Youth Class Descriptions
To create a learning environment in which maturity levels and abilities are in sync, students entering our pre-school classes must be the correct age by September 1. Students enrolling in our introductory level must be entering kindergarten or first grade. If one of our teachers observes a student who seems too advanced for the class in which they’ve enrolled, the student will be moved up. Please trust our experienced faculty.
Placement
Some of our classes require placement. Current Bliss dancers will receive placement letters prior to registration. If you are new to dance or are coming to Bliss from another studio, please contact Miss Jennifer (jennifer@blissdancespace.com) so that we can properly place your dancer.
Introductory Dance
Wee Move (18 months-35 months + adult)
Dance and connect with your little one whether you’re a parent, guardian, grandparent, or nannie. We will explore and grow together through dance and song.
Creative Movement with Tiny Tap (3-5 yrs. Students not yet attending Kindergarten)
Explore the world of dance through imagination and play. Students will learn about the basic elements of dance: body, action, space, time, and energy while learning “how” to take class—take turns, line up, pay attention all while dancing. The Tiny Tap portion of class explores the art and rhythmic sounds of tap dancing.
Introduction to Ballet & Tap (Kindergarten and 1st grade students)
This class builds on the structural elements learned in Creative Movement (body, action, space, time, and energy) but with a balletic focus. Students will learn the etiquette of a dance class and the language of ballet (in French as well as English). The tap portion of class is an introduction to the basic steps and history of tap dancing.
Ballet
Bliss Dance Space has a 2-year ballet curriculum, students should expect to spend at least 2 years in each level.
Ballet 1 (students entering 2nd grade)
An introduction to the art, etiquette, history, and vocabulary of ballet. Focus is placed on proper technique and full body awareness: engaging the core, and proper alignment while working through movements at the barre and center.
Ballet 2 (placement)
This class builds on the work from Ballet 1 with an emphasis on coordination of the head, arms, and legs at the barre and center. This class meets two times a week.
Ballet 3 (placement) This level will focus on longer combinations and increased tempo changes. This class meets two times a week.
Ballet 4 (placement)
This is an Intermediate class that moves more quickly through combinations than previous levels. Performance quality is emphasized. This class meets twice a week.
Ballet 5 (placement)
This is an advanced ballet class. Emphasis is placed on polishing technique through increasingly challenging steps, exercises, and combinations. This class meets two times a week.
Variations (for dancers in Ballet 4 & 5)
These classes are for dancers currently enrolled in Ballet 4 & 5. Students will learn variations from famous ballets throughout history. This is a good class to further a dancer’s performance quality and connect them to the rich history of ballet.
Pointe
A Note on Pointe
Not every advanced ballet dancer will decide to study pointe but, for those who do, it is a wonderful way to expand one’s repertoire. For your dancer’s health and safety, advancing a level in ballet will not automatically advance them in pointe class. Placement will be made at the teacher’s discretion.
Pre Pointe (2nd year Ballet 2 and 1st year Ballet 3 students)
This class teaches dancers exercises that will further develop their strength and alignment in preparation for their pointe evaluation and all-around better ballet technique. It discusses the history of pointe and pointe shoes. This class is not a guaranteed gateway to pointe work. Near the end of each year, dancers will learn the anatomy of a pointe shoe, what to expect at a pointe shoe fitting, and how to properly sew and care for their shoes. This class meets once a week.
Beginning Pointe
This is a supplemental class taken after a dancer has passed their pointe placement evaluation. This introductory level class must be taken concurrently with Ballet 3. Due to the rigorous nature of pointe, a student with too many absences will be asked to withdraw for their safety. This class meets two times a week.
Pointe 4
This class is taken concurrently with Ballet 4 and is for the intermediate pointe student. Emphasis is placed on preparing the dancer for more intricate combinations. Due to the rigorous nature of pointe, a student with too many absences will be asked to withdraw for their safety. This class meets two times a week.
Pointe 5
This class is taken concurrently with Ballet 5 and is for the advanced pointe student. Emphasis is placed on polishing technique through increasingly challenging steps, exercises, and combinations. Due to the rigorous nature of pointe, a student with too many absences will be asked to withdraw for their safety. This class meets two times a week.
Modern/Contemporary & REACH
Modern/Contemporary 1 (for students entering 2nd grade)
This is an introductory class that explores movement through body, action, space, time, and energy. We will focus on alignment and flexibility with an introduction to the history and terminology of modern dance. Improvisation will be used to explore the dancer’s creativity.
