Courses
The Academy of Dance Arts offers the following classes for all ages:
Movement Classes for Toddlers
Academy of Dance Arts is offering an exciting dance programme for toddlers aged 1-3 years. These toddler movement classes have been designed specifically for very young children who love to dance to their favourite songs but are too young to join formal dance classes.
Each session includes a fun warm-up, a musical story adventure full of action and a winding down period. These sessions will help your toddlers:
• explore their creativity
• build their self-esteem from a very young age
• and have FUN
Parents are given the opportunity to interact physically with their children, while meeting other parents.
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Classical Ballet
The Academy prepares students for exams in the Cecchetti Method, which is one of the dance styles offered by the ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing). Cecchetti's own teaching was geared to professional dancers. As a build up to the full Cecchetti Method, the Cecchetti Society has evolved a series of graded syllabi and examinations to meet the needs of children at both pre-vocational and recreational levels, as well as those of the vocational student. These have now been expanded to include Performance Awards to encourage this aspect of the children's work. There are also qualifying examinations for teachers, granting Associate, Licentiate and Fellowship status of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.
Recreational (Ages 3 – 4)
Once a week (45 minutes)
Students can start classical ballet at the age of 3, and will join the Recreational Class. This aims to introduce children to the art and joy of dance. The class focuses on developing the young dancer's coordination and rhythm. Students learn basic class etiquette, learning to take turns and participate in group or pair work. They are exposed to ballet terminology such as plie, tendu, port des bras, sauté, and the basic positions of the feet. These are explained in simple terms which the young dancer will remember. A portion of the class is set aside for stretching to develop flexibility and free dance, encouraging students to respond individually to different types of music and develop their creativity.
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Primary and Standard 1 (Ages 5 – 6)
Twice a week (1 hour each lesson)
Students continue to build on what they have learned in the previous year. There is more focus on stance and correct positioning of the body, feet and arms. Young Dancers are introduced to the importance of discipline in their classical training as classes become more formal. Students acquire the necessary foundations for their Grade and Vocational Examinations. At the Academy of Dance Arts students usually prepare for Primary and Standard 1 examinations at the age of 5 and 6 respectively. These exams are a good preparation for Grade examinations as they are less formal. Students enter in groups and are assisted by their class teacher.
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Grades 1 – 6
Twice a week (1 hour each lesson) – Three lessons for Grade 6 (1 hour each lesson)
At the Academy, students begin the Grade 1 syllabus at the age of 7 and progress to the next Grade after successfully completing an annual examination regulated by ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing). In Grade 1 students start to work at the barre and learn correct positioning as they perform basic warm-up exercises including plies, tendus, degages, releves, grande battemante, rond de jambe and more. Every year students build and strengthen on what they have learned in the previous year. Centre work includes battemante exercises performed away from the barre, port des bras, piroettes, adage, petit and grand allegro. Body conditioning, creating a sequence of steps to a set piece of music and performances are also given important weighting at the Academy of Dance Arts. In Grade 6, students who are strong enough are introduced to Pointe work.
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Vocational / Major Syllabi (Intermediate, Advanced 1 and Advanced 2)
Four lessons per week
After completing Grades 1 through to Grade 6, students then prepare for major exams, namely Intermediate, Advanced 1 and Advanced 2 syllabi. Work started in the grades continues and builds progressively to more advanced levels. Students are also expected to perform sections of the syllabus on pointe shoes.
Dedicated and talented students are encouraged and prepared for teachers' certificates or helped to find scholarships to further their studies abroad.
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Spanish Dance and Flamenco
Dance Arts offers professional Spanish dance lessons to students of all ages. The Academy prepares students for examinations of the Spanish Dance Society (SDS). The SDS was founded by Mercedes Molina in 1965, together with other senior teachers of Spanish Dance in South Africa. The board has a graded syllabus starting from Preparacion d'Ingreso progressing to Vocational levels and includes various styles of Spanish Dance, namely Flamenco, regional and classical forms of dance.
Preparacion d'Ingreso and Ingreso
Students start with Preparacion d'Ingreso if they are between 6 and 8 years of age. Students 8 and above will progress to Ingreso straight away. These preparatory grades act as an introduction to Spanish Dance. Students are introduced to the basic use of castanets, arm movement, footwork and the Flamenco and regional styles of dance.
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Primer Ano – Quinto Ano
There is a progress from the previous preparatory grades. Students are introduced to more elaborate exercises including rolls of castanets, hand and arm movement, complex footwork, partner dances like the Sevillanas and individual dances in the various Spanish styles with the focus being on Flamenco at this stage.
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Primer Ano Estudiante, Segundo Ano Estudiante and Tercer Ano Estudiante (Major Exams)
There is a build up from the previous grades. Students can focus on Flamenco only or opt to do a combination of styles, including dances in classical and regional styles. Flamenco dances at this level also make use of the Bata de cola (tail skirt).
Dedicated students at the Academy can work to achieve their teacher certificates of the SDS namely, IdB I, II and III and PdB.
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Flamenco Classes for Adult Beginners
Flamenco dancing is a great way to get in shape and have fun. Classes will be suitable for all ages and abilities, beginners to advanced, male and female. You do not need to be a trained dancer, nor do you have to be young and physically fit. No matter your age or shape, our classes offer you the opportunity to feel the flamenco rhythm and passion in a fun, relaxed and informal environment.
All major flamenco dance forms are covered in the dance classes, including the ever-popular sevillanas, bulerías, tangos, fandangos de huelva, solea, alegrías, tientos and seguiríyas.
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Jazz
Jazz dance is a popular form of dance particularly with teenagers. It originated in Vaudeville and became identified with tap dance set to jazz music. Jazz dance evolved into a smooth style performed on Broadway and popularized by Bob Fosse. It is generally regarded that the basis for good jazz technique is ballet, which builds the strength and coordination required. Teachers at the Academy dedicate a part of the Jazz class to intense warm-up and stretching, to build on the students' athleticism, strength and agility.
Jazz classes on offer at Dance Arts are aimed at various levels namely children, teens, and more advanced dancers.
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Contemporary
Contemporary dance is a genre of concert dance that employs systems and methods found in modern dance and postmodern dance, as well as classical ballet. Contemporary dance draws on modern dance techniques as well as newer philosophies of movement that depart from classical dance techniques by altogether omitting structured form and movement. Pioneers of contemporary dance include Isadora Duncan, Ruth St. Denis, Doris Humphrey, Mary Wigman, Francois Delsarte, Emilie Jaques-Dalcroze, Merce Cunningham, Martha Graham, Rudolph von Laban, Loie Fuller, Jose Limon and Marie Rambert.
At Dance Arts Contemporary classes are offered to more advanced students and this usually complements their classical training.
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