Class

Description

If you do not see a class description of a dance style you'd like to study, please email us and let us know. If we can generate the interest, we will offer it.

Dance Discovery
(age 2.5+ parent!)

The use of balls, toys, bubbles and magic wands turns this 45 minute movement lesson into a wonderland for our youngest students of dance learning alongside their parents! Dance Discovery is an innovative way to approach the cultivation of motor skills necessary in technical dance movement, and is a fun way to capture the hearts and minds of beginners to the dance classroom! Dance Discovery has an inhouse performance at EDDA at the end of June.

Creative Movement
(ages 3-4)

Our most popular class for beginning dancers! Creative Movement is rooted in the conventions of a ballet class structure while allowing for individual creativity, set to children's music. This one hour lesson provides the basis for young beginning dancers for further development in the study of dance by introducing bodily coordination, stretch exercises, rhythm and basic terminology. Creative Movement also increases enthusiasm for learning through music, dance and creative dramatic exercises where children will improve self-awareness and build motivation by fostering group participation in the dance classroom. Creative Movement has an inhouse performance at EDDA at the end of June.

Ballet
(ages 5-Adult)

Ballet has centuries of tradition as one of the world's most elegant dance arts where placement of the body, poise and proper alignment are emphasized. All levels, beginning with our youngest Pre-Ballet dancers (age 5) through levels I, II, III, IV and V utilize the appropriate classical terminology and include barre work, adagio, petite allegro, grand allegro and turns. Classes range in level depending on student's ability, and primarily follow the classical Cecchetti method of ballet training, though EDDA instructors are familiar with and will draw from R.A.D. (Royal Academy of Dance) and Vaganova techniques. Pointe (by instructor's permission only) for intermediate and advanced ballet dancers (levels III, IV & V) with proper training and developed muscular capability. Pointe is taken in conjunction with at least two regular ballet technique classes per week, emphasizing strength and grace. Classical repertoire will be offered along with creative works by the resident ballet instructors.

Pre-Teen Jazz
(ages 5-12)

This popular class uses the funky music and energetic movement vocabularies inherent to jazz on a scale appropriate for this age group. With a concentration on body alignment, guided stretch and fun combinations, Pre-Teen Jazz introduces the concept of parallel positioning for the feet and exaggerated isolated movements for strength, showmanship and foundational techniques for the further study of jazz.

Jazz
(ages 13-Adult)

Drawing from LA, New York and London-based jazz styles, EDDA's Teen and Adult Jazz classes emphasize body line, precision, flexible torso work, isolation, turns and the hottest dance techniques in street and funk! Introduction to locking, popping, and break are interspersed with high kicks, leaps and jumps in a well balanced classical jazz lesson that dips into other genres. Jazz is segmented into Jazz I, II, III, IV and V, where each level involves steady progression of complexity as the students improve.

Tap
(ages 5-Adult)

An American theatrical dance form, Tap is distinguished by percussive footwork that marks out precise rhythmic patterns. Students of all ages can brush, flap, shuffle or ball change! to learn the basic principles of rhythm and timing taught in every level of tap. From Pre-Tap (age 5) to our advanced level tap classes, combinations are put to a variety of music styles, showcasing both traditional Broadway Tap with the latest Tap Jam and Stomp techniques.

Lyrical
(ages 8-10, 10-12 & 13-Adult)

A hybrid of ballet, jazz and modern dance, Lyrical is one of the most popular styles of dance for young women, in particular. It is more emotive than jazz, less codified than ballet and pulls movement vocabulary from modern dance. Lyrical enjoys the flows and rhythms of this emergent cross-disciplinary dance technique, and has developed into a beautiful, free-flowing style that is set to slower pop songs and ballads.

Hip-Hop
(ages 5-Adult)

Hip-Hop will have you jumpin', turnin', spinnin', movin' forwards and backwards! The best of urban dance, Hip-Hop is the latest cultural trend on the dance scene, and EDDA's Hip-Hop offers exposure to street, funk and break as part of this class. Prior dance training is helpful, but not required, therefore a supplemental jazz class is strongly recommended to prevent injury and introduce the traditional connective steps necessary to put routines together.

