BALLET

Ballet builds strength, balance, and control, and improves all other forms of dance mobility when dancers are trained in ballet. Ballet class is one of the hardest disciplines for young children to master, so our classes move at a slow pace and often include repetition of single movement(s). Ballet fosters discipline, patience, focus, and strength.

Because of class structure and required muscle development, we do not recommend this for children under the age of seven. However, all of our pre-school tap classes include a basic introduction to Ballet as part of the class.

TAP

Tap Dance is the perfect way to improve coordination, develop rhythm, and even build core strength. It can be an excellent form of exercise for people of all ages and fitness levels. But tap dance isn’t just about physical benefits! Tap dance lessons also offer mental stimulation, social interaction, and artistic expression.

Tap classes are offered for all ages, beginner through adult.

Clark Academy’s mastery of tap dance through Director Matthew Clark has brought home over 28 World Championship Tap Dance Championship Titles.

Matthew Clark is the 2022 Director of the USA Team IDO Dance World Championship Competition in Mexico. 

Jazz

Jazz dance combines techniques from ballet and modern dance with current forms of popular dance. Movements are influenced by different kinds of music, popular culture across different eras, and famous choreographers like Fossi.

Jazz classes are tailored to age and danceability. Kicking, stretching, and jumping are elements of choreography used. We recommend students enroll in ballet classes to improve strength, flexibility, and technique.

Hip-Hop

Hip Hop dance is a vibrant form of dance that is a combination of different freestyle movements to hip hop music. Through its three main styles of popping, breaking, and locking, hip-hop dance is one of the most influential and popular dance styles. Unlike other core dance styles like tap and ballet, hip-hop can be learned without formal training and is seen in all areas of music and pop culture. Hip-hop has even made its way into the gaming world with games like Fortnite, where gamers can choose specific dance moves as “emotes” that use real choreography paired with music. 

Modern | Contemporary

Modern dance can be described as highly expressive, challenging the structured techniques of ballet. The focus for modern dance is not on following rigid postures or positions, but rather it’s all about expressing themselves through movement! Modern dance performances and choreography is often deeply rooted in evoking emotion through the music and the movements.

Ballet is not required, but ballet class is recommended for serious dancers and competition teams.

Afro Caribbean

A vigorous form of ethnic dance that stresses isolation, coordination, and the use of multiple rhythms. The dance, whose origin derives from the continent of Africa, is strongly based on the secular and social graces of movement developed by the tribal communities throughout. Live percussion is an exciting part of the class.

Acro

Acrobatics is the most athletic of all the dance forms. It stresses the extreme flexibility of the dancer and requires a great deal of upper body strength. Acro skills learned range from the basic “bridge” to basic tumbling skills, but at all times remain unique and distinct from gymnastics.

Because Acro requires a great deal of strength, we recommend taking these classes in addition to ballet.

Stretch and Turn | Movement

Stretch & Strength class is a technique-only class designed to improve and complement the abilities of the dancer. It works to lengthen the muscles of the body to their fullest extent, which creates a greater level of flexibility. Stretch and Strength classes include strengthening techniques designed to build muscles and increase body control. While the Stretch and Strength class is for ages seven and higher, because of its slow-moving pace and lack of dance “steps”, it is generally taken by serious and competitive dancers.

Diaper Dance

As soon as children learn to walk, they can learn to dance! Dance class for our littlest of dancers is designed to stimulate the imagination through movement and music. Little dancers learn basic steps, rhythm in music, and coordination. Your child will be having fun while they learn how to move to the music. Socialization is a major factor in the initial introductory stages. Emphasis is put on each child’s personal needs for development.

Diaper Dance is a parent & child class for ages 18 months-2 years old.

Combo Class

Our combo class includes dance instruction in tap and jazz. Combo classes are 90-minute classes and are designed for beginners. Dancers learn both tap and jazz styles and techniques, which are incorporated into the choreography.