Dance Styles
Which style of dance is perfect for you? The CB School of Dance offers creative and classical dance genres for ages 2.5-100 that are graceful and sustained, weighted and choreographic, rhythmic and powerful, dynamic and fun! If you don’t see the class you’re looking for on the schedule, email Program Director Alice Jennison at programs@dancecrestedbutte.org. We may be able to create a custom class for you and your friends!
Aerial Dance
Youth to Adult
Aerial dance is the art of performing various acrobatic movements while on an apparatus suspended in the air. Students gain physical and mental strength while learning to be graceful; they gain trust within themselves and confidence as they move through the air. Check out our Aerial Dance page for more information about our aerial program. We encourage students to participate in ground dance classes to support the development of quality of movement in the air.
Creative Movement
Age 2.5-5
Creative Movement is the introduction class for all other dance classes! This 45-minute class for preschoolers explores the elements of dance in a developmentally appropriate context. Instruction builds movement skills, self-esteem, social/emotional growth, and love of dance.
Ballet
Youth to Adult
Ballet class is the first step in a child’s dance education toward advanced movement, including leaps and turns. Instruction builds strength and flexibility, muscle development, and knowledge of anatomy, prioritizing safety. Class structure includes barre work, center work, and across-the-floor movement. If a child has a dream of pointe, this is where the training begins. Elementary ballet classes may be combined with another genre. More advanced classes may be longer than one hour. For middle and high school, ballet classes are leveled based on student ability as assessed by SOD teachers. Traditional classical and contemporary ballet techniques with professionally trained ballet teachers. Students must dress appropriately, practice self discipline, and learn, know, and use proper ballet terminology. Teachers will focus on alignment for safety while pushing dancers to find their edge with flexibility, strength, movement quality, musicality, and advanced movements such as leaps and turns. This is where training for pointe continues.
Pre-Pointe & Pointe
Grade 5 & up / Student eligibility must be determined prior to registration
Traditional pointe classes with professionally trained ballet and pointe teachers. Pointe training is scaffolded from pre-pointe forward. Sometimes we offer a separate pre-pointe preparation class, and sometimes we combine pointe beginners with the Pointe Level 1 class. Readiness for pointe work is determined by each student’s strength and physical development as well as by their age. Pointe levels are set by SOD staff. If you are interested in pursuing pointe training, please contact Alice Jennison at programs@dancecrestedbutte.org.
Jazz
Youth to Adult
The defining characteristic of jazz dance is “an aesthetic of cool.” Jazz technique is based on ballet technique and uses similar terminology. Students will have the opportunity to explore a variety of styles, including classical jazz and current trending styles. Elementary jazz classes may be combined with another genre. Middle and high school jazz classes are leveled based on student ability as assessed by SOD teachers.
Lyrical
Youth to Adult
The lyrical class combines elements of jazz and ballet. Dancers will explore a realm of musicality and movement that relates specifically to song content and the emotion of lyrics. It is an intricate, technical, dynamic, and emotional dance genre. Middle and high school lyrical classes are leveled based on student ability as assessed by SOD teachers.
Hip Hop
Youth to Adult
Hip hop dance is a vibrant form of dance that combines a variety of freestyle movements to create a cultural piece of art. Elementary classes play dance games and learn to improvise and experiment with strength and balance. Middle and high school students practice improvisation and choreography in a relaxed, fun environment.
Tap
Youth to Adult
In tap class, students make music with their feet to develop rhythmic awareness. Tap trains dancers in musicality and technique to build coordination, dexterity, and strength in the lower legs and ankles. Tap dance references ballet and jazz technical terminology.
Modern Contemporary
Youth to Adult
Dancers will explore the traditional framework of modern dance from a contemporary perspective. Each class includes a warm-up, technique, and movement phrases. The class emphasis will be on developing alignment, increasing strength and flexibility, developing a range of organic movement qualities, exploring new vocabularies and phrasing styles, and encouraging individual investigation and embodiment of purposeful movement.
Empowered Pole
Adult
Become part of the new Feminine way of working out, where we liberate the taboos of feminine erotic expression through sensually embodied movement, encourage each other to be the boldest, loudest, sexiest, most embodied versions of ourselves! Enter a world where your energy, emotionality, and desires are not only prioritized, but encouraged. In this space, any woman can confidently own her body and celebrate herself — the wild, untamable, sensual, powerful self that rarely gets to be seen.
African
This class will embrace a variety of movements, dances, and traditions from multiple countries of Africa. We will study and explore the differences and similarities of the rich cultural elements and meanings behind the moves, as well as touch on a range of rhythms and their relation to dance with live drum choreography and stomp percussion. Fun and friendly, engaging and educational!
Belly Dance
Based on belly dance styles worldwide, this class will focus on basic belly dance techniques, combinations, and choreography.
