DANCE CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Modern Dance
Classes will focus on an eclectic blend of different styles of modern dance technique. Modern dance itself was first created as a rebellion against ballet and later became a fusion of new expressive ways of moving incorporating technical dance forms. Classes will incorporate technique with a more athletic style of movement including fall and release, moving the body off its center, and learning how to use the floor and space in many different ways. This class allow for more exploration of movement, and more freedom to dance outside the specific form of traditional ballet. Students will learn combinations as well as use their own creativity to improvise freely to music.

Dance Tots (ages 2 ½-3 ½)
Children will explore music, rhythm, and movement, while nurturing their energy, vitality, and imagination. These first dance classes help young students to develop mental, physical, and social skills through a fun, age-appropriate dance curriculum.

PreBallet  (ages 4-5)
PreBallet will introduce the young dancer to simple ballet technique, French terminology, and proper ballet classroom procedures, while continuing to nurture and develop the same skills and goals as introduced in the Dance Tots. 

Classical Ballet (ages 6 and up - must be in 1st grade)
Ballet is the foundation of all dance.  Students will learn fundamental concepts of classical ballet, learn ballet terminology and proper ballet technique, and will study exercises both at the barre and in the center. Repetition will be used to increase strength, flexibility, and coordination. Students will also gain an appreciation for ballet as an art form and will learn to express themselves through movement to classical music.

Jazz (ages 9-13) - Tap/Jazz combination (ages 6-8/9)
Jazz is an upbeat and energetic form of dance that incorporates everything from classic jazz dance to funky jazz, musical theatre jazz, lyrical and hip-hop. Focus is on technique and building the dancer’s ability to execute and perform a variety of movements and combinations. Jazz is taught as a combination class with Tap for ages 6-8/9.

Tap (ages 6 & up - must be in 1st grade)
Tap is a rhythmic form of dance that is performed in special “tap shoes”. Beats and rhythms are executed through the feet. Students will learn to tap in an energetic and music-filled atmosphere, improving their memory, coordination, musicality, and stamina.    

Hip-Hop (age 13 and up)
Hip-Hop dance is a combination of jazz and urban street dance that has gained popularity throughout the years. Dance warm-ups include strength-conditioning exercises for flexibility, balance and endurance. Appropriate popular music is used combined with fun and energetic dance moves and routines that are artistically expressive and fun. 

Dance Team Skills/Prep (Grades 6-9)
This class is offered for grades 6-9, to help gain and develop the skills needed in preparation for competition precision dance teams, included in some of our area high schools. Focus is on the skills and technique needed to execute and perform a variety of competition-quality routines, including such styles as pom, military, jazz, high kick, novelty, lyrical, and hip-hop.

DANCE CLASS ATTIRE

Modern Dance 
Solid dark-colored leotard, nude or pink footless tights.

Dance Tots 
Light pink leotard**, light pink tights, Pink ballet slippers
Hair:  Ponytail or bun, secured away from face
Boys:  White t-shirt, black bike shorts or tights, white socks, black ballet slippers

PreBallet
Light blue leotard**, light pink tights, Pink ballet slippers
Hair:  Bun, secured away from face
Boys:  White t-shirt, black bike shorts or tights, white socks, black ballet slippers

Classical Ballet
Black leotard**, light pink tights, Pink ballet slippers
Hair:  Ballet Bun.  No bangs.
Boys:  White t-shirt, black bike shorts or tights, white socks, black ballet slippers

**ALL LEOTARDS FOR DANCE TOTS, PREBALLET, & BALLET MUST BE SIMPLE IN STYLE.  PREFERABY TANK, CAP, OR SHORT SLEEVE.  NO ATTACHED SKIRTS, RUFFLED SLEEVES, RHINESTONES, OR CRISS-CROSSING STRAPS. 

Jazz
Solid dark-colored leotard, black tights, black jazz pants (Capri or full length)
Black split-soled jazz shoes
Hair:  Ponytail, secured off of shoulders and away from face.
Boys:  Solid dark-colored t-shirt, black jazz pants, black socks, black split-soled jazz shoes

Tap
Solid dark-colored leotard, black, tan, or pink tights
Optional:  Tap skirt, black bike shorts, black Capri pants
Black, low-heeled, tie, tap shoes
Hair:  same as Jazz
Boys:  White or solid dark-colored t-shirt, black bike shorts, white socks, black tap shoes

Hip-Hop
Baggy comfortable clothes you can move in.  NO SHORTS. 
Non-marking athletic shoes or Dance Sneakers.
Hair:  Same as Jazz

Dance Team Skills/Prep
Same Attire as Jazz classes.

ALL CLASSES:  NO LOOSE CLOTHES OVER LEOS!   

Let's Welcome Judy Benton to our family!

Judy Benton served as the Studio Manager and instructor with the Joni Messler Studio of Dance in Gainesville, FL, from 1983 to July 2007. She has been teaching classical ballet, creative movement, tap, and jazz classes, from the beginner to the professional for nearly 30 years. She received her early training from Joni Messler Studio of Dance, and has also studied in New York at the American Ballet Theatre School, Joffrey Ballet School, and Luigi’s Jazz Center, as well as attending countless workshops and master classes with many greats of the dance world, including Gus Giordano, Al Gilbert, Leah Darwin, Dorothy Lister, Gretchen Warren, Marie-Jeanne, Patsy Swayze, and Savion Glover.  While her husband served in the Air Force, she was Director and Instructor for the Youth Center Dance Program at Blytheville Air Force Base, as well as instructor of adult ballet, tap and jazz classes at Mississippi County Community College in Blytheville, Arkansas.  She also taught at numerous private studios in Arkansas, as well as Panama City, Florida. She has taught community education tap and jazz classes at Santa Fe Community College, and had also created tap choreography for the Dance Theatre of Santa Fe. In October 2006, she was a guest teacher for the Florida Dance Association’s Florida Dance Festival on Tour, teaching multi-level tap classes. Judy was one of the original performing members and soloist with the Gainesville Ballet Theatre from 1974-1979.  She served as the Artistic Director of the Gainesville Ballet Theatre (GBT) for 23 years (1984-2007). In addition to the complete overall artistic and business management and directing of this non-profit regional ballet company, she created literally hundreds of works of choreography, in various styles of dance, such as classical and contemporary ballet, modern dance, jazz, musical theatre, and tap.  She has created and choreographed several original one-Act story ballets,  including “Hansel and Gretel”, “The Dancing Princesses”, “La Boutique Fantasque”, and “Alice’s Adventures”. Throughout her numerous years as a dance professional, Ms. Benton gains her greatest satisfaction through watching the development of the students that she teaches. The lessons taught in dance class reach far beyond the classroom, into the lives and futures of our youth, and knowing that you have played a part in shaping the lives of hundreds of dancers, while at the same time enhancing the arts and cultural climate of our community, is truly gratifying.