAP COMBO:
AGES 4,5,6 & 7

Students aged 4-7 are placed into a Ballet-Tap Combo class in accordance with their age. This program provides the student basic technique development in the two most fundamental forms of dance. The class meets one hour per week alternating between ballet and tap. It is convenient and affordable for the parents and provides a strong foundation for the early dancer.

BALLET (LEVELS I, II, III, IV, V, INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED)

From age 8, ballet students begin taking classes twice per week. Since Ballet is considered to be the basis of most forms of dance, it is strongly recommended that students take Ballet along with the dance genres in which they are interested. The Studio+ ballet program adheres to a specific, primarily French & Russian-based, curriculum. This curriculum was carefully developed by the teaching staff using a more than 150 years of combined experience along with technical resources such as that provided by the Texas Association Teachers of Dance (TATD) and Ballet Masters such as Gretchen Warren, Lincoln Kirstein, and Anna Paskevaka. The curriculum is used studio-wide to ensure that all ballet students receive appropriate training that corresponds with their age and ability. Pilates training is also included in the most advanced level Ballet training. Each year, students are carefully placed in accordance with their mastery of this level-based curriculum.

POINTE (LEVELS I, II, III, IV, V, INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED)

Ballet students are placed into Pointe classes when they meet certain developmental criteria. These requirements help to ensure that the student is adequately prepared to work on Pointe safely and without long-term injury. In general, the student must be 11 years of age. Also, they must be able to releve’ with a fully straight leg, and to balance on demi-pointe for 30-45 seconds. Additionally, the student must have developed strong lower back and abdominal (core) muscles. Prior to placing a student on Pointe, it must be determined that the student meets and maintains these fundamental requirements.

While most serious ballet students advance into Pointe work, some do not. Students with under-developed core muscles, excessive weight, or other developmental circumstances that prevent safe, injury-free Pointe work may remain in Ballet shoes until those matters are corrected.

TAP (LEVELS I, II, III, INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED)

Tap dancing is an exhilarating style of dance that develops exactness in rhythm & timing, coordination of the mind and body, and the ability to think fast. While students take Tap at ages 4-7 in the combo classes (see above), at age 8, they begin taking tap as its own discipline. There is no pre-requisite to enroll in tap classes.

The Studio+ has a very strong tap program that follows curriculums established by The Texas Association Teachers of Dance, Al Gilbert, Ken Phifer, and others. Additionally, the studio’s tap instructors attend dance conventions each summer and receive continual education under noted artists and choreographers such as Jay Fagan, Keith Clifton, Rhonda Miller, and Gregg Russell.

The world of tap is challenging and ever changing. The teachers at The Studio+ are committed to answering the challenges.

IRISH (LEVELS I, II, INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED)

Irish developed its popularity after “Riverdance” hit the stage. Traditionally, students learn soft-shoe dancing during the first 2-3 years of their Irish dance training. During this time, students learn set dancing which is often used in competitions. After soft-shoe has been mastered, students move into jig (hard) shoes. The rhythm and technique required for Irish hard-shoe dancing is unlike any other discipline. It is extremely high impact and physically demanding. For this reason, to enroll in Irish, a student must be at least 8 years of age and be concurrently enrolled in ballet.

The Studio+ Jazz program includes technique that comes from the genres of musical comedy, contemporary, and lyrical. Jazz dance is offered to students aged 8 and up. However, at ages 8-9, students must be concurrently enrolled in ballet. From age 10, students may enroll in Jazz with no other enrollment necessary.

HIP HOP (LEVELS I, II, III)

The Studio+ does not offer a strict Hip-Hop class. Instead, once a month during regularly scheduled Jazz classes, students break from Jazz technique and learn Hip-Hop routines. Although the studio does not offer a Hip-Hop focus, this gives the students an opportunity to learn the popular Hip-Hop moves they enjoy. Additionally, The Studio+ offers separate Hip-Hop workshops with guest industry professionals.

ACROBATICS (LEVELS BEGINNING I, II, III, INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED)

Acrobatics is floor tumbling with a focus on limber–based tricks. Students may begin taking acrobatics at age 4 and there is no pre-requisite to enroll in the program. The Studio+ has an extremely strong acrobatics program with beginning through advanced level students.

As with all Studio+ programs, acrobatics is taught by accomplished, qualified instructors that follow a specific, technique-based curriculum.

Without exception, student safety comes first. All classes begin with strengthening exercises relative to tumbling. A proven charting system is used to track a student’s progress and readiness to move on to more difficult tricks. Students progress to advanced tricks only after they have mastered the fundamentals that lead to the more difficult tricks. Methodically, all aerial tricks are taught first using a double-spot belt. When appropriate, the student is moved to a single spot sash, and then a hand-spot. Finally, after it is determined that the student has mastered the trick to a safe level, they are released to perfect the trick free of spotting.

THE STUDIO+ COMPANY DANCERS (Performance Troupe)

The Studio+ offers an opportunity for the more serious dancers to participate in the Company performance troupe. Being a Company dancer provides students increased opportunities to challenge themselves through greater discipline and advanced studies, performances for community events, and to better prepare for future professional opportunities. To participate in Company, students must be 11 years of age by January 31 of the current year, concurrently enrolled in Ballet, and/or Tap or Jazz, and maintain and 80% or greater attendance in both their regularly scheduled classes and company rehearsals. In general, rehearsals are held every other Saturday from 10:00-12:00 . All qualifying students are invited to participate; however, auditions are held for individual performances.

PILATES (LEVELS BEGINNING, INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED)

Pilates at The Studio+ is taught by a certified Stott Pilates Mat Level I & II instructor. Stott Pilates is strict contemporary form of Pilates based on this mind-body exercise developed by Joseph Pilates. Its focus is on core strength, flexibility, and balance. It has been proven to help prevent injury in maturing individuals and is an exceptional, but difficult, form of exercise for those individuals serious about nurturing their mind & body health.