Early Childhood Musical Theater Acting Voice Dance Piano
Early Childhood
Tap/Jazz & Jazz/Ballet Combo - This class is perfect for the young dancer who wants to explore jazz, tap, or ballet for the first time. Classes introduce basic ballet, jazz, and tap vocabulary and movement skills while building a foundation for future progression in the study of jazz. Classes introduce tap fundamentals and rhythmic skills. Jazz and tap shoes are required for Tap/Jazz Combo, and ballet slippers and jazz shoes required for Jazz/Ballet Combo.
Musical Theater Prep -This class is an introduction to the Musical Theater genre for young children. Classes will provide young students the opportunity to explore acting exercises, simple movement for musical theater and an introduction to singing. Students will learn songs and movement from current and classic musicals in preparation for an end of semester in class presentation.
DANCE
BALLET - A classical form of dance based on traditional positions of the arms and feet. Ballet is a classical dance form that can be mastered by itself or used as a technical base or supplement to other dance forms. Classes consist of barre exercises and center work. 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. Physical maturation interacts with training to allow readiness for each level in ballet. Students should expect to spend more than one year at most levels. Teachers work to refine skills and build proper technique with more advanced students at each level. Ballet requires mental and physical discipline and repetition to train the muscles.
TAP - Tap focuses on rhythms and intricate footwork, creating a percussion instrument out of the dancer’s feet. Classes emphasize the development and strengthening of basic tap technique and terminology highlighting the importance of rhythm and sound. Except where noted, MTC teaches Broadway or show tap which incorporates upper body and use of arms. Classes emphasize the development and strengthening of basic tap technique and terminology highlighting the importance of rhythm and sound. Tap shoes are required.
Tap/Jazz Combo - This class is perfect for the young dancer who wants to explore jazz and tap for the first time. Classes introduce basic jazz vocabulary and movement skills while building a foundation for future progression in the study of jazz. Classes introduce tap fundamentals and rhythmic skills. Jazz and tap shoes are required.
JAZZ - Jazz is an exciting and ever-evolving dance form full of rhythm, syncopation, passion and life. Steeped in the rhythm of jazz music, a true American art form, jazz dance brings energy and life to all those who dance it. Classes explore body isolations of the head, shoulders, ribcage, feet and arms. Conceived in America, Its technique derives from ballet and modern and is influenced by the musical styles of each succeeding decade.
LYRICAL - Lyrical dance is a dance style that combines elements of ballet, modern and jazz dance techniques. It is commonly set to popular music with vocals or just instrumental bars. The name lyrical comes from the word "lyrics" because dancers use the lyrics of a song or instrumental music to inspire them to do certain movements or show expression. The goal of a lyrical dancer is to use gesture, facial expression, and controlled movements in order to execute their movements and emotions fully. Besides emotional connection to music, lyrical dance typically encourages use of articulation, line, weight, and movement qualities. Due to its demand for intermediate to advanced technical skill and emotional focus, this class is designed for the intermediate and above dancers who have experience in both jazz AND ballet.
Contemporary - Contemporary is a fusion of jazz, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical and many modern dance styles, encouraging pedestrian-like movement. Contemporary is quickly becoming a mainstream form of dance that focuses on a natural way of moving while still incorporating the technical aspects of dance. Combined with the soulful expression of Lyrical this is a class that encompasses mind, body and spirit. . Choreography is often emotional, gripping, and exquisitely delicate, all at the same time. Previous ballet training is required as well as current enrollment in a ballet class is required. This class is designed for dedicated advance beginners.
HIP HOP – Hip Hop is a high-energy class that uses the latest sounds in rap, R&B and pop music together with movements influenced by some of today’s hottest video choreographers. Hip hop, while urban, diverse and forever changing, encompasses movement that has elements of popping and locking, and breaking. Due to its freestyle movement, students are able to develop their own sense of style. No prior experience required, but for younger students some prior dance training is recommended. Students considering Hip Hop II should have a minimum of two years of Hip Hop I Sneakers are required. Please do not wear street shoes into class.
Introduction to Modern Dance - Modern dance appeals to the creatvie, artistic soul in everyone because of its expressiveness and freedom of individuality. This class will introduce students to elements of Horton, Graham, and the Limon techniques and focus on movement from the inside out, encouraging use of breath, energy, and connection. A warm up of breath and energy work, followed by exercises that emphasize extension, release, weight, momentum, and force, culminates in long movement phrases and improvisation exercises that playfully explore movement possibilities.
For Boys Only! – An energy filled class that will allow boys to be boys! This class focuses on jazz and ballet techniques essential to the musical theater performer.
Dance Class Levels
Advancement by recommendation of instructor only.
Beginning: Little to no previous class instruction in this dance form. For Hip Hop, this is Level 1.
Advanced Beginning & Adv Beg/Intermediate: Emphasizes further development and mastering of skills learned in Beginning. Please consult class teacher for proper counseling on student’s progress, development and placement. For Hip Hop, this is Level 1.
Prerequisite: Completion of a minimum of one year of training at beginning level in grade category and dance form.
Intermediate I, I/II, II, II/III & III: Geared for dancers with a sound knowledge of dance technique and terminology within the discipline and ability to execute movements with ease. Dancers are challenged with increasing complexity in movement and skills. For Hip Hop, this is Level II.
Prerequisite: Completion of a minimum of two years of training at Advanced Beginning level for Intermediate I and at least 1-2 years in each grade category and dance form for each level after or permission of instructor.
Advanced: Classes are geared for the advanced level dancer and provide instruction on perfecting skills and performance technique. Classes emphasize complex combinations and mastering dance as an art form.
