Tap allows a dancer to use the body as a rhythm instrument. Rhythm tap is a smooth, intricate style that begins at the feet and moves through the body. The name comes from the tapping sound made when the small metal plate or “taps”, on the dancer’s shoes touch a hard floor. This lively, rhythmic tapping makes the performer not just a dancer, but also a percussive musician.

Jazz is enjoyed by all, in its contemporary form with the emphasis on technique, rhythm and style. Jazz classes incorporate isolations, bending and stretching with dance combinations of turns, kicks, leaps, and jumps. A very active dance form, jazz dance involves a full range of body movement.

Ballet is the foundation of all dances; depending on the level of the dancer, Ballet involves barre work, center floor exercises and moving combinations. Students will focus on technique, flexibility, strength and body placement while emphasizing musicality. Disciplined and precise, ballet focuses on the dancers’ turnout and center body placement. It develops strength, stamina, coordination and grace. Combining proper alignment and body placement seamless transitions through standard arm, leg and feet positions, and astute sense of timing, it trains the dancers to be clean, versatile performers.

Lyrical dance is the fusion of ballet and jazz technique. Expression from the inner emotion is a primary factor in choreographing, dance, and interpreting this art form. A key element in a lyrical piece is seeing the movement done in a flowing or continuous pattern, instead of set counts. Lyrical dance interprets music or works, showing the emotion of the particular piece. The lines are rational in nature with a ballet technique base that determines the correct placement of the body angles.

The most advanced form of Ballet. Dancing en pointe is the action of rising to “tips of the toes” while performing steps from ballet technique.

Requirements for Pre-Pointe or Pointe 1
Students must be 11-18 years old and have their ballet teacher’s approval to enroll in the pre-pointe class. Students taking pre-pointe must also take a ballet technique class during the week in addition to pre-pointe to ensure that they are building strength and endurance to be ready for pointe.

Requirements for Pointe 2
Our team of teachers evaluate each student individually to go on pointe. Below we have listed some criteria we are looking for. If your dancer meets some of the basic requirements and wants to be evaluated for pointe they must attend the Pre-Pointe class during our school year session and then attend the pointe evaluation.  Pointe is an extra class and does not count as a ballet technique class; students must come to ballet class once a week (required classes must be taken at Steppin’ Out) and their pointe class would be in addition to that.

• Students must be 12 or older.
• Must have 7 consecutive years of ballet training
• Must come to ballet technique classes at least once a week
• Must have taken the pre-pointe class
• Must have sufficient strength to do the following:
  • Be able to hold their turn-out while dancing. The most basic concept of ballet is turnout. Holding turnout and using turnout muscles while dancing is a good sign of strength. If the student does not have the strength to maintain their turnout, they are not strong enough for pointe, since it is much more difficult to hold turnout on pointe.
  • Proper alignment, foot/leg strength, and flexibility in feet
  • Use Plié while dancing. Students must use their plies while dancing because this is how they get up en pointe. If they don’t use their plies, they will have to bend the leg incorrectly in order to get en pointe. Plies should be done with the knees pointing straight over their toes and with the heels down.
  • Keep the heels forward toward the big toe (no sickling). The most stable position for pointe work is to have the weight slightly forward over the big toe. If the weight is over the little toe, it will increase the chances of strain and injury.
  • Point their feet while dancing (without being reminded!) Students must point their feet while dancing in order to strengthen the muscles that pointe-work requires. If the student is not in the habit of using these foot muscles then they will not be able to support their body weight on pointe.
  • Piqué Passe with a straight leg. Students should have enough strength to push themselves onto half-pointe. This step is harder to do en pointe and a bent leg is usually a sign of weakness.
  • Be able to do 32 relevés in the center without ankles wiggling. Releves are excellent for building up calf muscle strength, which is vital for pointe work. The student must also go up as high on half pointe as she can, since pointe work demands this ability. A student who keeps her heels very low to the ground is not preparing her calf muscles adequately and will not have the strength for pointe work.
  • Be able to hold a passé balance on demi pointe. The student should be well-placed (hips square, back straight, legs turned out, and to have strength to balance on demi pointe.)
  • The student must be in good health and able to take a whole class. If the student frequently needs to rest because of illness or injury, she is not strong enough for the extra demands that pre-pointe and pointe work requires.

Additional Information:

• Pre-Pointe/Pointe 1 will be required before Pointe 2.
• If a student is not ready for pointe after evaluation, they must re-take pre-pointe
• If a student is coming from another studio and already on pointe, they will be evaluated and redirected as necessary
• If a student is transferring from another studio and was “going to be placed on pointe”, the student will be sent to Pre-Pointe first and then on to Beginning Pointe if they appear to be ready

Once a student has reached an intermediate level in pointe work, they will then be transferred to the next level of pointe class.

A structured form of street dance and funk. Aerobic endurance is a strong component. This energetic and popular dance style involves the whole body and is all about self expression – it’s vibrant and right on the beat. Hip Hop is much more accessible than other dance forms, it’s less about technique and more about pure explosive movement.

This is a class with a taste of all dance styles: ballet, tap, lyrical contemporary and hip hop. It is perfect for our dancers looking to take their talents to the stage.