Our Curriculum
Mommy and Me (Ages 1-2)
The Mommy and Me Class was started with the goal of reaching out to younger children! Most dance classes don't become available until a child is three. We wanted to have something available to the young mover. Children ages 1-2 are exporling the world and how they exist in it. Part of that exploration includes how they move and relate to the space around them. It's a huge part in your child's life, as they will start, crawling, walking, and simple writing and grasping objects!
In this class you Mom's get to enjoy watching your child explore the world around them and help along in the process.
This is a great opportunity for Mom's to work out and stay in shape as you hop, skip, jump and twirl along with your children! It's a wonderful bonding experience for you and your child!
Creative Movement (Ages 3-4)
Our creative dance program was formed based on several studies in kinesthetic philosophies and early childhood development.
Preschool
During the preschool years a child is still learning basic cognitive, language, gross motor, fine motor, and social-emotional skills. We base our warm-ups, technique games and activities around these important developmental traits. Focusing on shapes such as dancing in squares, circles, and stars will improve cognitive skills. We also focus on moving in contrasts doing fast and slow, big and little, high and low, etc. Our warm ups are choreographed to nursery rhymes such as "Hickory Dickory Dock" and "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider" to help children with memorization. Exercises that coordinate movement and counting will also be implemented.
Kindergarten
Creative Dance continues for students in kindergarten and sometimes First Grade. The program will continue with the teaching of more complex concepts. Levels such as high, middle and low concepts will be combined with size such as big, little and medium. For example children may be asked to do a big low pose or a little high pose. Combining these concepts will help children understand space, directions, time, texture, energy, speed and shapes. This is also the beginning of choreography. Kinesiology will slowly be introduced with more difficult concepts such as tension, release, contract, pull up, rise, and fall. This will help develop strong muscles in children. This helps children further understand opposition such as the concept of pushing into the floor to pull up out of the hips, and basic physics such as what comes up must come down. Children will be introduced to simple dance vocabulary.
Rhythmic Expressions (Ages 5-7)
Poetry and dance combine in the Rhythmic Expressions class. Students will use the rhythmic patterns found in children’s poems to learn and create dances. The relationship of the dancer and the music will be a primary focus as students increase their knowledge of dance vocabulary, directional concepts, and abstraction. Additionally, students will be gain the opportunity to work on their reading and memorization skills.
Ballet (Ages 5-and Up)
Ballet is available for children in the first grade and higher. In our ballet program, children learn ballet based on Vagonova, Cecchetti and Royal Academy of Dance techniques. These classes will also teach children determination, self motivation, memorization, responsibility and respect.
Pre-Ballet (Ages 5-7)
Ballet Prep is a child's first introduction to ballet. In a child's first ballet class they will learn the five body positions of the feet and arms, the nine body directions, and seven movements of dance. These principals will be taught in an anatomically correct way without forcing turnout or wrenching muscles in a way that could possibly cause injury. Emphasis at this level will be placed on proper muscle control and coordination.
Developmental skills will still be continued as children participate in Ballet related activities that also help with thier education and learning. At this stage children will be asked to participate in Vocabulary Packets, Book Reports, and Choreography.
Ballet I (8-11)
Ballet I is the expansion of pre-ballet. Children continue to perfect proper placement and technique in this class while continuing to learn more advanced movements. Students will begin to learn how to combine different steps, such as combining tendues with pliés thereby improving their memorization and coordination. Ballet I will expand on choreography by using the Laban Movement Analysis where a child is given flash cards with different directions, levels, shapes, speeds and movements and combine them in fun and interesting ways to create dances.
Developmental skills will still be a focus as vocabulary packets continue with more advanced ballet terminology. Students will be asked to do a book report. At the end of the session, students will be asked to write an essay reflecting how the class has improved thier overall attitudes toward learning, grades, test scores, reading, motivation, determination, etc.This is also the level where students with exceptional talent, passion and determination will be considered for scholarships and/or additional training.
