Dance Classes
Sweet Peas
Level 1: 3 Years
Sweet Peas 1 is an introduction to dance. The primary goal is to foster a love of movement. The creative component is quite large. There are several fun or special activities for the students. During the warm up component of class the students take part in dancing out a narrative. This helps students to understand that dance is a means expression, which is then communicated to an audience. Dance is a means of communicating feelings and actions. The vocabulary covered in Sweet Peas Level 1 is designed so that the students will be able to master the skills by the end of the school term; this helps to build self-confidence through successfully achieving each component set out in the dance class.
Level 2: 4 Years
Sweet Peas 2 covers basic movement found in all dance forms. It is a preparation for Preprimary ballet. The aim is to prepare students for the principles and tasks they will be required to do in Preprimary. These are the same fundamentals, which are found in jazz, tap or hip-hop. The Level 2 vocabulary is a progression of Level 1. The curriculum is designed to foster creativity, freedom and expression in movement. The dance class has a large creative component but gradually introduces more and more structure to prepare the students for their future dance education. The structure takes the form of children learning how to stand in lines, dance in-group formations (like circles), as well several set exercises are presented to the children, which they eventually perform independently of the teacher. Each class will include at least two creative or free components.
Ballet
PrePrimary Ballet 5 Years
Preprimary Ballet is the first level of Ballet. The Curriculum is set by the Royal Academy of Dance it is designed specifically for beginners. It introduces concepts and building blocks of ballet in a safe and fun manner. The building blocks learned in Preprimary are many of the same fundamentals required in other dance forms. Thus this class also prepares students who will chose to take Jazz, Hip Hop or Tap in the future. The Class is 45minutes long which students attend once a week.
Primary Ballet 6 years minimum
Primary Ballet is a progression of Pre Primary. Students learn more vocabulary in this level. The steps are slightly more advanced and the movement sequences taught are longer and more complex than in PrePrimary. At Langley Dance Academy this is the first level where Royal Academy of Dance Exams are offered to students. The Class is 1 hour in duration, which students attend once a week.
Ballet Grades:
All Graded Ballet Classes follow the curriculum set out by the Royal Academy of Dance. In all Ballet grades examinations are offered to students. Students progress through the levels of dance each year further developing their skills, learning more complicated and advanced vocabulary. The Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus is designed for each age level, care has been taken to ensure that each students dance training progresses at a pace, which their bodies and minds can successfully achieve. The dance vocabulary is taught carefully, each child's age and physical capabilities dictate the level at which they dance.
The Royal Academy of Dance Graded syllabus consist of three dance disciplines:
Classical- the foundation
Free Movement- incorporates movements in common with other dance styles
such as Natural Movement, Contemporary, and Greek Styles
Character- is the theatrical presentation of national dance using original dance
and music, which has been adapted for theatre. The three styles are
Hungarian, Russian, and Polish were selected because of their historic
importance in the development of the nineteenth century full-length ballets.
Vocational Program:
Intermediate Foundation
This is the first level of the Vocational Syllabus created by the Royal Academy of Dance. In this level students attend ballet classes three times per week. Intermediate Foundation requires dedication on the part of the dancer. Dancers train in both pointe and soft shoes. Intermediate Foundation is a progression from the grades. However there is no longer free movement or character dance components to the curriculum, the emphasis is instead on classical technique. Students are placed in this level after assessment from the teacher.
Intermediate Ballet
The second level of the RAD Vocational Syllabus. Students train a minimum of 5 hours per week. Dancers train in both soft pointe and pointe shoes. Students are placed in this level upon recommendation from the teacher, and or after a succesful Intermediate Foundation exam result.
Advanced Foundation
This is third level of the Royal Academy of Dance Vocational Syllabus. Students train a minimum of 5 hours per week. Dancers train in both soft pointe and pointe shoes. Students are placed in this level upon recommendation from the teacher, and or after a succesful Intermediate exam result.
Jazz
Jazz follows a specific vocabulary. It is similar to Ballet in the regard that students progress through levels increasing difficulty and complexity with age and ability. Students learn skills such as turns, kicks, balances, jumps and traveling sequences. The skills learned in Jazz incorporate many levels of space, movement patterns and formations. Jazz vocabulary is performed to popular music. Each class is 1 hour in duration. Students attend class either once or twice a week depending on the class level.
Hip Hop
Hip-hop is the dance form you see in most Music videos. It is made up of isolated movements performed in a series. Dancers perform movements in many patterns and formations. Hip-hop incorporates floor work, upper body strength and is great aerobic exercise. Students perform this dance style in indoor running shoes. The classes are 1 hour in duration, which students attend once or twice a week depending on the class level.
Tap
In Tap dance, you get to dance and create your music! Tap movements have a specific vocabulary which is different from both Jazz and Ballet. One of the challenges of tapping is to coordinate fast feet with a calm, fluid upper body. Tap develops a dancer?s musicality, rhythm, mind, and body. Classes will follow the ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) syllabus. They are 1 hour in duration, which students attend once a week.
Competitive Program
Competitive dancers must attend and successfully complete an audition in order to be considered for this program. Dancers will recieve a letter to let them know if they have been accepted into to the program. Competitive dancers are not permitted to dance at any other studio. It is unfair to both the studios' and the dancers to have students who are comitted to two or more schedules, competitions, photo dates, work shops and recitals. Competitve Jazz Dancers must take a technique class in addition to their group competitve class. Competitive students are required to paticipate in either graded ballet or vocational ballet classes. Competitive dancers are reqiured to participate in examinations. Dancers who wish to do a solo, duo or trio must also be part of a competive group. Competitive students are expected to participate in the summer intensive .
