STUDENT DIVISION
Our Student Division classes begin at age 6 when a student enters first grade and progresses through their senior year in high school. This division is centered around a solid technical dance education that moves students through a progressive level system designed to continually challenge a dancer to be their very best.
All of our lessons are based off of a defined syllabus for each genre of dance that continually push a student towards their goals. In addition to movement technique, we discuss conceptual and dance theory as it relates to each of our classes. These can include anatomy and physiology, choreography, improvisation and history.
Ballet
6 years and up
Ballet is the foundational genre of dance and is STRONGLY recommended for all students. Classes focus on placement, posture, strength, flexibility, control, and balance through barre, center, and across the floor combinations.
Pointe
By Placement Only
Pointe technique is a part of the classical and contemporary ballet techniques that requires extensive training and physical strength of the dancer. Students hoping to pursue pointe work must be enrolled in two ballet classes per week, at least 11 years ld and approved by NSSOD Ballet Staff.
Jazz
6 years and up
Jazz is a popular genre of dance that uses contemporary music, rhythmic clarity and style in it's performance. Classes focus on flexibility, strength, locomotor movement and coordination taught through warm ups, across the floor and center combinations. Dancers can expect to work on isloations, jumps and turns throughout class.
Tap
6 years and up
Tap classes promote coordination and musicality through the use of rhythmic patterns. With these patterns, tap encourages the retention of sequential information and kinetic memory. Classes focus on warm-ups, combinations, and dance routines in the center and across the floor.
Modern
By Placement Only
Modern dance is an American born genre that focuses on the development of a dancer's contraction, release and ability to weight shift. These developments help dancers gain strength, flexibility and balance. Throughout class, dancers work on standing, locomotor, and floorwork focusing on the conceptual applications of Modern's principles.
Contemporary
By Placement Only
Contemporary dance is an expressive "of the movement" form that incorporates jazz, ballet and modern techniques. Classes focus on movement development and the use of intention, emotion and energy through choreography to express an idea, emotion or story.
Musical Theatre
By Placement Only
Musical Theatre dance is a performance style that encompasses both acting and dancing. Through the use of introductory acting techniques, jazz dance technique and staging, dancers explore a variety of classic and modern Broadway musicals.
Poms
By Placement Only
Poms dance technique is popular with High School, College and Professional dance teams. This technique is all about precision, accuracy and visual coordination of dancers through the use of pom pons. Specific skills such as stationary jumps, arm positions and high kick routines are used throughout the class to increase a dancer's flexibility, strength and muscle memory.
Acro
7 years and up
Acro is a style that combines dance technique with precision acrobatic tumbling skills, Classes focus on the development of strength, flexibility, and acrobatic skills such as handstands, cartwheels, walkovers, and more. Through these skills, dancers learn to effortlessly incorporate acrobatic movements into their dance technique.
Dancers interested in acro must have at least one year of dance experience and be enrolled in a second dance class.
This program has received funding from the Ruth Schultz Bright Days Fund. Learn more here
Hip Hop
6 years and up
Hip Hop dance styles range from jass funk ti krump and locking. Dancers in hip hop can expect to work on a variety of movements to improve their rhythm and musicality, as well as their coordination and strength through a fast paced dance class. Classes focus on movement development and placement in age apporpriate styles and music.