Ballet
Ballet is the favourite subject at Dancehouse. The Shining Stars study the ATOD Gold Medal, Gold Star and the Major levels of ballet. The classical technique should be all well understood and firmly established in the body. Students should be excited by the challenge of more advanced adage sequences, multiple pirouettes, battery and grand allegro. You will sweat, some days you will want to cry, other days you will be flying on air, it is getting difficult but the rewards and sense of achievement make it so worth while.As well as the set syllabus ballet classes, students are encouraged to take Open Ballet class. This class is based on a ballet companies' daily class and has different music and different steps every time it meets. Challenges the brain and improves technique.Jazz
The ATOD Jazz Moves classes will increase stamina with challenging cardio routines, develop strength and improve flexibility. You'll learn multiple turning variations, conquer energetic leaps and study fabulous dance routines. We'll explore work from different eras and routines with various different styles. Be prepared for some self choreography. Better bring lots of energy to this class. Students will also need to be taking ballet classes to be able to perform the jazz work to the level required.Contemporary
Contemporary Dance is your chance to explore your creativity. We'll take a theme or concept and explore how you can move to convey the idea and tell the story. Improvisation and self choreography are an important part of a contemporary dance class and students need to learn to "let go" and be confident with their own interpretation of the music and the theme. A classical ballet training and superior strength are pre-requesets for this work. The ATOD Contemporary syllabus is taught together with exploring other methods and styles.
Pointe
By invitation only. We are conservative, with who we let dance "en pointe" There are number of criteria that students need to meet to be able to begin pointe classes. We require a minimum of 4 years of classes, to have attained at least Gold Medal and usually Gold Star standard, an absolute minimum of 2 ballet classes and a conditioning class each week, you must demonstrate a physical maturity (your bones age at the same rate - regardless of your level of dancing), you must pass a number of strength and balance tests, you must be injury free and you must complete the pre-pointe program.
Tap Dance
Make music with your feet with the fabulous Tapatak Oz rhythms. Tapatak Oz is a uniquely Australian system of tap dance training, where you are encouraged to have fun and add your own creative percussive touches and improvised introductions. The set work becomes more challenging as the rhythms become more complex and the steps just keep getting faster and faster and faster.
PBT - Progressing Ballet Technique
All Shining Star students need to be taking the complimentary PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) class. At this level you need to be continually improving their strength and turnout. Please note, contrary to common practice, strength must come before flexibility.
