OUR CLASSES

ISTD Modern Theatre/Fusion
Modern Theatre dance is a rhythmic dance style rooted in musical theatre, which originated in America. It is often seen in musical productions and is known for its dynamic theatrical qualities. The style uses travelling steps, high kicks, leaps and turns which all need strength and flexibility. Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing Modern Theatre also incorporates jazz, lyrical and contemporary dance styles into its examination syllabus. Modern Theatre Dance defies a single permanent definition. This is largely due to its ability to adapt, develop and evolve with the changing fashion in dance.

 

RAD Ballet
The Royal Academy of Dance is one of the world’s most influential dance education and training organisations, with its global headquarters in London. They believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn to dance. You don’t just want a good teacher, you want the best. By choosing an RAD Registered Teacher you are choosing quality, safety and professionalism.

 

JMDA Technique and Flexibility Focus
Our weekly training classes in technique and flexibility focus are invitation only for our competition and festival team students. This is a compulsory extra training class for all competitive students where we focus on improving flexibility and technical ability outside competition season, and then workshop and rehearse group dances in the lead up to competition season.

 

ISTD Street Dance

As with all forms of modern popular dance, the evolvement and development of styles are largely influenced by current music trends and promos/videos. Street Dance has moved a long way since the birth of hip hop in the early 1980’s with many different styles now falling under the banner. The original funk and hip hop styles are now classified as “Old School” with the newer styles having a distinction in their own right. The ISTD syllabus promotes an appreciation and enjoyment of Street Dance and has been developed for students to gain a thorough understanding of the various styles and rhythmic expressions of this popular dance form. The medals are inclusive meaning those with disabilities or learning difficulties are able to participate and we offer a variety of levels so that beginners and more experienced pupils can take part.

 

ISTD Contemporary Dance
Contemporary Dance stems from the core, or torso, of the body and uses elements of contract, release, spiral, floor work, fall and recovery, and improvisation. This evolving style has fast become one of the most dominant genres for dancers throughout the world. Contemporary dance history has its roots in the 20th century when American dancers rebelled against the strict rules of ballet in order to develop a more natural way of dancing. What is called ‘Contemporary Dance’ in Britain grew out of the ‘Modern Dance’ that arose in Central Europe and the USA. Thus, important here, amongst others in Central Europe, were Rudolf Laban, Harold Kreutzbeg and later Mary Wigman and Kurt Joss. In the USA there were Ruth St, Denis and Ted Shawn, Isadora Duncan and later Doris Humphrey, Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham and Robert Cohan. Always changing and ever-evolving, contemporary dance techniques encourage and reward creative freedom and artistic expression.

 

ISTD Tap Dance

Tap Dance is an exciting, percussive, rhythmical dance form. The dancer uses their feet to strike the floor, beating out a melody, with tap shoes which have small metal plates on the toe and heel to give the distinctive sound. Tap dance is a theatrical art form often seen on screen and stage in musicals. Tap dance is an American art form, born of the fusion of cultures on American soil. Influenced by African rhythms, Irish stepping and English clogging, it developed in the late 19th century and by the early 1900s was firmly established in the vaudeville of America and in the music halls of Britain. Its popularity spread even more widely in the 1930s when it became a significant component of musical films.