The most important form of dance! Ballet is a series of different levels that each student will progress through in their education. Ballet builds a musculature that is strong and flexible which increases the range of motion of the joints. Ballet fosters a balanced, good postured alignment and develops the necessary coordination and movement skills that enable children to respond and adapt to movement styles. With structured barre and center floor exercises, students will learn the terminology and technique needed for classical ballet.

Baton Twirling is an interactive form of movement incorporating the use of a baton. Twirls and spins will be incorporated with the use of the baton while using fluid body movements. Students will learn to adapt to the use of two motions at one time. Rhythm, timing and syncopation is strongly taught in baton twirling classes. Through a series of different levels, students can learn twirling 1-3 batons, flag batons, hoop baton, knives and fire batons.

Break-CREW is by Audition Only. Students must take one breakdancing class a week and Break-CREW class. The Break-CREW performs at community shows and events. Break-CREW also competes in Breakdancing competitions.

Break-dancing is a very aggressive freestyle form of dance. Highly competitive and motivated students will progress very quickly in this art form. Break-dancing contains many forms of footwork styles, freezes, techs, power-moves and Top Rock. There are many components that make up the art form of break-dancing and through a series of different levels, students will progress quickly. Hip-Hop style dance is very essential also in break-dancing. The two forms of dance together make a very solid, strong MTV street style technique.

Cheer is a very sharp form of dance. Specific arm motions, jumps, lunges and stunts will be learned in cheer. Technique involved with cheer consists of sticato body movements with many formation changes and accents to the body. Combinations that are taught will consist of individual movements and many coordination patterns with group activity.

Audition is required to be on the Competition Line at Studio 5-6-7-8. The Competition Line is for dedicated dancers who aspire for dance in their future endeavors. The competition line needs to take mandatory classes weekly in order to prepare to compete at competition level. The mandatory unlimited classes are: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Cheer/Stunt (Ages 6-10) or Contemporary (Ages 11-18), Tumbling and one class choice of any specialty class, all weekly Competition Line class and 2 hours every other Saturday in Performing SQUAD (Pee Wee/Junior SQUADS) or 1 hour every week for Senior SQUAD. Any student who makes the competition line after auditions is automatically on the Performing SQUAD also at Studio 5-6-7-8. These students will go to dance conventions and compete in dance competitions during the 2009-2010 season.

Competition Line monthly tuition is: $175

Competition Line students can take extra specialty classes for a discount rate of $19 per specialty class a month and $20 per music class a month.

The students will be taught many different rhythms and incorporate them into music selections. They will have the opportunity to blend with other instruments. They will practice playing solo and in a drum corp (multiple drummers) environment. All students will start on practice pads and slowly work their way to drum set. This class also offers introductions to reading drum score.

The class offers a different take to guitar lessons. We start with chords, by laying down the foundation of songs, only then can we add single string (lead) playing to the mix. The class learns the basis for any style of music. The students will have fun playing songs together from classic rock to modern Pop hits. The reading abilities taught will be in tablature. The most highly used form for guitarists. Students will be encouraged to bring in and learn their favorite music as long as the content is clean.

Hip-Hop is an aggressive, more freestyle type of dance. This style of dance is seen generally on MTV and Disney Channel. A free form of technique combined with pop and lock upper body movements. A lot of floor work and dance tricks are also involved in Hip-hop. There are many different styles of footwork and power moves used to enhance this free form technique.

Introduction to ballet focuses on positions and motions with basic vocabulary of terminology. Simple combinations are taught at the barre and center floor to enhance coordination and flexibility. Tap promotes coordination and executes the sense of rhythmic patterns. Tap encourages the retention of movement patterns and aids in the development of kinetic memory (the ability to remember specific movements and sequences of movements).

A more formulated structure of dance. Jazz combines sharpness, fluidity, and isolations of the body to obtain a more powerful form of dance. The movements evolve from ballet but have a sharper style of technique required in class. Elongation and control is formulated and enhanced through warm-ups and center floor practice. A variety of up-tempo music is used to energize and strengthen the sharpness of the body.

A very fluid and controlled form of Jazz combined with Ballet technique. Several leaps, turns and dance tricks will be introduced to build stamina and strength. Dance choreography is usually taught to lyrics of music.