Ballet II (12 and up)
Ballet technique, movements, and terminology will be continued at this level. Students will be asked to read a book on a famous ballerina and write a one page report on thier findings. Vocabulary packets will continue with more advanced ballet terminology. The children will have the opportunity to choreograph their own dance and perform it for friends and family. They will learn briefly how to choose music, bring the music to life and put meaning and expression behind those movements. An essay is required on what they learned throughout the course and how the course has improved thier schooling.
Jazz/Musical Theater (Ages 5 and Up)
Dance Exploration, LLC offers Jazz classes derived from the teachings and choreography of Broadway Great: Bob Fosse. This dance style will focus more on dance in musical theater, and how this dance form has evolved over tim 
e.
Youth Jazz (Ages 5-7)
The Musical Theater/Jazz class for 5-7 year olds takes on a more creative approach to the style of dance. We will explore the musicals that are more familiar to youngsters and teach them how to act and dance to their favorite showtunes!
Jazz I (Ages 8-11)
At this level students will learn basic jazz techniques. Class will begin with a simple warm up of stretches to increase flexibility and improve balance. Dancers will learn concepts that are different from ballet such as turning the legs in, contracting, and using strong "jazz hands" and arms. Students will learn simple across the floor combinations and at the end of class will be taught a dance combination. This will improve their memorization and musicality.
For the continuation of thier Developmental Traits, they will complete Vocubulary packets of Jazz Terminology. They will use the Laban Movement Analysis to create simple dances and the start of choreography. A book report on Musical Theater will be required. Students will be asked to write an essay reflecting on their experience.
Jazz II (Ages 12 and Up)
This is a continuation of Jazz I. Students will learn more advanced steps and longer combinations. Students will learn more about the history of jazz and musical theater dancing and the people who have contributed most to this dance form. Students will have the opportunity to choreograph a dance and perform it for friends and family.
There will be a suggested reading list at this level and students must write an essay and give a presentation about their suggested reading. An essay will also be expected for them to reflect on what the course has taught them.
Hip Hop (Ages 8 and Up)
Dance Exploration, LLC offers hip hop classes at all levels. This class focuses on the urban street style dancing including popping, locking, and break dancing.
Youth Hip Hop (Ages 5-7)
Youngsters will learn old school fun hip hop moves such as the coffee grinder or the monster. Age appropriate music and dance moves only!
Hip Hop I (Ages 8-11)
At this level students will learn basic hip hop techniques. Class will begin with a simple warm up of stretches to increase flexibility and improve balance. Simple popping and break dancing techniques will be taught. Students will learn an easy combination at the end of each class.
For thier development, children will have Vocabulary packets based on Hip Hop terminology. Students at this level will use the Laban Movement Analysis to create simple dances and the start of choreography. An Essay is required at this level asking students to reflect on their experience. A simple book report and presentation is required as well.
Hip Hop II (Ages 12 and Up)
This is a continuation of Hip Hop I. Students will learn more advanced steps, and longer combinations. Students will learn more about the history of Hip Hop and who has influenced it the most. Students will have the opportunity to choreograph a dance and perform it for friends and family.
For thier continued development,there will be a suggested reading list on which students must read a book and write an essay. They will be asked to give a presentation about their suggested reading. An essay will also be expected for them to reflect on what the course has taught them.
Contemporary (Ages 8 and up)
Contemporary I (Ages 8-11)
Introducation to basic Contemporary or lyrical dancing. Ballet is a requirement to take this class. Contemporary is a slower version of Jazz or a faster version of Ballet. A Modern approach to dance.
Contemporary II (Ages 12 and Up)
This class incorporates the vocabulary and skills obtained from earlier dance training. Students will be exposed to a basic kinesiology and Labanotation and increase their use of social skills such as respect, community involvement, personal responsibility. Because of the expressive quality of contemporary dance, students are encouraged to develop their own artistic voice.
World Dance (Ages 5 and Up)
World Dance (Ages 5-7) (Ages 8 and up)
The study of different cultures, customs, and cultural dances comes to students in the World Dance class. Each class will consist of the study of a specific country, its location, historical moments, and of course, its native dances. Ranging from North America to South America, to Africa, to Japan, this class allows students to learn about many different places while experiencing the joys of dance.