Urban Jam Hip-Hop

See above, but for GUYS only!

Modern
(ages 13- Adult)

Modern dance, also known as Contemporary, invigorates the body and liberates the mind by challenging the conventional forms of dance training. Modern is many times seen as "unbalancing ballet" as many movements are asymmetrical, literally off balance and executed using a breath-release methodology. Appropriate for teens and adults with or without dance experience, Modern offers an avenue to study dance where technical ability can be cultivated more through creative experimentation than regimented instruction.

Clogging
(ages 10+)

This style of dance is heel clickin', foot stompin', old fashioned fun! Clogging shoes are equipped with taps that spell out the rhythms of country, rock and rockabilly. This class is for everyone who wants to have a good time! Yee-Haw!

Musical Theatre Dance
(ages 6-9 & 10+)

One of EDDA's favorites, Musical Theatre Dance is a dance-based class that consists of vocal and dramatic exercises within the dance classroom. An historical introduction of Broadway and West End Musicals will augment the minor singing and acting techniques along with the dance steps, drawing from established repertoire in the musical theatre genre, as well as original choreographic works. A supplemental class in ballet, jazz or tap is STRONGLY recommended.

Turns and Technique
(ages 8-12 and 13-Adult)

This class focuses wholly on the technical aspects of dance by cultivating the necessary skill-base to execute stunning leaps, mystifying multiple turns and every dance trick the serious student of dance wants to master! Starting with a Jazz/Lyrical warm up, T&T then progresses to center exercises for alignment and stability in turns and layouts, ultimately leading to across the floor turns and leaps with fun, varied repetitions. Required for competition and company members. T&T does not perform in the annual summer concert.

Polynesian
(ages 6-9, 10-12 and 13-Adult)

Dances of the South Pacific tell stories that have been passed along through the generations of dance tradition throughout the numerous Polynesian cultures. Polynesian dance and its accompanying music have preserved the legends and rituals of Hawaiian Hula, Tahitian Oteas and Maori Haka, all of which EDDA offers from experts trained in Hula Kahiko, or ancient dance.

Social Dance
(ages 13-Adult)

Introductory classes in Swing, Ballroom and Salsa. Please call us for more information for the next session and sign up to start dancin'!

Irish Dance
(all ages)

Traditional Irish dancing dates back to the 16th Century Ireland and is synonymous with Irish independence and cultural identity. Widely popular, Irish dance is tightly choreographed and all attention is paid to the speed and accuracy of the footwork, the spacing of the ensemble and the precision of the dancers' movements. Execution of the small jumps, quick beats and crossover steps are performed in hard shoes (jig shoes) and soft shoes (ghillies) with steps set to traditional hornpipes. EDDA's introductory class will cover the basic steps of Irish dancing. Students will be familiarized with steps such as "threes", "sevens", "skips" and jig steps. Upon mastering these, the beginning steps will be put together to form what is known as figure dances, or ceili dances, such as The Hay Maker's Jig, and Fairy Reel. Figure dances consist of group work and inctricate steps, in a fun environment!

Yoga
(ages 13-Adult)

Yoga has its roots in the Asian martial arts and has been practiced for over 3000 years. The body and soul, in Yoga are actually seen as an inseparable unity that must be "invigorated for enlightenment." Legends say that to have physical fitness incorporated into one's life with systematized exercise forms strengthen both the body and the mind.

Body Sculpting
(ages 13-Adult)

This class is a cross between three disciplines: aerobics, jazz dance and jazzercise, and incorporates an aerobic workout with some anaerobic breathing techniques and choreography of dance fitness. Body Sculpting is a fun way to start the day and generates enthusiasm that can sustain anyone though a busy schedule with doubled energy and excitement!

Pilates
(ages 13-Adult)

Pilates is an anatomically-based approach to the mind-body exercise program developed by Joseph Pilates 70 years ago. For optimal strength, flexibility and endurance, Pilates cultivates longer, leaner muscles, improves postural problems, increases core stability and has no impact on joints. Come join this ever popular class for heightened body awareness and learn ways to prevent injuries through proper alignment. Please bring a mat to class.