Class Descriptions & Information
Parent & Me - My First Dance Class
Pre-creative students (aged 18 months-2 years old) have the opportunity to take class with a parent in Parent & Me classes (taught in SESSIONS through Hanover County Parks & Recreation ). With instruction similar to Creative Movement, 30-minute Parent & Me classes allow a young dancer to get used to the structure and ideas of class with a parent by their side for extra guidance and focus. Students explore movement to music, develop physical coordination skills and channel their energy as they work to stimulate imagination and promote creativity.
-Parent & Me dancers should wear clothes which won't inhibit movement of all kinds - leggings, tee-shirts, sweatpants. Students should be barefoot.
Creative Movement
Creative Movement is designed for 3-5 year old dancers who are ready to take class independently. This 45-minute class gives students opportunities for noncompetitive creative experiences which emphasize growth in kinesthetic awareness, social interaction, concentration, self-esteem, basic physical technique and creative expression.
-All Creative Movement dancers should be dressed in leotard or dance dress and tights (girls) or sweatpants/leggings and close fitting top (boys). Both boys and girls should have ballet slippers and hair securely fastened out of the face.
Ballet
Ballet is offered in all levels. Our ballet curriculum emphasizes proper body alignment and an understanding of the dancer's anatomy to achieve in balance, strength, control, extension, and expression.
-All ballet classes require a leotard and tights (girls) and dance tights/leggings and a close fitted tee shirt (boys). Girls should have pink ballet slippers, boys black or white ballet slippers. Close fitting warm-ups are permitted for barre time only and at the discretion of the teacher. Hair should be securely fastened out of the face in a bun.
Pre-Pointe & Pointe
When ballet students progress to a strong enough level of technique, control and physical development, they will be permitted to join the pre-pointe and then pointe classes. Pre-pointe gives students an opportunity to experience alignment and body organization in pointe shoes primarily at the barre; the class conditions the dancer and their core, feet and ankles to the demands of the shoe. Pointe class is given like a typical ballet class, with exercises specifically geared toward strengthening of the core, feet and ankles for performance en pointe.
-All pointe/pre-pointe classes require a leotard and tights and pointe shoes. Your pointe instructor will help guide you in choosing which shoes to purchase when the time comes! Close fitting warm-ups are permitted for barre time only and at the discretion of the teacher. Hair should be securely fastened out of the face in a bun.
Modern/Contemporary
Modern dance is a free, expressive form of movement developed in the early 20th century. 804's modern curriculum covers the techniques of the early modern dance pioneers like Martha Graham and Lester Horton, but is also influenced by the contemporary dance movement of the 21st century and the more commercialized style of contemporary modern widely spread today.
-Modern/contemporary students may wear a leotard and tights or any combination of shorts, leggings, pants, tanks or tee shirts--as long as these items are fitted closely to the body! Modern dance uses a lot of floor work, so students may prefer to have their knees covered or to bring knee-pads. Hair should be securely fastened out of the face. Students must be barefoot.
Tap
804 Dance Place's tap classes cover both rhythm and Broadway styles of tap dancing to create a well rounded rhythmic artist.
-Tap students may wear a leotard and tights or any combination of shorts, leggings, pants, tanks or tee shirts--as long as these items are fitted closely to the body! Hair should be securely fastened out of the face. Students must have tap shoes to participate.
Jazz
Based originally in traditional African & Caribbean dances, the jazz dance genre developed in close parallel to popular music and social dance styles throughout the 20th century. 804 Dance Place emphasizes classical, Broadway and commercial West Coast style jazz movement and technique, all to classic jazz and Top 40 music!
-Jazz students may wear a leotard and tights or any combination of shorts, leggings, pants, tanks or tee shirts--as long as these items are fitted closely to the body! Hair should be securely fastened out of the face. Students should have jazz shoes (tan for Ensemble levels, black for all other levels) for class.
Hip-Hop
Consisting of popping, locking and breaking (among other, newer techniques), hip-hop is a street dance style to upbeat, contemporary music.
-Hip-hop students should wear clothes which allow them to move freely and sneakers. 804 Hip-Hop teachers are happy to help students find the best shoe for class.
