Styles of Dance
WE'RE DIFFERENT. SEE FOR YOURSELF.
As Gerami Academy enters its "67th" year of dance/tumbling training, it is gratifying to know that we have grown into a leading dance studio, serving the needs of dance education throughout Acadiana. The driving force of what we offer to our students will always be what inspires our teachers to be the best that they can be.
Gerami's offers a good solid dance education that is second to none. We are a hands-on studio with an organized and efficient staff. We will continue to inspire our students in technique applicable to each subject. Our technique is "age appropriate" and our music selection is constantly being monitored for inappropriate lyrics. We do not teach "street dancing" or "suggestive moves" that have no place in this great profession. Dance styles may change, but, we remain firmly grounded in the fundamentals. Our students are trained and pushed to be the best that they can be. Some have gone on to be professional dancers or teachers and some have just learned to appreciate the "art of dance".
We motivate, activate, and stimulate. We will continue our legacy for the next "67" years.
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.
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."
Tumbling/Acrobatics
"Tumbling is rotating and twisting movements done in rapid sequence requiring speed, agility, and strength."
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.
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.
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.
Ballroom (Social Dancing)
"A style of dance that incorporates street dance. Backed up by popular music, many characteristics of African Dance are evident."
Ballroom Dance is a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television.
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.
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.