Recreational
Grow and Develop as a Dancer in our Recreational Classes: Age 6-18
We are a studio of over 40 years’ experience and committed to age-appropriate dance education. Our recreational dance classes are designed for students age 6-18 with an emphasis on learning the foundation of dance skills while also having fun! Our faculty are lively, experienced teachers who have extensive training and a commitment to creating a supportive and encouraging atmosphere.
Dancers may take as many or as few classes as they desire each week. We welcome absolute beginners as well as those with previous dance experience into our recreational dance program.
All dancers in our recreational classes are invited to participate in our annual recital, held in June.
Ballet
Ballet (RAD, Royal Academy of Dance)
Ballet improves strength, agility, flexibility, and balance, all while increasing the student’s focus and body awareness. Students are taught to use proper posture and poise, and to present themselves in a graceful manner. Ballet is the foundation of all dance forms and helps to improve other disciplines of dance. This is offered to students age 6 years and older. All our ballet classes are based on the Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus RAD (www.radcanada.org). The RAD is the world’s largest examining and teacher education organization of classical ballet. The carefully designed syllabus benefits the recreational as well as the professionally oriented student. There are opportunities for yearly examinations at the grade and vocational levels.
Jazz
Our jazz program is based on the ADAPT syllabus “Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers”. Students will learn jazz curriculum, terminology, jumps and turns and flexibility exercises based on age and ability. Jazz is offered for ages 6 and up to all levels of ability from beginner to advanced.
Tap
Learn how to make music with your feet. These upbeat classes give students exposure to both classical tap dancing and progressive tap choreography.
Tap classes are based on the ADAPT syllabus. Tap teaches students to count the music, rhythm, timing and coordination. It’s like making music with your feet. Ages 6 & up.
Lyrical
A compilation of different styles of dance, including jazz, lyrical, classical ballet and modern dance with more emphasis on expressive movement, emotion and storytelling. The students perform this versatile new style of dance while enhancing their creativity and self-expression. This new and exciting approach to dance is similar to the contemporary pieces featured on So You Think You Can Dance. It has become one of our most popular styles and is offered for students age 6 & up.
Hip Hop
This high-energy dance form appeals to many dancers. Students will learn current dance moves seen in popular music videos. A relaxed, freestyle form of street dance, Hip-Hop combines cool moves and urban funk choreography to the latest beats. These classes are offered to students age 6 years and older.
Acrobatic Gymnastics
Acro is a combination of gymnastics and dance. It focuses on concentration, balance, flexibility and control. Throughout the season, acro students at DSDS will work on strengthening their minds and bodies to perform a variety of tricks and exercises such as head/hand stands, aerials, back bridges, cartwheels, handsprings, and more. Our acro teachers are able to fuse the power of acro tricks with the art of dance and prepare students for a performance setting. This style of dance teaches students the importance of being spatially aware, persistent, and confident. It often includes working with a partner and using balance and agility skills to work together and achieve a common goal. Acro students will experience the joy of accomplishing hard earned personal goals with the techniques learned in class. Classes are offered to students ages 5 years to 12 years old.
