Class Descriptions

Basic Ballet

Basic Ballet is an open class for new students to ballet. This class will introduce the basic terminology and steps needed to understand the building blocks of a ballet class. This is a great class for those who always wanted to dance ballet but didn’t have the space to be a beginner.  

Beginning Ballet   

In this class, dancers will develop the basic technique and start to expand their terminology and use of arms and legs at the barre and the center.

Beginning Intermediate Ballet   

Dancers in this class will be introduced to more complex combinations with increased arm and leg coordination including jump, turn, and traveling steps.

Intermediate Ballet   

A well-rounded class for those looking for expanded terminology and technical challenges. It is recommended that dancers are well versed in ballet terms as the pace of the class will move quicker than the beginner levels. Longer exercises with more steps are also introduced at this level.

Advanced Ballet   

For those who have danced for a longer period of time and are secure with the terminology of a ballet class or, for professional dancers looking for a technical class. Advanced concepts and exercises are used in this class to further develop coordination, technicality, musicality, and agility.

Pointe

Enrollment-Based Series—Not a Drop-In Class
Teacher’s approval required

This series guides students through pre-pointe preparation and basic beginning pointe work. For the safety of the students, it is mandatory that they take two ballet technique classes a week, including the Intermediate Ballet class immediately preceding Pointe. The instructor must approve students' pointe enrollment during their ballet technique class. Please pick up an approval form from Reception.

BeMoved®

BeMoved® is an established dance experience that invites people of all movement abilities to experience the joy of dance. Class begins with an easy-to-follow Warm-up that infuses breath and movement in artistically choreographed sequences that activate core strength and balance while improving flexibility and coordination. The Genre section of the class uses continuous and engaging dance combinations to inspire anyone from first-time dancers to professionals. Finally, the Cool Down brings your workout full circle, leaving you balanced in mind, body, and soul - feeling rejuvenated. With 19 unique dance genres, BeMoved® inspires participants to embrace dance as a lifelong path to health, joy, and fulfillment. For more information, visit BeMovedDance.com.

Jazz

This class will explore jazz technique as a mixture of African-American social dance traditions and ballet-based vocabulary. Students will experience different styles of jazz, such as classic, contemporary, and musical theater. The warmup, across-the-floor series, and center choreography will focus on movement dynamics, alignment, musicality, technical accuracy, clarity, transitions, and expressive and powerful movement. This is an open-level class that gives beginner students the space to learn the fundamentals of jazz dance, while more advanced dancers can push their attention to detail, athleticism, and artistry.

Character

Character class consists of stylized dance based on folk and national dances from across Europe and the continent. Dancers will work at the barre and with combinations in the center experiencing the artistry and musicality that is at the core of these cultural dances.  

Contemporary

This class combines classical and contemporary ideas leading dancers towards refinement of technique, a deep understanding of weight and body placement, and a strong sense of artistic integrity. Class begins on the floor and builds to two feet. You will be led through movement exercises and improvisational scores designed to strengthen both the body and mind. This class is geared toward students who are at the Intermediate/Advanced level.  

Modern - Horton

Created by Lester Horton in the earlier half of the 20th century, the Horton technique is one of the major codified modern dance techniques. The Horton technique was designed to correct muscle imbalances, creating a balance of strength and flexibility, while enhancing a dancer's musicality, dramatic and dynamic range. Classes will emphasize alignment, technical accuracy, clarity, transitions, initiation, movement quality, risk-taking, athleticism, and the joy of motion. All dancers are welcome to experience the Horton technique. 

Master Class Series

This year the Joffrey Academy of Dance will be offering a Master Class Series taught by various Joffrey Company artists and professionals. This series is available only to select Joffrey Academy students. Eligible students include Pre-Professional Division Levels V and VI, Conservatory, Ballet Trainee, Contemporary Ballet Trainee, Studio Company, and the Adult Open Division. Class content and location are subject to vary. Students interested in dancing on pointe in this class must currently be working on pointe outside of this class; all other students are welcome to participate in ballet slippers.