Dress Code
**All shoe recommendations can be purchased at 5678 Dancewear Defined. Shoes comparable in style and color are also acceptable for individual and combo classes**
Combo Classes
BALLET AND TAP
Girls:
-
Leotard: Pink or Black Leotard
-
Tights: Pink Tights
-
Shoes: Bloch leather full sole (pink), Bloch Annie Tyette tap (black)
Boys:
-
Clean white t-shirt and black shorts
-
Shoes: Bloch leather full sole (black), So Danca Economy Oxford Tap (black)
BALLET TAP JAZZ
Girls:
-
Leotard: Pink or Black Leotard
-
Tights: Pink Tights
-
Shoes: Bloch leather full sole (pink), Bloch Annie Tyette tap (black), Bloch Dance Pulse (tan)
-
Hair: Should be secured back in a ballet bun or ponytail
Boys:
-
Clean white t-shirt and black shorts
-
Shoes: Bloch leather full sole (black), So Danca Economy Oxford (black), Bloch Dance Pulse (black)
Individual Classes
BALLET & pointe
Girls:
Hair: Needs to be secured back in a ballet bun or French Twist (ponytail is acceptable for very short hair)
-
Level A
-
Black leotard with pink tights underneath
-
-
Level B
-
Colored (or black) leotard with pink tights underneath (skirt optional)
-
-
Level C
-
Colored (or black) leotard with pink tights underneath or black tights over (skirt optional)
-
Shoes:
Ballet: Pink canvas ballet shoe in brands - So Danca or Capezio
Pointe: Pointe shoes fitted and customized for each dancer. Proper fitting required.
boys:
-
Clean white t-shirt and black shorts
-
Shoes: Black Canvas ballet shoe in brands - So Danca
Jazz, tap, Contemporary, Technique, Stretch and Strengthen, Drill Team Prep and Pom Prep
Girls:
Hair: Needs to be secured back in a bun or ponytail
-
Form fitting dancewear in the form of tanks, half tops, active wear, shorts, leggings, joggers, etc. NOT PERMITTED: baggy sweatshirts, t-shirts or sweatpants.
-
Tights not required
-
Shoes
-
Jazz: Bloch Tan Pulse Jazz Shoe (optional)
-
Contemporary: Bodywrappers TWLA Tan Canvas (optional)
-
Tap: Black So Danca tie tap shoes
-
Strength and Strengthen: no shoes
-
Drill Team Prep: Bloch Tan Pulse Jazz Shoe (optional)
-
Pom Prep: Tennis shoes
-
Boys:
-
Colored t-shirt, black shorts
-
Shoes
-
Jazz: Bloch Black Jazz Pulse Jazz Shoe (optional)
-
Contemporary: no shoes
-
Tap: Black So Danca tie tap shoes
-
Stretch and Strengthening: no shoes
-
Hip Hop
Girls:
-
Colored tank tops, t-shirts, active wear, leggings, sweatpants, etc. (No loose shorts due to floor work)
-
Shoes: Black, White or Black and White Sneakers (limited use outside of the studio)
-
Hair: Needs to be secured back in a ponytail
Boys:
-
Colored t-shirts, sweatshirts, joggers, sweatpants, etc. (No loose shorts due to floor work)
-
Shoes: Black, White or Black and White sneakers (limited use outside of the studio)
*** ALL DANCERS MUST WEAR A COVERUP IN ALL COMMON AREAS INCLUDING LOBBY, HALLWAYS, BREAK AWAY SPACE, BATHROOMS AND OUTSIDE OF STUDIO***
class descriptions
COMBO CLASSES
Ballet and Tap
Ages 2-4
This sweet class is designed to get your little dancer moving and dancing in the subjects ballet and tap. Each class is guided through developmentally appropriate exercises and games that help develop basic coordination and locomotor skills. Dancers begin to learn basic dance terminology.
Ballet tap and Jazz
Ages 5-6
This class builds on the skills and class structure developed in ballet and tap with the addition of a new subject, Jazz. Classes use developmentally appropriate exercises to help dancers refine their basic coordination and locomotor skills. Dancers will continue to learn basic dance terminology and start to understand basic dance technique.
