MDP Class Descriptions

Ballet classes are designed to give students a detailed knowledge of Vaganova ballet style which includes technique, alignment, terminology, musicality, and artistic expression. Basic anatomy and kinesiology are also taught to develop their understanding of how their body moves. Dancers will also participate in a middle and end of season Ballet Exams headed by our Ballet Director Miss Chloe.

Contemporary classes will explore creative, artistic movement through a strong foundation in ballet and jazz technique. Dancers will work on moving in and out of traditional techniques while picking up on new subtle movement challenges. Classes emphasize rhythm, design, shape, and motion in space with a deliberate use of gravity. Classes focus on rhythm, syncopation, musicality, heavy and weighted movement, and applying technique to self-expression and musicality. Dancers are encouraged to explore freestyle/improvisation as well as creative freedom in contemporary choreography. This style of dance is constantly changing and evolving with current trends in contemporary movement.

This class focuses on improving overall flexibility, leg strength, and extensions, as well as jump technique. Dancers will work on extensions that emphasize lengthening the legs from the pelvis to create long, clean lines. Through a combination of stretching, strengthening, and conditioning exercises, dancers will learn to elongate their bodies, improve balance, and gain greater control and height in their jumps. The class will also focus on a variety of different jumps, helping dancers build power, precision, and artistry in the air. The goal is to develop strength, length, and control to enhance both technical execution and performance quality.

FLEXIBILITY &TRICKS

Tricks classes stem from a strong jazz technical base, helping dancers build the strength, flexibility, and control needed to safely perform dynamic movement. In this class, dancers will learn a variety of tricks to enhance their choreography, including acrobatic elements, leg extensions, and other impressive skills. Focus will also be placed on flexibility and proper technique to ensure dancers can execute each trick with confidence and precision.

FLEXIBILITY & TURNS

This class combines focused flexibility training with technical turning skills. Dancers will work to increase flexibility in the legs, back, and core—essential elements for achieving proper alignment, balance, and control in turns. The turns portion of class will emphasize technique for maintaining stability, generating momentum, and improving consistency while exploring a variety of different turns. Different levels will focus on progressing the number and difficulty of turns appropriate for each dancer’s ability. 

TURNS

Turns classes strictly focus on developing the techniques needed for balance, control, and momentum while turning. Dancers will work on proper alignment, spotting, and core engagement to improve consistency and precision. A variety of turn types will be introduced and refined, and different levels will be challenged to achieve an increasing number of rotations as their technique progresses.

Hip Hop is a high energy class that has developed from funk, soul and street dance and uses popular hip hop and pop music. The intricate movements, dynamics and body isolations build a dancer’s stamina while keeping them current with the varied trends of Hip Hop in today’s ever evolving styles. Hip hop is a fun and fast-moving class taught in a positive environment that encourages dancers to not only improve technique, but to engage in freestyle/improvisational dance and build confidence and performance style.

This high-energy class focuses on the performance and professionalism required for commercial dance opportunities such as tours, music videos, and live shows. Dancers will train in current industry-style hip hop, emphasizing musicality, stage presence, and camera awareness. Class will cover choreography retention, performance quality, and teamwork — all essential for professional settings. Dancers will also learn the ins and outs of on-set etiquette, audition preparation, and working in front of the camera. This class is perfect for dancers looking to elevate their performance skills and gain experience in a commercial dance environment.

Our Jazz Technique and Jazz Progressions classes focus on building a strong technical foundation and developing the artistry essential to jazz dance. Dancers will study traditional jazz vocabulary and explore various jazz styles, including Broadway and commercial jazz. Emphasis is placed on developing strength, flexibility, proper alignment, and coordination, drawing heavily from ballet-based technique.

Through center work, across-the-floor progressions, and choreography, dancers will refine their musicality, dynamics, and expressive quality while cultivating their own individual style and confidence. The goal is to inspire dancers to move with precision, power, and personality—hallmarks of great jazz performers.

Jazz Progressions will focus more specifically on center and across-the-floor technique, emphasizing transitions, directional changes, and the seamless connection between technical elements and performance quality.

Our Lyrical classes at MDP will combine technical elements of ballet and jazz while concentrating on freedom and fluidity of and storytelling through movement. Influenced by the expressiveness and airier aspects of jazz, contemporary and modern dance, our lyrical classes will focus on stretch and strength, using basic technical elements, musicality and emotion through improv and choreography.

Progressing Ballet Technique is a unique program that allows students to find the intrinsic muscles behind their movement. This understanding and strengthening will help their overall technique and ability as well as improve turnout, range of motion, and general dance mastery. Focus will be on details and training muscle memory, as well as advancement that is apparent across all dance genres. Dancers must have all equipment required to participate in the class.

Below are the items needed for class. Please note that all items are needed to participate in class.

Our Pointe classes build upon the dancer’s previous ballet training and offer dancers the chance to study classical ballet variations. Dancers will learn and practice pointe barre work with emphasis on individual's correct foot and body alignment as well as study of the proper techniques for the execution of more difficult steps. Pointe work requires continuous study to develop the correct musculature and all pointe shoes must be approved by our Ballet Director Miss Chloe prior to wearing. Dancers must be invited and approved to join the pointe program by our Ballet Director and must be enrolled in three ballet technique classes to reinforce pointe training.

Tap is an energetic form of dance that focuses on rhythm and percussion. Classes will include across the floor exercises that teach dynamics, shading, phrasing, and musicality along with extended rhythmic phrases and improvisation exercises center floor. This class develops the elements of tap dance vocabulary, musicality, and individual style. The goal is to develop dancer’s coordination, clarity, rhythm, timing and phrasing in a fun and challenging way.

Combo (Tap/Ballet/Jazz)

This class is designed for our youngest dancers. We will focus on teaching the fundamentals of dance and encourage creativity through the dance. Class times are divided between Tap, Ballet and Jazz styles to give students a chance to develop their movement base and rhythm.

Hip Hop

Our Tiny Tot Hip Hop class will teach dancers how to move through a popular urban style of movement. Dancers will be introduced to basic elements of Hip Hop and musicality and have the best time doing it!

Our Tumbling & Acro/Tumbling classes combine fundamental acrobatic technique with floor-based tumbling skills to help dancers build flexibility, strength, balance, coordination, endurance, timing, body awareness, self-discipline, and confidence.

Dancers will progress through a series of skills such as rolls, handstands, cartwheels, bridges, walkovers, and eventually more advanced elements including aerials and back handsprings as they develop proper strength, technique, and control.

Classes emphasize correct hand placement, body alignment, and safe progressions while focusing on the muscle engagement and flexibility required for proper technique. The goal of these classes is to develop strong, confident dancers who can seamlessly incorporate acrobatic elements into various dance styles.