Dance | Jackson School of the Arts

Pre-Ballet

This class provides a basic ballet foundation for ages 2 -4. Students learn to move to simple rhythms, improve coordination and balance, and learn very basic ballet steps and terminology. Other activities include learning through games, skipping, hopping, walking on the balance beam with fun and familiar songs. Children must be able to take this class without a parent and be able to follow simple directions.

To give more variety to the pre-ballet program, all the classes from age 3 and up will also include some tap dance elements as well. This will help them broaden their skills and keep their interest strong. We also offer a Ballet and Jazz Combination for those that love upbeat music while also working on ballet positions.

2019-2020 Pre-Ballet Classes:

Pre-Ballet I – Age 2 (based on Nov 1st age)

Mon 4:15-4:45 PM Carmen
Wed 5:15-5:45 PM Isabella
Thurs 10:00-10:30 AM Heather
Thurs 4:15-4:45 PM Natalee
Sat 10:00-10:30 AM Jayda

Pre-Ballet II – Ages 3 (based on Nov 1st age)

Mon 4:15-5:00 PM Ashley A.
Thurs 4:45-5:30 PM Natalee
Sat 10:00-10:45 AM Natalee

Pre-Ballet II/III – Ages 3 and 4 (based on Nov 1st age)

Thurs 10:30-11:15 AM Heather

Pre-Ballet/Jazz – Ages 3 and 4 (based on Nov 1st age)

Wed 3:30-4:15 PM Heather

Pre-Ballet III – Age 4 (based on Nov 1st age)

Tues 5:15-6:00 PM Angie
Thurs 5:30-6:15 PM Isabella
Sat 10:45-11:30 AM Natalee

Ballet

Ballet classes introduce students to a more formal class structure, including barre work, alignment exercises, stretching, coordination exercises and simple locomotion. The posture, placement and comportment of classical ballet are emphasized. As students progress they continue training in the fundamentals of ballet technique and vocabulary.

Please note that we have made a few minor changes to our ballet schedule to ensure that we are serving our students with the appropriate classes and levels. We recommend that any ballet student ages 8 or over attend ballet II for a placement class. This class is free and it enables our ballet instructor to help you select the right class for your child. Please call us if you have any questions. 784-2389.

2019/2020 Classes:

Ballet I *Recommended for Ages 5-6yrs.

Mon 4:15-5:15 PM Heather
Sat 11:00-Noon Ashley C.

Ballet II *Recommended for Ages 7-10yrs

Mon 5:15-6:15 PM Heather

Ballet III *Placed by Ballet Instructor

All three of the following sessions are for a single enrollment of Ballet III:

Mon 6:15-7:15 PM Heather
Wed 5:30-6:30 PM Heather (session combined with Ballet IV)
Wed 6:30-7:00 PM Heather (Pre-Pointe)

Ballet IV & Pre-Pointe (Previously Junior Ballet Company)

All three of the following sessions are for a single enrollment of IV:

Wed 5:30-6:30 PM Heather (session combined with Ballet III)
Wed 6:30-7:00 PM Heather (Pre-Pointe)
Thurs 6:30-7:30 PM Heather

Ballet V & Pointe (Previously Senior Ballet Company)

All three of the following sessions are for a single enrollment of V:

Mon 7:30-8:30 PM Heather
Wed 7:00-7:45 PM Heather
Wed 7:45-8:30 PM Heather (Pointe session)

For ballet ages 12 and up please see information on the next tab about ballet IV and ballet V program.

Ballet III and Ballet IV include a pre-pointe component that focuses on the development of physical strength, proper body alignment and overall readiness necessary to safely dance “en pointe.”

If you are unsure which ballet class is appropriate for your dancer (age 8+), please attend Ballet II for placement. Dancer may need to attend more than one class before they are placed.

Dress Code:

Girls black leotards, pink tights and pink ballet shoes (Ballet III-V: Require a split sole pink ballet shoe). Optional: black ballet skirt. Hair in a bun or pulled back neatly.

Boys – solid black (not baggy) shorts or black dance pants, solid black t-shirt or Jackson School of the Arts apparel and black ballet shoes.

* Ballet skirts should be simple wrap or pull on style. No jewelry.

For adults: (see adult page for more classes and programs)

Adult Ballet @ The Barre 16+ Thursday 7:15-8:15 Angie

Ballet IV and V

The IV and V Ballet Company are for dancers ages 12+ who wish to work on technique and terminology. Students work on foot articulation, proper use of their ankle, stretch of their foot and arch strength. The class also includes cross training to improve core strength and flexibility as well as strong body awareness. Classes include full barre and center work (adagio and allegro) and progressions across the floor including leaps and turns. Classes also include a performance component building on choreographed combinations each week, working toward several community performances and the annual dance recital.

