Dance Disciplines  

Ballet ~ Ballet is the foundation of all dance forms. Proper alignment and body placement, strength and technique are achieved through barre and center floor work. As soon as you see the turned out feet, hair in a bun, and soft graceful arms, you know that you are watching ballet. Its meticulous attention to technical detail make it invaluable to any serious dancer. (Ballet terminology is, with few exceptions, in French)

Jazz ~ Jazz Dance is a unique American Art form that continues to evolve with the various cultural changes and influences. The key elements of jazz music are syncopation and individual style. Syncopation is what gives jazz music and dancing its edge and excitement. Each teacher, dancer, and choreographer brings a unique style into the mix. Broadway and Hollywood made jazz dance big on the stage and the screen, and made pop music artists have incorporated jazz dance into their music videos.

Tap ~ Tap dance as we know it began in the United States. Its roots pull from Irish sole step dance, English clog dance (not American clog dance) and African dance movements. Tap dance is a form of dance in which the rhythm is sounded out by clicking sounds of metal plates nailed to the sole of the dance shoe.

Lyrical ~ This dance form is a blend of ballet, modern and jazz styles. Students learn the technique of ballet, the style and rhythms of jazz, and the inner/outer emotions of modern dance. A key element in a Lyrical Dance is seeing the movements done in a flowing or continuous pattern. The movements should interpret the words of the music, showing the audience the emotion of the particular piece. Students need to have at least one year experience in Jazz and ballet to be in this class.

Hip Hop ~ Also known as Street Dance, is an art form that includes movements such as pop and lock, funk, jam, gliding, break dancing, and hip hop hand movements. The moves can be fast and tight and choreographed to funky hip-hop dance music. Hip-Hop originated in the Bronx section of New York and is now popular throughout the world.

Tumbling ~ Tumbling is the basic floor work of gymnastics. (As seen in the Olympics.) The fundamentals of tumbling are flexibility, strength, and balance.

Clogging ~ An American folk dance that has its origins from the Southern Appalachian Mountains of the United States. Clogging has strong ties to the step dance of the British Isles brought to the region by settlers and the "Buck and wing" dance of the American Blacks. There are two major forms of clogging; the tradition Appalachian flat foot dance and the precision (or modern) clogging. There is a similarity to Tap dancing although in clogging the emphasis is often on the heels rather than the toes. Also, different metal taps are used for clogging. Clogging is performed across the United States today has a contemporary feel that all children, teenagers, and adults love.

Creative Movement ~ This class incorporates the basic elements from ballet and jazz, combined with stretch and strengthening movements. Students will learn the concept of movement with music while using many props to enhance and provide excitement in the learning environment.

Combination Classes ~ This class includes the foundational skills of tap, ballet and jazz. Each class will learn the same skills enhanced by the instructors unique instructional style. Only Tap & Ballet shoes are needed along with pink tights and leotard.

Modern ~ Modern dance defies a single permanent definition due to its ability to adapt, develop and evolve with the changing times within the dance world. Modern Dance forms came to be due to the restrictions set on the ballet dancers. Modern dance enables the dancer to break away from the codified and confining forms of the ballet and release the dancer from any locked definition. All classical elements of ballet - defying gravity, seamless grace, adherence to form - are challenged in modern dance. Modern dance mostly avoids any set basis or set vocabulary of steps such as ballet. The dancer tries to release the inner feelings in an outer expression.

Progressions ~ A technique class which enhances the students abilities to learn more quickly, increase their potential to leap and turn, through using basic dance elements and progressively making them more difficult to challenge the dancer's growth.

Ballroom ~ Each ballroom dance has its own unique roots and uses.  No previous dance experience is required.  In this class, students will learn the basics, as well as more complex elements, of one or two dances each week.  On a rotating basis, this class will cover Salsa, Swing, Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Rhumba.

Latin Core Strengthening ~ Is a specialty course from Core Rythyms, designed to help strengthen your core muscles while learning all the latin styles of dance such as Salsa, Cha-Cha and Merengue. No previous dance experience is required and is a great way to have fun and strengthen those abs!

Musical Theater/Choreography~ Musical Theater has come to DANCE MATRIX! A style seen on Broadway and in Disney hit movies and television. Musical theater classes incorporate dramatics, jazz and pop dance, comedy, singing, and acting. These classes are high energy, interactive, and fun. These classes build on the skills needed to audition and perform in the musical theater discipline. This includes training in Vocal skills, Theater dance technique, Character development and core dance skills.

Pom & Cheer~ Is designed to help strengthen your technique in cheerleading, practicing precise pom & cheer routines using Jazz & Hip Hop technique and basic tumbling. Coordination, responsibility, respect for others, teamwork, school spirit are all fundamentals of being a cheer leader that we take pride in. Go Dance Matrix!