Prerequisite: by permission of instructor.
Tap Repertoire and Advanced Tap Repertoire: This class is by audition and permission of instructor. Class will polish advanced tap technical skills through mastery of advanced tap repertoire.
Jazz Performance Ensemble: Continuum This is performance driven class tailored to the serious dancer who desires a more advanced environment and are willing to commit to more performances. Students in this class will start with advanced skills and technique and will explore their capabilities in a more mature environment. The repertoire will include Classic Jazz as well Lyrical and Contemporary styles. Technique is reinforced to ensure quality to all shows, performances, or demonstrations. Our goal is to develop individual dancers who can collaborate to create uniformity. We will encompass skills needed for auditions, stage shows, and tools needed for job opportunities in dance. Planned performances include MTC’s 2010 Gala, a full concert in January and one competition in the Spring. Additional performances will be added. Placement in this class is by permission only. Student must be also enrolled and faithfully attending Jazz or Ballet technique class at MTC.(Lyrical, Contemporary, Pop Jazz will not fulfill this requirement)
Dance Class Attire
Musical Theater Center requires students to wear proper attire for all dance
classes. Students not appropriately dressed as listed below will not be permitted
to participate in class.
• Jazz/Lyrical/Contemporary Classes: students must wear black jazz pants or
black dance Capri pants or black dance shorts (No Soffe Shorts) and any color
leotard or fitted dance top that completely covers the midriff. Black slip on
Jazz shoes are required for levels Beginning through Intermediate II/III and
Tan Slip Jazz Shoes are required for levels Intermediate III through Advanced.
Dance Paws or Foot Undeez are required for Lyrical and Contemporary.
• Tap Classes: students must wear black Capri or shorter black dance pants
and any color leotard or fitted dance top that completely covers the midriff.
If students are wearing jazz pants, the pants must not be so long as to cover
the feet. Black Tap shoes are required for Tap Classes.
• Ballet Classes: students must wear Ballet P ink or Tan and any color leotard.
Students MUST wear a leotard for ballet. Shoes appropriate to the class
must be worn. Pink Ballet shoes are required for the girls and Black Ballet
Shoes are required for the boys.
• Hip Hop: Students may wear Black or Navy Blue Sweat Pants or Jazz pants
and plain t-shirts. Students in hip hop classes may wear new sneakers that
haven’t been worn outside. Please consult your teacher for specific color
requirements for the Showcase of Dance.
Long hair must be pulled back out of the face and in a pony tail and secured for
ALL classes. Hair MUST be worn in a secured bun for Ballet Class.
No bare midriffs. Jeans, gym shorts and baggy shirts are not permitted.
MUSICAL THEATER WORKSHOP
These classes are an introduction to the Musical Theater genre for young children. The classes provide young students the opportunity to explore acting exercises, simple movement for musical theater and an introduction to singing. Students learn songs and movement from current and classic musicals in preparation for an end of semester in class presentation.
Sing-Dance-Act! - This class is an introduction to the Musical Theater genre for young children. This class will provide young students the opportunity to explore acting exercises, simple movement for musical theater and an introduction to singing. Students will learn songs and movement from current and classic musicals in preparation for an end of semester in class presentation.
ACTING
Acting is an important component of musical theater training. Using a variety of approaches, methods and techniques, classes provide students with concentrated work in basic acting techniques, improvisation, character development, scene work, monologue study, stage direction, script analysis, critiquing and mime techniques. Most acting classes are geared to the strengths and weaknesses of the students enrolled and should be repeated.
Acting Technique - Acting is an important component of musical theater training. In this Fundamental actor training available to actors at all levels of experience including beginners. Students will learn a variety of approaches, methods and acting techniques. This class will provide students with concentrated work in basic acting techniques, improvisation, character development, scene work, monologue study, stage direction, script analysis, critiquing and mime techniques. Class concludes with performances before an invited audience
Monologue - This class is designed to help you make a monologue your own, so that it fits like a glove. Where to find a monologue, what makes it good textually, how to approach it from an “active” perspective, the materials and tools you need to build it, including actions, personal meanings, objective, connection with whom you are speaking; all of these elements will be covered in the workshop. The goal is to find and develop a monologue (or two!) that will get you will be able to use at auditions.
Acting the Song - By working on songs from different eras of Musical Theater History, students will learn how an audition for "South Pacific" is different than an audition for "Rent." Students will work on combining the Acting and Singing to show themselves off at an audition in the best possible light. In addition, the instructor will make sure all of the students have a great ballad and up-temp song in 16 bar versions, so that they are prepared and ready for an audition when needed.
VOICE
Start to Sing! This is an introductory course are designed to introduce students to the basic techniques of vocal production, tone production, and breathing through various exercises and demonstrations. Repertoire selected from Broadway musicals. Students must be at least in 3rd grade and be not younger than 8 years old by the start of classes. No prior vocal training required.
Semi-private voice & Private Voice– Each session will include intensive work on vocal technique; repertoire suitable for the individual student. Each voice session is one half hour. Prerequisite is one of our introductory classes or permission of the instructor. Returning voice students may continue with permission of instructor.
Private Piano
In the half-hour lesson, the individual student will work on keyboarding, proper posture and hand positions. The lesson will also cover the basics of rhythm, notation, ear training and sight-reading. Major and Minor scales will be covered. The instructor strongly requests that every student have at least a basic keyboard of 25 black keys on it.
Class descriptions
Instructors
Winter/Spring 2012 classes
Registration policy
Online registration
Registration form to fax