Ballet I
Instructor: Melissa Morelli

Students will learn the basics of ballet in this fun and stress relieving class. This session will focus on port de bras (carriage of the arms) while learning the fundamental elements of ballet. Gain strength, flexibility, coordination, and grace as Melissa teaches you the dance of royalty! Spatial, kinesthetic, and musical elements are utilized in this most popular MAC class.

Ballet II
Instructor: Tracy Holtzer

In the 17th century, King Louis XIV is said to have developed ballet in his royal courts for the entertainment of the aristocrats. Tracy Holtzer brings a wealth of dance training and teaching experience to this intermediate ballet class. Practice the basic elements at the barre and then apply this training to center combinations developing balance, coordination and flexibility at the same time. The instructor will use a variety of music styles to provide the students with a number of expressive interpretations of classical and contemporary ballet. Prior experience in ballet is necessary for registration in this class.

Creative Movement Ages 3-5
Instructor: Mary Jane Gamble

Mary Jane has been working with children for over 20 years. She specializes in creating movement that fosters a child’s growth and development while giving them the freedom to explore and create their own movement patterns. This innovative class weaves stories, props, and music into a complete dance. The students will acquire rhythmic skills, creative interpretation, and knowledge of sequencing movement. Most importantly, they’ll have loads of fun!

Hip-Hop for Kids Ages 6-8
Instructor: Micha Hickey

Join Micha for an introduction to hip-hop dance. Students will begin with a high-energy warm-up, move across the floor and learn a dance to their favorite pop music, which has greatly influenced the movements of hip-hop. Each class will get their heart rates pumping and their minds actively engaged. You won't want to miss one minute of this exhilarating and stimulating style of dance!

Hip-Hop Ages 9-12
Instructor: Micha Hickey

Former MSU Dance Team captain will impress you with her innovative and trendy style of hip-hop. Dancers can expect to challenge their minds with fun and fresh combinations as well as your body with the physicality needed to complete the movement. Dancers will warm-up, move across the floor, learn fun combination and work on their flexibility. Burn calories as you groove to your favorite hits!

Hip-Hop/Urban Jazz
Instructor: Shane Marie King

Shane Marie King teaches a style of dance that began on the streets of New York and has evolved to become popular culture. A combination of R&B, Rap, and Dance music inspires this fresh and funky dance style as seen in music videos today. Students will learn a long combination that you will work towards the entire session. These combinations will be created from other movement that is learned while moving across the floor and during the warm-up.

Jazz I
Instructor: Melissa Morelli

An introduction to jazz dance, Melissa will help you determine the characteristics of movement that define jazz dance: quality of movement, rhythm, syncopation and interpretation of the movement. Jazz dance is a part of musical theatre choreography, hip-hop and funk; jazz can also be crossed over into other styles to create lyrical or contemporary dance. Melissa will explore these movement differences while helping to develop basic jazz terminology much of which is borrowed from ballet. The only requirement is that you have a good time!

Jazz III
Instructor: Tracy Holtzer

This class is for the experienced dancer and will concentrate on proper form as applied to the styles of jazz that are defined by the famous choreographers themselves, such as Gus Giordano, Frank Hatchett, Bob Fosse and Lester Horton. Jazz dancing relates to the rhythms composed with African influences. It represents the popular culture, and as the culture changes, so does the appearance of jazz dance. Prepare to move at a fast pace and to work up a sweat!

Tap I
Instructor: Tracy Holtzer

This class will explore the rhythms produced by your feet while learning beginning tap terminology and rhythms. We will expand upon the rhythms and syncopation as the class progresses. The sources of tap dancing include the Irish solo step dance, the English clog dance and African dance movements. Jazz music in the 1920’s helped to revolutionize tap dancing, providing further rhythmic complexity to the original movement. Tap shoes are required.