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CURRENT CLASS DESCRIPTIONS ARE LISTED BELOW

PETITE DANCERS

Classes for our petite dancers are designed as an introduction to dance.  Body coordination, rhythmic awareness and listening skills are worked on in a fun, creative way specific to young dancers.  Dancers in this group of classes perform in a smaller-scale year-end recital, typically held at the end of April.  Dancers are able to gain some stage experience and show off their new talent in a perfect setting for this age group.  All classes meet once a week.

MINI MOVEMENT    |   AGE: 3   |   CLASS LENGTH:  30 MIN This class is for young dancers that turn three no later than September 1. It is a pre-ballet class in which dancers learn ballet positions and basic ballet movements using age-appropriate music and a variety of props such as beanbags, hoola hoops and scarves. Dancers work on balance, posture, skipping, galloping and hopping. Also concepts such as right, left, up, down, in and out.

CREATIVE MOVEMENT    |   AGE: 4   |   CLASS LENGTH:  30 MIN Dancers turning four no later than September 1 are placed in our Creative Movement class. Similar to our Mini Movement class, dancers learn ballet positions and basic ballet movements using age-appropriate music and a variety of props such as beanbags, hoola hoops and scarves. Dancers work on balance, posture, skipping, galloping and hopping. Also concepts such as right, left, up, down, in and out.

KINDER COMBO    |   AGE: 5-6   |   CLASS LENGTH:  45 MIN Specifically for dancers in kindergarten, class time is divided between tap and ballet. Dancers concentrate on learning basic tap technique including shuffle, flap, ball-change and spanks. They focus on rhythm and learn to create percussion with their body. During ballet, basic positions are taught and dancers are introduced to floor progressions. They also focus on their ability to combine movement with music. New dancers will feel comfortable in this class as all skills are introduced at an elementary level.

JOY IN MOTION (for children with special needs)

JOY IN MOTION is a creative movement class designed specifically for children with special needs that are in kindergarten through fifth grade. Instruction will focus on developing both fine and gross motor skills through music, allowing the body and mind to work together. The instructor, Yvonne Miller, has experience in both special needs children and dance instruction. She currently works at Graham Elementary in the multiple handicap unit, and for several years was a one-on-one paraprofessional and teacher's aide. She previously worked for the Urbana Autism Unit. Ms Von has been involved at CSA for over ten years and currently teaches Mini and Creative Movement classes. Each session of Joy in Motion will consist of six 30-minute classes. .

AGES 6 - ADULT

CSA offers a wide variety of dance classes for all levels of ability and experience. For dancers graduating from Kinder Combo, or new dancers ages 6-9, our combo classes provide the opportunity for dancers to explore various styles of dance.  As dancers progress in ability or want to focus on an individual dance discipline, our higher level individual classes focus on technique, interpretation and improving skills. Dancers are placed in the appropriate class based on experience and ability. All classes meet once a week.

COMBO CLASSES    |   AGE: 6-10   |   CLASS LENGTH:  60 or 90 MIN Specifically designed for first graders and up, combination classes are offered in various levels. Dancers are placed in the appropriate level class (beginner to advanced) based on experience and ability. Dancers concentrate on technique, center floor work and across-the-room progressions. COMBO CLASS OPTIONS Tap | Ballet Ballet | Jazz Jazz | Tap Tap | Jazz | Ballet Tap/Ballet combo is a natural progression from the Kinder Combo program. We strongly encourage dancers to take a ballet combo class for at least one year to obtain a minimum background in what is the basis of all dance forms. No matter the combo class the dancer is interested in, 30 minutes is dedicated to each dance discipline. The 90-minute Tap/Jazz/Ballet combo class is for advanced dancers and must have teacher approval for placement. TAP  -  Basics and technique are broadened and center floor work expands to progressions. Footwork becomes more intricate and arm movements are added for additional difficulty. In beginner classes, small combinations are taught so that dancers become familiar with connecting steps together in a variety of rhythms. More advanced combinations are used as levels progress. BALLET During the ballet portion of the class, dancers are introduced to the ballet barre, and vocabulary and skills are expanded. Steps become more intricate as dancers progress through each level. Progressions and center floor combinations allow dancers to work on perfecting skills taught in class. JAZZ Jazz is a very popular form of dance; the music is upbeat and fun. Dancers begin class by stretching and work on their flexibility with an emphasis on correct body posture and alignment. Class continues with floor progressions, which are increasingly more challenging in each level. Center floor combinations complete the jazz class time.

JAZZ    |   AGE: 10+   |   CLASS LENGTH:  60 MIN A popular dance style, jazz is fun, energetic and upbeat. Dancers stretch and work on flexibilty with an emphasis on correct body posture and alignment prior to working on jazz technique and isolations. Dancers spend a portion of class time working on progressions - a movement or combination including jumps and leaps that is performed and repeated across the dance floor. As dancers progress, simple combinations become more challenging. Dancers learn basic jazz technique, proper jazz isolations and terminology. Several levels of jazz are offered with class placement determined by ability and experience.

TAP   |   AGE: 10+   |   CLASS LENGTH:  45 and 60 MIN Basic tap technique with emphasis on rhythm and sound. Each class begins with center floor warmups; new steps are added each week to constantly build tap ability and vocabulary. Dancers learn to connect individual steps through center floor work. Footwork becomes more intricate and a variety of arm movements are added for higher difficulty. Combinations are taught during each class enabling dancers to become familiar with connecting steps together in a variety of rhythms.

HIP HOP   |   AGE: 8+   |   CLASS LENGTH:  45 and 60 MIN High energy, diverse dance style. Dancers learn the funky style of poppin' and locking interspersed with freesyle movements. Good workout for free-spirited dancers who aren't afraid of working hard! Dancers are encouraged to develop their own personal sense of style. This less technical form of jazz is fast-paced and fun! Class starts with warmups and stretching. Dancers must be 8 years old by September 1 to enroll.

LYRICAL   |   AGE: 10+   |   CLASS LENGTH:  45 and 60 MIN A very expressive form of dance, lyrical is a blend of both jazz and ballet technique, with a strong ballet base. Dancers "tell a story" with movement and facial expression. Besides emotional connection to the music, lyrical dance typical encourages use of articulation, line weight and movement qualities. Dancers are required to have some form of ballet and/or jazz training (preferably both) prior to enrolling lyrical. Class time consists of stretching and warmups, followed by center floor work on isolations and flexibility; progressions are also used. CSA offers both traditional and modern lyrical classes. Modern lyrical (for older, more advanced dancers) is a more intensive contempory form; dancers must have prior lyrical experience and teacher approval to be placed in this class.

BALLET   |   AGE: 10+   |   CLASS LENGTH:  60 MIN Ballet is the basis of all dance forms and dancers are encouraged to continue their ballet training as long as possible. Dancers focus on body alignment, execution and learning vocabulary. Each class features barre work, progressions and center floor combinations. Steps become more intricate as dancers progress through each level. Emphasis is placed on correct body posture and alignments.

PRE-POINTE and POINTE   |   CLASS LENGTH:  30 and 60 MIN Pointe is a form of ballet presented on the tips of the toes, made possible by specialized pointe shoes. There are different varieties of ballet pointe, but for the most part it is focused on grace and specific technique. Dancers must have sufficient strength in the feet, ankle, leg, knee and abdomen, as well as strong technical skills, before beginning pointe work. Pointe is for the experienced ballet dancer with several years of ballet training. Placement in pre-pointe or pointe classes is by teacher invitation only. Dancers in a pointe class, are required to take a ballet class as well. Pre-pointe classes are 30 min; pointe classes are one hour.