INDIVIDUAL CLASSES
Ballet
Dancers will be trained in classical ballet technique through exercises at the barre, center floor and across the floor. Dancers will improve upon their strength and flexibility, become comfortable working in turned out positions, expand their dance vocabulary, strengthen their ability to execute new dance techniques and sharpen their memory and performance skills.
LEVEL A
Dancers at this level begin to understand basic alignment and muscle activation while building their strength and functional rotation of the legs. Dancers improve their technique and understanding of how to work in turned out positions with both legs. Dancers at this level work and train a combination of barre, center barre, and across the floor exercises.
LEVEL B
Developing upon the previous level, dancers improve their technique and understanding of how to work in turned out positions with both legs. Dancers will display a stronger understanding of alignment, strength, and functional rotation of the legs. Dancers at this level work a combination of barre, center barre as well as across the floor exercises.
Level C
Developing upon prior levels, dancers who demonstrate adequate strength and technical understanding are placed in this level. Dancers will expand their technical vocabulary and should be able to have proficient alignment and use of rotation within the curriculum. Dancers at this level will exclusively work at barre, center floor and across the floor. Dancers at this level show commitment and take personable responsibility for their training.
TAP
Level a
This class is centered around rhythm, timing, and coordination. Dancers will learn the proper vocabulary and technique to execute tap skills, focusing on how to use different parts of their feet to make the correct sounds.
level b
This class builds upon what is taught in the previous level. Dancers will learn new skills of intermediate difficulty as well as continue to perfect movements and rhythms previously taught. Changes in tempo and rhythm will create opportunity to distinguish different sound patterns and counter rhythms.
level c
Developing upon previous tap experience, this level of understanding takes tap skills and combinations to a whole new level. Tap dancers in this class have a strong grasp and knowledge of tap vocabulary and are able to learn at a quick pace. Changes in tempo and rhythm will increase in difficulty and challenge dancers to fill the dance space with intricate rhythms and sounds.
Jazz
Dancers will learn foundational jazz technique and terminology through warmups, center exercises, across the floor exercises and choreography. Dancers will improve their strength and flexibility, become comfortable working in parallel and turned out positions, expand their dance vocabulary and fuse together style and technique. We highly recommend supplementing jazz training will ballet class in order to build the proper alignment and strength for class.
Level a
Dancers at this level develop strength and coordination as they work through jazz vocabulary and understand proper alignments, basic isolations and technique. We highly recommend supplementing jazz training with ballet class in order to build the proper alignment and strength for dance.
Level b
Developing upon previous levels, dancers will improve their strength, flexibility and coordination as they continue to expand their dance vocabulary. Dancers will begin to explore a variety of jazz styles as they continue to develop. We highly recommend supplementing jazz training with ballet class in order to build the proper alignments and strength for dance.
level c
Developing upon previous levels, dancers demonstrate strong alignment and technical skills. At this level, dancers develop more confidence and are able to perform a variety of jazz styles and expressive movements while continuing to build their skillset. We highly recommend supplementing jazz training with ballet class in order to build the proper alignments and strength for dance.
leaps and turns
level a
Dancers at this level begin to learn across the floor etiquette, develop their spot (essential for turning) and strengthen their legs, ankles and feet for jumps. This class builds upon the principles of consistency, progression, repetition and added challenges as a result of their hard work and efforts.
level b
Building upon previous levels, dancers continue to build strength, coordination and efficiency to nourish and elevate their current skillset while allowing time for more advanced leaps and turns. Instructors and dancers will follow and be accountable to the syllabus dedicated to this level. We highly recommend supplementing Leaps and Turns training with Ballet, Jazz and/or Strength and Strengthen in order to build the proper alignment and strength for dance.
level c
Building upon previous levels, dancers continue to build strength, mind/body connection, efficiency and take ownership of their work ethic and training. Dancers will continue to nourish and elevate their current skillset while allowing more time for next level leaps and turns to set goals for the future. Instructors and dancers will follow and be accountable to the syllabus dedicated to this level. We highly recommend supplementing Leaps and Turns training with Ballet, Jazz and/or Strength and Strengthen in order to build the proper alignment and strength for dance.
