Age Appropriate Dance Classes... Why do we at McCanns wait to start Jazz and Hip Hop? Recently we’ve had some questions about our age policies for different forms of dance, so we thought you should clarify our thinking on this issue. At McCann’s School of Dance our class technique is age appropriate based on a student’s body mechanics, maturity and readiness. Each dance technique has its own specific requirements of coordination that comes with age and body development. Pre-school Age Students - Ages 3 & 4 We offer Creative Movement classes in 30 or 45 minute classes. Students’ body development at this age is not ready for technique required for Ballet or other dance disciplines. Creative Movement classes help students develop in the following areas: 1. Body, space, and pattern awareness 2. Listening, looking and concentration skills 3. Locomotor skills, dance transfer of weight, flexibility 4. Musically, energy and dynamics of movement WHY CREATIVE MOVEMENT FOR PRE-SCHOOLERS? Creative movement concepts help students explore and create with movement, helping them to become confident as their bodies develop and gain the strength that will be needed for Ballet. Ballet and Tap - Ages 5 and Up Students take an hour class in Ballet or Tap. Ballet technique requires students to work on turning out from the hip. This involves control and muscle development. Ballet is the foundation of all other forms of dance. WHY WAIT UNTIL AGE 5 FOR BALLET AND TAP? Both Ballet and Tap require more advanced muscle control and development, as well as precise weight transfer, ankle strength, and balance that is often not found in students under the age of five. Jazz - Ages 8 and Up Students should have some Ballet experience before enrolling in a jazz class. Jazz dancing is a fun and energetic way to refine a dancer’s strength and control, while building stamina and coordination. Jazz dance includes a wide array of styles, including theatre performance and character dance. WHY DON’T WE START JAZZ UNTIL AGE 8? Jazz dance involves body part isolation warm-ups, technical progressions, and graded combinations. Students younger than age 8 often do not demonstrate the body control or cognitive skills that are required in true Jazz dance. Hip-Hop – Ages 10 and Up “Hip-hop dance refers to street dance styles primarily performed to hip-hop music or that have evolved as part of hip-hop culture.” Wikipedia’s definition At McCann’s our hip-hop classes focus on how to execute a variety of hip-hop moves safely with an emphasis on understanding rhythms. Hip-hop styles range from moves developed in the 1970s to the present. These include: popping, locking, old school, new school, wine, krump, lyrical hip-hop, freestyle, and breaking. The class will also stress proper stretching and muscle-building exercises to ensure the moves are executed safely. WHY DOSEN’T McCANN’S TEACH HIP-HOP BEFORE AGE 10? Students younger than age 10 may lack the control and maturity needed for hip-hop; and by its very nature, special care must be taken to music and costume selection to keep it age appropriate and acceptable for younger students. Lyrical Dance At McCanns Lyrical is taught within our upper level ballet and jazz curriculum. Lyrical dance is a dance style that blends ballet and jazz dance. A lyrical dancer uses movement to express strong emotions such as love, joy and anger. Lyrical dancers usually perform to music with lyrics...the lyrics of the chosen song serve as inspiration for movements and expressions. Music used for lyrical is typically emotionally charged and expressive. Movements in lyrical dance are characterized by fluidity and grace, with the dancer flowing seamlessly from one move to another, holding finishing steps as long as possible. Leaps are exceptionally high and soaring, and turns are fluid and continuous. A good solid base of jazz and ballet technique is needed before you can explore the freedom and release of lyrical. In other words, you need to have the solid core control that comes from years of Ballet/Jazz technique to perform lyrical. So…to summarize… Although some dance studios offer ballet, jazz, and hip-hop at younger ages, we feel that the physical and mental well being of our students is paramount. We hope that you see the sense this policy makes for you and your child. If you have further questions contact us at 566-3733 or visit us on the web at mccannschoolofdance
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 01:29:05 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015