Read More About The Ballet Company

Dress Code:

Solid pink or black leotard, pink tights, pink split sole ballet shoes. Optional: Black Ballet Wrap Skirt
Hair must be in a bun.

General Prerequisite:

For ages 12+
Placement class or students who miss placement class may be included with instructor approval determined during their first two weeks of class.

Instructor: Heather Mehl

Class Selections/Schedule:

Ballet IV

All three of the following sessions are for a single enrollment of Ballet IV:

Wed 5:30-6:30 PM Heather (session combined with Ballet III)
Wed 6:30-7:00 PM Heather
Thurs 6:30-7:30 PM Heather

Ballet V

All three of the following sessions are for a single enrollment of Ballet V:

Mon 7:30-8:30 PM Heather
Wed 7:00-7:45 PM Heather
Wed 7:45-8:30 PM Heather (Pointe session)

Combination Classes

This one-hour combination class provides students with opportunity to be exposed to two or three types of dance in one class. Depending on age, experience and ability, students progress from beginning to more advanced techniques. In the dance recital, students perform twice. Classes with three genres include which two styles are performed.

Ballet/Tap 5-6yrs.

Mon 5:00-6:00 PM Ashley A.
Tue 4:15-5:15 PM Angie

Ballet/Tap/Jazz 5-6yrs. (Recital Ballet & Jazz Performed)

Wed 4:15-5:30 PM Heather
Sat 10:30-11:45 AM Jayda

Hip Hop/Jazz 5-6yrs.

Sat 10:00-11:00 AM Ashley C.

Homeschool Ballet/Tap 5-9yrs.

Thurs 11:15AM-12:15PM Heather

Ballet/Jazz 7-9yrs.

Tue 5:15-6:15 PM Heather

Ballet/Tap 7-9yrs.

Mon 6:15-7:15PM Ashley A.

Ballet/Tap/Jazz 7-9yrs. (Recital Tap & Jazz Performed)

Thurs 4:15-5:30 PM Heather
Sat 11:45-1:00 PM Jayda

Ballet/Tap 7-9yrs.

Mon 6:15-7:15 PM Ashley A.

Adult Ballet

We all need some time to recover from our daily routine. Claim some time for yourself by joining us for our Adult Barre Class. This weekly excursion will not only get you familiar with ballet concepts in a comfortable environment, but will help you become a stronger and more relaxed version of yourself.

This dance studio for a class that incorporates barre work and the very best ballet exercises and techniques that create strong lean bodies.

No ballet experience is necessary.
Wear exercise clothes that make you feel comfortable.

Meets on Thursdays 7:15-8:15 PM
$35 a month
Instructor: Angie

Acro, Flexibility and Circus Arts

2019-2020 Classes:

Hoop Dance 7+

Tues 6:30-7:30 PM Jason

This class will teach the art of prop manipulation through Hula hoop dance. No prior experience is required to start. We will be focusing on skill development from the basics of keeping the hoop moving around parts of the body like the waist and basic to advance illusion skills. With the skills learned we will start to explore the connections and combinations that can be developed to create dance routines with a hula hoop. Dress Code : Comfortable fitted clothing with no zippers, buttons or “bling.”No tank tops. No shorts without tights underneath. Yoga or capri pants are good recommended. No jewelry.

Technique & Conditioning – 7 & up

Thurs 4:15-5:15 PM Angie

This hour-long class focuses on building core strength and increasing endurance and flexibility through a variety of exercises. These exercises include, but are not limited to pilates, yoga, and strength exercises. This class also helps dancers identify areas of weakness as well as needs in flexibility. It gives dancers the tools to use throughout their week to improve these areas as they work towards their dance goals. This class is also great for the non-dancers because being strong and flexible is good for us all! Dress Code : Comfortable fitted clothing with no zippers, buttons or “bling.”No tank tops. No shorts without tights underneath. Yoga or capri pants are good recommended. No jewelry.

Acro 5-9yrs.

Tuesday 5:15-6:15 Nadyia

This class introduces basic tumbling moves with a strong emphasis on stretching and strengthening exercises, which will prepare the student for more advanced work. Basic moves learned include things such as Splits, Backbends, Handstands, and Cartwheels. This class combines the love of dance and acrobatics.