Pre-creative students (aged 18 months-2 years old) have the opportunity to take class with a parent in Parent & Me classes (taught in SESSIONS through Hanover County Parks & Recreation ). With instruction similar to Creative Movement, 30-minute Parent & Me classes allow a young dancer to get used to the structure and ideas of class with a parent by their side for extra guidance and focus. Students explore movement to music, develop physical coordination skills and channel their energy as they work to stimulate imagination and promote creativity.
-Parent & Me dancers should wear clothes which won't inhibit movement of all kinds - leggings, tee-shirts, sweatpants. Students should be barefoot.
Creative Movement
Creative Movement is designed for 3-5 year old dancers who are ready to take class independently. This 45-minute class gives students opportunities for noncompetitive creative experiences which emphasize growth in kinesthetic awareness, social interaction, concentration, self-esteem, basic physical technique and creative expression.
-All Creative Movement dancers should be dressed in leotard or dance dress and tights (girls) or sweatpants/leggings and close fitting top (boys). Both boys and girls should have ballet slippers and hair securely fastened out of the face.
Ballet
Ballet is offered in all levels. Our ballet curriculum emphasizes proper body alignment and an understanding of the dancer's anatomy to achieve in balance, strength, control, extension, and expression.
-All ballet classes require a leotard and tights (girls) and dance tights/leggings and a close fitted tee shirt (boys). Girls should have pink ballet slippers, boys black or white ballet slippers. Close fitting warm-ups are permitted for barre time only and at the discretion of the teacher. Hair should be securely fastened out of the face in a bun.
Pre-Pointe & Pointe
When ballet students progress to a strong enough level of technique, control and physical development, they will be permitted to join the pre-pointe and then pointe classes. Pre-pointe gives students an opportunity to experience alignment and body organization in pointe shoes primarily at the barre; the class conditions the dancer and their core, feet and ankles to the demands of the shoe. Pointe class is given like a typical ballet class, with exercises specifically geared toward strengthening of the core, feet and ankles for performance en pointe.
-All pointe/pre-pointe classes require a leotard and tights and pointe shoes. Your pointe instructor will help guide you in choosing which shoes to purchase when the time comes! Close fitting warm-ups are permitted for barre time only and at the discretion of the teacher. Hair should be securely fastened out of the face in a bun.
Modern/Contemporary
Modern dance is a free, expressive form of movement developed in the early 20th century. 804's modern curriculum covers the techniques of the early modern dance pioneers like Martha Graham and Lester Horton, but is also influenced by the contemporary dance movement of the 21st century and the more commercialized style of contemporary modern widely spread today.
-Modern/contemporary students may wear a leotard and tights or any combination of shorts, leggings, pants, tanks or tee shirts--as long as these items are fitted closely to the body! Modern dance uses a lot of floor work, so students may prefer to have their knees covered or to bring knee-pads. Hair should be securely fastened out of the face. Students must be barefoot.
Tap
804 Dance Place's tap classes cover both rhythm and Broadway styles of tap dancing to create a well rounded rhythmic artist.
-Tap students may wear a leotard and tights or any combination of shorts, leggings, pants, tanks or tee shirts--as long as these items are fitted closely to the body! Hair should be securely fastened out of the face. Students must have tap shoes to participate.
Jazz
Based originally in traditional African & Caribbean dances, the jazz dance genre developed in close parallel to popular music and social dance styles throughout the 20th century. 804 Dance Place emphasizes classical, Broadway and commercial West Coast style jazz movement and technique, all to classic jazz and Top 40 music!
-Jazz students may wear a leotard and tights or any combination of shorts, leggings, pants, tanks or tee shirts--as long as these items are fitted closely to the body! Hair should be securely fastened out of the face. Students should have jazz shoes (tan for Ensemble levels, black for all other levels) for class.
Hip-Hop
Consisting of popping, locking and breaking (among other, newer techniques), hip-hop is a street dance style to upbeat, contemporary music.
-Hip-hop students should wear clothes which allow them to move freely and sneakers. 804 Hip-Hop teachers are happy to help students find the best shoe for class.