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What can I learn?
The Dance Styles taught at the school are as follows;
Ballet - Tap - Theatrecraft - Modern Jazz - Freestyle
- Musical Theatre - Character- National
Ballet: According to the Usbourne Guide to
Ballet, "Ballet is a way of telling a story using music and dance instead
of words. It consists of patterns of movement which have developed over the
centuries." Both R.A.D and I.D.T.A syllabuses are taught and examined.
The R.A.D work comprises of classical, character/mime and free movement ballet
dance. The I.D.T.A ballet syllabus contains similar elements, with barre and
centre work, as well as dances and set work.
Tap: A dance style where the movements are
concentrated in your feet. You create sound(s) with your feet, therefore not
needing to rely on music. A good sense of rhythm and timing is helpful. Both
the I.D.T.A and I.S.T.D syllabuses are taught at the school with pupils encouraged
to take examinations in the subject, (I.D.T.A- Preparatory to Grade 5, I.S.T.D-
Intermediate, Advanced 1 and 2) enabling students to gain a suitable background/basis
of tap dance.
TheatreCraft: One definition of Theatrecraft
is "The art of performing to an audience." (The Usbourne Guide to
Dance). Theatrecraft is a style closely associated with musical theatre and
performing on a stage. Musical Theatre incorporates dance, drama and singing
and Theatrecraft enables you to develop a style suitable for dancing on or
for the stage.(See below for Musical Theatre). The I.D.T.A syllabus is studied
with a combination of rhythm, toning and presentational exercises and dances
taught and learnt by pupils in preparation for examinations (if taken).
Modern Jazz: Modern Jazz is a style and technique
of dance, based on a syllabus created by the I.D.T.A. It is to be performed
in a style suitable for the music used in classes. The style of Modern Jazz
combines the once separate styles of modern dance and jazz dance. It contains
influences and elements of other styles such as ballet but movements are performed
stronger. The technique of modern jazz incorporates other forms of dancing
such as street dance, funky and music video style dance. Once again students
are encouraged to work towards examinations.
Freestyle: Incorporates all styles and forms
of dancing, making the dance a free style. Elements and influences of all
areas dance such as street, funk and pop videos (as mentioned above) are drawn
upon in this style of dance.
Musical Theatre: Launched in Nov 2006 at the
School and taught by Miss Jill, classes in Musical Theatre combine the three
elements of Singing, Dancing and Acting which all add up to the 'Triple Threat'
factor. Exercises and coaching in all three elements are taught and lead to
a musical theatre performance by pupils.
Character: This style of dance is fun as you
will learn lots of different steps to create either a character from a story
or depict a style of dance from different countries called National dances.
National: Hungarian, Russian and Polish styles
of dance are very popular to learn, being robust and rhythmical. Usually a
heeled (character) shoe is worn and a long circular skirt decorated with ribbons
for girls. Often these dances can be done with a partner (a duet) and is particularly
good when boys and girls dance together.