Pikeville College - Community Education - Dance Program - Curriculum

Dance Program - Curriculum

Creative Movement (ages 3-4)

Three- and four-year-olds are in separate classes and the child must have attained the class age by October 1 of the year entering the class. These classes are designed to stimulate imagination, develop a sense of rhythm and a feeling of accomplishment. It will also teach cooperative interaction, taking turns, following instruction and cultivate the sheer joy of moving and learning.

Pre-Ballet (ages 5-6)

A two-year sequence of classes (if the child starts at age five). These classes continue the goals of Creative Movement and begin to add a few basics of ballet, such as turn-out, pointed feet, balance, stretching and turning.

Ballet Level I-III and Pointe

Ballet is the classical dance form of the Western World. It is the foundation for all theatrical dance and gymnastics and is hugely beneficial to athletes of all sorts. Codified by Louis XIV, king of France in the 1600s, ballet retains the grace and elegance of its royal heritage. Initially developed and performed by men and boys, ballet displays its athletics heritage as well. Classical ballet training is physically rigorous and intellectually demanding and is best begun no younger than age seven or eight. Students progress through graded levels as they master the skills of each level and reach appropriate developmental milestones.

Level I is a one-year course which introduces students to the elementary movement vocabulary of ballet. It may begin at age seven and up.

Level II is a two-year course which may start at the age of eight (or any age after completion of Level I). At the end of this level, students should have mastered the fundamental ballet movement vocabulary.

Level III (pre-Pointe for girls) is a two-year course that adds advanced and professional movement vocabulary and aims to strengthen the female dancer so that she will be able to dance on her toes or “en pointe.” Level III dancers may begin as young as age 10 if the dancer has had at least three consecutive years of ballet. Boys do not do Pointe work, but concentrate on strength, flexibility, jumping and lifting. By the time girls are on Pointe, boys are needed as partners to support and lift them.

Pointe, for girls, may begin as early as age 12 if the dancer has developed the necessary strength and movement skills. Pointe work must not be undertaken too young or with too little preparation because underage and underprepared feet can be irreparably damaged.

Jazz

Jazz is fun and high energy. It uses movements that are “funky” in nature while maintaining its integrity as a technical dance form. Jazz also incorporates some urban and hip-hop moves, giving it the contemporary “music video” look. Jazz classes also include lyrical jazz. Lyrical jazz maintains the percussive, rhythmic characteristics that define jazz, but it incorporates elements of ballet and modern dance to give it a smooth, lengthened look and lyrical quality.

Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop is seen primarily on television during rap and R&B music videos. It is a form that evolved out of street- and break-dancing moves and is characterized by its vigorous athletic and bouncy style. Hip-Hop is danced primarily to hip-hop, rap and R&B music.

Tap

Tap was born in the United States during the 19th century and today is popular around the world. The name comes from the tapping sound made when small metal plates on the dancer’s shoes strike the floor. This lively, rhythmic sounds makes the performer not just a dancer but also a percussion musician.