2935 BYBERRY ROAD . HATBORO, PA . 19040
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Class Descriptions

At Dance Arts Conservatory we want our students to be well rounded in all dance forms and therefore, we offer a variety of dance disciplines.

BALLET: 3 years - adult
 The basis for all dance. An artistic dance form performed to music using precise and highly formalized set steps and gestures. Classical ballet is characterized by light, graceful, and fluid movements.
POINTE: Instructor Recommendation Only
 En pointe (pointe) means "on the tip" and is a part of classical ballet technique, usually practised using specially reinforced shoes called pointe shoes or toe shoes. The technique developed from the desire for dancers to appear weightless and sylph-like and has evolved to enable dancers to dance on the tips of their toes for extended periods of time.
MUSICAL THEATER: 4 years- adult
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, acting skills and of course dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an integrated whole.
DANCE TEAM: 7 years- adult
Dance Team is a style of dance style that integrates pom pom technique and jazz with a hip hop flair. The dance team style is most commonly found in the collegiate dance squad/team setting.
TAP: 4 years - adult
 Tap dance is a form of dance characterized by using the sound of one's shoes hitting the floor as a percussive instrument.
JAZZ: 6 years - adult
Jazz dance is a form of dance that showcases a dancer's individual style and originality. Jazz dancing is energetic and fun, consisting of unique moves, fancy footwork, big leaps and quick turns. To excel in jazz, dancers need a strong background in ballet, as it encourages grace and balance.
CONTEMPORARY:Proper Placement Required
 Contemporary dance uses dance techniques and methods found in ballet, modern dance and postmodern dance, and it also draws from other styles of movement that are outside the realm of classical dance technique. Emphasis is placed on emotion and story telling.
HIP-HOP: 4 years-adult
Hip-hop dance refers to dance styles primarily danced to hip-hop music or that have evolved as part of hip-hop culture. This includes a wide range of styles notably breaking, locking, and popping. What separates hip-hop dance from other forms of dance is that it is often freestyle (improvisational) in nature and hip-hop dancers frequently engage in battles—formal or informal freestyle dance competitions.
BREAKDANCING: 11yrs -adult
B-boying, often called "breakdancing", is a popular style of street dance that was created and developed as part of hip-hop culture. The dance consists of four primary elements: toprock, downrock, power moves and freezes/suicides. It is danced to both hip-hop and other genres of music that are often remixed to prolong the musical breaks.


Class Levels

*PRESCHOOL/ COMBO LEVELS*

"Somebody Special and Me": Offered to students who are 2 years old. This class is a creative movement class which incorporates props, music, and movement games. Students are only allowed to attend when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Preschool: Offered to students who are 3 years old and toilet trained. This is their first introduction into the world of dance through music and movement.

Pre-Ballet/ Tap: Offered to students who are 4-6 years old. This hour long class provides students with 30 minutes of ballet and 30 minutes of tap. Recommended for students who have successfully completed Preschool levels.

Pre Hip Hop & Pre Musical Theater: Offered to students who are 4-6 years old. This 45 minute long class provides students with a good foundation of tehcnique that they can build on as they advance through the formal levels.

*FORMAL DANCE LEVELS*

Level 1/Level 1x: This is the first level of the formal dance program. Students should be approximately 7 years of age. Body placement, posture, musicality, and artistry are introduced. Classes offered at this level are ballet, tap,hip hop, musical theater, dance tea/jazz funk, and jazz.

Level 2/ Level 2x: This level will expound on the basic fundamentals that were learned in the previous levels. Classes offered at this level are ballet, tap, and jazz, musical theater, hip hop, dance team/jazz funk.

Level 3/ Level 3x: This level is for students of the pre-teen age category, who have successfully completed the previous formal levels. Students in this level are strongly encouraged to supplement all their classes with ballet classes. Students who are taking Level 3 ballet classes are also invited to attend contemporary classes (a student must be currently enrolled in ballet to join these classes).

Level 4/Level 4x: This level is a continuation of the previous levels.

Level 5: This level is offered to older adolescents who have progressed through the previous formal levels.

*ADULT LEVELS*

Adult dance classes are offered to adult students who have taken a break from their dance education or are new to the art of dance. Classes offered at this level are ballet, tap,jazz and hip hop.

*COMPETITION LEVELS*

**BY INVITATION ONLY**
These levels are designed for the students who wish to take their dance education to the next level. The class time lengthens and students are held to a higher level of commitment. Attendance is mandatory. Students at this level are expected to take mandatory ballet classes along with their other technique classes. At this level students will also be invited to perform at regional and national dance competitions, showcases, and other performance opportunities. ** For more information on Competition Levels please contact the artistic director at info@daconservatory.com.
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