DANCE CLASS INFORMATION
GENERAL INFO FOR DANCE PROGRAM
Dance Class levels range from introductory ballet/tap combos for ages three and up to advanced pre-professional and professional training. We also have teen and adult beginning dance classes.
Genres Offered
BALLET: Ballet is the foundation of all classical dances and is important for structure, discipline, flexibility and overall ability to move between other dance genres. Our academy offers classical ballet instruction in which students learn the correct French terminology for exercises, correct body posture, and how to safely execute exercises to minimize injury. Our ballet instruction is set to classical music or Christian music.
HIP HOP: Hip hop is all about an attitude of confidence – except we teach students that their confidence is in Jesus. Our classes include age-appropriate hip hop moves along with conditioning and strengthening exercises that help dancers to have fun while learning the technical aspects of hip hop. Only Christian hip-hop and R&B music is used.
JAZZ: While jazz technique is rooted in the fundamentals of ballet, the movement is less structured in appearance. Dancers in jazz class learn basic ballet technique, stretching, strengthening, and jazz technique set to popular Christian music. Once dancers are placed in Level 2 or higher, ballet classes are required to continue well-rounded training.
TAP: In tap class, the music is made with our feet! Dancers learn about music and rhythm, along with tap technique. Our classes use a mixture of Broadway and Rhythm tap techniques and focus on correct execution, coordination and speed.
CONTEMPORARY: Contemporary dance combines classical ballet technique, codified modern technique, and the instructor’s own individual style. The result is a dance form that looks free and unstructured, but actually takes just as much strength, flexibility and stamina as ballet and jazz. Once a dancer is placed in Level 2 or higher, a minimum of 1 ballet class is required to provide well-rounded training.
New Student Placement
All new students transferring to CAPA’s Dance Program are required to be evaluated upon enrollment and class schedule must be determined AFTER an evaluation. Students en pointe at another studio but have an evaluation before continuing training. If the student does not meet the requirements of the CAPA pointe program they will be taken off pointe until they are ready. The teacher may recommend a follow up evaluation after 4 months or later depending on the students’ progress. contact us to set up your evaluation class. This is done in the best interest of the dancers safety.
Make Up Classes & Absences
Ballet Class Makeup: You may make up a ballet class by taking a class lower than your level, and other genres will not be allowed as a make up class. If student has too many unexcused absences, it is at the teacher’s discretion to advise moving the student down a level due to their inability to keep up with the class or to authorize that the student begin private lessons to get caught up with their level.
Other Genres: Dancers may makeup in their same level, but may cross to a different genre if needed. If student has too many unexcused absences, it is at the teacher’s discretion to advise moving the student down a level due to their inability to keep up with the class or to authorize that the student begin private lessons to get caught up with their level.
Excused & Unexcused Absences: An Excused Absence will be due to an illness, injury, or family emergency which restricts the student from being able perform in class. All other absences for vacations, school events etc will be unexcused absences. Tuition is not returned for absences unless they have been cancelled by CAPA more than 1 time in a period 6 weeks.
Pointe Work
Students may begin pointe work only at the recommendation of their ballet teachers. Dancing en pointe requires strong technique, muscle control, mental readiness and maturity to avoid injury. Teachers will assess students’ readiness through the pre-pointe work given in our Level 2 Classes, and upon readiness of a student for pointe work, the pointe teacher will arrange 3 required private lessons and a pointe shoe fitting.
New students coming in hoping to continue pointe training will have a mandatory evaluation. If the student does not meet the requirements of the CAPA pointe program they will be taken off pointe until they are ready. The teacher may recommend a follow up evaluation after 4 months or later depending on the students’ progress.
There are a few things to keep in mind when reaching towards the goal of pointe work. Pointe work is not determined by your age, the number of years you have been dancing, your friends being put on en pointe or your desire to be en pointe. It is a result and extension of effective ballet training. To be effective, there is a minimum of 3 technique classes that must be met with excellent attendance, maturity, and technical efficiency. Advancing to pointe is on an individual basis, not a group/class basis.