Classes & Dress Code

 
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Ballet

Ballet classes are typically offered to students age 8 and above.    Ballet classes focus on proper strength, technique, and alignment, in addition to gracefulness, style, and presence.   Classes begin with barre work and stretching, followed by center floor exercises and movement across the dance floor.  Our ballet program combines several styles, also known as “schools” of ballet, thus enabling the dancers to be versatile and well-rounded in their training.  Ballet students must possess patience and diligence.  It takes many years and a serious commitment to class-work to create a ballet dancer.  Ballet classes range in length from 45 minutes for beginners, to 90 minutes for advanced students.  Intermediate and Advanced ballet students are required to take 2 ballet classes each week. 

  • ALL BALLET STUDENTS MUST WEAR SOLID BLACK LEOTARDS AND LIGHT PINK TIGHTS (TIGHTS TO BE PURCHASED AT STUDIO)

  • SHORT SOLID BLACK CHIFFON SKIRT OR BLACK DANCE SHORTS PERMITTED

  • BALLET SHOES SHOULD BE PALE PINK LEATHER OR CANVAS, SPLIT-SOLE REQUIRED

  • HAIR MUST BE WORN IN A BALLET BUN

 

Jazz

Jazz classes are typically offered to students age 8 and above.  For younger children interested in Jazz, we offer a combination Ballet/Jazz Class.  Jazz classes consist of center floor warm-up exercises, which focus on proper placement and overall movement, isolations of various body parts, stretching, and preparations for turns, leaps, and kicks.  The warm-up is followed by a series of dance combinations moving across the dance floor, which incorporate and build on the basics of the warm up exercises.  Jazz classes often include a “dance” or “combination” of choreographed movements which the students work on and add to over the course of several classes.  Our Jazz program combines multiple styles of jazz dancing, including Contemporary, Hip Hop, Broadway, Modern, Luigi, and Fosse.  Jazz classes are usually 60 minutes in length.

  • JAZZ STUDENTS MUST WEAR LEOTARDS (ANY SOLID COLOR) AND TAN TIGHTS (TIGHTS TO BE PURCHASED AT STUDIO).

  • BLACK DANCE SHORTS PERMITTED

  • JAZZ SHOES SHOULD BE BLACK, SPLIT-SOLE, SLIP-ON STYLE PREFERRED

  • HAIR MUST BE PULLED BACK NEATLY

    • Students taking Advanced Jazz must also take a Ballet class

 

Ballet & Jazz Combo

The Ballet/Jazz Combo class is designed for children typically 6 to 8 years of age, depending on level of experience.  This class is 60-75 minutes in length, and contains a ballet and jazz portion.  The ballet portion of class focuses on the very basics of ballet technique, posture, strength, stretching, confidence and discipline.  It helps these young children begin to understand their bodies and to gain control of their movements.  The jazz portion consists of basic jazz dancing, including isolations and stretching, in addition to fast paced steps and movements across the dance floor. 

This class is our beginning level ballet class.  The jazz portion is optional.  If a student is only interested in the ballet portion, the cost of the class will be adjusted accordingly.

* If it is a performance year, students taking this class will perform both a ballet and a jazz dance in the show (cost-efficient convertible costumes will be worn). 

  • STUDENTS MUST WEAR SOLID BLACK LEOTARDS AND LIGHT PINK TIGHTS (TIGHTS TO BE PURCHASED AT STUDIO).

  • SHORT SOLID BLACK CHIFFON SKIRT OR BLACK DANCE SHORTS PERMITTED.

  • BALLET SHOES ARE WORN FOR THE ENTIRE CLASS AND SHOULD BE PALE PINK CANVAS OR LEATHER

  • SPLIT-SOLE PREFERRED BUT NOT REQUIRED

  • HAIR MUST BE WORN IN A BALLET BUN

Pointe

Pointe classes are offered to students who have been studying ballet for multiple years.  Pointe work requires proper alignment of the body, adequate overall strength to support oneself on pointe shoes, and strong, flexible, and well-developed feet.  It is essential that a student be physically ready to begin pointe-work.  Starting on pointe shoes too early can cause serious injury and long-term damage.  The teacher is the only person who can truly assess whether or not a dancer is ready for pointe.  Some ballet students are never able to take pointe due to their natural physical attributes (inflexible or weak feet, for example).  Pointe classes range from 30 to 60 minutes in length, depending on the level of the students in the class. 

  • DRESS CODE IS IDENTICAL TO BALLET CLASS

  • POINTE SHOES ARE REQUIRED (TEACHER WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN CHOOSING WHICH POINTE SHOES ARE BEST FOR THE STUDENT).

 

Tap

Our tap program is based on the Al Gilbert method of tap instruction, which consists of a series of graded levels, each level building upon and advancing beyond the previous level. Many tap students begin with the first level (CD #1) at an early age (age 3-5) and progress through the program as they get older. Eventually students move out of the Al Gilbert system into an eclectic and free form style of instruction, with a strong emphasis on sound and rhythm.  

