CENTRE STAGE DANCE ACADEMY
Class Description & Requirements

The staff at CSDA is dedicated to carefully choosing the correct class level for each student. Students must have a basic knowledge of the requirements listed below in order to be in a particular level. We provide a general age guide for each class, however, unlike academics, dance cannot be measured entirely by age. There are many factors that a teacher uses to determine advancement of a student – flexibility, natural ability, speed at which a student picks up choreography, knowledge of dance terminology and execution of steps. Many students “know” many dance steps, but don’t yet have the technique or musicality to execute them with style. CSDA staff members base class placement on ability and focus rather than solely on age. Class placement is at the sole discretion of the CSDA staff, therefore we ask that you trust your child’s teacher to know what is best for him or her. Please give the staff the opportunity to observe your child in various classes, so we may place them in the correct level.

Classes...
 
Ballet. CSDA offers from pre-ballet through advanced levels. We believe that ballet training is essential because it provides the foundation for all other forms of dance. Ballet students at CSDA will gain grace, posture, confidence, and an appreciation for the most challenging and beautiful form of dance. Students must be able to execute the following steps and know the definition before they may advance to the next level.

Tots Ballet & Pre-Ballet 1: Basic ballet positions
Plie, Tendu, Chaine turn

Ballet 1: Pre-ballet technique pre-requisites
(white hip belt) grand battement , changement, pas de chat, bouree, stepping arabesque, balance/waltz, rond de jambe

Ballet 2: Pre-ballet and ballet 1 technique pre-requisites
(yellow hip belt) rond de jambe en l’air, frappe, adagio, sauté arabesque, waltz turn, pique turn, pirouette, reverance

Ballet 3: Pre-ballet, Ballet 1&2 technique pre-requisites
(pink hip belt) fondu, attitude, sisone, petite allegro w/beats, tour jete, grand jete, longer combinations

Advanced Ballet/Pointe: Ballet 1,2,3 technique pre-requisites
(purple hip belt) enrollment in ballet 2 & 3 +
Teacher approval.

Jazz: Our various jazz classes focus on proper technique & artistry at each level. Students will learn how to: a) stretch and strengthen the muscles by an extensive warm-up; b) turn, kick, and leap across the floor combinations; and c) execute different styles and techniques through a center floor combination. Students enrolled in beginning jazz are STRONGLY encouraged to also take ballet as many steps/terms cross over from class to class. However, we require our more experienced jazz students to cross train. Students must be able to execute the following steps and know the definition before they may advance to the next level.

Beg. Jazz technique: chaine turns, battements, chasse, pas de bouree, pirouette, pique turn, jete & sautechat

Int. Jazz technique: Beg. Jazz technique pre-requisites
+ min of 1 ballet class
pas de bouree turns, double/triple pirouette, axel, chaine jete, second jete, sauté basque, battement pitch

Adv. Jazz technique: Beg and Int technique pre-requisites
+ min of 2 ballet class
Scissor leaps, Somersault kick back, Fouette turns, A la seconde turns



Lyrical/Contemporary Jazz. This higher level dance class integrates jazz, ballet, modern and contemporary dance techniques with a focus on self-expression and exploration. Designed to let the dancer tell a story through the combination of music, lyrics and choreography, the class is offered to students who have shown an advanced level of technical mastery and who are currently enrolled in 2 ballet classes and have a CSDA teacher’s approval.

Musical Theatre Jazz. Designed to introduce the dancer to different musical theatre styles, the class combines dancing, singing and acting in a piece of choreography. A strong jazz emphasis provides the basis of the program where dancers learn original works of Broadway choreographers and are challenged to bring the performance content (love, anger, humor) to life. The class consists of warm-up, across the floor and center combinations. Theatre Jazz classes are divided by both age and ability as to allow for appropriate Broadway styles & song selection.
Ballet is required for the advanced level.

Hip Hop. These classes are all about fun!! CSDA students will fuse the dance styles of jazz, funk and street dancing, as well as explore traditional urban forms of movement. Classes include a warm-up and a fast-paced routine. Advancement in this class will be at the teacher discretion.

Tap. Our tap classes focuses on the dancer using their feet as the instrument. Rhythm and syncopation, “hoofing” it, classical Broadway styles, we teach it all! Training includes a warm-up, across the floor and center combinations focusing on the concept of ear training and integrating both visual and auditory components.

Beg Tap: flap, Shuffle, Buffalo, Maxi ford, Military step

Tap 1: Beginning tap technique pre-requisites
shuffle hop, flap heel, flap/shuffle ball change, cramp roll, waltz clog, running flaps, flap heel turn, back essence

Tap 2: Beginning tap and tap 1 technique pre-requisites
time steps, traveling time steps, maxi ford turns, cramp roll turns, rolling shuffles, bombershay, pull back, split pull backs


Tap 3: tap 1, 2 technique pre-requisites
single & shuffle wings, drawbacks, toe hits, riff walks, grab offs

Tots tap/ballet and jazz/hip hop combo classes. Designed for kids ages 3-6, these combo classes give young children the opportunity to interact with other children their age, take directions from a teacher figure, as well as how to take turns and stay focused. They will learn the fundamentals of dance and develop such skills as confidence, balance, spatial awareness, self-expression, muscle development, imagination, creativity, co-ordination and rhythm.


Voice: Students will learn basic breathing techniques, ear training, site reading, holding basic harmonies and performing both solo and choral music. Each class requires a $25 music fee (due twice a year), a 3-ring binder and pencil.

Music appreciation/Tots: pre-k through 1st grade

“BVC” Beginning Voice Class: Grade 2-8
Students must have basic reading skills

“VOCALease”: Grades 9-up
Emphasis on harmonies and a cappella musical selections