programs
Class Descriptions
Dance For Young Children Levels 1, 2 & 3
Dance For Young Children classes awaken the child to music and dance, coordination, and spatial/motor skills. Gentle guidance helps the beginner student develop rhythm, cooperation, playful creative dance, and basic ballet skills. The classes offer an atmosphere of fun within discipline so the children can gain a sense of accomplishment as well as exploring their love of dance and music. Level 1 and 2 introduces the children to Ballet and Creative Movement and Level 3 explores Ballet and Jazz dance. DFYC classes are available to students ages 3 to 5.
Ballet
Beauty, flow and elegance are inherent in the elements of Ballet. Ballet is the classical dance form that can be mastered by itself or used as a technical base or supplement to other dance forms. Classes focus on overall body alignment and awareness with emphasis on proper usage of feet and legs and execution of turnout. Carriage and usage of upper torso and arms are also stressed. Traditional barre work, center work and combinations are included in all classes. For the serious technician, MAX Dance also offers Cecchetti Syllabus Ballet Exam classes. Ballet classes are available for students aged 6 to adult.
Cecchetti Syllabus Ballet Exam Class
For the serious Ballet technician, MAX Dance offers Cecchetti Syllabus Ballet Exam Class. This internationally acclaimed classical ballet syllabus concentrates on anatomical alignment, internalization and execution of Cecchetti technique. Students may apply instruction toward examination on knowledge of ballet theory and dance skill and ability. Exam admittance is at the teacher’s determination and is neither assumed nor obligatory. Classes available for students aged 7 to adult.
Creative Movement
Creative Movement classes encourage free expression, while teaching basic elements of dance, including rhythm, movement quality, space, body awareness and shape. The child’s imagination and self-esteem are encouraged and strengthened through dance. Classes available for students aged 6 to 9.
Hip Hop
Joyful, fun, hard hitting, humorous and at times touching MAX Dance Hip Hop classes are high-energy classes that use the latest , age appropriate, electronic, rap, R&B and pop music together with movements influenced by some of today’s hottest music video, street dance and television choreographers. Hip Hop encompasses a variety of movement styles: elements of poppin’ and locking, tutting, dance hall, house, top rock, foot work and breaking, as well as freestyle movement is explored to give students the opportunity to develop their own sense of style. Hip Hop is urban, it’s street, and it’s diverse and forever changing. Hip Hop classes are available for students aged 6 to adult in a variety of levels.
Jazz
An exciting and ever evolving dance form, Jazz, is full of rhythm, syncopation, passion and life. Classes explore body isolations of the head, shoulders, ribcage, feet and arms and encourage individual expression and the development of personal style. Jazz can be powerful and percussive or expressive and lyrical. Ever evolving, jazz dance is taught with the music of today together with the classical jazz of yesterday. Classes teach basic jazz dance technique, terminology and movement quality with an emphasis on proper execution of jazz isolations, rhythms and style. Classes are available starting at age 6 to adult.
Modern
Modern dance is a contemporary dance form that has its roots in ballet. Building popularity through the1940s to present day, Modern dance emphasizes the use of the floor for centering and grounding oneself in movement. Musicality and rhythm are explored throughout the class. Modern dance has seen mainstream popularity recently, in part due to the TV show “So You Think You Can Dance.” Teachers incorporate an eclectic blend of contemporary and post-modern movement into their classes. Modern class is available to student aged 10 to adult.
Tap
Tap classes emphasize the development and strengthening of basic tap technique and terminology highlighting the importance of rhythm and sound. Tap focuses on rhythms and intricate footwork, creating a percussion instrument out of the dancer’s feet. Just like jazz vocalists who add rhythms to music by scatting, tappers add their voice by “scatting” with their feet. Tap classes are available to students aged 6 to adult.
Social Dance
Love “Dancing with the Stars”? Want to try your hand at a smooth Waltz, lively Jive or sizzling Salsa? If so MAX Social Dance is for you. This class series is an introduction to a variety of social dance styles, suitable for those with little or no experience with social dancing. A fun evening out, a wonderful form of exercise and a great way to try something new, MAX Social Dance classes will have you coming back for more every week.
Latin Jazz
Latin music creates an energetic rhythm with beats and accents that just make your hips move. Using patterns from Mambo, Cha Cha and Salsa, Latin Jazz combines the playfulness of Latin dance with more traditional elements of Jazz technique. Sure to make you work up a sweat, MAX Latin Jazz classes are available to teens and adults.
Company Class
These advanced classes are designed for advanced dancers in our community looking to keep up their skills and further their dance education. These classes are attended by members of the community, graduates of the Academy program, dance teachers and our own staff. We have Company Classes available in the following styles: Hip Hop, Modern, Ballet (RAD), Ballet (Cecchetti) and Jazz (available in January). Drop in rates available. For 18+ only.