At Stage West, we provide the highest quality dance instruction for our students. Classes range in style for all ages. Find out which class is best for your dancer by reading below, or contact us to stop in and try a class!
Ballet
Ballet is the foundational, highly technical discipline in dance. The steps and movements are creative in nature and accent the beauty of the human body. Focusing on body alignment, strength, and grace, ballet helps transform dancers in many ways.
Students are expected to wear a leotard or tight fitting athletic attire, tights, and soft, split-sole ballet shoes. Those who are ready for pointe will meet with Ms. Heather and schedule a pointe shoe fitting appointment.
Jazz
Jazz dance is derived from the uprising of jazz music and the increase in popularity of creative performative dance. More stylized and personality-infused, jazz is an upbeat dance technique. Jazz challenges the strict, technical aspects of ballet while maintaining the integrity of proper movement and body alignment. Dancers often perform jazz dance to music with lyrics, heavy beats, and great energy. Today, jazz can be infused with other styles such as hip-hop or modern.
Students are expected to wear a leotard or tight fitting athletic attire, tights, and jazz shoes or bare feet. There are alternative footwear options that cover some of the foot to allow for ease of turning while also feeling the movement of the foot on the floor. These options are acceptable for class but teachers may prefer other shoes for performance or competition.
Tap
Tap dance is a style that heavily relies on making sounds with the feet. Tap shoes, shoes with two metal taps on the bottom, are worn while dancing to complement the music by creating various beats, sounds, and rhythms with the feet. Similar to jazz in movement style, tap is very creative, high energy, and expressive.
Students are expected to wear loose-fitting athletic attire and tap shoes. Tap shoes come in a variety of colors and styles. These options are acceptable for class but teachers may prefer a specific pair of tap shoes for performance or competition.
Lyrical
Lyrical is an interpretive dance style that explores a range of emotions based on the music and the story the dancer is trying to tell. Lyrical dance encourages creative movement by combining elements of other dance styles such as ballet, jazz, and tumbling.
Students are expected to wear tight fitting athletic wear that allows for a wide range of movement and bare feet. Students will be assessed for readiness by the Stage West staff members.
Contemporary
Contemporary is a a favorite amongst students. Contemporary allows for free flowing movement, influenced by ballet, with a mix of various other dance styles. Contemporary encourages emotional exploration through abstract movement.
Students are expected to wear tight fitting athletic wear that allows for a wide range of movement and bare feet. Students will be assessed for readiness by the Stage West staff members.
Hip Hop
Hip Hop is a dance style that is a historical celebration of evolving culture. Developed on the streets in urban settings, Hip Hop is performed to rhythmic hip hop, rap, and r&b music.
Students are expected to wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing and clean tennis shoes that are not worn outside.
Tumbling/Acro/Gymnastics
In their own right, tumbling, acrobatics, and gymnastics are very different. At Stage West, we combine the best of each discipline to strengthen a dancer's movement and skills through flexibility, tumbling tricks, and balance. Tumbling/Acro/Gymnastics classes encourage students to push their limits and challenge themselves.
Students are expected to wear tight fitting athletic wear and bare feet. Safety precautions are taken in our classes including age-appropriate skills, tumbling mats and bolsters, an experienced teacher with spotting abilities, and strict expectations for behavior and listening.
Modern
Modern dance is a form of dance that has challenged the strict limits of ballet and encourages abstract, free-flowing movement. Stage West does not offer modern classes but works in elements of modern dance in other classes. Modern challenges students to use their bodies in new and unique ways that enhance movement and strength.
