There are many questions regarding the proper class placement for students; hopefully, the following information will help answer them:

First of all, we do not hold special class placement try-outs. Students will be evaluated in class and placed from there.

Important note: the advancement of dance levels is often not accomplished in simply one year of lessons; in the art of dance is much more intricate and complicated than moving up in levels via a yearly time frame or by age.

Please remember that all classes are taught by current/former professional performers who – in addition to their stage experience – are also highly trained and knowledgeable teachers and therefore are the most qualified persons to place students in the proper class level for the student’s best personal instruction. It is our goal to provide the most appropriate level of instruction for the progression in style, technique, and skill for every individual, in every class.

As in any kind of education, every student learns at different rates… for some, math is easy while others in the identical class struggle, the same could be said for English or history, and so on, and it is likewise with dance. Our brains and bodies are “wired” individually. Sometimes students feel frustrated in their placement, but like a freshman or sophomore in high school that longs to be in class with juniors or seniors, simply putting oneself in the desired class is not done without thoughtful consideration and most importantly, with the teacher’s permission. Trust the teachers – they know the upcoming curriculum for their specific classes and they know how to guide each student appropriately for their age, personality, and abilities.

If a student has the temperament for a challenge, we welcome that part of their character, but if the class is much more experienced and knowledgeable in a particular style of dance, the teacher cannot re-teach what has already been taught. In such an instance, it can be a disservice to the less experienced student to struggle as he/she tries to decipher the steps, style, and technique. Therefore, we take careful consideration in this regard. Likewise, if a student is intimidated by challenges and is easily frustrated, please let us know and we will find a class that is more comfortable and enjoyable for the student.

With all said, if you feel a student is “misplaced” in a particular class, please feel free to discuss it with the teacher involved or with Miss Kia. However, remember it is our promise to ALL students to do our best to place each one in the most appropriate class available.

We offer many classes – traditional dance styles, song & dance classes, stretch & tone, technique classes, as well as non-traditional classes such as Aerial Silks, Parkour, and Special Needs. Below are descriptions of our classes (listed alphabetically):

Aerial Silks

The art of aerial silks was made popular from the world-renowned shows of Cirque du Soleil, and then again from singer Pink’s performance on them during the Grammy awards in 2010. It uses your muscles extensively and combines ballet, gymnastics, and contortion (such as “over” splits). Learn to climb, wrap, pose, twist and drop while improving your core strength and overall flexibility. It is a total body workout!

Beauty, flow and elegance are inherent in the elements of ballet. Ballet is the classical dance form that can be mastered by itself or used as a technical base or supplement to other dance forms. Classes focus on overall body alignment and awareness with an emphasis on the proper usage of feet and legs and execution of turnout. Carriage and usage of upper torso and arms are also stressed. Traditional barre work, center work, and combinations are included in all classes.

Ballet, Pixie

This is our introduction class for young ballet dancers. The elements in this class are designed to help socialize the toddler through enjoyable exercises and interactions. Fun music accompanies this class while dancers learn gross motor skills such as jumping, hopping, turning, as well as the importance of sharing and taking turns. Shapes such as circles, lines, and diagonals are also introduced. All activities inspire the imagination!

Students will learn the art of composing dances and planning and arranging the movements, steps, and patterns of dancers to a wide variety of music.

Originally informed by and borrowing from classical ballet, modern, and jazz styles, it has since come to incorporate elements from many styles of dance. Contemporary is somewhat similar to lyrical dance but does not always express the lyrics of a song.

Funk is a blend of street jazz, hip-hop, and locking. (Think Michael Jackson!)

Happy Feet

For our younger dancers that like to move! This program introduces the music and different styles of the three main dance foundations: Ballet, Jazz and Tap.

A high-energy class that uses the latest sounds in rap, R&B, and pop music. Hip-hop encompasses movement that has elements of isolations, popping, locking, and breaking as well as freestyle movement to give students the opportunity to develop their own sense of style. Hip-hop is urban, it’s street, it’s diverse and forever changing – and it’s very popular! We promise clean music.

Hippity Hop

Similar to the older hip hop class, students will learn isolations, footwork, and combinations to upbeat age appropriate music. This is a great style for kids that like to move and groove.

Through TV, Broadway, commercials, and the internet, jazz has evolved into a mix of traditional jazz and contemporary dance. Classes explore body isolations and encourage individual expression as well as the development of personal style. Jazz can be powerful and percussive or soft, expressive and lyrical. These classes teach the technique of jazz dance through turns, leaps, rolls, jumps, and runs. The class includes a warm-up with stretching, isolations, strengthening exercises and “across the floor.” The class ends with a fun and active combination.

