Jazz dance emerged from many different styles of dance such as tap, African tribal dance, and swing dancing, jazz dancing is constantly evolving as choreographer experiment with movement and musicality. The jazz program at Falmouth Dance Academy strongly focuses on the main elements of each style. Our dancers are introduced to many different versions of jazz such as Musical Theatre, Lyrical and Contemporary. Musical theatre style is what you would see on Broadway, while Lyrical and Contemporary are forms of the jazz technique. Each class begins with a warm-up, followed by across the floor, isolations, and finally combinations that focus on rhythms and patterns to help better their performances.

Tap dance was originally developed in the United States from percussive dance styles such as African tribal dance, and Irish clog dances. This style is known for the sounds each step can make by the tap shoes worn by the dancer. Each dancer uses their feet to make percussive sounds in a rhythmic pattern as they dance to the music. Our Tap program really reinforces the percussive dance style, and how to make rhythmical sounds with your feet. Each class begins with a warm up, followed by progressions across the floor, ending in a combination based off the step they were taught.

Modern is a style of dance that is not restrictive, and really focuses on the flow of movement while still utilizing ballet technique. Some notable choreographers include Martha Graham, Jose Limon, and Lester Horton. Each choreographer focused on flowing movement, the ability to feel weightless, and the idea of fall and recover. The modern dance program at Pulse Dance Complex helps our students become more grounded in their movement. Our students will focus on the foundations of Horton, and Limon technique. Each class consist of a warm up, core building exercise, and across the floor progressions.

Hip-Hop is a style of dance that focuses on popping, locking, waving, breaking and house dancing. The popping technique is quick contractions and release of the body, causing a jerk or pop motion. The lock technique is all about the sudden halt or freeze in movement. Waving technique is the more floor version of popping, and is one of the most common types of hip-hop. Break dancing, and house dancing is quick foot work on either your hands or feet, incorporating the use of acrobatics. The hip-hop program at Falmouth Dance Academy consists of a warm up routine based on cardio, stretching and strengthening, isolations, and combinations focusing on the commercial dance industry.

Acrobatic/Gymnastics and Stretching class is a fusion of ballet technique with gymnastic elements and balancing moves, Acrobatics showcases smooth, graceful transitions from move to move, as well as promotes motor coordination. In Acrobatic/Stretch class students will increase their strength and flexibility, while also learning how to make their dancing more fluid. Students will learn at their own pace to develop each acrobatic skill, as the student becomes stronger and their flexibility increases they will be taught more complex tricks and skills.

Welcome to our new semester of classes, 2019-2020.