Ballet is the foundation for all technique based dance, and Pointe is the apex of the art. Ballet dance involves the disciplined completion of graceful and precise movements and requires considerable lower body and core strength. Pointe is a variation of many of the same movements, but executed will standing vertically on one’s toes.
DancEd has several classes for children 18 months to kindergarten age:
Mommy & Me – A 30-minute movement class with mom in the room for children ages 18 to 30 months (2 ½ years).
Creative Movement – A fun, 30-minute movement-based class for children 2 ½ to 3 years old. Dancers wear ballet shoes.
Children’s Dance – A combination of Ballet, Tap and Creative Movement for dancers 3 to 5 years old. Dancers wear both tap and ballet shoes in each class.
Poms/Hip Hop – A combination (surprise!) of Poms and Hip Hop for children 3 to 5 years old. This class is a great 2nd class for Children’s Dance dancers who are looking for a 2nd dance class per week. Dancers wear jazz shoes in class.
Triple Threat – A combination of Jazz, Hip Hop and Tap for children 5 to 7 years old. Dancers wear jazz and tap shoes in class.
Like Jazz and Tap, Hip Hop Dance originated in America. Its name refers to a style of dance that originated in the street and includes a very wide range of stylistic movements such as locking, popping and breaking. Since Hip Hop is style-based instead of technique-based, its artistic possibilities are endless.
Jazz Dance is an American art form, arguably made popular worldwide in the 1960s by Chicagoan Gus Giordano. Although difficult to define, Jazz is a technique-based art form with a basis in rhythm and origins in jazz music.
This technique-based class focuses on correct form and body placement for dancers working to master various jumps and turn-based movements. Leaps & Turns is a non-recital class that is intended as an add-on class for more serious Jazz dancers.
Lyrical is a jazz-based dance style where dancers express strong emotions. Dancers show their love of dance through their connection with the music which pours out of their performance. This style of dance is usually performed to music that contains highly emotional lyrics that require more slow and graceful movements.
Modern dance incorporates the technique based elements of both ballet and jazz. Modern is a more expressive style of dance which utilizes a variety of movements that depend on contracting and releasing, along with sharp and jagged movements. It is typically performed without any sort of shoe, and our dancers typically rehearse barefoot.
Poms classes at DancEd are fun and upbeat, where the dancers perform to jazzy music that will give them the opportunity to succeed in junior high and high school pom activities. Jumps, turns, kicks and strong, sharp movements are the primary focus of these classes.
Tap is defined as a style of dance in which a dancer wearing shoes fitted with heel and toe taps sounds out audible beats by rhythmically striking the floor or any other hard surface. The shoes are fitted with metal taps making it possible to create nearly any sound or beat.
DancEd offers many other specialty class and camp opportunities, some for fun and some to develop the specific aspects of dancers’ techniques. Over the summer, we can offer many additional specialty classes. Examples include Stretch & Strength, Diva Dance, Princess Dance, Sister/Sister, Musical Theatre, various Mom/Daughter classes, etc.
DancEd Dance Team offers students who love to dance an opportunity to perform as well as compete. Our teams perform at several venues in the Chicagoland area as well as compete at several dance competitions each school year. Our team dancers are very serious about dance and typically dance between 5-10 hours per week depending on their age. Dance Team is an energetic, high spirited group of teachers and dancers that work together to enhance dancer’s skills, quality of movement, and confidence. Team dancers work hard, but enjoy bonding and being part of a special group.
DancEd Dance Company offers students who love to dance an opportunity to perform throughout the school year. Dance Company members showcase their talent at several local performances throughout the school year. Younger dancers (1st-3rd graders) perform around the Northbrook area, whereas the older dancers (4th grade and up) dance throughout the Chicagoland area. Dance Company members have performed at the United Center, Northwestern Football and Basketball Games, the Allstate Arena, and have even made several trips to Walt Disney World. Dance Company dancers typically dance 1.5-5 hours per week. Company is a rewarding experience and super fun activity for students who love to be on stage.
