Dance wEST03 has a diverse array of dance classes on offer for ages 2yrs+. Classical, Jazz, Tap, Street Tap, Musical Theatre & Hip Hop classes are guided by the Australian Teachers of Dancing syllabus whereas other classes such as Flexibility & Conditioning for Advancement, Contemporary, Lyrical, Street Jazz, Aerial & Acrodance were developed in order to satisfy our dancer’s needs & interests. Classes each week focus on improving technique & developing a love of dance. Competitive team classes are also available for any students who enjoy performing in a competitive yet fun arena.
Flexibility & Conditioning for Advancement
Flexibility has always been something to be admired but it is also a must in a dancers ‘toolkit’. Without flexibility dancers simply cannot reach their full potential however there also needs to be an equal measure of strength which is why we incorporate the conditioning element of this class. A dancer with too much flexibility is at risk of serious injury. The same can also be said for a dancer without flexibility but a balance between each gives a dancer all that he/she needs to reach their full potential and maximise their training. This class incorporates stretches showcased at a recent Alixa Flexibility workshop in Brisbane 2018. Alixa is a world renowned leader in the field of stretching to better prepare & condition a dancers/athletes body. http://www.alixaflexibility.com
Classical/Ballet
The Australian Teachers of Dancing (ATOD) syllabus offers a comprehensive & beautiful ballet syllabus where expressiveness & creativity is encouraged and nurtured. The syllabus progresses systematically in order to build strength and artistry. Ballet is a great place to start for your child’s dance education and offers a great foundation for all other dance forms. Ballet provides an avenue for students to express themselves as well as developing posture, muscle tone, grace & musicality & an awareness of their body’s power & control with movement. Classes are available to students 2yrs+.
Musical Theatre
Musical Theatre is a new addition to our line up of classes. We’re excited to be offering 3 classes this year to satisfy the ever growing tastes of our students. This is an excellent opportunities for dancers to build on their repertoire, ensuring they are versatile & well-rounded performers. This system of training will provide students with the knowledge of Vocal work, Dance and Drama which will then culminates in a performance of musical theatre.
Aerial Silk/Tissu & Lyra
Partnering with some of the dance industries best performers and coaches, Dance wEST03 continues to offer the visually exciting genre of aerial performance with silk/tissu & lyra. Think hoops & fabric hanging out of ceilings! If you are looking to be a part of something truly unique in our region and enjoy a challenge then this is the class for you. No experience is needed, just the willingness to learn & the strength & determination to succeed.
Contemporary
ATOD is excited to release this innovative and carefully structured contemporary/modern system of training. Industry professional Adam Wheeler was commissioned to create a well structured training program suitable for inclusion in main stream dance studios. ATOD is one of the few syllabi that offers a contemporary syllabus. We count ourselves truly lucky to be able to offer this to our students. What is contemporary dance? Contemporary dance employs many modern dance techniques such as contact-release, fall and recovery, floor work, improvisation, and lifts in partnering and is often performed in bare feet. It is a style of expressive dance that combines techniques and methods found in several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Pioneers of contemporary dance believed that dancers should have freedom of movement, allowing their bodies to freely express their innermost feelings.
Jazz
A complete jazz class incorporating styles & genres such as Broadway, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Funk & Lyrical etc. These classes are technical classes and exams are an option to any interested students through the ATOD syllabus. Students will learn the correct way to execute and perform kicks, jumps, turns, pirouettes etc as well as combining them into specially choreographed sequences, progressions & dances seen through line, corner or floor work.
Street Jazz 10yrs+
This class still combines kicks, jumps & turns but with an edgier, more up to the minute, street style that you would see in movies, shows or video clips. Students work on dances, breaking down steps & sequences to work on styling and technique. This is not an exam or syllabus class.
Hip Hop
Think Justin Timberlake, Missy Elliott, Chris Brown! Think latest dance craze! Our hip hop classes are a blend of the ATOD Hip Hop syllabus and moves developed from the inspirational choreography from some of Brisbane’s leading choreographers and teachers who have toured LA – pulse of the hip hop world and workshopped at Dance wEST03.
Tap
Through the world class ATOD Tap syllabus, students learn technically based yet modern and innovative steps & combinations. These classes offer diverse tap styles incorporating barre, centre, corner work, combinations and routines.
Street Tap
Cross rhythms, cannons, syncopation and MUCH more! This is an exciting and fun tap class that uses your feet to make music. We use props to stomp, kick, slide & tap on and work in groups to achieve some great percussive sounds. Students are encouraged to develop their own rhythms and sounds.
Competitive Team Classes
We liken these classes to preparing for a netball or football grand final. The preparation can be hard work and takes a certain amount of time, commitment & dedication as the team relies on each other for it but the end result is worth it! The focus for these classes is competition BUT they are fun as well! Attention to detail, working as a team, building confidence and technical skill, performance quality, stage craft & presence are all fundamental in these classes. Students wishing to participate MUST offer the commitment and hard work necessary to be part of this great opportunity! 100% attendance is required.
Acrodance
This class was initiated to satisfy the creative urge to incorporate spectacular tricks, tumbles and flips into our various hip hop, street jazz or jazz routines. Our Principal & teacher is accredited with the Acrobatic Arts syllabus. Acrobatic Dance, or Acro as it is commonly referred to by dancers and dance professionals, is the beautiful fusion of classic dance technique and the precision and athleticism of acrobatic elements. Often defined by unique choreography, acro dancers seamlessly blend musicality, emotional expression, line and extension with acrobatic movements in a dance context.
Acro has gained popularity in recent times with the wide spread success of the contemporary circus productions of Cirque du Soleil. Main stream media including dance television programs like ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, ‘America’s Best Dance Crew’ and ‘Dance Moms’ have further fuelled it’s demand in amateur competitive dance and studio settings.
Acro is an especially challenging style for dancers to master as training in both dance and acrobatic elements is required therefore it is recommended that students are participating in a syllabus jazz or classical ballet class each week to compliment their acro training. It is recommended but not compulsory. Acro technique includes balancing, limbering, tumbling and partnering, based in flexibility, contortion and strength.
Private Classes
Are available for students with particular needs such as preparing solos, duos or trios for eisteddfods or in the lead up to an exam.