Classes

THERE ARE MANY STYLES OF DANCE TO LEARN AT J.M.D.S.

A detailed description of each style of dance offered, is set out below

Tiny Tots Ballet (3 - 5 yrs)

R.A.D Classical Ballet

I.S.T.D Modern & Tap

International Dance Technique

R.A.D CLASSICAL BALLET

Classical ballet evokes images of romantic ballerinas, swathed in white tulle, skilfully dancing 'en pointe'. It is the universal language of music combined with graceful movement. It can be delicate, blending lightness with a lyrical beauty, but can also be exciting, displaying speed and dexterity with an earthy vitality. It is the most elegant and demanding of the performing arts and the ballet class is a perfect balance of exercise, starting with basic technique at the barre, leading up to centre work and culminating in spectacular turns and leaps.Ballet has the added benefits of strengthening posture and providing a strong foundation for all other forms of dance.

Tiny Tots Ballet - Creativity and Imagination

(3-4yrs)

In these classes, children are encouraged to use their imagination and expand their creativity. However, this is not just "Play" ballet! Within this structure the basic grounding of ballet and dance technique is introduced including correct posture and the strengthing of different muscle groups. The children are having so much fun, they don't realise they have been learning the fundamentals of dance including balance, co-ordination and agility.

To share the love, magic and wonder of dance, scarves, tiaras, wands, bubbles, hoops and musical instruments are used. The use of imagination is also encouraged by providing opportunities for free and expressive movement. There is an emphasis on introducing children to many diffentent styles of music including classical music, folkdance, creative tunes and of course a few familiar favourites.

This dance programme is commited to providing a stimulated and adventurous environment to enhance each child's social, emotional, physical, intellectual and creative growth. Students develope rhythm, co-ordination, musicality and creativity, as well as the ability to follow directions, interact with peers, take turns patiently and gain self-confidence.

Pre-Primary and Primary in Dance

Pre-Primary (5-6yrs) - Primary (6-7yrs)

PRE-PRIMARY IN DANCE - is designed for students from the age of five years while PRIMARY IN DANCE - is for students from the age of six. These classes develop students pyhsical skills, stamina, creativity, expression and musicality using a range of sounds and musical styles. These classes prepare the students for a successful transition to ballet and other dance genres at higher levels.

Grades Ballet
Levels 1- 5

These grades are progressive, with technical ability building on skills acquired in previous levels. They include traditional classical ballet technique, as well as the introduction to free movement and national character work.

Vocational Ballet Levels
Levels Intermediate Foundation to Advanced 2

Continuing from the technical base established in the grades, these vocational levels continue to progress the classical technique. Pointe work is also introduced and developed.

I.S.T.D TAP

Tap dancing takes its name from the small metal plates on the dancer's shoes which make a "tapping" sound when they strike a hard floor. Lively and rhythmic tapping makes the performer not just a dancer, but also a percussive musician, as Tap dancers make frequent use of syncopation. Tap can have a funky street feel, like "Tap Dogs" or have that old school charm and style, like Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Tap combines elegance, grace, rhythm, originality and precision. It is dynamic, exhilarating and fun. A love of tap dance lasts a lifetime.

Primary Tap
(5-7yrs)

This is also a progressive graded syllabus used internationally and children can sit for examinations once the required technical level of skill is achieved. It builds a strong tap technique, with students learning to understand rhythm, musical interpretation and performance.

Acrobatics

Open Contemporary Classes

Open Commercial Jazz Classes

Grades Tap
Levels 1 - 6

Major Tap
Levels Intermediate to Advanced 2

I.S.T.D MODERN - Contemporary/Lyrical/Jazz Musical Theatre

The I.S.T.D. syllabus is taught in these classes. It is a wonderful progressive graded syllabus used internationally, which builds a solid technique rich in the understanding of rhythms; and encompasses lyrical, percussive, jazz, musical theatre and comtemporary styles.Our dance studio specialises in dance for theatre, which can give you the skills you need to one day audition for one of Australia’s top theatre companies

Pre-Primary & Primary

Pre-Primary (4-5yrs) Primary (5-6yrs)

This is a great class to get the children going! Being a non-examination level, this class uses a range of pop music that the children love. It is a fun energetic class, but at the same time is developing the students skill in timing & rhythm, co-ordination, elevation and flexability.

Modern Grades
Levels 1 - 6

This is also a progressive graded syllabus used internationally, with the opportunity to sit examinations at the end of each grade. It builds a solid technique rich in the understanding of rhythm; and encompasses lyrical, percussive, jazz, contemporary and hip-hop styles.

Major Modern
Levels Intermediate Foundation to Advanced 2

Open Acrobatics Classes

Jnr Acro (5-7yrs) Inter Acro (8-11yrs)

Snr Acro (12yrs+)

With an ever-increasing demand from the dance industry for dancers to have a fusion of technical dance and acrobatic backgrounds, we provide a set class for our dancers to gain strength in the areas of acrobatics and tumble with the safety of air matts and skilled trainers.

International Dance Technique

(10yrs+)

International Dance Technique is a syllabus program created by Lucy Ellis Dance Coaching and Kylie Norris and is a program we provide at our studio. The program includes progressive stretch exercises and age-appropriate conditioning exercises to strengthen muscles, increase agility, control and power in dance combos. IDT aims to keep the dancer motivated to reach their full potential as a technical dancer.

Open Contemporary Classes

Junior (8-11yrs) Senior (12yrs+)

Contemporary dance is an expressive style of dance that utilises elements of ballet and modern. Focusing on the contraction, contrasting rhythms, breath and floor work of modern dance as well as displaying the technical turns and leaps of ballet dance. Open classes will consist of new Contemporary style content for dancers to learn and develop each lesson.

Open Commercial Jazz Classes

Junior (8-11yrs) Senior (12yrs+)

Commercial dance combines many styles of Jazz & Hip Hop to produce a current energetic style often seenin modern culture such as music videos from Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” to Justin Bieber’s “Sorry”. It has become the quintessential style for millennials.