PERRYSBURG DANCE ACADEMY

2023-2024

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS and REQUIREMENTS

Note: Age requirements in class listings are as of October 31, 2022. Most students spend a minimum of two years at each level prior to progressing. Ultimately, class placements are at the studio’s/instructor’s discretion. If you are unsure of your child’s class placement, please call our front desk for assistance.

See our “What to Wear to Class” page HERE for information on class dancewear requirements.

PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN: SETTING THE STAGE!

Perrysburg Dance Academy’s "Setting the Stage" preschool and kindergarten program provides the perfect first steps in developing a lifelong love of dance and exercise! Progressively more challenging, age-appropriate dances, fundamentals, flexibility, manners, balance, strength, singing, social skills, locomotor skills, and coordination are all major parts of this curriculum. Class sizes are kept small to maximize learning. Age recommendations in our Setting the Stage classes intentionally overlap to allow for individualized correct placement according to each student's aptitudes and abilities.

Setting the Stage: Act 1 -

For girls and boys ages 3-4 years. In Act 1, our tiniest dancers are introduced to ballet, jazz, and musical theater.

Setting the Stage: Act 2 -

For girls and boys ages 4-5 years. In Act 2, our young dancers are introduced to ballet, jazz, and musical theater.

Setting the Stage: Encore! -

For girls and boys ages 5-6 years (typically Kindergarten). In Encore!, young dancers are introduced to the fundamentals of ballet, tap, jazz, and musical theater. Setting the Stage Encore Students graduate to our Jr level classes and Pre Ballet with a good understanding and mastery of basic dance steps and vocabulary.

BALLET CLASSES:

Students will focus on dance fundamentals in ballet as well as basic skills needed for students laying the foundation for all forms of dance: flexibility, strength, musicality, and balance. Emphasis is placed on building a proper foundation of barre and center technique as well as vocabulary building.

Pre Ballet -

For girls and boys in 1st and 2nd grade or by instructor approval. Students will focus on dance fundamentals in ballet such as turns and body placement as well as basic skills needed for students laying the foundation for all forms of dance: flexibility, strength, musicality, and balance. In Pre Ballet special attention is paid to the concerns of very young dancers.

Ballet I -

Beginner ballet for dancers in 3rd grade or above who have completed Pre-Ballet or by instructor approval.

Ballet II -

For advanced-beginner students and by instructor placement only. Students will build upon basics learned in Ballet I.

Ballet III -

For intermediate dancers and by instructor placement only. Students will build upon basics learned in Ballet II.

Ballet IV -

For advanced-intermediate dancers and by instructor placement only. Students will build upon skills and techniques learned in Ballet III.

Ballet V -

For advanced dancers and by instructor placement only. Students will build upon skills and techniques learned in Ballet IV.

HIP HOP CLASSES:

Hip Hop dance is characterized by a high level of playfulness and improvisation. It is percussive and communal often performed by two or more “crews” which battle-dance for command of the stage. Danced to Hip Hop music, moves (much like the lyrics) hold meaning and value, mostly formed by personal, social, cultural, and/or environmental experiences.

Jr Hip Hop -

For girls and boys in the 1st and 2nd grade or by instructor approval. Students will focus on age-appropriate dance fundamentals as well as basic skills needed for students laying the foundation for all forms of dance: flexibility, strength, musicality, and balance. In Jr Hip Hop special attention is paid to the concerns of very young dancers.

Hip Hop 1 -

Beginner Hip Hop for dancers in 3rd grade or above who have completed Jr Hip Hop or by instructor approval. Continuing students will build upon basics learned in Jr Hip Hop.

Hip Hop 2 -

For intermediate students and by instructor placement only. Continuing students will build upon basics learned in Hip Hop 1.

Hip Hop 3 -

For intermediate students and by instructor placement only. Continuing students will build upon basics learned in Hip Hop 2.

Hip Hop 4 -

For advanced students and by instructor placement only. Continuing students will build upon skills learned in Hip Hop 3.

JAZZ CLASSES:

Jazz is a style of dance that is seen in many Broadway type shows and features a combination of unique moves, intricate footwork, leaps, and quick turns. It is a more structured stage style form of dance than hip hop.

