In all styles of dance, proper form and superior technique is of utmost importance, but we have seen that the value in keeping classes enjoyable is often overlooked. At Southern Grace Dance Company, we believe that there should be a balance of both. We believe that to be the best dancer you can be, you have to be driven by a passion for the art. That passion can so easily be stifled when there is too much emphasis on one aspect. That is why we strive to provide a safe and enjoyable environment in our classes to promote physical, emotional, and mental well being.
Pre- Dance: A class for the littlest dancers, ages 2 and 3. Pre dance is deigned to help little ones explore movement and creativity in an exciting and fun way. They will be taught a variety of dance steps that lay the foundation for ballet, tap, and jazz. Here they will learn balance, coordination, and rhythm as they interact with their instructor and classmates. It is a great introduction for little ones into a classroom setting as family is just on the other side of our viewing window.
Ballet/ Tap Combo: An hour long class for children who are 4-6 or 6-8 years old. This class is structured where 30 minutes of class is comprised of ballet warm-up and technique, and another thirty minutes is designed to explore the sounds and movements of tap dancing. Dance steps will be presented in a light hearted manor, while still enriched with technique, allowing these young students to relate and comprehend.
Ballet: A highly formalized dance form using precise, set steps and gestures, that is characterized by light, graceful, flowing movements. Ballet is the basis for all other styles of dance and the vocabulary is universal. For this reason, we encourage and prefer our dancers to study ballet in accompaniment with any other style of dance they choose.
Pointe: (by invitation only) A classical ballet technique in which a ballet dancer supports all body weight on the tips of fully extended feet within pointe shoes. Classes are only for students who have had prior ballet experience and who meet our criteria after being evaluated by Miss Kaley.
Lyrical/Contemporary: A style of expressive dance that combines elements of modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Contemporary dancers strive to connect the mind and the body through fluid dance movements. Unlike the strict, structured nature of ballet, Contemporary stresses versatility and improvisation. You must know the rules of ballet, before you can break them, so we require ballet to accompany this class. Tap: A dance performed wearing shoes fitted with metal taps, characterized by rhythmical tapping of the toes and heels.
Jazz: An incorporation of rhythm, coordination, and fast paced movements. Jazz requires strength, flexibility, and endurance with high leaps, floor work, and quick precise steps. It is also characterized by bold, expressive body movements, including isolations and contractions.
Hip-Hop: A dance style primarily performed to hip-hop music. It includes a wide range of styles primarily breaking, locking, and popping which were created in the 1970's and made popular by dance crews in the United States. At Southern Grace, our approach to hip-hop is one that is true to the original style but that is also appropriate and lady-like.
Jazz/Hip-Hop A fusion of both jazz and hip-hop. This style of dance is offered to our dancers between the ages of 4 and 9. It is fused together so the the young dancers receive a solid foundation in dance technique, that comes from jazz, while exploring the rhythm and freedom that accompanies hip-hop.
Joyful Soles: Southern Grace Dance Co.'s specialized program for teens and adults with individual learning differences. Our goal is to provide a safe place for students where they can interact, build friendships and express themselves through the art of dance. Here, we don't want our students to feel restrained by any disability but encouraged in their dance-ability. Our curriculum is tailored to our students individual needs and taught in a way that allows our dancers to flourish and feel a sense of accomplishment. We believe consistency is key in growing a dance-ability. Our Joyful Soles class will also be accompanied by "buddies." Our buddies are our students who will love, help, and encourage the dancers as they learn the style and art of Jazz/Hip-Hop dance.