Monday, November 16, 2015

Ballet is the CAKE


At Shaw Dance we focus much of our dancers' training on ballet. Ballet is the basis of all types of dance, it is the core of fundamentals for dance.  In one way or another, dancers will use a type of ballet move in all of their dance classes. Ballet is a vital class for any dancer and has many lasting benefits which include precision and speed in footwork, higher jumps and leaps, greater flexibility and strength, and improvement in balance. Ballet also give you great posture and helps with back and bone problems as one grows older.  There are many benefits to mastering this great art!
In our beginning dance Combination classes our dancers are taught the basics of ballet. They learn the terminology as well as movement and position. These dancers catch on very quickly and learn these habits from the very beginning of their dance education.
 As our students progress and have a desire to gain a greater knowledge of ballet we offer many classes for them to further their studies. Jennica's Beginning Ballet class is a great addition to any dancer's schedule. This class focuses on using the barre for the first time as well as working on their turn out and technique.  They are excited to showcase their progression at our upcoming Christmas Recital on December 14th.

  Another class offered to our dancers is Suzette's Turns and Leaps technique class. This is a non -performing class that is open to all students wishing to improve on their turns and leaps. Dancers progress very quickly. They learn to engage their muscles and use the floor. This is a fun class where the dancers can try new things and use the fundamentals they have already learned to enhance their craft.

 
 
 
 
 
Our competitive Showteam dancers spend time every week in a ballet technique class. They use the barre and something new this year to our studio is the use of ballet bands. Our dancer's are doing very well with this new training technique and we are seeing the progression in their dancing.

  Once a dancer matures in strength and ability we invite them to participate in Suzette's Pointe class. This is a competitive team that uses all of the ballet technique that they have previously learned, but now on Pointe. It is a tough class but our dancer's are doing fabulously! In the few short months that they have participated in this class their progression is admirable.


 Along with ballet technique is the continuation of strength training and fitness. Our competitive Showteam dancers spend time in a Stretching/Conditioning class. In this class dancers are educated on dance history, fitness, nutrition, and overall health of the body. Brittney works on tricks and acro, core strength, and flexibility with these dancers. This is a fun class where they learn that being active with your friends is enjoyable and there are wonderful rewards in strict training of the body. All of the lessons that they have been taught in their ballet training come full circle in this class where they learn that the overall health of the body is vital for success in all aspects of dance and life.
 
Shaw Dance LOVES the art of ballet.
We want to instill that same passion into our dancers. We teach them that ballet is the cake and everything else is the frosting on top!