Modern/Contemporary 2 (placement)
This class builds on Modern/Contemporary 1 with an expanded study of improvisation and the historical significance of modern dance. We will dive deeper into movement through body, action, space, time, and energy.
Beginning Composition is embedded in Modern 2. During this segment of class, students will learn the fundamentals of creating a dance. Through guided exercises, students create short movement phrases and explore how to manipulate them. Students in this class will perform their works in the spring with REACH, the Bliss Dance Space performance company.
*It is highly recommended that students enroll in one additional technique class (Ballet, Jazz or Tap).
Modern/Contemporary 3 (placement)
This class builds on the work from Modern/Contemporary 2 with a greater focus on the elements of modern dance through a deeper, more focused approach. Modern Dance history will be explored through numerous classical modern techniques including, but not limited to Graham, Humphrey, Limon, and Laban-Bartinieff.
Composition 3 (for students currently enrolled in modern 3)
Students in this class will further explore the tools of choreography, give and receive feedback, and will work individually and in small groups to create original pieces of art. Students will share their creations in the spring REACH concert, the Bliss Dance Space performance company.
*It is required that students are concurrently enrolled in Modern 3 and 1 additional technique class (Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical)
Modern/Contemporary 4 (placement)
This class builds on the work from Modern/Contemporary 3 and branches into early Contemporary dance history through styles and schools such as Cunningham and Taylor. This class requires a mature dancer both in mind and body. Students in this class are invited to enroll in Advanced Composition (see below).
Composition 4 (for students currently enrolled in modern 4)
Students will build on skills learned in Intermediate Composition and co-create dances and place them on other dancers in the class. Students in this class will perform in the spring REACH concert.
*It is required that students are concurrently enrolled in Modern 4 and 2 additional technique classes (Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical)
Modern/Contemporary 5 (placement)
This class builds on the work from Modern/Contemporary 4 and branches into today’s Contemporary dance. This class requires a mature dancer both in mind and body. Students in this class are invited to lead the REACH company (see below).
REACH (for students currently enrolled in Modern 5)
This group gives Bliss dancers who want more performance experience and dance opportunities an avenue to explore and showcase their art while giving back to the community. REACH is not just student choreography, it teaches students how to direct and manage a full performance, run auditions, create rehearsal schedules, design posters/social media ads and much more all under faculty guidance. It culminates in a spring performance at a local theater.
*It is required that students are concurrently enrolled in Modern 5 and 2 additional technique classes (Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical)
Jazz
Jazz 1 (students entering 2nd grade)
This introductory, upbeat class focuses on the rhythm and movement dynamics of jazz dance. Students will be introduced to the origins of Jazz and its role in dance history.
Jazz 2 (placement)
This class builds on the work of Jazz 1 while introducing more advanced polyrhythmic movements and encouraging students to begin exploring their own movement style.
Jazz 3 (placement)
This class continues the focus on technique and introduces lyrical styles into class exercises and combinations.
Jazz 4 (placement)
This fast-paced class uses more intricate jazz exercises and combinations.
Jazz 5 (placement)
This fast-paced class uses highly intricate jazz exercises and combinations.
Lyrical (for students currently enrolled in Jazz 4 & 5)
These classes will build on techniques learned in jazz and ballet using song lyrics as inspiration for movement. Open to students concurrently enrolled in Jazz 4 or 5.
Tap
Tap 1 (students entering 2nd grade)
This class introduces students to tap through history, vocabulary, steps, and combinations.
Tap 2 (placement)
This class builds on what was learned in Tap 1 and adds more complex rhythms and longer combinations. Personal style will begin to be developed in this class.
Tap 3 (placement)
This class builds on Tap 1 & 2 with increased speed, more intricate rhythms, and an exploration of improvisation.
Tap 4 (placement)
This class is for students who understand rhythm and musicality at an advanced-intermediate level.
Tap 5 (placement)
This class is for students who understand rhythm and musicality at an advanced level.
Conditioning
Dynamic Warm-Up (for intermediate and advanced dancers)
A class that will teach dancers how to safely increase strength and flexibility through dynamic warm-up. Focus will be on anatomical awareness and proper stretching techniques and strengthening exercises that will help reduce the risk of injury.
Progressing Ballet Technique–PBT (for dancers in level 2 and 3 up)
A class created by Marie Walton-Mahon. PBT uses a series of exercises to help a dancer gain an understanding of the anatomy of dance. It develops a dancer’s muscle memory allowing students to increase strength and economize movement. Despite its name, it is for all dance genres.