Jazz I - Beginner (6+) -1 hour

The first class in our jazz program is for first time jazz students who are excited to "move to the music" and show off their natural flair for dance.  The main goals include learning class format, listening to their teacher, cooperating with other students, and following class protocol.  The main focus at this first level is listening to the music, finding the rhythm, building basic jazz technique and vocabulary, and using power and energy in their movements.  This class is designed to be a fun-filled work out that is paced to the needs of the students.  Students will participate in the winter recital and in the annual recital in the spring.

Movements mastered: slow isolations (head, shoulders, arms, ribs, hips), foot articulation, plies, jazz hands, lunges, stretches and splits on the floor, abdominal strength, chasses, ball changes, step digs, pivot turns, jazz arms, leaps, grapevine steps, kick ball changes, battements forward, jazz runs.
 

Jazz II - Beginner (7+) -1 hour

The second jazz class in our program builds upon the movements and technique that students have already learned.  These jazz dancers are ready for more combinations with a faster speed of movement.  Dancers are expected to be able to memorize more jazz combinations and demonstrate movements independently.  Students will continue to develop movement vocabulary, as well as balance, coordination, and body alignment. This class moves at a faster pace, with a strong focus on memorizing challenging combinations.

Movement mastered:  faster isolations, plie presses, balancing on releve, jazz square, jazz arms, slow chaine turns from corner, balancing preparation for pirouettes, push-ups and sit-ups to build strength, foot isolations, three step turns, jazz splits, fan kicks on the ground, alternating chasses with oppositional arms, chasses before leaps, strong arms, pointing toes and extension of legs in turning battements, jazz skips.

Jazz III - Beginner (8+) -1 hour

Building upon the first two levels, Beginning Jazz III students are ready for more challenges and faster movements.  In this class students continue to expand technique, vocabulary and lengthen combinations. The strong focus is on qualitative differences, level changes, and flexibility.  These dancers are building the core strength necessary to learn turns and jumps at the next level.  Dancers must exhibit consistent technique and memory in order to move to the next level.

Movement mastered: all prior movements, plus: isolations slow, medium and fast to the music, more complete stretches and splits, pas de bouree, jazz square with arms, chaine turns fast and slow, preparation for pirouette with 1/4, 1/2, and full turns, spotting, stag leaps, turning battements with arms, triplets, demonstrating complex combinations on time with the music.