Jr Jazz -

For girls and boys in 1st and 2nd grade or by instructor approval. Students will focus on age-appropriate dance fundamentals as well as basic skills needed for students laying the foundation for all forms of dance: flexibility, strength, musicality, and balance. In Jr Jazz special attention is paid to the concerns of very young dancers.

Jazz 1 -

Beginner Jazz for dancers in 3rd grade or above who have completed Jr Jazz or by instructor approval. Continuing students will build upon basics learned in Jr Jazz.

Jazz 2 -

For advanced-beginner students & by instructor placement only. Continuing students will build upon basics learned in Jazz 1.

Jazz 3 -

For intermediate dancers and by instructor placement only. Continuing students will build upon basics learned in Jazz 2.

Jazz 4 -

For advanced-intermediate dancers and by instructor placement only. Continuing students will build upon skills and techniques learned in Jazz 3.

Jazz 5 -

For advanced dancers and by instructor placement only. Continuing students will build upon skills and techniques learned in Jazz 4.

LYRICAL CLASSES:

Lyrical dance is a combination of jazz and ballet. Lyrical combines the many technical elements of classical ballet with the freedom and airier aspects of jazz, contemporary, and modern dance. Lyrical dance is performed with the choreography complementing the lyrics of the song. Lyrical class levels are determined by Ballet class placement; therefore, Ballet must also be taken concurrently.

Lyrical Beginner -

For beginner lyrical dancers in their second-year of Ballet I, Ballet II or by instructor placement.

Lyrical Intermediate -

For intermediate lyrical dancers taking Ballet III by instructor placement.

Lyrical Advanced -

For advanced-intermediate and advanced lyrical dancers taking Ballet IV or V by instructor placement.

MODERN CLASSES:

Modern dance is a style that typically deals with the abstract in both form and content. This class explores the interpretive and creative aspect of more advanced dance. Dancers may begin Modern instruction at age 11. Modern class levels are determined by Ballet class placement; therefore, Ballet must also be taken concurrently.

Modern Beginner & Intermediate-

For beginner Modern dancers who are taking Ballet II, intermediate Modern dancers who are taking Ballet III by instructor placement.

Modern Advanced -

For advanced Modern dancers ages 13+, taking Ballet IV-V, and by instructor placement.

MUSICAL THEATER CLASSES:

Our musical theater program teaches stage dancing and acting. Broadway-style performance technique (which can be characterized as a Jazz dance adapted to the needs of the theatre) is emphasized. Musical Theater is not a technique class; therefore, Jazz must also be taken concurrently. Placement by instructor recommendation.

Musical Theater Beginner -

For beginner and advanced-beginner students taking Jazz 1 or Jazz 2 (minimally 3rd grade) and by instructor placement.

Musical Theater Intermediate -

For intermediate students taking Jazz 3 or by instructor placement.

Musical Theater Advanced -

For advanced-intermediate and advanced dancers taking Jazz 4 or Jazz 5 or by instructor placement.

POINTE CLASSES:

For dancers working on obtaining the correct alignment and strength needed to support themselves and correct body placement for balance when en Pointe. Pointe technique is the part of classical ballet technique that concerns pointe work, in which a ballet dancer supports all body weight on the tips of fully extended feet within pointe shoes.

Saturday Pointe -

A supplemental class for dancers ages 10+ of all levels of pointe who desire more pointe instruction. Dancers must be concurrently enrolled in a PDA ballet class and must be taking another Pointe class.

Pre Pointe-

For dancers ages 10+ who desire to dance en pointe. Dancers must be concurrently enrolled in a PDA ballet class. Enrollment is by instructor placement only.

Pointe I

For beginner pointe dancers who have completed Pre Pointe. Dancers must be concurrently enrolled in a PDA ballet class. Enrollment is by instructor placement only.

Pointe II

For intermediate dancers who have completed Pointe I. Dancers must be concurrently enrolled in a PDA ballet class. Enrollment is by instructor placement only.

Pointe III -

For advanced pointe dancers who have completed Pointe II. Dancers must be concurrently enrolled in a PDA ballet class. Enrollment is by instructor placement only.

