DANCE CLASSES OFFERED AT ARIA
Acro is a style of dance which combines classical technique with acrobatics. Unlike conventional gymnastics, no apparatus is used; instead, tricks are typically taught on mats before eventually moving to the floor. With increased strength and flexibility, Acro dancers are able to safely execute very impressive, flips, tumbles and partnering tricks. This fun and dynamic class is a favourite of daring kids who like to be challenged and is offered in several levels to accommodate various degrees of expertise. Acro is well demonstrated in professional shows such as Cirque du Soleil.
Ballet is the most elegant yet technical of all dance forms and also the foundation for most other styles. Students in ballet class will work on their posture, grace, balance, muscle control and co-ordination through a series of traditional exercises performed at the barre and in the center. Ballet is a fun, challenging, detail-oriented, and expressive dance form that inspires an appreciation for artistic movement and classical music. Most major cities worldwide are represented by a classical ballet company including New York City Ballet, The Paris Opera Ballet and National Ballet of Canada.
Contemporary is a dance form which is very broad, however it usually involves interpretative and expressive movement to creative, experimental music. The bulk of this class focuses on learning and fine-tuning “out of the box’ or avant-garde choreography that is greatly enhanced by strong ballet technique; hence why the two classes should always be paired together. Most classical companies will also have contemporary pieces in their repertoire and sometimes even perform these works in pointe shoes. At Aria Dance, Contemporary is offered to students ages 12+ also taking Ballet.
Creative Movement is a fast-paced, interactive class which introduces pre-schoolers to the fundamentals of dance while allowing them to express themselves through instinctual movement and musical interpretation. Basic ballet steps, and exercises for strength and flexibility, are combined with imaginative games to keep young dancers engaged, entertained and stimulated while learning. A variety of age-appropriate music is played in this class, ranging from classical symphony and piano tunes to Disney themes and children’s traditional sing-along songs.
Hip Hop is an eclectic street-style of dance performed in running shoes to current upbeat tempos. The dynamic moves taught in Hip Hop are stylish, funky and similar to those seen in music videos. Hip Hop students will work on their strength, flexibility, coordination, and musicality through intricate, fun and fast-paced choreography which exercises the heart, mind and memory. This class is appropriate for high-energy, outgoing dancers who love music and are driven by a beat.
Jazz is a lively and expressive dance form which combines entertaining, mainstream moves with ballet technique. This is a high-energy, fun class, encouraging rhythm, coordination, strength, flexibility and performance quality. The pace of a jazz class is usually much quicker than classical ballet, making it a favorite amongst active dancers who like to jump and move. Music for this style of dance ranges from Top-40 radio, to classic rock, pop and show-tunes with an upbeat tempo. Many of the entertaining moves taught in a jazz class are commonly seen in music videos, Broadway shows and musicals.
Lyrical dance combines elements of Ballet, Modern, and Jazz techniques. The choreography is usually set to ballad-like pop music with vocals inspired by the artist’s words. The moves in a Lyrical class are more contemporary than conventional and use gestures, facial expressions, emotion, and drama to connect with the message of the song. Since this class focuses primarily on choreography, it is recommended for more experienced dancers who have grasped traditional Ballet and Jazz. At Aria, Lyrical is offered to dancers 11+ who are also enrolled in a Ballet or Jazz technique class.