Dress code for this class is a solid color leotard with shorts or leggings. Hair in a ponytail.

Lyrical and Jazz 8 yrs. +

Lyrical is a beautiful blend of Ballet, Modern and Jazz Dance. Students learn the techniques of ballet, rhythm of jazz and the emotions of modern dance. Lyrical creates a story or expresses the mood or theme of the music and its lyrics. This class is great for the experienced or beginner dancer.

2019-20 Schedule

Lyrical/Jazz Level I (8+yrs)

Wed 5:45-6:45 PM Isabella

Lyrical/Jazz Level II *Placed by Instructor

Tue 4:15-5:15 PM Heather
Dress code: Solid colored leotard, tan footless tights or black leggings/shorts. Tan jazz shoes optional. Hair pulled neatly off face.

Ballet/Tap/Jazz 5-6yrs. (Recital Ballet & Jazz Performed)

Wed 4:15-5:30 PM Heather
Sat 10:30-11:45 AM Jayda

Hip Hop/Jazz 5-6yrs.

Sat 10:00-11:00 AM Ashley C.

Hip Hop

These classes are high energy. Students learn “street moves” danced to the rhythms of today’s favorite R&B, hip hop and pop music. All music is age appropriate and free of any suggestive language.

2019-2020 Schedule:

Hip Hop 5-6 Wed 4:30-5:15 Carmen
Hip Hop/Jazz 5-6 Sat 10:00-11:00 Ashley C.
Hip Hop 7-9 Mon 5:00-6:00 Carmen
Hip Hop 7-9 Wed 5:15-6:15 Carmen
Hip Hop 7-9 Sat 11:30-12:30 Natalee
Hip Hop 10+ (Lev 1) Wed 6:15-7:15 Carmen
Hip Hop 10+ (Lev 2) Thurs 7:30-8:30 Heather
Adult Hip Hop 16+ Mon 7:30-8:30 Carmen (See Notes Below)
Boys Hip Hop 7-11 Mon 6:15-7:15 Carmen

Adult Hip Hop Notes:

This class is a high-energy, fun/relaxed setting, that will not participate in recital. There will also be defined class sessions that may not match the typical weekly JSA schedule. Specific dates/weeks to be announced later.

Adult Hip Hop Session Dates

Session 1: September 9, 16. 23, & 30
Session 2: October 7, 14, 21, 28
Session 3: November 4, 11, 18, Dec.2

Dress Code:

Girls: solid color t-shirt (no writing), leggings and/or shorts and black sneaker with black sole.
Boys: solid color t-shirt (no writing), jogger/athletic pants and/or shorts and black sneaker with black sole.

No jeans or belly shirts. No writing on clothing. Hair should be in a ponytail or pulled back off your face. No jewelry.

Shoes: Black sneaker with black sole

Irish

Irish dance, dating back to the Druids, is a rhythmic and lighthearted dance. While the rigid upper body mimics the posture of a soldier, the legs and feet pound out incredible footwork.

2018-2019 Schedule:

Irish Soft Shoe (5+) Tues 6:30-7:30 Angie
Irish Hard Shoe Tues 6:00-6:30 Angie

Dress Code:
Girls: wear black leotards, black tights and a solid color knee length skirt. Shrugs or a sweater is also acceptable over the leotard.
Boys: black t-shirt, black pants.

Shoes: Soft shoe students can wear black ballet shoes, or ghillies.

Hard shoe students must order shoes – assistance with ordering available through instructor. Hair should be in a ponytail or pulled away from your face.

Clogging

A beginning level clogging class…high energy and lots of fun! Clog dancing is similar to tap. Dancers will learn Appalachian clogging steps including basics, doubles, triples, cowboy, joey and MORE! No experience necessary for this class. Along with FUN, dancers will get the benefits of improved flexibility, coordination, endurance, strength and building self confidence. Class Requires Clogging Shoes, must order online.

Beginner Clogging (6-9yrs.) Thurs 6:15-7:15 PM Chris
Beginner/Intermediate (10+yrs.) Thurs 7:15-8:15 PM Chris

Tap and Tap for Musical Theater

These classes teach rhythm, coordination, tap terminology and choreography according to your level. Students dance to contemporary, Broadway musical or hip hop music.

Adult Tap (16+)

Wed 6:45-7:45 Karena

Tap for Musical Theater

Musical Theater Tap Info:

Tap for Musical Theater introduces basic tap technique and steps that are utilized in Musical Theatre productions. This fun class is highly recommended for students/actors/dancers interested in Musical Theatre and the dance steps associated with this “Broadway” style of tap dance.