TAP CLASSES:

Tap dance is a type of dance characterized by using the sounds of tap shoes striking the floor as a form of percussion. Tap dancing teaches students to feel the beat of the music which assists them in learning to count music for all other forms of dance.

Jr Tap -

For girls and boys in the 1st and 2nd grade or by instructor approval. In Jr Tap special attention is paid to the concerns of very young dancers.

Tap 1 -

Tap for beginners who are in the 3rd grade or above. Continuing students will build upon basics learned in Jr Tap.

Tap 2 -

For advanced-beginner students and by instructor placement only. Continuing students will build upon basics learned in Tap 1.

Tap 3 -

For beginner-intermediate dancers and by instructor placement only. Continuing students will build upon basics learned in Tap 2.

Tap 4 -

For intermediate dancers and by instructor placement only. Continuing students will build upon the techniques learned in Tap 3.

Tap 5 -

For advanced dancers and by instructor placement only. Continuing students will build upon the techniques learned in Tap 4.

TEAM OPPORTUNITIES:

Performance Dance (formerly "A-Team") - Ages 8+

For dedicated dancers ages 8+ years and in the third grade who love to perform. PDA's Performance Team members are Perrysburg Dance Academy's official ambassadors. They perform at local parades, private shows, public venues, travel every three years to dance at Walt Disney World and perform the opening recital number at every annual dance concert. REQUIREMENTS: This is a rehearsal class; therefore, members are required to take a combination of Ballet and Jazz or Jazz and Musical Theater in order to progress their dance technique. There is a $135.00 annual non-refundable/non-transferable team registration fee (in addition to the studio registration fee) to cover the cost of a team t-shirt, costume pieces for the parades, holiday party, team outing, as well as instructor's fees for extra rehearsals/parades/performances, as well as some fun extras for the dancers. NOTE: In Disney years there is an additional $150.00 coaches fee to cover the cost of staff travel. ($65/mo, non-discountable)

Art in Motion - Intermediate to Advanced Ballet Students (Sunday Rehearsal Schedule)

Perrysburg Dance Academy’s contemporary ensemble for intermediate and advanced dancers enrolled in Ballet III, IV, and V. Members must also be enrolled in lyrical or modern dance classes. All AIM members will begin Sunday rehearsals (2:00pm to 6:00pm--members need only be present during their scheduled rehearsal times) in January 2024. There is a $55.00 annual non-refundable AIM registration/membership fee (in addition to the studio registration fee). ($65.00 monthly rehearsal fee, non-discountable)

Competition Dance - Ages 8+ (Please ask for more information)

Perrysburg Dance Academy’s Competition Dance Team is made up of award-winning dancers who strive for outstanding technique and performance quality. Our competition dancers represent our studio at local and national dance competitions, conventions, and performances. We take pride in training well-rounded, diverse dancers, and provide our team members with many exciting opportunities. Competition dance is not for everyone, but if you love to dance and want to take your skills to the next level, if you love being on stage and want more performance opportunities, if you are looking to join a team that is more like a family, then PDA's Competition Dance Team might be the perfect fit for you!

TECHNIQUE-ONLY CLASSES:

Ballet Barre -

A technique only class for dancers ages 9+ wanting more barre work. This class is designed to enhance your core strength to increase flexibility, coordination and spatial awareness and reduce the chance for injuries.

Improv -

Improvisation is the process of spontaneously creating movement. Development of improvised movement material is facilitated through a variety of creative explorations including body mapping through levels, shape and dynamic schema. For intermediate and advanced dancers in Ballet III-V.

Leaps, Trix & Turns Advanced -

For dancers in Ballet III-V or Jazz 3-5 or by instructor placement. A technique only class that focuses on perfecting how dancers do what they do. Emphasis is on mastering a variety of leaps & turns, extensions & tilts, splits, and increasing strength and flexibility. This class incorporates conditioning to maximize stamina and decrease the chance for injuries.

Leaps, Trix & Turns Beginner & Intermediate -

For Ballet I-III and Jazz 1-3 dancers or by instructor placement. A technique only class that focuses on perfecting how dancers do what they do. Emphasis is on mastering a variety of leaps & turns, extensions & tilts, splits, and increasing strength and flexibility. This class incorporates conditioning to maximize stamina and decrease the chance for injuries.