MDP Class Descriptions

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!

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.

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.

MINI ADV/JR ADV EQUIPMENT:

Equipment needed that will be stored at the studio, please clearly label all items with first and last name:

• Two yoga blocks of standard height 4" x 6" x 9"

• Yoga Mat *Will be provided by the studio

• 9 inch Pilates ball like this: https://a.co/d/jbs71DP

• Ball must be filled with air just under filled so it’s slightly “squishy”, bring the included pump as well

• Extra long stretch band 10ft medium weight (10 ft and no shorter) like these: https://a.co/d/14HAyB1

• All items besides the Yoga Mat need to be brought and stored in the student's personal mesh bag (everything will be kept at the studio): https://a.co/d/9GRXt3j

JR ADVANCED 2 EQUIPMENT:

Equipment needed that will be stored at the studio, please clearly label all items with first and last name:

• Yoga Mat *Will be provided by the studio

• Yoga Ball like this *Will be stored at the studio: https://a.co/d/eeyNScv

Please get the correct size for your height following these guidelines:

• Under 4' 8" = 45cm ball

• 4' 8"-5' 3" = 55cm ball

• 5' 4"-5' 10" = 65cm ball

They need to sit on the ball slightly forward and have the feet resting on the floor flat with the knees bent at 90. If the feet cannot reach the ball is too large, if the knees are higher than the hips the ball is too small. Please check this prior to your first class, balls need to be filled prior to your first class.

• Two yoga blocks of standard height 4" x 6" x 9"

• 9 inch small Pilates ball like this: https://a.co/d/jbs71DP

Ball must be filled with air just under filled so it’s slightly “squishy”, bring the included pump as well.

• Extra long stretch band 10ft medium weight (10 ft and no shorter) like these: https://a.co/d/14HAyB1

• All items besides the Yoga Mat and Large Ball need to be brought and stored in the student's personal mesh bag (everything will be kept at the studio): https://a.co/d/9GRXt3j

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.

Jazz classes focus on traditional jazz vocabulary and various styles of jazz including Broadway and commercial jazz. This class focuses on developing strength, flexibility, correct alignment and coordination, which will draw from ballet technique and alignment. Dancers will gain a sense of individuality and originality and will develop the ability to move through center work, progressions and choreography. The goal is to develop dancers who are expressive, dynamic, musical and build a passion for jazz that helps them create their own individual style. Most jazz classes will use a variety of music so that dancers can learn Broadway jazz and current jazz style.

Specified Commercial jazz classes will specifically focus on an edgy style of jazz seen in music videos and styles more current with the times. Dancers will not learn traditional classic jazz in this class.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If your dancer loves the spotlight, MDP’s Musical Theatre program is the perfect fit! This class is fun, energetic and is centered on performance quality and acting. Typically using music from Broadway musicals, movies, and various shows, this class will help dancers develop theatrical qualities in their dancing. They will focus on translating emotion, portraying a character, and cultivating stage presence. Musical Theatre is a great class to expand a dancer’s self-confidence and performance skills.

Our Acro classes combine fundamental acrobatic technique to increase flexibility, strength, balance, coordination, endurance, timing, body awareness, self-discipline, and confidence. Classes focus on proper hand placement and body alignment with emphasis on the muscles and flexibility required to perform proper technique. The goal of our Acro classes will be to focus on acrobatic elements to be used in various dance styles.

Extensions

Extensions focus on lengthening the legs from the pelvis. In this class dancers will work on elongating their bodies and balancing while focusing on leg and length.

Tricks

Tricks classes stem from a jazz technical base. Dancers will learn different tricks to be able to add to choreography. These tricks can involve turning, acro, leg extensions and more! Turns classes will not be in the Holiday or Revue Shows.

Turns

Turns classes strictly focus on the techniques for balance, control and momentum for turning. Different levels will be required to achieve a different amount of turns. Turns classes will not be in the Holiday or Revue Shows.

Progressions

Any class with a “progression” title means dancers will learn to use the technique that they have learned to specifically move across the floor. No center work will be done in these classes.

Center

Any class with a “center” title means dancers will focus on the specified technique while not traveling and not moving from within a specified area. Center work helps dancers to gain a strong sense of strength and balance without moving across the floor.