  • TAP STUDENTS MUST WEAR LEOTARDS (ANY SOLID COLOR) AND TAN TIGHTS (TIGHTS TO BE PURCHASED AT STUDIO).

  • BLACK DANCE SHORTS PERMITTED

  • TAP SHOES SHOULD BE BLACK. STYLE DEPENDENT ON AGE/CLASS LEVEL

Acro

In order to take Acro, the student must be at least 5 years old.  In Beginner Acro, students will learn the basics of Acrobats and will also work on strength and flexibility.  This class is for students who have little or no experience and want to learn basic tricks, proper technique, and safety.    We also offer Intermediate and Advanced Level Acro classes to students with prior Acro experience. In order to be eligible for an Acro class, the student must also be enrolled in at least one dance class. Our beginner Acro level is instructional only (this class does not perform on stage).

  • STUDENTS MUST WEAR LEOTARDS (ANY SOLID COLOR) AND FOOTLESS TIGHTS (PURCHASED AT STUDIO)

  • HAIR MUST BE PULLED BACK NEATLY

  • BARE FEET

 
 

KidzCombo

KidzCombo is designed for our youngest students, typically starting at 2 ½ - 3 years of age through age 5 or 6.  This class is 45 minutes in length, and combines elements from all types of dancing.  Students will learn beginning tap steps, some basic ballet steps, elements of creative movement, stretching, song/dance combinations, and tumbling on occasion.  Students will also use a trampoline to begin to develop leg strength and an understanding for pushing oneself into the air, which is essential in dancing.  Since all pre-school age children mature and develop differently, it is difficult to list an age at which a student can start.  The best way to find out is to try the class.  Parents need to assess the following when trying to decide if it’s time to try: 

  • The child’s ability to follow instructions and conform to an organized classroom atmosphere.

  • The child’s independence level (there will be a curtain pulled so that the children are not able to see or be distracted by their parents). We will open the curtain on occasion for the parents to observe the class.

  • Potty-training – it is important that the child is not likely to have an accident on the floor during class. A child wearing pull-ups may be ready for the class as well. This requirement varies per child based on the child’s individual circumstances.

  • STUDENTS SHOULD WEAR LEOTARDS AND TIGHTS (ANY COLOR). SHORT SKIRTS ARE PERMITTED. NO GLITTER!

  • TAP SHOES ARE REQUIRED AND SHOULD BE BLACK, VELCRO/BUCKLE STYLE PREFERRED

  • STUDENTS SHOULD WEAR FOOTED TIGHTS OR SOCKS WITH THEIR TAP SHOES. TAP SHOES WILL BE REMOVED HALF WAY THOUGH CLASS AND DANCERS WILL CONTINUE CLASS IN TIGHTS/SOCKS. NO BARE FEET ALLOWEED.

  • HAIR SHOULD BE PULLED BACK NEATLY AND IN PONYTAIL IF LONG ENOUGH

DRESS CODE FOR BOYS 

BALLET/JAZZ COMBO & BALLET: BLACK LEGGINGS OR BIKE SHORTS (FORM FITTING/ABOVE KNEE/NO POCKETS), FORM FITTING WHITE T-SHIRT OR TANK. BLACK BALLET SHOES, WHITE SOCKS.

JAZZ, ACRO & TAP:  BLACK LEGGINGS OR BIKE SHORTS (FORM FITTING/ABOVE KNEE/NO POCKETS), FORM FITTING PLAIN/SOLID COLOR T-SHIRT OR TANK, BLACK TAP/JAZZ SHOES, WHITE SOCKS. 

LONG HAIR MUST BE PULLED BACK NEATLY OFF FACE.

TIGHTS FOR CLASS

All Students are required to wear specific and uniform tights in their classes.  Each class has a designated color and style of tights that must be worn by all students taking that class as stated above in each class description. No tights requirement for KidzCombo.  These tights will be sold at the studio.  Please note that if your child takes multiple classes, they may need multiple pairs of tights.  You can purchase tights at the dance studio prior to the dance year starting so you have them for the first week of classes.  Cost is $14/pair.

WHERE TO PURCHASE DANCWEAR & SHOES

 The following dance supply stores sell split-sole ballet and jazz shoes and higher quality dancewear:

 The Tight Spot Dancewear Center

2524 Brownsville Road

Pittsburgh, PA  15210

412-885-6440

*tell them you are a student of Steel City Academy of Dance and they will offer a discount

 The Performer’s Corner

2606 Lincoln Way

McKeesport, PA 15131 (White Oak)

412-754-1007

*tell them you are a student of Steel City Academy of Dance and they will offer a discount

 Online dance supply store: discountdance.com

  For younger students who do not require split-sole shoes:

 ·      Target

·      Walmart

·      Amazon

·      payless.com

·      discountdance.com