Dress Code:
Girls/Women: pink or black leotard and pink or black tights. Optional: solid black shorts or solid skirts.
Boys/Men: solid black shorts or sweatpants and solid black plain t-shirt or Jackson School of the Arts apparel. For adults black capris or yoga pants optional.
Shoes: Lace up, velcro or ribbon tied black tap shoes. Hair should be in a ponytail or pulled back off your face.

Performance Company

The Performance Company at Jackson School of the Arts is designed to engage and inspire youth by providing access to high quality dance instruction. Our program is all inclusive and therefore welcomes dancers of every shape, size, and background. Students can expect a safe, nurturing and challenging environment and will have the opportunity to share their love of dance with our community throughout the year.

This dance company is not based on one particular dance genre and students will be learning choreography rooted in lyrical, ballet and jazz. The students will be invited to work with Ms. Angie, the instructor, to add their own personality to the dancers. Dances will be choreographed to feature students individual talents in solos along with duets, trios and group dances.

More Info About The Performance Company

Competition Jazz

We are starting a new program specifically for those that are interested in competing in Jazz Dance

Audition Date: August 15

Age 5-11 yrs. 5:00-6:00 PM

Age 12-17 yrs. 6:00-7:00 PM

Competition Jazz 5-9yrs. *Must Audition for Team

Thurs 5:30-6:30 Heather

Competition Jazz 12+yrs. *Must Audition for Team –

Sun (*Select Sundays) 3:00-5:00 PM Heather

Ballroom

Class will take place Tuesday Nights from 7:30–8:30 pm with Ms. Angie as your instructor. Classes fill up quick, so be sure to register before the class day.

Fox Trot

September 10, 17. 24

The Foxtrot is a classic dance with a long-stride step put to 4/4 music. Foxtrot earned its name from Vaudeville actor Harry Fox, and became an iconic dance in the early half of the 1900’s. It is in the same family as the Waltz, and borrows inspiration from the Tango, with simple charm and flowing steps put to energetic big-band music.

Paso Doble

October 8, 15, 22

The Pasodoble is a grand and dramatic dance developed in France and picked up in Spain and Portugal. It is made to mirror the theatricality of a bullfight, and is danced to march-like music. The Pasodoble is a great dance for introducing intense body-language and eye contact, while enjoying the beautiful sweeping poses and passes it is famous for.

Swing

November 5, 12, 19

East Coast Swing, differing from its West Coast counterpart, is a lively and jovial dance style developed through the end of the 1940’s and into the 1950’s. Unique in its American origin, it is a favorite in dance clubs and ballrooms across the world. It can be danced to many different kinds of music, and for more advanced dancers often includes acrobatic aerial tricks.

Merengue

December 3, 10, 17

Merengue is a simple, upbeat Latin dance style perfect for clubs and fast music! One of the most versatile dance styles, easy to learn and fun to use! Merengue originated in the Dominican Republic and makes use of quick foot work and a delightful Caribbean beat!

2020 Ballroom Schedule

Rumba

January 14, 21, 28 2020

The Rhumba is the slowest of the traditional Latin dances, danced in a syncopated 2/4 time. It is often called the most romantic dance style because of the close-couple position, Latin-characteristic Cuban hip-action, and the relaxed, gliding steps.

Waltz

February 11, 18. 25 2020

The Waltz is a smooth and elegant dance often put to 3/4 timing. It can be danced several different ways, but the approach this class will take is a classic three-step with added variations of movement and steps to create a romantic and lovely dance.

Swing

March 10, 17, 24 2020

East Coast Swing, differing from its West Coast counterpart, is a lively and jovial dance style developed through the end of the 1940’s and into the 1950’s. Unique in its American origin, it is a favorite in dance clubs and ballrooms across the world. It can be danced to many different kinds of music, and for more advanced dancers often includes acrobatic aerial tricks.

Cha-cha-cha

April 7, 14, 28 2020

Cha-cha-cha and Merengue are both lively and upbeat Latin dances in the same family of steps. They are both often used in formal competitions and a favorite for in-formal clubs. Both consist of playful and creative steps, and are a wonderful ground for improvisational dance moves.

Argentine Tango

May 5, 12, 19 2020

The Argentine Tango is a sensual dance developed in the clubs of Buenos Aires and differs from its American counterpart. It can be danced to many musical timings, and consists of many sweeping and grand poses. It requires dancers to be in-tune with one another and with the music, to create a beautiful flowing dance.