Class Descriptions & Dress Codes

Youth Classes

Creative Movement (Ages 2-3)

This 45-minute class is designed for our youngest dancers who want to express their independence without the assistance of mom or dad. Dancers will have fun learning pre-ballet movement through singing and movement games. Props such as hula-hoops, parachutes and beanbags are used to enhance the learning experience. Musical instruments such as maracas, triangles, tambourines and boomwhackers are used to teach basic rhythm. Class sizes are kept very small to assure plenty of individual attention for toddler dancers.

Dress Code:
Girls: Pink leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, flat dance skirt optional (no tutus). Hair secured away from the face.
Boys: White t-shirt, black shorts, black ballet shoes.



Ballet/Tap Combo 1 (Ages 3-5) & Ballet/Tap Combo 2 (Ages 4-6)

Ballet/Tap Combo class is designed for students to express their individuality through the art of dance. This class introduces young students to ballet, and tap skills through imagination activities, movement games and singing. Students will have fun learning dance along with the use of props such as hula-hoops, parachutes, beanbags and musical instruments.
Dress Code:
Girls: Pink leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, black tap shoes, flat dance skirt optional (no tutus). Hair should be secured away from the face in a ponytail or bun.
Boys: Black shorts, white t-shirt, black ballet shoes, black tap shoes.



Ballet (Ages 7+)

Students will learn classical ballet techniques and terminology. Each class includes barre exercises, center floor work, and across-the- floor combinations. The ballet curriculum is based on a combination of the French, Vaganova, and Cecchetti methods. As students progress through each level curriculum will become increasingly more complex and intricate.
*Level placement for each student will be determined by faculty.
Dress code:
Girls Level 1 & 2: Black leotard, pink convertible tights, pink ballet shoes. Flat dance skirt optional (no tutus). Girls Level 3 & 4, Pointe, and Teen Beg.: Any color leotard, pink convertible tights, flat dance skirt optional. Boys Level 1 & 2: Black t-shirt, black shorts (with supportive underwear), black ballet shoes. Boys Level 3 & 4, and Teen Beg.: Any color t-shirt, black shorts (with dance belt) black ballet shoes.



Contemporary Jazz (Ages 7+)

Contemporary Jazz class will focus on learning proper dance technique, improving performance quality, and developing complex rhythms and patterns. Class curriculum is based on traditional jazz technique infused with contemporary floor work that emphasizes interpretation of music with movement that can be fluid or abstract. Classes include 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. *Level placement for each student will be determined by faculty.
Dress Code: Girls Level 1 & 2: Black leotard with black leggings or tan convertible tights and black shorts, tan jazz shoes. Girls Level 3 & 4, and Teen Beg.: Well-fitting athletic top, leggings or tan convertible tights with shorts, tan jazz shoes. Boys Level 1 & 2: Black t-shirt, black athletic pants or shorts (with supportive underwear), tan jazz shoes. Boys Level 3 & 4, and Teen Beg.: Well-fitting athletic top, athletic pants or shorts (with dance belt), tan jazz shoes.



Hip Hop (Ages 7+)

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 movements, therefore class includes upper and lower body conditioning as well as a rigorous warm-up to help prepare students for more intense movements.

Dress Code:

Girls Level 1 & 2: Black leotard or black athletic top with black leggings or tan convertible tights and black shorts, non-marking sneakers.

Boys Level 1 & 2: Black t-shirt, black athletic pants or shorts (with supportive underwear), non-marking sneakers.



Tap (Ages 7+)

ABDC focuses on Rhythm Tap in the jazz tradition. Dancers learn the basics of tap dance through musicality, technique, improvisation and the rich history of our American vernacular dance. Tap classes are designed to develop rhythm, style, and sound. 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. *Level placement for each student will be determined by faculty.

Dress Code: Girls Level 1 & 2: Black leotard or black athletic top with black leggings or tan convertible tights and black shorts, black oxford-style tap shoes. Girls Level 3 & 4, and Teen Beg.: Well-fitting athletic top, leggings or tan convertible tights with shorts, black oxford-style tap shoes. Boys Level 1 & 2: Black t-shirt, black athletic pants or shorts (with supportive underwear), black oxford-style tap shoes. Boys Level 3 & 4, and Teen Beg.: Well-fitting athletic top, athletic pants or shorts (with supportive underwear), black oxford-style tap shoes.



Adaptive Dance (Ages 7+)

ABDC's Adaptive Dance Program offers creative movement classes in an open environment for children with Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Occupational & behavioral therapists and aides are welcome to join for free. Dress Code: Comfortable athletic clothing. Pants or shorts should not be higher than the knee. Students may wear socks or dance barefoot.



Adult Classes

Lyrical

This class combines technique and skills from ballet, jazz, and modern. Students will explore how lyrical dance emphasizes interpretation of music & lyrics to tell a story with movement that can be fluid or abstract. Some prior dance experience is helpful.
Dress Code: Comfortable athletic clothing, with supportive undergarments. Barefoot or foot paws.



Tap

ABDC focuses on Rhythm Tap in the jazz tradition. Dancers learn the basics of tap dance through musicality, technique, improvisation and the rich history of our American vernacular dance. Tap classes are designed to develop rhythm, style, and sound. 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. *Level placement for each student will be determined by faculty.

Dress Code: Oxford-style tap shoes, comfortable clothing that you can move freely in.



Gentle Yoga (or Cancer Survivor Yoga)

Our Gengle Yoga class focuses on the practice of Hatha yoga, which refers to a set of physical exercises (asanas) designed to align the muscles and bones and open the many energy channels of the body, especially the spine, so that energy can flow freely. Hatha yoga is intended to create a balance of strength and flexibility in the body as well as a balance of effort and surrender in each asana. A powerful tool for self-transformation, Hatha yoga requires that one pay special attention to the breath, which helps calm the fluctuations of the mind. This allows the practitioner to become more present in the unfolding of each moment, resulting in more awareness and relaxation. The class is designed around the students’ needs and moves at a gentle pace. Modifications and props are always available. Dress Code: Barefoot. Comfortable athletic clothing, with supportive undergarments.



Dance for Parkinson's

This class offers specialized fitness and movement classes to people with Parkinson’s, their families, friends, and care partners. Balance and Movement classes allow people with Parkinson’s to experience the joys and benefits of movement while creatively addressing symptom-specific concerns related to balance, cognition, motor skill, depression and physical confidence. This class is designed to engage the participants’ minds and bodies, and create an enjoyable, social environment that emphasizes dancing rather than therapy. Active demonstration by professional dancers inspires participants to recapture grace, while guided improvisation fosters creativity, and experimentation with movement. Dress Code: Comfortable clothing with athletic shoes or barefoot.