Classes
Ballet + Pointe
PRE-BALLET
Pre-Ballet is a 45 min class for Kindergarten and First Graders. The class focuses on basic Ballet positions, simple barre and center work. For most of our dancers, this is not the first Ballet class they have taken. Our Pre-Ballet dancers will build a strong foundation in Ballet technique and comprehend terminology in a fun, imaginative environment.
BALLET I – III/IV*
Classes become more formal and advanced, refining technique, barre, and center work. Students are gradually taught more advanced steps and continue to improve on fundamentals. A serious ballet student typically picks up supplemental classes, such as Technique + Conditioning, and other styles as they grow older in order to support their training. Ballet I classes are 1 hour while Ballet II-III/IV classes are 75 minutes.
POINTE III and III/IV *
Students are invited to start Pointe classes when they have studied Ballet for multiple years and are ready both physically and technically for the commitment Pointe work requires. Pointe classes emphasize proper execution of technique, turn-out, and caution to prevent injury. Dancers must take at at least 1 Ballet class and 1 Technique and Conditioning class per week to be eligible to take Pointe class. Each Pointe Class is 45 minutes and typically takes place before or after a 75 minute Ballet Class.
TECHNIQUE AND CONDITIONING*
Tech and Conditioning is a 45 minute class dedicated to refining dancers’ general dance technique, as well as strengthening their muscles for all styles of dance. Tech and Conditioning is designed to integrate various dance styles and technique with a heavy emphasis on Ballet as the backbone of all dance styles. Areas of focus include: leaps, turns, flexibility, strengthening, barre, and across the floor.
*Please note that Level IV, Pointe, and Tech and Conditioning are instructor-approval only classes.
Lyrical
LYRICAL II/III*
Lyrical is a style that uses both Ballet and Jazz dance, with very expressive music and movement. Choreography is often highly technical and set to lyrics in order to effectively tell a story. Lyrical classes lay the foundation for dancers to move up to Contemporary as they grow and improve. Lyrical II/III is 1 hour and requires dancers to take least one class per week of Ballet, Tech and Conditioning, and Jazz as pre-requisites.
*Please note that Lyrical is instructor-approval only.
Hip Hop
KIDS COMBO
Designed for Kindergarten and First Graders, Kids Combo incorporates and introduces the foundations of Jazz and Hip-Hop styles. Students learn rhythm, movement patterns, and basic dance steps while dancing to fun, age-appropriate, and popular music. Classes are 45 minutes long.
HIP HOP I-IV*
Hip-Hop classes bring the wonders of street dance and freestyle movements into the studio. This vibrant style of dance never fails to entertain a crowd. Classes work on new choreography weekly and dancers improve their musicality while dancing to fun, popular, age-appropriate music. Hip-Hop I-III classes are 1 hour and Hip-Hop III/IV and IV are 75 minutes.
*Please note that Level IV Hip Hop is an instructor-approval only class.
Jazz
KIDS COMBO
Designed for Kindergarten and First Graders, Kids Combo incorporates and introduces the foundations of Jazz and Hip-Hop styles. Students learn rhythm, movement patterns, and basic dance steps while dancing to fun, age-appropriate, and popular music. Classes are 45 minutes long.
JAZZ I-IV*
Beginner to Advanced Jazz classes emphasize a technically-based dance style that uses elements of Ballet and theatricality. This fun style of dance focuses on syncopation, jumps, turns, and leaps. Students learn to apply and hone their dance technique and musicality skills as classes become more advanced. Jazz I and II classes are 1 hour while Jazz III and IV classes are 75 minutes.
Contemporary
CONTEMPORARY III AND IV*
Contemporary is a dynamic fusion of Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, and Modern technique. Contemporary goes beyond performing and allows students to focus their dancing on storytelling, connecting with music, and invoking emotion. Contemporary III and IV are 75 minute classes and require dancers to take at least one class per week of Ballet, Tech and Conditioning, and Jazz as pre-requisites.
*Please note that Contemporary is instructor-approval only.
CONTEMPORARY/MODERN III/IV
Designed for experienced dancers in grades 9 through 12, Contemporary/Modern is a dynamic fusion of Ballet, Jazz, and Modern technique. Having no pre-requisites, Contemporary/Modern is a class for dancers to explore the new style, in which skills are developed in storytelling and performing. Contemporary/Modern III/IV is a 1 hour class.
Modern
MODERN I – III
Modern dance uses the basic technique of Ballet, but challenges the structured style of Classical Ballet. Dancers explore movement without the use of the barre or Ballet shoes. GDS Modern dance references different Modern techniques with an emphasis on Lyrical and Contemporary styles. Modern I and II are 1 hour and Modern III is 75 minutes.
GDS Company
Every year we select a very small group of dancers to be part of Greenwich Dance Studio’s performing Company. Spots are offered to dedicated, highly technical dancers, as well as strong stage performers. Company dancers are placed in their own classes where there is an immense emphasis on technique, stage presence, storytelling, and musicality. Company dancers are asked to make dance their priority outside of school and perform in several special venues throughout the year. Company is also specifically featured in our annual spring performance.
*Please note that Company is by invitation only.