This class is a combination of vocal class and a jazz dance class. Musical Theatre focuses on presentation of musical material through acting and dancing. Beginning with a vocal warm-up and learning of new material from classic and modern musicals and movies. Students get vocal coaching along with choreography and staging direction. This performing arts class is perfect for student interested in theatre and drama.

Any child registered at Studio 5-6-7-8 between the ages of 6-18 can join the Performing SQUADS.

The “Pee Wee” & “Junior” Performing SQUAD is for children ages 6-10 and the Senior Performing SQUAD is for children ages 11-18.

Students are able to take unlimited dance classes, appropriate to their age level, in the following classes: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Cheer/Stunt (Ages 6-10) or Contemporary (Ages 11-18) and 2 hours every other Saturday for Pee Wee/Junior SQUADS and 1 hour every week for Senior SQUAD. The SQUADS will be Studio 5-6-7-8’s performing students who will travel and perform in the community. They will also attend dance conventions throughout the state on weekends. Performing SQUAD monthly tuition is: $150.

Any Performing SQUAD student can take specialty classes for a discount rate of $19 per specialty class a month and $20 per music class a month.

Groups of 7 students will be trained on Scales with right and left hand, rhythmic exercises, Practice techniques, and ear training. The student also will complete written work for reading score. When the students are ready they receive sheet music for secret songs, in which they must figure out using their new found abilities. The focus is on the classics, but we interject modern compositions.

Pointe dancing is for only instructor recommendation upon the student. Pointe dancing involves ankle and muscle strength in the feet and calf muscles for intermediate to advanced ballet students. Most students need to meet a certain age required for these certain muscle groups to form completely. Dancers will learn how to develop the strong feet muscles involved in going onto their toes to dance. All components of ballet are used for pointe class.

Pre-Ballet incorporates some of the elements of toddler dance with more of an understanding of spatial relationships with others. Introduces gentle stretching and gross motor-control motions and children learn to give physical expression to their visualizations and develop stronger coordination. Basic ballet positions and motions are introduced emphasizing flexibility, coordination and sensitivity to music and rhythm. The child’s self-image begins to develop with self-control and confidence of spatial skills.

Rhythmic Gymnastics is an intermediate form of gymnastics. Children must first take tumbling and acrobatics before entering into the rhythmic form of gymnastics. A fluid and controlled style of “tumbling” will be enhanced by using props. Such props will be: ribbons, balls and hoops. Body alignment and muscle control is essential in rhythmic gymnastics. Timing, coordination and isolations of the body will enhance the dancer’s overall performance.

The Studio Band is by Audition Only. Each Studio Band member must take at least one music class a week and the Studio Band classes. The Studio Band performs at community shows and events.

Any child registered at Studio 5-6-7-8 between the ages of 5-adult can be a STUDIO KID. Students are able to take unlimited dance classes, appropriate to their age level, in the following classes: Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Hip-Hop.

This program is a great start for children who are dedicated to dance. They will advance quicker in their dance education by taking multiple weekly classes at a discounted rate. Studio kid monthly tuition is: $110.

Any Studio Kid can take specialty classes for a discount rate of $19 per specialty class a month and $20 per music class a month.

Tap focuses on the sounds and rhythms that can be obtained through the control of dynamics and energy. Complex rhythm patterns will be accompanied by motions of the legs, body and arms. Sharpness, quickness and fluidity will be enhanced to sharpen the mind through combinations that develop kinetic memory.

Develops rhythm coordination through movement of what is seen or heard with specific physical response. Stresses improvisational techniques through group activity and awareness of both individual space and other children's space.

Specific emphasis on challenging the child’s imagination and heightening the gross motor skills of motion and coordination through physical activity.

Tumbling is the basic form of gymnastics. Children will master rolls, cartwheels, flips, handsprings and tucks through a series of different levels of tumbling. Body control, flexibility, upper and lower body strength, and body alignment will be taught. A “hands on” type of instruction from the teacher is very important in tumbling. Mastering the techniques of overall body control while performing “tricks” are the most important lessons in tumbling.

The class focuses directly on vocal performance. The season offers vocal warm-ups and coaching, an introduction to sight reading, use of harmony, vocal sound recording, and lessons on performance. This class is perfect for those interested in vocals of popular (Pop) music.

Form of dance using different isolations of the body and alignment. Music is used to develop the “feeling” and movement for contemporary dance. Control of the body is utilized by strength and a higher level of ballet / jazz class is necessary. Students need to be age 11 and higher to enroll for this class.