level c (ages 15+)
Building upon previous levels, dancers have experienced highs and lows of training and continue to excel due to knowledge and strength acquired from lessons and experience. Leaps and Turns become extraordinarily complex due to transitions, multiple skills within one combo, working leaps and turns into choreography and exploring and taking on new challenges to compliment each unique strength. Instructors and dancers will follow and be accountable to the syllabus dedicated to this level. We highly recommend supplementing Leaps and Turns training with Ballet, Jazz, and/or Stretch and Strengthen in order to build the proper alignment and strength for dance. A placement class is required before registering for this class. Email dance@harlenhouse.com for more information.
contemporary
level a
Dancers will begin to develop other techniques that are prevalent in today's contemporary dance world, while exploring personal expression through performance and improvisation. Contemporary classes build off of both of both ballet and jazz technique, so concurrent enrollment is highly recommended.
level b
Developing upon previous education, this level expands upon foundational knowledge. Dancers continue to strengthen their understanding and execution of modern dance styles and principles as a foundation for moving into skills more contemporary. Dancers become more confident with improvisation and expressing emotion through their bodies in their dancing. Contemporary classes build off of both ballet and jazz technique, so concurrent enrollment is highly recommended.
level c
Developing upon previous education, this level expands upon and improves dancers training and refining their foundational contemporary skillset. Confidence is established and dancers are equipped to reach their artistry and develop their own personal style. Contemporary classes build off both ballet and jazz technique, so concurrent enrollment is highly recommended.
hip hop
Hip Hop is a fun way for your dancer to experience a different style of dance and get moving in dynamic ways! This class will focus on building strength and coordination, body control, isolations, musicality, hip hop terminology and performing with energy.
level a
Dancers will learn some basic moves and skills while building their strength, foundation, coordination, rhythm and style.
level b
Developing upon previous levels, dancers will increase their strength, coordination and body control. Dancers will learn new moves and combinations as the teacher finds appropriate. Dancers should begin to understand the hip hop style and techniques as they perform with energy and attitude.
level c
Developing upon previous levels, dancers will increase their strength, coordination and body control. Dancers are expected to pick up choreography quickly as they will lean more complicated moves and combinations as the teacher finds appropriate. Dancers should begin to master the hip hop style with energy and attitude.
POINTE INTERMEDIATE & advanced
Pointe intermediate and advanced will be offered during regularly scheduled ballet classes. Dancers must be 10+ years in age and are allowed to do pointe by invite only. This will be at the discretion of the ballet director. If a dancer arrives at Harlen House already en pointe, the director will have to approve said dancer to remain en pointe.
Shoes: Dancers will be evaluated in ballet shoes during class while working towards proper and sustainable strength to arrive en pointe. We require first time pointe shoes to be purchased with an instructor at Suffolk Dance Boutique in Lewisville. Please e-mail josephine@harlenhouse.com to schedule a fitting. A fitting fee of $20 will be paid directly to the instructor for their time and travel expenses.
STRETCH AND STRENGTHEN
This class is designed to develop dancers' flexibility and strength for the overall benefit of turns, jumps, overall body control, ankle stabilization/calf strengthening for potential pointe work and overall health. The class will focus on elongating and strengthening muscles to give dancers more power and strength while dancing.
Acrodance (acro)
Acro classes focus on skills such as tumbling, complex floor work, inversions on hands, forearms, head, etc. and evolves as each dancer progresses. Each class will include a proper warmup and equipment to prepare the body. Each class is designed to meet each individual dancer physically and mentally as skills learned are complex and each dancer will move at a different pace than their neighbor. All dancers must understand that acrobatic training must be done with patience as no dancer will be allowed to execute a specific skill unless the dancer is physically and mentally ready to do so. Dancers must enroll in at least (1) additional class offered to ensure ongoing development in coordination and strength.
dRILL TEAM PREP
This class prepares dancers age 11 and up interested in auditioning for a high school drill team. Dancers will develop and be able to demonstrate proper stretching, kick technique, turn technique, leaps/turns and overall coordination. During the spring semester, the instructor will hold a mock audition to prepare dancers of the process and provide feedback before they audition for their designated school.
POM PREP
This class prepares dancers who wish to pursue and audition for collegiate level dance programs. In this class we will review basic jazz, hip hop and cheer technique and practice learning short routines in order promote quick learning. This class meets periodically, rather than weekly. Dates TBA.