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Styles of Dance and Class Activities

Tap

"A form of dance in which rhythmic sounds are created by the feet!"

Gerami's offers Tap Dancing to the pre-schooler (Age 3) to the Advanced Dancer. Teaching terminology while producing single sound steps and combinations to the more difficult. The student will receive a fundamental understanding of music, sound, movement, and tempo. Soft Shoe, Waltz Clog, and Traditional tap dance are progressed up to the advanced levels with emphasis clarity and style.

Ballet

"A classic dance form with specific codified terminology, technique, and choreography, typically performed with the legs in a turned-out position."

The technique of Classical Ballet is learned and perfected in a highly structured regiment of class work. Emphasis in this class is placed on Barre Exercises and Center Work. Student works on Port de Bras (arms), Body Positions, Tours (turns), Adagio (slow controlled movements), Allegro (brisk, lively steps), and combinations. The benefits gained from the study of Ballet are discipline, coordination, grace, poise, muscle toning, body alignment, and good posture.

Pointe

"A form of Ballet where the dancer is completely on the tips of her toes with the help of the pointe shoe"

Students take the Ballet class to new heights. The dancer must be at least 10 years of age and have had at least three years of consistent Ballet study. Steps are mastered at the Barre and the Center. Slow and careful development of the student's pointe technique will eventually produce an advanced dancer with confidence, strength, aplomb, and control.

Jazz

"A style of dance in which the dancer uses the essential ingredient of classic jazz performance "swing," dancing over and between the downbeats of the music."

In this class, the student learns all styles of jazz dancing. From modern, musical comedy, lyrical, latin, and blues, the instructor uses the latest trend movements incorporated with basic jazz technique. Jazz Class is choreographed and performed to all types of music. Class consists of jazz positions, body movements, stretching, and combinations.

Hip Hop

"A style of dance that incorporates street dance. Backed up by popular music, many characteristics of African Dance are evident."

This technique taught combines funk, latin, breakdance, and rock. All body positions are loose and fluid. Very stylized with breakaway moves. This class is the perfect partner for our regular jazz classes.

Tumbling/Acrobatics

"Tumbling is rotating and twisting movements done in rapid sequence requiring speed, agility, and strength."

Each class is structured to include variations of the following five basic skills: Counter Balance, Vertical Balance, Rolls, Flexibility, and Body Positions. Classes include warm-ups, basic skills, floor progressions, new skills, and routines. Students work with expert supervision in a safe physical environment.

Ballroom (Social Dancing)

"The magic of leading and following in rhythmic communication."

This four week course encompasses different forms of dance. From the Samba to the Waltz, the couple will learn elementary body rhythms, walks, and basic principles of each genre. Ballroom Dancing is a prime way to good carriage, efficiency of movement and consequent general relaxation.

Kick & Punch

Exercise class

Great cardio class along with trimming hips and thighs to maximum. This class is only for the serious.

Ballet Tone & Stretch

Exercise class

Concentrating on long lean muscles while mentally and physically engaging the body in the simplest of moves. No cardio involved.

Levels of Instruction at Gerami Academy

Pre-school

This level is for 3 and 4 year olds. They attend once a week for one and one-half hours and take 30 minutes of Tap, Ballet, and Tumbling.

Primary

This level is for 5 year olds. We have a standard one and one-half hours of weekly instruction in Tap, Ballet, and Tumbling or we offer a two hour weekly course that covers one hour of Tap & Ballet, followed by one hour of Tumbling.

Advanced primary

This level is for 6 year olds. We have a standard one and one-half hours of weekly instruction in Tap, Ballet, and Tumbling or we offer a two hour weekly course that covers one hour of Tap & Ballet followed by one hour of Tumbling.

Junior

This level is for 7 and 8 year olds. All of the four subjects: Tap, Ballet, Jazz and Tumbling are offered as one hour classes. The student should have at least two to three years of dance/tumbling instruction to be placed in this level. If the student is enrolled in Jazz, then Ballet is required.

Junior Advanced

This level is for 8 and 9 year olds. All of the four subjects: Tap, Ballet, Jazz and Tumbling are offered as one hour classes. The student should have at least one or two years of dance/tumbling instruction to be placed in this level. If the student is enrolled in Jazz, then Ballet is required.

Level I

This level is for 9-11 year olds. The Ballet and Jazz classes are one hour and 15 minutes. The Tap and Tumbling classes are offered as one hour classes. The student should have at least three years of instruction to be placed in this level. If the student is enrolled in Jazz, then Ballet is required. Separate Hip Hop Jazz classes are offered to 10 year olds and up.

Level II

This level is for 10 - 12 year olds. The Ballet, Jazz, and Tumbling classes are one hour and 15 minutes. The Tap classes are offered as one hour classes. The student should have at least three to four years of instruction to be placed in this level. If the student is enrolled in Jazz, then Ballet is required. Separate Hip Hop classes are offered to students enrolled in regular Jazz classes.

Level III A & B

This level is for 12 years old and up. To be placed in this level, we consider the age and the ability of the student. The Ballet, Jazz, and Tumbling classes are one hour and 15 minutes. The Tap classes are offered as one hour classes. The student should have a considerable amount of previous training. If the student is enrolled in Jazz, then Ballet is required. Separate Hip Hop classes are offered to students enrolled in regular Jazz classes.

Level IV A & B

This level is for 13 year olds and up. To be placed in this level, we consider the age and the ability of the student. The Ballet classes are one hour and 30 minutes. The Jazz and Tumbling classes are one hour and 15 minutes and the Tap classes are offered as one hour classes. The student should have a considerable amount of previous training. If the student is enrolled in Jazz, then Ballet is required. Separate Hip Hop classes are offered to students enrolled in regular Jazz classes.

Level V

This level is for advanced dancers only (ages 14 and older). The Ballet classes are one hour and 30 minutes. The Jazz and Tumbling classes are one hour and 15 minutes and the Tap classes are offered as one hour classes. The Studio will personally place all students in this level. If the student is enrolled in Jazz, then Ballet is required. Separate Hip Hop classes are offered to students enrolled in regular Jazz classes.

Basic I

This level is for first year beginners, ages 7-11. The Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Tumbling classes are offered as one hour classes. If the student is enrolled in Jazz, then Ballet is required.

Basic II

This level is for ages 12 and older. This includes teenagers thru adult beginners. The Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Tumbling classes are offered as one hour classes.