Class Descriptions
To create a learning environment in which maturity levels and abilities are in sync, students entering our introductory and level 1 classes must be born no later than Sept 1 . 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.
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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 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 (3 & 4 yrs.)
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. This class pairs well with Tiny Tap.
Introduction to Ballet (5 & 6 yrs.)
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). Add Introduction to Tap to further develop your little one’s dancing joy!
Tiny Tap (3 & 4 yrs.)
This class explores the art and rhythmic sounds of tap dancing. Add this class to your dancer’s Creative Movement class for even more fun!
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Introduction to Tap (5 & 6 yrs.)
This is an introduction to the basic steps and history of tap dancing. Add this class to the Introduction to Ballet class and watch your little one fly!
Ballet
Since the Bliss Dance Space has a 2-year ballet curriculum, students should expect to spend at least 2 years in each level.
Ballet 1: (7 yrs.+)
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.
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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.
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Variations (for dancers in Ballet 4 & 5)
This is a class 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 connects them to the rich history of ballet.
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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.
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Pre Pointe
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 two times a week.
Pointe 4
This is a supplemental class taken after a dancer has passed their pointe placement evaluation. This beginning/intermediate level class must be taken concurrently with Ballet 4. Due to the rigorous nature of pointe, a student who has too many absences will be asked to withdraw for their safety. This class meets two times a week.
Pointe 5
This class 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 who has too many absences will be asked to withdraw for their safety. This class meets two times a week.
Modern/Contemporary
Modern/Contemporary 1 (7 yrs. +)
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.
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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. Students in this class are invited to enroll in Composition 1 (see below).
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Modern/Contemporary 3 (placement)
This class builds on the work from Modern/Contemporary 3 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. Students in this class are invited to enroll in Composition 2 (see below).
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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, Nickolais, and later techniques. This class requires a mature dancer both in mind and body. Students in this class are invited to enroll in Composition 2 (see below).
Composition 1 (for students currently enrolled in at least one level 2 or 3 class - ballet, modern, jazz, tap)
In this class students will learn the fundamentals of creating a dance. Through guided exercises, students will learn to create short movement phrases and how to manipulate them. Students in this class are invited to join REACH, the Bliss Dance Space performance company.
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Composition 2 (For students currently enrolled in at least two level 4 or 5 classes - ballet, modern, jazz, tap)
This class will build on what students learned in Choreography 1. Students 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 in this class are invited to join REACH, the Bliss Dance Space performance company.
Jazz
Jazz 1 (7 yrs.+)
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.
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Jazz 5 (placement)
This fast-paced class uses highly intricate jazz exercises and combinations.
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Lyrical (for students currently enrolled in Jazz 4 & 5)
This class 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.
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Tap
Tap 1 (7+ yrs.)
This class introduces students to tap through history, vocabulary, steps, and combinations.
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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.
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Tap 3 (placement)
This class builds on Tap 1 & 2 with increased speed, more intricate rhythms, and an exploration of improvisation.
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Tap 4 (placement)
This class is for students who understand rhythm and musicality at an advanced level.
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Conditioning
Stretch for Dancers (for intermediate and advanced dancers)
A class that will teach dancers how to safely increase strength and flexibility. Focus will be on anatomical awareness and proper stretching techniques and strengthening exercises that will help reduce the risk of injury.
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Progressing Ballet Technique–PBT (for dancers in level 3 and 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. *This class will require students to provide their own exercise ball; a description of exactly what size and type to get will be provided once a student is enrolled in the class.
Adult Classes
These classes are designed for adult students beyond high school.
Ballet
This is a ballet course designed for the adult student. Proper technique, physical flexibility, strength, and stamina will be developed. This class is for beginning dancers as well as those who have been away from the barre for a while. Beginning will focus on the foundation of ballet and Intermediate/advanced will be faster paced focusing on more intricate steps and combinations in addition to performance quality.
Tap
This class is designed to challenge adult tappers. The class will focus on vocabulary, steps, combinations and personal movement style. Beginning focuses on the foundations of tap and Intermediate/Advanced is a faster paced class that focuses on performance quality in addition to more intricate steps and combinations. This is class is designed to challenge tappers at all levels. The class will focus on vocabulary, steps, combinations and personal movement style.
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Jazz
This introductory upbeat adult class focuses on the rhythm and movement dynamics of jazz dance. Adult students will be introduced to the origins of Jazz and its role in dance history.
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Modern
This adult class focuses on the elements of modern dance through modern dance history through exploring numerous classical modern techniques including, but not limited to Graham, Humphrey, Limon, and Laban-Bartinieff.
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BAR/REform
Not offered Fall 2023
Welcome to the barre!! This class is a mix of ballet movements, Pilates, yoga, aerobic exercises, and strength conditioning. It’s paired with energizing music to keep you going the entire time. You’ll need a water bottle, yoga mat, towel and 2-3 lb. weights (or 5 lb. weights if you need a challenge). Come in comfortable clothing and wear grippy socks or bare feet.