Studio PAVAS

ACRO (DANCE ACROBATICS) & TUMBLING

In the Acro dance classes, the students learn gymnastic floor skills which are then combined with dance skills creating acrobatic dance routines. There is an emphasis on building strength and increasing flexibility in the progressive Acro syllabus. Gradually, dancers enhance their balancing techniques and develop their aptitude with progressive tumbling.

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CLASSICAL BALLET, POINTE & BOYS BALLET

Classical ballet is based on traditional ballet technique and vocabulary. Dancers progressively learn ballet technique through barre and centre work. Well devised and structured classes will improve the dancer’s agility, control, balance, musicality and general muscle strength. Classical ballet is a highly technical dance form which has been around since the 15th century. And, for many dancers, ballet provides a strong foundation of technique and vocabulary, which is then transferred to other dance styles.

 

Pointe classes are a supplement to classical ballet where dancers learn the basic concepts and steps of pointe work. Traditional pointe technique is for the female dancer who has achieved a strong foundation of ballet technique and is at least 12 years of age. In the first years of training on pointe, the emphasis is on developing strong foot work and ankle strength, after which classes develop to include an ever expanding range of classical vocabulary to be done on pointe.

 

Boys ballet classes are focused on the boys vocabulary from the curriculum, as well as developing core strength, musicality and presentation skills. These classes are taken alongside their regular weekly ballet classes.

 

CONTEMPORARY DANCE

Contemporary dance fuses methods and techniques from Classical Modern dance and Post Modern dance. Contemporary dance uses a variety of attributes from a variety of other styles, ballet, jazz, even African. It blends many of these elements into a new whole, a new form of expression. The technique within contemporary dance is largely based on contact and release, fall and recovery, and floor work. Students will explore total body movement and express a personal vision, as they strengthen their technique, explore improvisation, choreography and composition.

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HIP HOP - BOYS & CO-ED.

Hip Hop dance’s origin is from the streets where it evolved into many different styles. Dance studios have taken up this emerging street dance and infused some Jazz technique into it. This very popular dance style is widely used in music videos and popular performing artists will often tour with an entourage of Hip Hop dancers, as part of their show. Hip Hop dance classes are accompanied by Hip Hop music, and there is a focus developing quality of movement, personal style and agility. Jazz technique is part of the curriculum, and for the more advanced student, break dancing is also studied and practiced. Today, Hip Hop is a very popular dance style for boys and Studio PAVAS has on its schedule a variety of hip-hop classes for boys only.

 

JAZZ

Jazz is an energetic and fun style of dance, consisting of unique, upbeat and sharp moves, fancy footwork, big leaps and quick turns, often done to popular music. It emphasizes parallel leg work, body isolations and it is characterized by a low center of gravity and high levels of energy. Most Jazz classes start with warm up, followed by a series of stretching exercises and isolation movements. Students will then work on the execution of specific steps and sometimes practice short routines. To excel in this dance style, students need to have a strong background in ballet, as it encourages grace, balance and technique.

 

LYRICAL

Lyrical dance is very similar to ballet where elements of Jazz and Modern dance are introduced to create a more free, fluid and expressive style. Lyrical dance is very interpretive and dynamic, dancers strive to convey emotions and musicality through their movements. Lyrical dancers will learn to combine intricate, highly technical and pedestrian/natural movements, creating a simultaneously organic and dramatic feel which define this style of dance. Vocal music is often used in class where the lyrics are the inspiration and basis for the movements. Students will work on lyrical routines based around feelings and emotions. To excel in this dance style, students need to have a strong background in ballet, as it encourages grace, balance and technique.

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MUSICAL THEATRE

Students will express themselves through acting, movement, and music. The curriculum of the Musical Theatre classes is balanced to enable students to equally hone their skills in all three disciplines required for Musical Theatre performances; drama, dance and singing. These classes are fun, highly creative and full of exciting exercises where students will learn how to integrate these disciplines by working on a variety of songs, scenes, dances and monologues from both traditional and contemporary musical theatre repertoires.

 

PRE-DANCE

Pre-dance classes are for the younger students, usually 3 to 5 years old, in their first three years of training in dance. The pre-dance class introduces the students to the fundamentals of various dance styles, like ballet, jazz, tap or acrobatics. The classes are taught from a creativity, personal interpretation and exploration perspective, allowing the students to discover the joys of movement and rhythm. 

 

STRETCH & STRENGTH & FLEXIBILITY DANCERS

The conditioning for dancers classes are designed as a complementary class to their dance training. These classes focus on developing greater overall body strength, increasing muscle tone and attaining greater flexibility. This additional focus has many benefits for the developing dancer, from improving posture, honing on their ability to perform various techniques and avoiding injuries. The cardio portion of the class will improve the heart conditioning, endurance and tolerance of dancers to assist them during performances.  

 

TAP

Tap dance focuses on rhythm by using the shoes as a percussive instrument. The sound of the dancers’ tap shoes hitting the floor is the main characteristic of this dance style. Tap dance classes are focused on rhythm, control, balance, proper stance and musicality. Quality of sound is very important and therefore strongly emphasized in classes at every level.