Mann Dance Academy, Inc.

Class Descriptions

Combination classes: These classes are designed for the young/beginning student. Classes contain several subjects because children in this age category need to change focus frequently. We also consider age in the number of dances a child is expected to memorize for the recital. All classes center on a balance of technique and movement for fun. Instructors introduce center floor work, ballet barre, and across the floor movement. We want everyone to enjoy dance and establish a love of dance. We also encourage friendships in the classroom.

P1: Ballet and tap combo designed for the advanced 2 1/2-3 year-old students. The class will contain creative movement and some tumbling in addition to ballet and tap. Some students at this level elect to participate in ballet only until they mature a little more. Children are encouraged to participate in a ballet dance at the recital.

P2: Ballet and tap combo designed for 4-year-old students. P1 and P2 are frequently combined levels. The class will contain creative movement and some tumbling in addition to ballet and tap. Second-year students usually have the maturity to participate in the entire class. Children are encouraged to participate in a ballet and a tap dance at the recital.

K1: Ballet and tap combo designed for children 4 and 5-year-old students. K1 is usually a beginning student who has started kindergarten or a 4-year-old with previous dance. The class will contain creative movement and some tumbling in addition to ballet and tap. Children are encouraged to participate in a ballet and a tap dance at the recital.

K2: Ballet and tap combo designed for children who have had previous dance and have started kindergarten. K2 students are frequently combined with L1; 5 and 6-year-old children. The class will contain creative movement and some tumbling in addition to ballet and tap. Children are encouraged to participate in a ballet and a tap dance at the recital.

L1: Ballet and tap combo designed for children who are in first grade. The class is frequently combined with the advanced kindergarten student or a more advanced group will combine with second graders. The class focuses on ballet and tap with some creative movement, tumbling and occasionally introduction to jazz/hip-hop. Children are encouraged to participate in a ballet and tap dance at the recital.

L2: Ballet and tap combo for children who are in second grade. The class is frequently combined with the advanced first grader or a more advanced group will combine with third graders. The class focuses on ballet and tap with some creative movement, tumbling and occasionally some jazz/hip-hop. Children are encouraged to participate in a ballet and tap dance at the recital.

Hip Hop: Look for the ages recommended for the class you enter. This is a lively and loud class that focuses on the technique of hip-hop and elementary tumbling skills. Children are encouraged to participate in a hip-hop dance that uses some tumbling skills at the recital.

Tumbling: Look for the ages recommended for the class you enter. This is a class that focuses on elementary tumbling skills. Children are encouraged to participate in a tumbling routine that uses tumbling skills at the recital.

INDIVIDUAL CLASSES (IL):

Individual-level classes usually begin at age 8 and continue through high school and early college. Individual levels are classes that contain one subject so that the student can experience a greater level of technique in each subject. Dancers should start this program based on age and ability. Individual levels enrolled in ballet/ballet pointe are eligible to participate in our annual Nutcracker. Dancers who participate in ballet year-round and participate in summer Nutcracker camp are eligible to audition for a lead role in Nutcracker. Dancers who are at the individual level are frequently included in our Solos and Ensembles performance and included in a group that will travel to the competition. While these are not mandatory they are encouraged. We believe that performance is part of the art of dance. In accordance with this, we offer several opportunities to present dance on stage throughout the year. We also believe that performance teaches both short and long-term goals and increases self-confidence. Dancers on the individual level are also eligible to add a private lesson. It is mandatory that students who set up a private lesson must also take ballet technique and a group lesson on the same subject they wish to add a private lesson in.

Ballet: All ballet skills including movement at the barre, center floor, across the floor, stretch, strengthen, alignment, French terms, musicality, and creativity. Students learn classical elements of dance to classical music.

Pointe: A student must be advanced and take at least two ballet classes per week and have reached a minimum age of 11 before they are eligible for pointe work. Dancers who work on pointe must have a strong healthy structure and core and a history of ballet study. We also consider the size of a dancer, a student too heavy could damage their feet and a student too small might not have the bone maturity to support dancing on pointe. Please respect the instructor’s advice on when it is time to add pointe to your child’s curriculum..

Jazz: Classical jazz technique including center floor stretch, strengthen, isolations, turns, leaps and across the floor are included in this class. This class is hard working with a fun edge and is usually load. Musical choices are frequently contemporary.

Tap: Classical tap technique is presented in this class. We train both center floor and across the floor. A variety of musical choices are presented including historical jazz, swing. contemporary and some hip-hop.

Lyrical: This class is a combination of ballet and modern movement that focuses on dance that interprets the lyrics of a song. Dancers work on the center floor, across the floor, stretch, strengthen and creativity. Musical choices are frequently contemporary.

Contemporary: This class is a combination of ballet and modern movement. It will focus on combined dance techniques that are not interpreting lyrics of a song. It is pure movement oriented.

Musical Theater: This class will incorporate basic musical theater dance steps, audience engagement, facial connection, practicing emotional and mental awareness. Along with how to apply emotional connect to a storyline and how to make a dance effective in a story line. The class with also include different genres of musical theater and background information to whatever show the song may be chosen from.