Jazz/Tap Combo

Pre-K students learn the basic skills of both jazz and tap. This is the intermediary class between Happy Feet and beginning/elementary levels. Styles will alternate every week. This is the class for kids whose feet just can’t sit still!

Leaps & Turns

This class will work on basic through advanced leaps and turns in both ballet and jazz technique. As dancers progress, combinations of leaps and turns across the floor will be added. Strongly recommended for dancers wanting to advance their dance abilities beyond a specific style of dance.

Lyrical dance is a hybrid of ballet, jazz, and modern dance styles and techniques, but it has a stronger emphasis on emotions and storytelling. The dancer learns to let the music and their own passion guide the movement. The class will let you express yourself through dance and music. Most often, the choreography tells the story of the lyrics, with the dancer becoming the visual interpretation of the song.

Modern is a style of dance that uses the entire body in movements expressive of abstract ideas, shapes, and forms.

Musical Theater

This class is full of singing, dancing, and acting – focusing strictly on musicals. Old musicals, new musicals, and everything in between; from Hollywood to Broadway.

We also offer Disney Musical Theater for our younger Broadway bound performers ages 5-9.

Parkour involves using your body’s abilities to move from one place to another in the most efficient and swift way. This class will focus on building core strength, the range of motion, and the mental focus necessary to safely perform these movements. The thought process behind parkour is why go around a park bench when you can vault over it?

Special Needs/Developmentally Disabled Dance

We are proud to be the only dance studio in Northern Nevada that offers dance to members of our Special Needs Community. This class will work on over-all coordination, gross motor skills, as well as skipping, hopping, leaping, balancing, and more. We will work on specific abilities and/or needs as requested.

Stretch & Conditioning

These classes concentrate on stretching and strengthening for dancers and non-dancers as well as increasing flexibility, cardio fitness, and overall body toning. It is not for the faint of heart – it promises to get you sweating and working out with non-stop fun and games tossed into the mix.

Classes emphasize the development and strengthening of basic tap technique and terminology highlighting the importance of rhythm and sound. Tap focuses on rhythms and intricate footwork, creating a percussion instrument out of the dancer’s feet, essentially making tappers both dancers and musicians. This style of dance is aerobic and fun! Great for all ages!

Tap for Fun & Exercise

Same as above, but at a slower tempo – a great cardio and brain workout at the same time!
[null, null, {"document_url": "http://frdance.net/classes-and-class-placement/", "unformatted_src": "http://frdance.net/images/whats-up.jpg", "src": "http://frdance.net/images/whats-up.jpg", "formatted_filename": "whats up", "rendered_width": 200, "rendered_height": 133}, null, {"document_url": "http://frdance.net/classes-and-class-placement/", "unformatted_src": "http://frdance.net/images/applause.jpg", "src": "http://frdance.net/images/applause.jpg", "formatted_filename": "applause", "rendered_width": 200, "rendered_height": 153}, null, {"document_url": "http://frdance.net/classes-and-class-placement/", "unformatted_src": "http://frdance.net/images/fr-dance-map.png", "src": "http://frdance.net/images/fr-dance-map.png", "formatted_filename": "fr dance map", "rendered_width": 200, "rendered_height": 104}, null, {"document_url": "http://frdance.net/classes-and-class-placement/", "unformatted_src": "http://frdance.net/images/birthday-parties.jpg", "src": "http://frdance.net/images/birthday-parties.jpg", "formatted_filename": "birthday parties", "rendered_width": 200, "rendered_height": 187}, null, {"document_url": "http://frdance.net/classes-and-class-placement/", "unformatted_src": "http://frdance.net/images/popular-articles.jpg", "src": "http://frdance.net/images/popular-articles.jpg", "formatted_filename": "popular articles", "rendered_width": 200, "rendered_height": 198}, null, {"document_url": "http://frdance.net/classes-and-class-placement/", "unformatted_src": "http://frdance.net/images/studio-rental.jpg", "src": "http://frdance.net/images/studio-rental.jpg", "formatted_filename": "studio rental", "rendered_width": 200, "rendered_height": 150}, null, {"document_url": "http://frdance.net/classes-and-class-placement/", "unformatted_src": "http://frdance.net/images/summer-dancers-tn.png", "src": "http://frdance.net/images/summer-dancers-tn.png", "formatted_filename": "summer dancers tn", "rendered_width": 200, "rendered_height": 89}]