dance
GPA's Dance Program is designed to train tomorrow's dancers through weekly technique classes, connecting students of a similar age and skill level, in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, hip-hop, musical theatre dance and more. Specialized classes include the Zena Rommett Floor-Barre; and the Lynn Simonson Jazz Technique taught by our school director, Suzanne Vandergrift, who is certified in these methods practiced by professional dancers worldwide. Our qualified faculty develops programming with opportunities for everyone to succeed, no matter whether you are a beginner student, dancing purely for recreation reasons, a theatre student in pursuit of becoming the "Triple Threat" or serious dancer seeking an intensive Young Artist and Professional curriculum.
Dance training begins at age 3 and classes continue through adult professional levels. MUSIKGARTEN®, the early childhood music & movement classes taught by our certified instructors, serve as a wonderful foundation in the performing arts for children 6 months to 3 years.
New? Sign Up For A Trial ClassSummer Arts Camps - Dance, Music, Theatre
Disney-Marvel Mashup Summer Camps for Ages 4 - 9 yearsWhat do Marvel superheroes and Disney princesses have in common? Favorite movie and comic book personalities represent strength of character and goodness that inspire our children. Let’s create together, celebrating “super virtues” that rebuild and unify our community. Summer Storybook Adventures begin with Disney-Marvel mashup fun for young imaginations! Children, 4-9 years, enjoy “magical messages" gracefully wrapped in music, dance, crafts and theatre games. Little Dancer Program (Ages 3 - 8)
Young Artist Program (Ages 7 – 18+)
Dance students graduate through four levels of training on average devoting 3 years at each progressive level. Class lengths vary depending on 3 factors: technique, level, and age. An introductory technique class (Level I) ranges from 45-minutes to 1-hour in length of class time. More advanced technique classes (Levels III & IV) require 90-minutes or more to complete the demands of the advanced work.
PLEASE NOTE: Students are expected to master the basics at each level before progressing to the next, and are admitted into upper levels only with prior experience or approval of the instructor. During the first two weeks of class each student will be individually assessed and alternate class or level placement may be suggested. The high quality of each class will be maintained when all students are capable of dancing at the level of difficulty presented by the instructor.
Technique Class Descriptions
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Classical Ballet
Ballet technique is the foundation of all other dance forms. Because of this fact, all students must enroll in ballet technique, in addition to any other technique classes they wish to take. Experienced dancers may request placement out of the ballet technique requirement per faculty evaluation and/or register for Zena Rommett Floor Barre®.
- Warm-UP Exercises/Barre Work
- Center Floor Combinations
- Accross the Floor Combinations
and Choreography
- Solid Leotard
- Pink Tights
- Pink Ballet Shoes
- Hair In Bun
- Water Bottle
Level I: Beginner Ballet
- Basic understanding of classroom etiquette & sequence
- Basic French Terminology
- Introduction to Choreography
- Basic Body Awareness of Posture and Alignment
- Introduction of Spatial Concepts, Balance, Strength, Body Conditioning and Flexibility
- Introduction to Stage Presence, Musicality and Dance Discipline
All 7-year-old students must have completed at least 1 year of Ballet/Tap under the Young Dancers Program.
Level II: Low-Intermediate Ballet
- The student is expected to demonstrate a deeper understanding of technical terminology in connection with body placement and movement concepts.
- The student should be more confident learning new choreography at a faster pace and be more aware of dance discipline.
Technique skills include: pirouettes en dehors and en dedans, adagio développé in 8 body positions, balances in passé, attitude posé, body and leg fouetté at the barre, 5 to 6 element "petite allegro" combinations.
Level III: High-Intermediate Ballet
- Students should demonstrate an ability to bring emotive, dramatic and artistic elements to the movement.
- Can utilize correct alignment with ease even with more complex, 10 - 12 element combinations/dance sequences
- Are expected to learn choreography at a more challenging pace
- Are expected to take technique classes in multiple dance disciplines
Extended adagios with penché arabesque, double pirouettes, eight body positions and épaulement, faster pace of frappé, petit battements and battu - intricate patterns emerge. Strength, balance, and control are a priority.
Level IV: Advanced Ballet
- Students should demonstrate a commitment to dance and performance techniques
- Can learn and master multiple dance choreography and maintain it at an accelerated rate.
- Are expected to take technique classes in multiple dance disciplines several times a week
- Can describe advanced combinations verbally with the dance terminology
Multiple pirouettes in poses, fouetté turns, petite allegro with beats, sustained extensions, flexibility and turn out. Ballet steps include brissé, arisé vollé, balatté, temps de cuisse, grande sissonne ouverte, pirouette a la seconde, piqué turns in poses, contretemps.
Students are eligible for this level if they have met the above requirements, at least 6 years prior dance technique, and with teacher recommendation.
Zena Rommett Floor-Barre®
Available Classes:
Modern
Jazz & Contemporary
Jazz technique basics always include a combination of body isolations, rhythm, coordination and balance work, followed by energetic progressions (turns, leaps, & jumps) across the floor and short movement sequences set to motivational music. Through fun choreography and combinations, dancers will gain knowledge and appreciation of styles of jazz technique including Simonson Jazz Technique.
Tap
Hip Hop
Pointe*
*Not all ballet students are encouraged to pursue pointe technique due to specific body-type requirements to safely perform this technique. Please call the studio for Pre-Pointe Evaluation.
Recreational - Open Level Classes
Teen & Adult
Spring Concerts
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